I’m buying into the “Core” mentality.
Since I’ve been hearing term for the past year now more than ever and after watching last nights Philly/Dodger game, I am beginning to realize just how true this term is. So I am putting out the word: The Mets need players, not rentals, but players for the “Core”
Right now, the Met “Core” of Wright, Reyes, Beltran, Francoeur and Santana are keepers.  We’re looking to build around these guys and I am on the hunt for one more guy-maybe two.Â
My question to everyone is…if you were to add another  ”Core” player, who would it be?  Let’s assume that money and trades are not a factor. Who in this league would you pick? You have the following positions to choose from….Left Field, Catcher, First Base or  Second Base to find your players.
The only rule is that the player you choose cannot be from Philly or the Yankees. ( I figured there is a slim chance that we’re getting Howard or A-rod, not that we really wanted him anyway)
O.k, let’s see it.
19 comments
stickguy
10/17/2009-10:55am at 10:55 am (UTC -4)
fine. now the comments are on!
Gee, where to start.
1st, the whole term “core” has gotten on my nerves. Not even sure what it means anymore. From above, looks like Gonzo thinks it is the guys you want to keep LT, with the rest of the team being ST/filler/replaceable supporting pieces?
Not sure though how Francouer got put in there. No way he should be anything more than year to year (no 3 year deal please).
Usually it seems that peopole use core to mean the best players (the stars that are supposed to carry the team). But, no reason you can’t have a supporting guy as part of the inner core, with a “star” being more of a mercenary.
as to the question, add any 1 player? I will take Mauer for Catcher. Pujols of course is an obvious answer, but C is much harder to find a star at (that can hit), and you should be able to cover 1B on a year to year basis.
Mr North Jersey
10/17/2009-10:59am at 10:59 am (UTC -4)
Gonzo I hope you don’t mind but I noticed the comments were off and I went ahead and turned it on figuring that is what you wanted.
Good post by the way your argument of adding to the core is one I agree with. Give me a Prince Fielder and Lackey or a Halladay and a Bay and give me a nucleus of
Wright
Beltran
Reyes
Francoeur
Santana
KRod
Fielder/Bay
Lackey/Halladay
I will fill in with what I can everywhere else.
gonzowill
10/17/2009-11:49am at 11:49 am (UTC -4)
Thanks Mr. Northjersey, I owe you a beer. I would love Prince Fielder for first and after last night, I would give Lackey anything he wanted.
metsfan4decades
10/17/2009-2:59pm at 2:59 pm (UTC -4)
Ah….my choice as well. One of Prince Fielder, please.
Mr North Jersey
10/17/2009-11:06am at 11:06 am (UTC -4)
OFF Topic – Did any1 see MC mention he used to work on “The Apprentice”? We know at least it wasn’t as a writer.
Kingman 26
10/17/2009-11:31am at 11:31 am (UTC -4)
HA!
Kingman 26
10/17/2009-11:33am at 11:33 am (UTC -4)
Mauer is tempting, but I have to take Pujols for first. He is just so dominant that he would mean more to the team I think. And he would be good at snagging errant throws coming his way from other parts of the infield.
CaseStreet
10/17/2009-11:53am at 11:53 am (UTC -4)
Joe Mauer, hands down.
What are the premium positions where you expect the least amount of production? C, SS, 2B and CF.
We have that in Reyes and Beltran, but we need a C and 2B.
In addition, there’s the whole Defense argument and that Catcher is the captain on the field.
So, Joe Mauer for the Core!
jaydh
10/17/2009-12:16pm at 12:16 pm (UTC -4)
It is going to be difficult to add to the “core” through FA. If you want a long term solution to one of the weak positions, a trade will need to be made.
CaseStreet
10/17/2009-2:27pm at 2:27 pm (UTC -4)
King Felix, too!
Reyes – Wright – Beltran – Mauer
Santana – King Felix – K-Rod
Now that’s a CORE!
darknova306
10/17/2009-3:44pm at 3:44 pm (UTC -4)
I’m all about Felix! That’s a pretty sick core right there. Ah, it’s fun to dream…
CaseStreet
10/17/2009-3:50pm at 3:50 pm (UTC -4)
Speaking of dreaming, how about this move:
Trade Castillo for Fukudome, Cubs need a 2B, have too many OFers and need salary relief.
Then sign Felipe Lopez at 6-8M. He plays better Defense and gives the Mets more offensively.
CaseStreet
10/17/2009-3:59pm at 3:59 pm (UTC -4)
Lopez-Fukudome-Reyes-Wright-Beltran-Francouer-Murphy-C
stickguy
10/17/2009-4:30pm at 4:30 pm (UTC -4)
Works for me. moving castillo? check. And I do like what Lopez brings to the table. heck, I would love it if they signed him to be a super sub, and ready to take over for slappy when he tanks or gets hurt.
although Fukudome has a really bad contract (cubs are awash in them). 13m and 13.5 mill for the next 2 years. Ouch.
and of course he will be 33 on opening day, and his output pretty much stinks. ANd he has a no trade clause.
Of course the Cubs would love to do this deal, but do you want this to be your big offensive aquisition of the off season? When Pagan is likely to outproduce him?
Now, get them to throw in Soto to catch, and we got something going!
biggiesmalls
10/18/2009-10:39am at 10:39 am (UTC -4)
Ill take Fukodome if the deal includes Zambrano (the good one)
trs86
10/17/2009-9:40pm at 9:40 pm (UTC -4)
Hmm, so that would be spending 18-21M on FUdome and Lopez? Not sure if taking Castillo’s overpayment at 6M and turning it into overpaying FUdome 13M is wise at all.
stickguy
10/18/2009-12:26am at 12:26 am (UTC -4)
I hate the yankees. especially A Roid. jam job pop up to RF (didnt even get hsi arms extended) andit goes out? That doesnt even go out of CBP. Probably doesnt make the track at Citi!
bright side? The idiot yankee fans have to sit in the rain and freeze even longer!
biggiesmalls
10/18/2009-10:42am at 10:42 am (UTC -4)
Francouer cant be part of the “core”
He should be tradable in the right deal.
The core is Reyes, Wright, Beltran, Samtama. Agree that it needs to be supplemented.
great site BTW. good to see some of the old metsblog names,
CaseStreet
10/18/2009-4:30pm at 4:30 pm (UTC -4)
hey Biggie, thanks for stopping by