3
2012
Mets Can Still Get Back On Track This Winter
An article by 
On the heels of their sixth consecutive disappointing season, the Mets entered this offseason with another set of tempered expectations. Having force fed fans a vision of contention for the 2014 season with the arrival of key pitching prospects, the Mets enter this winter with more questions than answers yet again. Devoid of a quality major league outfielder and without a solid anchor behind the plate, it would appear that the Mets must still renovate half of their starting lineup. That process must begin this winter should the front office hope to stay on plan as their young arms make the journey to Queens this season.
Like many of you have felt, its been disappointing to learn that Sandy Alderson once again finds himself with no more than $10 million (at absolute max) dollars to work with. Having gotten used to rosters of big ticket free agents and payrolls that reached for the stars, this new frugal route still sits sour with most fans. Nonetheless, this is the path the Wilpons have chosen and we’re unfortunately along for the ride. That said, the team is still in position to work towards its ultimate goal of 2014 success.
Having endured more experiments than I care to count since Sandy Alderson took the helm, the Mets still appear set to return Lucas Duda to the outfield next spring. The swing to left field, widely believe to be the easier of the corner outfield spots, provides him the opportunity improve his defense while keeping his bat in the Mets powerless lineup. Centerfield also appears to have been assigned to the strike out happy Kirk Nieuwenhuis already. His inclusion in the 2013 roster provides the Mets with a semi-legit centerfield/lead off option, or at least the best we can hope for on such a restricted budget. Are these early designations the best we could have hoped for? No…but if I had to chose two experiments for the Mets to forge ahead with, this would probably be the two I’d pick.
So that leaves catcher and right field… Luckily for Mets fans, or I suppose unluckily depending on your mindset, the Mets have more assets than the $10 million dollars mentioned above. While the team can almost certainly fit a tenured catching upgrade into that budget, a power hitting right fielder often comes at a premium. Enter thirty-seven year old Cy Young hopeful, RA Dickey, who increasingly looks destined for the trade market this winter. A twenty game winner with no sure future, Dickey may be just enough to fetch the type of outfielder the Mets covet to slot into right field next season.
Is it a sure plan? Certainly not. However, it bridges the gap to next off-season when the team will find itself with more than $40 million dollars in loose change to work with due to the expiration of the Bay and Santana contracts. At that point, the team could find itself to be a major player in the free agent market if the time to abandon the Lucas Duda and/or Kirk Nieuwenhuis experiments has finally arrive. Furthermore, the Mets will have learned more about the likes of Matt Harvey, Zack Wheeler and much much more. Therefore, should a starting pitcher also become a requirement headed into 2014, the team will have the flexibility to make that move.
So while I’m sure none of this excites you for the 2013 season, we can only hope that the team makes the moves necessary to continue a path towards contention. Making at least half the major changes needed to do so is certainly within the realm of possibility this winter. Doing so may not fill the seats at Citi Field next spring, but it will, at least in my opinion, yield the team’s first successful offseason since Sandy Alderson arrived. Whether that’s his fault or not is another debate for another time, and although the losses have certainly added up in recent years, the New York Mets are not so far off track that this thing can’t be saved. Two years ago the front office laid out a plan and with the right moves this winter, they can still make 2014 the year they find themselves back on the map.
Follow me on Twitter at @RobPatterson83
About the Author: Rob Patterson
Ultimately, I owe nearly thirty years of Mets related torture to my mother, who is the reason I became a fan. I was too young to remember the 86 run, but hope to see one I'll be able to recall much sooner than later. I enjoy writing about the team and welcome your feedback on my posts. Oh..and I am not with 28!
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NL East Standings
| Team | W | L | Pct. | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Braves | 42 | 30 | .583 | - |
| Phillies | 35 | 37 | .486 | 7.0 |
| Nationals | 34 | 36 | .486 | 7.0 |
| Mets | 27 | 40 | .403 | 12.5 |
| Marlins | 22 | 48 | .314 | 19.0 |
Last updated: 06/19/2013
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Is there a potential sale of the team we dont know about ?
No we are held hostage. Grin and bear it.
Well written piece, but I do have a couple of issues with what you said.
