OK, so apparently the first step in the mysterious plan was to make a lifetime commitment to David Wright. So check that one off of Sandy’s “things to do before I can have a Mai Tai list”. But that leaves the big question, of what to do next?
They could go for the “2012 was great, so let’s do it again and again” plan. This would mean extending Dickey, and pretty much calling 2013 set (other than shuffling the last few broken deck chairs). Or they could go bolder, and trade a SP (either Dickey or Niese) to try and bring in some much needed young position player talent to build around.
In some ways, the FO is at a crossroads. Are they going for it, or just trying to appease the fans (and sell more jerseys) by hanging onto Wright, and rolling with the “maybe hitters will miraculously appear in the minors” plan.
So, a new thread for a quiet Saturday night to post your “when I become GM for a day” plan to finish building for 2013 and beyond plan.
Here’s my current thoughts (subject to change at any time, for any reason):
1) Explore the trade market for Niese and Dickey. If one of them can bring back a serious hitting prospect (OF ideally) + more needed help, trade him and keep the other. Then fill in the rotation with someone like Lannan
2) Sign A.J. to catch if they can get him on a 2 year deal. Obviously a stop gap, but it will fill a gaping hole in the line-up (and on the field), and will buy some time to see which if any of the catchers in the minors can develop into viable major league players.
3) beg, borrow and steal some more live arms to compete for bullpen spots.
After that, fill in the margins (4th OF, bench) as needed around what came back in the big trade. And look to move any other misfits (say, Duda) for players that are a better fit.
11/09/2012 – Sticking to the “plan”
53 comments
srt
12/1/2012-7:02pm at 7:02 pm (UTC -4)
I really believe extending Wright was more an ownership decision more so than SA. Too many quotes from Jeff especially, to believe otherwise.
However…..not sure what direction SA would have went in if money were no object. Not something we’ll ever know.
Newsday has got an interesting article up today:
http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/mets/source-says-mets-might-get-creative-with-backloaded-contracts-1.4282448
‘”You can borrow some from the future,” said a person with knowledge, who called finding an outfielder the team’s priority.’
Jeeze, sounds like the government’s plan.
Seriously though, if the don’t have much of a committed payroll for 2014, sounds like they might not just be punting for 2013. I originally thought they’d sign Wright and Dickey, pick up a couple of one year contracts for the OF and catcher and call it a day.
Now I’m not so sure….
I love RA Dickey.
I’d hate to trade Niese.
In fact I’m in the camp of you can never have enough pitching. If they could dump Johan’s contract I wouldn’t be heart broken but that’s not going to happen.
Reading a couple of articles this weekend talking about the Mets planing on filling out the rest of the roster mostly from FA rather than trades. But….if they can’t come to terms with Dickey, I wouldn’t be surprised to see a trade.
srt
12/1/2012-7:06pm at 7:06 pm (UTC -4)
On that note Heyman says:
Six or seven teams looking to meet with Mets on Dickey
If SA gets what he wants for Dickey, I would not be surprised if he doesn’t pull the trigger on a trade.
stickguy
12/1/2012-10:29pm at 10:29 pm (UTC -4)
agreed. Have to give something to get good stuff back.
And would not surprise me if anyone that called about RA was asked what they would offer for Neise instead.
gategem
12/2/2012-2:23am at 2:23 am (UTC -4)
“I really believe extending Wright was more an ownership decision more so than SA. Too many quotes from Jeff especially, to believe otherwise.”
I believe your comment accurately describes what we have just witnessed.
I have moved into the Kong camp that there was no plan other than saving the franchise for the Wilpons. But who is going to save the franchise from the Wilpons?
srt
12/2/2012-5:06pm at 5:06 pm (UTC -4)
‘But who is going to save the franchise from the Wilpons?’
Ha! Just saw this gategem. And damned if I know.
kingman 26
12/1/2012-7:14pm at 7:14 pm (UTC -4)
Agreed, except you should learn to f***ing spell Niese correctly.
GO NETS!!!!!
stickguy
12/1/2012-10:31pm at 10:31 pm (UTC -4)
I have no idea what you are talking about my good man. Better go easy on the Bourbon.
kingman 26
12/2/2012-1:13pm at 1:13 pm (UTC -4)
Nice work Chief. Spelling is fun.
Would love to have AJ, as, like Victorino, he would add sorely-needed backbone and nuts to this weak, soft, loser group.
