Ok, ok, ok, so Tim Locastro probably won’t make the club out of Spring Training… or potentially at all, for that matter. However, the Mets have added the speedster to the organization on a MiLB deal.
The Syracuse, New York native spent 2021 and 2022 with the Yankees before the bombers granted Locastro his Free Agency.
In his two seasons with the Yankees, the utility man has a .188/.232/.375/.607 slash line with three home runs and 6 RBI’s in 64 at bats.
Unfortunately, his career numbers aren’t much better. Throughout his six year career, Locastro hit .227/.235/.331/.656 while displaying blazing speed but is just an average defender in the field.
Locastro will serve as depth for the Mets, as I see him starting 2023 in the city in which he was born.
Closer of the White Sox, Liam Hendriks has announced via his IG (Instagram) that he unfortunately has Cancer.
“Hearing the word ’cancer’ came as a shock to my wife and I, as it does to millions of families each year. However, I am resolved to embrace the fight and overcome this new challenge with the same determination I have used when facing other obstacles in my life…
My treatment begins tomorrow, and I am confident that I will make a full recovery and be back on the mound as soon as possible. I know with the support of my wife, my family, my teammates, and the Chicago White Sox organization, along with the treatment and care from my doctors, I will get through this.”
Via Hendriks’ IG
Hendriks is currently listed as the closer for the Chicago White Sox, however, rumors across the internet have the Mets targeting the right-hander for bullpen help. The veteran is two years deep into a three year deal worth $54M, not an impossible contract to relocate.
Unfortunately, all that is currently on hold as Hendriks will receive treatment for non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.
General Manager of the White Sox, Rick Hanh has released a statement on behalf of the organization.
“Our thoughts and reactions at this time are for Liam the person, not Liam the baseball player. I know the entire Chicago White Sox organization, our staff, his teammates, and certainly White Sox fans, will rally in support of Liam and Kristi during the coming months. Knowing everyone involved, especially Liam, we are optimistic he will pitch again for the White Sox as soon as viable. In the meantime, we all will do everything in our power to support our teammate and his family as they face this challenge, while also respecting their privacy. We do not expect to have any updates on Liam’s playing status prior to Opening Day at the very earliest.”
Hendriks has a career 3.81 ERA over the span of 12 seasons. The veteran has collected 115 saves throughout his career, including a career high of 38 with the Sox in 2019.
Prayers go out to Hendriks and his family as they fight this horrible disease.
It seems like a lot of players had a shitty 2022 and Trent Grisham wasn’t an exception to that category, Unfortunately, that might factor him into being the odd man out of the Padres lineup for the 2023 campaign.
With Fernando Tatis Jr moving to the outfield due to the acquisition of Xander Bogaerts, the Padres could opt to move Grisham to the bench.
Grisham slashed an abysmal .184/.284/.341/.626 in 2022, which could very well work in the Mets favor if he’s on the block. With every single team looking to get their hands on prospects Fransisco Alvarez and Ronny Mauricio, the Padres have no right asking for either in this potential trade.
Obviously, Grisham has had a better career than his last year would suggest, however not so much so. His career slash line is .222/.316/.395/.711 while averaging 20 home runs per every 162 games played.
Via BaseballSavant.com
While all that is great, what he would bring to the table for the Mets most importantly is solid outfield defensive options. He’s the best in the league when it comes to OOA (Outs Above Average), with a top tier ranking for outfielder jump and an above average arm.
The Burleson, Texas native was drafted 15th overall by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 2015 MLB June Amateur Draft. That particular draft was headlined by shortstops Dansby Swanson and Alex Bregman.
This wouldn’t be the sexiest acquisition, but how sexy can you get when it comes to a fourth or even fifth outfielder.
So even though I don’t see him getting 500 at-bats in this Mets lineup, they could find 300 for him. Especially with a manager like Buck Showalter calling the shots.
Michael Conforto is once again property of a professional baseball team, the San Francisco Giants. While the Giants have had quite the rough offseason, they did end up landing a outfielder.
Conforto signed a two year deal worth $36M. Not at all bad, especially for someone that hasn’t played a full season due to a shoulder injury during practice.
The Seattle, Washington native will obviously be much closer to home on the west coast after spending 7 seasons in New York. Conforto was drafted by the Mets in the first round of the 2014 June Amateur Draft.
Throughout his career, the left handed bat slashed .255/.356/.468/.824 in 2551 at-bats. He also slugged 141 doubles and 132 home runs with 396 RBI’s.
The slugger will join former Mets boppers, Wilmer Flores and J.D. Davis.
Yoan Lopez, right-handed reliever, has been released to make room on the 40 man roster after the acquisitions Danny Mendick and Carlos Correa.
In 11 innings pitched, the Cuban native owned a 5.73 ERA while striking out 10 and walking 5.
Lopez only played in 8 games for the Mets, and it sounds like he’s likely taking his stuff to Japan. As recent as this week, his team has been negotiating a contract with the Yomiuri Giants of Nippon Professional Baseball.
Mets Junkies 