Mets Eyeing Lowe, Fuentes

If LF is a hole, I assume Castillo is out the door and Murphy takes 2nd, which would mean more available salary?

Murphy needs a starting job next year. It's one thing if he's sharing with somebody, that's fine, but he should at least get regular PT at a position.

I like Derek Lowe and think he would be a good addition to this team. However I am not really a big fan of Fuentes.

I really wanna see the Mets go out and revamp this Bullpen this offseason. The only guys I would keep from the current one are Feliciano, Smith, and Heilman. I like Heilman a lot and I think he really just got off to a terrible start and was never able to turn it around. He's a good pithcer and I think most Met fans know that. I would like to see the Mets give him a chance to be a starting pitcher.

Guys like Sanchez and Schoenweis have to go. Duanner hasnt been the same since his injury and that really is a shame but I dont think the Mets can afford taking a chance on him next season after the way the Bullpen pitched as a whole this season. Stokes and Ayala are question marks. Neither one pitched bad but they didnt distinguish themselves as guys who you can count on either.

As far as Left Field I would like to see the Mets either make some sort of trade to get a Left Fielder or sign Juan Rivera to platoon there with Murphy if Murph isnt going to be playing second base.

"If LF is a hole, I assume Castillo is out the door and Murphy takes 2nd, which would mean more available salary?"

Even if the Metscould find someone to take Castillo they will have to eat a majority of his salay like 75-80% so that really won't give you much relief.

I think the two signings the Mets should make are Lowe and Orlando Hudson. Hudson is a perfect #2 hitter and plays excellent defense which would complement Pelfrey and Lowe nicely as ChicoWalker mentioned. They clearly need bullpen help to so I would see what could be had for Delgado in a trade. Maybe a Delgado/Evans/Heilman package could intrigue some team into giving up a legit bullpen arm in return. That could also free up a little cash to sign a free agent reliever too (not name Fuentes or Rodriguez).

It's gotta be either K-Rod or Fuentes, and if the Mets are forced to pay K-Rod 15 mil, the answer is Fuentes.

Lowe is 35, so signing him to a 3 year with a 4th year option might not be too bad a risk.

The 30 million number is assuming the Mets are unwilling to raise Payroll from last years number, considering they are entering a new ballpark next season I wouldn't necessarily rule that possibility out though.

I remember an interview from July where Minaya had said that he had the payroll flexibility to add a contract last year, suggesting he hadn't spent up all the way to the high end of his budget.

Nevermind that the Mets should have a little more flexibility if they are in fact unable to unload some excess salaries, such as Castillo (6 million per, although assume they would need to eat half so lets say 3 million saved for next year) and Schoeneweis (Should find a taker for 1 year and 3.6 million).

I could envision them unloading those 2 salaries, and then spending to about 150 million. I think that's about the high end of their budget.

That should be enough for them to add 2 significant contracts and then some filler pieces, perhaps a bullpen arm or two.

"LOL. I just finished posting how the mets need to stop signing old pitchers and now they looking at derek lowe? come on... this guys like paul byrd. the whole league has seen him 500 times lol. forget lowe and pursue burnett or sheets. The mets are ONCE AGAIN going the cheap older player route instead of spending an extra 2MM a year to sign a STAR pitcher"

OLD CRAP:

Derek Lowe: 3.23 ERA, 1.13 WHIP

STARS:

Ben Sheets: 3.09 ERA, 1.15 WHIP
A.J. Burnett: 4.07 ERA, 1.34 WHIP

Dumb@ss.

''It's gotta be either K-Rod or Fuentes, and if the Mets are forced to pay K-Rod 15 mil, the answer is Fuentes.''

The only problem is that Fuentes is likely going to command between $12-$13 million per year, and with Billy Wagner's $10 million salary for next year you are technically spending $23 million on a closer.

And in that case, if you have to spend the money, you would might as well spend the $2-$3 million extra per season to get K-Rod, who is at least 5 years younger than Fuentes. This Francisco Cordero contract and the rest of the terrible contracts in baseball are really pricing out teams from signing free agents - it is ridiculous.

I still say trading for Huston Street, JJ Putz, or BJ Ryan is the smart way to go here.

I would be very upset if the Mets signed Burrell or Dunn.

With Dunn, the last thing the Mets need is another lefty. I love homeruns just as much as anyone but having Dunn on the team would be painful to watch with him striking out all the time and playing terrible defense.

