I’ll begin sweating this week.
David Wright signed a nice big fat contract last week that’s going to make him a Met for the rest of his days. To me, that was a “gimme,” the golf ball you pick up an inch away from the cup, the slam dunk.
I mean, really, here was Wright who just needed to see the love from the front office and got it…Thank God. Because you know as well as I do that if Wright and the Mets couldn’t reach and agreement then we would be trouble…real trouble. And not because they would need a third baseman a year from now, but because it would mean that Wright didn’t want to play in New York and to me, that would be a big problem. R.A Dickey is supposed to be next on the docket for Alderson…hopefully that gets done as well.
However, now the real off season begins…watching Alderson try to pick up a couple of outfielders, some bullpen pitchers, and a catcher on a limited budget. Yesterday I raised this issue in the Sunday Question, the outfielder in question being free agent Shane Victorino. Hey, I would like to see Victorino track down some balls in the gap but you know as well as I do that he’s got to see some money and maybe even a couple of years to get him into orange and blue. And seriously, if a guy like Russell Martin can get 17 million from the Pirates (which by the way was too pricey for the Yankees) to be their backstop, how much flexibility does Alderson have?
Because you know as well as I do that the Mets are going to be exactly the same next year, if not worse, if Alderson can’t get help; and if you think Citi Field was a ghost town last year in September, this year we might as well name it Boot Hill.
100 comments
srt
12/3/2012-8:23am at 8:23 am (UTC -4)
Victorino is going to command more money and years than he’s worth. Not sure where he’ll come in compared to Pagan but over the past 3 years, Pagan has put up better numbers. I hope this FO doesn’t even consider Victorino.
Going to be very interesting to see how the Mets come up with an OF and catcher with the little money they’ve got to play with. Almost smacks of not being able to get it done without a trade or two.
Stickguy
12/3/2012-8:29am at 8:29 am (UTC -4)
you have to make trades. The FA market will never have everything you need, and will also be premium priced for anyone good. So you can fill some holes that way, but not all of them.
Vicky I stay far away from. Not because he is a punk, but because I don’t trust he has much left. He is not young for a CF, had a horrid year (truly so in LA). I really think he was largely a product of is home park and the lineup around him in Philly. For a 3+ year deal? No way. I would pick Pagan if I had too, and I would not want to give Pagan that many years either.
Stickguy
12/3/2012-8:26am at 8:26 am (UTC -4)
I believe that Wright was either signed by now or traded this week. No way they could let him linger through the off season of come to camp a lame duck.
still, it would have been fun to see the trade machine fired up, and wheeling and dealing going n!
trading one of Niese or Dickey is still extremely likely IMO. That would free up another $5mill to spend now, and of course bring back a couple of the much needed position players.
They did save some money on Bay, which expands the budget a little. And if they can squeeze Fred’s wallet a little harder, there might be enough money to actually make some moves.
the Pen, well, that will be rebuilt but I suspect on the cheap (so no Wilson, though I would love to see him). But pens are fine that way.
RF, that will come from the SP trade. LF, they need a RHH platoon guy, but that is not that hard to find. CF, I liked the Gomez idea, otherwise they need another RH platoon guy.
And I still think signing AJ for catcher (your other “splash”) is a fan freaking tastic idea. Otherwise (hell, also) get Soto.
there you go. Huge change on a modest budget!
srt
12/3/2012-8:58am at 8:58 am (UTC -4)
I’d sign AJ as well. Don’t know if it was a career year or not but he put up some decent numbers with something like 27 HRs last year. It’ll all come down to price, I suspect. But jeeze…did you see that contract the Pirates gave Martin? If that’s the indicator on mediocre FA catchers are going for, we’re in trouble.
Stick
12/3/2012-9:12am at 9:12 am (UTC -4)
Unlike Dickey, AJ’s age has to come into play. Maybe he gets a crazy amount, but still possible that he will get left out in the cold a little, and they can squeeze him into the budget.
srt
12/3/2012-9:02am at 9:02 am (UTC -4)
BTW, looks like the Rangers just re-signed Soto, per MLBTR.
Stick
12/3/2012-9:03am at 9:03 am (UTC -4)
dang. Well, Real can always still hope for Flores.
