This week’s question to the RDMB staff:
Which of the current Mets outfielders will be on the Opening Day roster next season?
And the answers…
Spencer Schneier:
Hairston, Torres, Baxter, Duda, RH hitter
Bryan:
Hairston, maybe Baxter. They’ll definitely try to bring back Hairston. I doubt they bring back Torres, but it could happen. Bay probably gets let go during the off season; I know with Castillo and Ollie they brought them to ST and let them try to make the team, but with Bay it’s probably better to just let him go after the season. Nieuwenhuis and Valdespin will be in the picture too, but I think they look to trade Duda; if not, he could take over LF for Bay.
Kingman26:
Only Valdy!
What is this, an attempt to push conspiracy theories or create a narrative where there is none?
Clearly, the adults are in the room and The Plan is working. The efforts expended to sign draft picks and make necessary in-season improvements will continue this offseason and result in a shiny new outfield, whatever the cost!
Mr. North Jersey:
I’d say at this point that would be Capt Kirk.
TRS86:
I also would say Baxter, Duda, Hairston, Valdy pending either Valdy or Duda being traded.
Paul Festa:
Nieuwenhuis, Duda, Baxter, maybe Hairston, if they can get him at a reasonable price. They need right-handed pop, and Scott can provide it.
With 1 year left on his deal, the Mets will cut bait on Jason Bay. They tried one last time to get their money’s worth out of him this year, but it’s obvious he’s not getting any better. A change of scenery may help him, but he’s not going to do anything more with the Mets.Andres Torres (.353 OBP) has been our best option in center field, for all his flaws. If the Mets could get him cheap for next year, they may put him on the bench, if only because he hits lefties well. But it would be better if the Mets could nab a right-handed hitting outfielder with pop during the offseason.Matt den Dekker could make the team if he has a strong Spring. The strike against him is that he bats left-handed, and the Mets already have too many left-handed hitting outfielders.Jordany Valdespin figures to make the team in some capacity next year as well.
I think this will all depend on how much money the Wilpons have in the off-season. If they have money, they will go out and get a right-handed bat. I hope it’s a guy like one of the Upton brothers. That would have a big impact on this team. If they don’t have much money, I could see them going after a Cody Ross-type player, especially if they can’t re-sign Scott Hairston.I think Torres, Duda, Kirk, Baxter, and Valdespin will definitely be back next season if they aren’t involved in some kind of trade for a big-time right-handed bat.Oh and bye bye Jason Bay *crosses fingers.*
29 comments
srt
8/12/2012-1:40pm at 1:40 pm (UTC -4)
Hate to keep harping on this but I think the OF will be manned by the cheapest options available. I very much am afraid the payroll next season will be less than this season.
So depending on what trades might be made, it’s anyone’s guess right now what that OF will look like come next year. The only thing I’m reasonably certain of is Bay will be cut, money be damned. If they had no problem cutting Perez and Castillo to the tune of 16 MIL, I don’t see why they should have any problem cutting Bay.
I’d like to see Hariston back but he might be out of their price range.
I can see Baxter and Duda back – if Duda isn’t traded.
Kirk and Spin might be trade fodder. As much as Kirk was striking out, Spin’s bat right now is even worse though.
I’m on the fence with Torres.
What I’d really like to see is a set OF with no more than 1 platoon at any of the 3 positions. But that’s probably wishful thinking.
srt
8/12/2012-1:53pm at 1:53 pm (UTC -4)
To add:
We’ll probably be treading water next season.
Have to wait for Johan and Bay’s contracts to come off the books. Maybe by then, and with the projected profits they should make from the ASG, we can start spending a little again in 2014.
NJstuckinTX
8/12/2012-4:46pm at 4:46 pm (UTC -4)
And that isn’t horrible. It sucks for the here and now, but they have to do the time for the crimes committed contract wise. Just like Chicago is with Soriano. Just like Houston had to with Lee. Once that is passed, a world of opportunity. Kendra Morales, Aaron Hill, Martin Prado, Jacoby Elsbury, Shin-Soo Choo, Matt Garza, josh Johnson, Carlos Marmol, and Brian Wilson are available. Not saying they will start the whole FA spending spree, but they should be able to start addressing some needs as they pop up. Say, signing a Nathan vs a Francisco as an example.
