The New York Mets are actively shopping Jed Lowrie

New York Mets, Jed Lowrie
Sep 7, 2019; New York City, NY, USA; New York Mets pinch hitter Jed Lowrie (4) reacts after striking out with two men on base against the Philadelphia Phillies during the fourth inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Mets continue to shop infielder Jed Lowrie around the league, in an effort to achieve payroll flexibility.

The team wants to complete its starting rotation and is also reportedly exploring a deal for Starling Marte.

According to a report from Andy Martino, the Mets are “still in” on Starling Marte and they could entertain the possibility of trading a major league outfielder.

Free agent options

Martino also stated that New York is also working to “find a taker for Jed Lowrie’s contract,” which would free up some payroll to examine the possibility of signing “(Rick) Porcello and/or (Dellin) Betances.”

Right now, the rotation is comprised of Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard, Marcus Stroman, and Steven Matz. The fifth spot is up for grabs, and it has been rumored that if the Mets don’t bring another starter, Robert Gsellman or Seth Lugo could leave the bullpen and occupy the position.

Lowrie, who signed a two-year, $20 million deal last offseason, spent the vast majority of the 2019 season injured and rehabbing.

Talented, but injury-prone

Now 35 years old and with his best seasons likely behind him, Lowrie’s deal is notoriously difficult to move as things stand. He is known around the league as a talented batter, yet he is extremely injury-prone.

The veteran infielder is capable of playing second and third base. The Mets owe him $10 million in a contract that will expire after next season.

If he is traded, Jed Lowrie’s career with the New York Mets would end with no hits, only nine games, and eight plate appearances. He struck out in half of those.

An assortment of lower-body injuries took away Lowrie’s season. He missed time with knee, calf, hip and hamstring ailments.

His last healthy seasons

2017 and 2018 were his two last healthy seasons. And he has shown that, when he isn’t injured, he is an above-average hitter in the bigs. That’s what the Mets saw when they signed him.

In those two years, he surpassed 600 plate appearances and had wRC+ of 120 and 123. In 2018, he recorded a 5.0 fWAR season, so there is obvious talent in his bat and even in his glove.

For his career, Lowrie accumulates a 106 wRC+, 104 home runs, 521 runs, 509 runs batted in and 20.1 fWAR. If healthy, he could really help the New York Mets, but the team needs to free up some payroll room right now.