" Flushing Bound ?"
Last night while I was surfing on the Twitter, I was able to pump ESPN reporter, Buster Onley about the possibility of a Mets/Chris Young union. I had asked him who he thought would end up pitching for the Mets this season – Dave Bush or Chris Young. This is what Buster had to say.
“Heard this : Sources indicate that pitcher Chris Young could be nearing a decision. Mets interested of course ; Nats may be in play.”
So I asked him if the Mets would go more than one year on a contract with him to lock him up, Onley replied
” I’d expect that Youngs deal ( which whichever team signs him ) would be in the base range of $ 1 million dollars, plus 3 million in incentives.”
Well lets see if Mr. Onley’s information proves to be true, all I know is that the baseball section of the twitterverse blew up after our exchange. So hopefully he is right and Young will be wearing the orange and blue come Opening Day.
And with that said… HERE COMES THE INFAMY !!!!!
Mets alumni celebrating birthdays today include :
Possibly one of the most dangerous Mets ever, Kevin Mitchell is 49 (1962). When I say dangerous I don’t just mean at the plate, I am talking on the streets. Just ask his ex girlfriends cat !!!
Rubber armed middle reliever from the last two seasons, Elmer Dessens is 40 (1971) ..
New York Mets selected catcher, Francisco Estrada in fifth round of free agent draft on January 13, 1971. He would later be a minor player in the deal that sent Nolan Ryan to the California Angels for Jim Fregosi.
New York Mets selected outfielder,Herm Winningham in first round (ninth pick overall) of free agent draft on January 13, 1981. Winningham would be a key part of the blockbuster deal that shipped him along with Hubie Brooks , Mike Fitzgerald and Floyd Youmans to the Expos for Gary Carter. He would later become a member of the NYPD, and recently retired from the force.
New York Mets selected outfielder, Randy Milligan in first round (third pick overall) of free agent draft on January 13, 1981. Randy would play in only three games for the Mets before being traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates for pitcher, Tim Drummond. Drummond would never pitch for the Mets.
New York Mets traded minor league middle infield prospect, Mike Davis to the Boston Red Sox for the totally ineffective version of pitcher, Mike Torrez on January 13, 1983. Torrez would spend a one and a half gut wrenching seasons with the Mets until being released in the middle of the ’84 season.
Los Angeles Dodgers signed reliever, Lee Guetterman of the New York Mets as a free agent on January 13, 1993. In his only season with the Mets, Lee was mediocre at best with a record of 3-4 with a era of 5.82 with two saves in 43 games.
New York Mets signed free agent reliever, Rob MacDonald on January 13, 1996.
New York Mets signed free agent pitcher, Masato Yoshii on January 13, 1998. Yoshii until this past season was possibly the best pitching import from Japan that the Mets have ever had.
And while you are dreaming of warmer weather, just remember , there are just 78 days until the Mets open the 2011 season against the Florida Marlins in Miami and 85 days until the Mets 2011 home opener against the Washington Nationals at Citi Field.
Mo Vaughn likes to go for quick dips during the cold winter months wearing nothing but a yellow speedo bathing suit – talk about shrinkage – the bathing suit – not little Mo!!!!
And please don’t forget , you only have until tomorrow evening to email me your list of the top 50 Mets of all time . Email it to rustyjr@realdirtymets.com .
150 comments
kistics
1/13/2011-9:38am at 9:38 am (UTC -4)
Tigers are thinking of releasing Galarraga.
http://detroit.tigers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110112&content_id=16428728&vkey=news_det&c_id=det
So it looks like he’s going into his 1st Arb season and if the Tigers have to pay him too much, they might release him. If he’s released, is he a free agent. And can the Mets sign him for $1Mish or do they have to match whatever the arbitration amount?
njstuckintx
1/13/2011-9:42am at 9:42 am (UTC -4)
That seems silly to me that they would release him based on money. They’ve spent a ton of money this offseason. What’s a couple mil more to have a guy who basically threw a perfect game and has decent upside. I’d think he’d fetch something at least in the trade market.
njstuckintx
1/13/2011-9:48am at 9:48 am (UTC -4)
I mean, if the Mets traded them Tejada or Evans + someone, I’d take Galarraga in a heart beat to be their #5 guy. I think I’d actually like to see them have Galarraga over Young. So to think they’d just outright release him seems silly.
fongy2
1/13/2011-9:50am at 9:50 am (UTC -4)
Agreed!
kistics
1/13/2011-9:55am at 9:55 am (UTC -4)
Valid point.
But if the Tigers can’t trade him, they would have to eat couple mil for a 6th starter/long man. I know they spent a lot of money this offseason, but they also had a lot coming off the books.
I think he’ll be a good fit for the Mets because he’s a big time flyball pitcher with decent potential.
fongy2
1/13/2011-10:06am at 10:06 am (UTC -4)
Agree….Just don’t see it. Also, I’m starting to think more and more we might well be watching our last few months of Jose Reyes as a Met.
njstuckintx
1/13/2011-10:12am at 10:12 am (UTC -4)
Save the money on Reyes and go all in for PUJOLS!!!!
stickguy
1/13/2011-10:15am at 10:15 am (UTC -4)
you need to get out of th esun or something.
besides, Pujols coming to the Mets at age 32 is almost a guarantee that his career tails off. Some team is likely to pay a ton for production he already gave the Cardinals.
fongy2
1/13/2011-10:16am at 10:16 am (UTC -4)
Yeah…….Well I highly doubt Pujols is goin’ anywhere.
njstuckintx
1/13/2011-10:20am at 10:20 am (UTC -4)
Oh, I know, but partly being silly and partly being serious. If he truly hits the market, why the hell not bid on him. I know Sandy and his “won’t overpay for FA’s over 30″ deal, but heaven’s to mercatroid would that completely change the dynamic of the line up.
Pagan, Murphy, Wright, Pujols, Bay, Ike, Thole, Emaus/Tejada/whomever at SS, pitcher. Ahhh… a man can dream…
stickguy
1/13/2011-10:14am at 10:14 am (UTC -4)
If the tigers did cut him, he probably doesn’t even make it to the Mets before getting claimed.
as to Reyes, I am on record here weeks ago saying that if he plays into the year without an extension, he is gone. And if it is purely because of money, then it is going to be a long stretch of actually becoming the Pirates, since they will never be getting any top FAs in the future, since those guys tend to get big $/LT deals.
