Brandon Phillips A Met? Don’t Bet On It…
Why is it that every quality player who becomes available or is on the block is suddenly looked at as the perfect fit for the Mets? Is it because it’s in our nature as Met fans to be dreamers like John Lennon?
Let me put a few MMO Mailbag pieces to rest in this one post. These questions were submitted to us this weekend and I’m going to combine them simply because the answers are short even if they are not sweet.
Brandon (appropriately) asks…
I read on MLBTR that Brandon Phillips will be traded this season by the Reds. I always liked Phillips and I still think he would add a lot of punch to the middle of the Mets lineup. What do you think we’d need to give up for him?
Joe D. replies…
We can speculate all we want as to what it would take to land Brandon Phillips, but the truth is that the Mets do not have an identified need at second base so any discussion is rather moot. Can we bring him on and then start shuffling players from one position to another just to force him into the equation and create a good fit? Yes, anything is possible. But the question remains why? Instead of jamming a round peg into a square hole, why not simply go after a square peg? The Mets have Daniel Murphy at second base, and while he is not perfect, second base is not a Mets area of focus right now. Additionally, if you are one of those who think Murphy’s offense at second base is not that great, how much worse will it look at first base? Thanks for the question.
Glen asks…
Being we didn’t sign Jose Abreu, why don’t we go after Brian McCann instead? I read that he is going to move to first base like Mike Napoli. Even if he gets a qualifying offer, all it costs us is a second round pick and not a first.
Joe D. replies…
Glen, I’m not sure where this McCann to first base narrative has been coming from, but he’s never played a game at first base in his career. I’d further add that most of his value comes from the fact that he’s one of the best offensive catchers in the majors. There are no plans in Atlanta to move him to first base, and even if that were to be the case, do you really believe the Mets would shell out $75 million dollars on the premise that McCann can play first base for them – sight unseen? What if he ends up like Mike Piazza? The fact is that McCann has averaged .250 – 20 – 60 over the last three seasons, do you want to overpay for that?
Original Met Fan asks…
What are your thoughts on Jacoby Ellsbury?
Joe D. replies…
Solid player who will cash in this offseason, but not one the Mets can afford despite the need. Someone will give him $100 million this Winter, but it won’t be Sandy Alderson.
