23
2011
From Left Field: Who Should Stay And Who Should Go?
An article by 
The English punk rock group, The Clash, was famous for the song “Should I Stay or Should I Go.”
With the season winding down, let’s do a Mets-related version of this song. For 2012, who should stay and who should go?
Stay
Manny Acosta: Though erratic at times, he showed he deserves a spot in next year’s bullpen.
Pedro Beato: Shut him down now so as to not hurt the kid’s confidence anymore, but he’s gone through stretches of greatness.
Tim Byrdak: Already re-signed for next year, really tough on lefties.
D.J. Carrasco: Two-year deal was a bad choice, team is stuck with him again next year.
R.A. Dickey: Poor start to season, but really turned it on over last few months. No run support, thus losing record. Valuable fourth starter.
Dillon Gee: Either ran out of gas or hitters made the adjustment, but was a completely different pitcher in second half. Needs to regain early season form heading into next year. Probably will be fifth starter.
Daniel Herrera: Been a huge surprise, would be nice to have another lefty in the pen.
Jon Niese: He’s on the verge of a breakout year one of these years, just needs to stay healthy.
Bobby Parnell: May not be ready to be a full-time closer, but will only get better by facing professional hitters. Still has great stuff.
Johan Santana: Will hopefully toe the rubber on Opening Day, but I don’t want to jinx anything.
Josh Stinson: Looked great as September call-up. Could compete for a bullpen spot.
Josh Thole: Still has work to do offensively and defensively, but work ethic and attitude are there. Must prove he’s an everyday catcher.
Ike Davis: A healthy Ike Davis is a hitting machine. Tough blow for him this year.
Lucas Duda: Definitely showed positive strides over second half. As of now, the 2012 starting right fielder. Not exactly an outfielder, but can get better out there, especially if the Citi Field fences are adjusted.
Daniel Murphy: Outfield has become a possibility for Murph, but he may best be suited for a super-utility role. But how can a guy who hits .320 not play every day?
Jose Reyes: Fingers crossed that the Mets can sign him to a long-term deal.
David Wright: Is a better player with Reyes in the lineup. Needs to stay healthy all season. Name him team captain?
Mike Baxter: Very limited sample, but could be a lefty bat off the bench, little bit of pop, can play multiple positions.
Jason Bay: If he hits the whole season like he did the last month, watch out. If not, he’s looking like one of the worst signings in team history. Still has a few years on contract.
Go
Miguel Batista: Made a few quality starts, but way past his prime. If they keep him, it would be in an insurance role in Buffalo.
Taylor Buchholz: Remember that guy? Don’t think he’ll be back.
Chris Capuano: Only if the Mets are desperate for a starting pitcher should they bring him back. He had a few great starts this season, but had a bad tendency for running out of gas by the fifth inning. He might be picked up by another team anyway.
Ryota Igarashi: It’s time for Iggy to go. His two-year deal is up. Good luck to whatever team rolls the dice on him.
Jason Isringhausen: Izzy was easily one of the best stories in the MLB this season, but how long will he be able to keep it up? It may not be worth the risk, especially since he really doesn’t factor into the team’s long-term plans. Great job this season though.
Mike Pelfrey: If the Mets can find a taker for Big Pelf via trade, now is the time. But knowing the Mets luck, Pelfrey will turn into the next Nolan Ryan.
Ronny Paulino: Was a decent stopgap, but team must find a more permanent solution at catcher.
Scott Hairston: Has good pop, but strikes out too much.
Willie Harris: Another stopgap player. His versatility is on his side at least.
Undecided
Chris Young: He was very effective in his few starts but then got hurt. Is the injury risk worth the reward? He’d have to accept a deal laden with incentives.
Mike Nickeas: Will probably assume the role again of third catcher, which hopefully means he’ll be in Buffalo.
Nick Evans: Has showed some serious pop over last few weeks. But where does he fit in with this team? Might be more valuable as a trade chip than being buried on the bench when everyone else is healthy.
Justin Turner: Another guy who showed flashes this year, seems that he’s been passed by Tejada, but the two would complement each other nicely for a full season.
