Most of the buzz around the Mets indicates that adding a starting pitcher remains a low priority for the team. And knowing the Mets, that means any starter will probably be cheaper than even their usual clearance-rack prices.

Despite the lack of urgency to improve the rotation, the Mets could really benefit from adding a Bartolo Colon-esque veteran starter. They could use the kind of guy who maybe isn’t a star, but can eat innings and stay off the DL. Outside of Jacob deGrom Noah Syndergaard and perhaps Seth Lugo, they don’t have anyone they can count on to start on a consistent basis. Matt Harvey had a 6.70 ERA last season. Steven Matz and Zack Wheeler are too injury prone to be counted on. And Rafael Montero… Well, let’s not even go there.

Anyway, the Mets are probably going to have to resort to a minor-league deal for a starter — if they even decide to sign one. Here are 15 guys who should fit that bill:

Anibal Sanchez– Sanchez led the American League in ERA in 2014, with a 2.57 mark. It has subsequently risen to 3.43 in 2014, 4.99 in 2015, 5.87 in 2016, and 6.41 in 2017. What happens in 2018 — if anything — remains to be seen.

Ubaldo Jimenez– This name has generated some speculation due to Jimenez’s history with Mickey Callaway: He pitched with the Indians from 2012-13. In 2012, Jimenez went 9-17 with a 5.40 ERA, leading the league in losses. Once Callaway came to the team in 2013, Jimenez went 13-9 with a 3.30 ERA. So Callaway oversaw a solid improvement here.

Jimenez has been downright awful over the last two seasons, recording a 6.13 ERA since 2016. Perhaps Callaway can turn him around again.

Ricky Nolasco– Nolasco went 6-15 with a 4.92 ERA last season. But on the bright side, he’s made at least 30 starts in each of the last two seasons.

Chris Tillman– Tillman might actually get a major-league deal, given the fact that he’s approaching his age-30 season, and his decent track record in the major leagues. But his 7.84 ERA last season might not do him any favors in that department. Tillman had a 3.81 ERA and 108 ERA+ from 2012-2016, so he would be a terrific bounce-back candidate on a one-year deal.

Matt Garza– The former Rays-ace has a 5.10 ERA since 2015. That means he’ll be cheap which in turn means he’s probably on the Mets’ radar.

Hector Santiago– A 2015 All-Star, Santiago had a 5.63 ERA in just 14 starts in 2015. Much like Tillman, Santiago is a solid age-30 bounce-back candidate.

R.A. Dickey– It’s widely believed that the 43-year-old will retire. But if he doesn’t, the Mets should strongly consider a reunion with Dickey: He recorded a 4.26 ERA last year, and has made at least 26 starts every year since 2010. His price and consistency make him a perfect fit for the Mets.

Clay Buchholz– Buchholz made just two starts last season for the Phillies, letting up ten runs in 7.1 innings. He doesn’t really make sense for the Mets, who don’t need another injury-prone starter.

Wade Miley– Miley has largely been unable to find the success he had early in his career with the Diamondbacks: He’s got a 4.59 ERA since 2014. But he did make 32 starts and pitch 157.1 innings last year, so he is capable of eating up innings.

Scott Feldman– Coming into his age-35 season, Feldman recorded a 4.77 ERA and 92 ERA+ for the Reds last season. He recorded ERA’s under four in the three seasons prior to that, however, so he’s a pretty solid bounce-back candidate.

Derek Holland– The former Ranger has been consistently awful since 2015, recording a 5.50 ERA over the last three seasons. He’ll probably be looking for a minor-league deal going into his age-31 season.

Jake Peavy– Peavy, 37, is planning a comeback after spending last year out of baseball. When he last pitched in 2016, he was 5-9 with a 5.54 ERA and a 4.36 FIP — which could indicate Peavy was a victim of bad luck. He was effective as recently as 2015, when he went 8-6 with a 3.58 ERA.

Tim Lincecum– Lincecum spent last season out of baseball, and had a 9.16 ERA in 2016. Which means the Mets may actually be able to afford him.

