(Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images)
After missing out on Carlos Correa, the Mets still have some worthwhile moves they can make with the money they had allocated for the star shortstop.
After the New York Mets missed out on Carlos Correa, who landed with the Minnesota Twins earlier this afternoon, fans can take solace in knowing they are still improved from last season. Fortunately, the Mets are owned by super owner Steve Cohen, and the money dedicated to Correa’s contract can still be used to further fortify an already bolstered roster.
The Mets currently have a projected payroll (including arbitration and tax figures) of $358 million. If Cohen had ever cared about luxury tax penalties, he would never have allowed himself to be in this situation in the first place. Credit to an owner that doesn’t care about spending and is focused on winning. Initially, the Mets were set to dedicate an AVV of $26.25 million to Correa. Let’s look at three ways those funds can be allocated elsewhere.
3. The Mets can sign Jesus Aguilar
At last year’s trade deadline, the Mets found themselves in a predicament regarding their rather top-heavy farm system. They needed a right-handed bat to help mash southpaws but were either forced to overspend with a top prospect or needed more to pique other teams’ interest over other offers. Enter Jesus Aguilar.
In 2022, Aguilar signed a one-year deal with the Miami Marlins after recording a line of .261/.329/.459 with 22 HRs and 93 RBIs. That deal was worth only $7 million. He went on to have a down year between Miami and Baltimore post-trade deadline, producing an underwhelming .235/.281/.379 while amassing just 16 HR and 51 driven in.
For a role primarily platooning with Daniel Vogelbach at the DH position and occasionally taking reps at first base when Pete Alonso needs a day off in the field, adding in an extremely cheap Aguilar could be a solid fit. He owns a career 108 wRC+ against lefties, which is nothing to write home about, but given the price of his upcoming contract, the Mets can add depth to their lineup while addressing a need with a projected league-average bat.
Furthermore, Aguilar owns a career hard-hit rate of 38.2 percent. The number drastically dropped in 2022, averaging 29.7, while his unsurprisingly medium contact rose to 52.0 percent. His career 35 percent ground ball rate and 41.1 percent of batted ball events being to the pull side should help him to see a slight uptick in batting average in 2023.
Aguilar is the cheaper option. If the Mets do further open the checkbook, Trey Mancini is another option that could be in the mix. Analytically, he should hit for a higher average than Aguilar, but with a career 112 wRC+ against lefties, the price difference leaves much to be desired.