The Mets stepped out of the headlines for, oh, 72 hours. After making a huge splash by signing Justin Verlander, they were thoughtful enough to recede into the background so the spotlight could shine on big moves by the Phillies and Padres, if only briefly.
And then Billy Eppler & Co. got busy again: New York reportedly signed outfielder Brandon Nimmo and reliever David Robertson in the space of just a few minutes on Thursday night. (They’d also signed lefty starter José Quintana to a two-year deal in the background of the action on Wednesday.) The Mets’ payroll was already the biggest in MLB. These signings ensure it will stay that way—and increase the team’s chances of being able to keep their footing at the top of a tough NL East.
Nimmo has spent his entire career with the Mets since being drafted by the team in the first round in 2011. The new deal will keep him in New York for what is likely the rest of his career: $162 million over eight years. That’s a considerably longer contract than most expected to see him sign. But this winter didn’t offer very much on the market in terms of outfielders—especially not in terms of those who can stick in center—and that worked in his favor. It’s another example this winter of a team choosing to add years to a deal rather than simply increasing the average annual value. And it’s worth noting that the most notable piece of Nimmo’s skillset is one that tends to age exceptionally well: his ability to get on base.