Henderson Alvarez– The former Marlins ace made three starts at the end of last season for the Phillies — his first MLB appearances since April of 2015. Alvarez looked like a potential star in the making for Miami in 2014, when he went 12-7 with a 2.65 ERA and 140 ERA+. He might not be a terrible reclamation project, although the Mets need more stability in the 2018 rotation.

Bartolo Colon- It looked last season as though the game had passed Bartolo by. He finished with a 6.48 ERA — the worst of his 20-year career. But if there’s anything left in the tank for the 44-year-old, a return to Flushing may be the best place to find it. Colon, however, might latch on with the Texas Rangers before too long as reports say a deal is close.

The post 15 Starting Pitchers Who Could Sign on Minor League Deals appeared first on Metsmerized.

The New York Mets snapped a seven-game losing streak on Friday night at Citi Field with a 3-0 win over the Los Angeles Angels.

Pitching

Jacob deGrom (2-1, 4.07 ERA) got the start for the Mets and gave them exactly what they wanted. He looked to do something a Mets starter hasn’t done in the last 18 games by getting an out in the seventh inning. However, at the beginning of the inning it appeared there was something wrong with his finger which led to Terry Collins and Ray Ramirez to visit him on the mound. Whether it affected his pitching or not, he did struggle with command and loaded the bases with no outs. In the end he got out of the inning without any Angels scoring.

Jacob picked up the win as he gave up no runs on four hits and three walks while striking out nine. In doing so, he lowered his ERA from 4.07 to 3.56.

Jerry Blevins and Paul Sewald combined for three strikeouts in a scoreless eighth for the Mets.

Addison Reed picked up his fifth save of the season with a perfect ninth inning for the Mets.

Offense

The Mets scored against Angels starter Ricky Nolasco (2-2, 4.34 ERA) in the first inning to take an early 1-0 lead. The run came on a Curtis Granderson ground-rule double which ended up under the tarp on the left side of the field.

The Mets didn’t score again until the sixth inning when Rene Rivera drove in Neil Walker on a RBI single. The hit extended his hitting streak to 11 games.

After deGrom got out of massive trouble in the top of the seventh, Michael Conforto gave him an insurance run in the bottom of the inning. He hit his team-leading 11th home run to put the Mets up 3-0.

The Mets had six hits and three walks on the night. Conforto lead the Mets offensively as he went 2-for-3 with two hits, two runs, a walk, a home run, and a RBI. He was the only Met who had a multi-hit game.

On Deck

The Mets will start the second game of this series at 7:15 PM on Saturday. Zack Wheeler (2-2, 3.76 ERA) will toe the rubber for the Mets while Alex Meyer (2-1, 5.59 ERA) will do the same for the Angels.

The post Rapid Reaction: Mets Snap Losing Streak Behind deGrom’s Gem appeared first on Metsmerized.

Mets Are Not In On Arroyo, Twins Closing In

It didn’t take long for Jon Heyman and Marc Caring to confirm our report when we tweeted the following:

Latest little nugget from Winter Meetings: "Mets interest in Bronson Arroyo is there but also very overstated."

— Metsmerized – Joe D (@MetsmerizedJoeD) December 10, 2013

The Mets have said they are interested, they also said yesterday that they are not looking to sign any pitcher to multiple year deals. But MMO was told that the Mets have yet to even meet with Arroyo.

Talks between the Minnesota Twins and the agent for Bronson Arroyo are intensifying. The Twins were bent on revamping their rotation this offseason and have already signed free agents Ricky Nolasco and Phil Hughes. They are definitely still in, writes LaVelle E. Neal.

Walt Jocketty of the Reds told reporters that he also met with Arroyo’s agent, Terry Bross, today. Arroyo is reportedly looking for a three-year deal.

Arroyo, 37, is one of the most consistent pitchers in the game and wasn’t given a one-year qualifying offer by the Cincinnati Reds, which adds to his appeal. He has tossed 200 or more innings for eight straight seasons and last year he posted a 3.79 ERA in hitter friendly Great American.

