11
2009
Fantasy GM: What Would I Do If I Were Running The Mets?
An article by Former Writers
It’s easy to sit and write an article saying that the Mets should sign Jason Bay, trade for Adrian Gonzalez and Roy Halladay and who knows what else. To examine the Mets offseason like they are working without the constrictions of a budget would be a mistake. They aren’t the Yankees.
Given the number of holes they have, the Mets are going to need to be smart in order to not only fill them all, but to do so in a manner that improves the ball club. I tried to keep my budget in the $35-40 million range, which is what I’ve seen reported that the Mets will have, but did come off slightly above that. With ownership saying that Omar Minaya will have whatever funds necessary to get the job done, then I can certainly see the slight increase being acceptable.
With that said, let’s take a look at what I would do if I were in the driver’s seat:
1. Trade Luis Castillo to the Tigers for Nate Robertson
Honestly, you can fill in the blank for who the Mets take back for Castillo, but the most important thing is that he is no longer on the roster. With 2 years and $12 million left on his contract, you have to think that someone would be willing to swallow that contract to rid themselves of an equally bad contract.
Why the Tigers? First of all, their incumbent second baseman, Placido Polanco, is a free agent and chances are the Tigers aren’t going to bring him back due to the presence of prospect Scott Sizemore. Unfortunately for the Tigers, Sizemore was injured in the AFL and while they are saying he should be ready for Spring Training, you never really know. An insurance policy is certainly needed
That is something Castillo could provide, while also helping the Tigers alleviate some of their own budget-crunch. At $10 million in 2010, this swap actually opens up $4 million for the Tigers to work with this season, something they desperately need to help plug some of their other holes.
Granted, Robertson will be an extremely overpaid long reliever/spot starter for the Mets, but it’s the price that needs to be paid in order to fully realize my offseason plans.
2. Sign Chone Figgins via free agency
There are a few options available, so this is the order that I would target them:
1. Chone Figgins
2. Mark DeRosa
3. Orlando Hudson
I’m going to focus on Figgins, because I think he is the perfect type of player to build a line-up with in CitiField. Could you imagine having Reyes/Figgins hitting 1-2 at the top of the line-up? The Mets would be one of the biggest pains to play against with that combo, reminiscent of the Marlins Juan Pierre/Castillo combination.
I also think that rumors of Figgins looking for a 5 year, $50 million contract are probably slightly overblown. He’ll be 32-years old by Opening Day, and I don’t see most teams looking to be paying a 36-year old $10 million, especially when a lot of his value comes from his legs.
I do not have a problem giving him slightly more money a year, however, in order to get him to accept a 3-4 year deal, as well as to play 2B. It’ll likely cost between $8-10 million to get him signed, so I hope the Mets go the extra mile (and use the Francisco Rodriguez connection) to get him signed.
As much as I want to dream about the Reyes/Figgins pairing, what if Reyes’ leg injury prohibits him from being the player that he once was? What if he can’t be that dynamic force at the top of the line-up? With Figgins, you have the replacement in house already. People say that you can’t replace what Reyes does, but with Figgins you come reasonably close.
3. Trade a low-level prospect for Kelly Shoppach
I don’t want any of the garbage that is flooding the free agent market. The only player who is mildly interesting is Bengie Molina, but the chances of him signing a 1-year deal are minimal and at 35-years old (he turns 36 in July) I don’t want to be giving him any significant type of contract.
Shoppach, meanwhile, is a non-tender candidate who the Indians want to dump. They are one of the few teams with excessive catching depth and at $2 million, they are looking to allocate that money elsewhere.
He is a potentially good bat, as he’s hit 33 home runs in 623 AB over the past two seasons. Granted, the average may not be stellar, but how many catchers provide a high-level average?
Defensively, he is pretty solid as well. Remember, Victor Martinez missed a huge chunk of the 2008 season so it was Shoppach catching Cliff Lee during his Cy Young campaign (22-3, 2.54 ERA).
I’m not sold on Omir Santos maintaining his shocking 2009 season and we all know Josh Thole needs more seasoning in the minor leagues. Shoppach has never been given the chance to play everyday, but he appears to have the bat to do so. Otherwise, you use him in a platoon. Either way, he’s the perfect fit for the Mets, so I would go out and get him before the Indians cut him and allow the rest of baseball free range on him.
4. Sign Erik Bedard via free agency
I’m penciling him for a 1-year, $5 million contract with a ton of incentives. It’s a deal that would make sense for both sides. The Mets need a potential #2 starting pitcher and Bedard needs a chance to rebuild his value after struggling with injuries the past two seasons. We’ve seen time and time again, if you want to rebuild some value, you jump to the NL.
Is he a risk? Absolutely, but the money just isn’t going to be in the budget to get a high-level guarantee considering the other holes the team has. Bedard has proven that if healthy, he is almost a lock to be a Cy Young candidate, so he makes the most sense from the risk/reward standpoint.
Fallback options here would be Rich Harden, Brett Myers or Ben Sheets.
5. Sign Rich Hill to a minor league contract
Exactly where is the downside? He’s proven he could be effective when he has his control, so I would fully support the Mets making the low-risk move. If he can put things together, he could be a #3 starter, especially as a flyball pitcher calling a pitcher’s park home.
If he fails? You release him at no real loss.
6. Sign Jason Marquis via free agency
The Mets have enough risks already, don’t they? While the roster is already riddled with them (as well as my proposal to add two more), you need to add someone that you can depend on. I considered others, like John Garland, Joel Pineiro and Randy Wolf, but I think Marquis is the best option that fits into the budget.
He’s a groundball pitcher who has struggled with the longball a bit in the past, something that would be limited in CitiField. Is he a spectacular option? Of course not, but he can be penciled in for at least 190 innings and quite possibly with an ERA in the 3.75-4.10 range.
Of the options I considered, I also think he is the one who is probable signable in the $5-6 million a year range, so that’s the direction we’ll go here (if they can find the money to sign Randy Wolf along with the other moves, he would be my top choice).
7. Sign Marlon Byrd via free agency
This may not be the popular pick, but he fits the Mets needs. While he’s not the prototypical #5 hitter, he spent 287 AB hitting fourth and fifth for a Texas Rangers team that was one of the best offenses in the game.
He had 65 extra base hits last season, 43 of which were doubles. That certainly would play well in the confines of CitiField. He’s not slow and would do a good job lengthening the Mets line-up.
He also is a solid defensive outfielder, exactly what the Mets need. Is he a Gold Glover? No, but with Carlos Beltran & Jeff Francoeur, he’s a perfect fit.
Coming off a career season where he made just over $3 million, the 32-year old could easily sign 3 year, $21 million contract (if not a little bit more). Throw in some incentive bonuses and it’s a perfect match.
