" What's your opinion ?"
Well after watching last night’s Mets game I guess it is safe to say that the force was not with the Mets last night ! I was – with the exception of a Jose Reyes mental lapse and a run given up by Bobby Parnell via a seeing eye single , the Mets had played a crisp game.
But lets face it, you know it , I know it, the players know it – HELLI am sure that even Oliver Perez knows that these last 14 games are now meaningless. The team now stands at 71-77. just barely ahead of the Nationals for third place. There is still a chance that the Mets will finish the season at or above .500, but right now I wouldn’t bet the farm on it.
So here we are with the post season rapidly approaching, there are many questions abut this current rostwer that needs to be addressed. The most prominant one is who stays and who goes.
I took a handful of players from this years roster- both stars and regulars to give you a overview of who I think will return and who I believe will be elsewhere next season.
1. David Wright - We all know that Sandy Alderson would have to be blown away in order to trade the face of the franchise. Although it wouldn’t be the first time this ever happened – see Tom Seaver and Lee Mazzilli for reference.
2. Willie Harris – I think that his suitcase is already packed. He has struggled at the plate which we figured would be the case, but as a defender he has been sub-par at best.
3.Scott Hairston - I think Hairston will be back. He makes for a good fourth outfielder, and although he started of rusty as a pinch hitter, he had come through with some timely hits in important games.
4. Bobby Parnell - I know that he is not feeling a lot of love from the Mets fan base at the moment, but I think he needs a little more time to mature ( see my column on this topic).
5. Mike Pelfrey - If there ever was a player in recent years that Mets fans want to see off this team ( with the exception of Oliver Perez and Luis Castillo) it would be Mike. I do not see Sandy either non-tendering him nor do I see him leaving via trade. I think he needs a different voice to guide him which leads me to …
6. Dan Warthern - Dan has done a decent job with the arms that he was given, but alas I think he will not be returning next season.
7. Jason Isringhausen - I always loved Izzy. He was lights out in the first half of the season, but has suffered from back problems and fatigue in the second half. I would like to see him stay, but I think he either retires or will play for a team closer to his home.
8. Chris Capuano – I figured Capuano would be one of the low lights of the season, but although his record hasn’t been spectacular (10-12) he has suffered from a lack of run support at times and has almost always given this team a chance to win. I can’t say if he will be back or not next season, it depends on the type of contract that he is seeking.
9. Daniel Murphy – Wow if there was ever a player that was in a state of flux it would be Danny Boy. Unless he can win a spot in either the outfield or at second base ( tough competition with Turner and Tejada), he will be traded – strictly my opinion.
10. Jose Reyes - Here is the elephant in the room. Jose has put up his best season as a hitter (.331 batting average .372 on base percentage), and he still makes the toughest plays look easy. But with his recent health concerns, compounded with the fact that he is allegedly looking for Carl Crawford type money (and the rumors that the Mets are strapped for cash) , the question remains will he be a Met next season. I hope the answer is yes, but it wouldn’t surprise me if the Mets let him walk either after they offer him a “reasonable” contract.
What are your thoughts ? Do you agree, disagree? Do you have a take a player or coach I haven’t mentioned ? Please feel free to discuss them in the comments section.
And with that said…. HERE COMES THE INFAMY !!!!!
Mets alumni celebrating a birthday today includes:
Middle reliever from the inaugural ’62 team, Dave Hillman is 84 (1927).
Spot starter/middle reliever from ’73-’75, Harry Parker is 63 (1947) .
Middle reliever from the ’93 team, Mike Draper is 45 (1966).
Middle reliever from the ’06 season, Chad Bradford is 37 (1974). I still can’t quite wrap my head around why Omar Minaya didn’t go the extra mile to resign Chad during contract negotiations – yet he shelled out a wheelbarrow full of cash for Guillermo Mota and Scott Schoeneweis – two pitcher that were grossly ineffective when the game was on the line.
