Oct
13
2012

If Mets Want Outfield Help, Jason Kubel and Chris Young Could Be On The Move

An article by 72MetsFan

D-Backs’ Jason Kubel and Chris Young could be on the move this Winter.

Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic, reported on Thursday that the Arizona Diamondbacks are weighing whether Jason Kubel or Gerardo Parra is a better fit as their everyday left fielder in 2012, GM Kevin Towers said his team is looking for help at shortstop and third base this winter, and Towers said those decisions will affect the direction that Arizona takes in left field.

“When you put a club together, it’s more of a puzzle,” Towers said. “What you do at short and third maybe changes what your need is in left. If you get more offense on the corner, then maybe there’s more of a premium for the defender in left. If you don’t get the offense and you get the defense in the infield, you have to have your power somewhere.”

Piecoro projected the 2013 D’Backs outfield as Justin Upton in right field, Adam Eaton in center, and either Kubel or Parra in left field, They also have the promising A.J. Pollock as the fourth outfielder and Chris Young is also on the team with an undefined role.

Basically the D-Backs have a numbers problem in the outfield and the thinking is that Chris Young and Jason Kubel are expendable in a deal for a third baseman or shortstop. Of course Arizona would want major leaguers in return or prospects that are major league ready at either of those positions.

Young, 28, is owed $8.5 million in 2013 and has a $11 million option for 2014. Piecoro says the D-Backs will eat some money to move their righthanded hitting center fielder. In 325 at-bats, Young his 14 home runs with a slash of .231/.311/.434.

Kubel, 30, signed a two-year deal for a very team friendly $15 million last December. The lefthanded slugger is coming off a 30-homer season with a .253/.328/.506 slash.

The bottom line is that either of them would upgrade anything we currently have now. Of the two I prefer Kubel even though centerfield is more of a priority as is the need for some righthanded power. But installing Kubel in right field would enable us to platoon Bay and Duda in left field. Plus I believe the Mets have their minds made up that Kirk Nieuwenhuis will get a chance to be the everyday centerfielder next season.

What are your thoughts? Any interest in Kubel or Young from the MMO faithful?

About the Author: Drew Staley

On June 1, 2012 Johan Santana officially became my favorite current Met! I'm a Queens native who grew up in the shadows of Big Shea. I was a huge Ron Darling, Dave Magadan and John Olerud fan. Honored to be a part of such a great site for Mets fans. Ya Gotta Believe!

22 Comments + Add Comment

doekie October 13, 2012 at 8:47 am

If it is Kubel or Young I prefer the righthanded Young
Donal October 13, 2012 at 8:50 am

Depends on who they want. I doubt we’re getting Kubel’s 30 HR for Murphy and Kubel isn’t worth Flores or Wright. Granted, his away splits aren’t the disaster Upton’s are.
- doekie October 13, 2012 at 9:03 am
  
  If the Mets trade Wright. What would you want back?
  - Donal October 13, 2012 at 9:14 am
    
    Well, it would have to start with young, legit power hitting OF. And probably also throw in a functioning catcher.
    - doekie October 13, 2012 at 9:22 am
      
      Your legit power hitting OF in Arizona? Would Parra be good enough for you. Not realy a power hitter but a CF with some defence, speed and pop. How about including Tyler Skaggs the top LHSP in the minors. Arizona is loaded with pitching……
      - Donal October 13, 2012 at 10:26 am
        
        I was speaking in general, not specifically in a trade with Arizona.
        
        For Wright, I’d want to start with a young legit power hitting OF and add on from there. If the D-Backs can’t meet that, then I can’t really see trading Wright there.
        
        doekie October 13, 2012 at 11:19 am
        
        What team has that young legit power hitting OF and needs an upgrade at 3rd?
        
        This is stupid October 13, 2012 at 11:37 am
        
        Why not not just ask for good outfielders? They don’t have to be power hitters.
        
        Donal October 13, 2012 at 3:38 pm
        
        You’re giving away our one decent right handed hitter. Plus, 3B are at a premium right now.
        
        Metstheory22 October 13, 2012 at 4:41 pm
        
        If by chance we are NOT going to keep Wright, ( I would keep him) Cinci might be looking for one. Would they trade Todd Frazier and another for David Wright?
        
        doekie October 14, 2012 at 2:05 am
        
        Why would Cinci do that?
This is stupid October 13, 2012 at 9:10 am

No to Jason kubel. Can’t hit lefties, terrible defense, overpaid. Pass.
- Moe October 13, 2012 at 9:43 am
  
  Kubel for Tejada. Yes!!! One stiff for another stiff.
Old School Mets Fan October 13, 2012 at 9:20 am

Neither happening. Both way too expensive.
Ken Tomlin October 13, 2012 at 12:23 pm

I dont want any of them, if Upton’s available I’d listen otherwise pass.
Metsie October 13, 2012 at 1:19 pm

Duda, Flores, Cedeno or Turner, Familia, and Den Dekker for Upton.

Solves all thier needs and all we are really giving up is Duda and Flores who are both great hitters with no positional space to get them into the lineup.
Guy October 13, 2012 at 1:41 pm

Why add another stike out machine in Kubel? Doesn’t make sense when the Mets need guys who make contact regularly.
Even Flow October 13, 2012 at 2:28 pm

Pass on both. Never was fond of either one of them.

If the Mets were smart and wanted something from Arizona that was attractive, they’d go after Gerardo Parra and a young pitcher like say, Trevor Bauer. He may seem untouchable in a lot of people’s minds, but if say, they were offered a package centered around David Wright, Towers would pay close attention.
Mark October 13, 2012 at 8:19 pm

If the Mets trade for any of Arizona outfielders I expect it would be Gerardo Parra. He’s a good defensive outfielder and could play all three outfield positions.
TruthsaboutMurphy October 13, 2012 at 9:12 pm

Both those outfielders aren’t worth what we’d be trading. Their needs don’t work with ours unless you actually really think outside the box….

Perhaps a package centered around Tejada plus a couple of prospects. Maybe even get Upton as the outfielder. Then, toss Flores into shortstop, cover your eyes on anything involving him defensively, and you’ve helped the outfield. Now, short is the problem, but at least there’s a decent to good bat there which will get better. Maybe find another SS somewhere. This sucks, forget it.

Arizona won’t work for the Mets.

Next!!!
- doekie October 14, 2012 at 2:08 am
  
  If you want to cover your eyes with Flores on SS perhaps you can put him on 3rd and trade Wright who should have much more value. This also could net you some (top) prospects.
Mike Lloyd October 14, 2012 at 7:57 am

SA won’t take on either’s salary, so why even discuss…I’m more concerned with who Wright and Dickey will be moved for at the Winter Meetings..this FO has done such a good job at identifying and procuring talent so far I’m sure they’ll be able to swindle every team out of anything they want….Lol

NL East Standings

Team	W	L	Pct.	GB
Braves	23	18	.561	-
Nationals	23	19	.548	0.5
Phillies	20	23	.465	4.0
Mets	16	24	.400	6.5
Marlins	11	31	.262	12.5

Last updated: 05/18/2013

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