8. Trade Angel Pagan, Reese Havens & Daniel Murphy to the Toronto Blue Jays for Lyle Overbay, David Purcey & Jeremy Accardo (or some other relief pitcher like Brian Tallet)
This is the type of trade where Omar Minaya has done well with in the past. Remember, both John Maine and Oliver Perez were seen as “throw-ins” when they were originally acquired, yet they became important cogs in the rotation (at least for a little while). Purcey has the same type of upside and would give the team tremendous depth.
While Overbay may not be the most popular choice, he is a solid bat and a good glove, the things the Mets really need at the position. He could be the same type of player as John Olerud was for the team, another former Blue Jay that they imported. His contract also expires after the 2010 season, opening up the position for Ike Davis, if he is ready to take it.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Let’s look at how things would stand if the Mets followed my plan:
Line-up:
Reyes, SS
Figgins, 2B
Wright, 3B
Beltran, CF
Byrd, RF
Overbay, 1B
Francoeur, LF
Shoppach, C
Rotation Options:
Johan Santana
Erik Bedard
Jason Marquis
Mike Pelfrey
John Maine
Oliver Perez
David Purcey
Rich Hill
Jon Niese
I’ll call this the Boston Plan, taking low-risk gambles on a group of pitchers and hoping that a few of them pan out. With the group that they have here, I would be comfortable. They’d have the depth to handle injuries and could move someone like Maine to the bullpen if need be.
The offense may not look spectacular, but you have a line-up that is solid from 1 through 8, as well as some pop at every spot after the top two. You also have a much stronger defensive team, which is exactly what the Mets should be looking to build.
Obviously, there are a few other moves that need to be made. They need to add a relief pitcher or two (Chad Bradford would be a good fit) and some solid bench options (how about Rocco Baldelli). Those are just as important as the rest of the moves I’ve mentioned, but they are interchangeable. You never know which relief pitcher is going to emerge. There are other bench options that are available.
No, it’s not going to be the most popular plan, because it lacks the big splash many want to see the Mets make, but that is not necessarily needed. What they need to do is be smart, fill all of their holes and add plenty of depth. If they can do that, they should once again be competitive in the NL East.
What do you think of this? What moves would you make? Which do you think are bad ideas?
For more Fantasy Info visit me at rotoprofessor.com.
About the Author: Former Writers
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I like it, I like it alot. Its real easy for people to say just go sign Matt Holliday and trade the farm for Roy Halliday and that will fix the Mets. I really enjoy reading posts such as this where you build the team with small moves and lower the expectations. Thank you Eric for a great post and I hope to read more of your work in the future.
You should just note that Lyle Overbay was basically a platoon player in ’09. He had only 79 at bats against lefties – hitting .190 with 1 hr and 8 RBI.
It’s a fair concern, but consider his averages against lefties from ’04-’07:
2004 – .298
2005 – .269
2006 – .284
2007 – .286
I would agree that a competent back-up would certainly be needed, but the concerns of him against lefties, at least to me, isn’t a huge one given his long-term track record.
Eric.
I don’t know much about the pitchers. I know I’m in the minority but I’d rather keep Murphy than get Overbay, all other players aside. I just think Murphy has the potential to break through this year.
I’d like your opinion on another trade that Mets62 is proposing.
Pelfrey, Maine and Murphy for Prince Fielder.
It’s my opinion that the Brewers would never do this. You are giving them 3 question mark players for a star. You should read what Mets62 is saying on the JJ Putz article.
DANNY, MAY I FURTHER ADD MY SPECULATION THAT I BELIEVE IF THIS 3 WAY WERE TO HAPPEN, FROM A METS PERSPECTIVE IT’S MORE ABOUT MOVING CASTILLO THAN ATTAINING OVERBAY. I BELIEVE OVERBAY MAY BE A MEANS TO AN END, CHRIS SNYDER AS #2C BEHIND MOLINA. GIVING BOTH SANTOS(AAA) & THOLE(AA) MUCH NEEDED PLAYING TIME OFF THE MLB ACTIVE ROSTER. THE REAL MET ACCOMPLISHMENT WOULD BE UPGRADING C, 1B & 2B EVENTUALLY & ADDING TO Cing DEPTH THAT’S MUCH NEEDED.
WHETHER THE ULTIMATE 1B FOR ’10 IS FIELDER OR GONZALES IS YET TO BE SEEN. THE GM MEETINGS ARE TYPICALLY SETUPS FOR DEALS IN WINTER MEETINGS OF EARLY DEC.
SNYDER WOULD BE A GOOD TRADE CHIP TO HAVE IN JULY SHOULD SOMEONE BE DESPERATE TO REPL AN INJURED STARTER AS WELL AS EXCELLENT DEPTH BEHIND AN AGING VET LIKE MOLINA OR BARAJAS. THE CASTILLO/OVERBAY DEAL MAY BE LIKE THE BENSON.JULIO ONE INASMUCH AS JULIO WAS MOVED ON FOR DUQUE EVENTUALLY WITH MAINE AS THE ADDED BONUS U GET TO KEEP IF NOT SATISFIED(LMAO).
I find it hard to believe the Brewers would take a combination of Murphy, Maine & Pelfrey for Fielder. If they are going to trade Prince, you have to think that they are going to take a high level pitcher for him, someone along the lines of a Buchholz.
That’s just me, though. I could be wrong.
ERIC, I UNDERSTAND YOUR THINKING; BUT YOUR THINKING IS VERY SOUND FOR A FAN WHO ANTICIPATES HIS TEAM BEING AN ACTUAL CONTENDER. MILWALKEE IS NOT & HASN’T BENN AN ACTUAL CONTENDER SINCE THE DAYS OF HARVEY’S WALLBANGERS WITH MOLITOR & YOUNT. EAMON McINERNERY RECENTLY(I THINK ACCURATLY) DESCRIBED MAINE & PELF AS PITCHERS NOT QUITE UP TO HIGH PRESSURE CRUNCH TIME BASEBALL; IT’S BEEN DECADES SINCE THOSE CONDITIONS WERE EVER IN MILWALKEE, IF EVER THEY WERE. BREWS, I’M SURE, WOULD JUMP AT A POTENTIAL 20G WINNER; BUT I BELIEVE WOULD SETTLE FOR 2 POTENTIAL 15 GAMERS(CHEAP & CONTROLABLE FOR YRS) I’M CERTAIN PETERSON COULD ASSIST SELLING THEM AS. IN THE NY FAN ARENA, WE EXPECT GREATNESS & TOLERATE GOODNESS. OUTSIDE THAT ARENA AMONGST TEAMS WHO TARGET JUST A PLAYOFF BERTH, GODDNESS IS GREATNESS. WITH FIELDER THE BREWS HAVE FELL SHORT OF POSTSEASON APPEARANCES IN MOST YEARS, ONLY AFTER THEY STRENGTHENED THEIR ROTATION WITH CC (I COULD EASILY SELL A COMBO OF MAINE & PELF SUPPLYING AT LEAST AS MANY WINS COMBINED AS WERE LOST IN CC) DID THEY ACHIEVE THEIR GOAL OF A BERTH. FIELDER COMPLETES NYM NOT BREWS. STRONGER ROTATION COULD COMPLETE BREWS. AND THEY’VE SWTATED A TARGET TO ADD 2 ESTABLISHED SP(QUANTITY ESTABLISHED BY GM, QUALITY LEFT UNSPECIFIED; MELVIN DID NOT SAY” I WANT TO ADD 2 QUALITY VETERAN SP” AS WE’D EXPECT FROM CASH OR OMAR) IN FACT, WHEN ASKED DIRECTLY BY REPORTERS IF EITHER BRAUN OR FIELDER WERE TRADABLE TOWARD THAT GOAL. HE DENIED IT BY TALKING FEAR OF THE FANBASE. THIS IS WHERE SALESMANSHIP SHOULD STEP UP & ADVANTAGE TAKEN OF PETERSON’S FAMILIARITY WITH HIS 2 PRIZED STUDENTS & DOUG MELVIN GETS SOLD ON IDEA HE COULD ACTUALLY SELL IT TO FANS IF MURPHY WERE ADDED TO THOSE 2 SP.
