Did the New York Mets panic sign Joe Panik?

The New York Mets have quickly turned their season around over the past few weeks into postseason contention. Will the Joe Panik signing pay off?

The National League Wild Card race is heating up and very tight atop the standings with the New York Mets steadily climbing into contention. The team has rallied off wins at an amazing pace since the All-Star break becoming one of the more exciting teams in baseball.

In the middle of New York’s winning streak, the team lost starting second baseman Robinson Cano for the remainder of the season with an injury. In response to the injury and the coincidental news that Joe Panik was available after being waived by the San Francisco Giants. The Mets signed the former All-Star to fill the void left by Cano, but at what cost moving forward?

Cano was productive until the injury and will probably end up on the roster next season due to his massive contract expiring in 2024. He isn’t going to change positions anytime soon considering the alternative would’ve been first base, but that’s Pete Alonso‘s role for the foreseeable future. The other Mets breakout star Jeff McNeil is a player that can be plugged in full time at second base making decisions this upcoming winter interesting for the front office.

Panik is a New York native and was eager the join the Mets once he passed through waivers. The impact he has on the rest of the season will be an interesting reel for his potential long term stay in Queens. The former St. John’s star recently spoke about his excitement playing for his favorite hometown club.

"“I was ecstatic because you never know in these types of situations what’s gonna happen, It couldn’t have worked out any better for myself. A lot of family, a lot of friends in the area. For me, to be coming to a club that’s hot right now, in a playoff push, it’s very exciting. For me, it’s a great situation.”"

"“To get to a new team, new place, new faces, for me it’s a fresh start, and I’m excited about that,” Panik said. “Anytime you get into a playoff push like this, it reenergizes you and gets you excited.”"

The Mets are continuing to fight for the opportunity to clinch a playoff berth in the extremely tight Wild Card race but should also be aware of their plans.

There is a good chance someone won’t be returning next season from this “Amazin” group, and it will be a personnel battle in the front office to identify the weakest link.