Shocker, Beltran is pissed at the Mets and will likely put himself first, and the team a distant second. So for all the excitement generated about how good Reyes is looking, this should dampen that enthusiasm about the Mets chances this year.
When might Carlos Beltran get on a major league field? Beltran is furious with the Mets and how they have publicly handled his surgery. He wonders if he should have been playing last year (in other words, was he properly diagnosed?). More important, he pushed to initially play in pain and then rush back in a lost season.
The Mets probably should not expect Beltran to prioritize the team this time around. He turns 33 in April. His contract walk year is 2011. So I expect that Beltran will take care of No. 1 and make sure he does not do anything to hurt himself for a 2011 salary-drive season.
Monday, February 08, 2010
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Bio
First official bio of Say Hey Kid will be published in February, looks to be very interesting. Will have to pick it up, sounds like a great read.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Minaya
Ken Rosenthal lays into the whole Mets organization, including Minaya, but also ownership. Echoes many of our complaints here.
Monday, January 25, 2010
J-E-T-S
Well, unfortunately it had to come to an end, but I'm very pleased with what I saw from the Jets this season under Ryan. As young as this team is, they have a lot of good years ahead of them, and I look forward to supplanting the Patsies. Sanchez and Greene have huge upsides and great rookie seasons to start from.
Looking to next year, the only two areas that I think could use help are the secondary and a true pass-rushing lineman. While Revis is lights out, his value is slightly diminished by the fact that the rest of the secondary is questionable. I grew weary of watching the rest of the guys get burned any time we played against a good QB. Either a better CB or safety is in order.
Fredo, what do you think of trying to trade Kris Jenkins? I don't think Pouha is so much of a step down that it's worth keeping Jenkins if we can get something good in return (player or draft picks). Jenkins can't have more than one good season left in him anyway.
Looking to next year, the only two areas that I think could use help are the secondary and a true pass-rushing lineman. While Revis is lights out, his value is slightly diminished by the fact that the rest of the secondary is questionable. I grew weary of watching the rest of the guys get burned any time we played against a good QB. Either a better CB or safety is in order.
Fredo, what do you think of trying to trade Kris Jenkins? I don't think Pouha is so much of a step down that it's worth keeping Jenkins if we can get something good in return (player or draft picks). Jenkins can't have more than one good season left in him anyway.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Bay's knees shot?
According to Gammons, the Sox only wanted to offer Bay 2 years because of concerns about the health of both of his knees. Gammons suggested the Sox doctors are the best in any sport. One thing I don't need Gammons to tell me is where I'd rank the Mets doctors.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
The Ball State softball continued to play this weekend,
and they were hoping to continue off of their straight three-out-of-four losses.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Are you effing with me?
This is the worst joke (if only) I've ever seen. Kid obviously had a huge heart and dies playing basketball? I've never heard of such a thing.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Beltran has surgery; will miss start of season.
I hate to blow up your worldview, SHK, but here's the news. Read it and weep:
Apparently there is some controversy about whether Beltran should have had the surgery at all:
The team said Beltran is expected to resume baseball activities in 12 weeks, a timetable that likely would keep him out for most of April -- maybe longer.
New York's first official workout for pitchers and catchers is a little more than five weeks away, on Feb. 20. The Mets open the season April 5 against Florida.
Apparently there is some controversy about whether Beltran should have had the surgery at all:
A person with knowledge of the situation said Beltran did not obtain advance written consent from the club to have the surgery, which was performed by his personal physician, Dr. Richard Steadman, in Colorado. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the Mets didn't discuss the matter publicly.
Beltran's agent, Scott Boras, said the guarantee language in the slugger's contract requires advance written permission only for elective operations.
"This was necessary surgery, necessary surgery to work," Boras told The Associated Press.
The Mets might claim that the operation was elective.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Hey Fredo
Here's your Leon Washington update:
Injured Jets running back Leon Washington says his broken right leg is healing ahead of schedule and he expects to be on the field for next season's opening game.
A Pro Bowl selection as a kick returner last season, Washington said Tuesday that doctors have told him he is two months ahead of a normal recovery. He expects to be off crutches next week.
Injured Jets running back Leon Washington says his broken right leg is healing ahead of schedule and he expects to be on the field for next season's opening game.