I think its a solid and realistic plan. It’s a competitive team and leaves our options open and allows us to think long term. Only drawback to the lineup you propose is that it lacks some power. However, I’d be willing to trade that if it means we have lockdown pitching and we can always acquire a bat down the line. I would be very happy if we had a scrappy (and healthy!) team like the one above. At the very least, it would be entertaining to watch.
CAPSLOCK=DISABILITY ACCOMODATION
I ADMIT I’M NOT A FANTASY LEAGUER & REALLY NOT AN AMBIANCE BASEBALL FAN. WHAT I AM IS A METS’ FAN, THROUGH & THROUGH, TO ME THER’S NOTHING MORE BORING THAN A BASEBALL GAME I DON’T HAVE A ROOTING INTEREST IN, IN FACT, THIS PAST POSTSEASON I MOSTLY WATCHED REG TV PROGRAMMING ONLY JUMPING BACK TO THE GAMES DURING COMMERCIALS TO CHECK ON THE SCORE. AS SUCH, I’LL REFRAIN AS NOT KNOWLEDGABLE ENOUGH TO EVALUATE MANY OF YOUR ACQUISITIONS.
RE. YOUR LINEUP: BELTRAN @ CLEANUP? REALLY? I’VE YET TO SEE HIM LOOK COMFORTABLE IN THAT ROLE REGARDLESS OF CARYING THE BEST POWER STATS OF THAT PARTICULAR LINEUP. I’M ALSO UNSURE HOW ANYONE CAN QUESTION REYES’ RETURN @ AGE 27 & RECOMMENDING AN ALMOST PAST PRIME REPLACEMENT.
I’M A TIP OF MY FINGER FAN, INASMUCH AS I JUDGE A PLAYER’S ABILITIES MORE BY WHAT I ACTUALLY SEE THAN HIS REAMS OF ALPHABET SOUP STATS. WITH MY TONGUE FIRMLY EMBEDDED IN MY CHEEK. I HAVE TO ASK IF THAT BOSTON PLAN IS FREFERRING TO THEIR 80 SOMEODD YR DROUGHT PERIOD? TO ME, IT’D FAIRLY SIMPLE, TRADE FOR FIELDER(10.5M), SIGN MOLINA 2Y/12M, SIGN LACKEY 4Y/70M,SIGN MARQUIS 4Y/60M GO TO WAR! TOTAL COST 50M. ABSORB OVERAGE WITH POSTSEASON ADD’L REVENUE.
REYES
BELTRAN
WRIGHT
FIELDER
MOLINA
FRANCOUER
LF (PAGAN?,CRAWFORD?, BAY? WHOEVER’S AFFORDABLE)
CASTILLO
PITCHER
ROTATION:
SANTANA
LACXKEY
MARQUIS
PEREZ
TBD(NIESE,NIEVE,MISCH,NON-TENDERED P/U)
OBVIOUSLY, IF A CRAWFORD & FIELDER DEAL WERE TO OCCUR (NON EXCLUSIVE OF EACH OTHER AS FIELDER WOULD COST SP & MLB ROSTER TYPES & CRAWFORD MOSTLY TOP PROSPECTS) I’D BAT CRAWFORD #2 & BELTRAN #3 WITH WRIGHT #5 ALL OTHERS DROP ONE ACCORDINGLY.
THE DDEPEST, LONGEST LINEUP I SEE WOULD BE THAT:
REYES,CRAWFORD,BELTRAN,FIELDER,WRIGHT,MOLINA,FRANCOUER,CASTILLO,PITCHER
WHILE WE’RE DREAMING, MOST INTERESTING IS ACCORDING TO COTS(WJILE MOST PUNDITS ONLY LOOK AT BIGGEST $ COMING OFF) COTS SHOWS A STARTING ’10 COMMITMENT OF 92,113,000 MEANING 50M ONLY RESTORES LAST YRS STARTING PAYROLL LEVEL. DOUBTERS?
http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=p4ew-fwu2XT3cpPRtt9qIGw
I love the way you put this together and it is definitely within reach. people say that the Mets have a horrible farm system but they could honestly pull off a trade to get Fielder. The only problem i could find is that i would find a way to get rid of Perez and definitely keep Maine.
Rick Peterson is signed with the Brewers and i could see him working with perez again to get him back to 15 wins. John Maine also did very well with him and i could see either of them being put in a trade. I would also see murphy as a guy that would be traded for Fielder. he is a hard worker and he will do well at the position. you add in a prospect or two and you have yourself prince fielder. if the mets would eat a bit of oli’s contract that could help as well.
ANDY, DON’T GET GREEDY ON ME. METS EAT LARGE CONTRACT PORTIONS? IN WHAT DIMENSION? TWILIGHT ZONE? REMEMBER DUQUETTE WAS ORDERED TO DISESSEMBLE PJHILIPS’ VET ROSTER & HE COULD’VE UPPED THE PROSPECT RETURN BY INCL CASH; BUT WAS ORERED BY JEFF NOT TO(THE REAL REASON, IN MY OPINION, FOR OUR CRUMBLING PIPELINE) OMAR ONLY INHERITED MILLEDGE AS REMAINING “TOP”
PROSPECT. ALOMAR, BENITEZ, BURNITZ, VENTURA, ZEILLE ALL DEALT WITH ONLY ROYCE RING AS A NON SUSPECT(PROSPECT).
INCL LARGE CASH & METS Are INCOMPATIBLE WORDS IN ANY SENTENCE.
UNFORTTUNATLY, I BELIEVE WE’;RE STUCK PRAYING FOR AN OLLIE REJUVENATION BY WARTHEN.