The New York Mets traded middle reliever, Dan Murray to the Kansas City Royals for starting pitcher, Glendon Rusch on September 14, 1999. Glendon Rusch for those who were yet to be born – or just don’t remember was an enigma of a Mike Pelfrey like level. When he was good – he was light out, but when he was bad – LOOK OUT !! In his three seasons with the Mets he had a combined record of 19-23 with a E.R.A of 4.30.
Mo Vaughn has made it public that he will be the next spokesman for Jenny Craig. In related news Jenny Craig Corporation stocked plunged from $3.00 a share to 10 cents !
21 comments
Anonymous
9/14/2011-11:18am at 11:18 am (UTC -4)
interesting debate. Don’t have time to hit them all, but IMO Warthen has to go. Hairston will go to protect someone younger (like Evans maybe). Pelf, he might go, but better odds he stays.
Reyes? I still think they work something out.
Wright? At this point, they probably could trade him and get away with it. Fans either are restless, already bailed, or aer sticking around no matter what!
I actually think that if Reyes goes, they might as well bite the bullet too on DW, if they get a serious offer (which at this time, why would they?)
To the “blown away” idea, why? How much can you get for a guy that has had 2 very sub par (yes, injuries played a part, but they count!) out of 3? And last year, his run stats (HR, RBI) were near normal, but his other numbers were off?
So, how much do you give up for a 1 year rental at 15mil at this point for a guy who’s OPS has been cratering, and seems to K 2x a game, along with at least 1 error?
Is this a case where Met fans are seriously overvaluing a “prospect” vs. what the rest of MLB would see him as worth? How much does face of the franchise vs. production on the field really count for?
anyway, IMO he is not going to be back after 2013 anyway, if he gets some Werth-like offers elsewhere.
Anonymous
9/14/2011-1:57pm at 1:57 pm (UTC -4)
The more I think on it, DW could certainly be flipped, but my crystal ball can’t fathom who they’d want/get in return. The fact that Murph or Turner or Evans or Lutz or etc. etc. etc. could slot into 3rd (Murphy specifically) and not drop off too significantly in production could be the key, as I’d assume they’d need at least a pitcher & position player at the major league ready level + 2 prospects in return for Wright.
The only thing that makes me think he’ll stick around is if Reyes goes, as the team needs a face to help put butts in the seats.
MetsFan4Decades
9/14/2011-12:56pm at 12:56 pm (UTC -4)
I’m reading that TC has already recommended to the FO that the entire coaching staff be retained. So I guess it’s his opinion Warthen is doing his job.
Also read yesterday that even if Sandy was so inclined, highly doubtful Wilpon will allow him to trade Wright. Just can’t remember what sports writer said that. Might have been a comment in Rubin’s chat yesterday.
I’m not sure what this FO will do but I can take an educated guess on who won’t be back:
Iggy, Izzy and Harris
The rest is anyone’s guess at this point.
I think they’ll wind up keeping Pelfrey for the simple fact that they don’t have much of a rotation and he can give you 200 mediocre innings.
I think Murphy stays and plays second to start the year if Reyes goes. Tejada will wind up at SS and there’s no way Turner is the starting 2nd baseman. Don’t believe anyone on the farm is winning the 2nd baseman job out of the gate.
Now if Reyes is resigned, I can see them trading Murphy + whoever for some pitching.
I think Wright and Parnell will be here.
Agree with you on Capuano. Not sure about Hairston. I can see them not bringing him back and going with in house.
It wasn’t mentioned but has been heavily debated across the Mets blog sphere but I think Pagan will be back as well.
SaltyGary
9/14/2011-12:59pm at 12:59 pm (UTC -4)
Out of your list I would say Harris, and Reyes are gone and probably Izzy. Izzy has made it clear he wants to play one more year but no way he goes through the process with a rebuilding team. He needed the Mets to get back into the league. Reyes will come down to money. As a full on Pelf hater I have gotten over my impulsiveness and think they should keep him for one more season. For the same money they will probably get the same pile of crap. I hope they keep Cap. He has had a mixed bag this season but he is healthy and can start in the bullpen until the inevitable starter goes down with some kind of injury and move easily into the rotation.