Brett Anderson to the Rockies

Ken Rosenthal is reporting that the Rockies are acquiring Anderson from the A’s in return for left-hander Drew Pomeranz and right-hander Chris Jensen. The A’s had a glut of starting pitchers and it was clear Anderson would be the one to go.

I always though the A’s would get more for Anderson. Not too sure they accomplished anything more than moving some salary. ($8 million)

Mets Won’t Go More Than Two Years On Drew

According to multiple major league sources, the Red Sox are planning to wait the market out to see what develops for Stephen Drew before considering a definitive offer for the shortstop, reports WEEI. There is some thought throughout baseball that Drew’s market might be limited due to the fact that any team — other than the Red Sox — would be required to surrender a draft pick.

The Mets have long been tied to the 31-year-old shortstop, but for now will stay on the sidelines unless they are able to clear more payroll flexibility by unloading Ike Davis or Daniel Murphy or both. Sandy ratcheted down expectations that the team would make another big splash like Granderson. But MMO’s John Delcos reports that if the price is right Sandy will pounce.Apparently that right price would be no more than a two year deal according to Mets beat writers.

Brewers Say They Gotta have Hart

Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel spoke with Corey Hart’s agent, Jeff Berry, who told him that the Brewers have made Hart “a priority” in terms of trying to re-sign the slugging first baseman. At the same time, Berry made it clear there is interest from many teams.

“There’s a tremendous relationship between Corey and the Milwaukee Brewers,” said Berry, who is attending baseball’s winter meetings. “He was their longest-tenured player. It’s a tremendous organization with tremendous people that Corey and his family have grown up with.”

“That said, there has to be a fit for both sides. We’re certainly open to doing that. The Brewers, as always have been very communicative. They have made Corey a priority. We’ll see how it all plays out. We will meet with all the (interested) teams. There’s interest in Corey from many teams.”

It’s well documented that Hart’s preference is to stay with the Brewers and he offered to take less money for a deal with them.

Though Hart missed the entire 2013 season after undergoing surgeries on both knees, Berry said he is healthy now and ready to play. How much concern there is from the Brewers or other teams about his knees going forward will determine what kinds of deals are offered.

Last week, a source told MMO that the New York Mets had not contacted Hart or made any offer to the former Brewers first baseman after several rumors surfaced hat the Mets were very interested.

“There’s been a few teams, but the Mets are not one of them.”

The 31-year old slugger also admitted that he has lost 20 pounds while rehabbing his knees and believes that bodes well for a return to the outfield.

Over his previous three seasons entering his lost 2013 campaign, Hart has hit .280 with an .857 OPS and has averaged 30 homers. Hart’s versatility will certainly be a big part of his appeal in addition to his righthanded power.

The post Hot Stove: Mets Are Not In On Bronson Arroyo appeared first on Metsmerized.

Nats Get Doug Fister From Tigers

The Washington Nationals have acquired starting pitcher Doug Fister in a trade with the Detroit Tigers for infielder Steve Lombardozzi, left-hander Ian Krol and minor league lefty Robbie Ray.

Fister, 29, went 14-9 with a 3.67 ERA in 33 games last year in his third season with the Tigers. Fister was tied for the American League lead in getting batters to ground into double plays. He allowed 0.6 home runs per nine innings, second best in the AL.

“This is an exciting day for the Washington Nationals,” said Washington GM Mike Rizzo in a statement. “We feel we’ve added a talented, young veteran to our starting pitching corps. Doug is battle-tested through playoff experiences, and the depth he brings to our staff is exceptional. We are thrilled to welcome him aboard.”

Great deal for the Nats and what a way to bolster the rotation as he promised fans after the season. The Tigers will replace go with Drew Smyly in the rotation in place of Fister.

Beane Signs Former Mets Top Prospect

The A’s and Scott Kazmir have reached an agreement on a two-year, $22 million contract, according to Jim Bowden of ESPN.

