I guess this title has multiple meanings but according to various outlets the Mets are interested in the following players: The latest from MLBTR:
Did I miss anyone? Obviously this is the definition of scrapping the bottom of the barrel but that is exactly what I expected and what Sandy even alluded to early in the off-season waiting for the market to come to them. Honestly, considering the hopes rest on 2014 and beyond, I would just as soon to see as many of the kids play as possible.
107 comments
SaltyGary
12/21/2012-10:14am at 10:14 am (UTC -4)
Nope, not punting 2013. They are actually taking a knee on 4th down.
Why on earth would anyone buy a ticket next season?
Stick
12/21/2012-10:58am at 10:58 am (UTC -4)
people still enjoy going to the park to see games. Even bad teams have attendance.
Hazmet
12/21/2012-4:22pm at 4:22 pm (UTC -4)
Yes, looking forward to spending $20 for parking, $60+ for 3 tickets for my family, and another $60 on food and misc. crap. Sure let’s all drop $140 for one game for mediocre seats for this flotsam & jetsam.
Stick
12/23/2012-11:49am at 11:49 am (UTC -4)
if it is not worth it to you, don’t go. everyone makes their own decisions.
srt
12/21/2012-11:21am at 11:21 am (UTC -4)
I don’t follow football but I get that ‘knee down on 4th down’ is obviously a football term equivalent to giving up – right? LOL.
Stick
12/21/2012-11:24am at 11:24 am (UTC -4)
yes. it means you decline to run a play, and are just going to give the other team the ball where it is.
srt
12/21/2012-11:25am at 11:25 am (UTC -4)
Very appropriate then.
darknova306
12/21/2012-11:24am at 11:24 am (UTC -4)
Because baseball is awesome.
Prismo
12/21/2012-10:26am at 10:26 am (UTC -4)
HURL PUKE WRETCH VOMIT UPCHUCK GAG
My countdown to when I blast the front office is approaching. Wright took a paycut, Bay got money deferred….the Mets are STILL looking at the scrap heap. Every day you see a team sign a reliever who posted a sub-3 ERA last season. WHERE ARE THE METS.
Stick
12/21/2012-10:57am at 10:57 am (UTC -4)
agreed. At this point, they could easily have the real payroll down close to 80mill, with all these deferrals, and not adding anything but some bottom scrapings to it.
wanny
12/21/2012-10:56am at 10:56 am (UTC -4)
Marcum is not crap. But he figures to be expensive and has a checkered health history.
Stick
12/21/2012-11:06am at 11:06 am (UTC -4)
the health issues will keep the price down somewhat I suppose, but in the mets situation, worth taking the risk.
TX
12/21/2012-11:35am at 11:35 am (UTC -4)
Considering what Liriano got from the Pirates for a 2 year deal, yes, he’ll get paid for sure.
Stick
12/21/2012-11:05am at 11:05 am (UTC -4)
Real, the concept of letting the kids play is fine, but only if they are realisticlaly ready for the promotion, and have some legitimate potential to be a part of the ongoing solution. Playing a nobody out of the minors is no better than getting a veteran retread, except maybe a little cheaper and not as good.
The big problem I have with this apparent aversion to getting at least semi-legit ML players is that they admit they have the money to do so, and the team is not that far away. No, not a WS favorite on paper, but they still have a fair amount of talent (some proven, some potential). At least enough to be one of those teams that with a little luck, and a couple of shrewd moves, can at least hang around the WC race to the end.
Think of last years team through June when they were what, 43-36? That was no paper favorite, but it was also only a couple of players away from doing that in the 2nd half too.
so, while I know that everything seems to be about 2014, but they can still get a few ST contracts for better players at least to give the team a puncher’s chance in 2013. Not like they are going to block anyone important.
srt
12/21/2012-11:26am at 11:26 am (UTC -4)
I think Joe D. kept telling us to expect the payroll to be around 80-85 MIL for ’13. Maybe he’s on to something…
Hopefully we’ve got a good catcher going forward for the next several years but that OF…
TX
12/21/2012-11:42am at 11:42 am (UTC -4)
Well, if they are accounting for all the contracts to hit this year, accounting wise, then yeah, the actual expended monies this year will prob. be in that realm. MLBTR was saying they only have about 10 mil left, so per MNJ’s list we see the team at 71-ish, so that’s about right. Right and sad.