1. On the heels of their sixth consecutive disappointing season, the Mets entered this offseason with another set of tempered
We missed the post season by one game in both 2007 and 2008 and both seasons, were relevant and hard fought but we just missed. On their own they were solid seasons that I dont believe we’ll ever see under this current regime. You cant compare those two season with what happened in 2009 and 2010 when we were besieged by injuries and 2011 and 2012 when we were besieged by incompetence.
2. So while I’m sure none of this excites you for the 2013 season, we can only hope that the team makes the moves necessary to continue a path towards contention. Making at least half the major changes needed to do so is certainly within the realm of possibility this winter.
You’re right, making half of those changes would be a heck of an accomplishment. But it wont happen. Most Mets fans judge acquisitions or potential acquisitions like drones. There is no one player that can fix this mess or change anything. That’s how they thing and that’s how Alderson thinks. They disengage from any player that can help because they are looking for this super stud who will fix everything in one fell swoop. Idiotic concept, I agree, but that’s how they look at any significant fixes and so does this front office who sees how clueless the fanbase has become.
The evidence lies in the fact that we have more areas to fix now than we did in 2011, a lot more. In addition to the same areas that needed to be addressed. We have needed help at catcher, closer and one starter for three offseasons now. Add to the list right field, left field, centerfield, setup man, long man and LOOGY.
We are going in a new direction. Reverse.
I’d argue that 2007 and 2008 were more disappointing than those more recent seasons bc of the collapses. While they were better in terms of wins without questions, they left little to celebrate.
Your also right that the team has other needs. I think you’ll see Mejia and Familia in the pen for much of this year.. They could greatly help that cause…
I’m not as sold on Familia and Mejia as some are. I think Edgin will be solid and possibly Hefner in long relief role. Otherwise I wasn’t very impressed with the other farmhands that were forced into duty.
The collapses were disappointing, no doubt, but those teams were good enough to win and failed, more the fault of the players than the GM who put together winning and competitive teams.
Bullpens are so year to year for every team. That’s why I didnt factor them in here, but yes an obvious concern going forward.
Finally some optimism.
We hear this line alot these days in a non baseball sense. It took more than four years to build this mess and it will take more than four years to fix it. Small steps, good signings, and keeping true to core team building values from within will bring us back soon.
Robert: You mention 2014. The albatose contracts are done. 100 M- 50 M = 50 M payroll plus kick in for extended players if any and salary arbitration. Lets make a big assumption and say we now have 50M financial flexibility. “They (the Mets) can still make 2014 the year they find themselves back on the map.” Don’t forger hopefuly Niese and Ike are still here to continue developing and Harvey and Wheeler are solving their expected growing pains .
add in losing hairston who was the mets cleanup hitter against lefties.
add in losing dickey who is almost certainly a goner.
maybe add in wright as well, It looks like he is not going to offer a hometown discount.
also throw in your fifth starter in young
also throw in half of your catching platoon.
never mind the bullpen FAs
For this you get back an outfielder for Dickey.
Thats just great. just great!!
Ray,
Let’s not pretend that Hairston was an all-star. Yes, he crushed lefties, but he’ll never be an every day player and no team should be in the business of giving out expensive multi year deals to bench players.
As long as the Mets get solid return for Dickey, any trade becomes a wash. RA isn’t young and probably won’t be an ace caliber pitcher in 2-3 years when the Mets are ready to contend. Get something while his value is high.
I don’t see Wright going anywhere, but if he does you’ll get a package of players back. Again as long as its a good trade..on the field it becomes a wash.
The roster isn’t as bad as you think…
The Mets can and should go with an outfield of Duda LF, Kirk CF and for possibly 5M for 2 years, re-sign Hairston. 20 hrs in 400 at bats is nothing to sneeze at. Such an outfield would cost the Mets a around 3.5M.
The Mets could also sign a lead off type like Juan Pierre to play CF and keep Kirk at AAA or if no Hairston, move him to RF.
Take a chance on a low salary with incentives deal for Grady Sizemore?
Or perhaps if they trade Dickey, that brings back the OF needed. Time will tell.
Robert, I appreciate your optimism. However you are talking about being competitive in 2-3 years. Most of us are looking for a competitve team in 2014. thats what we have been promised. Hairston wouldnt cost a boatload to resign. 2 years 7 mm would do it. But the RH platoon in LF is being reserved for Bay.
Dickey is an Ace and possible cy young winner. Knuckleballers last a long time and I am sure there are plenty of teams that would love to have him. The return better be more than a good RF.