Kazmir, 29, pitched for the Indians last year, going 10-9 with a 4.04 ERA. He was particularly impressive in the second half with Cleveland, going 5-5 while lowering his ERA from its first-half level of 4.60 to 3.38. Along the way, Kazmir brought his strikeouts up while lowering his walks. Kazmir won’t require the A’s to sacrifice their first-round pick.

The $22 million deal is $1 million shy of Tim Hudson‘s two-year, $23 million deal with the Giants. Beane set out to add a starter to the rotation and he completed his mission before the start of the Winter Meetings.

Twins Sign Hughes To Three-Year Deal

The Twins have agreed to a three-year, $24 million deal with Phil Hughes according to LaVelle E. Neal III of the Star Tribune who cites an anonymous source. A source with knowledge of the talks tells Neal that the Twins are expected to announce the deal after Hughes passes his physical.

When the free-agent meat market opened, Phil Hughes was a pitcher the Mets were very interested in, however, a month into the Hot Stove season and they bowed out on the former Yankees starter. The 27-year old was young and his flyball rate made him a perfect fit for Citi Field. Poor Metsies, those big 2013 spenders, they’re on the outside looking in again… Predictably… Well… Predictably for some… (11/30)

Cano and Yankees Still $100 Million Apart

According to a report by Ken Davidoff of the NY Post, during last week’s meeting with the Yankees, free agent Robinson Cano was seeking a nine-year contract for between $250 and $260 million. The source told the Post the Yankees countered with a seven-year deal for between $160 million and $175 million, putting the two sides nearly $100 million apart. The two sides are scheduled to speak again on Monday.

Davidoff says that the Yankees have been adamant they won’t sit and wait for Cano to fully navigate free agency, with so many other holes to fill. The Yankees have already held discussions with free-agent outfielders Carlos Beltran, Shin-Soo Choo and Jacoby Ellsbury and infielder Stephen Drew. (11/30)

Hanley Ramirez” src=”https://metsmerizedonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/hanley-ramirez-350×218.jpg” width=”350″ height=”218″ />

Hanley Dodging Free Agency?

The Dodgers are discussing an extension with Hanley Ramirez reports Dionisio Soldevila of ESPN Deportes. Ramirez, 29, is under contract for next year, but he has had ongoing extension talks with the Dodgers,

“We are negotiating something, but we are going step by step,” Ramirez said while declining to discuss the salary and length of a potential deal. The shortstop/third baseman is currently completing a six-year, $70 million deal he signed while with the Marlins.

Last season, Ramirez slashed at .345/.402/.638 with twenty home runs and ten stolen bases in 336 plate appearances. Despite missing time with injuries he posted an incredible 5.1 WAR ranking 25th among field players according to MLBTR. (11/30)

O’s To Deal Johnson?

The Orioles are willing to listen to trade offers for closer Jim Johnson, according to Buster Olney of ESPN. One of the top closers in the league, Johnson is expected to earn as much as $10.8 million in arbitration. That’s more than the entire Mets bullpen combined.

The Baltimore Sun reports that after talking to people within the organization, the trade talk for Johnson definitely has more legs than previous reports that the Orioles were open to dealing shortstop J.J. Hardy or catcher Matt Wieters this offseason.

Johnson, 30, led the American League in saves with 50, and tied Atlanta’s Craig Kimbrel for the Major League lead. In 2012, Johnson had 51 saves giving him 101 over the last two years – the best mark in the Majors. (11/29)

Way To Go Joe

The Angels made it official and announced that they have signed free-agent reliever Joe Smith to a three-year deal worth $15.75 million.

Smith, 29, had a 2.29 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 54 strikeouts in 63 innings last season. Over the past three seasons, the former Met sidewinder has compiled a 2.42 ERA and 1.16 WHIP in 197 innings in the 2011-13 seasons. He’s also been very good at stranding inherited baserunners the past two seasons, allowing only 15 of his 70 inherited runners to score. (11/29)

Oh Ricky You’re So Fine

According to Chris Cotillo of the MLB Daily Dish, the Minnesota Twins have reached an agreement with free agent right-hander Ricky Nolasco. The deal is for four years and $48 million, with a 5th year option for $13 million with a $1 million buyout.