Stick
12/21/2012-12:58pm at 12:58 pm (UTC -4)
well, you are buying into the accounting slieight of hand. They book the contracts this year, for whatever reason, and claim there is no payroll to spend. Then in the next couple of years, the on paper (booked) payroll is lower, but they claim they can’t spend because there is no actual cash since they are spending it elsewhere.
that way they have their excuse lined up for cutting paytoll in place for 2-3 years, not just one!
Prismo
12/21/2012-1:10pm at 1:10 pm (UTC -4)
EXACTLY.
They are double-counting all the deferred money!!!!!!!
First it officially counts in the payroll throughout the normals years of the contract. Example: If the payroll is $100MM this season that INCLUDES a hypothetical $5MM deferral from Wright’s contract. So they’re actually only paying $95MM this year, but they can say it’s 100 and not spend a dollar more than 95.
But in 5 years when the official payroll is $95MM, but they owe Wright that $5MM deferral they’ll say “yeah the payroll is 95, but we’re actually paying 100 because of the deferral” and not spend a dollar more than 95 on the current team.
SKLDJFLSKJFS:LKFJS:LKFJ:SLKFJW:OEIFW:JOMKSCJFWLEKFNMJSOIJFLSK:WLENFKM:OSDF
darknova306
12/21/2012-1:17pm at 1:17 pm (UTC -4)
Sterling Mets: the Enron of baseball.
greggofboken
12/21/2012-3:16pm at 3:16 pm (UTC -4)
Stick/Prismo: I have to disagree. If they were double-counting these things, you’d see the deferred payments to Bonilla, and Beltran (and Santana, whose initial defferred payments will start to pay in 2013) hit next year’s “payroll” figures, which they do not appear to be doing.
Stick
12/21/2012-3:40pm at 3:40 pm (UTC -4)
those are different, since they aren’t deferrals of current year salaries, and they really belong to the dim dark past.
it is all accounting items anyway. Probably have an impact to the luxury tax, but that obviously is not an issue for the mets.
TRS86
12/21/2012-11:27am at 11:27 am (UTC -4)
“but it was also only a couple of players away from doing that in the 2nd half too.”
Boy do I completely disagree with that statement in so many ways.
Prismo
12/21/2012-11:34am at 11:34 am (UTC -4)
Why? He might mean a Mike Trout and Buster Posey away.
Stick
12/21/2012-11:36am at 11:36 am (UTC -4)
why? They were able to do that for 1/2 the season without any huge surprises (unless you count Wright playing like what he used to be) and with Ike MIA.
they had a couple of injuries, but if Wright had stayed more consistent, and another real OF showed up to help out, they should have been able to keep over .500. Without major turnover.
TRS86
12/21/2012-11:46am at 11:46 am (UTC -4)
Sorry Stick but I believe they were playing over their heads and reality was going to eventually set in and their down fall had nothing to do with not adding a couple of players at the deadline.
srt
12/21/2012-3:59pm at 3:59 pm (UTC -4)
I mostly agree with this, although we’ll never know for sure.
That’s what .500 or worse teams do. Have some good stretches but just can’t maintain or sustain the winning.
darknova306
12/21/2012-11:39am at 11:39 am (UTC -4)
” but it was also only a couple of players away from doing that in the 2nd half too”
Omar, is that you?
gategem
12/21/2012-5:55pm at 5:55 pm (UTC -4)
“At least enough to be one of those teams that with a little luck, and a couple of shrewd moves, can at least hang around the WC race to the end.”
