Brandon Nimmo Should Be Untouchable
According to recent reports, the Mets are pursuing J.T. Realmuto. Purportedly, the Marlins want a combination of young MLB players under control plus some prospects for Realmuto. The MLB players mentioned were Michael Conforto, Amed Rosario, and Brandon Nimmo. If that’s the cost, especially Nimmo, the Mets should tell the Marlins there’s no deal.
In fact, if anyone approaches the Mets about Nimmo, they should hang up the phone.
Last year, Nimmo was one of the best players in the National League. In fact, if not for the Mets completely falling apart in the May, it is quite possible Nimmo would have been one of the top five in MVP voting. No, this is not hyperbole.
In 2018, Nimmo was second in the National League in both wRC+, OPS+, and OBP. He had the third highest WAR among National League outfielders. He was fourth in the league in triples. He was ninth in walks and first in HBP. Taking all of this into account, Nimmo profiled as the best lead-off hitter in the National League, and if Mookie Betts wasn’t a lead0ff hitter for the Red Sox, you could probably argue Nimmo was the best leadoff hitter in baseball.
When you take Nimmo’s production and you combine it with his not yet being arbitration eligible, you have one of the most valuable assets in all of baseball. Nimmo is playing at an All Star level, is still just 25 years old, and he is under team control through the 2022 season. This is the type of asset you build upon, not one you trade away when you can simply sign other players to fill other voids.
Speaking of voids, trading Nimmo leaves a huge one. If you are going to look to replace him, you are talking about injury plagued players like Michael Brantley or A.J. Pollock. There’s also veterans on the backside of their careers like Andrew McCutchen or Adam Jones. Past that, and you’re really rolling the dice that Curtis Granderson or Nick Markakis have just one year left in them.
Sure, you can mention Bryce Harper, but if you have the money to sign him, just go ahead and sign him. He is supposedly willing to play first base. If he isn’t, Nimmo can play center. He was a -2 DRS in 350.1 innings there last year, but according to Baseball Savant he has the same spring speed as Juan Lagares, which at least suggests he can make improvements if he were to remain at the position (no, this is not to say he’s going to win any Gold Gloves).
Overall, Nimmo is a cost controlled outfielder who was one of the best hitters in all of baseball last year. He is a driven to get better, and he is versatile in the outfield. With him not yet being arbitration eligible and under team control for four more years, he is as untouchable as any player, pitchers included, on this Mets team.
Nimmo is a 4th outfielder despite Mets fans fascination with him and I am a Mets fan for almost 50 years.
You’re standing as a Mets fan for 40 years doesn’t make you right.
You don’t trade a player who had the season Nimmo had, who is also not a free agent until 2023.
I agree, why trade Nimmo if he is just starting to reach his potential. Just sign Grandal and be done with this catching search. Give Grandal 3 years and somewhere between 35 and 45 million. He will give you about 25/75 a year with this lineup and handle the staff well. Then start drafting catchers so in 3 years you dont have to go through this again. Also jettison Frasier in a trade and being back Murphy on a 3 year deal. It was a mistake not to resign him in the first place and he can play third and be available for second or first on an emergency basis. Plus he’s a winner and has a winner’s attitude which we need more of.
While I’m not as eager as you to part with Frazier, I have to say it’s an interesting plan
Mets should trade Rosario, Alonso, Gimenez for Realmuto. All three Mets players are expendable. We have Cecchini SS and Smith 1B. Cecchini showed significant improvement before his injury and is poised to be a force in 2019. Smith raised his MLB batting average by 26 points in 2018. Say what you want about his 47 strikeouts in 49 games, but that averages to just under one strikeout / game. He also has a better OBP than Alonso. Alonso’s batting average dropped 64 points from AA Binghamton to AAA Las Vegas. This is alarming since the 61s played in the 4th most hitter friendly ballpark of the very hitter friendly PCL. Also so needs another season @ AAA now in Syracuse to prove he’s MLB ready.
No player is expendable.