Mets get bargains, like savvy shoppers at a season closeout
NEW YORK (AP) — Todd Frazier stood a few feet away, wearing the No. 21 Mets jersey of Cleon Jones, Carlos Delgado and Lucas Duda. New York general manager Sandy Alderson smiled. In a depressed free-agent market, Alderson added the third baseman to New York’s offseason haul with a $17 million, two-year contract. For a commitment of just $72 million, the Mets brought in Frazier, outfielder Jay Bruce and reliever Anthony Swarzak while retaining shortstop Jose Reyes.
“Profligate,” Alderson said wryly. “I think we’ve tried to be opportunistic,” he went on during a news conference at Citi Field. “Some opportunities arose for us that probably would not have been expected right after the end of the World Series.” New York hunted the free-agent market for bargains like savvy shoppers at a season closeout. The ever-chatty Frazier, from Toms River, New Jersey, preferred to stay in the area after an enjoyable stay with the New York Yankees last summer. Peripatetic at calm times, Frazier’s was even more antsy as next week’s start of spring training drew near and he remained among more than 100 unsigned free agents. He repeatedly called his agent, Brodie Van Wagenen.
“Every day it was like, hey, what’s going on here? What do I have to do? Do I have to talk to some GMs? You want me to fly somewhere?” Frazier recalled. “Let’s not sugarcoat it. It was frustrating,” he added. “I just feel for the other guys that really haven’t gotten picked up yet.”
On a gloomy, rainy afternoon, the Mets brought in Gary Dunaier for the news conference. He is the fan who was caught by a television camera giving Frazier a thumbsdown last September after a three-run homer against Tampa Bay in a game moved to Citi Field because Hurricane Irma in Florida.