You repeat this thought every year and one of these years you’ll be correct and proudly exclaim that you told us so.
darknova306
12/21/2012-6:20pm at 6:20 pm (UTC -4)
As with the “Phillies are old and will finally fall apart this season” proclamation, it just takes a few years to finally be right…
Stick
12/21/2012-11:07am at 11:07 am (UTC -4)
To expand on the rant, I posted about that Alverez dude from Cuba last night. Exactly the kind of bold move they should be looking at. Can’t possibly break the budget, and if it works, it really is a move for the 2014+ run, but can also potentially help in 2013. And will certainly generate some interest.
srt
12/21/2012-11:27am at 11:27 am (UTC -4)
Count me in. To me, it’s probably exactly the type of move they should take a chance on opening that pocketbook for.
TRS86
12/21/2012-11:28am at 11:28 am (UTC -4)
Yup I agree. Players that can grow and help this year and the future. Kinda like I hope TDA to do.
Stick
12/21/2012-11:23am at 11:23 am (UTC -4)
Take lariano off the list. he signed with the Pirates.
TRS86
12/21/2012-11:29am at 11:29 am (UTC -4)
See this is what I am saying though. Liriano at 2/14? 7M a year? Seriously?
I would just as soon go with the kids than waste money on that.
Stick
12/21/2012-11:39am at 11:39 am (UTC -4)
Ain’t our money. I just want to see better players, and not have to care if they make 1 mill or 7 mill.
srt
12/21/2012-11:43am at 11:43 am (UTC -4)
I would rather take our chances with Mejia, McHugh and Hefner, then spend 14/2 on Liriano.
TRS86
12/21/2012-11:45am at 11:45 am (UTC -4)
Thing is Stick, we know they have a tight budget. So if they only have a certain amount, I certainly don’t want it wasted on pitchers with ERA’s over 5 for 2/14 or more.
Stick
12/21/2012-11:47am at 11:47 am (UTC -4)
so don’t spend it at all is what you support? IOW, pocket it and say screw the team, don’t bother to try and upgrade the talent at all.
TRS86
12/21/2012-12:00pm at 12:00 pm (UTC -4)
Not with scrubs. Pay down debt, put yourself in a position to spend it when it matters.
Stick
12/21/2012-12:07pm at 12:07 pm (UTC -4)
except you seem to be against ever spending market rates on guys, so that would basically be never for you, right?
TRS86
12/21/2012-12:08pm at 12:08 pm (UTC -4)
Not at all. I expect them to spend next off-season or as I said SRT and I will be holding the pikes for the core.
Stick
12/21/2012-12:15pm at 12:15 pm (UTC -4)
not a chance. You are already toeing the party line. The few difference makers are too rich for their blood, and the middle level guys are overpriced by the other teams in the market.
so will just be another year of a couple of filler pieces, waiting for the farm to deliver.
TRS86
12/21/2012-12:31pm at 12:31 pm (UTC -4)
Again, that’s never what I have said. Thanks for playing though.
Stick
12/21/2012-12:47pm at 12:47 pm (UTC -4)
just reading your comments here ab9out all the players that are signing it seems to be exactly what you are saying though. Every FA is always going to be too expensive or overpriced.
TRS86
12/21/2012-1:11pm at 1:11 pm (UTC -4)
This year? Yeah, most of them are. You go heavy into FA when your team is ready and that player puts you over the top. Those guys aren’t doing a damn thing to put us over the top.
srt
12/21/2012-11:24am at 11:24 am (UTC -4)
All kinds of crap indeed. Couldn’t have said it better myself.
Caught between a hard place and a rock this season.
We should be starting the 2013 one with our CY ace AND a decent OF.
I know the pickings were slim this off season for FA OFs – and I really didn’t want Hamilton but dang….Upton, Bourn, whoever is better than what we’re going with. I get not spending medium $$s on mediocre talent…I really do. But that OF we’ve got right now will rival the worst in baseball.
TRS86
12/21/2012-11:25am at 11:25 am (UTC -4)
I guess here’s my point. Why sign a guy like Pavano for the #5 spot when you have kids that are ready? I am not saying bring up Puello and start him in RF as a RH bat. I am saying that instead of signing crap and wasting money just to say we signed someone go ahead and give Duda all the AB’s in LF, Kirk in CF and a platoon in RF of Baxter and Hoffman with Cowgill as the backup. How much better is the team with Hairston?
wanny
12/21/2012-11:28am at 11:28 am (UTC -4)
If the choice is between Pavano and seeing what Mejia or McHugh can do then I am easily going with the young guys.