A Pro Bowl selection as a kick returner last season, Washington said Tuesday that doctors have told him he is two months ahead of a normal recovery. He expects to be off crutches next week.
Thursday, January 07, 2010
Bad News for Quaker Fans...
if you put down a few greenbacks on Penn @ Duke, and +58 on the spread...
you lost.
you lost.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
This just in
Bay apparently to sign 4 year, $66 M deal with Mets, pending physical.
Also just in: Omar and Manuel still chew.
Also just in: Omar and Manuel still chew.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Let's get productive!
OK, it's been the better part of a month since SHK graced us with the eternal optimism of his last post.
Let's kick this into gear here on the precipice of Christmas and the looming silhouette of the new year on the horizon.
What Christmas presents (and/or miracles) do we want to see from Omar under the tree?
My two cents (which was once worth $0.37, by the way):
Offer Ben Sheets a big contract that is incentive-laden. I've got no problem throwing him $12M but he's gotta earn it--let's say full value vests with 200 IP, 30 starts...if he can do that you can reasonably expect 17-18 wins and an ERA in the low 3's. We could also try the same with Eric Bedard but at much lower costs--after all, the guy is fresh off surgery and hasn't done any throwing yet (unlike Sheets, who has been rehabbing for the last 6-8 months).
Try to trade for Gil Meche. Rumor has it that this is in the works but I can't find anything confirming talks, much less progress. Carlos Zambrano is another option but the Cubs seem less likely to deal (especially now that they're unburdened by Bradley's contract--although they're now saddled with Carlos Silva's fat deal).
Give Matt Holliday a big offer. If Bay wants to sit on his hands and play the waiting game, screw him. Looks like the Cards are the only solid suitor for Holliday right now. If Omar can lure him, fine. If he drives up Holliday's price for the Cards, hooray. If it lights a fire under Bay's ass (and his agent's as well, who may have priced his prize client out of the best offer he was going to get), terrific. Seems like a no-lose to me.
And pull the same move on Molina--sucka thinks he's still worth 3 yrs at $6-7M a pop? Riiiight. Guy's OBP is lower than his weight and he is clearly the inferior of the 3 brothers behind the plate at this point. Give Rod Barajas a call (let's avoid the Torreabla drama again, please) and force someone's hand. This waiting crap is getting old. BE PROACTIVE, B-E PROACTIVE!!!
And the 1B problem can go down one of 2 ways--give Delgado a low-base, high-incentive deal to come back for one more year or go get LaRoche.
Finally, let's do anything with Luis Castillo other than ink him in as our starting 2B. Whatever must be done, go for it. Then get Orlando Hudson before he signs with the Nationals, too. BTW, where the hell are the Nats suddenly coming up with all this coin?
And in the Christmas miracle department, let's trade whatever we need to do get Carl Crawford. This solves a lot of the previously stated issues but I don't think we have anything to really tempt the Rays. Oh, well--the guy IS a FA next season...
With my plan, we could be looking at:
SS Reyes
2B Hudson
3B Wright
CF Beltran
LF Bay/Holliday
1B Delgado/LaRoche
RF Francoeur
C Barajas/Thole/Santos/Coste/Blanco/whatever
Santana
Meche
Sheets
Pelfrey
Maine (who might be needed to get Meche so then Perez--ouch)
Let's kick this into gear here on the precipice of Christmas and the looming silhouette of the new year on the horizon.
What Christmas presents (and/or miracles) do we want to see from Omar under the tree?
My two cents (which was once worth $0.37, by the way):
Offer Ben Sheets a big contract that is incentive-laden. I've got no problem throwing him $12M but he's gotta earn it--let's say full value vests with 200 IP, 30 starts...if he can do that you can reasonably expect 17-18 wins and an ERA in the low 3's. We could also try the same with Eric Bedard but at much lower costs--after all, the guy is fresh off surgery and hasn't done any throwing yet (unlike Sheets, who has been rehabbing for the last 6-8 months).
Try to trade for Gil Meche. Rumor has it that this is in the works but I can't find anything confirming talks, much less progress. Carlos Zambrano is another option but the Cubs seem less likely to deal (especially now that they're unburdened by Bradley's contract--although they're now saddled with Carlos Silva's fat deal).
