An MMO Fan Shot by Dave in Spain
It’s cold and it’s snowing… Put on your hypothetical thinking caps…
The Mets have three major problems that don´t have any obvious in-house solutions: shortstop, first base, and a true leadoff hitter. In an attempt to solve those problems I propose the following:
1. Sign Stephen Drew for 2 years $24 million with an option for a third year. Yes, I know he´s not ideal, but he’s the best option out there. Giving him a 2-3 year deal will bridge the gap until Gavin Cecchini or Amed Rosario are close or even ready.
2. Trade Daniel Murphy and Jon Niese to the Blue Jays for first baseman Edwin Encarnacion. If you have to add Lucas Duda or Ike Davis and/or some second tier pitching prospects, do it. Toronto is very weak at 2B (and 3b), and at the mid to back of their rotation. Murphy and Niese would address those needs. Encarnacion is a beast, and is under control at a reasonable salary through 2016 (with an option). Toronto still has power in their lineup, but lacks balance and pitching. Encarnacion would hold down 1B and provide prodigious power until Dominic Smith is potentially ready.
3. Trade Wilmer Flores, Ruben Tejada, Rafael Montero, and a lower level prospect to Cleveland for 2B Jason Kipnis. At 26-years old, Kipnis is a good second baseman who provides a high OBP (.366 in 2013) and speed (30 SB) for the top of the lineup. Why would Cleveland trade him? Because they have virtually nothing at third base and a logjam of close-to-MLB-ready middle infield prospects. Flores would give them a good third baseman for a long time, and Tejada would bridge the gap at second until their prospects are ready in a year or less. Montero could slide into their rotation either at the beginning of the season or soon thereafter. I don´t want to trade Montero, but you have to give up quality to get quality. I know this seems like an overpay, but sometimes you have to bite the bullet to get the pieces you need and relieve logjams.
4. Sign a Free Agent pitcher to replace Niese for part of the season. Someone like Bronson Arroyo if you could get him on a short term deal, or even a Dice-K type if not.
What Are The Results?
Starting Lineup
- Jason Kipnis, 2B
- Stephen Drew, SS
- David Wright, 3B
- Edwin Encarnación, 1B
- Curtis Granderson, LF
- Travis d’Arnaud, C
- Chris Young, RF
- Juan Lagares, CF
Starting Rotation
- Zack Wheeler
- Bartolo Colon
- Dillon Gee
- Bronson Arroyo or Daisuke Matsuzaka
- Jenrry Mejia (Jacob deGrom/Carlos Torres)
In 2015, Matt Harvey and Noah Syndergaard take over.
In Closing…
As with all trades, you have to give up quality to get quality. Would we miss Murphy, Niese, and Montero? Sure, but what Kipnis and Encarnación provide would dramatically eclipse whatever was lost with Murphy, and a FA pitcher could replace some of what Niese did.
What happens with Davis and Duda? Either at AAA, traded, or released to save money. Would the Wilpons have to pony up money for Drew? Yes. But this series of moves would make the Mets a much more dangerous and competitive team in 2014 and beyond, and would likely draw many more fans to the park as well.
OK, fire away!
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This Fan Shot was contributed by Dave In Spain. Have something you want to say about the Mets? Share your opinions with over 25,000 Mets fans who read this site daily. Send your Fan Shot to [email protected]. Or ask us about becoming a regular contributor.