I agree that some trades need to be made. I would love to see holliday, marquis and wolf signed. Maybe pelfrey and Perez can be traded to get a 1st baseman like A-Gon or Fielder maybe even sign branyan to play first. i Agree with signing Molina also. My lineup is:
Reyes
Castillo or Hudson
Beltran
Holliday
A-Gon/Fielder
Wright
Molina
Francour
Pitcher
Rotation:
Santana
Holliday
Wolf
Maine
Marquis
Any thoughts?
Honestly, I would KILL for that lineup/roster, but is it really realistic? Reyes, Castillo, Beltran, Holliday, A-Gon, Wright, Molina, Francour would seriously be one of the best lineups in the majors no doubt, plenty of balance, and power too. Great lineup. Santana
,Halladay, Wolf, Maine, Marquis would be one of the best rotations in the majors, arguably the best. I really feel like this team would definitely be contending for the playoffs and WS… But I don’t really know if the mets could afford it, and if they could, would they be able to afford the prospects to get both A-gon AND Halladay?
I actually like Marlon Byrd, Overbay and Shoppach. Byrd was the fastest 300 pound outfielder I ever saw years back. I did not realize Overbay was platooned last year. You would think a hitter like that could handle lefties. I like him as a stopgap for and if Davis ever comes around. I do not want Molina-he is fat, lazy and old. This should not be a retirement colony for the fat, lazy and old. Getting rid of Cstillo is always a good idea. Do not know about the #2 pitcher though. Bedard is a bit of a basket case. And I lost a lot of my liking for Figgins watching him in these playoffs. Good post. I would rather do these kinds of moves and leave something really big and expensive for Omar’s inevitable replacement.
JDON, BENGIE’D BE AN EXCELLENT PLACEHOLDER ON A 2Y/12M DEAL FOR SANTOS & THOLE. HIS 20 HR WOULDN’T HURT FAT & OLD CAN STILL SQUAT & TROT AROUND THE BASES. I PREFER HIS LEADING THE PITCHING STAFF TO BARAJAS. AGE BETWEEN THEM ISN’T TOO GREAT; BUT AS A STOPGAP BOTH WOULD BE SCHNEIDER UPGRADES. IF RUMORED 2 WAY NETTING OVERBAY FOR CASTILLO ARE TRUE, I WOULDN’T BE SHOCKED TO SEE OVERBAY DEALT TO SNAKES FOR SNYDER AS THE UNDERSTUDY TO MOLINA INSTEAD OF SANTOS WITH SNYDER POTENTIALLY MOVED MID-SEASON FOR SANTOS PROMOTION. BOTH SANTOS & THOLE COULD USE MORE SEASONING, THESE POTENTIAL MOVES BUYS US THAT RELATIVLY CHEAPLY. AS FANS, THIS OFFSEASON, WE’LL NEED TO MAINTAIN OUR FLEXIBILITY AS I THINK OMAR WILL LIKELY HAVE A LOT OF IRONS HEATING ON THE STOVE.
Frankly, given I believe the Mets GM is really Jeff Wilpon, the first thing I would do is fire Omar Minaya. Then I would fire Jerry Manual.
I have no idea where I would go with respect to a new GM but I am hoping that someone in the front office comes to their senses and brings Bobby V back.
As for the roster moves you suggest, I have no interest in Figgins, Byrd or Shoppage ….
I am of the opinion that we are stuck with Luis Castillo for two more years so I am not even considering a change at 2B. I’d consider Molina on a 2-year deals as C, if he is healthy, I would like Xavier Nady back to use in a RH/LH platoon with Murphy at 1B.
Nice job, but I have a question and would add one change. First, is there a reason why you put Francoeur in LF and Byrd in RF? Also, I dont believe you really solved the problem that bedeviled the Mets last season, lack of power. I like Figgins, and could live with Byrd, but somehow we need to get 35 homers out of 1B or LF, and Overbay doesn’t cut it. Or we could keep Overbay and upgrade Byrd. I dont think we solve anything by not bringing in a true slugger.
Are you serious?? Marlon Byrd and Lyle Overbay? We’re trying to put a championship caliber team on the field, and I dont see how either of those players will help. We need to go after Matt Holliday or Jason Bay for left field. I like Chone Figgins but is he good defensively at secodn?
I would rather give Sheets the incentive laden deal over Bedard. Sheets would challenge for a Cy Young if healthy. Either way its a big risk, but Sheets has more reward attached to it.
Don’t be fooled by what u saw out of holliday in st. Louis. I believe that he will be a gap hitter especially early in the year where the ball doesn’t carry well. He will be the highest paid free agent and I don’t think it’ll be worth the money. We all saw how great he did in oakland and he won’t be batting in front of pujols in NY
KEVIN, IF OMAR TRULY IS ON A “WIN NOW” SHORT LEASH, I VERY MUCH DOUBT U’LL SEE AS MANY GAMBLES SUCH AS SHEETS(WHAT IS HIS STATUS re. HEALTH?)
THINK MORE SURE THINGS THAN LONGSHOTS, WOULDN’T U IF YOUR GUN ONLY HAD 1 BULLET?
Mets62 – Let’s talk Prince Fielder more.
The Brewers want to try to win their division next year. The NL Central is not very strong. So they don’t want to trade Fielder yet. If they fall out of it,they can trade him in July. They certainly can afford the 10.5 Million next year.
As far as Pelfrey goes, his value is down due to a bad season. Maine’s value is way down as he hasn’t been healthy in 2 years. And every Mets fan doesn’t want him on our team so why do you think he has any value to the Brewers.
Remember I am only talking about next year, not the year after when Fielder could make $20M
DANNY? A PLAYER WITHOUT VALUE TO HIS PRESENT TEAM IS USUALY THE TYPICAL GUY TRADED TO A TEAM THAT DOES VALUE HIM FOR WHATEVER REASON, CALL IT THE OLD “CHANGE OF SCENERY” RATIONALE. BREWS JUST HIRED RICK PETERSON TO BE THEIR PC AFTER AN EXHAUSTIVE SEARCH FOR THE PURPOSES OF IMPROVING THEIR MAJOR LEAGUE WORST 5.1+ ROTATIONAL ERA*. DO YOU KNOW A BETTER WAY, WITH THEIR FINANCIAL LIMITATIONS, TO HELPING HIM BE SUCCESSFUL THAN ACQUIRING 2 OF HIS TOP STUDENTS OF RECENT YRS?