If they can acquire a guy with reasonable upside like Marcum, Porcello or “Lariano” (I know he is off the market now but he is just an example) then I would take a shot on another upside guy because Mejia and McHugh will still be here and will still get some action eventually.
srt
12/21/2012-11:29am at 11:29 am (UTC -4)
Might as well, at this point.
I’m giving them until the off season of 2013 to prove they’ve got the money to play with the big boys.
If we’re doing this again next season, I’ll lead the mob with the pitchforks.
TRS86
12/21/2012-11:30am at 11:30 am (UTC -4)
You and I both SRT and I have said that since the day Omar was fired.
srt
12/21/2012-11:34am at 11:34 am (UTC -4)
But somehow we’re labeled as blind, SA lover, followers.
Rolling My Eyes……
srt
12/21/2012-11:35am at 11:35 am (UTC -4)
BTW…is 2013 SA’s last year on that contract? Option year for 2014?
What do you want to bet he’s gone after next season, if that’s the case.
TRS86
12/21/2012-11:44am at 11:44 am (UTC -4)
Funny thing is I didn’t even remember who Sandy WAS when he was hired. LOL. He wasn’t even on my radar.
Stick
12/21/2012-11:49am at 11:49 am (UTC -4)
2014 is guaranteed, 2015 is option year.
I don’t think he will be here for 2014 though.
srt
12/21/2012-11:51am at 11:51 am (UTC -4)
Ah….thanks, Stick.
greggofboken
12/21/2012-11:35am at 11:35 am (UTC -4)
The rub is the money. MLBTR is reporting there’s $10M left to spend (which implies that the deferrals count against this year’s payroll regardless of when the cash actually leaves.)
If you sign a Marcum or trade for a Capuano or Harang, you will have insufficient money left over for Ross or Hairston and any bullpen filler that might be needed.
So….toss that in to your thinking. Makes Chris Young look a lot better. (Or Braden or Karstens). Pavano and Liriano offer no value. And in my eyes, the outfield’s a higher priority…..or look to Mejia as a fallback.
wanny
12/21/2012-11:43am at 11:43 am (UTC -4)
I’m with you. No, I’m not on the stool next to you at Willie McBrides. But I am in agreement that the outfield is a bigger priority right now than the rotation. The bullpen too. And maybe even the bench.
I am pertectly comfortable with giving Mejia an audition as a 5th starter. Remember, he has the kid of upside we are looking for. And then McHugh, Hefner…. and some other low cost scrap heapers until Wheeler is ready,
TRS86
12/21/2012-11:47am at 11:47 am (UTC -4)
I also agree that OF is the primary concern but we know they aren’t getting Bourn and that really only leaves Ross whom not all of us are enamored with. Any decent upgrades in the OF would have to come by trade.
wanny
12/21/2012-11:50am at 11:50 am (UTC -4)
Same for SP. That improvement will have to come by trade too. Other than Marcum, the free agents suck. I guess I could live with Young. He was kind enough to sign my kid’s ball at the game.
The best use of free agency right now is probably in the bullpen. Several useful guys out there.
TRS86
12/21/2012-11:59am at 11:59 am (UTC -4)
Agreed, I just looked and was amazed how many quality BP arms are still on the market. Not only that but not even being rumored about.
Stick
12/21/2012-12:08pm at 12:08 pm (UTC -4)
Sandy is probably afraid to go down that road again. His track record is less than stellar, to say the least.
greggofboken
12/21/2012-12:23pm at 12:23 pm (UTC -4)
It’s early for most of the pen guys. Aside from the closers, they’re low salary and last on most club’s hit parade. It’ll heat up next month.
