Like all loyal and lifetime New York Mets Fans 2009 will certainly go down in Mets history as the most injury plagued season in their entire 48 seasons of National League play. Everybody knows that every member of “The Core” players were down for various amounts of time during the season and if the core played together for ten games all season long that would probably be an exaggeration.
Dirt was thrown at everybody from the ownership down to and through the medical staff, the Minor League organization and most obviously the Manager Jerry Manuel and the General Manager Omar Minaya . Nobody was as critical of these two so called professionals than me. I gave them some credit for their valiant try to finish on top in 2008 and even went so far to say that the team overachieved in getting down to the last day to decide their fate for the playoffs.
I wrote at least four articles on websites for the Mets to resign Pedro Martinez. Their rotation was a disaster coming out Spring Training and although I like and enjoy the World Baseball Classic it’s timing last season couldn’t have been worse for the Mets as 17 players left camp to play for their countries. Was it a big surprise that so many of those players who did go to the WBC come down with critical injuries during the season? I will address the WBC situation at another time.
The Mets fans and media as well wants the Mets to make a splash in the off season for two reasons. One, many of us feel the Mets still need help in a few areas including left field, second base, and adding depth to an already suspect rotation. The second reason for the need to make a splash is for the Mets ownership to show the fans that they willing to do what it takes to pay for high quality free agents and compete with the other big money teams in pursuit of these players.
For all accounts prior the the winter meetings the Mets were going to be all in on pitcher John Lackey, as well the two top outfielders, Matt Holliday and Jason Bey in the free agent market. What they didn’t expect was these players just might not want to come to Citi-Field and have their offensive numbers wind up somewhere around mid-toilet.
Do I want the Mets to pick up either Matt Holliday or Jason Bay? Of course I do. Do I now think they are going to get either one of them? The answer is No. There are lots of secondary outfielders out there that have power and lack defensive skills necessary to play in a big ball yard. On the flip side there are excellent gloves that could make the starting outfield the best defensive unit in baseball but they can’t hit their weight.
So, what are the Mets to do? In what appears to be in a no win scenario, I am going to propose a plan which is going to be vastly unpopular with my guess being around 97% of Mets fans and media coverage out there.
Let’s talk specifics. I believe the club needs both youth and experienced veterans who are willing to run through walls if necessary to get the job done. A guy who can hit .280, knows how to move a runner from first to third, can steal a base, lay down a good sacrifice bunt and willing to bust up a double play. When a veteran like Alex Cora with two busted thumbs does that, guys like Fernando Martinez take notice. There are plenty of those gritty type players out there that won’t bust the Wilpon bank, but will put people in the seats into a ballpark that will lose many visitors if 2009 is even remotely duplicated.
Let’s break this down and remember you’re not going to to like it. I think Daniel Murphy has the potential to be an excellent defensive first baseman, hit third in the order and remind people of Keith Hernandez. Will he do all this in 2010? No. The answer here is to re-sign Carlos Delgado. I can hear the screaming starting now. Carlos Delgado is as proud a man than just about any ballplayer I have watched for the past 60 years. No clearer indication of that was in 2008 when finally recovered from a wrist injury where he compensated not to re-injure his wrist, He put on a second half performance the likes of which hasn’t been seen south of the Bronx in a very long time.
He started off 2009 where he left off the previous fall and if he had played a full season his numbers would have duplicated 2008. But of course that never happened. Carlos is exactly like Pedro. He feels his mission in New York will not be complete until he has a ring. Have him play 130 games at first base and let the Super Sub Daniel Murphy fill in not only there, but he can be occasionally back up David Wright, and yes even stick him in left or at second for a game or two. Could it be any worse then having Tatis at those positions?
Next, at second base we must say goodbye to Punch and Judy, Luis Castillo. Having as good a year that was possible for him, he now has value for some teams who need players who can get on base. My problem with Castillo believe it or not was not his bat in 2009 but his defensive play at second base. It was, to put it in one word, awful. He has lost his range and played the game with his head not always on his shoulders. He did prove his point and gave the Mets a spark they needed last year and for that I hope another team sees value in him. If Orlando Hudson is available and he’ll take a two year contract then by 2012 Reese Havens should be ready for Major League play.
I’m not at all concerned about the left side of the infield. I expect David Wright to have that bounce back year and with his partner Jose Reyes getting on base, stealing bases and keeping everyone on the edge of their seats we will once again see the old David Wright smashing the ball all over the yard. Jerry Manuel however has to be smart and not change where he places David in the lineup. If it’s 3rd then keep him there. If it’s 4th or 5th, then keep him there. One of Jerry’s biggest shortcomings last year was juggling that lineup so badly everyday that no one knew their role.
The catching situation is already out of hand and it looks like their next move is to have an open casting call for all catchers to try out for the Mets. Right now they have four catchers. Santos, Thole, Coste, and Blanco. Wonderful, and Bengie Molina is trying to secure a three year deal at 35 to be the next catcher. Oh my!
