With Michael Bourn still flailing in the wind the Mets only big move to date is the R.A. Dickey trade. Even though the off-season has been quiet for the Mets they have brought in a lot of new faces. Some players acquired this off-season will play a role this year while some will never make the team. Here is the best case and realistic outlook for eleven players the Mets acquired this off-season.
Shuan Marcum, SP:
Best case: Number three starter, with an ERA in under 3.70 and double digit wins.
Realistic: Solid number four starter, slightly above league average and pitches less than 150 innings because of injuries.
Brandon Lyon, RP:
Best case: Challenges Francisco for the closer job, putting up similar stats to his late season 2012 stats with Toronto.
Realistic: Replacement level 6th/7th inning relief option.
Collin Cowgill, OF:
Best case: Good defensive outfielder who hits enough to start for part of the season.
Realistic: Quality, light hitting fourth outfielder.
Travis d’Arnaud, C:
Best case: Forces his way into the opening day lineup and starts the entire season hitting over 20 homeruns with an over .360 OBP.
Realistic: Promoted in May, starts and hits 10-15 homeruns, with a below .250 AVG and .340 OBP.
John Buck, C:
Best case: Stopgap who hits for some power and a respectable average
(over .250) until d’Arnaud takes his spot.
Realistic: Stopgap, who hits for some power and an under .200 AVG until d’Arnaud takes his spot.
LaTroy Hawkins, RP:
Best case: Becomes a reliable 7th/8th inning option in tight games.
Realistic: Has a solid year but doesn’t pitch in high leverage situations.
Scott Atchison, RP:
Best case: Becomes the most reliable reliever behind Bobby Parnell, and is used in high pressure situations.
Realistic: Has an up and down season similar to Jon Rauch’s 2012 season with slightly worse stats.
Marlon Byrd, OF:
Best case: Catches on as a fourth outfielder and has his numbers approach that of his 2010 and 2011 campaigns with the Chicago Cubs.
Realistic: Is briefly called up to the majors, doesn’t hit enough and decides to test free agency opposed to playing in Triple-A.
Aaron Laffey, SP/RP:
Best case: Makes the team out of spring training, hangs on as a better version of Jeremy Hefner/Pat Misch as a long man and spot starter.
Realistic: Doesn’t make the team out of spring training, starts for Triple-A and makes the occasional spot start for the Mets.
Pedro Feliciano, RP:
Best case: Has a successful return to the Mets, resuming his role as a lefty specialist but only with half as many appearances.
Realistic: Takes some time to get back into the swing of things following his recent injury history and pitches strictly against lefties yielding a below average ERA and WHIP.
Brandon Hicks, IF:
Best case: Becomes a solid backup infielder whom can fill in at multiple positions.
Realistic: Bounces between Triple-A and a backup role with the Mets.
Other off-season acquisitions whom may play on the Mets at some point in the season are: IF Omar Quintanilla, OF Andrew Brown, C Anthony Recker, RP Carlos Torres, IF Brian Bixler and RP Greg Burke.
While the team didn’t bring in any impact talent, they restructured the bullpen, brought in a few under the radar pieces and brought in a lot of new faces. Remember, it was just three seasons ago when the team brought in a pitcher named R.A. Dickey on a minor league contract.
8 comments
Stick
2/9/2013-11:05pm at 11:05 pm (UTC -4)
definitely not taking the over on the real expectations line I see.
I expect a few of them will do more than you are predicting, but overall, a balanced, tempered look.
darknova306
2/10/2013-2:31am at 2:31 am (UTC -4)
I’m not trying to be a downer here, but I really think your “realistic” expectations for a lot of these guys are on the “unrealistically optimistic” side.
And if d’Arnaud makes the team out of spring training, I’ll join The Core in calling for Sandy’s head. That would be nothing short of irresponsible. It’s not “best case” it’s “head case”. As in, Sandy’s a head case for doing it.
darknova306
2/10/2013-2:34am at 2:34 am (UTC -4)
Also, who the hell is Carlos Torres, and how did I wind up ignoring that signing? Also also…. why am I still awake…?
Daniel Stein-Sayles
2/10/2013-12:07pm at 12:07 pm (UTC -4)
Torres pitched for the Rockies last year and had a 5.26 ERA in 30 appearances. And is 30.
gategem
2/10/2013-3:41am at 3:41 am (UTC -4)
“Also, who the hell is Carlos Torres, and how did I wind up ignoring that signing? ”
It probably means you have a life.
BTW I didn’t like LaTroy Hawkins when he actually had talent.
srt
2/10/2013-9:39am at 9:39 am (UTC -4)
Big question marks indeed. That’s why you play the game.
Yeah, the team isn’t quite there yet. Unless everything goes better than expected, we’ll probably be sellers at the deadline.
Best case scenario for me is a couple of our starters (Marcum, Johan) have a good first half and we can trade either/or for a damn OF prospect.
Trs86
2/10/2013-9:40am at 9:40 am (UTC -4)
Interesting but I don’t think you should have titled the 2nd result realistic. Maybe pessimistic. I expect most to be in between.
gategem
2/10/2013-12:34pm at 12:34 pm (UTC -4)
Ceetar, is that you?