Q-Rod
12/3/2012-9:09am at 9:09 am (UTC -4)
I think the Mets will set their sights higher than Flores (or Shoppach).
Stick
12/3/2012-9:36am at 9:36 am (UTC -4)
I hope so, but I assume that if they can’t get a LT starter solution, they will just look for another RH 1 year stop gap to go with Thole.
TX
12/3/2012-10:36am at 10:36 am (UTC -4)
3 million for a sub .200 hitting catcher… Uff da.
AJP is getting paid, big time.
Stick
12/3/2012-12:27pm at 12:27 pm (UTC -4)
most likely. Maybe his age will scare teams off, since he obviously is a ST option, not someone to build on.
Still hope Sandy pulls him out of his arse though. that would be a nice present. Assuming he washes him off first…
Q-Rod
12/3/2012-9:08am at 9:08 am (UTC -4)
I believe the details of the Wright deal haven’t been reported. He may have left significant money on the table for the Mets to use immediately. I get the feeling he took less than his option number for the 2013 season. With the Bay/Wright money, plus whatever savings come from trading Niese or Dickey means the Mets can basically afford a major OF; the question is whether they feel anyone on the market is worth the investment.
I saw the three way trade proposal in another thread that seemed really interesting to me (and creative, to boot): Dickey and Flores for Upton plus an arm (I’d suggest adding Conger to the mix). Its alot to give up for Upton but it illustrates what can be achieved with a little creativity and with some wiggle room in the budget.
Stick
12/3/2012-9:14am at 9:14 am (UTC -4)
there is a lot of legitimate debate about Upton (what is he really, and can he hit outside of AZ), but you have to admit, that would qualify as a “major change”
TRS86
12/3/2012-12:39pm at 12:39 pm (UTC -4)
That was me but I think Wanny already trashed that one, LOL.
Q-Rod
12/3/2012-1:55pm at 1:55 pm (UTC -4)
FWIW, the most common rumors at the moment that involve Dickey and ‘particular names’ are not unlike your proposal. It seems the Mets are looking to acquire an infielder to flip to AZ for Upton.Or it could be that the Mets are looking to obtain a SS, move Tejada to 2B and then trade or package Murphy for someone like Arencibia. It’s all white noise at the moment but I’m in my office and this seems as productive way to spend my time as any.
Stick
12/3/2012-2:03pm at 2:03 pm (UTC -4)
I like your thinking. about production.
and I would bet that as always, the rumors you hear are bogus, and when the deal goes down it will be fore something totally unexpected, and never mentioned.
TX
12/3/2012-11:53am at 11:53 am (UTC -4)
Well, Napoli has signed with Bos. One more C off the list, though I read he’ll play 1B more often than not. Wonder if this makes Salty expendable.
Stick
12/3/2012-12:22pm at 12:22 pm (UTC -4)
I don’t pay that much attention, but I thought that the word on the street was that Salty was likely to move off catcher too (another 1B?) Or is he a legit defensive catcher that you can grow with?
I can’t keep track any more how many catchers the Sox do have, but it certainly is way more than the Mets!
TX
12/3/2012-12:40pm at 12:40 pm (UTC -4)
I wouldn’t doubt if their 4th catcher is better than our first…
Stick
12/3/2012-2:03pm at 2:03 pm (UTC -4)
considering I don’t think we technically have a first, most likely true.
wanny
12/3/2012-2:26pm at 2:26 pm (UTC -4)
Salty bats .100 something v. lefties. We already have Thole to do that.
SaltyGary
12/3/2012-12:41pm at 12:41 pm (UTC -4)
Stark just said Mets are ramping up trade talks especially with Dickey.
Hazmet
12/3/2012-12:43pm at 12:43 pm (UTC -4)
MLB Trade Rumors had this morning that the offers have been underwhelming so far.
TX
12/3/2012-12:50pm at 12:50 pm (UTC -4)
Aren’t all the initial shots across the bow underwhelming?
Q-Rod
12/3/2012-1:19pm at 1:19 pm (UTC -4)
I’ve read those stories but also ones linking the Mets/Dickey to plenty of interesting AL players, presumably with the intent of flipping the booty to AZ for Upton. Obviously, I have no idea what’s true but its certainly fun to follow along. Today’s names are – thankfully – far more interesting than Arencibia.