Sandy will be saving money that never gets spent, so might as well deal Wright if they let Reyes walk, and really rebuild. I’m sure Lutz or someone will appease the fans!
njstuckintx
1/13/2011-10:17am at 10:17 am (UTC -4)
I’m in that camp too. Who is his agent again?
njstuckintx
1/13/2011-11:16am at 11:16 am (UTC -4)
Peter Greenburg. For a second I thought it was Boras. Whew.
fongy2
1/13/2011-9:49am at 9:49 am (UTC -4)
He’s still arb eligible. So we won’t get him. Apparently fiances are
even worse than some of us thought. As far as Young is concerned,
the longer he waits, the more he’s building up anticipation. Not good
if he ends up signing with us.
Hey Rusty, GREAT JOB with Herm Winningham, who b/t/w was supposed to be the next Mookie Wilson, I had no idea he joined the
NYPD. Also, who the hell was Rob MacDonald???
stickguy
1/13/2011-9:55am at 9:55 am (UTC -4)
the real test case will be when someone that could be part of the solution for 3 or more years lands in front of them, without costing any real prospects. If they still don’t bite, then I will agree that there is no money.
Too hard to judge so far.
fongy2
1/13/2011-10:02am at 10:02 am (UTC -4)
I think its pretty obvious at this point. There have been guys
signing all over for a couple , three Mil on one and two yr deals
Yet all we’ve done is scrape the bottom of the barrel for long
injured, ordinary even when healthy type pitchers.
A Mil or two, here and there does seem to be a big issue.
stickguy
1/13/2011-10:10am at 10:10 am (UTC -4)
unless they really don’t think the guys signing are any better/more valuable (to the Mets) than the guys they have or are getting.
Lewis seemed like a steal, but that can’t really be no money, since he is getting barely more than minimum wage. Maybe he just did not want to come here to be a 4th OF (he had serious issues with that in the past it seems).
Otherwise, the only place to look is pitchers, and I have no clue what their criteria is (other than, obviously, not expensive).
fongy2
1/13/2011-10:18am at 10:18 am (UTC -4)
Well, I’m completely behind our new FO BUT really at this
point nothing has been done to improve our team since
the 2010 season ended.
stickguy
1/13/2011-10:25am at 10:25 am (UTC -4)
they have a better back up catcher.
other than that, they did pretty much what I expected (and they implied). Waited to see what the existing roster could do somewhat healthy.
so far, besides the catcher, they churned some pen arms (converted Taka in capuano) and added some competition for the 2B job.
The real changes to the Mets for 2011 are going to be “adding” Reyes and Beltran healthy to start the year, and hopefully getting a better version of Bay.
If they add, as expected, 1 more SP for the rotation, they filled out the roster holes. May not have radically changed it, but at least compelted it.
How many wins it can generate, is yet to be seen.
Johan needing major surgery and likely missing the year is what really fouled up the plans for 2011. especially in a year with no payroll budget to replace him.
fongy2
1/13/2011-10:45am at 10:45 am (UTC -4)
Thing is NOT having Johan is a monster hit.
Everyone else on a thin rotation now has to move up.
Not easy. Also, while, Hoping Bay,Beltran &Reyes
are all better, how many games did Barajas win the
first month or two?, helping lead us to a 43-32 start.
Is that gonna happen?…Is Dickey gonna be as good
as he was, revert back to the old Dickey, OR most
likely, somewhere in between?
Again, these questions are to a team that finished
36-51 WITH Reyes back, Beltran playing AND Dickey being lights out. Not to mention what we got from
Takahashi and a couple others.
So???………….
stickguy
1/13/2011-10:50am at 10:50 am (UTC -4)
so? Some guys will tail off, other guys will step up and improve.
That stretch from july on also included Reyes and Beltran playing hurt for much of it (and not effectively), and Bay not at all. The team was actually probably closer to full strength in June, when they were winning, with Bay and Reyes actaully being productive at the same time.
I have no idea what actually happens. Capuano might rediscover himself and pitch well. Neise could put it all together and not tail off late again. Beltran could hit all year like he did in the last 40 games. Ike could make big strides.
Or not.
Predicting on paper is fine, but players just never usually hit that average!
stickguy
1/13/2011-9:53am at 9:53 am (UTC -4)
“the Twitter” Who are you, Betty White?
Gallaraga? hard to see him just released. Certainly you could trade him, and save the money that way.
and with the contract, I am fuzzy on what you inherit when, but I assume if they did cut him and you picked him up, you inherit the arbitration? Unless by passing the contract tender deadline, they are stuck with it? Gets confusing with all the scenerio.
but, since I can’t see it actually happening, not really an issue!
fongy2
1/13/2011-9:58am at 9:58 am (UTC -4)
LOL!…Funny Stick. You just made my Grandmother pop into my
head. ” Don’t smoke the pot”…..LOL….
rustyjr
1/13/2011-10:16am at 10:16 am (UTC -4)
@lagranderusty – it’s on metsblog lol
fongy2
1/13/2011-10:17am at 10:17 am (UTC -4)
That makes sense!
stickguy
1/13/2011-10:19am at 10:19 am (UTC -4)
some of the Fongy comments here have made me think. Exactly how tight is cash for the Mets?
Yes, I know they have a 140mill ish payroll, but that was grandfathered in.
But, how do you interpret the tea leaves? If spendable payroll is so tight right now that 1mill is too rich for them for a usuable upgrade (bench/pen) for 2011, why? is it philisophical? Or do they really not have it in the bank to spend?
Of course, flying in the face of the broke logic was spending a ton on expensive FO people.
but, if things really are so tight that they can’t afford to add what they need to compete (which could be an issue at the deadline) they might end up having to sell, like it or not.
