*Photo from Jays Journal*
The New York Mets have made some veteran additions to their bench this winter, to prevent being exposed if injuries hit them like they have the last few seasons. In their latest move, the Mets and IF Jonathan Villar have agreed to a one year deal worth $3.55 million, according to MLB Network's Jon Heyman. The Mets have confirmed the deal.
Villar spent the 2020 season with the Miami Marlins and Toronto Blue Jays, posting an average of .232 with a .593 OPS, hitting two homers and driving in 15 runs in 52 games played in the shortened regular season, making the playoffs with the Blue Jays. In Villar's 8 seasons, he has an average of .259 with a .727 OPS, hitting 80 homers and driving in 283 runs in 831 games played.
In his 8 seasons, Villar has been a member of his fair share of teams across baseball. He started his career in 2013 with the Houston Astros, where he stayed for 3 seasons before winding up with the Brewers prior to the 2016 season. He was traded to the Baltimore Orioles in the middle of the 2018 season, and played the rest of 2018 and all of 2019 with the Orioles. After that, he signed a one year deal with the Marlins, and was traded to Toronto at the trade deadline.
Villar has spent most of his career as a middle infielder, primarily playing second base and shortstop, but has also played 3rd base, left field, and center field in his career, giving the Mets needed versatility, being a backup at all of those positions if need be. He is also well known for his speed, stealing a league leading 62 bases in 2016, and 40 in 2019 with the Orioles, so he can also be deployed as a pinch runner.
With the signing of Villar, the Mets now have their bench full of MLB caliber players to slide in where necessary. The Veteran Tomas Nido as a backup catcher, Jose Martinez as a first baseman and outfielder, Albert Almora in the outfield, Luis Guillorme in the infield, and Villar in the infield and outfield.
The Mets have had a very busy offseason under new owner Steve Cohen, signing Villar, Martinez, and Almora for the bench, as well as bigger names such as Trevor May, Aaron Loup, Joey Lucchesi, and James McCann. The Mets also pulled off a blockbuster trade with the Indians, bringing in Francisco Lindor and Carlos Carrasco to add to the team as well.
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