Yasmani Grandal
(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

The New York Mets offered Yasmani Grandal a four-year deal, but the slugging catcher felt slighted by the offer and looked elsewhere.

Yasmani Grandal was one of, if not the best free agent catcher on the market. He seemed like a perfect fit for the New York Mets as the team from Flushing desperately wanted to solidify the position.

But Grandal chose to sign a one-year deal with the Milwaukee Brewers worth $18.25 million with a mutual option for the second year. Grandal was offered more years, but a smaller annual salary to sign with the Mets, but he turned them down.

“I felt like part of my responsibility as a player was to respect the guys that went through this process before I did. Guys like Brian McCann and Russell Martin, Yadier Molina. These are guys who established markets and pay levels for upper-tier catchers like me. I felt like I was doing a disservice if I were to take some of the deals that were being thrown around,” he said, according to Ken Rosenthal.

 

“I wanted to keep the line moving, especially for some of the younger guys that are coming up. … To let them know, if you’re worthy, then you should get paid what you’re worth. That’s where I was coming from.”

Although he doesn’t outright say that the offer from the Mets was disrespectful, it’s implied that he felt they offered less than what he is worth. Grandal wouldn’t sell himself short, even if it meant he had the long-term security of a four-year stay in Queens.

Like many players, Grandal must be frustrated with the way the market has materialized over the last two offseasons. Teams are hesitant to pay the big bucks for superstar talents and that is having a trickle-down effect.

Grandal chose to sign for more per year out of respect to his older and younger peers. He believes he’s worth more than what the Mets offered. Had the Mets upped their offer slightly to meet Grandal at his desired annual salary, they might have locked down the slugger.

NY/NJ hoops reporter (NBA/NCAA) & sports betting writer for XL Media. Never had the makings of a varsity athlete.