Billy is the Mets' only Type A free agent to-be at this time
Eddie Bajek (Detroit Tigers Thoughts) and Keith Law (ESPN) reverse-engineered the Elias Rankings last year, which is the system used to determine whether free agents become Type A, Type B, or neither. The rankings from the beginning of the 2008 season through July 29th, 2009, though the final rankings to determine FA’s types will include 2 full seasons. A link to full report is available on MLB Trade Rumors, along with some more info about Bajek’s rankings.
Let’s take a look at how this season’s upcoming Mets free agents are making out…
Brian Schneider ranks 9th among NL catchers, classifying as a Type B free agent. He’s 3 slots below the Type A threshold, but the gap appears too large to overcome. He’s also a fair bit above the higher “neither” catcher, so Type B looks to be in Brian’s future.
Carlos Delgado ranks 29th among NL 1b/OFs, also classifying as a Type B free agent. Delgado would need to climb 7 spots to reach Type A, and fall 18 spots to lose his qualification. He also appears safe to finish the season as a Type B.
Gary Sheffield ranks 45th among NL 1b/OFs, barely classifying as a Type B free agent, with only one other Type B below him on the list. Depending on the rest of his season, and of those surrounding him on the list, Sheffield may end up as either a Type B or with no ranking at all.
Fernando Tatis ranks 47th among NL 1b/OFs, and is the number 1 “neither” beneficiary at this time. The rest of his season will also determine whether or not he climbs into the Type B category, which isn’t far away.
Alex Cora, Angel Berroa, and Ramon Martinez all rank low among NL 2b/SS/3b, and should finish the season with a “neither” ranking.
Livan Hernandez ranks low among NL SP, and should finish the season with a “neither” ranking.
Billy Wagner ranks 10th among NL RP, making him the only Met to potentially stand as a Type A free agent. There’s a lot of space between Wagner and the Type B’s, but a return to the major in the next month or so may secure Billy’s status as a Type A. This could make his free agency period difficult though, as Jason Varitek discovered last off-season. It’s also looking highly unlikely that the Mets pick up his 2010 option.
J.J. Putz ranks low among NL RP, putting him in the “neither” category. A quick return and a strong finish could push him into the Type B category, but it’s safe to say he’ll probably end the season without it. Like Wagner, Putz likely won’t be picked up with his 2010 option. Though conceivably with a strong comeback, the Mets could pick up the option and use J.J. as trade bait in the offseason.
Elmer Dessens ranks low among NL RP, and should finish the season with a “neither” ranking.
MLB Trade Rumors has a great post explaining how the free agent Types and draft compensation work. Running through the basics, the team needs to offer a player arbitration to receive draft compensation. A Type A pick nets the signing team’s 1st round draft pick (or a later round depending on who else they sign and what number pick they have) as well as a supplemental pick (between the first two rounds) and a Type B pick nets a supplemental draft pick.
65 comments
CaseStreet
7/31/2009-10:06am at 10:06 am (UTC -4)
Does anyone see the Mets offering arbitration to any of these guys? Putz, maybe.
prismo
7/31/2009-10:09am at 10:09 am (UTC -4)
Wagner if he makes a strong comeback, because then he wouldn’t take the arbitration hoping to sign a deal as a closer, not a set-up man. Delgado’s in a similar boat. With a strong come-back he’d be a good candidate for offering arb. Maybe no one else on the list though.
dirtysanchez
7/31/2009-10:12am at 10:12 am (UTC -4)
well..putz has an option so i dont think we need to offer arb
i think the arb players on the team are
pelf
maine
stokes
i think frenchy
i think omir
prismo
7/31/2009-10:13am at 10:13 am (UTC -4)
Ah, is that so? Putz probably won’t be a Type A or B anyway though. I guess that means Billy doesn’t need to be offered arbitration either?
prismo
7/31/2009-10:16am at 10:16 am (UTC -4)
I think you may be confusing this a bit though. Arbitration can be offered to a player with an expiring contract – if the player accepts, they get a 1 year deal for whatever amount is decided on.
There's Always '09
7/31/2009-10:17am at 10:17 am (UTC -4)
I don’t think Maine will be offered arb. He has been very mediocre in his tenure as a Met. Matter of fact, I would compare his time here to Daniel Murphy’s. Vastly overrated by Mets fans.
I would let Maine walk.
fongy2
7/31/2009-10:16am at 10:16 am (UTC -4)
Just say goodbye to them all and
move on!
prismo
7/31/2009-10:17am at 10:17 am (UTC -4)
Agreed, unless it’s a sign and trade.
There's Always '09
7/31/2009-10:23am at 10:23 am (UTC -4)
I think Frenchy should stay.
fongy2
7/31/2009-10:26am at 10:26 am (UTC -4)
Agreed!