CAN’T U HEAR RICK DUSTING OFF HIS OLD 10MIN FIX ARGUMENT? BREWS AREN’T GOING TO GO FOR TOP TIER PITCHING LIKE POTENTIAL 20 GAME WINNERS. ONE COULD EASILY ARGUE BOTH PELFREY & A HEALTHY MAINE COULD BE 15G WINNERS REUNITED WITH PETERSON. HELL MAINE ALREADY ACCOMPLISHED IT IN THE EAST DIV. PELF DID 13, RICK COULD POINT TO BOTH RECENT SLIPPAGES AS CAUSED BY HIS ABSENCE. #1 BREWS CAN’T AFFORD FIELDER’S 30M OVER 2Y & IF THEY CHOOSE TO DEAL HIM UNDER A 20M ARBI AWARD YR WHO’S THE MKT? NOT NYY THEY’VE TEX LONGTERM, NOT PHILLY, NOT NYM THEY’LL HAVE DAVIS READY TO START, NO ONE KNOWS WHAT DIVORCE COURT WILL DO TO LAD FINANCIALLY. REMEMBER 66% OF ALL TEAMS PREFER THE >100M PAYROLL LEVEL. ONLY 33% SEE THEMSELVES AS WS CONTENDERS. THE REVENUE SHARING FORMULA SO DEPENDED ON BY MID-MKT TEAMS IS UP IN THE AIR WITH CB EXPIRING RELATIVLY SOON. THAT’S A PERNDING HUGE IMPACT ON TEAMS LIKE BREWS. WITH PUJOLS & BERKMAN BOTH ON MKT AFTER THIS YR DEALING SUCH A HIGH COST FIELDER NOT SO EASY. UNLIKELY TO GET BETTER RETURN THAN 2 MLB EXPERIENCED YOUNG, INEXPENSIVE SP & A 1B BACKFILL REGARDLESS OF NYM FAN PERCEPTIONS.
*2009 BREWCREW ROTATION
LOOPER 14-7 5.22ERA,1.49WHIP
SUPPAN 7-12 5.29ERA,1.69WHIP
GALLARDO 13-12 3.73 ERA 1.31WHIP
PARRA 11-11 6.36ERA 1.83WHIP
BUSH 5-9 6.38ERA, 1.47WHIP
THERE ARE SOME THAT BELIEVE LOOPER WILL NOT ACTIVATE HIS PART OF HIS ’10 6M MUTUAL OPTION(NOT PARTICULARLY LIKING PETERSON FR NY & BELIEVING 14W WORTH MORE THAN 6M)
CONTEXT & CONTENT ARE IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS REMEMBER BREWS’ SABATHIA PARLAY WAS AN ANAMOLY FOR THAT SM-MID MKT FRANCHISE.
Lackey comes to NY I think he will be a yankee as well. U watch, the Mets will not spend on big,top tier FA’s, if they do anything, it will be a SP via trade like Halliday or something. U watch they will trade Luis Castillo for like Milton Bradley or something to play LF, then sign Orlando Hudson to play 2b, they will sign Pudge to C for like 1 million or something, they will sign Troy Glaus for a million to be the right handed compliment to Murphy, maybe even create a open competition for 1b. They sign Biemel for 2m. They sign Randy Wolf for like 3 yrs for say 8 mil or something. So lets see…
Reyes-SS, Hudson-2b, Beltran-CF, Wright-3b, Bradley-LF, Franceour-RF, Murphy/Glaus-1b, Pudge-C
Rotation-Santana, Wolf, Perez, Pelfrey and Maine
Bullpen-K-rod, Biemel, Parnell, Stokes, Felicano, Figueroura
Boy…….if that is the team come spring, they better trade for Roy Halliday before the Phillies get him, especially if the Mets expect to sell tickets.
are you serious????
let me just say it beofre anyone else does: THAnK GOD YOU”RE NOT A GM.
1.) luis castillo for nate roberston…cmon really??? roberston makes more money than castillo and luis was one of the best players the mets had this year…and roberston well, hes nate roberston…
2.) marlon byrd is ok, but he’s not the power hitting outfielder this team desperately needs…and lets not forget he put up those OK numbers in texas, they will surely take a dip in citi field.
3.) trading good players to toronto for an unproven starter, a mediocre reliver and free agent to be first basemen…i mean when i read this proposal i thought you were talking about gettting roy halladay…but seriously dude…thank god your not a gm.
4.) the only good moves i liked were getting schopach.
There is so much confusion as to whether the Mets do or don’t have the trade chips to get SP Roy Halliday, do the Mets have the trade chips to get him? I was reading this quote from the Toronto Star- “The ideal package for Halladay would include a young mid-rotation starter with an upside, a top pitching prospect, a possible major-league shortstop and an outfield prospect.” Would Pelfrey, Mejja, Fernando Martinez and either SS Wilmer Flores or SS Reben Tejada get it done? I just don’t want to wake up one day and find out the Phillies have Halladay, Cliff Lee and Hamels in their rotation u know.
ANTHONY, I WOULDN’T BE OVERLY CONCERNED ABOUT PHILLIES SUBSTANTIALLY INCREASING THEIR PAYROLL FROM THEIR ’09 POSITION AS #5 @ 128M. THEIR DECISION NOT TO RETAIN FELIZ & MYERS MAY SUBTLY BE A MISTAKE. TYPICALLY THE PHL’S REACH DOES NOT EXTEND TO THE TOP SHELVES OF THE MARKET. IT’S PRETTY OBVIOUS THAT THEY HAVE CHOSEN THE POLAR OPPOSITE DIRECTION FROM NYM REGARDING PHILOSOPHY OF TEAM BUILDING, OPTING FOR POWER PUNCH SUITED TO THEIR CIGARBOX SIZED BALLFIELD. GUESS GIGAR BOX IS WHAT THE CB REALLY STANDS FOR & NOT CITIZENS’ BANK. CERTAINLY THEY NEED MORE PITCHING & HAVE USUALLY OPTED FOR MID OPTIONS SUCH AS EYRE & PARK IN PEN, A DOWN LISDGE FOR CLOSER(DOWN WHEN P/U) ONLY IN NY & BOSTON BASEBBALL MECCAS ARE DUAL ACES SO PRIZED. THEY’VE SHOT THEIR LOAD ON LEE & WILL WAIT FOR HAMELS TO STABILIZE WHILE LIKELY ADDING MORE SUPPLENMNTAL POWER TO OFFENSE. WE MAY BE IN A BIT OF A DILEMMA WITH OMAR AS LAMEDUCK HAVING ONE SHOT AT COMPLEETING HIS “MISSION” OR ELSE. WE CAN LIKELY DISCOUNT L/T GAMBLES AS POSSIBILITIES. IF BUDGET IS TIGHTER & TRENDS HOLD, THESE GM MEETINGS TYPICALLY ARE MORE ABOUT GROUNDWORK THAN GROUNDBREAKING DEALS.
METS WILL NOT SPEND FOR TOP TIER FREE AGENTS
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/mets/2009/11/10/2009-11-10_insider_says_mets_wont_pay_top_dollar_for_pricey_free_agents.html
CHICAGO – Omar Minaya arrived at the GM meetings Monday night maintaining it was his obligation to investigate the price of top-tier free agents. However, a team insider told the Daily News he expected the salary demands of outfielders Matt Holliday and Jason Bay to be too high for the Mets.
Instead, they expect to sign a left fielder from the second tier of free agents, or acquire one via trade, a team source said. Picking up a power bat in left field would allow the Mets to follow through on their intention of using Daniel Murphy as the primary first baseman in 2010.
