The ‘Toddfather’ Comes to Queens

Last Wednesday I was at Brookdale Community College for a basketball showcase our Shore Sports Network was involved in.

I was sitting in a hospitality suite overlooking the court inside the Collins Arena and talking with former work colleague Scott Stump who like me is a diehard and frustrated fan of the New York Mets.  It was halftime of one of the games and I told Scott that I had a good feeling that free agent third baseman Todd Frazier would end up with the Mets.

As the words came out of my mouth I heard a familiar voice “hey what’s up.”

There standing with a plate full of chicken fingers and fries was Frazier who had come to see Ranney play Roselle Catholic in the feature game of the triple-header. Todd sat down next to us and we casually chatted for the next few minutes and in response to my statement that I really thought the Mets would sign him said “from your lips Big Dog.”

Last night for one of the few times my words proved to be prophetic when Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported via twitter that the Mets reached agreement with Frazier on a two-year, $17 million contract pending a physical.

As soon as I saw that I texted Todd with these three words: is it true??? Seconds later he replied, “Haha yes.”

When I confirmed the news via social media there was clearly a lot of positive comments as those who know and follow Toms River’s favorite baseball player were thrilled he would be staying local.  Of course many were disappointed he was not remaining with the Yankees but my guess is they would only offer him a one-year contract and Frazier, who turns 32 on Monday was seeking a little more security.

In truth the Mets got a bargain as Frazier made $12 million last season with the White Sox and Yankees but he was among many this off season who found a very cool free agent market and with position players reporting to spring training in just 11 days he’s likely relieved to get this part of the process over.

As for the Mets, it means Asdrubal Cabrera moves to his more natural second base position with Frazier to likely play just about every day at third.  It also means the David Wright era is getting closer to an end and hopefully “The Toddfather” will fill a badly-needed leadership role in the Mets clubhouse.

Meanwhile I guess this means a couple of long trips to CitiField this season but to see Frazier in a Mets uniform will certainly be worth it.