Tuesday, February 6, 2018

Trending Down


If for wildly different reasons, the Mets’ signing of Todd Frazier should bring cheers from the baseball establishment as well as Cubs’ and White Sox fans.  Here’s why.

Player agents and their clients have been grumbling all offseason about possible collusion among team owners.  Frazier is reported to have signed a two-year deal worth $17 million.  For those so inclined, this may be the start of something big.  MLB.com certainly makes it seem that way, but then again if someone acquired the rights to Adolf Hitler, the online story would note how the onetime Führer would bring “a veteran presence” to his new team.

Cubs’ fans hate the Mets (think 1969), so they’ll love this move because it’s bad.  It’s bad because, as any White Sox fan could attest, Todd Frazier swings a mostly-broken bat, as attested by a batting average that’s gone down each of the past three seasons.  The soon-to-be 32-year old Frazier hit .213 last year with the Sox and Yankees, with 27 homeruns and 76 RBIs; somehow, despite lunging at anything outside, the “ToddFather” managed a .344 on-base percentage.  What’s not to love…to hate?

According to the MLB.com story, the Mets are expected to have an infield that includes 32-year old Asdrubal Cabrera and 35-year old Adrian Gonzalez to go with Frazier; depending on who they get for second base, the Mets could sport a geriatric infield at four out of five positions.  With Jay Bruce (30) and Yoenis Cespedes (32), the New York outfield also can be expected to creak in the wind.  Oh, and the Mets signed 32-year old Anthony Swarzak for their bullpen.

I’d give anything to be 32 again; heck, I’d take 35 with no complaints.  You’re still a relative baby in your 30s, provided you’re not a professional athlete.  But the thirtysomethings on the Mets are athletes, unless they’ve stopped and don’t know it yet.  In recent years, that was the problem with the White Sox (with Adam Dunn, James Shields, Adam LaRoche….).
So, Mets’ fans, don’t say I didn’t warn you, and don’t be surprised by those howls of laughter coming out of the stands at Wrigley Field when your team comes to visit.

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