Each year at 213 we look through the Non-Roster Invitees to spring training and get to know them a bit. Are they in camp to get a look at big league hitting/pitching to aid their development? Are the Mets just trying to get a better look at a future rookie? Are they a veteran trying to get back to the major league level? What can we expect from them this season?
The Matt Adams signing this off-season was the strongest signal yet that somewhere in the Mets organization, people are worried about Jed Lowrie‘s health. In a team where Lowrie is healthy, Adams provides amazing depth. But a player who could be on a major league roster else where on a (probably tanking team), wanted to sign with the Mets means that Adams sees a path to the majors in Queens.
2019 Nationals: 333 PA, 310 AB, 20 HR, .226/.276/.465
Career: .261/.309/.469
So over his career, Adams has been a solid hitter. There is no path for him to first base with the Mets with Pete Alonso and Dominic Smith so maybe the Mets are thinking corner outfield. This is linked to Lowrie through Jeff McNeil and J.D. Davis. The more time that McNeil and Davis have to play in the infield opens up a spot for Adams in the outfield.
Now as a player off the bench, he brings quit a bit of pop. From his stats last year, thats unusual to have so much space between OBP and SLG, the gap exists to a lesser extent in his career line.
Matt Adams is an interesting player to bring in and his path to Queens is predicated first on Lowrie’s health and if the Mets are stressed injury wise elsewhere. He will still have to leap frog other players on the 40-man going for a bench spot as well. I think it’s a coinflip, entirely based on how many of last year’s injuries (Cespedes/Lowrie) still persist on the team at the end of Spring if Adams finds a way to the 40-man and the active roster by the end of Spring.
If he has an awesome spring but there’s no spot on the major league roster, it’s interesting to see what the Mets will do with him. Will they force him to Syracuse? Will they try to undo the fiasco with Mesoraco last year? I guess we’ll find out in 3.5 weeks!
