3 MLB free agent contracts we’re glad the NY Mets didn’t add to the payroll

The New York Mets have been as active as any team this offseason and landed the offseason's biggest prize. They're likely not done going on a spending spree either as hot stove season really begins to heat up.

The Mets are far from the only team that has been spending big, however, and some of the deals that were handed out to potential Mets' free agent targets could be considered as bullets dodged. In particular, these three massive deals stand out as contracts we're glad David Stearns didn't add to the Amazins' payroll.

1) Willy Adames' seven-year $182 million deal wouldn't be good value for the Mets

The San Francisco Giants made Willy Adames a rich man by agreeing to a seven-year $182 million contract ahead of the Winter Meetings. At one point, the Mets had been linked to the former Brewers' shortstop despite the presence of Francisco Lindor with the idea of playing him at third base while shifting Mark Vientos across the diamond to first.

Whether or not this was a Soto contingency plan or something Mets' brass was considering in addition to Soto is anyone's guess, but at this price, it would have been a mistake either way.

Adames derives a good chunk of his value from his glove work at a premium position. Moving him off of that premium position diminishes some of the impact he makes on the field. Beyond that, being a good shortstop and being a good third baseman are two different skill sets. While speed, range, and athleticism are keys to playing short, the hot corner requires quick twitch reflexes and a different set of instincts that not all shortstops possess.

Aside from the positional difference and reduced positional value, Adames is a good but not great hitter. He owns a career wRC+ of 109 meaning he's been nine percent better than the average hitter. While his 2024 wRC+ of 119 was good, he posted a career-worst mark of 94 (six percent worse than average) in 2023.

Entering his age-29 season, he's at the point where his athleticism will soon decline which will negatively impact his defense which is his greatest asset. For the Mets, the problem would be compounded by moving him off his natural position to one of lesser defensive value. At the end of the day, a $26 million average annual value is a lot to pay for a guy who would immediately be hard-pressed to provide surplus value due to the position change. Without an elite bat, seven years is a contract that will not age well either.