It was a calculated boldness, but a tough competition awaits. Jared Young (30), who played for the Doosan Bears in the KBO League last year, is entering a battle for survival with the New York Mets.
'Kiner's Corner,' which covers Mets news, reported an interview with Jared on the 21st (Korean time). Jared signed with the Mets last December, and he will earn $1.15 million if he plays in the major leagues, but he will earn $425,000 if he remains in the minor leagues.
Jared must show competitiveness starting from this spring training and exhibition games. He noted, "I have to show that I can play in various positions both offensively and defensively. I think being a utility player is a good role for me. Since Pete Alonso will play every game like he has in the past few years, I need to establish myself as a role player."
When Jared signed with the Mets, he was expected to get plenty of opportunities as a first baseman. It seemed that slugger Alonso, who had been the starting first baseman for six years with the Mets until last year, would leave the team as he entered the free-agent market seeking a long-term contract. However, Alonso faced a cold reception in the free-agent market and received no offers of a three-year contract or more from any team, ultimately surrendering. On the 6th, he agreed to a two-year, $54 million deal with the Mets that includes an opt-out clause.
Despite the cold evaluations of the free-agent market, Alonso, who has recorded 226 home runs, is a proven slugger. With excellent durability, as he has met the minimum plate appearances for six consecutive years since his debut, he is expected to fully occupy first base for the Mets again this year. As Jared, who was expected as a first-base resource, joins the Mets, Alonso's stay presents a major setback. In addition to first base, Jared, who can also cover corner outfield and third base, must aim for a utility roster spot. Last year with Doosan, he played only two games (5 innings) as a replacement at first base, while he took on 18 games (17 starts, 147 innings) as a right fielder and 15 games (14 starts, 118⅓ innings) as a left fielder.
However, the Mets' corner outfield positions are also tightly packed. Right fielder Juan Soto, who signed the highest-ever free-agent contract worth $765 million over 15 years last winter, is there, while left fielder Brandon Nimmo was re-signed by the Mets with an eight-year, $162 million deal after the 2022 season. Jesse Winker and Starling Marte are waiting as designated hitters and backup outfielders, and third base has Marc Ventos, who hit 27 home runs last year, as the starting player. Frankly, there isn’t a suitable position for Jared to play. If he doesn't demonstrate clear competitiveness in the exhibition games, making the opening day roster will be difficult.
There was at least a chance to play at first base, but Alonso's stay has hit Jared hard. However, Jared said, "I haven't thought too deeply about that. I believe that if I come here early and do my best, everything will turn out well," and added, "The Mets clubhouse is very open and welcoming. I am getting to know everyone by having good conversations with them."
Jared, a right-handed, left-handed hitting first baseman and corner outfielder from Canada, recorded a batting average of .210 (13 hits in 62 at-bats), 2 home runs, and 8 RBIs with an OPS of .725 over 22 major league games in his two seasons with the Chicago Cubs from 2022 to 2023. He came to Korea last year as a replacement foreign player for Doosan. In his second debut game on July 31 against KIA in Gwangju, he exploded with 5 hits in 6 at-bats, including 2 home runs, and 8 RBIs, leading Doosan to a record 30-6 victory.
Adapting quickly, Jared excelled with a batting average of .326 (47 hits in 144 at-bats), 10 home runs, and 39 RBIs with an OPS of 1.080 over 38 games. Naturally, he was a target for re-signing, but the negotiations fell apart as he demanded an excessively high salary. For Doosan, it was difficult to raise his salary by over $1 million based on a sample size of just 38 games. Doosan gave up on Jared and brought in outfielder Jake Cave, who had been a full-time major leaguer last year.
Jared stated, "My experience in Korea last year was wonderful. The culture is very different, and baseball is a little different, but as I played baseball in various places, I became accustomed to somewhat uncomfortable situations. That experience will help me in my current situation." He is determined to survive in the major league competition based on his short but intense experiences in a foreign country. However, if he is sent to the minor leagues, his salary will be halved compared to when he remained in Korea. He may regret his boldness during the re-signing negotiations with Doosan.