I was talking
about our FAs.
prismo
7/31/2009-10:22am at 10:22 am (UTC -4)
It’s funny how almost no one seems to know exactly how this draft compensation and arbitration stuff works. You even see Tim Dierkes and Matt Cerrone screw it up all the time. I wonder if anyone knows all the rules, or if it’s just kind of made up as they go along each off-season. :p
There's Always '09
7/31/2009-10:25am at 10:25 am (UTC -4)
If Cerrone messes it up, then….NOBODY knows how it works. One more thing, if I see him refer to Cliff Lee as a RHP one more time, my head may explode. In every single post leading upto the trade deadline, he kept on referring to Lee as a RHP…ugh. That’s really annoying. I think a casual baseball fan should know he is a LHP.
fongy2
7/31/2009-10:29am at 10:29 am (UTC -4)
And the Beat goes on
at mattsblog…….
Good thing he banned
us knuckleheads!
Especially Case!$$$
CaseStreet
7/31/2009-12:36pm at 12:36 pm (UTC -4)
Didn’t know u were so glad to have me here. Thanks for the support.
GravediggerHebner
7/31/2009-10:36am at 10:36 am (UTC -4)
Mett just thinks Lee is a
Really Hot Pitcher
There's Always '09
7/31/2009-10:50am at 10:50 am (UTC -4)
Here’s another example from today. It’s pretty embarassing actually:
“According to Rodriguez, the Marlins rejected a deal from the Padres for closer Heath Bell, who would’ve cost OF Cameron Maybin and RHP Andrew Miller.”
Matt, if you’re reading…ANDREW MILLER IS A FU*KING LEFT HANDED PITCHER, or LHP!!!!!!!!!
JoeR
7/31/2009-10:29am at 10:29 am (UTC -4)
From Mets Blog:
By the way, Carroll also said, “Beltran made the informed decision (to return from the disabled list) based on the near certainty that he will need microfracture surgery and could miss much, if not all, of the 2010 season.â€
What the hell is this???? I havent heard anything like this, in fact, I thought it was the complete opposite. Both doctors, the one the Mets provided and the one Beltran went to on his own, I thought said its def just a bruise and no way micro surgery is needed?? Oh man I hope its completely false because although i have some hope for this year what is saving my sanity is the fact we will be ready to rock next year. If Beltran is gone then well…
prismo
7/31/2009-10:34am at 10:34 am (UTC -4)
Seems like Mattsblog pulled this out of it’s arse. With an entire off-season to rest up, I think Beltran will be good to go for 2010.
JoeR
7/31/2009-10:46am at 10:46 am (UTC -4)
I hope so
There's Always '09
7/31/2009-10:53am at 10:53 am (UTC -4)
Hey, it’s better than saying, “LHP Carlos Beltran will need microfracture…”
metsfan4decades
7/31/2009-10:36am at 10:36 am (UTC -4)
According to the article:
‘Beltran made the informed decision based on the near certainty that he will need microfracture surgery and could miss much, if not all, of the 2010 season. He’ll do everything he can to avoid it, but that’s the worst case scenario and he’s willing to give it a go. His success will be based on pain tolerance and management, as well as Jerry Manuel’s ability to spot him in and out. It’s unlikely he can play CF, though no one has said much about where he will actually play. It’s a calculated risk that Beltran and the Mets are taking. Given the success – or lack thereof – with microfracture in MLB, it’s a big risk and perhaps Beltran’s last hurrah.’
**********************
Sounds like more of the same speculation to me. He’s taking the ‘worst case scenario’ and running with it, making a story around it. At least that’s how it reads to me…..
metsfan4decades
7/31/2009-10:37am at 10:37 am (UTC -4)
And how you go from ‘near certainty’ to ‘worst case scenario’ in the blink of a sentence – is beyond me…
GravediggerHebner
7/31/2009-10:39am at 10:39 am (UTC -4)
Will Carroll is very well respected in the context of injury discussions, it’s in some ways “what he does.”
The thing about it that seems weird is, if he’s “almost certain to need microfracture surgery” (despite what the microfracture surgeon in Colorado that he visited said, which was that he did NOT need it) then why not just have it now? Why mess around for the next 3 months, pushing back rehab and return ETAs?
steveo
7/31/2009-10:44am at 10:44 am (UTC -4)
Grave You ask why? after all that has gone on this season with injuries .
GravediggerHebner
7/31/2009-10:57am at 10:57 am (UTC -4)
Yes I ask why.
The microfracture surgeon in Colorado that Beltran allegedly visited who allegedly told Beltran that he DID NOT need the surgery is not a member of the Mets front office or training staff so at the end of the day I trust his/her opinion much more.