Ceetar
1/13/2011-10:20am at 10:20 am (UTC -4)
1 million is not an issue. if it is, it’s philosophical, not financial. The actual decisions seem to bare that out.
njstuckintx
1/13/2011-10:23am at 10:23 am (UTC -4)
I think they are being firm in setting that financial strategy. IE, we are not going to overpay just to overpay. like drawing a line in the sand. New Regime, New Philosophy, and they ain’t bending to no man!
stickguy
1/13/2011-10:33am at 10:33 am (UTC -4)
The real question is, will they pay more to get more?
a guy at 4mill might be worth more than a guy at 1 mill (better player, more WAR, etc.). So it is quite possible that paying more is actually “cheaper” (win wise) since the guy is a better value.
Of course you don’t want to overpay like with Ollie, but that does not mean that everyone tht costs more is overpaid.
They need a SP. that is an absolute given, even Sandy said so. So limiting themselves to guys that will sign for $1mill, instead of considering better guys that cost a little more, screams much more of broke (or cheap) than it does philosophy.
fongy2
1/13/2011-10:38am at 10:38 am (UTC -4)
Thank you for making my point. This is how the team was run
in the late 70s. Back then it was, “we need a 3Bman” So lets
sign a washed up, always injured Elliot Maddox and put him at Third. “We need another Pitcher or two” So, let’s sign
Tom Hausman and Kevin Kobel…..They’re Pitchers AND we
can get them cheap. I’m gettin’ a little nervous here!
njstuckintx
1/13/2011-10:41am at 10:41 am (UTC -4)
To further your point, I can’t understand why they have such a hard cap this year and then have 60 mil coming off the books for next. They can make up next year what little they go over their imposed hard line budget and keep the team competitive and keep fans in the seats. Penny wise/Dollar foolish in my mind.
stickguy
1/13/2011-10:45am at 10:45 am (UTC -4)
that I agree with. Sometiems you have to look at a team/budget/roster as say a 3 year average. So, borrow a little from 2012 spending for the right guy now.
of course, this assumes you can cover the check you have to write. If not, then the team is in a world of hurt.
fongy2
1/13/2011-10:52am at 10:52 am (UTC -4)
Mayans claim we won’t be here for the 2013 season….
So….why not write checks to be cashed after 12/21/12?
stickguy
1/13/2011-10:55am at 10:55 am (UTC -4)
that reminds me of something.
When does the CBA expire? After 2012?
fongy2
1/13/2011-11:15am at 11:15 am (UTC -4)
We’re ALL gonna expire 12/21/12!…..No, no……
I keed, I keed.
Not sure about your question.
stickguy
1/13/2011-1:55pm at 1:55 pm (UTC -4)
It actually expires in December, 2011. SO I wonder what that will mean ongoing to such things as FA compensation?
fongy2
1/13/2011-10:33am at 10:33 am (UTC -4)
“I’m tryin’ real hard to be the shepherd”……..And my expectations are very low as far as record and finish this coming season. That said, every other team has issues yet
are doing things to at least attempt to improve themselves……
To date, we’ve done nothing. This is a team which finished
the season under .500 and in 4th place, 10th best in the NL.
We were 36-51 from just before the Alllstar break, our high-water mark. We won’t have Johan for most, if not all the season, add this to the fact we already needed a solid #2 SP,
the BP lost Feliciano, say what you will BUT overall he was pretty good the past half decade. 2B is still a hole, will Beltran
ever even be 70/80% of the old Carlos?, Waht about Bay?, How ugly will things get if he con’ts where he was BEFORE he
got hurt. I’m thinking more and more that it’s gonna be a long, long season.
njstuckintx
1/13/2011-10:38am at 10:38 am (UTC -4)
I’m with you. There wasn’t much out there to sign, but I still don’t understand why not even contact the Rays about Garza. That bugged me. I know the Cubs gave up a lot, but why didn’t the Mets at least inquire??? Garza would have brought a lot to the Mets, filled a need for some years to come and he could have been that number 1 for the time that Santana was out. That bugged me. I don’t like that they are being penny wise/dollar foolish.
stickguy
1/13/2011-10:43am at 10:43 am (UTC -4)
I can see the distinction of not wanting to give up the few valuable pieces of the minors right now, for him.
It is not spending a little to upgrade gaping holes better that confuses me.
but, we shall see. Maybe Sandy really did decide that there is no chance in hell they compete, so why bother to waste any money on what will likely be cosmetic bandaids.
I think they do realize though that if they will compete, it requries the high paid guys already there to step up and carry the team. If that happens, he better add some pieces at the deadline or before!
fongy2
1/13/2011-10:50am at 10:50 am (UTC -4)
I agree completely about Garza. When i saw that over the weekend, I quickly looked at the prospects given up.
I’m familiar with alot of the highly thought of guys but didn’t
recall those names. Looking around the net, it seems the
Cubs gave up a decent package but nothing we couldn’t have matched. I was already gettin’ a little nervous with the extent of the penny-pinching following the Capuano, Bucholtz signings, this furthered it. And then yesterday,
Taylor Tankesley???…..Wow…..
stickguy
1/13/2011-10:51am at 10:51 am (UTC -4)
tank was a MiL invite. the more the merrier of those guys.
fongy2
1/13/2011-10:54am at 10:54 am (UTC -4)
Thing is its not more….Tankersley and who????
njstuckintx
1/13/2011-11:06am at 11:06 am (UTC -4)
I have this fear that they are going to have 1/2 the team on 1 year deals and have to rebuild the whole club on a yearly basis. I know, it’s not a real valid fear, but that thought enters my mind from time to time.
fongy2
1/13/2011-11:13am at 11:13 am (UTC -4)
No, it’s valid. I’m not knocking our new FO yet BUT
really I guess I was expecting some creativity given
their experience and background.
Not simply signing a few ordinary Pitchers who haven’t
been that in yrs and are all coming off injuries WHO
couldn’t get more than a league min deal or non-roster invite somewhere else.
stickguy
1/13/2011-11:29am at 11:29 am (UTC -4)
Yeah, I was also expecting more moves, and some creative “problem solving” from the new team (I even wrote my first published piece here about that). I am also surprised about how conservatively they have played the off season, really making it look like they are willing to just punt on 2011 (not give up, but not try very hard to make something out of it).