Stick
12/2/2012-1:15pm at 1:15 pm (UTC -4)
names are a PITA, since spell check does not help. And if you can’t rely on the little red squiggly, it takes actual research!
kingman 26
12/2/2012-2:05pm at 2:05 pm (UTC -4)
Hey, not trying to be a jerk and REALLY like having you as a contributor–but, to me, it seems like new readers might find it hard to take us seriously if we cannot spell players’ names right.
TRS86
12/2/2012-5:34pm at 5:34 pm (UTC -4)
Aren’t you the executive editor? No skin off our backs, that’s on you.
kingman 26
12/2/2012-5:42pm at 5:42 pm (UTC -4)
Hahaha!
Guilty as charged Chief!
I was not home and did not have the access/time to fix it, but surely would have had Stick not taken care of it right away.
Unlike SOME Executive Editors who shall be nameless, I take serious pride in my role.
Mr North Jersey
12/1/2012-9:09pm at 9:09 pm (UTC -4)
HEY! You broke my string of consecutive posts.
Thank you.
stickguy
12/1/2012-10:26pm at 10:26 pm (UTC -4)
I was kind of embarrassed seeing that Pelf one still up. Figured we needed some sort of inanity to generate some new posts.
gategem
12/2/2012-1:57am at 1:57 am (UTC -4)
And you certainly succeeded.
darknova306
12/1/2012-9:39pm at 9:39 pm (UTC -4)
1) Sign Wright
2) Sign Dickey
3) Mumble something about Duda’s upcoming Triple Crown
4) Mai Tais
5) Championship
Done.
Hank
12/2/2012-2:57am at 2:57 am (UTC -4)
1. Haaaa. That was hilarious.
2. You are dark. Off-seasons are the time to dream. I mean most of what we come up with never happens, but the only time more hopeful is spring training. So hope.
3. Moves will be made next week. I’m just hoping for the best.
4. Hope. It’s what the franchise is trying to sell. Start buying man.
wanny
12/1/2012-9:39pm at 9:39 pm (UTC -4)
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/madden-critics-writers-whiff-debate-cheats-article-1.1211609?comment=true
this ridiculous use of valuable news media space actually gets me mad. madden forgot to mention the crowded wing of Hall of Famers that includes the greenie poppers, spitballers, ball scuffers, racists, gamblers, bat corkers and sign stealers.
he also forgot to mention the atrocious snubbing of Jeff Bagwell, for whom there isnt any connection to steroids other than his era (yet he is in love with craig biggio).
greggofboken
12/1/2012-9:44pm at 9:44 pm (UTC -4)
Frankly, it seems pretty grim.
If my math is correct, with a $100M max cap on payroll, Alderson’s got about $22M in discretionary spending he can use for 10 open spots (2nd catcher, Cedeno’s replacement, 4 bullpen spots penning in Francisco, Parnell, Edgin only, 1 addtional reserve outfielder and all 3 starting outfield spots). Some of those spots may go to viable league minimum guys (Familia) and some to not-viable league minimum guys (Duda, Kirk) — but for now I’m counting them open.
I think you have to shop Dickey or Niese. I’d shop Dickey. The best return I’ve heard for him thus far has been JP Arencibia. D’Arnaud and Salvador Perez sound like they’ve been explored and aren’t happening.
With Dickey’s $5M freed up, I’d try to add Cody Ross, or failing that Ryan Ludwick offering 2-year deals. I think that would pretty much relegate the rest of the roster spots to league minimum pickups or dumpster dives.
What I’m reading is that the Jays were trying to talk Arencibia for Niese, which is ridiculous….so maybe they wouldn’t him for Dickey. If they couldn’t drum up a way to net him or Salvador Perez, then I’d extend Dickey and keep him rather than go any lower. The Padres have a catcher Jason Hagerty available via Rule 5. I’d be tempted to go that route rather than just tossing money at some of the poor options out there.
I’d also do anything in my power to get Lucas Duda moved somewhere as a first baseman. That’s probably a fool’s errand given his hand…..
This really feels pretty tough. When the offseason hopes extend only as high as Cody Ross or Ryan Ludwick and I think I’m stretching to get them….eesh.
wanny
12/1/2012-10:07pm at 10:07 pm (UTC -4)
trading dickey for arencibia is trading dickey just to trade him.
the mets are better with dickey than they are with arencibia.
a guy with a .275 OBP and a 5:1 K:BB ratio doesn’t improve the team.
i’m fine with trading dickey but it has to be for something that makes the team better. especially since it appears that dickey is willing to accept just a two year deal which minimizes any risk he presents.
maybe you won’t get a guy with arencibia’s power behind the plate elsewhere but you can get a much better and well rounded player for a lot less than ra dickey.