This team is 2014+ and hopefully it will be sustainable.
gategem
8/12/2012-5:08pm at 5:08 pm (UTC -4)
We have no concrete information as to what the Wilpons financial situation projects to be in two years so it’s all speculation. The money coming off the books could very well go to paying off debt. If the attendance and merchandising resources fall off the Wilpons may not be able to bring in FAs. In 2017 you may very well be looking forward to 2020.
Over at MMO I see where you were the designated Charlie Brown for the day (“Why’s Everybody Always Pickin’ On Me”).
NJstuckinTX
8/12/2012-6:36pm at 6:36 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah, drunk and access to a computer is not a winning combination. They need a scapegoat and a 10 minute solution over there. The scapegoat is Fred and there is no 10 minute solution.
NJstuckinTX
8/12/2012-6:57pm at 6:57 pm (UTC -4)
At least I was articulate, kinda.
Bryan
8/12/2012-1:44pm at 1:44 pm (UTC -4)
I think Sandy will get creative and try to make a trade for an above average outfielder.
Stick
8/12/2012-3:37pm at 3:37 pm (UTC -4)
Baxter will be here. Bay won’t.
Beyond that, everything should be up for grabs. If I actually thought the FO was going to be making any trades, I would expect them to move some of the current guys. And every one of them should be fair games.
I am thinking Torres won’t be back, unless no other team has any interest and they can get him back cheap.
Duda/Kirk/Spin could all be traded, or back in ST trying to win a job.
so in short, lots of options and I honestly think they could go into ST with none of the spots filled. Scary, yet exciting!
not that you asked, but I think the rest of the lineup (as in the IF) is going to be the same, with the only exception being Murphy if they actually decide to get active and move him.
gategem
8/12/2012-5:49pm at 5:49 pm (UTC -4)
The same excitement one gets from watching a horror movie.
NJstuckinTX
8/12/2012-4:12pm at 4:12 pm (UTC -4)
Bautista, Stanton and McCutchen.
NJstuckinTX
8/12/2012-4:32pm at 4:32 pm (UTC -4)
In seriousness, though, I’d say the following happens:
- Hairston is gone as someone offers a 2 year deal.
- Duda will be in one of the corner spots.
- JayBay will be back and most likely cut after spring training.
- Kirk will make the team
- Torres will be back for another year (yuck)
- A trade will happen. Gun to my head I’ll say Hart, but who knows. My guess it will be be for some one with a final year or 1 last year of arb.
- Baxter will fill the last sport of 5.
So… Hart, Duda, Torres, Kirk and Baxter.
Now, what I would like, but won’t happen is for the team to make at run at BJ Upton or sign either Sizemore or Delmon Young. The first come sdown to money and the later 2 are risk/reward types.
Stick
8/12/2012-5:22pm at 5:22 pm (UTC -4)
well, that OF of yours really does suck, doesn’t it?
NJstuckinTX
8/12/2012-6:37pm at 6:37 pm (UTC -4)
Better than blowing, I guess.
NJstuckinTX
8/12/2012-6:47pm at 6:47 pm (UTC -4)
Well, on second thought, that OF has 1 major leaguer in it, which is better than our current roster.
Bryan
8/12/2012-5:25pm at 5:25 pm (UTC -4)
I’d really like a risk/reward deal for Sizemore in place of Torres. If it doesn’t work out, Kirk would be the 4th outfielder and could step into CF, and potentially Den Dekker by mid-season.
You make a good point about somebody possibly offering Hairston a 2-year deal. Also, if Duda isn’t traded, he has to be in LF. That’s just not negotiable, he must be there.
NJstuckinTX
8/12/2012-6:46pm at 6:46 pm (UTC -4)
Sizemore on an incentive laden deal makes a ton of sense.
