11
2012
Mets Might Bring Back Andres Torres
An article by 
A source has told Dan Martin of the New York Post that the Mets may very well bring back center fielder Andres Torres for another season.
A second straight brutal season at the plate likely means the Mets will non-tender Andres Torres, but the team has not ruled out the possibility of bringing back the center fielder, according to a source.
Despite hitting just .230 with a .664 OPS, Torres would be in line for a slight raise from the $2.7 million he made last season in arbitration. The Mets have no interest in paying that amount to Torres, who turns 35 in January, but could re-sign him for about half that.
I didn’t see that coming, but Martin says it’s a similar tactic the Mets will likely use with Mike Pelfrey after the right-hander underwent Tommy John surgery in May. That is to go ahead and non-tender them, and then try to re-sign them for less.
While I don’t mind seeing Pelfrey back on a minors deal while he rehabs, I gotta yell you, I’d be mortified to see Torres back again. With Lucas Duda most likely taking over at left field, and Kirk Nieuwenhuis slated for a full-time role, where does Torres fit in?
As far as 4th and 5th outfielders we still have Mike Baxter and Jordany Valdespin. and yesterday Sandy Alderson hinted Scott Hairston might be re-signed. Plus, I thought we were bringing in a power hitting outfielder this offseason?
Even though I’m thrilled Jason Bay is gone, if we open next season with a combination of Torres, Duda, Hairston, Kirk and Spin, I think I’ll become violently ill.
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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NL East Standings
| Team | W | L | Pct. | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Braves | 25 | 18 | .581 | - |
| Nationals | 23 | 21 | .523 | 2.5 |
| Phillies | 21 | 23 | .477 | 4.5 |
| Mets | 17 | 24 | .415 | 7.0 |
| Marlins | 12 | 32 | .273 | 13.5 |
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Blech….. I’d rather take a flyer on Rick Ankiel than this wingnut
Rick Ankiel = Building for the future !!
Wholesale changes!
LF – Duda/Hairston
CF – Torres
RF – Fred Lewis
While Valdespin and Kirk sit on the bench, or in AAA
Yes Sandy is Building for the future !!!
Why even bring him back ? Even as 4th outfielder i dont want him back. Ugh next season is already looking like a joke and the offseason just started. Why cant go sign half decent players. Shit bring in Shane Victorino and juan pierre .
Lineup
1. Pierre
2.Tejeda
3. Victorino
4. Davis
5. Wright
6. Duda
7. Murphy
8. Catcher
9. Pitcher
Alex,
Victorino 3rd? Really?
I guess they don’t think they can find another “cheap” CF option who would be an improvement over Torres. I’m like everyone else though, if Torres is back I’m gonna be sick. He was awful at the plate and his defense was no where near advertised. I guess you could do worse, but it’s kind of hard to fathom unless they bring Gary Matthews Jr back. The only possibly acceptable use in bringing back Torres is as a 4th OF and backup CF with Capt’n Kirk the regular in CF. If Kirk is the regular CF then you have to have a decent backup to him, which Torres MIGHT be able to handle. Though I still think there HAS to be a better alternative out there somewhere. I just hope to God this F/O doesn’t still consider Torres a full time player. But, unfortunately, they might.
Looking at FanGraphs, Torres had the Mets 5th highest Wins Above Replacement in 2012 at 1.7, just behind Wright, Tejeda, Hairston, and Murphy. Plus (and this is what this F/O will point to), his BB rate was 12.0%, just behind Wright’s 12.1% for 2nd on the team in 2012. His career BB rate is 9.9% so obviously this is why they value him. So don’t be surprised to hear this F/O praise Torres’ “undervalued” skills if / when they re-sign him. I guess the money they saved for 2013 by dumping Bay went to re-signing JP Ricciardi for 3 more years because he has helped Sandy find such “undervalued” players as Andres Torres and D.J. Carrasco. Way to go Mets.
Making my summer scheduling very easy. No Mets games for me.
Everything the Mets are doing can be summed up in one word “CHEAP” We all know the reasons and history. Other teams dream of owning BMWs and we dream of YUGOs.
Dave
Pierre single and steals. Tejeda gets him over to third . Victorino singles him then steals and Ike drives him 2-0 Mets that is why i would bat him 3rd.
