Wilmer Flores wins arbitration case against the Mets, awarded $2.2 million
No tears for Wilmer Flores as he’ll be making a nice chunk of change during the 2017 campaign.
The lone Mets players to not negotiate a deal with the Mets prior to the arbitration deadline has won his case. Infielder Wilmer Flores was awarded the $2.2 million he asked for when the arbiter ruled in his favor over New York’s offer of $1.8 million. FanRag Sports’ Jon Heyman first reported the news on Twitter.
With this loss, the Mets extend their arbitration losing streak to four extending back to the early 90’s when pitcher David Cone beat them twice. This is the first time the Mets went to an arbitration hearing since 2008 when they couldn’t come to terms with LHP Oliver Perez.
With Flores signed, the Amazin’s now have settled all salary negotiations with their players a little bit over a week ahead of Spring Training.
Flores will primarily serve as a backup infielder with experience at pretty much every position between the bases. With players like Neil Walker, Lucas Duda and David Wright coming back from injuries, odds are Wilmer gets plenty of playing time subbing in. This should be even more likely when the Mets face a lefty who Flores absolutely destroyed last season.
In our Mets Season in Review on Flores, we noted how he mashed southpaws throughout the season, and was even hotter towards the end of the year. Unfortunately, he ended his 2016 season injured, and we’ll always wonder how he could have done in that Wild Card game against the Giants’ Madison Bumgarner.
Pitchers and catchers report to Port St. Lucie in just 8 days, so with this contract dispute solved, everyone can start focusing on baseball, and nothing but baseball in the weeks and months ahead.
More from Rising Apple