MLB
Arizona Diamondbacks Sign Infielder Wilmer Flores
Earlier today, the Arizona Diamondbacks finalized a deal with infielder Wilmer Flores. The deal is a one-year contract worth $4.25 million with a $6 million club option for 2020 along with a $500,000 buyout. Flores, 27, has previously spent his entire career with the New York Mets and has been with the MLB team since 2013. He is a career .262 hitter with 68 homers and 253 RBIs. In 2018, Flores had a terrific year for the Mets. While sending much of the season coming off the bench, Flores slashed .267/.319/.417 with 11 homers and 51 RBIs. Flores also led the Majors with four walk-off hits in 2018, and also set a Mets franchise-record for career walk-offs; surpassing David Wright with 10. Wilmer Flores might be best known for his walk-off against the National back in 2015 after the “fake trade” incident.
In his goodbye to Mets fans, Flores stated: “To the Amazin’ Mets Fans: Thank you for your support over the years. I am blessed to have shared so many great experiences with all of you and I am grateful for the friendships I’ve made. I will cherish them and all of you forever.”
What Does Flores Bring To The Desert?
With Paul Goldschmidt gone to St. Louis and the certainty of AJ Pollock unclear, Flores brings a much-needed bat to the D-Backs lineup. He is a very versatile infielder as he has played over 100 games at each of the four infield positions. Flores will serve primarily in the heart of the order for Arizona. This could potentially be the first full season for Flores as a starter. With the Mets, he was primarily used off the bench with spot starts every so often. He should prove to be a great bat for the D-Backs. This was a great get for Arizona as they look to continue their “mini-rebuild” in 2019.
Photo Credit to Michael Baron via Flickr