Warthen is all dependent on how the FO views him. They must of him viewed him positively last year or he would of been dumped with Hojo and Omar. He hasn’t had much to work with, so do players respond to him? If they do then keep him. Pelf’s and Parrnell’s inability to throw more than a fastball is not a negative against Warthen.
SaltyGary
9/14/2011-1:10pm at 1:10 pm (UTC -4)
Forgot Pagan. Pagan=GONE
On Murphy. He has proven to be one of the best contact hitters on the team. He makes no money. So there is no reason to get rid of him.
Anonymous
9/14/2011-1:21pm at 1:21 pm (UTC -4)
I really wish Terry would stop giving AB to Harris and Pridie and let Mike Baxter show what he can do. He should really be the 5th OF next season.
I would let Hairston go since Nick Evans should be on the team next season and they pretty much do the same thing except Evans can play the IF but cant play CF.
I would look at Nate McLouth as the backup CF. He’ll be cheap and maybe Hudgens can help him get back to his former self. That way you have insurance on Pagan if he plays well, gets hurt or they decide to trade him.
Im not really worried about the bullpen since there are about 6-8 good closers on the market so we can get someone like Joe Nathan relatively cheap.
I also believe its time to let go of Pelfrey. The Mets need to trade Murphy and get a SP back in return. You’re not going to get someone the other club values a whole lot but a team like the Tigers with a big hole at 3B would definitely be a good trading partner.
I envision a team similar to this:
Reyes, Pagan, Wright, Davis, Bay, Duda, Turner, Thole
Paulino, Evans, Tejada, Baxter, McLouth,
SaltyGary
9/14/2011-1:32pm at 1:32 pm (UTC -4)
The last thing the Mets need is McLouth’s injuries. He hasn’t been able to stay on the field for 4 seasons now. And Nathan won’t be cheap. No reason to spend money on a closer during a rebuilding phase. Shore up the pen, but allowing someone to step up and take the reins would be more beneficial to the team.
Anonymous
9/14/2011-1:40pm at 1:40 pm (UTC -4)
there is noone to step up. Mejia is injured and Parnell has proven time and time again that he cannot be a closer.
Joe Nathan will be the 6th or 7th best free agent closer on the market. That’s how deep the closers are this offseason. 1 year 5 mil plus incentives is perfectly reasonable.
As for McLouth i’m talking solely about a backup role at no more than what it cost to bring in Scott Hairston. If he get’s hurt, then you really don’t lose much. low risk/high reward.
SaltyGary
9/14/2011-1:44pm at 1:44 pm (UTC -4)
McLouth made 6m this year and would make 10m next season if the Braves wanted to kick in on his option. He is suddenly going to drop down to a 1m salary that Hairston makes? Doubtful. And why in the world would the Mets want to spend 5m on Nathan with the financial issues they are in and in a rebuilding mode?
Anonymous
9/14/2011-2:05pm at 2:05 pm (UTC -4)
He may well, as he’s not worth the 6 mil, let alone the 10. He’ll be let go, and he’s a prime candidate for a 1 year deal to re-establish his value. Now, that would be tough to do as a back up on the Mets, but you never know.
Anonymous
9/14/2011-2:07pm at 2:07 pm (UTC -4)
well obviously he is getting bought out and he would have no choice. Noone is going to offer him more than 1-2 mil for 1 year.
The Mets need a closer, regardless of whether they’ll have many leads to save. There is NOONE in house that can close games in 2012 so they need to go outside the organization to do it. 1 year 5 mil is not a lot of money especially with all that money coming off the books. The Wilpons are going to pocket most of that but they are going to have to re-invest some of it and that is the best way to do it.
SaltyGary
9/14/2011-3:09pm at 3:09 pm (UTC -4)
I think we’ve had this discussion before a couple weeks ago… But what money are they able to pocket? They are in the hole to MLB and others. A 5m closer IS a lot to them right now and a luxury they cannot afford. Fans just need to understand it is what it is right now.
Anonymous
9/14/2011-2:03pm at 2:03 pm (UTC -4)
I think Nathan will come cheaper than we think. Incentive deal. Right up Alderson’s Alley.