One report listed Mike Cameron as a potential target for left field because of his power and defense, but a source close to the ex-Met didn’t see a match because Cameron still wants to play center. A team official would not rule out Carlos Delgado returning, but portrayed it as unlikely unless Delgado accepts a low-cost, one-year deal.
The Mets also need a No. 1 catcher so that Josh Thole can open 2010 at Triple-A Buffalo, but the free-agent class does not excite the organization. The preference clearly appears to be Bengie Molina, although the length of Molina’s contract demand could force the Mets to turn elsewhere. The Mets also hope to re-sign Alex Cora as the backup middle infielder, although the fact Scott Boras is Cora’s agent has team officials concerned he could go elsewhere.
Luis Castillo, who is owed $12 million over two years, continues to be trade bait, as a way to create room to sign Orlando Hudson. Foxsports.com reported a potential three-way deal in which Castillo goes to the Cubs, Milton Bradley to the Blue Jays and Lyle Overbay to the Mets, but that was portrayed as a longshot.
The Mets got some less-than-stellar news from the Elias Sports Bureau. Elias, which computes the statistical rankings, determined the Mets would receive no draft-pick compensation if Brian Schneider, J.J. Putz or Cora signs elsewhere. (Neither Putz nor Schneider is expected to be re-signed.) Delgado or Fernando Tatis, as Type B free agents, would yield a sandwich pick between the first and second rounds.
However, the Mets can’t offer the arbitration to Delgado required to gain that pick because of the high salary he could command in arbitration if he accepted.
Gary Sheffield, who will not return, filed for free agency Monday.
No matter what Omar does, he better do whatever he has to do to make sure Roy Halladay does not end up in Philly, if he does, u won’t see mets fans buying tickets for sure.
If Halladay becomes a Philly, our goose is cooked.
MetsFan 62
I remain unconvinced of your arguments. The bottom line is that Fielder hit 46 HR with 141 RBI, hit .299 with a .412 OBP and a 1.014 OPS.
Under NO circumstances would the Brewers ever part with Fielder for Murphy, Maine and Pelfrey.
DANNY, VERY IMPRESSIVE, YET EVEN WITH THAT AWESOME PRODUCTION THE BREWS WERE 80-82 THIRD IN THEIR DIV 11 GB & 12GB IN W/C
THEY CAN’T KEEP FIELDER BEYOND ’10 DUE TO UNAFFORDABLLY HUGE ARBI AWARD LIKELY. DON’T IMAGINE ANY OTHER TEAM OFFERRING 3 VETTED MAJOR LEAGUERS WITH 2 ROTATION QUALITY ARMS BETTER THAN THEY CURRENTLY POSSESS. AS THE EXPRESSION GOES THEY CAN LOSE WITH HIM & WITHOUT HIM THE DIFFERENCE IS $10,000,000 FOR A TEAM WITH ONLY AN 80,000,000 TOTAL PAYROLL THAT’S A BIG DIFFERENCE, JUST TO LOSE BETTER. THEY LOST DUE TO INEFFECTIVE PITCHING, THEY’VE LITTLE ELSE TO OFFER THAT’S ACTUALLY NOT A ‘?’.
THEIR ONLY PLAYOFF APPEARANCE IN PAST 30 YRS WAS WHEN THEY IMPROVED THEIR PITCHING. PRINCE HAS BEEN A REG CONTRIBUTOR WITH AWESOME NUMBERS INCL A 50HR SEASON SINCE ’05, YET ONLY AFTER THEY BLUDGEONED THEIR FARM FOR CC DID THEY MAKE THE POSTSEASON.
AGAIN, HELP ME UNDERSTAND WHERE THE LINE FORMS OF TEAMS OFFERRING TO SPEND 30M+ FOR A 1B REGARDLESS HOW PRODIGEOUS AS WELL AS OFFERRING 3 BONA FIDE MAJOR LEAGUE CONTRIBUTORS.
PLEASE TRY TO UNDERSTAND MOST TEAMS AREN’T VIEWED BY THEIR FRONTOFFICES AS WS POTENTIAL.
I think it is also important to look not just at 2010, but 2011 as well. There are long-term implications to every move and bringing in Overbay ($7 mil) and Robertson ($10 mil) means that there is a big chunk of money that will be at the Mets disposal for 2011, where free agents could include Joe Mauer, Josh Beckett, Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Brandon Webb and Javier Vazquez. Obviously, not all of them are going to reach the market, but what if one or two of them do?
ERIC, IF AS REPORTED, OMAR IS FACED WITH A “WIN OR BE FIRED” SITUATION THIS YR, I DOUBT HE’D BE INCLINED TO SACRIFICE SHORT TERM FOR LONG RANGE. THAT’S THE PRICE TO BE PAID BY OWNERSHIP FOR CREATING THAT “FINAL YR” SCENERIO.
If omar is in a win or fired situation and he is allowed to make 1 prospects for star trade, i think he goes the Halliday route, if he is going to go down fighting, it’s with Santana and Halliday on the mound.
ANTHONY, THAT’D BE A VERY GOOD START; BUT HE’S FOCUSED ON OFFENSE & THERE ARE OTHER SP OUT THERE AS POTENTOAL BACKFILLS FOR A DEALT SP WHICH HE MAY NEED TO DO Re. PELF,MAINE. MARQUIS IS AN OBVIOUS #3 CANDIDATE; BUT ONE POSSIBLE LOW RISK HIGH REWARD SP MAIGHT BE CARPENTER, WHO’S GETTING VERY LITTLE ATTENTION. DESPITE HIS INJURY ISSUES CARPENTER DID MANAGE 28GS IN ’09 AMASSING A 17-4 RECORD W/2.24 ERA, 1.01 WHIP & ONLY SURRENDERED 7 HR IN 193 IP IMAGINE WHAT CITI CAVERNS COULD DO TO ENHANCE THAT PRODUCTION!
Mets62Fan, I understand that, which is why I remind you that this column wasn’t what I though would happen, it’s the plan that I think should happen. We all know those are two completely different things
I like the idea of Shoppach. The Mets should have no excuse at coming up with a good catcher to add to the roster. They can select from Shoppach, Kendall, and Zaun. Forget Molina because of his speed or lack thereof.
MASK, MY FRIEND YOUR SHOPPACH COMMENT HAS YET TO POST; BUT I COULDN;T WAIT TO CONGRATULATE YOYU ON YOUR GREAT ACCOMPLISHMENT!
WHAT ACCOMPLISHMENT YOU MIGHT ASK…
THE ACCOMPLISHMENT OF INCLUDING THE 2 WORDS CATCHER & SPEED IN THE SAME SENTENCE AND MEANING IT…LMAO!
HOW CAN U POSSIBLY ADVOCATE KENDALL & ZAUN OVER MOLINA DUE TO LACK OF SPEED?
