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Syracuse Mets: Parent club Mets ink pair of former All-Stars

By Ryan Lee

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 15: Matt Kemp #42 of the Cincinnati Reds reacts to his check swing strike, in front of Austin Barnes #42 of the Los Angeles Dodgers during the seventh inning on Jackie Robinson Day at Dodger Stadium on April 15, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. All players are wearing the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 15: Matt Kemp #42 of the Cincinnati Reds reacts to his check swing strike, in front of Austin Barnes #42 of the Los Angeles Dodgers during the seventh inning on Jackie Robinson Day at Dodger Stadium on April 15, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. All players are wearing the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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The New York Mets added some star power to their squad. Here’s how it can have a huge impact on the Syracuse Mets here locally.

The New York Mets have added some star power to the team and it could directly impact the Syracuse Mets.

Matt Kemp and Ervin Santana both began the season in the Major Leagues, Kemp with the Cincinnati Reds and Santana on the south side of Chicago with the White Sox. Neither performed up to All-Star or even replacement level this season leading to both of them getting released, Santana on April 26, Kemp on May 4th.

Kemp with the Reds hit .200 with a single home run and five runs batted in with an ugly -.9 rWAR in 20 games this season. Kemp was traded to Cincinnati in a seven-player trade in December. Kemp even while released will make close to $22 million this season, including the New York Mets, he will be paid out by four teams this year, Cincinnati, Los Angeles Dodgers, and San Diego Padres being the others. Kemp still needs to undergo a physical.

The rebuilding White Sox cut Santana loose after posting a 9.45 ERA in three starts this year, the last coming April 24th. Like the Kemp signing, which was reported late Friday, the Mets have formally announced the Santana signing and announced that he will also report to Port St. Lucie initially.

Kemp and Santana bring a wealth of experience to the Metropolitans: five All-Star games and 29 combined seasons of experience. The All-Star appearances are not as far in the past as their current numbers suggest. Kemp was the starting outfielder for the National League in 2018. Santana pitched an inning in the 2017 All-Star game as a member of the Minnesota Twins, who also selected Santana to start for their American League Wild Card game appearance.

These are not the only moves New York made Friday. Former division rival Aaron Altherr was selected to the active 25-man roster after claiming him off waivers from San Francisco Thursday. Ryan O’Rourke was sent back to Syracuse to make room for Altherr giving another arm to Tony DeFrancesco.

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The additions of Santana, Kemp, and Altherr may never be seen directly in Syracuse but will help add depth as seen with O’Rourke. This could lead to pitchers like Hector Santiago getting called up earlier in May to be added back to Syracuse in the future. Major League depth trickling down to the Minor Leagues might be the missing pieces for an International League title.

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