18
2011
Could The Mets Be Buyers At Trade Deadline?
An article by Hojo's Mojo
Rich Couthino of MetsBlog and WFAN had an interesting post in which he says we should not be surprised if the Mets are not sellers at the trade deadline, but instead buyers. He also believes that Jose Reyes will still be with the Mets in 2012.
Here is part of what he wrote, but I encourage you to read his entire post at WFAN.
As each day passes, I really believe Reyes will be here in 2012 knowing the fly in the ointment could be team finances. But even that could improve shortly if a minority owner is brought in. And judging by the actions of all of the players involved, including Commissioner Selig, you get the feeling that will occur before the All-Star break.
So that gets us back to the original question: Will the Mets be sellers at the deadline?
I say no for a number of reasons, including the fact that the NL is devoid of dominant teams aside from the Phillies and Rockies. There is a clear class distinction. Just about every other NL team sits in that second plateau with very little difference between them. 40 games is not a huge sample size but it also can not be ignored as these teams are all the same–incomplete packages with serious deficiencies in one aspect.
The Mets clearly have little starting pitching but possess a very good lineup, coupled with a surprisingly efficient bullpen. They remind me a lot of both the 1997 and 2005 Mets. Those were not playoff teams but stayed in the race for the wild card into the season’s final month — and I honestly think this group could do that.
I agree with Rich, and his thought process is sound in that there does not appear to be much dominance in the NL this season. As it stands now, even with the terrible start the Mets are just 5.5 games behind in the Wild Card standings and another 5-6 game winning streak could change the outlook and give the team more confidence as they fight through this myriad of injuries.
I’m always optimistic when it comes to the Mets, but always I do proceed with caution and I keep my expectations tempered. The Mets may not make the post season when all is said and done, but as long as they have a fighting chance they have to stay engaged in the battle and not retreat.
How do you feel about that?
If the Mets are in the thick of it come July 31, do you still want them to move Carlos Beltran or K-Rod, or do you want them to keep battling straight through?
About the Author: Rob Johnson
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Some of us have been saying that the entire time. This is a good enough lineup to win when healthy. Why look forward to the season if you’re not gonna fight to win along with the team? Especially when some of us have felt that this is a team that could contend anyway.
Just need a couple breaks, people staying healthy and PITCHING. If the Mets continue to fight to stay in it, and a new minority owner becomes involved than yes maybe we can acquire some helpful starting pitching from a team who does become sellers by the trade deadline.
It’s May 18 and it’s too early to be talking about a fire sale. Not even crossing my mind yet – we have to win some games. That’s the attitude to have, otherwise why even bother watching sports
I agree, we just need a LF and 3B that hit.
Honestly, i believe the Mets will be alittle of both (buyer/seller). I think they will unload K-Rod, and another player, while picking up guys to help out the team. I just don’t see the Mets not getting rid of anyone when it comes time at the Trade Deadline.
I don’t know if K-Rod is a definite out if he keeps pitching the way he’s been pitching. In my opinion the only definite who is out is Beltran, unfortunately.
’86, I believe K-Rod’s fate relies upon his progression to 55 more than anything else. if they can’t get much salary relief from his 12M immediately due to lack of desire to absorb more $$ than they demand be included & his option based upon current & forcasted usage seems unvestable than I believe Beltran stands alone on the block. I still believe this team, primarily due to overall rotational weakness, is an 82-85W team despite not yet facing our mot difficult scheduling matchup period. The loss of Young has injured our chances more deeply than advertised. While Santana’s return is likely less noticable in the standings. Atlanta’s rotation defies all logic,IMO and is the lynchpin in our postseason jopes.
I think and strongly believe that the Mets will not be buyers but they will unload big players with big contracts, that haven’t produced. I’ve been following alot of comments from Mets writers and what makes sense is to trade all of these players for prospects. Pelfry, Wright, Beltran for starters. Pelfry has hit his peak and will never get better. Beltran? well, despite his 3 HR game, what has he done and when? Since he’s always on the DL..and Wright is a fan favorite but he’s in decline and has also hit his peak. While they have some worth, trade for youth and start fresh. I am a huge fan but we’re not going to be in the race come Oct. And if we have the same team next year and, unfortunatly…hope not… the same mmanager, we’re doomed! Bring back Bobby V. or get Joe Torre!
This team is definitely not as bad as the pundits say; just 2 games below .500, and that’s with a lineup decimated by injuries. Once we get healthy again, we could surprise some people. And if some money comes in with a minority owner, we might be able to pick someone up to fill the holes (Josh Johnson anyone? No way Florida will hold on to him). All is far from lost this season…Let’s Go Mets!
Read all about tonight’s sloppy Citi affair at Midwestern Met:
http://tiny.cc/ypn2b
The Mets don’t have the pitching to even sniff the playoffs. Ownership wants to dump the big contracts and Sandy will comply.
I say of all the possible trades Mets might/might not make I say we keep K Rod and try to re-nogotiate his ballon payment into xtra year or two at a little less money.
I say we keep him cause if there is one thing that will tear a team down, whether they are rebuilding or not, is having a lead and the BP blowing the lead. Look at the Astros team we just played, they have 5 saves and 11 blown saves.
