3 average Mets free agent signings that deserve an extreme re-grade

2) Joey Wendle

Unfortunately, not many of the Mets free agent signings have seen their grade improve. Luis Severino and Sean Manaea have been good but the grade change doesn’t seem so drastic. They go from what, a C up to a B+ or so?

On the other hand, the free agent signing of Joey Wendle has dropped off much more than anticipated. His numbers aren’t disastrous. It’s his failure to do the little things well like play defense or even get down a sacrifice bunt that has aggravated the fans.

Signed for just $2 million this offseason, he seemed like a decent pickup. In a lesser role, he appeared to be a solid upgrade over Luis Guillorme. The Mets could turn to him for help at any infield position. What was there to really dislike about it?

Old Grade: C+

The doubts began early when before the year even began the Wendle contract looked like an overpay. Gio Urshela got $500K less to sign with the Detroit Tigers. A far better fit for the Mets, it didn’t take long for Wendle’s performance to match those same doubts.

Any of the numbers Wendle does have feel a bit hollow considering how badly he has missed on defense at times. His two error game felt like the final straw for most fans. The front office didn’t disagree. Needing some sort of spark in the offense, they designated him for assignment on May 14.

Wendle will head into DFA limbo with a .222/.243/.250 slash line and 3 errors in only a small number of games. Temporarily, the Mets will choose to have no middle infield backup than him.

New Grade: D-