Therefore I am going with the hypothesis that Beltran doesn’t need the surgery.
My question of “why” was in the context of him needing it (which I don’t believe he does). So if he does need it, it makes no sense to wait to do it. The Mets doctors are not the ones doing the proposed surgery.
The whole decision about whether he needs the surgery or not and who performs it has nothing to do with the Mets medical staff.
That’s “why” I as “why.”
There's Always '09
7/31/2009-11:03am at 11:03 am (UTC -4)
Why ask why, try Bud Dry.
GravediggerHebner
7/31/2009-11:05am at 11:05 am (UTC -4)
I hate their products but I love their commercials.
fongy2
7/31/2009-11:17am at 11:17 am (UTC -4)
2nd THAT! Heb,awful beer!
fongy2
7/31/2009-11:20am at 11:20 am (UTC -4)
Ofcourse,I don’t always drink beer but when I do,I prefer
Dos Equis.
GravediggerHebner
7/31/2009-11:27am at 11:27 am (UTC -4)
About 15 years ago I was passing through St. Louis so of course I took the obligatory tour of Annhidesherbush and at the end they offered you a little plastic cup sample of the product, OR you could have a full 12 oz bottle of one of their imported products. I chose a bottle of Elephant Malt Liquor, which was horrible, but at least it wasn’t 6 oz of Budweiser.
There's Always '09
7/31/2009-11:33am at 11:33 am (UTC -4)
It’s always a nice day for a Hoe-gaareden, that is
fongy2
7/31/2009-11:36am at 11:36 am (UTC -4)
Yeah BUT I’ll tell ya Heb,having spent ALOT of time in the Carribbean,THEy know!
A few Elephants&
a little ganj=A Great head!
GravediggerHebner
7/31/2009-11:38am at 11:38 am (UTC -4)
LOL
I’ll substitute a few Red Stripes for the Elephants and be quite happy.
fongy2
7/31/2009-11:44am at 11:44 am (UTC -4)
Agreed Heb! Thought that was agiven.
JoeR
7/31/2009-10:45am at 10:45 am (UTC -4)
Exactly…I mean wouldnt it have been nice if we had Delgado playing right now…Instead they waited a few weeks
fongy2
7/31/2009-10:34am at 10:34 am (UTC -4)
Any chance Omar packages a couple/
three of of prospects for the three
Royals available,Bannister,Bloomquist
and Teahan??? AND doesn’t that sound
like a law firm???
GravediggerHebner
7/31/2009-10:41am at 10:41 am (UTC -4)
No. And I mean no in the context of “no, I don’t think he will” in case that’s not clear.
Yes. Yes it sounds like a law firm.
steveo
7/31/2009-10:35am at 10:35 am (UTC -4)
I’ve heard both reports earley on that if it didn’t heal than he would need surgery ,I also remember reading that he went to the doc in denver and was told to rest. I m confused but if he is taking a chance than sit out the rest of the year and let it heal or get the surgery now.
fongy2
7/31/2009-10:37am at 10:37 am (UTC -4)
Whats wrong with some of these guys?
Really!,The Yankees call about
Washburn and the M’s ask for the
best Catching prospect in baseball?
GravediggerHebner
7/31/2009-10:43am at 10:43 am (UTC -4)
Some GMs are either:
living in the past; or
don’t really want to trade these guys but if they can get another GM to blink, they will.
There’s not a lot to go on with the Mariners GM yet but he certainly shows no fear of making multi-player deals.
fongy2
7/31/2009-10:56am at 10:56 am (UTC -4)
I’m slowly shifting
into the “Let Murph-
-be our FirstBaseman-
in 2010″ club, Heb.
However, This is IF
we bring in a middle-of-the order LeftFielder and let
FMart have a full season @AAA.
Murph/Luis/Reyes/Wright
in our infield AND
Beltran&Frenchy in C&RF
Maybe a Bengie Molina
behind the Plate?
Johan,Pelf,Ollie,Maine
&Niese as a Rotation.
Some health and good fortune and away we go!
There's Always '09
7/31/2009-10:58am at 10:58 am (UTC -4)
Quite frankly, that pitching rotation is an absolute debacle.
metsfan4decades
7/31/2009-11:03am at 11:03 am (UTC -4)
I’m pretty much in agreement on this.
Maine is one big question mark right now.
Ollie is, well Ollie.
Niese starting next year, will probably start out our #5.
We need a good solid SP. Let’s hope management makes that a priority in the off season.
fongy2
7/31/2009-11:05am at 11:05 am (UTC -4)
understood and agreed.
BUT like
w/Castillo,Ollie’s contract
makes it impossible to move him.