While pitching for the Marlins and Dodgers, Nolasco posted a solid 3.70 ERA, 1.21 WHIP in 199.1 innings with 165 strikeouts and 45 walks allowed.

The Twins have been on the hunt for two pitchers and in the 30-year old Nolasco they get one with a solid track record. That said, he could be very pricey and some project a four-year deal in excess of $50 million dollars.

When this offseason started, Sandy said he had about 25 pitchers on his wish list. I would have to think that list is down to 17-18 now. (11/28)

Morneau To The Rockies?

Troy Renck of the Denver Post is reporting that Colorado Rockies are ever so close to landing first baseman Justin Morneau. Morneau, a former MVP, had a disappointing season after slashing at .259/.323/.411 in 635 plate appearances. But the new trend is to target players like him who are coming off a bad season. That was why the Mets went hard after Chris Young. Morneau has missed a lot of time to injuries over the last three seasons.

The Mets lose a potential trading partner in Colorado who may have been a good landing spot for Ike Davis. There’s not that many teams in search of a first baseman this season, so this one may sting a little bit for Sandy. But I’m sure there’s at least 3-4 teams who will be intrigued by his power potential. (11/28)

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A 31-year old free agent, Cano’s sticker price is somewhere around 10 years/$300 million. In fan speak that’s somewhere in the nosebleed section.

Which Major League Baseball organization is ready to invest in a player who will earn $30 million per season (assuming he earns $30 million per year) at age 38, 39, 40 and 41. The New York Yankees won’t. The Los Angeles Dodgers learned their lesson on trying to buy a championship; they’re not interested in Cano at that price. The Mets? Comical.

The dinner meeting between Jay Z, and Mets general manager Sandy Alderson is nothing more than hype. In fact, baseball insiders suggest the Mets are pawns in an attempt to get the crosstown Yankees to respond. No such luck.

The Mets are in no position to make an offer to Cano and here’s why: According to COT’s, the 2013 New York Mets payroll was $93,684,590. As reported, Cano is asking for $300 million over 10 years, or the equivalent of the Mets entire 25-man payroll over three years.

This is the “dream” that New York Post columnist is Kevin Kernan suggests fans and the organization buy into, both literally and figuratively? If so, recent history suggests such investments can quickly turn into a nightmare.

The Mets have to get into major buy mode … Dream along with me for a little bit more. Could you imagine if the Mets had Cano and Wright in the same lineup and how that would turn this town upside down … The Mets need to find a way to wipe away the face of failure that has been with them every day for years.

Two years ago, at age 31, Albert Pujols signed a 10-year, $240 million deal with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. The deal was loaded with incentives above and beyond the $240 million guaranteed deal.

In 2001, Alex Rodriguez signed a 10-year, $252 million contract with the Texas Rangers. During his three years in Texas the team won 73, 72, and 71 games, finishing in fourth place every season. Rodriguez produced but the Rangers didn’t.

When the contract was signed, there was a lot of concern among not just Major League Baseball, but all sports for the dollars that were involved. In terms of what was going on in the economy and everything else five or six years ago, it really changed the economics across all of sport in a pretty dramatic way. What’s the real value of a player? — Harvey Schiller

The organization realized one player, regardless of his output, does not make a winner. Rodriguez — and his massive contract — were traded to New York.

I am certain the Mets human resources department is familiar with the residual effects of overpaying. Remember Bobby Bonilla? You should. He’s on the Mets payroll until 2035. Mind you, he hasn’t played in a major league game in more than a decade.

How about Prince Fielder? He signed a nine-year, $214 million deal with the Detroit Tigers prior to the 2012 season. Two years, zero rings and a lingering feeling in Detroit that this was a bad deal. As Jeff Passan at Yahoo! Sports noted in the aftermath of another disappointing post-season:

$46 million he made this year and last, and for the $168 million he will earn over the next seven seasons, and almost always the amount of money a player receives and the level of vitriol toward him for October letdowns are correlated … He is Prince Fielder, he signed the fifth-largest contract in baseball history and he will keep catching hell if he doesn’t start hitting.

