15
2009
Four Moves That Need To Be Made NOW
An article by Former Writers
In the wake of “Black Monday”, the Mets are faced with a decision. The Mets need to evaluate if they can realistically compete with the Phillies for the NL East crown next season. Many of us fans want to believe that somehow our beloved Metropolitans will be able to competitive next season, but in order to have any semblance of a chance next season the Mets need to act. This off-season has been marked with ineptitude and feet dragging, which needs to end now.
The Mets have many glaring needs. The first was of course a lack of starting pitching. But, yesterday’s events scratched the two quick fixes off the Mets list, effectively making their other issues more paramount at the present moment.
I believe that the Mets now need to focus on securing Jason Bay for their LF situation. Yes he is a risk, but at this point the Mets have no choice. The Mariners and Red Sox seemingly are out of the sweepstakes, making Bay ripe for the taking. If they don’t get someone with HR power for the middle of their lineup, a 4th place finish is not out of the question. Bay will be a productive hitter, and yes we may regret the 5th year later on, but we would also regret the 8th year in Matt Holliday’s contract.
After Bay is secured for LF, we need to focus on pitching. First we need a reliable starter who will give us a quality start every time they take the mound. That guy in my mind is easily Jason Marquis. Marquis is a solid starter, not exactly a flashy edition, but a reliable one nonetheless. He reportedly wants to play on the Mets, which could be a nice breath of fresh air, and he apparently is a good luck charm for teams getting to the playoffs (I’ll take any good luck charm I can get at this point). If he can somehow be had for a three year deal, I don’t see a reason not to jump on this chance.
The Mets also need to shore up the catching position, and fast. Personally, at first I was ok with the idea of Molina for two years, but now that he is dragging his feet and demanding a third year, I would drop negotiations with him and sign Rod Barajas. If he can be had for one year that would be fantastic, but even two would be ok in my mind. Yes, he hit .226 last year, but he hit 19 home runs, and a career high 71 RBI last year, which would be a fine line for a #8 hitter. Let’s face it, whoever we sign is basically just a stopgap for Thole in 2011, so 15 or so dingers and 60 or so RBI’s is fine by me.
Finally, I believe the Mets need to take a gamble. The Mets need to make a bold move, and hope for the best. The Mets need to sign Ben Sheets. Sheets has the ability to be one of the best starters in the game, and could be had for relatively cheap. By signing Sheets, the Mets will be taking a large risk, but at this point, a bold daring move is the only choice they have. Teams like the Red Sox make bold moves and reap the benefits, why can’t the Mets do the same? If he is healthy, he is just as good of an addition as anyone on the market, if not better. A rotation (if healthy) of Santana, Sheets, Marquis, Pelfrey, and Maine has the ability to be very solid and if EVERYTHING goes well borderline great. Yes health is a question, but what do we have to lose? What justification do we have for NOT taking a risk?
The Mets, whether we like it or not, are in a state of desperation, they will not rebuild the team, so the only chance they have are making deals and hoping for the best. These deals, if they pan out, will make us a competitive team. We may not be able to usurp Philly from their NL East crown, but we may be able to fight for a Wild Card, which would be an upgrade over last year wouldn’t you say?
About the Author: Former Writers
26 Comments + Add Comment
NL East Standings
| Team | W | L | Pct. | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nationals | 26 | 18 | .591 | - |
| Braves | 26 | 20 | .565 | 1.0 |
| Mets | 24 | 21 | .533 | 2.5 |
| Marlins | 24 | 21 | .533 | 2.5 |
| Phillies | 23 | 23 | .500 | 4.0 |
Last updated: 05/25/2012
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Write Your Own Mets Post
If we can get Holliday for 6 years I’d much rather have him than Bay. Sing Sheets and Delgado on a one year incentive based deals. Trade Maine, Ruben Tejada, Kirk Nieuwenhuis, and possibly another lower level prospect for Ricky Nolasco. Sign Chad Cordero, Jose Arredondo (out for 2010 but a ton of potential), Rich Hill, and Noah Lowry to minor league deals. As for Catcher I would trade Parnell and Thole for Chris Ianetta.
thank god your not a gm….
I bet you think Ricky Nolasco pitched terribly last year right?
Yeah I def think the Marlins would trade Nolasco; a young stud starting pitcher still 2 years away from arbitration, for 3 mediocre prospects and a pitcher that can’t stay healthy.
IN MAKE BELIEVE WORLD!
I agree on Sheets and Delgado for one year incentive deals. I also agree that we should definitely target Holliday over Bay. If we could make that deal for Nolasco I’d do it, but I see no chance of that happening. The Marlins aren’t going to want those prospects, and they certainly won’t want to trade Nolasco within the division.
from ur mouth to Omars ears
I am looking at my Ben Sheets bobblehead as I type. Oh, if only he could return to 2004 form–the K King!