TRS86
12/2/2012-10:14am at 10:14 am (UTC -4)
I agree, Flores is not that much worse than JP and is basically free.
wanny
12/1/2012-10:26pm at 10:26 pm (UTC -4)
The royals seem to be the best match for a dickey trade. even if myers and perez are off the table they still have guys I would be interested in that could help immediately or down the line.
of course, bubba starling would be a dream even though he wouldn’t help for years.
lorenzo cain could play CF and leadoff. Aaron Crow has reinvented himself as a reliever and could be put right in to the mets late inning scenario. christian colon could be ready as soon as September and would probably be an upgrade over murphy at 2B. there are several close to ready pitching prospects including jake odirizzi and donnie joseph.
i’d probably pull the trigger on a cain – colon package. and i really like crow too as a reliever.
TRS86
12/2/2012-10:11am at 10:11 am (UTC -4)
I still think the Angels are the best fit because they are more of a win now team than the Royals.
kingman 26
12/2/2012-4:32pm at 4:32 pm (UTC -4)
I cannot believe that anyone could seriously suggest Dickey for Arencibia.
Have you ever looked at Arencibia’s stats?
He is TERRIBLE.
Dickey for Arencibia is a ridiculous suggestion.
greggofboken
12/2/2012-4:46pm at 4:46 pm (UTC -4)
Further research and commentary have forcibly enlightened me.
I will be interested to see what they’ll do on this front if they’re not successful in landing some of the top tier talent that, thus far, seems to be withheld.
kingman 26
12/2/2012-5:46pm at 5:46 pm (UTC -4)
Gregg, I was not targeting you. Some “expert” writers on other blogs have suggested this.
When I studied his stats, I could not believe that anyone could really want Arencibia at all, unless he came free and had a low salary.
He really IS Rod Barajas!
He sux.
greggofboken
12/2/2012-7:30pm at 7:30 pm (UTC -4)
True enough and no worries. I suspect I read some of the same ones.
Mercifully, it was my worst thinking of the day, unless the Christmas lights short out and start a fire. Then, it’ll be a tie.
srt
12/2/2012-4:47pm at 4:47 pm (UTC -4)
I don’t like it either. I think the only way Dickey is traded is if SA gets what he wants in return. And judging by the Beltran trade, he sets his goal pretty high.
I suspect that’s the reason Hairston was not traded at the trade deadline last season either. He didn’t get the prospect caliber back he was looking for and didn’t want to trade him for much less, seeing as how our minor leagues are filled with position players that are anything but a sure thing.
TRS86
12/2/2012-5:33pm at 5:33 pm (UTC -4)
I agree, it’s Trumbo or nothing
kingman 26
12/2/2012-5:44pm at 5:44 pm (UTC -4)
I think an opinion piece is coming here, but what about Profar?
Yes, I know he is the game’s #7 prospect, but:
–The Rangers have guys who are totally set at 2B and SS.
–The Rangers’ clear biggest need is starting pitching.
–The Rangers went backwards last year, and DIckey could very well be precisely the piece they need to win it all.
–The Mets add something to get the deal done.
–The Mets move Tejada to 2B, and Murph to the bench, and improve SS, 2B, and the bench, AND have Dickey’s salary to use on an OF.
I love it.
TRS86
12/2/2012-5:58pm at 5:58 pm (UTC -4)
Actually I think there is a better chance to get Andrus and I have been suggesting that one all along. I am however still intrigued by Olt if he can play OF?
kingman 26
12/2/2012-6:07pm at 6:07 pm (UTC -4)
Well, I think Olt has just a handful of games in the OF. He has gotten better at each level, but has yet to play above AA. Also true about Profar, but he is a few years younger.
Really, what I love about Profar most is his BB/K ratio at such a very young age. Seems like he is going to be a VERY special player.
I like Andrus too, but if Greinke is off the market, Dickey could become more valuable, and again, Texas needs a starting pitcher. Dickey could be their last piece to a title and they might overpay, again, especially as they HAVE a SS and a 2B.
I like Olt, but Profar has to be considered a much bigger catch, especially as he is a SS.
TRS86
12/2/2012-6:10pm at 6:10 pm (UTC -4)
I just see no way they trade Profar which is why I thin Andrus is more likely.
wanny
12/2/2012-6:18pm at 6:18 pm (UTC -4)
I cant see Texas trading either guy for a 38 year old pitcher. And Ian Kinsler has already said he’d have no problem switching positions as Michael Young has done numerous times.
