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DeRosa's versatility would serve the Mets well
BY AARON YORKE
STACHE WRITER
According to SI’s Jon Heyman, a bunch of teams have been asking about super utilityman Mark DeRosa, who is a free agent after being traded from Cleveland to St. Louis during the season. It’s disappointing to me that Heyman does not list the Mets as one of those teams.
The best part about Mark DeRosa is that you can put him almost anywhere, which makes him perfect for a team with multiple holes like the Mets. For example, right now a lot of fans are hoping that the Mets can trade Luis Castillo so they can sign a different second baseman like Orlando Hudson. However, with DeRosa, you could sign him first without waiting to find someone desperate enough to take on Castillo. If Castillo is traded, then great, $6 million is off the books and you already have a guy who can play second base. Still want to sign Hudson? That’s fine. DeRosa can play left field or platoon with Daniel Murphy at first.
Even if the Mets are stuck with Castillo at second, DeRosa’s ability to play both left and first makes him valuable. I’m aware that his offense isn’t good enough to be a full-time player at either position unless he returns to his unreal 2008 form, but I’m not saying he’s anything more than a piece in the puzzle. DeRosa would simply be a great guy to sign early so you have a fall back plan at all their need positions. This way the Mets would have a reason not to panic and give out a huge contract when they really just need a one year plug-in.
Of course, the Mets shouldn’t commit a huge sum to DeRosa himself either. If the Phillies or Yankees want to give him 3 years and $27 million, let them go ahead and do that. However, a one or two year deal worth around $5 million a year would be a fair price to pay for the depth that DeRosa could provide.
Tags: Mark DeRosa
Categories: Aaron Yorke , MLB , Mets
I don’t know. I’ve always been a fan of DeRosa, but I don’t see him fitting into Queens. He’ll be good, but I’m not sure we need good. If we give him three years, what if he turns into Jose Valentin after the first season? He doesn’t have age on his side, and it’s one of these things where the Mets continue to give contracts to guys who age out of quality and handcuff roster spots and then need to dump them in the future.
Alex Cora was cheap and I can deal with that because he’s got valuable defense. But a one-year power guy off the bench is a lot better than a glorified Joe McEwing.
With teams like the Phillies needing a 3B, which is a premium position with limited supply, DeRosa is sure to get a contract as an everyday 3B.
Given that he’d be guaranteed an every day job at one position, I wouldn’t sign for anything less than 3 years @ $8M+.
He’s essentially been a utility guy his whole career and has proven that he can be a more than adequate starter. He’ll also be 35 in February, so I don’t see him looking for 1-year deals at this point of his life. After knocking in 23 HR last season, he’s looking for one final pay day.
Unless the Mets are willing to overpay, they have to unfortunately cross him off the list.
While I agree that it would be difficult to sign DeRosa, especially since there is so much demand for third basemen, I’m surprised the Mets didn’t at least ask about him. He’s from North Jersey, just a few miles from New York City, so why not at least try for a hometown discount or something? I suppose Chone Figgins would be a much better utility option anyway.
I would definitely be down with DeRosa for first base for a year or two to bridge to Davis or someone better (A.Gonzalez). Local Boy would do fine. I just hope the Mets do not overvalue him and pay too much as you stated. http://www.metscitiblog.com
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