Quick Thoughts

There is a lot of movement going on this offseason and not every bit of rumor, trade or signing is worthy of its own post (necessarily), so consider this a greatest hits. Or at least a few sweet samples:

• Chris Young signed a one-year $7.25 million deal with the Mets today. With Marlon Byrd the Mets outfield was looking bleak and without him they were relying on Juan Lagares, Eric Young Jr. and whatever Lucas Duda could pretend to be out there. Safe to say, they needed some OF help and Chris Young provides that. Young's stock has plummeted in recent years but he can play CF and at least still hit lefties well. The problem is against righties. Young had a 67 wRC+ against right handed pitchers in 2013 but a more respectable 88 wRC+ in 2012.$7.25 million is a lot for a part-time player but if Young can play adequate CF defense and up his production against righties, it's a low-risk move for the Mets that fills a need.
• Of course, even with Young the Mets need some more OF help and they've also been linked to Nelson Cruz. Signing another out fielder is the right idea but Nelson Cruz might be a land mine. Cruz used to be a more athletic, five-ish tool player who could run a bit and field his position. Nowadays, while he can still hit home runs he brings no value on the bases for in right field. Cruz will demand a multi-year deal and it wouldn't surprise me if he had one solid year on his next contract but my guess is it gets drowned out by the other years. If I'm a Mets fan, I hope this stays a rumor.
• The Royals signed Jason Vargas to a four-year $32 million deal, essentially replacing free agent Ervin Santana. The dollars being thrown around this offseason is a little ridiculous but it's basically the new normal. Teams have more money to spend than ever before and they're clearly spending it. However, four years at $8 million a year for essentially a league-average pitcher is a little wonky. It's true that it's essentially the same deal that Jeremy Guthrie signed (plus a year) but that implying that Guthrie's deal was a solid one isn't necessarily correct. The Royals want to get over the hump, it's important to have several guys throw at least league average innings to compete, but giving Vargas four-years isn't an optimal use of their resources.