I do think they like the 1 yeard deals though. Not a biggie to me, if they build a solid foundation locked up, and fill in the missing links n ST deals. Maybe 2 years though for some continuity!
kingman 26
1/13/2011-12:02pm at 12:02 pm (UTC -4)
“The path of the righteous fan is beset on all sides by the iniquities of the selfish players and the tyranny of evil owners.”
fongy2
1/13/2011-3:31pm at 3:31 pm (UTC -4)
oleosmirf
1/13/2011-10:50am at 10:50 am (UTC -4)
while the Mets are not spending any money now, I am fairly sure that if we are playing really well all season, there will be money to spend at the deadline.
I think it would be foolish to commit money to next season until we see how our core players do in the first few months of 2011.
stickguy
1/13/2011-10:53am at 10:53 am (UTC -4)
hope so about the money.
and entirely possible they are intentionally keeping it cheap on no LT commitments, since they are still waiting to see how the team plays before deciding to spend on pieces to augment the core, or to blow it up and start all over.
the trade deadline will be a window into this, as will what they do with Reyes. And of course, if they reinvest the $36mill from Beltran, Slappy and Ollie.
fongy2
1/13/2011-10:56am at 10:56 am (UTC -4)
Trading Reyes will very likely end in disaster.
stickguy
1/13/2011-11:30am at 11:30 am (UTC -4)
A trade would shock me, but him walking as a FA I expect, and that will also likely be a disaster.
if he guys, tear it down to the studs and rebuild.
njstuckintx
1/13/2011-11:56am at 11:56 am (UTC -4)
I don’t think it’s that necessary to blow the whole ship up. Who is old on the Mets that would factor in long term? Wright, Reyes, santana, pagan, bay, k-rod. That’s really it. Can’t factor in Beltran. Dickey wouldn’t be long term and he’s basically got 2 years left in him. Maybe he pulls a Niekro and pitches until he’s 50, but i’m not thinking the odds are with him. I guess you throw Pelf in there as he’s not a complete spring chicken. Other than that, they are basically running young with the other positions.
If Reyes goes, you need to fill his production somehow, either at SS (not likely) or another position. Speaking Crazy, Pujols would do that. Speaking realistically, sign another 1B or RF (as Ike can switch between the 2). That’s my quick fix on Reyes leaving. I’d still like him to stay, but it’s not the end of the world. It’s just going to take creativity and some dollar bills to fill what he brings to the table.
oleosmirf
1/13/2011-11:59am at 11:59 am (UTC -4)
Reyes is going nowhere.
njstuckintx
1/13/2011-12:00pm at 12:00 pm (UTC -4)
You’d be surprised what the sight of stacks of cash will do to a person. I hope you are right. I don’t believe you are, but I do hope your prediction comes true.
TRS86
1/13/2011-1:26pm at 1:26 pm (UTC -4)
Keep in mind who will be looking for a SS next year and in a position to pay big bucks. IF Reyes leaves it will be either A) Because he is pissed at the Mets or B) Because Sandy did not deem him part of the future.
njstuckintx
1/13/2011-1:30pm at 1:30 pm (UTC -4)
Well, who could use a SS?
Baltimore, Houston, St. Louis (if they fail to sign Pujols, which is unlikely, I know), SF, Seattle, Boston, Colorado (kidding) & the Nats, for starters. Then there is always a team that has a SS but would move them to another position, a la Young with Texas. The Mets can certainly re-sign him, but it’s not going to be cheap and it’s going to have to be for a lot of years (think 7)
TRS86
1/13/2011-1:40pm at 1:40 pm (UTC -4)
Who in that group is in a position to “outbid” the Mets?
njstuckintx
1/13/2011-1:46pm at 1:46 pm (UTC -4)
in number of guaranteed years? all of them. In value per year? Maybe Houston with the team being sold. Boston. Possible the Orioles, but unlikely.
I agree that the Mets can dish out the dollars, but I could see SF or a couple of the other teams in there going 7 years. You think an Alderson led Mets FO is offer 7 years to Reyes?
TRS86
1/13/2011-1:52pm at 1:52 pm (UTC -4)
If they deem him part of the future? Yeah. It’s like everyone thinks that Sandy has some list of rules that he can’t break. Some “Sandy rules” book does not exist. He has already “broken” those rules with DJ Carasco.
njstuckintx
1/13/2011-2:00pm at 2:00 pm (UTC -4)
I’m just going on what he said about not offering long term contracts to older players. Granted Reyes isn’t Old Old, but I would think his desire for flexibility would stray away from 7 year deals.
I guess I’m just prepping myself already for the if/when Reyes is dancing on another team.
oleosmirf
1/13/2011-2:09pm at 2:09 pm (UTC -4)
not too mention that most of you are severely overrating the contract Reyes is likely to get. He is a leadoff hitter and leadoff hitters don’t make 16+ mil a year regardless of what position they play.
I understand Crawford got a monster deal but unlike Reyes, Crawford is a #3 hitter who just happens to have a lot of speed.
TRS86
1/13/2011-10:30pm at 10:30 pm (UTC -4)
While I agree I don’t see Reyes getting 7 years it’s not because of Crawford being a 3 hitter. 3 hitter is supposed to be your best hitter.
Tex, Mauer, Hamilton, Crawford? Just can’t see it. They may bat him there but he’s as much a 3 hitter as Reyes is a 3 hitter. Crawford is more versatile than Reyes no doubt and could hit 3rd because of handedness but he is not a typical 3rd hitter for sure.
fongy2
1/13/2011-10:55am at 10:55 am (UTC -4)
C’mon Oleo, we were 43-32, approaching the Break, fighting for
1st and a playoff spot and did nothing.
oleosmirf
1/13/2011-11:05am at 11:05 am (UTC -4)
well Omar never made any major moves during the season. That was just his philosophy as a GM. He made some minor moves but the big moves he always left till the offseason.
Also you have ignore the 43-32 record b/c we were overachieving way beyond reason. The starting pitching we got in June was just never going to hold up
fongy2
1/13/2011-11:08am at 11:08 am (UTC -4)
Thats my point. It didn’t hold up and now theres no Johan, the BP is weaker AND the overall talent level of the past few yrs
isn’t what it was.