The flurry of early signings by SA was unusual. And a black eye given how badly it turned out.
wanny
12/21/2012-12:25pm at 12:25 pm (UTC -4)
So Sandy acquired a couple of busts for the pen last year and suddenly now he has a less than stellar track record of selecting relievers?
Does his track record in Oakland or SD not count? Seems to me like he did a pretty nice job acquiring guys like Eckersely, Gene Nelson and Rick Honeycutt for the Oakland bullpen….
TRS86
12/21/2012-12:32pm at 12:32 pm (UTC -4)
Not only that but he hit pretty dang well on Rauch who pitched to either his best or 2nd best season of his career.
greggofboken
12/21/2012-11:53am at 11:53 am (UTC -4)
A Willie McBride’s shout out. Well-received! I’m more likely to be found in Biggie’s or Benny’s — different vice.
srt
12/21/2012-11:44am at 11:44 am (UTC -4)
My understanding is that deferred money does count towards the luxury cap – but I’ll admit to being a bit confused about how this all works.
Since we’re nowhere near that luxury tax cap, they need to open the wallet a bit more.
Stick
12/21/2012-11:53am at 11:53 am (UTC -4)
well, there is not a snowballs chance in hell that the mets are going anywhere near the luxury tax cap, so that is about as relevant as the Mayan calendar.
And the beauty of all the accounting sleight of hand? They are claiming that they have no money to spend because they are booking the deferrals next year (even though the cash outlay is much lower).
then after that, they will say they can’t spend because they have no actual cash even though the on the books payroll dropped off.
that way they have coverage both years for why they aren’t spending on payroll.
TX
12/21/2012-11:48am at 11:48 am (UTC -4)
True, but in the same realm, injuries are bound to happen, and then we are left watching a team throwing out the Figgy types to start games. I’d rather have Pavano or the likes to eat innings and allow the prospects to not have to be thrown in the mix. I know, McHugh, Mejia, Etc. should be ready, but if/when Santana crumbles for a 14 day DL stint and Gee has shoulder fatigue and Niese has emergency rhinoplasty, we are going to need bodies. I’d say they need to get a Pavano type AND a Chris Young type.
TRS86
12/21/2012-11:58am at 11:58 am (UTC -4)
I am fine with adding guys that will go to AAA or be a long reliever. However, Mejia has earned the right to be in the mix. I also don’t see why Familia can’t be as well along with Mchugh and Heffer and even some of the AA guys could be ready at some point from Gorski to Gonzalez Germen. I think we will be fine there. Find a guy like Jair Jurrjens that would be willing to head to AAA for a while or Hisanori Takahashi who could slide in the pen or start in a pinch.
Stick
12/21/2012-12:02pm at 12:02 pm (UTC -4)
IOW, do nothing to actually try and improve the team?
TRS86
12/21/2012-12:03pm at 12:03 pm (UTC -4)
How does adding guys who had 5.50 ERA’s last year at 7M per year actually help the team?
TX
12/21/2012-12:10pm at 12:10 pm (UTC -4)
I’d take Taka back for sure.
And while Mejia may have “earned the right” (which I think he hasn’t, but rather is at the point you have to try or cut bait with him), I have no confidence he’ll perform or hold up injury wise. Pitching is about the only way this team will go anywhere next year.
Man, I am getting more disenchanted based on what this team is looking like for this coming year. 2016 and beyond!
darknova306
12/21/2012-12:15pm at 12:15 pm (UTC -4)
Disenchanted? Just wait till the Harvey and Wheeler surgeries start…
TX
12/21/2012-12:18pm at 12:18 pm (UTC -4)
I think you’ve been drinking too much Dark beer.
darknova306
12/21/2012-12:06pm at 12:06 pm (UTC -4)
What’s the injury Pavano’s coming off of? I can’t remember. I’d consider him as an innings eater if he was healthy, but his history leaves me skeptical.
And if you’re gonna have a Chris Young type in there, on top of 6-inning Santana and Gee coming off an unusual injury, that bullpen will need to be stout cause it’s gonna get used a hell of a lot.
TX
12/21/2012-12:19pm at 12:19 pm (UTC -4)
Busted Mustache, I believe.
