PORT STREET LUCIE — Mets Director of Baseball Operations David Stearns remains committed to giving opportunities to young players, but still walks a fine line in trying to further improve this year’s roster with proven products. walking.
Exhibit A is J.D. Davis, who agreed to a one-year contract with Oakland on Friday worth $2.5 million, with an additional $1 million possible in incentives, industry insiders confirmed.
The Mets acquired a free-agent third baseman as a hedge against the struggles of Brett Batty and Mark Vientos as regulars.
But hours before word surfaced of Davis’ contract with the Athletics — the former Mets third baseman chose the Athletics primarily for the opportunity for playing time, the Post’s Joel Sherman reported — Stearns also reaffirmed their vision for this season.
“I still think it’s important for us to give young players who have had consistent success at the minor league level a chance to contribute in the major leagues,” Stearns said. “I think that’s important. Those two. [Baty and Vientos] It fits into that category.
“I’ve also been consistent that it needs to happen throughout the year. It may not necessarily need to happen on Opening Day.”
Another JD, Martinez, remains available as a potential full-time DH option.
However, the addition of Martinez will likely exclude Vientos from the squad significantly.
Stearns said there is always a “tension” between the goal of trying to improve the team and remaining focused on giving opportunities to young players.
“We’re going to do our best to strike a balance and make sure we have a competitive team, a good team, on the field right now,” Stearns said. “And it also builds the long-term, sustainable success we’re looking for.”
Stearns praised Batty and Vientos for their efforts to improve defensively since last season.
Vientos, whose main weapon is power, could also potentially be added to the DH equation.
The Mets have acquired DJ Stewart and Choi Ji-man as options on the left side.
“That’s one of the questions we’ll continue to answer here over the next few weeks,” Stearns said when asked about the DH position. “We might end up rotating some of our regular players. It might be for one of the bat-first guys we have here in camp, but I don’t think there’s an answer to that right now.”
The Mets still have two spots open in the bullpen and have yet to officially select a starter between Tyler Megill and Jose Butto to fill Kodai Senga’s spot in the season-opening rotation.
Chiga suffered shoulder strain early in camp and is not expected to pitch until at least early May.
Stearns said spring training performance is just one factor that will guide his decision-making.
“We’re not looking at overall performance,” Stearns said. “We’re trying to look at the end result and look at the process to get there. That process is about our roster and who… [minor league] Optional and non-optional. Who would be a good fit for the beginning of the season? There are a variety of factors, some of which may be affected by spring training performance, but not all. ”
Stearns cited team culture as the most satisfying aspect of camp.
“What we want to build in spring training is an environment where players want to come on the field every day,” Stearns said. “It’s a fun place where everyone can work productively to get better, and I think the coaching staff has done a great job of building that.”
