Mets Merized Online - A Mets Blog For Real Mets Fans!

The same way that the Mets lost Ruben Gotay due to his being out of options, other teams will have to, at some point, lose players due to the same process if they want them to see some time in the minor leagues in 2008. Below I listed some possible fits for the Mets if they want to chase any other out of options players in the league.

Jason Botts: This name jumped out to me as a very nice fit for the Mets. In his career minor league experience, the switch hitter's played at first base in 237 games, and the outfield in 278 games. Not to mention that he can flat hit; in Triple A last season in 220 at-bats he hit .320 with 13 home runs and 39 RBI's, not to mention an OBP of .398. Though already 27 years old, there's still upside present with Botts, but he won't find big league playing time with Texas, they already have 6 outfielders on their 25 man roster. He'd be able to give Carlos Delgado and Moises Alou rest on a more frequent basis, or possibly be a platoon partner with Ryan Church. I don't think its necessary that the Mets make a move in the near future, but if an opportunity presents itself to acquire Jason Botts, I'd pursue it if I were Omar Minaya.

Royce Ring: Again, a guy who's never flourished in the bigs but has always had some upside. Ring, who was in the Mets organization from 2003-2006, walked 17 batters in 20 innings last season, but also struck out 21. His minor league numbers are even better, 58 strikeouts in 44 innings. The Braves didn't ask for much in exchange for Tyler Yates, so I wonder if Ring would come relatively cheaply for the Mets. A possible trade may even present an opportunity to rid ourselves of Scott Schoeneweis.

Edwin Jackson: I doubt that Jackson will be dealt to the Mets now that he's been linked to trade rumors with the Angels, but I can only imagine the numbers he'd put up under the wing of Rick Peterson. He put horrendous numbers last season (5-15 record, 5.76 ERA), but then again Oliver Perez put up a 2-10 record with a 6.63 ERA before the Mets traded for him. Edwin Jackson to the Mets is just wishful thinking, but what a possible asset he would be to this team if he ever lived up to the hype.