MMO Free Agent Profile: Kolten Wong, 2B

Kolten Wong, 2B

Position: 2B
Bats/Throws: L/R
Age: 30 (10/10/1990)

Traditional Stats: .265/.350/.326, 53 games, 4 doubles, 1 HR, 16 RBI
Advanced Stats: 1.3 bWAR, 1.3 fWAR, 87 OPS+, 92 wRC+
Defensive Stats: 6 DRS, 3.8 UZR, 2 OAA

RUNDOWN

After the Mets got their big bat in Francisco Lindor, a lot of the talk around the team has been about how they can improve their 26th ranked defense by DRS (-22). And when you talk about defense on the open market, Kolten Wong has to be one of the first names that comes to mind for most people.

Since the start of 2018, the Hawaii native has posted the most DRS (41), UZR (22.4), and defensive fWAR (26.7) among all second baseman in baseball, while being tied for first with Pirates’ Adam Frazier in OAA (21). Wong took home the NL Gold Glove at the position in each of the last two seasons, making it seem like there is no slowing down for the 30-year-old.

Something Wong also excels in is baserunning, and the Mets could use some help in that area as well, as they were ranked dead last in baseball over the last two seasons with an abysmal -28.1 BsR. Since the start of 2018, Wong has the ninth best baserunning numbers in the National League with a 9.7 BsR.

While Wong’s defense and baserunning are exceptional, something he lacks in his arsenal is a well-rounded bat. The former 2011 first round pick has shown an ability to hit for average and get on base (.273 AVG & .356 OBP since 2017), but his power is almost nonexistent. Over his last three full seasons (’17-’19), Wong has averaged just 8 home runs per year, and has a .398 slugging percentage if you include the shortened 2020 season as well.

Wong also has a tough time against lefties, as the Cardinals tried keeping him away from southpaws during most of his time in St. Louis. He has a career 2,368 plate appearances against righties (101 wRC+), and just 676 plate appearances against lefties (79 wRC+).

CONTRACT

After having his $12.5 million club option declined by the Cardinals this offseason, MLB Trade Rumors has Wong landing a 2 year/$16 million deal this winter, while Fangraphs has him a bit higher at 3 years/$29 million.

MLBTR seems to have the most likely outcome here, as they note in their prediction for Wong that defense first infielders with a lack of pop don’t have a great history of getting paid big money.

Wong is represented by PSI Sports Management, who have other clients such as Aaron Judge, Logan Forsythe, Kole Calhoun, and Scott Kingery.

RECOMMENDATION

This one is tough. While Wong would help the Mets a lot in two areas of need with his defense and baserunning, the fit is a bit odd since there would be a bit of a redundancy with Wong and Luis Guillorme on the roster together. Guillorme is someone who profiles very similarly to Wong in a lot of ways on both sides of the ball, although Guillorme is younger, cheaper, and more versatile defensively as he can play some shortstop and third base in addition to second.

Despite the redundancy, Wong would still be an excellent addition to this Mets team. The chance to watch Lindor and Wong work as a double-play combo on a nightly basis is just too mouthwatering to pass up. If the Mets had Wong they could shift Jeff McNeil to third base, where he has a career 5 DRS. Having a good infield defense is extremely important when you have two groundball heavy starters like Marcus Stroman and David Peterson, and adding Wong would give the Orange & Blue one of the best defensive infields in baseball. Especially if the Universal DH returns in 2021 and Dominic Smith gets to play lots of first base.

The chatter surrounding the Mets being too left-handed in their lineup is a bit overblown. Yes, they have a surplus of lefties, but Jeff McNeil has never shown an inability to handle LHP, while Michael Conforto and Smith both improved a good amount against southpaws this past season. This group had the second best offense in baseball last season in terms of wRC+ (121).

In conclusion, Wong wouldn’t be my first choice for infielders, but if the price is right I’d love to throw him in the 8-9 hole and hope for quality contact ability while knowing he’s going to be an absolute stud in the field and on the base-paths.

The post MMO Free Agent Profile: Kolten Wong, 2B first appeared on Metsmerized Online.