If wright goes thats a huge hole.
for what? prospects. If he goes its because he knows the mets are NOT going to be competitive in 2014.
Familia and Mejia could dominate in the pen and they’ll both get the chance this season. Having those two, along with Parnell, Edgin, and Fransisco will give this team a chance at finally having a dominating bullpen that is much cheaper then years past.
Then, look at the rotation. Dickey, Santana, Niese, Harvey, and Gee will be a great start. Having Gee or even Harvey as the teams fifth starter puts them well ahead if most major league rosters. Remember, they also have the major’s number 8 best prospect waiting to come in as we’ll sometime in July.
So, the pitching just might be enough for then to stay afloat. Now they need to score runs.
The good: Wright, Davis, Tejada, and Murphy
The bad: Bay, Thole
The question marks: Duda, Kirk, whoever they get to play in the outfield.
Hopefully, Sandy can find a good outfielder who can hit AND is cheap to trade for. That’s the only way it works… The guy must be cheap, which means he probably has to trade someone. This is where Sandy will earn his paycheck. Who is Sandy willing to give up? I hope it’s not Davis or Niese, but I also hope he doesn’t trade the good young arms. To me, Fulmer, Wheeler, and Montero are off limits.
I wouldn’t be shocked to see Familia or Flores traded, especially if Wright and Dickey are extended.
Sandy said that Bay’s and Santana’s buyouts are part of 2013 payroll which really gives then zero wiggle room unless the Wilpons stop choking this team to death.
Well,
Now it’s showtime for the suits led by Sandy. I am already sick of this “Met fans need to temper expectations for 2013″ and “2014 will be our year”. This is Wilpon propaganda garbage. I don’t care about dollars, this team needs to be significantly improved for 2013 or anyone buying a ticket will just be making a charitable contribution to multi-millionnaires, who just happen to won a billion dollar sports franchise and a billion dollar TV station in the largest market in the US.
murph, dickeys a goner. leaks that mets are concerned about his age and he throws the knuckler harder than others is the writing on the wall. Who knows what santana has left? gee is also coming off surgury. The outfield was already the worst and now the one producer is gone Dont be so sure wright is coming back either. sorry.
Just heard that Santana and Bay are planning to have a hell of a season since it is their walking year.
I’ll take it. Let them have great yrs!!! Gee surgery was a success and he was on a mound pitching in Sept. dickey…trade him or not, it helps the team. Nobody has any reason to think a healthy Santana won’t be great. He already showed that last yr until he threw 135+ pitches….he’s going to be stronger and better this yr. Wright….trade him or not, it helps the team.
Dave: you’re right about the Wilpons, but unfortunately because they are allowed to use every other means off revenue other than attendance to pay their debts, the Mets get shafted because of a dwindling attendance.
Other teams are spending big bucks because of television cash. Not the Mets. That cash is being funneled to other places and not the payroll.
Frank McCourt wanted to use the Dodgers new television deal to help keep the team afloat. Because Selig knew Frank was also going to use funds to pay his divorce, Selig stripped the team from him and he had to sell.
So, how come the Wilpons are able to use the TV money for other purposes. It sure isn’t going towards payroll.
why indeed
as to your comments on dickey and wright. how do you know trading them helps the team? lets see now…… hmm trade my two best players…………my 2 all stars………..and it helps the team, ok im a little slow. please help me with that logic.
Well being that Wright said he would take LESS money to be on a WINNER ( aka a team unlike the NY METS )
We either trade them…or let them walk as free-agents
So, I was thinking about what I would do if I was in Sandy’s shoes. I think I would try to work out an extension with Wright hopefully backloaded a little and with no trade protection outside of 10-5. I would sit on Dickey. I would also be hoping that Flores continues raking and allows for me to trade Wright. I have been against this from the word go but if Flores forces hi way to the majors and can replace Wrights production than it would work.
2013 is not our year. Gut the team. Stop jerking Wright and Dickey’s chain and trade them. We are going the Oakland route so lets stop pretending. We have at least 10 open roster spots. Lets use them all on Rule 5 picks. Start the season with them. As they fail get rid of them. Start Duda, Kirk, Turner and Baxter in Las Vegas they may find some altitude assisted pop there. Promote the proven AAAA types as the Rule 5 wonders sink or swim.