I like Sandy as a negotiator, not quite as sold on him as a talent evaluator. I think he will get the right package (on paper), its just a matter of whether that package proves out.
srt
12/3/2012-1:33pm at 1:33 pm (UTC -4)
Hmm…so Stanton’s agent said ‘no comment’ when asked if Giancarlo has asked for a trade.
Now that’s one OF that would solve a good part of our current problem right now…..
TX
12/3/2012-1:38pm at 1:38 pm (UTC -4)
Wheeler, Duda, Familia, Flores. Done.
Stick
12/3/2012-2:05pm at 2:05 pm (UTC -4)
sounds fair. Though a guy that is still a couple of years away from his first arbitration payday does not have a whole hell of a lot of leverage.
TX
12/3/2012-2:12pm at 2:12 pm (UTC -4)
Like Salt N Pepa says below. Just keep adding until they say OK. Mejia. Add in Edgin. Add until they needed to charter a plane to get all the players down to Miami
SaltyGary
12/3/2012-2:06pm at 2:06 pm (UTC -4)
Eff it throw Meijia in there as well.
srt
12/3/2012-2:07pm at 2:07 pm (UTC -4)
I’d do this in a NY minute.
Prismo
12/3/2012-2:45pm at 2:45 pm (UTC -4)
I can see reasoning for both keeping and trading Dickey…
But I promise that I will analyze the crud out of any trade that goes down, and if I decide it to be inadequate I will be ROYALLY PEEVED.
Prismo
12/3/2012-2:55pm at 2:55 pm (UTC -4)
Also, why is everyone undervaluing Dickey? If we can get a top prospect for 1/2 a year of Beltran, how do we not net at LEAST that for a full year of a Cy Young pitcher.
People cite his age as the difference…but WHY. He’s been durable the past 3 seasons, where his ERA was 2.95 (Cerrone calls Dickey a “mystery”). We’re talking about a 1 year contract. The odds of him getting injured are not that high (when compared to other, younger, players), in my opinion.
It’s mind-boggling to me. I wonder if rival GMs are as moronic as Mets fans. I just hope Sandy isn’t.
TX
12/3/2012-3:20pm at 3:20 pm (UTC -4)
To me, it because he is a complete unknown. I mean, 38 year old CY winning hybrid knuckle ball pitchers are pretty few and far between (IE, never happened before). You have no clue what you may get from him. He could pitch for 5 more years at this very high level or be a one year wonder. I think that is why teams are freaked out of their minds and are not willing to part with a Myers or a Profur type. And I think Sandy is right if he were to ask for something of that magnitude. We’ll see if the the other teams blink. Because if you are not getting that type of return, just extenz him.
SaltyGary
12/3/2012-3:22pm at 3:22 pm (UTC -4)
But for a team that feels they are only one piece away, this is a easy risk. Give up a prospect or a couple, for a 5m Cy Young winner. If he was making 10-15m I think the story would be way different.
TX
12/3/2012-3:26pm at 3:26 pm (UTC -4)
Oh, I agree. To add that caliber of pitcher for 5M, you get a pick if he walks and have the option to extend him… I can’t see how he doesn’t fetch at least one too legit to quit prospect, plus something else.
Prismo
12/3/2012-3:53pm at 3:53 pm (UTC -4)
Who cares what he does 5 years from now? Any team trading him is banking his being a great pitcher for 1 year only.
And they should know what they’re getting – he’s been a top starter for 3 straight years. I’m missing the mystery here.
TX
12/3/2012-3:59pm at 3:59 pm (UTC -4)
My guess is the teams aren’t looking for 1 year rentals to give up that much prospect wise. They want a better return on investment. So offer a contract extension window if needed.
SaltyGary
12/3/2012-3:21pm at 3:21 pm (UTC -4)
“The odds of him getting injured are not that high”
Well he does have less tendon’s compared to all the other pitchers in the MLB so it is one less thing to tear.
I completely agree. For a team like Texas, Dickey would be a no brainer. For a team like KC who is actually trying to play well, Dickey can give them a legitimate shot of taking that central division. And the fact that this guy only make 5m is just the cherry on top. It means any team can be in play and it doesn’t limit it to the high spenders.
