One Man’s Trash, Another Man’s Treasure?

By Nick Kazandjian

After a shaky start to the 2018 season and playing Third Base, which he hasn’t done in years, Jose Bautista was cut by the Atlanta Braves.  He was hitting .143 with 2 HR’s and 5 RBI’s through just 12 games. But where one door closes another is opened. The New York Mets signed Joey Bats and are looking for him to make an impact in the lineup at Right Field.  In his first start he hit 1/3 with a double and is ready to get going. I think the stint with the Braves was way too short lived. Bautista was one of the players who was not on a roster during Spring Training and missed all of that preparation heading into the season and to be cut after just 40 at bats is just ridiculous.  I think that the Mets made a very smart move in picking up Joey Bats. He is a big power bat and yes his numbers have seen decline over the passed couple of seasons but he is going to be efficient for the Mets. I think you could see a solid year from Bautista hitting somewhere from .240 and getting at the very least 20 balls over the fence.  

Jose will have a slow start but be on watch as I think around July he will have a strong stretch of hitting should he be in New York.  Bautista is a hard competitor and I know he is not just gonna fall his way out of the league. Mets fans be happy this could be some good power added to the lineup especially down the stretch.  I just hope the Mets don’t pull the trigger too quickly and give him time to get back in the swing of things.