Mets, Phillies working on deal for Jose Bautista, source says
Mets rightfielder Jose Bautista runs along the first base line on his two-run home run against the Padres at Citi Field on July 25, 2018. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
CHICAGO — Jose Bautista’s time as a Met might end soon.
The Mets and Phillies were working on a deal for the 37-year-old outfielder on Monday after Philadelphia claimed him off revocable trade waivers, sources said. The teams have until 1 p.m. Tuesday to work out a deal.
A Bautista deal would be a relatively low-stakes move for both teams. The Mets can avoid paying the final five weeks of his league-minimum salary, and would hope to extract a tangible return, be it a minor leaguer or international signing bonus space.
But the Mets also have minimal reason to hang on to Bautista. He is a free agent at season’s end, and with Brandon Nimmo (bruised left index finger) almost back, Bautista would be relegated to the bench. If they want, the Mets could simply let Bautista go to Philadelphia for nothing.
Manager Mickey Callaway said he understands the effort made by the Phillies, who are in the NL East and wild-card races.
“I can definitely see why somebody would want to snatch him up and give him a chance to be on a contending team,” Callaway said. “The leadership that he brings, the quality at-bats. I feel like he plays really solid defense at multiple positions.”
For the Mets, Bautista has played all four corner spots (plus a one-inning cameo at second). They signed him on May 22, two days after he was released by the Braves. He was an on-base machine early on, but has fallen off since the All-Star break, giving him .207/.352/.372 slash line in 82 games for the Mets entering play Monday, when he went 0-for-3 with a walk.
Callaway said Bautista has been a mentor to the Mets’ younger players, specifically Amed Rosario.
“He’s a real outgoing in the clubhouse and is more than willing to help his teammates out,” Callaway said. “Everybody gets to see his quality at-bats and the things that he’s valued throughout his career, and they’ve kind of followed suit. I think we’ve been a more patient team since he’s been here. I think especially our young guys, like Rosario, have really benefited from that.”
Bautista was in the Mets’ lineup Monday night despite a potential trade because, Callaway said, he had five home runs in 74 career plate appearances against Cubs starter Jon Lester.
Wright waits
David Wright was off Monday for the second consecutive day after playing four games in five days.
“He just didn’t feel comfortable playing three in a row at this point, so he’s going to get a couple of days off, then we’re going to re-evaluate where he’s at physically,” Callaway said.
In 10 rehab games for High-A St. Lucie, Wright is batting .188 with a .235 OBP and .219 slugging percentage.
Extra bases
Nimmo joined the team in Chicago, with the Mets planning to activate him Tuesday ...Jeff McNeil, who left Sunday’s game with tight right quadriceps, was feeling “significantly better” on Monday, said Callaway, who hoped the rookie second baseman would be back in the lineup Tuesday.
