Daniel Vogelbach is arbitration-eligible for the final time this offseason, and is projected to earn roughly $2.6 million in 2024 if he's tendered a contract.
And the Mets are still weighing their options.
"We'll have a decision on Vogey coming up here," David Stearns said on Wednesday at the GM Meetings. "We're still discussing it. I understand the skill set he brings -- clearly I acquired him in my previous spot. And so I appreciate that. I also have to look at how it fits into the broader scope of our team here now, and we haven't made any decisions there yet."
Asked about the value Vogelbach brings, Stearns said "He gets on base, he controls the strike zone at a very elite level."
Nov. 17 is the non-tender deadline, so the Mets have a little over a week to decide how to proceed with Vogelbach.
If Vogelbach is non-tendered, he immediately becomes a free agent.
There really isn't much Vogelbach can provide a team other than solid on-base ability against right-handed pitchers and occasional pop.
He can't play the field, which makes it difficult for a manager to maneuver elsewhere during games and leaves the bench short when Vogelbach isn't starting.
He can't run the bases well, which puts a dent into the value of him reaching base when the ball isn't leaving the park.
He can't hit left-handers, which necessitates pinch-hitting for him during any game he serves as DH when the opposing team brings in a lefty.
And for a player like Vogelbach, whose main value comes from his ability to get on base, he needs to hit for much more power than he has been in order to justify being a key cog on a big league roster -- whether it's in a starting or reserve role.
For the above reasons, it's hard to see the Mets tendering a contract to Vogelbach. But time will tell.