I say right from opening day to go with the youth, and platoon Santos and Thole and if either one of them breaks out of the gate fast let’s stick with him. Thole in his short stay looked no better or no worse than the more heralded Matt Weiters of the Baltimore Orioles. Thole should and could be the Mets catcher for the next ten years.
I would have no problem with a one year deal for Pat Burrell or Marlon Byrd or Johnny Damon or any number of other second level left fielders. Personally I would like to see, if healthy, Fernando Martinez in left field on opening day. He has been our top prospect for 5 years, and now may be a good time to see what he’s got for us or to showcase him as major trade bait.
Beltran and Francoeur can roam the outfield for the next 4-5 years and provide the power and defense we need in spacious Cit-Field. Angel Pagan is a very serviceable 4th outfielder and some may argue that he deserves a starting spot in left field for opening day. Personally I’d rather see Martinez there.
So here is my opening day line up.
Reyes SS
Hudson 2B
Beltran CF
Wright 3B
Delgado 1B
Francoeur RF
Martinez LF
Thole C
Santana SP
If you’re already mad at me and think I’m ridiculous you’re really not going to like this. There are only two starting pitchers out there in the free agent market that I would even entertain a look at. They are Joel Pineiro and Ben Sheets. When healthy, and I think we can say that about any pitcher, these two guys could do a great deal to solidify the staff. I’d also keep on eye on Wang, Bronson Arroyo and Aaron Harang. But let’s say the Mets don’t get any of these pitchers for whatever excuse they come up with, then this is a do or die year for the Mets rotation.
Santana can’t make 162 starts so where does that leave us? I believe John Maine is more of a number 2 than Mike Pelfrey. I would push Pelfrey down to the 4 spot and allow Oliver Perez to move to the number 3. If I am sure of one thing this off season it is that Oliver Perez will come to camp in the best shape of his life. He has been working vigorously in the off season on both his physical and mental sides.
That leaves the number five spot open to some very healthy competition for Jonathon Niese, Bobby Parnell, Pat Misch and Fernando Nieve. Once again I believe we could do no wrong signing Pedro Martinez to a two year deal. I think he certainly proved himself down the stretch for the Phillies and he can not hurt this team. His veteran leadership in the Mets clubhouse can not be measured. This rotation last year before the season started was picked by many to be enough to compete with the Phillies for the NL East.
With Roy Halladay now just 90 miles south and for the Mets to have to face him at least 4-6 times a year is an uphill battle at the least but in a head to head with Johan Santana I’ll take my chances.
Finally, if the Mets get out of the gate slowly I would look to replace Jerry Manuel after 40 games. As much as I feel that he caused many of the on the field problems for 2009, I am willing to give him just enough rope to hang himself. And as far as Omar is concerned, unless some miracle can be pulled out of a hat, this will be his final year for sure.
*Mets Merized Online Needs Your Help*
Looks like a 75 win team to me.
Te Mets won 72 games last year. So if a a team that won 72 games signs Reyes,Santana and Beltran wouldn’t they do alot better?
Yes it will
Who’s to say that they’ll be back to their previous levels or even stay healthy next year?
When Beltran came back he played pretty well batted 3.05 in September. So it is safe to say he will be fine.
Santana should be fine also. he never was a power pitcher so even if he looses MPH on his fastball he will still be a very good pitcher.
Reyes had the same injuries in the past and recovered so why wouldn’t he now? He is still young 27. He could still get better.
Reyes did not have the same injuries in the past. That is a gross whitewash of his current condition and surgery.
Sign Holliday
Trade Beltran and a young arm (Mejia) to Boston for Ellsbury and Buckholtz.
resign Delgado one yr.
Don’t waste money on Fat over age slow catchers that turn triples into singles and hit warning track fly balls.
Get Hudson.
Wait for trading deadline mid yr.
Include Fmart in any trade to get another pitcher.
I understand where you’re coming from but there are a hell of a lot of if’s in your lineup.
Money wise – it makes sense but if I had to bet that Pedro could pitch a whole year (not to mention the two you want to give him) and that Perez will suddenly improve, that Maine will be healthy and that Pelfry will turn it around – you have presented a pitching staff with huge question marks over everyone not named Santana. Sure, one – maybe two will get double digit wins but that’s as far as you should go.
Delgado is one year older and coming off an injury that shut him down 3/4 of the season. It was depending on Delgado this past season that cripled the Mets.
You got Wright coming off his worse year yet – primarily because he was trying to do too much because of the weak lineup and no one protecting him. You have Jose Reyes inability to get on the field.
Too many if’s. Yeah, we could win 90 games if everyone had great years, but more likely we will win 70 – 75 games with that team.
Well, lets hope we’re healthy this upcoming year,is a need, and wit reyes on top again, wed be able to be contenders again.. Wright would get back to form coz reyes is there to provide pitches for everybody in the lineup..
I always love these fans who insist on a particular trade for the Mets. As though they KNOW the other team is dying to make it.
For instance: “Trade Beltran and a young arm (Mejia) to Boston for Ellsbury and Buckholtz.”
Sure. All we have to say we want to do that and it will magically happen. The Red Sox have no say in the matter.