Stick
12/3/2012-3:50pm at 3:50 pm (UTC -4)
Well Prismo, I have been keeping track, and apparently EVERY SINGLE PLAYER on the Mets is worth more to them. No exceptions. Hard to fathom, but based on my exhaustive research on the internet, it appears to be true. And you can’t argue with the Internet.
OK, it is just all the Met fans that post on the internet that feel that way. makes no sense to me, but whatevs (as my daughter likes to say).
In this case, RA is not some kind of Roy Hobbs enigma flash in the pan 1 year wonder. Rather, he has now put up 3 very good years in a row, and made all his starts. There are very few SPs that can claim that.
For reference, I looked at Pole Camels (goofy guy, just signed for Johan money). Who if made available on a 1 year deal for $5mill, would incite a feeding frenzy.
over the last 3 years, RA has pitched comparable innings (taking into acocunt he started a month late in 2010). And in 2 of the 3, put up a higher ERA+ (138/112/140 vs. 133/137/131). All the other #s are at least comparable.
so RA has a very hig probability of being extremely valuable to any team. And the risk is very low, on a 1 year deal. combine that with being paid relative chump change, he has value out the wing wang.
No, probably not the guy to give a 5-7 year deal to if you are rebuilding. But a team like Texas that is short a front line SP? Or KC that has lots of young talent, a wide open division, and a gaping rotation hole? Or many other teams that would get a major boost from an innings eating ace? they should be all over him.
you give up the prospects if you have a glut, if you really think it puts you in a great win now spot. And you pay extra for no extended entanglements.
Prismo
12/3/2012-3:56pm at 3:56 pm (UTC -4)
You speak the gospel stick. I agree with everything you said, 100%.
srt
12/3/2012-5:51pm at 5:51 pm (UTC -4)
No arguments from me on this.
Pole Camels – hahahaha
greggofboken
12/3/2012-3:46pm at 3:46 pm (UTC -4)
Greinke’s agent is in town and making noise about a quick resolution (Rangers in play, neither the Jays nor Royals in). That could help grease the wheels on Dickey if something starts to move there. Jays also might be emboldened b/c of the A-Rod news.
Stick
12/3/2012-3:50pm at 3:50 pm (UTC -4)
just had MLB network on, and their talking head (Heyman maybe?) had the Dodgers as lead dog. so who the hell knows.
greggofboken
12/3/2012-3:59pm at 3:59 pm (UTC -4)
Best quote. Heyman asked a Dodgers official about the budget for free agents and got the reply: “What budget?”.
Sandy’s line….wonder if he’ll get royalties.
Prismo
12/3/2012-4:03pm at 4:03 pm (UTC -4)
Good. I hope the Dodgers have a $400MM payroll this year and sweep everyone in the playoffs.
Maybe that’ll finally get baseball to institute a salary cap.
Stick
12/3/2012-3:54pm at 3:54 pm (UTC -4)
something about prospects. They are kind of like vegetables. Good to have, but you can’t keep too many around for too long or they go bad.
translating that, it means you have to use them or lose them. And sometimes, you have to use them to trade for established high-end talent.
Having a Myers is great. i wish the Mets did. But if they had 3 just like him, and they all had to play the same position, what is the point trying to keep 2 in the minors, wasting a year down there?
this is the point I think many of the hard heads miss about building a high-end farm system. it is not about fielding an entirely home-grown team. it is about having replacements when someone gets hurt, and ‘currency” to trade to fill other needs.
SaltyGary
12/3/2012-4:06pm at 4:06 pm (UTC -4)
Pagan off the board and back to Giants.
Prismo
12/3/2012-4:09pm at 4:09 pm (UTC -4)
Wow 4 years, 40 million.
Who woulda thunk it when the Mets traded him for a backup outfielder and a dud reliever a year ago.
Stick
12/3/2012-4:13pm at 4:13 pm (UTC -4)
baseball works in mysterious ways. Will be interesting to see what kind of return the Giant’s get on that investment. pagan had 1 huge month, one other pretty good/above average, and 3 lousy ones last year.
But, good for him.
I am getting really curious what the Phils (deseprate for a CF as their big deal of the year) are going to do. I had them pegged for Bourne all along. But Amaro could try to pull off another shocker and try for Hamilton?