FLABERGASTED…’62
Possibly because I’ve seen them all play and Molina is the slowest player in baseball. That’s why.
By the way, how long a contract do you propose to give Molina? With Thole a year or less away, we only need an interim catcher for 2010. The 2 guys I recommend can be picked up for a modest sum for a year. They will handle catching duties and leave more $ to sign for the power positions and pitching. Molina will be much more expensive and require a longer contract that will clog up the basepaths in the small ball world. So with Thole in the offing, age is irrelevant. The ones I suggest have average speed vs Molina who essentially crawls from base to base. I suggest that we get our power elsewhere than from the catching position.
MASK, MOLINA IS ON RECORD AS WANTING A 2Y DEAL & I’D PROPOSE A 2/12M ONE GIVING US 1Y OF FULLTIME #1C & 1Y OF THOLE BRIDGE TUTORIDIGE. MOLINA IS AN EXCELLENT HANDLER OF YOUNG PITCHERS FROM FIRST TO LAST PITCH OF A GAME. INCL RELIEVERS, AN EXPERIENCED HISPANIC BACKSTOP OF HIS STATURE MAY DO WELL REHABILITATING & REEVALUATING OUR LONE STINKER PITCHING CONTRACT(PEREZ). KENDALL ISN’T MUCH OF A SCHNEIDER IMPROVEMENT WHILE ZAUN’S ANCIENT & ONLY GOOD FOR >HALF A SEASON # OF GAMES. OF THE 3 THERE’S REALLY NOTHING TO GET EXCITED OVER; BUT AT LEAST BENGIE BRINGS FAMILIARITY WITH LACKEY(+/-? UNKNOWN). SURE BENGIE’S JUST ONE MORE HISPANIC PLAYER; BUT IT IS WHAT IT IS SO WHY NOT EMBRACE IT. HE’LL BRING A STRONGER HISPANIC LEADERSHIP THAN HIS PREDECESSORS. THAT CAN’T BE DETRIMENTAL AND AS PERTINENT AS A C WITH SPEED, HAVE U NOT HEARD THE EXPRESSION, “FAST FOR A CATCHER?” ARE U AFRAID TO BE BORED WAITING LONGER FOR HIS ROUTE AROUND THE BASES 10 MORE TIMES THAN THOSE U ADVOCATE? LINCECUM, CAINE, SANCHEZ, PENNY,UNIT BOTH YOUNG & OLD TALENT HANDLED QUITE EFFECTIVLY HAS TO BE WORTH SOMETHING > “SPEED FROM A CATCHER” HERE’S ONE FOR YOU…FASTEST MET CATCHER?: JOHN STEARNS, MOST FAMOUS SPEED ACCOMPLISHMENT?: CATCHING & TACKLING ‘CHIEF KNOCKAHOMER’ AFTER MOUND WAR DANCE INTERCEPTING SPRINT TO OUTFIELD TEEPEE FROM OUT OF DUGOUT.
Mets62
I’ll bet you that Thole is on the major league team before the all star break. I wouldn’t give Molina a 2 year contract.
Just because he wants one, doesn’t mean anyone will give it.
I am not talking about catchers with dazzling speed. I am talking about average speed faster than a snail. Certainly Molina can provide some power. I prefer to save the $ that would be spent on his contract and spend them for the long haul in the OF and at 1B to fill the power needs. We need an interim catcher and there are lower priced guys who fit the bill to hold the slot while Thole develops further. Kendall and Zaun are serviceable for that purpose as is Shoppach. Why commit the $ and the time to Molina when Thole is on the doorstep?
MASK, LET’S FACE IT THE ONLY REASON FOR NEEDING A CATCHER IS BECAUSE BETWEEN SANTOS & THOLE > 162G MLB CATCHING EXPERIENCE AND WE’RE LOOKING TO UPGRADE SCHNEIDER. THIS YRS CROP IS FROM HUNGER & IF IT COULD’VE MATTERED IN ’09 PERHAPS WE WOULD’VE BEEN IN ON MARTINEZ; BUT IT WOULDN’T HAVE MATTERED SO WE WEREN’T THROWING MORE $ DOWN THE RAT HOLE, SO WE’RE STUCK WITH A FEW UNATTRACTIVEOPTIONS. TRAdING ANY PROSPECTS FOR ONE IS LUDICROUS & SNYDER IS TOO EXPENSIVE FOR PRODUCTION EXPECTED EVEN IF HE ULTIMATLY ONLY COST CASTILLO. BET KENDALL,ZAUN,MOLINA, BARAJAS THERE REALLY ISN’T MUCH PALATABLE. BUT TO SPECIFY SPEED AS YOUR BIGGEST CONCERN? THANKS, I HAVEN’T SMILED SO BIG ALL MORNING! LMAO OVER & OVER!BTW SHOPPACH BEING NON-TENDERED IS PRESUMPTIVE WHICH IS WHY I’M IGNORING THE 30Y OLD CAN WE DISAGREE ON SOMETHING MUCH MORE IMPORTANT? PERHAPS HOLLIDAY V. BAY? I’M A BAY ADVOCATE OVER HOLLIDAY. YOUR TURN…
The biggest reason we need a catcher is so that we can attract a top tier starting pitcher, and with what we have I would think that caliber of pitcher would be concerned. I do not believe Mask said anything about speed being his biggest concern re: a catcher. He said that was his biggest concern about Molina. Once again, you read a response halway way and respond.
ACE, YOUR PREFERENCE FOR INSERTING YOURSELF AS A DEFENDER, PERHAPS WARRANT YOU TO UNDERGO A MONIKER CHANGE FROM ‘ACE’ TO CRUSADER-RABBIT’ LMAO!
MY POINT, BASICLY, IS WHEN DISCUSSING ALL THE POTENTIAL CATCHING OPTIONS OF:
MOLINA,BARAJAS,SHOPPACH,SCHNEIDER, et al. SINGLING OUT ANY OF THEM FOR “SLOW BASE RUNNING” IS A FACETIOUS ARGUMENT. VERY FUNNY AS WELL
BTW, MASK IS QUITE CAPABLE OF SELF DEFENSE AND A RESPECTED FOIL TO MANY OF MY “QUESTIONABLE ARGUEMENTS”
ACE, PERHAPS, U SHOULD UNDERSTAND I DO NOT VIEW MYSELF AS A SEER OR PSEUDO-GM; BUT RATHER IN AN ADVISORY CAPACITY, USING MY 50+ YRS OF BASEBALL FAN EXPERIENCE COUPLED WITH MY 40 YRS OF BUSINESS MNGT EXPERTISE ENCOMPASSSED IN MY 60 YRS OF LIFE, 40 YRS OF FATHERHOOD, 15 YRS OF GRANDFATHERHOOD TO POINT OUT TO THOSE WITH LESSER EXPERIENCE, THAT OFTEN REASONS FOR CERTAIN BUSINESS/MNGT DECISIONS ARE NOT ALWAYS VISABLE NOR CUT & DRIED. THAT IT ISN’T A MATTER OF THE GM BEING DUMB,STUPID,ASN IDIOT, A NO-NOTHING, A BIGOT; BUT MOST OFTEN A MUCH MORE RATIONAL, RESTRICTIVE REASONING FOR PARTICULAR DECISIONS.
