12
2011
MetsBlog: Mets Looking For Big Bat In Outfield
An article by 
Caught this quote on MetsBlog this afternoon and thought I’d pass it along.
The word is the Mets want a big bat in the outfield, someone who can clear the bases and give quick runs with one swing.
The quote by Matt Cerrone was in response to a question on if the Mets would go after Prince Fielder in the offseason. (My Answer = Hell No! Prince gives me Mo Vaughn flashbacks!)
So getting back to the Mets looking for big bat in the outfield, this breaking news leads us to a few questions:
Question #1 - Is Lucas Duda not assured of a starting job in right field, which goes against what Terry Collins intimated yesterday?
I think Lucas Duda has already forced the issue with his bat, and he has intrigued the Mets so much so that they will in fact give him ample time in right field next season to see what more he can do. From what I’ve seen and heard (Hey, I see and hear things too, lol), Lucas Duda is definitely a legit hitter with power, and I strongly doubt that the Mets will simply look past him to get this big bat they are looking for. If anyone is going to lose PT next season, it won’t be Duda unless he completely bombs from now until the end of the season, and I see no chance in that happening.
Question #2 - Is Angel Pagan out as far as regular playing time is concerned? Will he be non-tendered?
I’ve already mentioned Angel Pagan as a non-tender candidate about a dozen times this season along with Mike Pelfrey. Angel Pagan may have played himself into a regular center field position last season, but this season he has played himself out of that role. His defense has declined, his baseball IQ hasn’t improved, and his offense has fallen off a cliff. The only reason he is still getting regular playing time is because the Mets have nobody in the pipeline who is ready to take over in center field. Pagan, who has been mostly a 4th outfielder for most of his career, is in way over his head as a regular and still has durability issues.
Question #3 - Are the Mets willing to eat salary to get rid of Jason Bay?
Possibly. They’ve done it several times already this season when they cut Oliver Perez and Luis Castillo, gave the Giants $6 million to take Beltran, and paid nearly all of K-Rod’s salary when they shipped him to Milwaukee. Bay seems like the perfect candidate for a change of scenery, but if he does go, don’t expect much in return except for the ability to free up some cash to sign a bigger and better thumper for the outfield. That said, I’m not so sure they will find any takers unless they are also willing to take on another bad contract in return.
Question #4 - Who exactly is out there that would give the Mets the big bat they are looking for?
The short answer is that there’s nothing attractive hitting the free agent market this offseason. Believe it or not, Carlos Beltran is probably one of the best available bats in a lot that includes Magglio Ordonez, J.D. Drew, Lance Berkman, Michael Cuddyer, Rick Ankiel and Ryan Ludwick. You interested? Even if there was a bona fide 35+ HR outfielder available, why would he want to see his home run totals tank in Citi Field? One big outfielder that might be on the market is Matt Kemp, but is he the big bat that would fit the bill? He’s never topped 30 home runs and it was only a year ago that he batted .249 for the season, and lets not forget to add in the Citi Field effect.
In Conclusion
The Mets could talk about acquiring a big outfielder all they want, but I simply don’t see that scenario playing out right now. They have a left fielder with a terrible contract that they probably can’t move, and they have a fourth outfielder logging too much playing time in center field because they have nothing better in their farm system. Neither of them have any trade value. There’s obviously nothing to speak of in the free agent market, so forget that idea, and the trade market has yet to develop, but so far it’s not looking too promising. The bottom line is that the Mets would be silly not to give Lucas Duda a full season to prove he belongs next season, especially after what he’s shown the team so far.
That said, Hot Stove season is fast approaching and you can bet the nuts running the rumor mill will be hitting us with storylines like the “Mets are considering at Albert Pujols”, or the “Mets are talking to Rangers about Josh Hamilton”. I bet you can’t wait for that to start! 
About the Author: Joe DeCaro
I'm a lifelong Mets fan who loves writing and talking about the Amazins' 24/7. From the Miracle in 1969 to the magic of 1986, and even the near misses in '73 and '00, I've experienced it all - the highs and the lows. I started Mets Merized Online in 2005 to feed my addiction. Follow me on Twitter @metsmerized.
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If no outside guy falls into their lap, most likely Duda will get the shot. And ultimately (assuming he keeps producing) slide over to LF when Bay is finally dumped.
hard to see any other guy in the system currently grabbing a hold of the job by opening day. F Mart? nah.
As a power bat, Kemp doesn’t work, but as a speedy line drive hitter, he certainly does. So does Andre Ethier.
Both are arbitration eligible after this season. Normally, that would mean the Dodgers would resign them, but I’m not so sure now. I’d probably go for Kemp first since we can put him in CF and duda in right and he’s younger.
