A reminder of why we liked the 4 pre-lockout free agent signings

The New York Mets went into the MLB lockout with plenty of fury. They signed four free agents while most of the rest of the league sat on their hands hoping to come out on the other side of things with some improvements.

Throughout the 99 days of no-transactions, Mets fans were feeling optimistic about the coming season.

However, since the lockout has ended and other teams have added, some have questioned the moves. Did the Mets do enough? Did they get the right guys? Was there a major miss? Before games begin to count, let’s recall why we liked those four free agent additions so much.

NY Mets signed free agent Eduardo Escobar to give them infield flexibility and power

Eduardo Escobar could very well hit the second-most home runs on the Mets this season. One of the few guys on the roster to display consistent power in recent years, we should be happy to have him for the added pop he adds to a relatively low-home run roster.

What’s more, Escobar gives the Mets infield flexibility. He should begin the year as the team’s starting third baseman. With the ability to also play second base and even look serviceable at shortstop, there are a lot of places the Mets can plug him in.

Escobar is unlikely to hit for a high average. Even in his productive recent seasons, around .270 is about the best we can expect from him.

A nearly-perfect addition to help bridge the Mets to whichever prospect they decide to name their starting third baseman, Escobar is a two-year comgmitment that will help diversify the lineup with a switch-hitter in the middle of it.

NY Mets signed free agent Starling Marte to give them things they didn’t already have

With Starling Marte, the only criticism tossed his direction in the post-lockout era seems to be his age. An oblique injury has raised questions about whether he was the right guy to add or not. Previously expected to start in center field for at least the 2022 season, Marte could find himself playing a lot more right field or left field as soon as this season.

Marte was easily the best free agent center fielder out there. And while you could make the argument Brandon Nimmo was fully capable of playing the position, does it hurt to have two guys who can?

Despite his age (33) and a preseason injury, the performance on the field tells us he is not yet ready to slow down. Marte stole 47 bases last year and hit .310. It wasn’t some sort of kick in the pants after getting into a pennant race either. He already had 22 stolen bases with the Miami Marlins and was hitting .305 before joining the Athletics. He continued to play well with the A’s, hitting .316 and swiping another 25 bags in only 56 games.

The Mets haven’t been a team built on speed for a very long time. Few teams have guys like Marte on the roster. Even if he isn’t quite up to the highest of expectations, Marte is a good batting average and OBP guy to have in the lineup.

NY Mets signed free agent Max Scherzer and nobody needs a reminder of what this means

Nobody needs to be reminded why signing Max Scherzer is a good thing. He has been one of the league’s best pitchers for a decade. Adding him behind Jacob deGrom in the rotation completely changes the face of the Mets rotation.

Suddenly, it’s not a matter of “what if” but of “how good.” deGrom and Scherzer combine to make one of the greatest one-two punches in MLB history.

I could go on and on about the greatness of Scherzer. You already agree with me. And if you don’t, who have you confused him with?

Scherzer was more than a symbolic signing by the Mets. As much as it showcased the front office’s focus on winning, it also made them a better team immediately.

The starting rotation does still have its questions. Will moving from Oakland to the Mets have any negative effect on Chris Bassitt? We saw it before with Sonny Gray in the Bronx.

What about Carlos Carrasco and Taijuan Walker? Questions about their health in the preseason and also coming off of weak 2021 performances have many wondering just how good they can be.

Scherzer gives the Mets a guarantee. As long as he stays on the field, something he has done for most of his career, the team snagged themselves a winner and a leader.