SaltyGary
12/3/2012-4:33pm at 4:33 pm (UTC -4)
Yea this market is out of hand. He was way too streaky for me, I’m still glad he is gone even though the OF is in shambles.
srt
12/3/2012-6:23pm at 6:23 pm (UTC -4)
If he’s worth 10 MIL per year, then Dickey ought to be worth at least that much for the additional 2 years he’s looking for.
wanny
12/3/2012-5:07pm at 5:07 pm (UTC -4)
Sandy is shooting for the stars and moon:
http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/mets/post/_/id/59159/mets-want-bradley-boegarts-from-sox?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
Boegarts is a 19 yo SS that put up a .307 .373 .523 line at high A and AA this year.
Bradley is a 22 y.o. CF who put up .315 .430 .482 at the same levels.
Stick
12/3/2012-5:20pm at 5:20 pm (UTC -4)
well, like I tell my daughter, if you never ask, the answer is automatically No.
But we are talking about a wildly underpaid Cy Young winner that makes the team seriously better right now, for guys that are not going to make an inpact for a fewyears, if at all. Plenty of guys never translate good A+/AA #s (SSS) into any kind of ML career.
I was actually expecting to see at least 1 name that was ready for the majors now. Though I suppose these guys could come quick, but realistically, 2014 befoe they are of any use.
Oh, and any clue if they are good defensively? I really hope they can go back to being a good defensive team soon. that instantly makes the pitching better, and takes pressure off the offense!
wanny
12/3/2012-6:05pm at 6:05 pm (UTC -4)
word on the street (or the Internet) is that Bradley is a good defender and some think Boegarts ends up at 3B.
Stick
12/3/2012-9:06pm at 9:06 pm (UTC -4)
move him to 2B instead and we got a deal!
TX
12/3/2012-5:59pm at 5:59 pm (UTC -4)
I think it is fantastic that he is shooting for the proverbial moon on this, but like stick says below, I would have to expect some sort of player that could contribute now.
Though adding an extra 5 mil to the till does help in going after Cody Ross or AJP.
TX
12/3/2012-5:55pm at 5:55 pm (UTC -4)
Dang. My hopes of Soria are dashed.
srt
12/3/2012-6:24pm at 6:24 pm (UTC -4)
According to MLB, Wright is headed for the WBC. I kind of figured he’d want to go. I hope none of our starting pitching is…..
greggofboken
12/3/2012-8:45pm at 8:45 pm (UTC -4)
Dickey is….so your hopes may be realized.
Stick
12/3/2012-9:07pm at 9:07 pm (UTC -4)
oh, zing.
Mr North Jersey
12/3/2012-7:26pm at 7:26 pm (UTC -4)
Think about it. If Pagan is worth $10M a year then how valuable is it to have Kirk in 2013 come in and give the Mets what he gave them for the 1st 2 1/2 months of the season?
Stick
12/3/2012-9:24pm at 9:24 pm (UTC -4)
very true. And made me curious, since it fits into my platoon at CF next year idea.
I compared Pagan to the 2 guys that the mets used instead (Kirk and Torres). And production wise, it was actually pretty close.
Pagan in 605 ABs: .288//.338/.440/.778 8/56. 121 OPS+
Kirk: in 282 ABs – 252/315/376/.691/ 7/28 91 OPS+
Torres in 374 ABs- 230 /327/337/664 3/35 85 OPS+
so in slightly more ABs (49) the “dynamic duo” had 10 HRs/63 RBIs, both more than Pagan. And OBP was about .020 lower, but pretty close. Pretty much the only area Pagan outpaced them was in slugging, and that was mostly his triples.
And interestingly enough (and completely ignored by the sandy is the devil brigade) is in 2011, Pagan OPS was ..694/95, so almost exactly what Kirk did in 2012. Same HRs in 1/2 the ABs for Kirk also.
I am actually really thinking now that if they can find a RH bat to platoon (Gomez, more than good enough!) with Kirk, they could actually be OK in CF. Just need to find a RF that can mash.
wanny
12/3/2012-10:03pm at 10:03 pm (UTC -4)
i dont see how that production is close.