Ceetar
1/13/2011-11:07am at 11:07 am (UTC -4)
Well given that I asked Sandy that exact question and he says he’d have no restrictions whatsoever at the trade deadline seems promising.
He’s also stated taht he likes to make moves in July.
fongy2
1/13/2011-11:10am at 11:10 am (UTC -4)
unfortunatley It’s likely July moves will be dumps not additions
looking to build for beyond this coming season.
kingman 26
1/13/2011-11:59am at 11:59 am (UTC -4)
SORIANO!!!!
It has even been reported that he does not care what his role is right away, as long as he gets a multi-year deal!!
The PERFECT guy for the 8th inning, just enough saves to keep KRod’s option from vesting, and to be the next closer!
It is SOOOO perfect.
stickguy
1/13/2011-1:01pm at 1:01 pm (UTC -4)
is he a type A or B?
TRS86
1/13/2011-1:01pm at 1:01 pm (UTC -4)
A. But we would only lose a 2nd rounder.
stickguy
1/13/2011-1:13pm at 1:13 pm (UTC -4)
but that pick is gold Jerry, Gold I tell you!
oleosmirf
1/13/2011-1:30pm at 1:30 pm (UTC -4)
the Mets are in no position to be signing type A free agents. I dont care how awesome it would be to have him as the 8th inning guy, if Bay, Beltran, Reyes don’t play like they used to then whats the point?
TRS86
1/13/2011-1:41pm at 1:41 pm (UTC -4)
What if the deal is for 2-3 years at a reasonable price? You have to think about more than just 2011.
stickguy
1/13/2011-1:51pm at 1:51 pm (UTC -4)
except I don’t think they are going to be ever signing a pen guy for 3 years. 2, maybe.
oleosmirf
1/13/2011-1:55pm at 1:55 pm (UTC -4)
it might be a good idea but given everything we’ve seen so far, its pretty clear money is a big issue this season.
TRS86
1/13/2011-1:57pm at 1:57 pm (UTC -4)
Is it? Why? Because they have not overspent on junk or big name players? We have no proof what the financial situation is other than the fact that Sandy said it was limited because of big contracts.
stickguy
1/13/2011-2:01pm at 2:01 pm (UTC -4)
to me, the real debate is if they are passing on better players at still value pricing to save money by signing less talent cheaper.
forget the Lees. But at the lower end, while no they should not overspend on crap, why can’t they spend say 4 mill for a guy worth that, instead of 1 mill for a guy worth that much?
sometiems you get what you pay for, and paying a higher price is not the same as overpaying.
TRS86
1/13/2011-2:02pm at 2:02 pm (UTC -4)
But who is to say that they won’t? because they won’t give Francis that? Maybe they don’t like him as much anyway.
oleosmirf
1/13/2011-2:06pm at 2:06 pm (UTC -4)
we will never have proof of any financial issues only speculation however, im not naive enough to believe the tight spending is solely based on Alderson’s plan.
when we’re told from 1 year 2 mil for a legit player is too much you gotta wonder. Im not saying we have no money to ever spend again im just saying for whatever reason the Wilpon’s have no intention of having a payroll over 145 mil and we are going to have to accept it.
TRS86
1/13/2011-10:32pm at 10:32 pm (UTC -4)
Who is telling you that Oleo? Reporters who are trying to guess what the Mets are doing and trying to make connections just like we are.
fongy2
1/13/2011-3:47pm at 3:47 pm (UTC -4)
Will Soriano take a one year, one million dollar deal???
’cause THAT seems to be as high as our FO is willing to go.
Hey maybe the FO can throw in a bunch of free tickets to home
games since Lord knows, they’ll be plenty available!
metsfan4decades
1/13/2011-12:28pm at 12:28 pm (UTC -4)
Maybe Sandy figures that having a healthy Bay, Beltran and Reyes to start the year is improving the team.
Still…I would have like to have seen at least one ‘surprise’ addition to improve the team that was a name I actually know……
kingman 26
1/13/2011-12:35pm at 12:35 pm (UTC -4)
Well, I just have to chime in and say that the team is in a VERY unique spot right now.
First there is the number of insane contracts Omar gave out, which led us to two straight 4th place finishes.
But to me, this is just a part of it.
The team has almost an entire MLB roster made up of unproven young players and veterans returning from poor play/injuries.
Thole, Ike, Murphy, Reyes, Bay, Beltran, Santana, KRod, Gee, Parnell, and Niese ALL fit into this category.
And we also do not know for sure if Dickey and Pagan will repeat what they did in 2010.
As painful as it may be, the team needs at least half a season to see which young players are for real, and which veterans can again be counted on to play up to past numbers.
I would say that very few teams–if any–face this situation, with almost the entire team on very shaky ground.
Alderson has to evaluate which veterans are going to rebound, and which are willing to work harder and give up the card games, until the team starts to win again. He needs to see if the 2006–2008 Reyes still exists before extending him; he needs to see if Johan can still be a front of the rotation pitcher; he needs to see if Bay can be what he was in his pre-Met days; he needs to see if KRod still is a top closer; etc etc etc etc.
And he needs to see how good Ike/Thole/Murph at 2nd/Gee/Parnell are going to be as well.
It sucks for 2011, but it is a totally reasonable approach.
TRS86
1/13/2011-1:01pm at 1:01 pm (UTC -4)
Agreed. In my eyes that does not mean we still can’t compete this year. It just means the chances of it are not great and are shaky just like the players that make up the team. If things break right I think we will be in at deadline and Sandy will be able to make some moves that will help for short-term but eyes on long term. Like the Angels with Haren for example. If things don’t break right then Sandy also has an idea of what he needs to improve going forward and who he needs to keep or dump.
So in summary I agree with you but still think competing, especially until the ASB, is not out of the question.
kingman 26
1/13/2011-1:08pm at 1:08 pm (UTC -4)
I actually totally agree with this.
I have not given up on 2011, but it all depends of whether we see the 2008 or the 2010 versions of Bay and Reyes–who knows what these guys will be in 2010?