Give Matt Holliday a big offer. If Bay wants to sit on his hands and play the waiting game, screw him. Looks like the Cards are the only solid suitor for Holliday right now. If Omar can lure him, fine. If he drives up Holliday's price for the Cards, hooray. If it lights a fire under Bay's ass (and his agent's as well, who may have priced his prize client out of the best offer he was going to get), terrific. Seems like a no-lose to me.
And pull the same move on Molina--sucka thinks he's still worth 3 yrs at $6-7M a pop? Riiiight. Guy's OBP is lower than his weight and he is clearly the inferior of the 3 brothers behind the plate at this point. Give Rod Barajas a call (let's avoid the Torreabla drama again, please) and force someone's hand. This waiting crap is getting old. BE PROACTIVE, B-E PROACTIVE!!!
And the 1B problem can go down one of 2 ways--give Delgado a low-base, high-incentive deal to come back for one more year or go get LaRoche.
Finally, let's do anything with Luis Castillo other than ink him in as our starting 2B. Whatever must be done, go for it. Then get Orlando Hudson before he signs with the Nationals, too. BTW, where the hell are the Nats suddenly coming up with all this coin?
And in the Christmas miracle department, let's trade whatever we need to do get Carl Crawford. This solves a lot of the previously stated issues but I don't think we have anything to really tempt the Rays. Oh, well--the guy IS a FA next season...
With my plan, we could be looking at:
SS Reyes
2B Hudson
3B Wright
CF Beltran
LF Bay/Holliday
1B Delgado/LaRoche
RF Francoeur
C Barajas/Thole/Santos/Coste/Blanco/whatever
Santana
Meche
Sheets
Pelfrey
Maine (who might be needed to get Meche so then Perez--ouch)
Wednesday, December 09, 2009
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Just to keep us current
Most recent Mets rumors at MLB Trade Rumors.com:
1) Mets view Marquis as backup plan at best.
2) Per the LA Times, Mets have inquired about LF/3B/1B option Mark DeRosa with all of his "34 year old replacement player" credentials.
3) Mets were in preliminary talks about a 3 way deal to get Kevin Millwood, but everything's on hold at least till the winter meetings in two weeks, or if the Rangers start taking stupid pills.
4) Mets want Bengie Molina to catch.
5) In the big picture, this article from a week ago hits most of the key points. Mets are going after Lackey. Mets are looking for speed and defense rather than power in left, with Chone Figgins the target of choice rather than Bay or Holliday. With so little power in the lineup, the Mets better be seriously investing in pitching, which apparently, they are planning to.
6) And finally, with the bang-my-head-against-the-wall quote of the day comes this one: SI's Jon Heyman apparently tweeted that "Mets GM Omar Minaya likes Luis Castillo more than any of the 29 other teams do."
Can't. Even. Comment.
1) Mets view Marquis as backup plan at best.
2) Per the LA Times, Mets have inquired about LF/3B/1B option Mark DeRosa with all of his "34 year old replacement player" credentials.
3) Mets were in preliminary talks about a 3 way deal to get Kevin Millwood, but everything's on hold at least till the winter meetings in two weeks, or if the Rangers start taking stupid pills.
4) Mets want Bengie Molina to catch.
5) In the big picture, this article from a week ago hits most of the key points. Mets are going after Lackey. Mets are looking for speed and defense rather than power in left, with Chone Figgins the target of choice rather than Bay or Holliday. With so little power in the lineup, the Mets better be seriously investing in pitching, which apparently, they are planning to.
6) And finally, with the bang-my-head-against-the-wall quote of the day comes this one: SI's Jon Heyman apparently tweeted that "Mets GM Omar Minaya likes Luis Castillo more than any of the 29 other teams do."
Can't. Even. Comment.
I'm not going to find the link
but in reading yesterday's Newsday, I saw that Omar will be talking to Delgado this week down in PR.
TIFWIW.
TIFWIW.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
Quote of the Day
Comes to us courtesy of Mike Westhoff, the brilliant Jets special teams coach:
The Jets’ special teams unit, solid all year, allowed Ted Ginn Jr. to return two kickoffs for touchdowns — one for 100 yards and another for 101. Special teams coordinator Mike Westhoff said it was “the absolute worst” performance by any of his units in his 27 NFL seasons.