IF I CAN ENLIGHTEN ANY ONE YOUNGER MET FAN WITH MY VAST LIFE EXPERIENCES TO ATTEMPT TO ASSUME MNGT ACTUALLY HAS A PLAN & THEY, AS FANS, SJOULD ATTEMPT TO ASK THEMSELVES, “WHY WOULD THE SAME PERSON WHO DID ‘X’ ALSO DO ‘Y’ ISTEAD OF IMMEDIATELY SCREAMING FIRE THE GM CHANGE OWNERS, ETC.
ACR, I’M HOPING TO REDUCE THE FRUSTRATION LEVELS BY INCREASING THE RATIONAL VIEWPOINT THAT THERE ARE ALWAYS POTENTIALLY UNSEEN REASONS FOR CERTAIN DECISIONS & WE AS FANS CAN NOT BE PRIVY TO THEM. AS I AM OFTEN WANT TO POINT OUT. RUNNING THE METS IS NOT FANTASY BASEBALL OR SCHOOLYARD BASEBALLCARD TRADING.
I APOLOGIZE IF I SOMETIMES GET FRUSTRATED & CARRIED AWAY WITH SARCASM. THAT’S MY FAULT AS THE COMMUNICATOR.
I BELIEVE THE MESSENGER ONLY DESERVES TO BE SHOT IF HE DELIVERS A GARBLED MESSAGE THAT LEADS TO OPPOSITE CONCLUSIONS. OBVIOUSLY, I’VE FAILED THERE MANY TIMES. ACE, I’VE NO CLUE TO YOUR BACKGROUND; I DO KNOW AND RESPECT MASK AS A FELLOW GREYBEARD WITH SIMILAR LIFE EXPERIENCES, MY PURPOSE WITH HIM IS NOT TO EVER CHANGE HIS MIND. I RESPECT HIM TOO MUCH FOR THAT AS A GOAL. RATHER MY GOAL IS TO GET HIM TO ACCEPT MY RATIONAL TO THE SAME DEGREE I’M WILLING TO ACCEPT HIS.
IN THIS INSTANCE, I WAS POINTING OUT, PERHAPS BADLY, THAT MOLINA’S SPEED IN MY OPINION COULD NOT POSSIBLY BE THE SOLE OBJECTION OF SOMEONE OF MASK’S STATURE & I WAS ATTEMPTING TO ELICIT THE TRUE OBJECTION WHEN COMPARED TO OTHER OPTIONS BEING MENTIONED. I’VE NO CLUE WHAT THEY MAY ACTUALLY BE, THUS MY RETORT.
ACE, ONCE MORE I APOLOGIZE IF I’VE EVER OFFENDED U; IN RETROSPECT, I EVEN TAKE BACK THE CRUSADER RABBIT CRACK; BUT ASSURE U IT WAS MEANT IN JEST. TONGUE FIRMLY PLANTED IN RT CHEEK. ‘CATCH’ U LATER, SPPEDILY OR NOT!
Ace, You understand my logic concerning Molina’s deficit as a base runner. It is apparent to me that the Mets are in need of a “caretaker” for the catcher position to hold it down until Thole is ready to becme the primary position. With focused development in the minors that should not take very long. Signing Molina does not fit in that regard. He would likely be here longer than we need. There are several experienced catchers available who satisfy the need, all who are less expensive than Molina. Admittedly Molina will supply more bat, but I would rather obtain power in LF and at 1B. At the catcher position we need an experienced backstop to provide confidence in the pitching prospects (as you point out) until such time as Thole is ready to take over, in other words, a caretaker, but not necessarily a big bat. And, by the way, thanks for your comment.
Not a problem Mask, as usual (in his response to me as well as yours) CAPSLOCK is being a jackass. Sorry for the name calling, but I grow tired of his epic novel-like replies that usually come after he halfway reads someone’s post and then he seems to enjoy preaching and name calling for his reply.
As for the catcher we need, I agree Molina should not be a target for the Mets. When I think of the role of catcher, “big bat” doesn’t top the list of characteristics for a catcher. I look for glove skills and intelligence. A catcher needs to be the smartest guy on the field most of the time IMHO.
ACE, U LIKE SHORT? INCOMPLETE THOUGHTS? I NEVER CONSIDERED THIS A CONVERSATION WITH INASTANT GIVE/TAKE; BUT RATHER A PRESENTATION OF COHESIVE COMPLETE THOUGHTS. PLS REREAD MY POSTS U’LL NOT FIND ONE NAME CALLED RISING TO YOUR “JACKASS” LEVEL OR CAPSLOCK INFERENCE SLUR. I CERTAINLY PRAY YOU BNEVER HAVE TO EXPERIENCE THE USEFUL LOSS OF ONE ARM WHILE IN YOUR PRIME. TO DEMEAN SOMEONE FOR THEIR COPING METHOD FOR DEALING WITH TRAGEDY IS BENEATH MOST HUMANE PEOPLE.
MASK, YOUR POINT RE. LENGTH & COST TO MOLINA HAS NO REPLY OPTION TO DOVETAIL ONTO SO, I’VE READ THAT MOLINA IS ONLY LOOKING FOR 2 YRS. SF IS UNWILLING SINCE THEIR TOP ‘C’ PROSPECT IS READY NOW! I BELIEVE A 1Y IS TOO SHORTSIGHTED SINCE IT ASSUMES THOLE SUFFERS NO INJURY OR OTHER SETBACK AND IS DEFINITLY CONTENDER READY AFTER JUST 1 MORE MILB STINT. SINCE HE’S A CONVERT TO BACKSTOP & HIS INDEPTH PREPARATION FOR MLB CATCHING IS LEAN & THIN A SECOND YR FOR HIM TO ACTUALLY BE #2 GRADUALLY ASSUMING MORE PLAYING TIME IS MORE APPROPRIATE & I DO NOT CONSIDER 6M PER YR TOO HIGH FOR THAT LUXURY. BTW, REMEMBER SANTOS IS VERY SHORT ON MLB EXPERIENCE ALSO. BARLY JUSTIFIED AS A #2 ON A CONTENDING ROSTER IN MY HUMBLE OPINION. SINCE MOLINA BATTED CLEANUP LAST YR FOR SF I EXPECT HIM TO OCCUPY THE 6th OR 7th HOLE WHERE HIS SNAIL PACE IS UNLIKELY TO BE A HUGE DETRIMENT. IF A MORE VIBRANT CANDIDATE PRESSENTED HIMSELF I’D CERTAINLY RECONSIDER IT.