What good is it to develop Gee, Niese, R.A., Pelf, etc if at the end of the game the person you have close is another Tony Ayala?
I can also see them developing Beato to be closer. I don’t think Parnell will be closer.
I’d still trade K-Rod and Beltran, regardless of whether the team is contending. Beltran won’t bring back a draft pick, and contending teams are always looking for a setup man. And it’s better than taking the chance on the Game Finished option kicking in.
Granted we are only a few games out of first, but I still do not think this team is close enough to be Buyers ate the deadline. They would need to go on a pretty big tear this month complimented by a good losing streak by Phillie to get there.
It’s possible (or was until Wright came up hurt) but even if we get there unless we are trading away many of these kids who have showed some MLB talent (ok no all stars but MLB ready) to get whatever it is we would be buying.
If we traded Beltran in a sale would we get enough back to make up for his bat?
Would a good pitcher be enough 1 games in 5 to offset what we lose in offense 5 games in 5? If you did get someone who was close to making up the loss that would be ALL you would get back no bucket of prospects!
Same question regarding Reyes!
I simply don’t know who we can lose to BE buyers at this point. We have some Kids and maybe they will be enough.
List of Kids that could be part of a buyers package:
Pagan
Thole
Murphy
Pridie
Turner
Duda
Evans
F-Mart
Thats 5 OFs 1 C and 2 IFs
Any combination of those guys might get you a buy at the deadline.
Personally I don’t see us being Buyers. Even if we do aquire some help the chance that it will offset or stop the trading of our best hitter in the lineup would pretty much make it a wash.
I personally doubt we will be buying, more like selling what is about to be lost anyway and using the saved money to resign the guys we intend to build around like Reyes!
Give reyes Beltran’s old money and start from there!
We all knew this would be a tough year going into it, but that stranger things have happenend. There’s no way we can expect Santana to be back and/or productive this year; and now with all the other injuries that have hit this team (Wright; Young; Pagan; Davis; etc), it’s tough to see it all bouncing back and staying above water. With that being said, and since I don’t see us bringing back Beltran next year, I think we sell and sell big and build for the future. It’s a tough thought given that we’re in the largest market in the world (even if shared) and have one of the largest payrolls in baseball, but look at Sandy’s track record and what he’s done with youth, plus with JP Ricciardi, I’m certain (or more importantly, hopeful) that they could evaluate talent enough to build a winner and true competitor in a 2-year process.
Buyer, we will not be…or at least I hope not!
i agree that mets should keep beltran,krod,reyes, and wright. There is no reason to get rid of them because they are all doing just great as of now and i believe they can keep it up. The mets have the potential to be a wild card winnner with this lineup, rotation, and bullpen. They could sell some prospects and maybe get a 2nd basemen. But thats about all they should do.
NJ, haven’t u been reading the Financial pages? I certainly hope you aren’t recommending keeping Beltran beyond this current contract expiring this season?
This year’s Wildcard isn’t worth hamstringing the future for. @28 Reyes certainly is viable for our restructuring project as is Wright. Whatever you’re inhaling MUST be illegal in NJ.
As soon as u sober up, you’ll realize that the financial outlook of our ownership doesn’t look to improve substantuially over the next 5 yrs & as such our ability to acquire outside weapons will be reduced to what we can acquire with our youth(farm) & how well we can counterbalance by payroll jettisoning personally I don’t envision a return to contention until 2013/14 at best & believe we should identify those assets(players) on hand that are most likely capable of contributing strong competitive efforsts in 2 years. with those not making the cut destined to be peddled for assets that will make the cut or improve the first pass keepers. for instance, today Turner & Murphy may make the cut; however better options may be acquired for the future roster by dealing Bay,Santana,K-Rod,Izzy,Iggy and others not named Reyes,Wright,Davis with the new acquisitions making Turner,Murphy expendable.
im not no pee pee but you my frend are a squirrel who eats jews for luncheons and brunches becaues i can tell you like noodles in your tuba
hamilton?
Beltran could help us a lot more and for years to come if we were able to extract a top prospect for his services.
thank you I agree
Why is everyone getting so uptight about who the Mets will get rid of and IF they’ll be buying at trade time ?? We can’t do a damned thing about it and whatever we think means absolutely NOTHING !!!! Let’s just sit back and do what we do best — Wait & See !!!!!
The team is about where I expected them to be, hovering around the .500 mark. And while it’s nice to hope that they can stay in wild card contention til at least late August, the fact is there will never be another opprtunity to sell high on their depreciating assets, Beltran and KRod. This is our chance to capitalize on their current performance and (health) to replinish our minor league pitching, which is bereft of any one close to resembling a prospect. The key to the future is to stockpile young arms and hope that either from one of those acquisitions or a high draft pick, one of them becomes a true ace. The Rays and Giants have proved that this is the path to post-season contention and success. Let FMart get the chance to show if he’s ready to take over RF and let Isringhausen close for the rest of the year while Beato further develops into a future closer. And most importantly of all, re-sign Reyes!