Mets sign Jonathan Villar to one-year, $3.55M deal

The New York Mets lost out on National League Cy Young winner Trevor Bauer in free agency but nevertheless continue to remain busy ahead of spring training. 

On Tuesday, Anthony DiComo of the official MLB website and ESPN reported that the Mets and utility infielder Jonathan Villar agreed to a one-year deal worth $3.55 million. The Mets hadn't confirmed the transaction as of early Tuesday afternoon. 

As noted by Baseball-Reference, Villar led all of MLB with 62 stolen bases during the 2016 regular season, and he swiped 40 bags with the Baltimore Orioles in 2019. The switch-hitter spent time with both the Miami Marlins and Toronto Blue Jays during the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign, and he hit .232 with two home runs, 15 RBI and 16 stolen bases across 52 games. 

The 29-year-old will provide the Mets with defensive cover and depth, as he can play second base, shortstop, third base and in the outfield. News of this pending agreement broke roughly 24 hours after reports surfaced that the Mets were signing veteran outfielder Albert Almora Jr. to a contract that includes "decent" incentives. 

DiComo wrote that the Mets may be all but finished adding position players ahead of spring training, in part because the NL won't be adopting the designated hitter as part of health and safety protocols for the upcoming season. New York reportedly still wishes to sign another proven starting pitcher and perhaps another reliever.