And I also agree wholeheartedly that Sandy is saving the money he has to see if we indeed ARE competitive, and if we are, he can then fill a hole or holes at the deadline by taking on salary, and can do it more wisely once we know what Reyes/Bay/KRod are going to be, and also what kind of everyday/rotation/bullpen guys Thole/Niese/Gee/Parnell are going to be as well.
I still say that if it is true that Soriano will be willing to fill any role as long as he gets a multi-year deal, that this is a player who would be ideal for us.
njstuckintx
1/13/2011-1:16pm at 1:16 pm (UTC -4)
I’d endorse a Soriano signing, but methinks that the loss of a draft pick with have Sandy saying thanks but no thanks.
TRS86
1/13/2011-1:19pm at 1:19 pm (UTC -4)
What’s interesting is that even the Yankees don’t want to lose a pick for a guy that was unbelievable last season.
njstuckintx
1/13/2011-1:22pm at 1:22 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah, it’s odd. And they are basically in the thick of it for the playoffs every year, so they should be in more of a NOW mode than the Mets. But as Kingy stated, he would strengthen the BP tremendously, help reduce the number of games closed by Krod and be the guy if Krod punches something else, is traded or his option isn’t picked up.
TRS86
1/13/2011-1:25pm at 1:25 pm (UTC -4)
To me I would rather have Fuentes because of price and role and lack of picks but Soriano would be great as well.
njstuckintx
1/13/2011-1:25pm at 1:25 pm (UTC -4)
sign me up for either at this point.
oleosmirf
1/13/2011-1:34pm at 1:34 pm (UTC -4)
i’m pretty sure once Chris Young signs and he goes out and gets a 4th OF, the team is pretty much set.
Misch/Igarashi, Tankersley, Carrasco, Buchholz, Parnell, Acosta, Rodriguez is my projected bullpen and there is certainly lots of promise there.
stickguy
1/13/2011-1:11pm at 1:11 pm (UTC -4)
change is also fine as a concept, but if you bring in, something has to be moved out to make room for it.
and that might be the harder part of the equation.
I already consider Ollie and Luis gone, but guess what? They brought in the replacements already.
but beyond that, what positions could you reasonably expect them to change? Closer, SS, CF (beltran), LF, 3B, 1B are all locked up (either immovable, or set). C they like the rookie, fine with that. 2B, they seem to be set on letting the best young guy win.
you could also say RF if they are happen with Pagan, or plan to switch over Beltran.
really left 2 options for big change. Pitching staff (rotation), or making a blow up the core type trade. And it might take the 2nd to accomplish getting the 1st!
honestly, if they are budget limited, would making the available moves even make the team better, vs. different? Trade pagan for something? unload Beltran for $.10 on the dollar?
they also seem fixated on hanging onto the prospects for now, again a justifiable decision. so if they aren’t trading off the cream of that crop, not getting much help that way.
I really think many posters just want to see movement (change!), and aren’t concerned about the end result being better, as long as it looks different. Alderson though seems to look at it the other way (no need to give up prospects or make moves if it won’t imporve the bottom line on the field).
I still think though they should have spent a little more $$ to get better filler players if possible to support the core on its last run in 2011.
TRS86
1/13/2011-1:24pm at 1:24 pm (UTC -4)
I agree. Unless the Mets were going to spend foolish money on guys like Crawford, Werth, Lee, etc. then there really wasn’t enough difference makers on the market worth overpaying for. To me Fuentes or Soriano makes sense because of the Krod issue as well as future plans AND the fact that they should be bargains at this point. Otherwise, no reason to overpay for junk.
oleosmirf
1/13/2011-1:43pm at 1:43 pm (UTC -4)
i think the perfect example is Tankersley vs Feliciano.
Tankersley has held lefties to a career .223/.313/.372/.686 and Feliciano has held lefties to 214/.282/.297/.580.
I’ll surely save 4 mil a year and get a sandwich pick to downgrade to Tankersley, especially when that 4 mil gets spent on Chris Young, Chris Capuano and Taylor Buchholz.
TRS86
1/13/2011-1:44pm at 1:44 pm (UTC -4)
Not sure Tank will be a solution there with his 87mph fastball but I agree. Why waste money on a Loogy when you can fill other much more needed spots.
oleosmirf
1/13/2011-1:51pm at 1:51 pm (UTC -4)
Feliciano’s wasn’t much higher, topped out at 89 no?
TRS86
1/13/2011-1:53pm at 1:53 pm (UTC -4)
Right but when Tank was successful he was at 90.7. That’s a big difference. Hopefully he will be fully recovered.
stickguy
1/13/2011-1:58pm at 1:58 pm (UTC -4)
will have to wait until ST to find out. Keep in mind he had injury problems, and 2010 was a recover and rehab year. So hopefully with an off season to build back up, he will gain some pop back.
also, he is only about 27-28, so not like he is over the hill.
on a MiL deal, worth the shot to find out.
there are also a couple other guys in the minors never mentioned that could make the pen. Merritt is one, I forget the other dudes name.
TRS86
1/13/2011-1:59pm at 1:59 pm (UTC -4)
Most likely Niessen I guess. Yeah not saying it’s a bad deal. Just out of all the ones signed I would count on him the least.
oleosmirf
1/13/2011-2:01pm at 2:01 pm (UTC -4)
i believe you meant O’Conner…
TRS86
1/13/2011-2:02pm at 2:02 pm (UTC -4)
Oh yeah. Forgot about him because he is non-roster I think.
kingman 26
1/13/2011-2:01pm at 2:01 pm (UTC -4)
Tankersley has not been any good since 2007. That is a gigantic factor.
metsfan4decades
1/13/2011-1:53pm at 1:53 pm (UTC -4)
‘Dan Warthen said the following pitchers (and maybe more) would compete for a rotation spot: Bonser, Capuano, Carrasco, Gee, Misch, Perez.’
I keep forgetting about Boof. Between him, Capuano, Carrasco, and hopefully Young, we ought to a decent rotation and some depth.
Perez? I’ve been reading around and I don’t think there’s one Met fan out there who thinks Perez has anything left, let alone wants to see him in the starting rotation.
TRS86
1/13/2011-1:58pm at 1:58 pm (UTC -4)
Ceetar?