“It’s just a bitter taste,” Westhoff said. “It’ll go away ... when they’re lowering me in the grave.”
The Jets’ special teams unit, solid all year, allowed Ted Ginn Jr. to return two kickoffs for touchdowns — one for 100 yards and another for 101. Special teams coordinator Mike Westhoff said it was “the absolute worst” performance by any of his units in his 27 NFL seasons.
“It’s just a bitter taste,” Westhoff said. “It’ll go away ... when they’re lowering me in the grave.”
Sunday, November 01, 2009
Congrats to the Fish
They picked up the gift "W" and managed to carry it back to their barrio in their baby blue unis, despite getting outplayed most of the game. It's pretty hard NOT to win a game when the opponent gives you 3 touchdowns in a five minute span on two kick returns and a gift wrapped fumble return for 6.
Jetties offense was obviously much more productive than the Fins O in the second half (even in the first), and ditto with the Jets D. Total yards for the game: Jets 378, Fish 104. So much for the wildcat.
Refs were obviously paying attention to D.C.'s plea and returned the favor for the game in Miami, with several huge calls--most especially the phantom illegal motion call that negated the Jets 2 point conversion. Obviously, if it was a 3 point game, the Jets would have kicked a 35 yard FG to tie it and send it to OT instead of going on 4th and 10 in the final drive. Also, the mysterious down by contact on the fumble by the Fins receiver didn't help much either; especially since the Fish went on to score their only offensive TD on the same drive that they actually turned it over.
Of course, then you have the Jets complicity in the game, which is what made it a total gift to the Fins. You can start and end with the vanishing act pulled by the special teams unit, when they pulled a matador D move, leading to 100 yd+ kick return TD's for Ginn on two consecutive kick offs in the 3rd quarter. That that has only been done once in NFL history tells you how absurdly poor the kick coverage was, and how lucky the Fins were to come away with victory.
There were also myriad mental errors for Jets players. Getting called for a false start the first time they wanted to run a two-point conversion, forcing them to settle for a kick. Keller pulling up on an out pattern when he would have had an easy catch if he had run his route, and that catch would have extended a crucial second half drive. Edwards running the wrong route on a 3rd and goal in the first half, forcing the Jets to settle for a FG. Shonn Greene handing the ball to Jason Taylor for 6 the other way.
And of course, some blame has to go to the coaches. After sticking to the game plan and running successfully most of the day, they lose their nerve down the stretch, when the Jets were in 4 down territory and could have sealed the game with 4 3 yard runs. It was 1st and 10 from the Fins 16 or thereabouts, the Jets have 2 timeouts, the Fins have note, and the the Jets have 1:50 or so to work with. It seems obvious that you could run 8 straight running plays at that point and still control the clock, leaving the Fins no time to comeback should the Jets take the lead. The Jets had run the ball effectively most of the day. Why they choose that moment in the game to run 4 straight passing plays is a mystery to me. Unless it was meant to be some psyche rescue for Sanchez, letting him lead the comeback win. If that was the plan, it obviously backfired horribly.
Jetties offense was obviously much more productive than the Fins O in the second half (even in the first), and ditto with the Jets D. Total yards for the game: Jets 378, Fish 104. So much for the wildcat.
Refs were obviously paying attention to D.C.'s plea and returned the favor for the game in Miami, with several huge calls--most especially the phantom illegal motion call that negated the Jets 2 point conversion. Obviously, if it was a 3 point game, the Jets would have kicked a 35 yard FG to tie it and send it to OT instead of going on 4th and 10 in the final drive. Also, the mysterious down by contact on the fumble by the Fins receiver didn't help much either; especially since the Fish went on to score their only offensive TD on the same drive that they actually turned it over.
Of course, then you have the Jets complicity in the game, which is what made it a total gift to the Fins. You can start and end with the vanishing act pulled by the special teams unit, when they pulled a matador D move, leading to 100 yd+ kick return TD's for Ginn on two consecutive kick offs in the 3rd quarter. That that has only been done once in NFL history tells you how absurdly poor the kick coverage was, and how lucky the Fins were to come away with victory.