Why do Metsmerized devotees comment on players we can only dream about in a Mets uniform. If you are in a fantasy league ok but in the real world these players will not be in a Met uniform. For example Upton, Bourn, Victorino, Hamilton, etc. We couldn’t even make a bid for Cody Ross a very good BACKUP catcher and an upgrade over Thole. What does it get you but dreaming of the girl that got away. Wake up and be real.
No, No No ………………..!
heh. “sources”
Wonder where all these sources were when Bay’s release was being negotiated.
One day we slam these unnamed ‘sources’ and the next day we treat them as gospel if it suits our agenda. I prefer to see what actually happens before professing helper skelter.
That’s helter skelter……..
Everybody’s got a narrative. It’s just a matter of being able to change it to the facts rather than changing the facts to the narrative.
I don’t mind if the Mets bring back Torres as a fifth outfielder/defensive replacement/pinch runner type, because they don’t really have one of those, but as a possible starter, no way.
I agree…as a bench-warmer…I have no problem with Torres or Hairston…
But why would either one want to come back here?
All things considered equal, this is a crappy place to play…if Hairston wants to stay in NY, I’m sure the Bronx would be a decent place for him to pad his stats..
if he hit 20 HR playing PT in Citifield, dude would hit 50 in Yankee Stadium…
Sandy should’ve traded him
Joe,
Violently ill may be a bit strong, but constant nausea would not surprise me. As usual, there are many mixed and contradictory messages coming from where ever. While we all want t to see some action and sooner than later, we will need to wait for all the moves before passing judgment. There is probably some equation and mix of personnel changes whereby Torres as the 5th OF for $1.2 million is tolerable, but I’m having a difficult time figuring that one out at this time.
So we want to get rid of RA Dickey, but bring back Torres?
Man, Mets management is making it very hard to be a fan of this team…
well i can see why u get rid of Dickey…
if Dickey brings u back a few young studs…then great…
in no universe should Scott Hairston or Andres Torres take away ANY playing time from the kids..if we are building for the FUTURE
2013 = ALL ABOUT THE KIDS
I’d rather bring in an experienced CF/RF and let ‘Spin get his OF training on the farm.
Sandy and his think tank even considering bringing this guy back tells me that there is really nothing brewing on the trade front or the cheap, bottom of the barrel FA front just yet. Sandy isn’t trading Ike or Murph and would have to be overwhemed to trade Niese. It also tells me that the Wilpons aren’t budging on payroll for next season even though a ton of $$$- Santana, most of Bay and Francisco comes off the books after next season. It looks like the Mets starting OF for 2013 is going to be the same as 2012- Duda in LF, Torres or Capt. Kirk in CF and Hairston being brought back for RF.
I’m hoping Hairston gets a better offer…
I want to see Kirk, Duda, Valdy play the OF…no vets should start…
If they are looking for a no hit center fielder play Den Decker. He would be paid the league minimum and can even throw the ball.
Since the article says there is a “possibility of bringing back the center fielder” and nothing more I am not going to presume it means he will be back as a starter. He may be back as a utility outfielder off the bench or as some depth down at AAA or since it is described as a possibility he may not be back at all.
I am finding it difficult to see how the Mets will accomplish doing more than what I would describe as a slight upgrade at any of the OF positions without the trading of the likes of Wright, Niese, Dickey or Davis.
I think it was Mitch that suggested they consider Sizemore and barring a trade this type of player may be the route they go.
I just wonder how good it would be for either parties for Torres to come back. After the abuse he took by the fans and media because he was traded for and deemed as the replacement for Pagan, Torres might perform better outside of New York – even as a bench player.
Hairston is most likely going to get offers from contending teams so even though I doubt there is going to be a big bidding war for his services, I don’t think he would be returning to New York since the Mets won’t be near the top of the financial offers and won’t be in the playoff hunt picture either.
The Mets cannot be taken serious in trying to build a competitive team – building from within on a farm system even if Sandy’s people liked what they saw when they took over from Minya in itself is only part of the answer.
i don’t want to trade R.A., but this is a team in need of major OF reinforcements, and R.A. is very likely at his peak trade value. i’ve read here where he might be traded to and for whom. Get the best possible deal and trade him. IF he wins the Cy Young–even better.
I’d also trade DW. Time to move the kids that can play in, trade for quality kids, and prepare for ’14.