Dec 02
There will be no more questions regarding David Wright now since he’s has been signed….at least until the season begins. So now let’s focus on the rest of the off-season. I heard the name of Shane Victorino being thrown around for a possible center fielder.
Today Question: What do you think of of Shane Victorino patrolling center for the Amazin’s?
MLBTradeRumors
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27 comments
Paul
12/2/2012-9:13am at 9:13 am (UTC -4)
Yuck – but I suppose he’d beat bringing back Andres Torres. I might be happier praying that Kirk Nieuwenhuis could hit major league pitching for more than a few weeks, though.
Stick
12/2/2012-10:43am at 10:43 am (UTC -4)
Torres can not possibly be any sort of regular player at this point. In theory he could be OK as a spare OF, but even then, I don’t like him (no skill that is really good enough to hold down a roster spot).
and being the Mets, he would end up starting most of the time!
I would rather roll with Kirk and a RH CF they pick up from someplace (big platoon split but a good glove). Combined that could make a nice player, shades of Lenny and Mookie.
Stick
12/2/2012-10:40am at 10:40 am (UTC -4)
Well, he is an obnoxious punk. But I can overlook that if he produces.
harder to overlook is that he really sucked in 2012. Here are 2 sets of numbers (OPS/OPS+):
a) .667/85
b) .664/85
A is vicky with the dodgers. B is our favorite whipping boy Torres. And vicky was only at .724/94 (so still below average) with the Phils, in a great hitters park
Punk boy did have a good year in 2011 though.
And, he will be 32 for 2013.
so is this a guy that you want to make a LT (3 years at least?) commitment to, at his age, if it is going to represent one of your few “big” contracts for that time?
I say pass, and try to find someone younger with upside and more likely to not crap out on you. even if it means trading.
See what Mill wants for Gomez. He had better numbers than both of them. Only problem is, I would want to try and extend him (FA after 2013), but he sadly is a Boras guy, so not likely to happen.
TX
12/2/2012-10:47am at 10:47 am (UTC -4)
No thank you.
SaltyGary
12/2/2012-7:12pm at 7:12 pm (UTC -4)
As in the immortal words of Paul above, YUCK!
Stick
12/2/2012-10:58am at 10:58 am (UTC -4)
Lets expand this to the overall OF. This, of course, is subject to what other moves they make (if there is a big one for a SP, then you might end up with a high end OF prospect back).
so let us just assume that Niese stays, and they re-up Dickey (I just can’t say extends with a straight face. in the future, can we just say viagra him?)
anyway, that would be banking on the rotation to carry the team, but leave very little of value to trade.
and we have Duda, Kirk and baxter right now as the (theoretical) OF.
so go back to my sign AJ to stabilize the catching position plan. That will eat up some money, but massively help the lineup.
then for the OF, trade for Gomez. If he can win the everyday CF job, great, otherwise he can get some platoon time with Kirk. CF will be fine.
Then find a 5th OF who needs to be a corner (plays both) with a respectable glove, that can (will) be a big platoon split guy. Could be a veteran type (the matt diaz concept), or a AAAA type just waiting for his chance (the gregor blanco type). Other options are guys like Francisco or mayberry (not them, but that category).
then, the RH guy will spell duda and baxter and play against every LHSP.
I am fine of course with upgrading either corner with an everyday guy, but if that does not happen, the best shot the Mets have for a productive OF in 2013, while also conserving the rotation strength, is 2 platoons.
Hazmet
12/2/2012-6:56pm at 6:56 pm (UTC -4)
I like the Gomez idea. Or at least I did I’m not so sure now given my suggest about a month ago for the outfield was:
Trade for Gomez
Sign Melky for RF on a short term deal
Platoon Bay & Duda in LF.
Well Melkiy’s gone, Bay’s gone which is good but trading for Gomez alone may not be worth it without finding the other major league bat on the cheap that Melky may have presented. Just so many holes to fill on this team it’s daunting.