There were also myriad mental errors for Jets players. Getting called for a false start the first time they wanted to run a two-point conversion, forcing them to settle for a kick. Keller pulling up on an out pattern when he would have had an easy catch if he had run his route, and that catch would have extended a crucial second half drive. Edwards running the wrong route on a 3rd and goal in the first half, forcing the Jets to settle for a FG. Shonn Greene handing the ball to Jason Taylor for 6 the other way.
And of course, some blame has to go to the coaches. After sticking to the game plan and running successfully most of the day, they lose their nerve down the stretch, when the Jets were in 4 down territory and could have sealed the game with 4 3 yard runs. It was 1st and 10 from the Fins 16 or thereabouts, the Jets have 2 timeouts, the Fins have note, and the the Jets have 1:50 or so to work with. It seems obvious that you could run 8 straight running plays at that point and still control the clock, leaving the Fins no time to comeback should the Jets take the lead. The Jets had run the ball effectively most of the day. Why they choose that moment in the game to run 4 straight passing plays is a mystery to me. Unless it was meant to be some psyche rescue for Sanchez, letting him lead the comeback win. If that was the plan, it obviously backfired horribly.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Monday, October 26, 2009
Decisions decisions
Yankees. Or Phillies.
Yankees. Or Phillies.
I'm going Phillies for 4 reasons.
1. Can't ever pull for the Yanks (unless they're playing BlowSox or Los Bravos)
2. I actually like the Phillies players and attitudes; the Mets could use that.
3. Got to go for NL so I can stop hearing about how much better the AL is.
4. It puts pressure on Wilpon to maybe man up and clean house so his organization doesn't look like the bunch of circus clowns it is in comparison.
Yankees. Or Phillies.
I'm going Phillies for 4 reasons.
1. Can't ever pull for the Yanks (unless they're playing BlowSox or Los Bravos)
2. I actually like the Phillies players and attitudes; the Mets could use that.
3. Got to go for NL so I can stop hearing about how much better the AL is.
4. It puts pressure on Wilpon to maybe man up and clean house so his organization doesn't look like the bunch of circus clowns it is in comparison.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Sorry DC
But you know it's coming, especially after the picture you posted below!
Tough choke loss for the fish today. I mean, big time choke.
Meanwhile the Jetties handed the Raiders their worst home shutout ever. Jones and Greene look solid, and nice to see that Ryan's emphasis on cleaning up penalties this week in practice really paid off.
Tough choke loss for the fish today. I mean, big time choke.
Meanwhile the Jetties handed the Raiders their worst home shutout ever. Jones and Greene look solid, and nice to see that Ryan's emphasis on cleaning up penalties this week in practice really paid off.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Aw, It's OK...
From Rex Ryan's press conference last night:
"Greatest D in NFL history" takes it on the chin and the best offensive plays were fake punts and questionable penalty calls.
Nice...
"Greatest D in NFL history" takes it on the chin and the best offensive plays were fake punts and questionable penalty calls.
Nice...
Friday, October 09, 2009
Funny, funny stuff
From mlb.com:
Two coaches have been dismissed?
Wow.
The collapse of the 2009 Mets was comprehensive. It involved so many facets of the operation thatthe organization has been razed from the top down, starting with the dismissal of the GM, the manager, and most of the coaching stafftwo coaches already have been dismissed or reassigned, several players expressed doubt that they will return, and several people in the Minor League and player-development departments have been exiled.
Two coaches have been dismissed?
Wow.
Wednesday, October 07, 2009
We're Not the Worst
Well, with the Tigers' "historic" collapse, our meltdown in '07 is no longer the worst.
But they limped to an 11-16 finish that made them the first team since 1901 to miss out on the playoffs after holding a three-game lead with four to play.
So Omar's got that going for him.
But they limped to an 11-16 finish that made them the first team since 1901 to miss out on the playoffs after holding a three-game lead with four to play.
So Omar's got that going for him.
Monday, October 05, 2009
I couldn't get out of the way of this one
anymore than Austin Powers could have dodged that steamroller.
You knew it was just inevitable.
Luckily, I got to see it, hear it, taste it, right from Jeff Wilpon's mouth:
“We demand better and we expect better. And to me, (Jerry) and Omar deserve a chance to come back and right the ship."