Stick
12/3/2012-10:11pm at 10:11 pm (UTC -4)
run production. and getting on base
wanny
12/3/2012-10:55pm at 10:55 pm (UTC -4)
run production? surely you are not adding RBI and considering that to be run production.
angel beat the duo by 100 points in OPS. seems like a landslide to me.
you make it sound like triples don’t count as extra base hits.
by the way, kirk had about 100 at bats in the corners, presumably with torres in CF. therefore, their stats during those games were not all being produced out of the centerfield position.
kingman 26
12/3/2012-9:38pm at 9:38 pm (UTC -4)
So true Mr. N.
It’s just a damn shame that the season is 6 months long!
Wanny
12/3/2012-8:16pm at 8:16 pm (UTC -4)
Checked into metsblog for the first time in a while to find chest kingman killing cerrone and baron for their utter incompetence.
That site has become a complete embarassment.
And does baron really think ny is the right place for an anti-Semite like delmon young? Maybe if he was a switch hitter like Ryan ludwick….
Stick
12/3/2012-9:08pm at 9:08 pm (UTC -4)
he is a legend over there now. In a “bull in the china shop” kind of way.
kingman 26
12/3/2012-9:42pm at 9:42 pm (UTC -4)
Bull in a china shop?
That place is like a used paper plate store operating out of a ragged old tent.
The bull part’s cool though.
Stick
12/3/2012-10:13pm at 10:13 pm (UTC -4)
you need to get out of upstate NY more often. In civilization we don’t re-sell paper plates.
kingman 26
12/3/2012-9:40pm at 9:40 pm (UTC -4)
Wanny, it is like shooting dead fish in a small barrel with an Uzi.
It’s fun, in a really kind of pathetic sort of way.
I am driving traffic here in my own manner.
Seriously though–it makes you wonder even more about the Met organization–that is the best they can do?
Seriously—SNY and Verizon sponsor that place and promote it—they cannot pay someone to be a part-time editor, or get a free one via an intern from one of the zillion students in NY area colleges studying media-related topics?
It’s the Mets–utterly mediocre and with zero accountability.
Hazmet
12/3/2012-8:21pm at 8:21 pm (UTC -4)
Alrighty, outside the box thought for catcher. The names out there are less than overwhelming unless they’re going to trade for a long term solution. While I can’t suggest who that would be how about this for a different thought that might not be too costly:
Pick up the phone and call the 2-3 years into retirememt Bengie Molina. Why not? Platoon candidate, most likely not going to be overwhelming either at 38 but in a platoon situation and to have him work with our young pitchers what a plus that could be. Who knows, maybe he needs a few more dollars a couple of years into retirement now. Then again he might have balooned into some huge size but why not check it out. Heck, he’s a Molina he’ll probably be good defensively till he’s 60.
kingman 26
12/3/2012-9:45pm at 9:45 pm (UTC -4)
Look, I know that we are already very lefty-heavy, but why not Ron Hodges? He was a great backup, and look at some of those OBPs!
CAREER OBP of .342! .351-.383 his last four years.
Stick
12/3/2012-10:16pm at 10:16 pm (UTC -4)
You missed the obvious answer.
what do we need?
A catcher.
A RH hitting power guy.
put that together, and what do you get?
Piazza!
amazin_jessep
12/3/2012-10:12pm at 10:12 pm (UTC -4)
I agree with the premise of this post. I think Wright was being signed no matter what Alderson’s “vision” of the franchise was. If he’s here to try and get the franchise healthy for MLB purposes – having a fan favorite and “face of the franchise,” is good for business.
Now the work starts. Now is when we see what the real plan for 2013 is. Is it to scrap the bottom of the barrel or is it to get now talent or is it get more young talent to unleash in 2014?
What happens with Dickey is the most intriguing story to me. If he’s dealt, it has to be for a significant haul. Either can’t miss prospects or for solid now players who fill a need and aren’t too old.
You know the thing about can’t miss specs that worries me is do you remember the Beltran SF Trade talks? Their OF prospect Brown was rumored and Giants fans were ticked and Mets fans were pumped. We got Wheeler which was still solid.
But now, they are down on Brown after a pretty lackluster 2012 in AA at age 23.