TRS86
12/2/2012-7:02pm at 7:02 pm (UTC -4)
Eh I still like the Gomez deal as that was the one I came up with a while back. You do still need a RF but they have said they would spend if it was backloaded.
TRS86
12/2/2012-11:07am at 11:07 am (UTC -4)
I would just go ahead and backload Ross and go with in house for Cf if they aren’t trading Dickey.
Stick
12/2/2012-11:21am at 11:21 am (UTC -4)
Ross is going to be a dog for some team. At his age, history, padded by Fenway stats, some team is going to pay big in $/years and likely regret it.
I would just as soon go for a cheaper deal on Hairston and get the same basic results.
TRS86
12/2/2012-12:16pm at 12:16 pm (UTC -4)
I am not so sure Stick. He wasn’t awful in Miami or San Fran and neither are hitters park. Also if its only 3/24 it can’t be that much of a disaster.
Stick
12/2/2012-11:26am at 11:26 am (UTC -4)
Does it make sense to go old for 2 years to try and compete, hoping by 2015 the young foundation pieces ar efinally in place?
I am not voting for sign AJP for 2 years. Trade for Soriano (2 years left). Trade for Gomez, and try to extend him. And look for a prospect that can ultimately take over in RF or LF within the next year.
Need to work out the details, but it smells like a plan (well, it smells like something)
Stick
12/2/2012-12:56pm at 12:56 pm (UTC -4)
talking to myself, but SRT made me realize that Soriano is just a LF at this point (unless you want to really go crazy, and slide him back to 2B!). So of course, that means that Duda is gone (since neither guy should be anywhere near RF).
so that makes my new team, competing for 2013 without sacrificing the future, and going “all in” on the rotation, as:
IF – wright/tejada/murphy/Ike/AJP, assuming no new SS or 2B shows up in a trade.
OF – Soriano in left, Gomez/Kirk in C, Baxter/new RH compliment in RF (again, subject to change if they get someone in trade).
SP: Johan/niese/dickey/harvey/gee.
Pen: Yes, they will have one (close your eyes and pray).
So, I am assuming that Dickey viagras for 2 additional years, and AJ signs for 2. Alfonso has 2 years left on his deal. Johan of course 1, so the veteran presence (AKA old guys) is there in a transition role.
I like this idea because they can actually compete in 2013, and there really is no one blocking a prospect (since we don’t have any close enough to be an issue in the next 2 years). Our OFs can fight over RF, and easily displace Soriano by 2014. And CF will be open unless they extend Gomez.
the OF will also have speed all around. And mostly good gloves (I think soriano can catch it, just not throw it, right?) And finally we will rake lefties (soriano really does not have big platoon splits either).
That makes the line up some variation on:
Gomez – R
murphy – L
Wright – R
Ike – L
Soriano – R
AJP – L
baxter/platoon guy – S (for the platoon)
Tejada – R
Better than 2012. Speed at the top, and some in the middle with DW and AS. very balanced L/R, and pretty good power in the middle (at least 4 guys in a row, and 5 depending on the RF, with pop). overall respectable D, with above average at 3 spots, 4 if you count SS and potentially 5 with RF. Only LF and 2B might be weak.
still building for 2014, when you can add another $ guy in CF, RF, even LF.
so there you go. Trade some MiL parts for Gomez, lock up AJ, and give the cubs an A ball guy and have them eat the salary, and go to war.
Stick
12/2/2012-12:58pm at 12:58 pm (UTC -4)
damned, that was long. Should have made this my blog post last night!
I like this plan. if you don’t, then there is no hope for your soul.
kingman 26
12/2/2012-1:06pm at 1:06 pm (UTC -4)
Soriano is owed 36 mil the next two years.
Did the Wilpons sell last night?