Definitely make Marquis a Met.
Nice piece. Maybe instead of Barajas, we sign John Buck or trade for Chris Snyder? Also, Arroyo might be worth a call to the Reds for salary-dump reasons. We need a power hitting LF; if we lose on Bay (the Angels), i say trade for a Carl Crawford (Parnell, Mejia, Martinez, Stokes), or sign Jack Cust ( i know but he hits HRs and has a high .OBP).
Also, what about Wang, if we cannot get Sheets? i would love to trade Castillo, to shore up the defense up the middle, if for no other reason, and sign either Adam Kennedy or Kelly Johnson, but i doubt that happens, at this point.
We are in a bind; have to dig ourselves out of it.
Buck signed with the Jays and Kelly Johnson is not a very good defensive 2b although he is better than Castillo.
Oh i missed Buck’s signing. Too bad. Thanks. Then, maybe we trade for Chris Snyder.
I really believe that the NY Mets should make a huge blockbuster for the Reds young studs. Phillips,Votto and either Cueto or Volquez. They would have to give up a LOT! but they would be so much better and it fills 3 of their 4 holes.
i heard that Phillips was available, and Arroyo surely, but don’t know if the others are available.
And what would the Mets trade to get the young studs who are also cheap?
I doubt that they’re going to trade Cueto or Volquez and there’s almost no chance they trade Votto. A Phillips and Harang trade would be very good. Then trade Castillo for a catcher like Snyder.
15 hrs. and 60 rbi a stopgap? No way Thole matches even if he does learn to catch. 15 hrs. would have led the team last year! Does anyone think he could do that at Citi Field?
Only way I’d ever sign Molina is if someone can look into the future and tell me that he slams the game winning home run against the Cards to send us to the WS. Anything short of that, I’m passing.
OK, but where do you leave Oliver Perez… he’s signed for 2 more years…
3 moves the Mets must make (and should have after 2008)
1. Look in the mirror – If you really look at our current roster, and farm, reality is this team won’t make the playoffs the next 2 seasons, and more importantly, cannot compete far a championship. Which is the ultimate goal when building a team. One that can “Compete” for a championship. therefore the Mets must
2. Destroy
3. and REBUILD.
I’d move everyone other than Reyes and Wright with my eye on 2012 as a year we can start making a run at a title.
But our owners are dumb and they’ll sign Bay and some mediocre pitchers and we’ll get to watch an emotionless team win around 80 games and finish 10 games out of first place. Sounds like fun. Can’t wait to get my season tixx!!!!!
Brett-
Don’t mean to come off cruel but the ONLY way you get Votto is if you include the name Reyes or Wright. The dude is an absolute stud. NO WAY they move him.
Line up 1) j reyes 2)o hudson 3)wright 4) delgado 5) j bay 6) c beltran 7) j francour
barrajas 9) pitcher. Rotation santana. Sheets. Marquis. Pelfrey. And trade maine mejia f mart and stokes for maybe a oswalt/webb type pitcher
Of those 4, Bay and Marquis are must haves, but I think lethargic Omar will let them be grabbed by other teams. Barajas is adviseable to get, but as 2010 is shaping up we may not need him anyway as he alone will not keep us out of the cellar. Sheets is too expensive at $12 mil for a gamble on his arm so I say stay away.
Let’s be honest here!! The Mets are a third or fourth place team and organization. They only talk like a first place organization. The first sign that nothing would change this year is when they retained their pitching and hitting coaches from last year. With the year they had with pitching and batting-any other organization would have replaced them.The METS will not spend the money to make the high profile moves(maybe its because the high profile free agents do not want to play for a LOSER)Say what you want about the yankees,but nwhen they have a need they pursue and get the top person for that need at any cost. The METS will never be more than second place in NY until the current management team is replaced or the fans get fed up and refuse to buy tickets!!
I agree with everything you said except: “They only talk like a first place organization.” Not when Omar is talking. Then they talk like idiots.
andrew, relativly cheap? he’s demanding guaranteed 12m & refuses to pitch a tryout session prior. sheets is likely hiding something or totally derainged! no way. fire every fan & “expert” pushing for sheets! as total incompetant imbeciles, esp shein. any other Loudmouths viewers out there that find the resemblence of carlin & shein to shrek & donkey as remarkable as i do? lmao; but nor re. sheets!
62, We’ve got agreement between us on Sheets. At $12 mil it’s ridiculous to take the chance. We shouldn’t go any higher than Cora money plus incentives in case he turns out good. The problem with him is that even if he starts out good, it means nothing because injuries are his middle name. We’ve got enough injury susceptible pitchers already.
mask, my biggest concern is his refusal to “show” what he’s got. our luck, even @ low $ he’s a lima with better historical credentials. i’m a believer in “if u’ve got it, flaunt it” unless he flaunts he can stay idle