Danny Mendick has found a new team. According to MLB insider Jeff Passan Mendick has signed a one-contract worth $1 million with the New York Mets. This will be Mendick’s first major league season outside of Chicago as he returns to his home state. According to Passan, the Mets will get four years of control.
The White Sox non-tendered Mendick on November 18th. Mendick was one of the White Sox’s bright spots in 2022 before a torn ACL cut his season short. He was getting his first taste as an everyday starter and thriving in the role before he collided with Adam Haseley down the left-field line on June 22nd. The 29-year-old also served as a swiss army knife on defense. Mendick saw time at left field, shortstop, second, and third base last season. When Tim Anderson went down, Mendick filled in admirably at shortstop. He slashed .289/.343/.443 with three home runs and 15 RBIs in 106 plate appearances.
The Mets have gone on an offseason free-agency splurge this offseason. They have already added Justin Verlander, David Robertson, Jose Quintana, Omar Narvaez, Kodai Senga, Adam Ottovino, and Carlos Correa. They also resigned Brandon Nimmo resigned. With their depth in the infield, Mendick figures to be a bench piece should he make the team. He can play multiple infield positions, has decent speed, and can put the ball in play.
The White Sox had the 24th-lowest average WAR from their second baseman in 2022. A case could be made for Mendick as the solution at second base moving forward before he got injured. He was playing his best ball at the MLB level and had options remaining.
However, Rick Hahn’s decision to non-tender Mendick was a wise one. The Rochester, New York native salary could have risen to $1.1 million in his first year of arbitration eligibility.
As for the Mets, they could still trade one of their infielders to the White Sox to solve their vacancy at second base. With the addition of Carlos Correa, who will now slot in at third base, Eduardo Escobar doesn’t have a position. The White Sox could try and add him as their second baseman or go for Jeff McNeil.
McNeil is a career .307 hitter with a .828 OPS in five seasons. He isn’t known for his power, but he hit a career-high 23 homers in 2019. Last season he had 39 doubles and drew 40 walks. The Mets are rumored to be interested in Liam Hendriks.
Adding McNeil to the lineup would be a significant addition to the White Sox lineup and a clear upgrade over what they have been trotting out the last several seasons.
New York could also choose to hang onto both and head into next season with the deepest infield in baseball. But after adding Mendick as a bench option, it would be hard to see them keeping both Escobar and McNeil.
How was non-tend Mendick a smart move? He played better than Harrison and L Garcia at a fraction of their cost. And if the WSox go after Escobar, it will cost them $8M more plus they will have to trade to get him. So to save $100K, it was a smart move? Hey Mitch, are you Hahn’s cousin?