29
2012
From Left Field: This Offseason Has Been Confusing
An article by 
Heading into this offseason, Sandy Alderson was bound to make some changes to the Mets’ roster.
Even with a limited supply of funds, how long can a team deal with mediocrity before making a change?
That same limited supply of funds virtually made it hard to think the Mets would pursue free agents, so Alderson came out and said that he’d be creative in exploring trade possibilities.
We’re only in late November, and already it seems the Mets are changing their course. ESPN New York’s Adam Rubin recently reported that Mets don’t expect to be making trades and will instead sign free agents.
So basically Alderson made one claim, now he’s making another claim, and by the time the Winter Meetings roll around, there may be a completely different story.
Pretty confusing, huh?
Luckily, it’s not even December yet, and the Mets right now are solely focused on contract negotiations with David Wright and R.A. Dickey. And rightfully so, since they are two huge pieces to the puzzle, even if that puzzle means trading one or both for younger talent.
So if Alderson sticks to his guns this times and says he will pursue free agents, let’s see who he might be talking about.
The Mets seem content heading into the season with a starting pitching rotation of Dickey (assuming he’s here), Johan Santana, Jon Niese, Matt Harvey and Dillon Gee. They may bring in a few insurance arms, but that’s looking pretty set.
As for the infield, Ike Davis, Daniel Murphy, Ruben Tejada and Wright (assuming he’s here) are likely the starters.
The bullpen this year will probably be a combination of what we have (Bobby Parnell, Jenrry Mejia, Jeurys Familia and Josh Edgin) and some cheap options that the Mets hope can produce.
So likely we’ve been saying all along, the Mets will look for help in the outfield and at catcher. And preferably, the Mets seek a right-handed hitter at both those positions.
At catcher, the really only viable options that the Mets can afford are Kelly Shoppach, Miguel Olivo or Chris Snyder. Mike Napoli is way out of their price range, and the rest of the crop of catchers has seen better days.
In terms of outfielders, Scott Hairston is looking more and more like a possibility to return, especially now that B.J. Upton signed with the Braves. It’s not like the Mets were in on Upton, but now the market for right-handed hitting outfielders may pick up.
An intriguing name could be Matt Diaz as part of a left or right field platoon with Mike Baxter. Diaz crushes left-handed pitching and especially Mets’ lefties over the years.
Ryan Raburn or Juan Rivera would come cheap and could also be platoon partners.
The bigger names in the outfield like Cody Ross and Delmon Young (more of a DH anyway) are likely seeking multi-year deals, and the Mets are likely to stay away there.
No one really knows how the rest of this offseason will play out. It would be nice as fans to have some sort of clear path on the direction of the team, but I guess that’s just the nature of the business these days.
The first priority is to take care of the Wright and Dickey situations, however they might play out, and then worry about the rest of the roster.
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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NL East Standings
| Team | W | L | Pct. | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Braves | 42 | 28 | .600 | - |
| Nationals | 34 | 35 | .493 | 7.5 |
| Phillies | 34 | 37 | .479 | 8.5 |
| Mets | 25 | 40 | .385 | 14.5 |
| Marlins | 22 | 47 | .319 | 19.5 |
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So far the only wholesale changes I have seen has been of the FO’s mind…Back and Forth
But then again I have come to realize that anything this FO says the plan is will be completely reversed within the week….
How can you make and rebuild a competitive team when you can’t even make up your mind one way or the other?
Nice post Jim M.
The one thing this Front office has been consistent with throughout it’s tenure here is “inconsistency”….
Sandy Alderson’s snaked tongue lawyer roots taking center stage…Double talking at its best, cant believe anything he says.
The team is seriously worst off now and seems to have no direction. And this FO just plays it by ear there are no means to and end with them.
Actually there will be a ton of changes:
Bay, Hairston (most likely), Cedeno (most likely), Rauch, Ramirez, Pelfrey, Torres, Young, Shoppach, Acosta are all out. New players will be brought in.
Changes will occur. Will the new players be any better? Other than Bay, not likely.
Alderson said wholesale changes not wholesale improvements.
“Alderson said wholesale changes not wholesale improvements.”
LOL that’s a pretty damn good point.
HI Task,
Kudos for reading between the lines regardng “wholesale” .
You mean we could not offer a player like this for Span?
This from MLB Rumors:
The Nationals announced that they acquired center fielder Denard Span from the Twins for minor league right-hander Alex Meyer. The Twins have confirmed the deal.
Span, 28, provides the Nationals with an established center fielder. His presence will presumably keep Bryce Harper and Jayson Werth in outfield corners. It could also impact the Nationals’ interest in Adam LaRoche, since Michael Morse’s primary position might now be first base. Alternatively, the Nationals could move Morse to a team seeking offense and continue pursuing LaRoche.
Span posted a .283/.342/.395 batting line in 568 plate appearances with Minnesota in 2012, numbers that compare closely to his career mark of .284/.357/.389. The five-year MLB veteran will earn $4.75MM in 2013 and $6.5MM in 2014. His contract includes a $9MM club option for 2015 with a $500K buyout.
Meyer, the 23rd overall selection of the 2011 draft, pitched well in 2012, his lone season as a pro. He pitched at Class A, posting a 2.86 ERA with 9.7 K/9 and 3.1 BB/9 in 129 innings. The 6’9″ 22-year-old might rank sixth among Twins prospects, John Manuel of Baseball America notes (on Twitter).
Read more at http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/#ycP6dYdsJb9v7vKp.99
Hi M22,
At $20 million for the next three years, are you kidding?
That’s why we are not going anywhere – obtaining that type of player and only giving up one’s sixth ranked prospect most any other team would take in a heartbeat other than us – Sandy won’t spend the money even though he makes for a good lead off hitter and has great range in the outfield.
Yes Span and a few other smart moves – including Wright and R.A. – could both put the Mets right back in contention and many fans right back in their seats.
I’m afraid we couldn’t have offered a player like that because you know full well that around here anyone who likes Sandy knows that wearing a MET jersey decreases your trade value by 75%…
It’s a well known fact just ask anyone of the Sandy lovers why no one we have in our system is tradable they will tell you they are all worthless….
Except Wheeler and Nimmo because you know GOD picked them!
Wright has stifled the Mets offseason with his posturing and bullshit. He’s getting the prima donna treatment and nothing else can happen until his ass is satisfied and he gets every last cent.