Fernando Martinez: What are we going to do with this guy? Still young but never healthy.
Angel Pagan: When focused, he’s an exciting player that can do virtually anything on a baseball field. When unfocused, he makes himself look bad with his baserunning blunders or poor routes to the ball in center. Could be a non-tender candidate.
Jason Pridie: Nice option for a final spot on team. Good defensive outfielder.
Agree? Disagree? Tell me what you think.
About the Author: Jim Mancari
Jim Mancari hails from Massapequa, N.Y. He recently earned a Master's degree in Journalism at Hofstra University. He is a devout Mets fan and takes pride in his team, despite their lack of success over the last few years. Like all Mets fans, Jim has plenty of hope. He also writes as the sports reporter for the Brooklyn Tablet newspaper and the senior editor of metroBASEBALL Magazine. Click my name to view my personal website.
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Can I interrupt this comment section to point out that I am the guy doing one of the spotlights at that concert?
Stay: Jose Reyes and Ike Davis (If he ever recovers from an ankle bruise)
Undecided: Johan Santana
Go: Everyone else
Overall, I like your thinking. The Mets’ problems are vast and deep which is why I believe that they need to be more creative with the pieces that they have who are worth redeploying in different roles. For example, Niese has a great arm, great stuff and a feisty competitiveness. On the other hand, he can’t last more than 4 or 5 innings. For me, I would like the Mets to strongly consider him to be the closer. Pelfrey should be the setup man because he is usually strong in the opening frames. I disagree that he is closer potential because of two big things: (1) he cannot put batters away (Niese can) and (2) he doesn’t have the makeup or stomach to be the closer. We need to pick up 1 more very solid starter to fill out the rotation (provided Chris Young doesn’t play) and some BATS. Guys who can hit friggin’ bombs. I miss Delgado and Cliff Floyd because when they got up, if we were behind, we always “had a shot” of hope.
Dump Thole, Pagan, Igarashi, Paulino. I like Pridie off the bench for defense. I also like Harris because the players love him and he’s a solid clubhouse guy.
If I had to pick retaining Wright or Reyes, I would go with Wright. He’s far more durable, power potential, far better baseball instincts and a team player. Give Wright a real lineup around him (as in the Beltran Delgado days) and he’s back over .310 with 25 HRs. Reyes, on the other hand, will handcuff the Mets $$wise and he is unpredictable from a health standpoint. The Mets have far too many voids than to dump all of their cash on one player. Those are my thoughts. Right or wrong, that’s where I am on this.
Dump them for who? Oh wait, I forgot we have a whole major league ready team waiting in the minor leagues… This team has holes, for sure, but is not 22 players away from competing.
True…they are not 22 players away from competing…In order to be competitive they only need a catcher, second baseman, centerfielder, Jason Bay to contribute, David Wright to remember how to make contact, Ike Davis to recover from a brutal booboo on his ankle, 5 new starters (minus Johan if he is capable of pitching in the majors again) and maybe only 5 guys in the bullpen. The Mets do that and they will be competitive…unless you consider sub .500 ball to be competitive. So, you’re right, not 22 players away, only like 12-15 players away. Go Mets in 2015.
Disagree on T-Buch. He’s a really good relief pitcher with a great strand rate. I would definitely bring back Young. An incentive-leaden deal is all he’d get, anyway.
strand-rate? Sounds like a stat for cars who don’t pick up hitch-hikers. Ridiculous, the guy’s out for the year because of depression and this clown has decided to keep him ALREADY because of his strand-rate.
If this wasn’t so sad it would be comical.
Strand rate is how few inherited runners are allowed to score. You know. Inherited runners. The thing real baseball people talk about all the time. Chalk another one up to something about real baseball you don’t comprehend. The length of that list is what’s comical.
ah got it, so you’re assuming i wouldn’t know what you’re referring to when you mention a ‘strand-rate’ for a reliever.
Talk to me about retaining this reliever who’s been out for the year when he’s over his depression.