Kernan added:

Remember the excitement when Mike Piazza was traded to the Mets from the Marlins. Imagine if the Mets could somehow pull off a deal to acquire someone as talented as Carlos Gonzalez or Giancarlo Stanton. The Mets would be a big-market team again.

Has Stanton made the Marlins a contender? No. In 2012 he was surrounded by Hanley Ramirez, Logan Morrison, Jose Reyes and Carlos Lee. The Marlins were loaded with great starting pitching: Josh Johnson, Mark Buehrle, Ricky Nolasco, Carlos Zambrano and Anibal Sanchez. The Marlins finished in last place in the National League East — behind the beleaguered Mets.

Don’t misunderstand. The Mets would be a better team with Gonzalez, Stanton or Cano, but at what price? Let’s face it, it’s highly unlikely the Mets will be playing for a playoff spot in 2014. Will one high-profile player put them over the top? No. The Mets need a handful of young, major league ready talent, not an aging veteran or an overpriced big ticket free agent. Improve the overall team, get competitive — quickly — then add the final pieces, either by free agent or trade.

Robinson Cano would not make the Mets a “big market” team again. The Mets are a big-market team, performing at a minor league level and operating on a small market budget.

The post Keep Dreaming Kernan appeared first on Metsmerized.

On Monday, Arroyo told reporters that the Giants, Phillies, and Twins had contacted his agents, but that no offers have been made.

The Twins have been interested in Arroyo from the start, and there id mutual interest from both sides in getting something done. Arroyo has a history with Twins special assistant Wayne Krivsky. He was the Reds general manager who brought Arroyo to Cincinnati in March 2006, sending outfielder Wily Mo Pena to Boston in a two-player deal that proved to be very one-sided.

Arroyo, 37, is one of the most durable starters in the game, tossing 199 pr more innings for nine straight seasons. He has averaged 13.2 wins and 210 2/3 innings in that span.

The Twins continue to monitor the market for a handful of other free agent starters, having previously expressed interest in right-handers Phil Hughes and Ricky Nolasco and lefty Jason Vargas.

Reports have also linked them to right-handers Ervin Santana and Ubaldo Jimenez along with lefty Scott Kazmir, among others, as they attempt to bolster the game’s worst starting rotation.

The Mets were reportedly interested in Arroyo.

The post Talks Between Twins and Bronson Arroyo Heating Up appeared first on Metsmerized.

Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports writes that all three Dodger outfielders – Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier, Carl Crawford – are available, but a rival GM told him that none were desirable.

For comparison’s sake, the three Dodgers outfielders on the trade market combined for a 5.4 WAR (Crawford 2.9, Ethier 2.9, Kemp -0.4) while earning a combined $53.5 million. Kemp, who appeared in only 73 games, recently underwent surgery on his left ankle. His value obviously is down. But some rival officials say the Dodgers are more eager to move him than Ethier or Crawford.

Not that any of it will be easy. Kemp is owed $128 million over the next six years, Crawford $81.5 million over the next four, Ethier $69 million over the next four.

“None of those contracts can be moved without (the Dodgers) taking on salary,” one rival exec announced.

Which player is the most desirable?

“None,” the exec said.

The thing of it is that the Dodgers are swimming in money so this won’t prevent them from doing whatever they want to get back to the postseason in 2014.

By the way, Rosenthal also reports that RHP Ervin Santana is seeking $100 million and RHP Ricky Nolasco is looking for $80 million on the free-agent market.

That’s pure insanity…

This is all pointing to something I wrote about last month…

All MLB teams are getting an infusion of $30-40 million in new National TV money and many teams will look to spend it and invest it in their team’s roster, including the lowly Houston Astros.

I read a report that in 2014 almost two-thirds of all baseball teams will have payrolls that eclipse $100 million.