Stick
12/3/2012-10:18pm at 10:18 pm (UTC -4)
I have money down that either Dickey or Niese is being traded.
darknova306
12/3/2012-10:27pm at 10:27 pm (UTC -4)
Dickey will be re-signed and they’ll shoot to get more wins out of the status quo in 2013 and beyond. It’s all about letting the Wilpons hold on, in my mind. I sincerely hope I’m wrong…
amazin_jessep
12/3/2012-10:37pm at 10:37 pm (UTC -4)
I don’t see how the two sentences work though. Letting the Wilpon’s “hold on” would dictate (to me) that you trade Dickey before you get nothing (pick) for him and go get something of value
I think if Greinke signs in Nashville, then Dickey will be dealt in the next two weeks. If Greinke hangs around – I think Dickey stays put.
I do think Toronto is becoming an interesting candidate. They know they need bullpen help but a guy who can go deep into games like Dickey could help a ton. They just claimed Eli Whiteside which means they are preparing most likely for Buck/Whiteside and then if Travis D is ready, Whiteside goes.
So JP for Dickey… but Toronto needs to send more in my view.
Would you go JP Arencibia, Anthony Gose, and say Noah Syndergaard for Dickey?
Get yourself a starting Catcher which is arguably the hardest spot to fill in the sport. Get a very young corner OF who has speed and then a solid pitching prospect that could be about 2 years away.
Is that enough for Dickey? I guess it depends on how much you value a catcher and how much you believe in Harvey/Niese/Gee/Wheeler
amazin_jessep
12/3/2012-10:42pm at 10:42 pm (UTC -4)
BTW Gose appears to be a pretty solid fielding OF. He looks like more of a corner OF but has played a pretty solid CF in the minors too.
So you get a young catcher
young CF/LF
young SP
You take a risk with all of them. Less with JP, then Gose and then the pitcher but that’s the name of the game
wanny
12/3/2012-10:58pm at 10:58 pm (UTC -4)
i would have no interest in arencibia and his 5:1 k:BB ration and his .275 OBP. certainly not interested in dealing dickey for him.
the other two would be acceptable pieces but not enough without something else significant.
darknova306
12/3/2012-11:02pm at 11:02 pm (UTC -4)
Keep Wright and Dickey around and you don’t lose as much attendance year-over-year. Let money come off the books after 2013 and the Wilpons hope to get to the point where they aren’t actually losing money on the team anymore.
This is just what I think is the mentality of the Wilpons and Selig. It’s why I think Alderson was brought in in the first place – slash payroll while balancing the need to keep a few fans in the seats all until the Wilpons can solidify their ownership again. I guess we’ll get some more evidence one way or the other as this offseason progresses.
*Note: I really really really hope all of what I said is false and there is actually a plan.
darknova306
12/3/2012-11:12pm at 11:12 pm (UTC -4)
I don’t know much about Syndergaard, I like Gose, but I want no part of Arencibia. His game doesn’t seem to trump Thole’s much outside of having some pop.
But I’m with you on wanting to trade Dickey for several helpful pieces that could contribute to building a team around Wright/Ike. I would just much rather have D’Arnoud be the centerpiece than have Arencibia anywhere that deal.
wanny
12/3/2012-11:23pm at 11:23 pm (UTC -4)
syndergaard seems like an excellent prospect. a big 19 yo who already throws mid nineties and has an excellent bb ratio and ground ball ratio. he’s probably a couple yrs away given his age.
maybe a gose, syndergaard package works with marcus stroman as the third piece — a guy who can probably come up some time this year and be an effective late game reliever. but still this deal really requires one to be sold on gose, whom I don’t believe to be a can’t miss with the bat. reports on him (at least those available on the internet) suggest his glove and feet make him a major leaguer but the bat may have questions. his ability to get on base has improved over the years, which is, of course, encouraging.
amazin_jessep
12/4/2012-9:27am at 9:27 am (UTC -4)
The more I look at JP, the more I agree that he’s all name – no performance.
I doubt they’d give up Travis D’Arnaud but if they would, I’d drop Synergaard and take Gose and call it a deal.
In my view if you trade Dickey you need to fix the 2 biggest weaknesses on this roster. Catcher and CF/Corner OF.