On a plus, he could be a Keith look-a-like.
srt
12/21/2012-2:41pm at 2:41 pm (UTC -4)
His latest? I’m not sure.
The question is…has he ever went through a season with no injuries?
darknova306
12/21/2012-2:46pm at 2:46 pm (UTC -4)
Pavano? Yeah, the three years before 2012 he pitched 199.1, 221, and 222 innings. If that version showed up, he might be useful. That’s the big question, though.
TRS86
12/21/2012-11:32am at 11:32 am (UTC -4)
As MLBTR’s Free Agent Tracker shows, Liriano’s contract resembles recent deals signed by free agents Hisashi Iwakuma ($14MM for two years), Joe Blanton ($15MM for two years) and Brandon McCarthy ($15.5MM for two years).
Read more at http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/#BQiriyeoygTpR14r.99
Wowsa, that’s just ridiculous.
Prismo
12/21/2012-11:38am at 11:38 am (UTC -4)
It is, but at some point you have to accept the market you’re in. If every cruddy #5 starter is getting paid ~$7MM per season….that’s the new market rate. Like it or hate it. Further proof that paying Wright $18.5MM/season is pretty freakin reasonable.
TRS86
12/21/2012-11:42am at 11:42 am (UTC -4)
It very well may be the market which is why if I was the Mets I would rather piece together starts from Mejia, Heffer, Mchugh, and eventually Wheeler than to waste what little money they have on someone likely to pitch to a 4.50+ ERA.
Stick
12/21/2012-12:00pm at 12:00 pm (UTC -4)
well, you are certainly getting a Christmas card from Sandy this year. That to go along with scrap heap OFs and a low low payroll, and you are all set.
TRS86
12/21/2012-12:01pm at 12:01 pm (UTC -4)
Stick do you have any confidence that a guy like Pavano could actually out-pitch that group?
TRS86
12/21/2012-12:02pm at 12:02 pm (UTC -4)
So I guess the point I am making is signing those guys doesn’t even MAKE the team better. It’s just signing guys.
Stick
12/21/2012-12:11pm at 12:11 pm (UTC -4)
well, then they will never sign anyone, because I think you are wrong that none of these guys being signed will be better than a totally unprepared mejia, or guys like Heffner or Mchugh.
I am jus tnot agreeing with you that because guys aren’t some kind of star difference maker, spend absolutely nothing (because the market is the market) and just throw out unprepared, untalented young filler pieces. Especially after bring Wright back.
being low payroll is not a goal in and of itself. The primary focus is still supposed to be about talent and wins.
TX
12/21/2012-12:17pm at 12:17 pm (UTC -4)
Agreed, stick. Going in with Wheeler as your penciled in 5th starter would be acceptable, in my mind, as he has the talent and ranking to justify it. Mejia as your 5th starter is basically saying “screw it”. He may throw some nice starts, but no way I see him as anything more than a BP guy (who ironically cant pitch out of the BP…). He’ll be broken down by May.
TRS86
12/21/2012-12:35pm at 12:35 pm (UTC -4)
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/pavanca01.shtml
Yup, I think I am good.
Stick
12/21/2012-12:54pm at 12:54 pm (UTC -4)
Why are you fixated on Pavano? There are a lot of other players out there, and I was talking philosophically.
TRS86
12/21/2012-1:13pm at 1:13 pm (UTC -4)
So am I. Liriano had 5.34 ERA last year and just signed for 2/14. I was fine with adding him for a low cost rebound, that’s not what that contract says and considering how little money they have, that’s not who I would rather spend it on and if ALL the players are demanding THIS offseason then I would rather the Mets just pay down their debts and be more prepared for next year when I expect them to spend.
Stick
12/21/2012-1:17pm at 1:17 pm (UTC -4)
well, we can agree to disagree about if they are going to spend serious money on real players next year. I am betting on more of the same.