The .249 last season doesn’t concern me since prior to that, he played well. His BABIP was well below his career average. And still hit 28 HR.
Taking money and reasonable thought out of it, sure, go for Prince, put Ike in RF. Putting money and reason (and the fact that Ike’s ankle might not allow him to roam the fields as he should)
.
Really, that big bopper should have been Bay. Hoping he still can be that is just silly at this point, yet he is serviceable enough combined with a ludacrisp contract that you aren’t going to get anything in return nor any viable salary relief to assist in getting his replacement.
So, to summarize. Crazy land = Ike in RF, Duda in LF, Prince at 1B, Reyes at SS. Reality Land = Bay in LF, Duda in RF, Ike at 1B and Reyes at SS (hopefully).
As to pagan… Yes, he is proving to us all that he’s a 4th OF. Debatable on both how he plays the position and if he’s worth the money. That said, there is nothing out there in the FA market. My off the wall thought would be to get Ankiel, as he can play CF, but that’s as much a risk as Pagan. The system of the Mets not having anything in the minors ready to play CF (Pridie does not count. Why? Well, he’s Pridie, that’s why), so I can’t see them investing in something as costly or more costly than Pagan.
So, for the $ that needs to go to Reyes and theoretically replacing every single person in the BP, plus a SP or 2 plus bench people and a back up C, I can’t see that anyone bigger than Ankiel or an Ankiel type would be a fit for this team.
First section should have read:
Taking money and reasonable thought out of it, sure, go for Prince, put Ike in RF. Putting money and reason back into it (and the fact that Ike’s ankle might not allow him to roam the fields as he should), it will be Duda on the bench and an Ankiel type coming in to split time with Pagan and Duda.
The way I see it is the Mets might take a shot at Rick Ankiel for one year and plug him in centerfield in a platoon with Pagan. Bay and Duda man the corners, and hope a better solution presents itself for 2013.
Umm if there was any truth to Cerrone hearing the Mets wanted a big bat in the outfield, he would have already made ten posts about it. I think there’s absolutely no truth to it. I’m not buying that for a minute.
Maybe I am misinterpreting but I find it funny how Cerrone writes as if he has some sort of inside knowledge on the Mets plans.
“The word is”?
I mean can you be any more vague?
Here is another word. “The word is” the Mets will look to resign Reyes.
I’m Sorry, I guess I am just not the biggest Cerrone fan.
Hahaha… J.D. Drew will be available this off season and at low, low discounted price too… Who wants to? bear me the Mets sin Drew to a 3 yr. 30 million deal?
Anyone want to take that bet?
Cerrone rumor is ridiculous. There is no way the Mets are going out to get a big thumper OF’er. It’s just not happening. Perhaps they sign Carlos at the end of the season if he keeps his demands reasonable. Other than that it’s make due with what we have either here or in the system. Pagan is a #4 OF’er and very expendable. Also there is no compelling reason to take back salary to dump Bay. Given what we have, he’s as good as anything. Figure him to complete his contract as a Met and just hope he continues to improve with time. Keep the expectations modest for 2012 to avoid disappointment.
Hope your wrong about Bay, I’m hoping the Mets find a way to get rid of him in the Winter. I cant even look at the guy when he comes to the plate.
I think you should cut Bay some slack. If there was some quality players in the starting lineup, he might be able to make some contributions at the plate. His fielding is beyond reproach and he has shown signs of turning it around at the plate. At least he is a player who has good instincts on the field as opposed to ones like Pagan and Murphy who are clueless and incompetent more often than not. I think he has the potential to regain his former abilities. One problem is that Citi may be a mental block in the same way as it drags Wright down. The best thing the Mets could do is to reduce that stupid wall. Why do we have a pitcher’s park when we don’t even have any pitchers worth a damn.
Bay is here to stay in 2012. No one would trade anything for him and the Wilpon isn’t eating 2 years. Come 2013 either Duda or Lagares will be playing LF and he’ll collect his last years salary somewhere else.
I don’t agree there’s nobody in the pipeline for CF. Capt. Kirk has played more than enough in the high minors to allay any suspicions that his offense is anything but solid. He’s no big bopper, and he’s not lighting anything on fire, but I’d much rather see a 24-year-old with really good minor league numbers given a shot than a 30-year-old with terrible major league numbers.
If anything, Kirk could get his year to show what he can do and if he’s no better then Pagan, the options really open up after 2012, with Kemp, Hamilton, Upton and Victorino all free agents. Or, we do it all over again with Den Dekker if he progresses. And if Ike comes back healthy, the Mets need to see if Dykstra or Pascucci have any ability in the OF.
Nothing’s ever a sure thing, but there are options, that’s for sure.