Synergaard would be nice but not necessary.
wanny
12/3/2012-11:07pm at 11:07 pm (UTC -4)
this gem from cerrone clearly ignores the actual words out of alderson’s mouth:
Matthew Cerrone, MetsBlog.com:
8:31 pm: The Mets can say in public whatever they way to say, however they want to say it, but I think it’s fair to at least assume they’re talking with teams about Dickey.
assume? does he even read the quotes he posts to his web site? hasn’t sandy plainly admitted that they are talking dickey trades?
Stick
12/3/2012-11:57pm at 11:57 pm (UTC -4)
he doesn’t bother to read his own stuff. Too busy or some such. Time consuming being a big shot.
TX
12/3/2012-11:43pm at 11:43 pm (UTC -4)
I would like to point out that the 2014 FA SP class is quite nice, so trading RA to get a solid piece for the OF (and some other goodies) should leave the 2014 rotation with Harvey, Niese, Wheeler, Gee and an open spot (though Familia or Mejia could jump in there). The FA class includes Garza, Floyd, Lincy, J. Johnson, Volquez, Jimenez, Hughes, De La Rosa…you could slid half those guys not the 3 spot and that rotation looks nice.
So trading a SP for much needed OF help (and possibly C too) is the right course of action for not just 2013, but beyond.
Stick
12/3/2012-11:58pm at 11:58 pm (UTC -4)
well, odds are many of those guys never hit FA, and the few that do, if still good, are going to cost a ton.
TX
12/4/2012-12:07am at 12:07 am (UTC -4)
And the team should have the financial flexibility to take one on. This does assume a lot, like the team is challenging, etc. etc., but if FA is used like it should be, and the team is competing (Wright, Ike, Myers (I wish), Tejada, Murph all contributing nicely, SP is solid, but one nice FA puts them over the top…), you can’t write off this team signing a difference maker. The situation needs to be right, but it is not unfathomable.
Stick
12/4/2012-12:12am at 12:12 am (UTC -4)
you never know. But it will be surprising to me if they plunge in after next year and go beyond Johan and do something like 7/160 on a SP!
darknova306
12/4/2012-12:21am at 12:21 am (UTC -4)
The Mets being close enough for one good FA to put them over the top…? I’ll believe that when I see it. I’m still anxious to see which Metsian Career Altering Disaster befalls Harvey and/or Wheeler… (too cynical?)
Stick
12/4/2012-12:29am at 12:29 am (UTC -4)
I predict that in ST they both go for a parking spot, hit head on, and both break their pitching arms.
Too soon?
darknova306
12/4/2012-12:25am at 12:25 am (UTC -4)
And, as Stick says, any of those guys that reach FA and are still ‘difference makers’ are going to cost a mega deal. Keep in mind, with that TV deal money coming in for MLB teams, prices of FAs will be going up even more.
Stick
12/4/2012-12:30am at 12:30 am (UTC -4)
but the Mets also get more TV money so they should be able to move up too. In theory.
TX
12/4/2012-9:10am at 9:10 am (UTC -4)
Fair enough. I still think that at some point, we (the fan base) need to break the mind set that te team is going to go dumpster diving from now until the en of time. With all the money coming off the books, to think that the Mets will not be a player for a Josh Johnson type is silly. Now, I’ll grant you that 2014 may not be the time to do it as the team might not be 1-2 players away from a run. I guess my point was that being in that position to snag one high profile player is where the Mets will be in the not too distant future.
Stick
12/4/2012-12:11am at 12:11 am (UTC -4)
OK, MLB tonight guys just said that Josh Hamilton is in play for the Brewers. You know what that means.
Yes, Gomez could be available!
TX
12/4/2012-12:16am at 12:16 am (UTC -4)
Don’t they need a 3B? Flores and Familia for Axelfordrodenstein and Gomez.
Stick
12/4/2012-12:31am at 12:31 am (UTC -4)
I wish though Gomez was not going into his last season. I really don’t see them giving up anything important for a 1 year rental guy.
amazin_jessep
12/4/2012-9:30am at 9:30 am (UTC -4)
i think that’s a serious overpay on the Mets part. A 27 year old speedy OF who gets on base about 29% of the time… and then a reliever for 2 of our 5 best specs? Why?