And I’m all for Duda in LF.
wanny
8/13/2012-5:42pm at 5:42 pm (UTC -4)
highly unlikely that the wilpons would have any interest in delmon young given his most recent incident.
i expect a trade this offseason to address the OF. they wont spend free agent money. and the system is filled with nothing but platoon type LH hitters.
Stick
8/12/2012-5:24pm at 5:24 pm (UTC -4)
actually, BJ might not be a pipedream. Assuming he does not get a totally ridiculous offer from some other team, he could make a lot of sense for the Mets.
NJstuckinTX
8/12/2012-6:41pm at 6:41 pm (UTC -4)
Well, assume it takes 27 million for him with an option year and a buy out. 8/9/10, option of 13, buy out of 3… Where is that money? Pelf, carasco, Rauch, Torres, and som schleps. My point is, payroll will have to increase slightly. But considering that fort knox is coming off the payroll the following year, it makes sense to me to take a small hit this year and make it back the following.
Stick
8/12/2012-9:20pm at 9:20 pm (UTC -4)
a small hit, or backloading a little.
but 8 next year? Pelf and Rauch are 9. there you go.
oleosmirf
8/13/2012-9:40am at 9:40 am (UTC -4)
not a fan of him at all, unless his brother is joining him…
oleosmirf
8/13/2012-9:32am at 9:32 am (UTC -4)
pending any trades, Baxter, Hairston, Valdespin, Duda and Juan Lagares
Stickguy
8/13/2012-10:13am at 10:13 am (UTC -4)
lagares is a long shot, but he is RH, can play all over the OF, and is on the 40 man roster.
Just not sure he is hitting enough at Bingo this year to earn a job out of ST. Now, if he had kept up the 2011 pace this year, he would be up in AAA at least, if not the majors.
though he is 23 so not a kid by any stretch, and he has been hitting much better lately, and does have speed. So why the hell not!
jessep
8/13/2012-2:37pm at 2:37 pm (UTC -4)
I’m on an island hoping the Mets go after Torii Hunter. I think he brings so much to the table – and a lot of things this team needs. Veteran leadership, proven commodity, right handed outfield bat – somebody the fans can root for even on bad days.
I think at his age the Angels likely won’t bring him back, and I cannot imagine he’ll need more than a 2 year commitment.
Stickguy
8/13/2012-3:13pm at 3:13 pm (UTC -4)
that is a name I have not seen mentioned before. I did not realize that he was even still playing!
surprisingly durable the last few years in his mid-30s. Tailing of a bit this year, but not tremendously so. Still, not particularly good offensive #s.
maybe if he doesn’t get any offers and comes cheap? But hard to see the Mets going strong after him at age 37.
jessep
8/13/2012-3:43pm at 3:43 pm (UTC -4)
Well that is my hope. I’m not saying if the market is heavy for Hunter you get him.
I mean at age 36 he’d arguably be our best offensive OF in 2012.
If you can get him on a 2 year deal, see if he can help the maturity of a kid like Spin or even Kirk in terms of furthering his game – it’s a win win.
NJstuckinTX
8/13/2012-5:02pm at 5:02 pm (UTC -4)
Good post. I think you have a good thought there. What do you think he’ll command? 4 million per?
wanny
8/13/2012-5:47pm at 5:47 pm (UTC -4)
Reed Johnson and his career line of .312 .369 .467 v. LHP would fit well as a replacement for Scott Hairston if Hairston chooses to leave.
I’d really like to see them bring in someone who is not a platoon candidate and that will most likely have to occur through a trade.
apagano
8/13/2012-9:02pm at 9:02 pm (UTC -4)
Bay will be gone. Duda in LF. Kirk in CF. I can see them trying to bring back Torres on a cheap deal to either platoon with Kirk or be the 4th OF. Would love to see them bring Hairston back, but he’s probably going to get a better deal elsewhere. RF to be manned by either a low-level FA or trade acquisition. Would love to see them make a run at Sin Soo Choo. Choo is entering his final year of arb eligibility and stands to make about $7M next year.