Free Agent Profile: Jon Berti, UT

Jon Berti, UT

Position: 3B, 2B, OF B/T: R/R

Age: 34 (01/22/1990)

2024 Traditional Stats: 74 PAs, .273/.342/.318, 1 HR, 6 RBIs, 5 SB, 25 G

2024 Advanced Stats: 0.6 bWAR, o.3 fWAR, 95 wRC+, 18.9 K%, 8.1 BB%, .333 BABIP, .310 xwOBA,

Rundown

Jon Berti, a utility man, missed most of last season after suffering a left calf strain running to first base in May. He returned in September, but only took 11 at-bats that month for the Yankees, who did not tender him a contract after the season.

In his last full season, 2023 with the Marlins, Berti slashed .294/.344/.405, hit seven homers, stole 16 bases, and produced 2.4 bWAR over 133 games and 424 plate appearances. That year he started 64 games at shortstop, 41 at third base, 15 at second base, and 19 in the outfield. Versatility is his calling card.

A threat to run, in 2022 he led the National League in stolen bases with 41. That was an outlier though as he never stole more than 17 in any other year of his career. (Mets fans may recall him stealing second, third, and home in the same inning against Ali Sánchez and Jeurys Familia in 2020.)

Berti was selected by the Blue Jays in the 18th round of the 2011 draft, then spent seven years in the minors before his 2018 debut with Toronto as a 28-year-old rookie, which consisted of 15 at-bats. He signed as a free agent with the Marlins after that season and found a niche there.

In five seasons with the Marlins, he posted a .705 OPS over 1,535 plate appearances. He played every position except first and catcher and batted in every spot in the order, but took the most turns at leadoff. He saved his best for the Mets, slashing .301/.363/.429 in 179 plate appearances. His career OPS is .703, but it is .803 at Citi Field.

The Marlins traded him to the Yankees last March as part of a three-team deal with Tampa Bay.

Contract

Berti played 2024 on a $3.6 million contract. He could likely be signed to a cheaper deal coming off an injury and since he turns 35 this month.

Recommendation

Berti is a good addition in a backup role to any roster given his ability to play so many positions and steal a base. His age and health are concerns, but on a one-year deal, I’d be OK with bringing him aboard.

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