Think about that for a minute Met fans…

The post Expect Some Wild Spending This Hot Stove Season appeared first on Metsmerized.

This off-season, the Mets will probably add a proven veteran SS – be it most likely Stephen Drew or Jhonny Peralta via free agency, or Yunel Escobar or Alexei Ramirez via trade. Each would represent a significant upgrade from the unproductive Omar Quintanilla / Ruben Tejada combo of 2013. With Wilfredo Tovar, Gavin Cecchini and Amed Rosario in the system, I doubt that the Mets commit to more than a 2-year deal with anyone. In any case, the 2014 shortstop doesn´t figure to earn significantly more than $10 million or cost us any of the Top 10 prospects in our system in a trade.

I also expect the Mets to add two corner outfielders, probably one LH and one RH bat. Shin-Soo Choo appears to be the lone “star” caliber player who seems like a fit, while Carlos Beltran seems like an unlikely, but very solid fit too on a shorter term deal. A “trade” for the somewhat questionable contracts of Andre Ethier or Nick Swisher could be options just like a “lower budget” signing of Coco Crisp or David DeJesus.

In any case, expect an outfielder who bats lefthanded, is solid defensively, and can reasonably be expected to get on base at a .350+ clip. Plus a righthanded corner outfielder with some power. With Cesar Puello being a front-office favorite apparently, I´d expect a short term contract for one or a max of two seasons. Targets could include Nelson Cruz, Marlon Byrd or Corey Hart. None would figure to exceed two years and there´s a chance that even a 1-year deal is enough. I doubt the Mets feel it´s the right time for a really bold move – such as trading for Carlos Gonzalez or Giancarlo Stanton if they become available.

I expect the Mets to target a dependable veteran starter who seems like a good bet to take the ball every 5th day and keep the team in games for 6 to 7 innings. One of the deep pool of “second tier” free agents like Bronson Arroyo seems like an ideal fit – but Scott Feldman or Ricky Nolasco could become targets too. Don´t expect more than a 2-year guaranteed deal to anyone though. In any case, the Mets will probably add at least one veteran insurance policy like Dice-K or Harang to compete with Jenrry Mejia and Rafael Montero for the # 5 spot out of spring training and/or serve as veteran AAA insurance.

I don´t expect a lot of movement in the bullpen, especially if Latroy Hawkins is indeed re-signed. Maybe one more veteran arm will be added, but I suppose the Mets will keep at least two roster spots open for Vic Black, Jeurys Familia and Gonzalez Germen. They will bring back Scott Rice & Josh Edgin as the main lefties and Carlos Torres as a long reliever and spot starter. If Bobby Parnell is healthy and Hawkins is back, that´s a full bullpen already. Maybe the Mets will take a couple of flyers on veterans with past success, coming off a down year in 2013 who can be stashed away in Vegas for the time being if no opening arises.

All in all, expect an Opening Day payroll in the $85 to $95 million range and a team that will be expected to win about 85 games in a normal season, without being considered playoff bound in all likelihood. The key will remain growing the talent pool in the farm system and using an improved 2014 team that remains in playoff contention deep into the season as a spring board for 2015 when making the playoffs will be an absolute must.

The post This Off-Season, Expect The Mets To Do The Expected appeared first on Metsmerized.

Will Mets target Shin-Soo Choo this Winter?

On Fangraphs, they keep a running count of the standings for free agents based on WAR (Wins Above Replacement).

Now, I am not interested in debating the validity of WAR, and if it can be used as a factor in ranking players, but these are the updated standings which will serve as a basis for considering the top free agent hitters and pitchers for the upcoming offseason.

I decided to include the top thirty position players and top thirty starting pitchers, and I added for reference the average WAR for the top position players over the last three years to see how they have done lately as opposed to their contract year.  Each point of WAR is usually valued to about $5MM in real life contracts.

Remember, the Mets must finish among the top ten worst records to avoid losing a first round pick if they sign a free agent refusing a qualifying offer from their current teams.

