New York Mets Sign Marte, Canha and Escobar in Black Friday Explosion

Apparently angry Steve Cohen is a productive Steve Cohen. 

Two days after his explosion on Twitter directed at Steve Matz' agent, the billionaire owner and the New York Mets ponied up big cash for a couple of former Oakland A's and a Milwukee Brewer by signing Sterling Marte, Matt Canha and Eduardo Escobar to contracts. 

The moves are the first big moves made by the Mets since the naming of Billy Eppler as General Manager. In an off-season that has been dominated by negative headlines, the trio of signings is the first positive news to come to the Mets this winter. 

In Marte the Mets get a center fielder they desperately needed, and it gives them added flexibility with their outfield. Potentially Brandon Nimmo could move to left or right field, and it makes Dom Smith totally expendable via trade. 

Marte and the Mets agreed to a four-year, $78 million deal, to bring both his glove and his live bat to Citi Field.  Marte had a .310/.348/.458 slash line with 12 homers and 47stolen bases last season in split time with the Oakland A's and Miami Marlins. 

The only knock on Marte is his age. He is 33-years old and will be 37 by the end of the deal. The Mets are bringing in Marte for three reasons: 1) His defense. Last season Marte had a .990 fielding percentage in center, and has 50 career assists in the outfield. 2) Speed on the bases. Marte swiped 47 bags last season, and is four steals away from 300 for his career. 3) Hits for average. Marte is a lifetime .289 hitter. 

Meanwhile, Marte's Oakland teammate Matt Canha comes along, having signed a two-year, $26.5 million deal with an option for a third year. The 32-year old can play multiple positions both on the infield and outfield, meaning that Jeff McNeil's days are likely numbered in New York. 

Canha has some pop. He hit 26 home runs in 2019 with the A's; 17 home runs last season. Not a great average hitter, he is a lifetime .244 hitter. But the Mets are probably asking him to take a role similar to Kevin Pillar and Jonathan Villar next season. 

Finally, the Mets signed Eduardo Escobar to a two-year, $20 million to be a utility infielder. That means he too will likely replace Villar and Pillar in the infield. He could also subplant JD Davis, should the Mets move on from him. 

Escobar was an All Star last season, hitting .253 with 28 homers and 90 RBI in split time with the Arizona Diamondbacks and Milwaukee Brewers. Escobar is said to be a great clubhouse guy. Just ask Mets starter Taijuan Walker, who praised the deal on Twitter: 

“I couldn’t be more excited to have my boy Escobar with us,” tweeted Mets pitcher Taijuan Walker, who played alongside Escobar in 2019 in Arizona. “Hands down one of the best teammates I’ve ever had. Mets fans are going to love him!”

The moves do not prevent the Mets from  re-signing Javier Baez, should they choose to do so. Baez is rumored to be drawing interest from the Tigers and Red Sox. Even if the Mets lose Baez in free agency, they have enough options for second base unless they want to dip their toe in the Carlos Correa sweepstakes.