Stick
12/2/2012-1:21pm at 1:21 pm (UTC -4)
the whole premise stems from reports that the Cubs want him gone, and are willing to eat a lot of his salary. Of course no one is advocating picking that deal up!
but, there has to be some number that works. Say they can get AJ on a 2/10 deal. And Soriano for 70% of his deal (say 2/10 again for the Mets).
is it worth spending 10mill in 2013 and 2014 on those 2 old guys, to try and add some punch to the line-up, and compete in 2013? Obviously holding the fort types for 2 years, but still better than seeing Baxter, Torres, Fred Lewis and Mike N.
kingman 26
12/2/2012-1:05pm at 1:05 pm (UTC -4)
If he is affordable?
Absolutely.
The team needs an OF or three VERY badly.
And if they add Victorino, the 25-man roster might then increase its total number of balls into double figures.
This team needs backbone and Victorino would be ideal.
And for the haters, I know for a fact that he is a very charitable family man and a very good guy. He does annual toy drives in Las Vegas for kids, and devotes time and money to it, as well as other similar things. This is a good person.
Stick
12/2/2012-1:17pm at 1:17 pm (UTC -4)
backbone? Vicky absolutely screams of being one of those annoying little guys that loves to taunt, and once someone comes after him runs and hides behind the big muscle guys to protect him.
kingman 26
12/2/2012-2:00pm at 2:00 pm (UTC -4)
HAHAHA! You are describing Jose Reyes.
As in that Marlins game when he hid behind Alomar SENIOR and let him take the punch.
Any actual evidence of VIcky doing that?
Stick
12/2/2012-3:48pm at 3:48 pm (UTC -4)
there was something a couple years back that involved running out into CF, but the details (as with most details these days (don’t get old, it sucks)) escape me.
Remember, I am in Philly, so I see a lot of those players (on the news, etc.)
srt
12/2/2012-4:00pm at 4:00 pm (UTC -4)
Only story I remember is someone on the Phils got called out on strike 3, for the third out. Pitch was questionable.
Bottom of that inning, whoever was up first for the opposing team took a couple of balls and Victorino started yelling at the home plate ump. At which point that ump stopped the game and threw Victorino out.
I think it’s the only time I’ve seen an OF – out on the field – getting thrown out of a game for arguing called balls/strikes.
srt
12/2/2012-2:34pm at 2:34 pm (UTC -4)
I’d have to pass on Victorino.
He had a down year and even though he’s a switch hitter, his stats against RHP last year were not that good.
He’s gonna get over paid by someone and I’d just assume it not be the Mets.
srt
12/2/2012-2:36pm at 2:36 pm (UTC -4)
In hindsight, they should have held onto Pagan.
His numbers the last three years are better than Victorino’s.
Stick
12/2/2012-3:46pm at 3:46 pm (UTC -4)
except they would be in exactly the same place, with him as a FA.
srt
12/2/2012-3:58pm at 3:58 pm (UTC -4)
This is true. And from what I’m reading, he’s looking at a minimum of 2, 4 year offers right now. –Which I’d never want to do for Pagan at this point of his career.
But hey….if we did hold onto him, we could have flipped him at the trade deadline last season…..
Stick
12/2/2012-4:03pm at 4:03 pm (UTC -4)
or extended him for a couple of years.
honestly though, outside of triples, he did not have that spectacular a year. He had 1 huge month, 1 other above average month, and 2 terrible ones. And his overall numbers were nice complementary player stats, not star, build your team around it #s.
in this neck of the woods, IMO they are way overvalued because of the man that traded him.
wanny
12/2/2012-6:12pm at 6:12 pm (UTC -4)
Probably not worth answering the question because he’ll probably not be in the Mets’ price range.
Anyway, I prefer the trade route for a younger alternative like Fowler, Cain, one of the Az guys Pollock or Eaton or even unproven guys looking for a chance like Gose or michael taylor. I could live with Carlos Gomez depending upon the deal. I would even be willing to take a flier on Franklin Gutierrez from Seattle if he came with Mike Zunino or Stephen Pryor.
In any event, if Victorino has a choice between SF, LA, Philly or the Mets… why on earth would he come to the Mets?