The Mets are in agreement on a contract with free agent outfielder Albert Almora Jr., report Ken Rosenthal and Andy McCullough of the Athletic (Twitter link). The deal is pending a physical. It is expected to be a major league, incentive-laden deal for the Magnus Sports client, hears Jon Heyman of MLB Network (via Twitter).
Selected sixth overall in the 2012 draft by the Cubs out of a Florida high school, Almora had previously spent his entire career in the Chicago organization. Well-regarded as a prospect for defensive acumen in center field, he broke into the majors midway through the Cubs’ World Series winning 2016 season. Over his first season-plus as a big leaguer, Almora looked to be establishing himself as another long-term core piece for Chicago. Between 2016-17, he was roughly a league average hitter. Combined with his above-average glove in center, he at least seemed to be establishing himself as a solid regular.
Unfortunately, Almora’s offense has fallen since then. In 2018, he hit .286/.323/.378 with just five home runs over 479 plate appearances in 2018. While he made plenty of contact and hit for a high batting average, Almora’s overall offensive value was rather limited to his lack of power and rather meager 5.0% walk rate. Unfortunately, that drop-off at the plate continued, as he stumbled to a .236/.271/.381 line over 363 plate appearances in 2019. He spent most of this past season at the Cubs’ alternate training site, starting just six MLB games before Chicago unsurprisingly non-tendered him.
More to come.