That said, I’d move Dickey for either one in a heartbeat.
Olt is probably not going to cut it in the OF. I think the reports were that he was pretty rough out there and he is a big big dude too. and given Ike’s foot problems i doubt he will ever move back out there.
kingman 26
12/2/2012-6:20pm at 6:20 pm (UTC -4)
You may very well be right.
TRS86
12/2/2012-6:22pm at 6:22 pm (UTC -4)
Perhaps we are too in the box. Looks like there are some good avenues for three way trades.
Prismo
12/2/2012-5:54pm at 5:54 pm (UTC -4)
I agree Kingman. He’s barely better than Thole offensively!
If we trade Dickey or Niese it has to be for HIGH ceiling players, not mediocre ceiling ones.
TRS86
12/2/2012-5:59pm at 5:59 pm (UTC -4)
I agree, I actually think its a bad idea to trade for a catcher either way.
kingman 26
12/2/2012-6:02pm at 6:02 pm (UTC -4)
This is a classic example of the drivel that passes for expert opinions on the team’s official blog.
Dickey for Arencibia!
Dickey for Bourjos!
LOL is all one can say.
TRS86
12/2/2012-6:09pm at 6:09 pm (UTC -4)
Thing is Kingman that’s why it a bad idea to trade for a catcher because I am afraid that might actually be the market.
stickguy
12/1/2012-11:40pm at 11:40 pm (UTC -4)
Is it too soon for me to be going onto plan B?
If A.J.P. is too pricey or otherwise unavailable, I would support rolling the dice on Soto. he still hits lefties, and is young. And of course, he can actually catch. And is pretty young.
So get him, and make the “big” acquisition be an OF.
I expect to be onto plan C by early in the morning, so make sure to check back!
TX
12/2/2012-1:02am at 1:02 am (UTC -4)
I would say that unless RA brings back a high end prospect (not this JP for RA straight up crap), then he is best served as extended and on this team. Same would go for Niese, with Myers, D’Arnaud, Profur or something like that being the return.
As for the rest of the plan, I hope they go risky, with Soria being a target. The OF needs a ton. I certainly hope they can scrape together a deal to get a reasonable player for some of the Mets prospects. Flores, I’m looking at you.
TRS86
12/2/2012-10:12am at 10:12 am (UTC -4)
I would pick up Jesus… Flores .
Stick
12/2/2012-4:53pm at 4:53 pm (UTC -4)
Soto instead?
TRS86
12/2/2012-5:31pm at 5:31 pm (UTC -4)
Nah I always pick Jesus… Honestly I just think Flores has more potential.
kingman 26
12/2/2012-5:46pm at 5:46 pm (UTC -4)
“I always pick Jesus”
This is good.
srt
12/2/2012-5:08pm at 5:08 pm (UTC -4)
Did they non tender Flores?
I was thinking about him. Wondering if he is healthy, he’d be better than he’s shown the last couple of years.
I’d like to know how much AJ would cost too.
TRS86
12/2/2012-10:13am at 10:13 am (UTC -4)
Also Tom gorselanny.
wanny
12/2/2012-6:27pm at 6:27 pm (UTC -4)
The angels seem desperate for SP — how else do you explain their trade for a guy they know is injured?
But I just don’t see a reasonable match for either dickey or Niese.
You’d have to really believe that Bourjos could be the player he was in the high minors. Trumbo stinks and has no business in the OF anyway. They don’t seem to have any major league ready prospects who can help in the Mets positions of need. Conger is almost a non-prospect at this point but I’d take a shot on him as a third piece in a deal.
TRS86
12/2/2012-6:42pm at 6:42 pm (UTC -4)
I mentioned one the other day of
Angels get Dickey and Mejia/Famillia
Mets get Upton and reliever from Angels
Dbacks get Trumbo and Flores.
wanny
12/2/2012-6:47pm at 6:47 pm (UTC -4)
Cant see the Mets giving up that much talent and taking on that much salary.
And I imagine DBacks have a say in all of this too.
TRS86
12/2/2012-6:50pm at 6:50 pm (UTC -4)
You don’t think the Dbacks would trade Upton for Trumbo and Flores, at least centered around those two?
Also, the Mets have said they would spend on an OF if it was backloaded and Upton fits that mold.
wanny
12/2/2012-7:32pm at 7:32 pm (UTC -4)
i would be surprised — maybe not shocked — if the dbacks couldn’t do better than two guys without positions.
dbacks don’t need a 1B anyway.