Bye-ez! Javi gone, but Mets not done with roster moves
The Mets’ free-agent frenzy didn’t include Javier Baez — but that doesn’t mean new general manager Billy Eppler’s work is done.
Baez agreed to a six-year, $140 million deal to join the Tigers on Tuesday, The Post’s Joel Sherman confirmed, leaving the Mets still open to adding another infielder.
Baez spent the second half of last season with the Mets following a trade from the Cubs. He joined close friend Francisco Lindor, playing second base, and hit well in Queens, finishing with an OPS of .886 in 47 games.
But after the Mets agreed to a threeyear, $130 million deal for Max Scherzer — following the free-agent signings of outfielders Starling Marte and Mark Canha, as well as infielder Eduardo Escobar — they moved the focus of their offseason to needs in other areas, like the bullpen.
The Post’s Mike Puma reported Tuesday that the Mets have shown interest in another reunion with right-hander Jeurys Familia. The 32-year-old had a 1.416 WHIP in 64 appearances with the Mets last season to close out his three-year, $30 million deal.
Brad Hand is also a possibility to return to Queens after pitching well following a September trade to the Mets from the Blue Jays. The lefty started 2021 with Washington, where he was solid and was then shipped to Toronto, where he struggled.
Without Baez, the Mets could have an infield of Pete Alonso at first base, Jeff McNeil at second, with Escobar at third and Lindor at short.
Robinson Cano is also owed more than $20 million over each of the next two seasons following his suspension for violating MLB’s PED protocols. He could factor in at second — or at DH, if the National League adopts it in the new collective bargaining agreement.
Cano is playing winter ball in the Dominican Republic, but his comeback hit a rough spot after the Mets announced he’d been shut down with lower-back discomfort last week.
J.D. Davis is another option at third — unless they turn their attention back to Kris Bryant.
And Dom Smith also remains on the roster and could fill a platoon role.
Baez would become the third member of this free-agent shortstop class to sign before the expected expiration of the CBA, which would lead to a lockout on Wednesday night.
Baez’s signing leaves Carlos Correa and Trevor Story as the only remaining premier unsigned shortstops.
And even with Scherzer, the Mets need rotation help beyond the 1-2 punch of Scherzer and Jacob deGrom. Rich Hill could be a fit there.
In addition to finalizing the roster, the Mets also need to find a manager to replace Luis Rojas, who was not brought back and has since been named the Yankees third-base coach.
Jeremy Hefner was retained as the Mets pitching coach, leaving several roles remaining on the staff.
Not surprisingly, the Mets front office has been more focused on player acquisition before the all-but-certain lockout, rather than finding a new manager and coaching staff.
Also, the Mets did not tender Robert Gsellman a contract prior to Tuesday’s deadline for arbitration-eligible players, meaning the right-hander is a free agent. Gsellman, 28, was a 13th-round pick by the Mets in 2011. He pitched 28 2/3 innings over 17 games and was sidelined for much of the season by a strained lat.
They also non-tendered RHP Stephen Nogosek and OF Mark Payton, leaving their 40-man roster at 36 in advance of the official signings of Scherzer, Starling Marte, Mark Canha and Eduardo Escobar.