If the Mets waited on the health of all the people who were injured to be healthy, they might lose out on cheap talent. It’s not a baseball related, so what’s the issue?
I understood strand rate
It’s the other side of LOB, that thing you keep crying about that the Mets aren’t good at offensively (even though they are)
Don’t think I am crazy but, I think Niese should be our closer. Great stuff. Puts guys away but has no stamina beyond 4-5 innings. Pelf should be our new setup man for the 7th/8th inning. Pagan should go. Capuano should come back along with Harris. Thole should go. Nickeus is far better defensively and could spell a new everyday catcher. Agree on Duda,Murph and Davis.
Clancee, that’s a very interesting thought on Niese and not a bad one at all.
I do however think the Mets wouldn’t go that route on a pitcher who’s still young and hasn’t worn out his welcome as starter with high upside.
I think Pelfrey is the better option at closer if he airs it out and taps into his desire to be the big man on campus and focuses hard for an inning at a time, perhaps the second coming of Jason Isringhausen in similar fashion.
I also like Nickeus as backup.
Dickey is a #4? Totally disagree with Jim Mancari
After two really good seasons, RA’s a number 2 or 3 who possesses the mentality of an ace and the wisdom of the evolved.
The Mets need to obtain a legit starter for #3 behind Dickey, and if so, should they retain Niese and Pelfrey as #’s 4 and 5, and Santana’s health is good, this wouldn’t be a bad staff in that Harvey and Familia could be ready, if needed, by the summer.
On the other hand, I’d look to trade Pelfrey to KC for their talented CF, Lorenzo Cain who’s blocked at the big league level unless they trade Melkey Cabrera who’s had a fine all around, breakout season. KC makes no bones about wanting affordable, established starters who can help while their young talent develops.
The big issue for the Mets is defense and the bullpen. Based upon recent comments by Mets brass, I get the impression that the Mets are willing to use the minor league options of Beato, Parnell and Stinson to let them further develop and have repository of options to call-up when needed.
I can also see Gee and Schwinden pitching in the minors as well, though one or the other could be a long man. I think the Mets resign Acosta and Isringhausen, look outside the organization for closer, and then look to add 3 relievers outside the organization to fill out the pen beyond Byrdak and Herrerra, and add others on minor league deals to provide additional minor league depth and drive spring training competition.
Whether they keep or release Carrasco remains to be seen. And whether the resign Capuano remains to be seen as well. Chris wants to start and thus Mets could lose him to free agency if they can’t resign him as long man and spot starter and they’re unwilling to guarantee a starting job.
I hope Taylor Buchholz is improving and can get his career going again and with
us. It would be a feel-good story if he does and is successful at it to his capability.
I completely agree with you on Dickey. He’s #2 or #3. I think he’s a genuine starter. I love his makeup and he’s a great guy. I am not sure if Pelfrey or Niese are true starters. Pelfrey doesn’t appear to have the heart of a lion and Niese doesn’t have the stamina. #1: Santana, #2. NEW , #3. Dickey , #4. C. Young (or Capuano) #5. Gee.
is this post for real?????
David Wright: Is a better player with Reyes in the lineup. Needs to stay healthy all season. Name him team captain?”
are you serious???
All those names discussed and that is ALL you got out of it? What a shocker………
i really don’t get your obsession to reply to the comments i make, i’ve ignored you 99% of the time, yet you continue to try to engage with me, i’ve told you, once you earn your respects here in this blog you can THEN maybe have a debate with me… LOSER just move on!!!
wow, you really think that?
Lets get something clear right now, I do not need your permission on what posts I can and cannot reply to.
You do not own this site.
As far as respect, the LAST person in the world I would want respect on a baseball blog, is from someone like you. You do not know or understand the game and with each day’s passing you make that clear with your misuse of baseball terminology and just plain stupid comments.
When people defend Wright from your ignorant statements and bold face lies that does not equate a lovefest, it means people are sick of your obsession with hatred for the guy. I get it, everyone gets it, my dead grandmother gets it, you hate Wright and are obsessed to the point when anyone writes a word about him you blow a gasket.
