Mets: 3 replacements for Robinson Cano after positive PED test
By Mike Luciano
96. Tommy La Stella. player. 2B. Oakland Athletics. 2. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis
After hitting just 10 home runs in his first five seasons in the league, La Stella exploded when he arrived on the Los Angeles Angels, hitting 16 home runs in 80 games while earning himself a spot in the 2019 All-Star game. La Stella continued to rake in a season that he split between the Angels and Oakland Athletics, as his OPS+ was actually higher than his 2019 breakout season. If the Mets believe that La Stella, who was born in Westwood, New Jersey and attended Saint Joseph’s Regional in North Jersey’s Bergen County, can sustain this production outside of the AL West, he might end up in Mets blue and orange soon enough.
La Stella would be 32 when the season starts, so signing him to a short-term deal might be the best option for the Mets given how their roster is constructed.
Signing La Stella cheaply could be almost devoid of risk for the Mets. If he rakes, the Mets got a new starting second baseman for pennies on the dollar. If he returns to the average offensive player he was with the Chicago Cubs, the Mets can see if Jeff McNeil can slide back to second or if top prospect Andres Gimenez is ready for a full-time role.