Right now, the Mets have the #7 pick, but trail the #5 pick by just three losses.  You can follow the “race” here.

Positional Players

Starting Pitchers

Notes:

• Shin-Soo Choo’s fielding is as a centerfielder this year. However, as a right fielder with the Indians, from 2010–2012 his fielding rating was 6.3, 2.1, and -16.7, respectively.
• Any player traded during the season, like Marlon Byrd and Ricky Nolasco, cannot be given a qualifying offer.  Thus, no compensation is lost by signing him.
• Juan Uribe had the biggest spreads in WAR, as he was 0.4, 0.2, and 4.1, for the years 2011 – 2013, respectively.
• Players suspended like, Peralta and Cruz, cannot gain any WAR in the last month.  On average, most players seem to have gained about a half point WAR since August 31st (I did this exercise then also).  Pence has gained 1.6 points of WAR in these three weeks.
• Nate McLouth has WAR of 0.1, 0.6, and 2.6 from 2011 – 2013, respectively.
• Adam Lind only had two year of WAR greater than zero, 1.7 in 2013 and 3.4 in 2009.
• Kendrys Morales only had 2012 and 2013 calculated in his average, as he missed all of 2011.
• Jon Lester has a $14MM option for 2014 that is expected to be exercised by the Red Sox.

* * * * * * * *

This Fan Shot was contributed by MMO reader, TexasGusCC. Have something you want to say about the Mets? Share your opinions with over 22,000 Mets fans who read this site daily. Send your Fan Shot to GetMetsmerized@aol.com. Or ask us about becoming a regular contributor.

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It was clearly a turning point in last night’s game. Juan Lagares was at the plate with the bases loaded and one out in the Met’s seventh inning and the tying run only 90 feet away. First, with the count at 2-0, Lagares was charged with a strike when the first base umpire ruled he had not adequately checked his swing on an inside fastball.

The young Met centerfielder battled fouling off several pitchers before drawing ball three to run the count full. Dodger reliever Ronald Belisario  then delivered a pitch clearly outside the strike zone and also arguably high. The home plate umpire failed to move a muscle as the ball smacked the catcher’s glove.

Lagares, sure the pitch was way outside (it was), stepped across the plate and took his first two steps toward first base. It was then the home plate umpire lifted his fist and punched out the young Met outfielder.

“I got a full count, bases loaded, and am looking for something I can make a good swing on,” Lagares said. “No chance at that pitch. That’s what I said plate umpire Chad Fairchild. I just said, ‘No chance.'”

What did Fairchild reply?

“I didn’t hear anything,” Lagares said postgame. “I just walked to the dugout. In that situation, that’s the at-bat right there. I just saw the replay right now. For me, it’s outside. But there’s nothing you can do about that. It’s something that’s going to happen.”

I’m not sure if it’s umpire insecurity or arrogance but more often than not a home plate umpire will call out batters with delayed third strike calls when a batter begins his route to first base on a 3-2 pitch that is clearly out of the strike zone before the umpire has called ball four. The younger and less experienced a batter the more likelihood the punch out will be assessed.

This phenomenon is common in a Double-A Eastern League game. B-Met first baseman Allan Dykstra has an excellent eye at the plate. Dykstra has drawn more base-on-balls than any other player in the Eastern League, 92, ten walks ahead of Jamie Johnson, a centerfielder from Erie.

Several times this year I have watched Dykstra take a three ball pitch that appeared off the plate. Dykstra sort of leans in with a pitch toward the outside part of the plate, then, certain the pitch is a ball, stoops down and begins to unstrap an ankle guard he wears on his lead foot. Every time this scenario is repeated, the umpire calls a delayed strike.

Right or wrong a home plate umpire’s ball/strike call always stands. It would be prudent to instruct young players to take an extra second until the umpire makes the call. With an additional second or two, a home plate umpire should never feel upstaged. Ball four is a free pass to first base, so there should be no rush to get there.

Sometimes the smallest things in a baseball game can make a huge difference.

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