As for the lineup, it will be a big long-term mistake to expect Fernando Martinez and Josh Thole to be opening day starters. The Mets have a tradition of rushing talent to the majors too soon and ending up with failure. Both players need a year in AAA if they are to become stars of the future.
Though I do like signing Delgado, and am glad you’re not giving up on Maine and Perez yet.
I think you are articulating what the Mets plan actually is. Put together what little they have with whatever they can pull off the scrap heap and hope for the best. I just wish that they would admit it to themselves and the fans. It is the same approach any small market team would make and is probably no different than what the Pirates or Royals are doing. Saves them a lot of money though. Once this team is 20 games out and the current management is fired, then we can get on with the inevitable rebuilding effort that is to come.
That lineup is awful. I want to know why everyone is so damn high on Orlando Hudson. Hell, he got benched last year! He’s a WORSE hitter then Castillo, and that’s a fact. Are you really saying the way to fix the mets is to replace their already bad lineup with a few even worse hitters, and shuffle around their garbage rotation? Give me some of what your smoking.
That’s no fix, that’s capitulation.
My only hope for the season is that the Wilpons fire Omar and Jerry midseason. That way, maybe the team can finish strong and look a little more enticing to some free agents and the FO may be in place for the new guy to swing some deals. If they wait until the end of the season to clean house, the turmoil will almost definitely impact our ability to go after next year’s crop of FAs.
The only good thing I see with this plan is that it wont saddle the new GM with any long term commitments from Omar. And believe me, there will be a new GM.
This is how you fix the Mets. Sign Jason Bay to play Left Field. Sign Bengie Molina to catch. Re-sign Delgado and hope he stays healthy. Keep Castillo since you know we can not trade him. Sign this Japanese guy to set up K-Rod and then go out and Sign Marquis and take a one yr shot at Ben Sheets or Jon Garland. Piniero would be nice but the years he wants are too much.
The lineup could be this:
Reyes
Castillo
Wright
Beltran
Delgado
Bay
Francouer
Molina
Starting rotation
Santana
Sheets
Marquis
Pelfrey
Neise/Maine/Perez
If the Mets can do this and stay healthy and produde then theres no question we can reach the playoffs.
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/my
I have started a petition to get Omar out of office.
Sign my petition!!
Save yourself the effort, he’s as good as gone anyway. The real question is, do the Wilpons fire him during the season or after? Firing him at season’s end can send the FO unto disarray and really hurt our ability to negociate and sign new FAs.
If he’s as good as gone how come he’s not gone after two straight seasons of collapse. He should of been gone after last year.
You’ll get no argument from me!
No way the Mets can afford Bay, Molina, Sheets and Marquis. Think about it, how much would they cost:
Bay: ~17
Molina: ~7
Sheets: ~12, this is apparently what he is demanding. Gotta imagine Marquis would want something similar
Marquis: ~12
Delgado: ~3 (I think this is an extremely conservative number)
Bullpen: ~4 mil
Cora: 2
Thats around 57 mil extra. No way thats happening.
More likely: we’ll be spending around 10 mil for one pitcher and have to make do with Pelfrey, Maine, Perez, Neise, Figueroa.
If Sheets and Marquis want 12 million they won’t be on the Mets this year.
The Mets can afford anyone as long as they do it smart. They are already linked to Bay and Molina. You give Delgado and Sheets 1 year deals and see what you can do for Marquis. Also, Marquis wants to be a Met and I do not think money would be an issue for him. We have to do something man, geez
Lets go get Holliday.Forget Bay and Forget Molina,go sign Barajas.Barajas is asking for less,plus i think he will be a great mentor for Thole in September and in 2011.Sign Garko.The rest of the money just put it in the pen.Igarashi-Capps-Biemel.Why not just pread the game out,besides Santana of course.As long as maine-Perez-Pelfrey and whoever out of Niese-Nieve-Figuera can pitch 5-6 innings and keep the team in the game.Then we have a strong pen to win late in games.
I thought this was a curiuos trade I saw on the CBS Spportsline Fantasy Baseball sight between two fantasy teams…here’s wishing.
“Recent Trades
Date Traded Traded For
12/09/09 Snyder, Chris C ARI Castillo, Luis 2B NYM
Not a bad lineup. I definately think that if healthy, Delgado is our best option at 1B. Instead of Hudson at 2B, I would love to find out what the Reds want for Phillips.
I agree that Maine is a better #2 than Pelfrey and that Pedro should be signed now that he understand that he is not getting 15M per year. I mean look at the other options and Pedro won’t look so bad.
I would save the money and get Johnny Gomez for LF with Pagan filling in a couple times a week.
F-mart should start at AAA and stay there. He still has a lot to learn. Mets have to stop rushing their prospects and let them mature at their own pace.
1 SS Jose Reyes
2 CF Carlos Beltran
3 2B Brandon Phillips
4 LF Jason Bay
5 3B David Wright
6 1B Carlos Delgado
7 RF Jeff Francoeur
8 C Chris Snyder
SP Santana, Maine, Perez, Pelfrey, (one of available pitchers)