See you in Spring '11.
You knew it was just inevitable.
Luckily, I got to see it, hear it, taste it, right from Jeff Wilpon's mouth:
“We demand better and we expect better. And to me, (Jerry) and Omar deserve a chance to come back and right the ship."
See you in Spring '11.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Sorry DC
Unfortunately looks like Valentine won't be our man in 2010... There's always next next season I guess.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Bunch of interesting Mets stuff from the Post
Jason Marquis wants to come to the Mets.
Murphy seems to be turning the corner and adjusting to the pitchers' adjustments.
Jay Greenberg says the Mets need to think pitching before hitting this offseason, and that any homerun hitter will likely be overpayed and underproduce at CitiField.
In the "day late and a dollar short" category, Omar says he's willing to trade his "core players."
Murphy seems to be turning the corner and adjusting to the pitchers' adjustments.
Jay Greenberg says the Mets need to think pitching before hitting this offseason, and that any homerun hitter will likely be overpayed and underproduce at CitiField.
In the "day late and a dollar short" category, Omar says he's willing to trade his "core players."
Monday, September 21, 2009
Mean Green Machine
The Jet D has yielded no touchdowns through two games, and are playing with an aggressive posture I haven't seen since the sack exchange. Bart Scott seems to be the vocal leader of this emerging force:
"I know everyone was thinking, 'OK, two minutes, Brady time. March down the field, tie the game, go for two and win the game,' " linebacker Bart Scott said. "No, I'm not used to that. I've never been a part of that. Maybe people expected that time would run out [on the Patriots]. No, maybe we'll stop them four times and then it's time to warm up the [bleeping] bus."
Friday, September 18, 2009
Food For Thought
From MLB Trade Rumors:
Offseason Outlook: New York Mets
By Tim Dierkes [September 17 at 11:00pm CST]
Next up in our Offseason Outlook series, the Mets. Their commitments for 2010:
C - Omir Santos - $400K
C - Josh Thole - $400K
1B - Daniel Murphy - $401K
2B - Luis Castillo - $6MM
SS - Jose Reyes - $9MM
3B - David Wright - $10MM
IF - Anderson Hernandez - $400K
LF - Angel Pagan - $575K+
CF - Carlos Beltran - $18.5MM
RF - Jeff Francoeur - $3.375MM+
OF - Cory Sullivan - $600K+
OF - Jeremy Reed - $925K+
1B/LF - Nick Evans - $403K or OF - Fernando Martinez - $400K
SP - Johan Santana - $21MM
SP - John Maine - $2.6MM+
SP - Mike Pelfrey - $1.3125MM
SP - Oliver Perez - $12MM
SP - Jon Niese - $400K
Other candidates: Fernando Nieve - $414K, Tim Redding - $2.25MM+
RP - Francisco Rodriguez - $11.5MM
RP - Pedro Feliciano - $1.6125MM+
RP - Sean Green - $471K+
RP - Pat Misch - $402K
RP - Bobby Parnell - $400K
RP - Brian Stokes - $410K
RP - Carlos Muniz - $402K
Other commitments: J.J. Putz - $1MM buyout
Non-tender candidates: Redding, Maine, Nelson Figueroa
That puts the Mets at about $105MM, plus arbitration raises to Pagan, Francoeur, Sullivan, Reed, Maine, Feliciano, Green, and Redding (some of whom will likely be non-tendered). The Mets are in the $110MM ballpark after entering the '09 season with a $149.4MM payroll. Omar Minaya should have $35-40MM to patch his team's many holes.
The Mets have a strong core of superstars, and their collective health almost has to improve in 2010. I don't see the logic behind trading Reyes, Wright, Beltran, or Santana.
The Mets need a catcher, first baseman, and corner outfielder. They may be competing with the Braves for certain first base and left field candidates. But the Mets also need at least one solid starting pitcher as well as bullpen help.
The catching market is weak, but pairing someone like Gregg Zaun with Thole makes sense. First base presents more options. Who's a bigger health risk - Carlos Delgado at 38 or Nick Johnson at 31? Johnson's .428 OBP is hard to ignore.