Maine’s injuries
likewise.Johan&
Pelf are
solid in their spots(1&2)
So,what
to do??
This Ollie contract
will haunt this team for atleast another yr! Like
Alou’s
and Luis’ have.
That’s
Omar!!!
GravediggerHebner
7/31/2009-11:03am at 11:03 am (UTC -4)
I absolutely agree that:
If Murphy is to be considered the 1B going forward, a genuinely XBH productive LF is needed to make that work. 100%. Maybe Omar will surprise us all and get that guy this afternoon, but I doubt it.
Ideally I’d like to add an average/mediocre SP to that mix instead of Maine since Maine just can’t seem to stay healthy and I, unlike last off season, am no longer counting on him.
steveo
7/31/2009-11:09am at 11:09 am (UTC -4)
I just hope that if murph is the teams choice next year at first that martinez is not their choice or thier answer in left field for next year, talk about lack of power
GravediggerHebner
7/31/2009-11:10am at 11:10 am (UTC -4)
Exactly! Agree completely!
dentulous
7/31/2009-11:24am at 11:24 am (UTC -4)
that is scary lack of power. We need a big bat, no question. Murph and FMart aint gonna cut it.
CaseStreet
7/31/2009-11:29am at 11:29 am (UTC -4)
Murph and F-Mart may be our starters next yr, though F-Mart could share time with Pagan.
Hopefully, Bengie will be our C next yr.
CaseStreet
7/31/2009-11:04am at 11:04 am (UTC -4)
who are you and what have you done w/ Fongy?
GravediggerHebner
7/31/2009-11:07am at 11:07 am (UTC -4)
Get out of my head!
I was thinking it but I decided in the interest of detente not to say it.
fongy2
7/31/2009-11:15am at 11:15 am (UTC -4)
To quote
BroadwayDanny Rose
“Acceptance,forgiveness&
love”…
“And THAT’s
a philosophy of life!”
DNDJohan aka kistics
7/31/2009-10:55am at 10:55 am (UTC -4)
I thought the only way the Mets get compensation pick is if they were offered arbitration. I don’t see the Mets offering Arbitration to any of these guys.
GravediggerHebner
7/31/2009-11:12am at 11:12 am (UTC -4)
Alright! 4 hours 48 minutes to go, I’ve got my comfy chair surrounded by snacks and beverages and MLB Network on the HDTV.
So of course absolutely nothing of note is going to happen.
GravediggerHebner
7/31/2009-11:19am at 11:19 am (UTC -4)
On MLB Net Jordan Bastian of MLB.com who covers the Blue Jays believes they won’t trade Halladay. He says the Phillies were the best fit and once they were out of it the idea mostly died.
Yesterday the Texas Rangers were deep in negotiations for him but it died because Texas insisted Toronto pay part of Halladay’s salary (they refused) and Toronto insisted on prospect Derek Holland, who threw a gem last night (they refused).
Bastian says they will continue to talk through the day but in his mind they won’t ultimately do it.
fongy2
7/31/2009-11:22am at 11:22 am (UTC -4)
So maybe Doc Hallady and
Alex Rios for FMart,plus
in the Off-season AFTER
Omar gets fired?
GravediggerHebner
7/31/2009-11:30am at 11:30 am (UTC -4)
Maybe. I absolutely believe that a new/different GM is not as likely to hold onto FMart as Omar is, because he won’t be that GM’s baby.
GravediggerHebner
7/31/2009-11:33am at 11:33 am (UTC -4)
MLB Network guys just went to commercial saying “a new trade has been made we’ll have that for you when we come back.” Bastards!
GravediggerHebner
7/31/2009-11:35am at 11:35 am (UTC -4)
Jarrod Washburn to Tigers
GravediggerHebner
7/31/2009-11:36am at 11:36 am (UTC -4)
For Luke French and Mauricio Robles
fongy2
7/31/2009-11:42am at 11:42 am (UTC -4)
Not exactly Joba,Hughes
or Montero!
GravediggerHebner
7/31/2009-11:50am at 11:50 am (UTC -4)
Nope, but I do like the idea that a GM “asked for more” from the Yankees. It should always be that way. Stupid Pirates keep messing that up.
fongy2
7/31/2009-11:58am at 11:58 am (UTC -4)
Spot on!
There's Always '09
7/31/2009-12:07pm at 12:07 pm (UTC -4)
Of course it shoult be that way. You’re talking about a team that spent about $275MM on pitching this offseason. You can’t just give them a quality pitcher.
There's Always '09
7/31/2009-12:10pm at 12:10 pm (UTC -4)
Maybe we can trade Alex Escobar to the Blue Jays for Halladay. Straight up.