You have the audacity to say I need to earn respect, yet claim people like Wright because he’s “cute” and speaks English well, are you kidding me with that garbage.
I will post in every and all threads as much as I want, and will continue to call you out for your ignorance.
I have said it more than once, if the FO can get some real pitching in return I’d drive Wright to the airport.
I also think the naming of ANYONE Captain to any professional sport is ludicrous.
You don’t like what I reply to you, stop posting stupid comments.
You expect me to earn your respect, have some respect.
Wright for Cain. Get it done.
please!!!!!!!!!! at what point does ppl really start seeing this guy for what he is??
i don’t get the love fest, i mean, i’ve seen post of ppl here that like him because he’s good looking and speaks english well.. i get it, he’s cute and all, but cute don’t win championship or hit hr’s, a real baseball player does, this guy is supposed to carry the team, yet time after time he FAILS, yet his legion of fans come up with new ways to make an excuse as to why he failed.. is this guy serious about making him a captain???? WTF is this???
I like Reyes for Cain but, not Wright. We need POWER. Our team is like a Volkswagon going uphill.
I would be interested in knowing a list of the free agents this off season and players from other teams thay would fit in a Mets lineup and what player or players would we trade for them. Thanks. PS: This is not a hate David Wright question,not at all, but in a trade who do you think we can get for him?
at this point, EVERYONE has seen this guy biggest flaw, he’s already known as a choker around NY so… it’ll be hard for sandy to get top notch pitching for that bum and on top he’ll be making $15 million next year with 16 the next if he doesn’t opt out of his contract and become a free agent, which i doubt he will. noone will pay this guy 16 million per year. if i am sandy, i’ll trade him and try to get aramis to get here on a 2 to 3 year deal max… but i doubt the mets will spend ANY kind of money on free agent, so if they trade wright it’ll be on another move for 2014.
Acosta, Pelfrey, Carrasco, Capuano, Ryota Igarashi, Paulino, Hairston, Miguel Batista, Taylor Buchholz can go. Pagan might be upgraded or just hit him 2nd if he comes back. Gee looks like he changed his style or delivery from early part of season. Beato might start next season in minors as closer down there to get experience.
Hopefully a healthy Ike Davis and full season of Duda with Wright can supply power.
Some interesting thoughts in this blog….and a whole bunch of crap. Trade Mike Pelfrey? For what? Another teams headache? On the other hand, there has been talk of converting him to the closer role. Now, that would be a joke. Mike has the physical tools to do it but it’s his mental makeup that has held him back since day one. The main hindrance in trying to trade Mike would be that you are not going to get much in return!
Ruben Tejada will be here as either part of the second base situation or as the new shortstop should we not be able to resign Jose Reyes. Justin Turner, likewise is going nowhere. He has been a very good crunch time player who needs a bit more polish in the field. If David Wright is traded and I believe that if someone made the offer of a front line pitcher that David could be gone, Turner could be part of the third base situation along with Daniel Murphy. These young players have infused some life into this team and have come to play everyday.
We are in a rebuilding stage no doubt and while we should be a competitive opponent every night, we do not compare with the Phillies or Braves yet. If our minor league stud prospects continue their growth and we traded for a high quality and healthy starter then we could compete for a playoff berth…
Patience is needed and the hope that we can resign Jose Reyes
MetsBlog never mentioned Wright’s strike out w/bases loaded in their game recap or analysis. It was only discussed in the comments section by the readers.
That’s one of the main reasons for all the angst for Wright because while I’m not trying to pile on in this instance – it WAS an important moment in the game and SHOULD be mentioned – but they never mentioned it. Hence, the outrage and claims of fans (even ones that run web sites) giving him the “golden boy” treatment because of things like that.
It absolutely should have been mentioned, but the whole “golden boy” is a double standard. Last week with the game on the line in the bottom of the 7th, Reyes popped out, with a man on third NOT ONE MENTION.
Let’s mention everything not just “the golden boys’ failures.
Love the double standards from so many on this page.