SaltyGary
9/14/2011-1:35pm at 1:35 pm (UTC -4)
Per Rubin:
• Jose Reyes acknowledged his troublesome left hamstring still feels tight
on occasion since returning from the DL, and he is not going full
throttle because he is concerned about blowing out the muscle. Reyes has
a league-high 16 triples, but none since July 21. He has only one
stolen-base attempt since being activated Aug. 29.
MetsFan4Decades
9/14/2011-2:42pm at 2:42 pm (UTC -4)
I saw the post game interviews last night. Terry talked about it some, then they aired Reyes’ interview.
Apparently 5 days ago it felt fine. Now, he’s got some tightness. He just kept repeating ‘I want to stay on the field, I want to play’. That combined with what Terry was saying leaves me to believe they’re allowing it as long as he doesn’t steal bases or try and leg out a triple – just take the double.
Kind of strange but I suppose it doesn’t do anyone any good if he blows out that hammy again.
Elias updated their rankings today and Reyes is holding on to a type A but about .5 percentage points. Case in point:
Reyes comes in at 74.725 – an A type player.
Rollins comes in at 74.176 as a B type player
SaltyGary
9/14/2011-3:27pm at 3:27 pm (UTC -4)
It’s a tale of two Reyes’. Not only is he injury prone it just takes him so long to recover.
Paul J. Festa
9/14/2011-3:29pm at 3:29 pm (UTC -4)
I don’t think Wharthen will be back either. Yes, it’s up to the pitchers to perform, but the bottom line is, the Mets have allowed the 4th most runs in the NL, Pelfrey’s having a bad year, and they have a guy who can throw 100 MPH who can’t miss any bats. Maybe it’s not his fault, but I think the organization will look for another perspective.
Ceetar
9/14/2011-3:49pm at 3:49 pm (UTC -4)
1. David Wright - Obviously he stays.
2. Willie Harris – he sucks. no reason to keep him. Mets have in house guys to replace him.
3.Scott Hairston – Worth considering, if Collins will use him to spot Pagan against tough lefties in center.
4. Bobby Parnell – Gotta keep him around, he’s basically free and has a great K rate.
5. Mike Pelfrey – He’ll be here. Fairly affordable for mid-rotation inning eating and healthy. Won’t be able to upgrade for cheaper anyway.
6. Dan Warthen – Dan’s mediocre at the absolute best. But the Mets need top of the line coaches, and Warthen’s severely lacking.
7. Jason Isringhausen – Old, injury prone, hasn’t actually been that good and will probably command more than it’s worth giving him. Seeya.
8. Chris Capuano : Likely gone as he’ll command a contract elsewhere beyond what he’s worth. I’d consider him as the long man/spot starter guy with Johan (and/or a new guy) taking his rotation spot, but he won’t sign for that.
9. Daniel Murphy : He’ll be here, likely as the second baseman if not as the utility play all over role. Small chance he’s traded for an upgrade, as he’s probably one of the high-value guys they could package to get an above average starter with.
10. Jose Reyes – No brainer. He’ll be here.
Pagan, Bay, Thole, Davis will be here. Probably Byrdak and Acosta.
SaltyGary
9/14/2011-3:51pm at 3:51 pm (UTC -4)
NEW YORK — Twelve consecutive games against National League East
rivals to open the season, including nine against the playoff-bound
Braves and Phillies, highlight the Mets’ 2012 regular season schedule.
Released Wednesday, the schedule includes Interleague trips to Toronto
and Tampa Bay, in addition to six Subway Series games against the
Yankees and a home series against the Orioles. The Mets will also make
their first trip to Florida’s new retractable-roof ballpark from May
11-13, and will close out their season against the Marlins for the first
time since 2008.
Anonymous
9/14/2011-4:22pm at 4:22 pm (UTC -4)
#s 1,4,5,8,and 9 here. #s 2,3,7 definitely gone. #s 6 and 10, are a tossup
SaltyGary
9/14/2011-5:17pm at 5:17 pm (UTC -4)
Just came across this image on my second favorite website “theChive”. Whole lot of truth in this one.