Ceetar
1/13/2011-2:04pm at 2:04 pm (UTC -4)
I’ve mostly refrained from giving my opnion on what I think Perez will produce if he pitched in 2011.
I don’t think it’s fair to think he’s washed up and done though, but that’s not my decision to make. Luckily Sandy isn’t building a PR team, and will keep the best players (and replace them if they cease to become the best players)
metsfan4decades
1/13/2011-2:52pm at 2:52 pm (UTC -4)
Hey, I’d like nothing better than to see Ollie in ST throwing in the low 90s, getting strikeouts and not walking the ball park.
I just think it’s a long shot.
oleosmirf
1/13/2011-2:00pm at 2:00 pm (UTC -4)
I forgot about Boof the day we signed him b/c he is pretty much useless. I also don’t consider Carrasco a SP since he’s started one game since 2005.
Perez being in the mix troubles me b/c how tantalizing he is. You know one of those ST games he’s gonna throw a gem and get you thinking they’res hope only to look like a disaster in his next one…
TRS86
1/13/2011-2:03pm at 2:03 pm (UTC -4)
Not likely but keep in mind we said the same thing about Dickey. Boof is a good depth guy to have around.
oleosmirf
1/13/2011-2:12pm at 2:12 pm (UTC -4)
except RA Dickey threw a hard knuckleball no-one has ever seen before. Im curious to see what success he might have this year or if last season was just a fluke…
metsfan4decades
1/13/2011-2:55pm at 2:55 pm (UTC -4)
I’m betting on Dickey being at least solid in the rotation this year.
Didn’t mean to imply Carrasco would be a starter – just throwing him in there as one of the pickups for depth. He probably is slated for the BP but nothing would surprise me concerning any of these guys I barely have heard of.
fongy2
1/13/2011-3:42pm at 3:42 pm (UTC -4)
Boof???….C’mon man!!!
fongy2
1/13/2011-3:43pm at 3:43 pm (UTC -4)
Holy Crap are we in trouble!
njstuckintx
1/13/2011-2:54pm at 2:54 pm (UTC -4)
So….
How much would it take to get Galarraga?
How much would it take to get Gorzelanny?
Would you want either?
oleosmirf
1/13/2011-3:12pm at 3:12 pm (UTC -4)
if we sign Young, there is no room for either of them two, im perfectly ok with starting the season with:
Reyes, Pagan, Wright, Beltran, Bay, Davis, Emaus/Murphy, Thole
Nickeas (only 8 games), Emaus/Murphy, Hu, Evans, LH 4th OF
Pelfrey, Dickey, Niese, Young, Capuano
Misch, Carrasco, Acosta, Tankersley, Buchholz, Parnell, Rodriguez
fongy2
1/13/2011-3:34pm at 3:34 pm (UTC -4)
REALLY!??…No room??..What are friggin’ loaded with Starting
Pitching???
fongy2
1/13/2011-3:41pm at 3:41 pm (UTC -4)
Take another look at those names AND what they’ve been the last couple, three seasons. Your gonna bank on the likes of
Young, Capuano, Misch, Carrasco, Acosta, Tankersley and
Bucholz????….REALLY????
oleosmirf
1/13/2011-4:03pm at 4:03 pm (UTC -4)
as opposed to signing who? if they arent going to spend more than 2 mil on a single player, this is the best approach to take.
oleosmirf
1/13/2011-4:06pm at 4:06 pm (UTC -4)
yes no room. Capuano didnt come here to be a reliever, nor is Chris Young so you cant bring guys in on MLB deals and just send whoever you want to the bullpen. it doesnt work like that.
you dont think Sandy had to promise Capuano that if he pitched well he would be in the rotation???
fongy2
1/13/2011-4:13pm at 4:13 pm (UTC -4)
So….The more the better is NOT a good idea when talkin’
’bout a Starting Staff with one pretty sure thing in Pelf AND
a bunch of questions??….Including the ability of guys to
be and stay healthy i.e., Niese, Capuano and if we signed
him Young???…Not to mention a guy in Gee who we don’t even know is a MLB SPer over a full season AND a guy
in Dickey who we have no idea if he can be ANYWHERE
near as good as he was last season following a decade
of being just awful.
oleosmirf
1/13/2011-4:17pm at 4:17 pm (UTC -4)
sure Gee and other minor leaguers have a shot but you are missing the whole point. Lets say they sign Chris Young tonight. Jeff Francis is automatically going to turn the Mets down b/c why would he wanna compete for a job here, when he can be handed one on another team?
The more options the better but you cant just sign 7 SP promise them all a spot in the rotation so they’ll sign here and just pull an Aaron Heilman and send them to the pen.
fongy2
1/13/2011-4:26pm at 4:26 pm (UTC -4)
They hven’t signed ANY SPers!! Capuano, whos made
NINE Starts in THREE years is a lock???
HE wouldn’t even believe THAT!
oleosmirf
1/13/2011-4:46pm at 4:46 pm (UTC -4)
unless he implodes yes. He turned down returning the Brewers b/c he wanted to start. Why would he sign with the Mets without some sort of a guarantee when he has nothing really to gain financially?
njstuckintx
1/13/2011-4:42pm at 4:42 pm (UTC -4)
Is he going to turn them down? or is he not really going to be able to get the most money out of the mets because they don’t NEEEEEED him. They could use him, certainly, but they aren’t going to pay top dollar. And he, of course is going to want top dollar. Hence he’ll take his supply to the proverbial demand.
njstuckintx
1/13/2011-3:50pm at 3:50 pm (UTC -4)
I’m not thrilled with that at all, but I don’t think there is a whole heck of a lot that can be done to fix it barring spending cash on the BP and I do think this is going to be very close to what we see come 2011 opening day.
fongy2
1/13/2011-4:01pm at 4:01 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah I agree which was the point of my earlier posts today
wondering just how bad the Mets finances are.