TRS86
12/21/2012-1:21pm at 1:21 pm (UTC -4)
I am not betting the house they will either. I am saying that is when they should and I will change my tone at that point if they don’t.
wanny
12/21/2012-11:38am at 11:38 am (UTC -4)
Those deals dont really offend me. Blanton is mediocre but provides innings. McCarthy has upside, as does “Lariano.”
Sure, you’d prefer those deals to be 1 year rather than two. But these guys are different than Chris Young, who is neither an innings eater or a high upside guy at this point.
jessep
12/21/2012-11:38am at 11:38 am (UTC -4)
Just an FYI – Mayo checked deeper and found out the pick is NOT protected for the Mets. He accepted full blame for passing wrong info to me.
I told him if he nails it on Wheeler and d’Arnaud then all is forgiven
Prismo
12/21/2012-11:41am at 11:41 am (UTC -4)
Yep only the top 10 picks are protected. We’re 11.
TRS86
12/21/2012-11:43am at 11:43 am (UTC -4)
Yup, I think we already knew that one. Not like it matters, LOL.
srt
12/21/2012-11:46am at 11:46 am (UTC -4)
Thanks, Jessup.
And that’s really poor. If we finished in the bottom 10, our pick should be protected, regardless what teams get a pick from the year before b/c they didn’t sign their first rounder.
Prismo
12/21/2012-1:19pm at 1:19 pm (UTC -4)
By the way TRS, one of the best RDM headlines of all time.
TRS86
12/21/2012-1:22pm at 1:22 pm (UTC -4)
lol. Thanks.
Hazmet
12/21/2012-4:24pm at 4:24 pm (UTC -4)
ditto.
Mr North Jersey
12/21/2012-8:10pm at 8:10 pm (UTC -4)
Off Topic: Had a chance to see the Denzel movie “Flight”. Nice film but I think I hold Denzel to a much too high standard cause I was not that impressed with what he did. I wish they gave more to Kelly Reilly and her character Nicole. She did a real good job in her performance.
wanny
12/21/2012-10:22pm at 10:22 pm (UTC -4)
one of the baseball gossip columnists wrote that the tigers would deal porcello or smyly for bullpen help.
i don’t know if parnell is the kind of help they’re looking for but if he was that’s a trade the mets would have to jump all over.
Stick
12/21/2012-10:36pm at 10:36 pm (UTC -4)
well, for a legit SP that can be around for a while and is actually potentially good too, that would be a no brainer.
Smyly seems to be way too promising for a trade like that, but who knows.
srt
12/22/2012-8:05am at 8:05 am (UTC -4)
Over on MLBTR:
Scott Hairston is looking for a significant raise over the $1.1MM he earned last season and he might wind up being too rich for the Mets’ blood. Jonny Gomes is a similar player and got $10MM over two years from the Red Sox.
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I get the impression since the Mets have been talking to Hairston, the sticking point might be they’re looking for a 1 year deal and Hairston is looking for more.
Since we’re apparently looking at platoons for the OF, I wouldn’t be adverse to bringing Hairston back, if the price was right. Could take a chance he repeats what he did last season and this time…the Mets could trade him at the trade deadline.
Stickguy
12/22/2012-11:01am at 11:01 am (UTC -4)
2 years is probably fine, but that seems like a lot of money for a team on a strict budget to pay for a guy that should really be a bench/platoon guy, and never a FT starter.
I also think he is overrated to a degree, since outside of the HRs (and didn’t they come mostly in a bunch?) he did not really bring much to the table.
Though I don’t think Cody Ross at 3 years/starter money to pay FT is at all a good idea either.
I am all for giving the Alvarez guy Cody Ross money but spread out over 5 years or so. That is living bold!
TX
12/22/2012-11:31am at 11:31 am (UTC -4)
Makes sense, but when have the Mets ever been in on the Cuban market? Wilpons too friendly with the Kennedy’s, and won’t join in the Cuban market as a protest from The bay of pigs?
Stick
12/22/2012-11:40am at 11:40 am (UTC -4)
As logical as any other assumption for why the Wilpons do what they do.
gategem
12/22/2012-1:08pm at 1:08 pm (UTC -4)
Alain “Alay” Soler.