The market is flush with left fielders. With so many needs, I have a hard time seeing Minaya take a run at Manny Ramirez, Matt Holliday, or Jason Bay. Johnny Damon, Bobby Abreu, and Jermaine Dye are more reasonable targets. With Castillo, Johnson, Wright, Beltran, and Abreu, the Mets would potentially have five .400 OBP players. Zaun (assuming the Rays let him go), Johnson, and Abreu could be signed for less than $25MM in 2010 salaries.
With the remaining money I'd attempt to lure Randy Wolf from the West Coast while also pursuing Erik Bedard, Brad Penny, Randy Johnson, Carl Pavano, or Ben Sheets for a one-year deal. Admittedly there wouldn't be much left to spend on relievers, but decent arms can be found for a million or two.
Certainly the Mets could use top free agents like Holliday and John Lackey. However, the available money would be better used to acquire four or five sensible free agents. Let's hear your recommendations in the comments.
Offseason Outlook: New York Mets
By Tim Dierkes [September 17 at 11:00pm CST]
Next up in our Offseason Outlook series, the Mets. Their commitments for 2010:
C - Omir Santos - $400K
C - Josh Thole - $400K
1B - Daniel Murphy - $401K
2B - Luis Castillo - $6MM
SS - Jose Reyes - $9MM
3B - David Wright - $10MM
IF - Anderson Hernandez - $400K
LF - Angel Pagan - $575K+
CF - Carlos Beltran - $18.5MM
RF - Jeff Francoeur - $3.375MM+
OF - Cory Sullivan - $600K+
OF - Jeremy Reed - $925K+
1B/LF - Nick Evans - $403K or OF - Fernando Martinez - $400K
SP - Johan Santana - $21MM
SP - John Maine - $2.6MM+
SP - Mike Pelfrey - $1.3125MM
SP - Oliver Perez - $12MM
SP - Jon Niese - $400K
Other candidates: Fernando Nieve - $414K, Tim Redding - $2.25MM+
RP - Francisco Rodriguez - $11.5MM
RP - Pedro Feliciano - $1.6125MM+
RP - Sean Green - $471K+
RP - Pat Misch - $402K
RP - Bobby Parnell - $400K
RP - Brian Stokes - $410K
RP - Carlos Muniz - $402K
Other commitments: J.J. Putz - $1MM buyout
Non-tender candidates: Redding, Maine, Nelson Figueroa
That puts the Mets at about $105MM, plus arbitration raises to Pagan, Francoeur, Sullivan, Reed, Maine, Feliciano, Green, and Redding (some of whom will likely be non-tendered). The Mets are in the $110MM ballpark after entering the '09 season with a $149.4MM payroll. Omar Minaya should have $35-40MM to patch his team's many holes.
The Mets have a strong core of superstars, and their collective health almost has to improve in 2010. I don't see the logic behind trading Reyes, Wright, Beltran, or Santana.
The Mets need a catcher, first baseman, and corner outfielder. They may be competing with the Braves for certain first base and left field candidates. But the Mets also need at least one solid starting pitcher as well as bullpen help.
The catching market is weak, but pairing someone like Gregg Zaun with Thole makes sense. First base presents more options. Who's a bigger health risk - Carlos Delgado at 38 or Nick Johnson at 31? Johnson's .428 OBP is hard to ignore.
The market is flush with left fielders. With so many needs, I have a hard time seeing Minaya take a run at Manny Ramirez, Matt Holliday, or Jason Bay. Johnny Damon, Bobby Abreu, and Jermaine Dye are more reasonable targets. With Castillo, Johnson, Wright, Beltran, and Abreu, the Mets would potentially have five .400 OBP players. Zaun (assuming the Rays let him go), Johnson, and Abreu could be signed for less than $25MM in 2010 salaries.
With the remaining money I'd attempt to lure Randy Wolf from the West Coast while also pursuing Erik Bedard, Brad Penny, Randy Johnson, Carl Pavano, or Ben Sheets for a one-year deal. Admittedly there wouldn't be much left to spend on relievers, but decent arms can be found for a million or two.
Certainly the Mets could use top free agents like Holliday and John Lackey. However, the available money would be better used to acquire four or five sensible free agents. Let's hear your recommendations in the comments.
Monday, September 07, 2009
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