It’s pretty bad if we can’t spend a couple, three mil here or
there to get a half decent quality pitcher or two knowing
the holes we have and the fact that we get to rid ourselves
of the close to 40 mil on the contracts of Ollie, Slappy and
Bel-Tron. I just think its kinda funny the serios Met fans who
make it sound like every Capuano, Bucholz or Tankersley
we sign are somehow gonna become Pitchers they weren’t
even yrs ago, before injuries, operations and age.
njstuckintx
1/13/2011-4:03pm at 4:03 pm (UTC -4)
I know. I’ve said they should sign Young, Francis, Capuano and prob. another SP, cause if you are going cheap, you have to realize they almost need to be disposable.
What concerns me is our backup plan to this is 1 start in 6 years carracso, Misch and Gee. Yikes.
oleosmirf
1/13/2011-4:13pm at 4:13 pm (UTC -4)
they cant do that though. those pitchers would never agree to come here with all that competition.
fongy2
1/13/2011-4:23pm at 4:23 pm (UTC -4)
Really!!??
njstuckintx
1/13/2011-4:40pm at 4:40 pm (UTC -4)
Money talks. That’s why garbage men get paid well!
oleosmirf
1/13/2011-4:01pm at 4:01 pm (UTC -4)
i’m not thrilled with it either but there is hope at least.
kistics
1/13/2011-4:41pm at 4:41 pm (UTC -4)
Willie Harris is not returning to the Nats! Yay!
oleosmirf
1/13/2011-4:52pm at 4:52 pm (UTC -4)
would be happy to have him on a minor league deal as competition for our LH 4th OF
kistics
1/13/2011-5:21pm at 5:21 pm (UTC -4)
Iggy was DFA’d for Capuano. Does that mean the 40-man roster is full? Who gets booted off the 40-man roster if Young signs?
njstuckintx
1/13/2011-5:32pm at 5:32 pm (UTC -4)
CASTILLO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Prismo
1/13/2011-7:06pm at 7:06 pm (UTC -4)
The popular answer is Castillo, which I find kind of silly. Although he’s a likely candidate, there are PLENTY of options in the 40-man, if the Mets really want Castillo to be able to compete for the starting job in ST. Someone like Mike Nickeas, for example, wouldn’t hurt the team to DFA.
oleosmirf
1/13/2011-7:58pm at 7:58 pm (UTC -4)
well they need a 3rd catcher on the 40 man roster b/c Paulino is suspended so someone else will need to be taken off. Castillo really is the smartest decision if they dont wanna risk losing anyone else…
stickguy
1/13/2011-9:44pm at 9:44 pm (UTC -4)
they got that other guy they picked up, but not sure if he is on the 40 man or not.
oleosmirf
1/13/2011-9:58pm at 9:58 pm (UTC -4)
he’s not but if you take Nickeas off, you gotta add him or someone else back which really doesnt make any sense.
I guess Luis Hernandez would be the next to come off but we might need him in case someone gets hurt and we dont wanna use Tejada. Since the Mets are already planning to move on without Castillo, might as well do it now…
njstuckintx
1/13/2011-8:54pm at 8:54 pm (UTC -4)
Soriano to the Yanks, tweets Heyman.
njstuckintx
1/13/2011-9:00pm at 9:00 pm (UTC -4)
3 years, 35 million. my goodness.
stickguy
1/13/2011-9:45pm at 9:45 pm (UTC -4)
well, that certainly resets the bar for a middle reliever/ set up man.
for that money, they could have had K rod for 2 years instead. with $5mill left over.
oleosmirf
1/13/2011-9:59pm at 9:59 pm (UTC -4)
yea but they desperately needed an 8th inning guy/backup closer and money/years is no object to them…
stickguy
1/13/2011-11:17pm at 11:17 pm (UTC -4)
that is what K rod would have been. hell, it would have been only 15 for 1 year on him. No game finisheds.
kingman 26
1/13/2011-10:50pm at 10:50 pm (UTC -4)
Sickening.
Revolting and annoying.
And a truly great move by the Yanks.
A great setup man and an heir to Mariano.
Just as Mariano was to Wetteland in 1996.
Vomit.
TRS86
1/13/2011-10:54pm at 10:54 pm (UTC -4)
That price is ridiculous. If I am ever a FA I am picking Boras no doubt.
njstuckintx
1/14/2011-9:07am at 9:07 am (UTC -4)
It is sickening, but figure that Soriano is being sold as “you are the Heir Apparent” combined with that salary… I’d jump at it to.
And this proves my point I’ve been bashing heads with Oleo on. For enough money, people will take what ever roll they are offered. The #1 guy in saves (45 saves in 48 tries) takes the setup roll with another team (FOR ENOUGH MONEY!!!!). So, to summarize, sign multiple damaged goods pitchers. For the dollars, they will come. They always do.
TRS86
1/13/2011-10:41pm at 10:41 pm (UTC -4)
I only watch a good product. If they are winning, I will watch, and if not, I turn the station and root for someone else. I am a Met true and true. I am the only guy who played his whole career with the Mets, I’ve got the longest time, longevity-wise … but I still want to see a good ball club.
Ed Kranepool, this week, speaking at Mets Fantasy Camp
Wow, I can’t believe he would say that.
kingman 26
1/13/2011-10:49pm at 10:49 pm (UTC -4)
Well, he may have been a bit drunk…first off, he is of course not the only guy who played his whole career as a Met….Ron Hodges for one, 12 MLB years, all as a Met. And there are others.
A wise, crusty old craps boxman at Caesars in Las Vegas (who of course MAY have been full of it) insisted to me in the late 90s that Kranepool had a long affair with the daughter of Lorinda De Roulet, the Met owner after Joan Payson died, and that that was the only reason he hung on for the last few years…and Kranepool was quickly gone after they sold out to Doubleday–his last year was the last De Roulet year.
Regardless, a pretty ridiculous thing to say—”I am a true Met” followed by “I turn the station and root for someone else.”
Strange and inane.
TRS86
1/13/2011-10:53pm at 10:53 pm (UTC -4)
Agreed. Listening to an interview http://www.jimmyscottshighandtight.com/node/1017
Seems like he is still bitter after he was unable to purchase the Mets.
TRS86
1/13/2011-10:57pm at 10:57 pm (UTC -4)
Wow, seriously this interview says all you need to know about where he is currently. “The Mets loss, I still feel like I could help and they need it.”