With Burrell, he is also another defensive liability. They dont call him Pat "the Bat" for no reason.

All of the Mets fans need to remember that we only got a glimpse of Murphy this season. Everyone has VERY high expectations for him right now (which may/may not be warranted) so maybe it would be a good idea to sell high on him depending on the return.

I agree that signing Hudson long-term could be a risk. If they could get him for 3 years I would do it but not more than that. He is 31 and approaching the age where second baseman start declining defensively.

However, I think he could be the immediate impact player (for the next 2-3 years) that the Mets have been looking for.

thunder12k...I couldn't agree more...it's depressing to be in a late inning situation and realize that Robinson Cancel is your best pinch hitting option. I've been tough on Minaya, and I realize that being a GM isn't an easy job...but can we please bring back a tony clark, or get a rich Aurillia or anyone that mashes left handed pitching...PLEASE!!!

The Mets do need a pitcher like Derek Lowe especially if Pedro leaves... at this point in Pedro's career that would be an upgrade for the Mets... signing Brian Fuentes is ok with me but the Mets better not make that their only bullpen acquisition... If they could nab say Brian Fuentes and Jeremy Affeldt plus sign a couple of veterans (Foulke,Timlin,etc) to fight for a job at spring training and see what they have left... in their pen mix it up with veterans and young guys (Kunz Parnell)and the issues could be addressed nicely... Their bench should be fine Tatis is there he crushed the ball this year, Endy has an amazing glove and he's speedy, Ramon Castro is a solid backup, all they need is a backup first baseman like a Sean Casey

I have nothing against playing Murphy at second or at left for that matter. I don't think they should trade him, unless it's in a package for a top of the rotation starter or a bullpen arm entering their prime, like Jenks. My point is that Minaya tends to go into the season with guys that are obvious question marks and no real back-up plan. For instance, last year we had Alou, Castillo, Duque, Pedro and butt load of bullpen problems going into the season...and what was plan B? For Alou...Endy and Marlon Anderson, for Castillo it was Easley and Argenis Reyes, thank god for Pelfrey, but they never did find someone to give them quality innings from that fifth rotation spot when Pedro and Duque were both out, and even when Pedro did come back he wasn't himself by a long shot. If the Mets had tied the Brewers, Pedro was more than likely going to start the 1 game playoff...did anyone feel comfortable with that? The bullpen issues were obvious...and not addressed, especially not at the trade deadline...and I think the main reason they weren't addressed is because the Mets don't have a lot B level prospects the people want. Which means if Murphy struggles...their is little chance they can acquire a stop gap during the season. They have to go into the season with a plan B...if it's Omar Infante, I'm fine with that...as long as it's not easley, castillo or A. reyes...

The Mets have a bunch of question marks next year, will Murphy produce? Can Schneider be a major league hitter? Will we get first half Delgado or Second half Delgado? Can they find a Right handed bat for left field? Will Ryan Church be OK after multiple concussions, can they find a 2nd and 5th starter and 3 or 4 quality bullpen arms...it's going to be a long off-season, and if anyone thinks Lowe and Fuentes fixes everything...you're crazy.

By the way...what do you think it would take to get Marcus Thames from Detroit...i think he would be a nice fit, he mashes left handed pitching and should come relatively cheap...right?

Uhh, Santana, you are aware that Lowe is better then Burnett or Sheets when you factor in durability, and all signs point to Lowe getting the biggest deal besides CC, right?

Regardless neither Evans or Murphy will play the of in 2009. Their infielders that were learned to play the of in a matter of months in NY. I still like the idea of keeping Murphy at 1B, moving Delgado and getting Burrell in right. I actually like the idea of a Thames/Murphy platoon at 1B.I don't see Murphy playin 2B. Also Sheets is injury prone, and Burnett is inconsistent. I'll take Lowe Garland over either of them.

nrmax...you're right an .850 OPS at second is elite...and I don't think that you can reasonably expect that out of Murphy next year. Again...130 AB's...be realistic. He will have his struggles...his OPS in 500 at bats in A ball was .768 in 2007...and he had an .870 OPS through 95 games in AA...you have to expect some drop off at the major league level. Also, I wasn't advocating a platoon, just saying that they should have a solid back-up middle infielder that can take over second if needed.

As far as Manny, Dunn and Burrell...I don't think any of them end up with the Mets this year...actually, I really hope not. The Mets don't need another left handed bat...so Dunn is pointless, Burrell is going to nosedive over the next few years and Manny will have a useful life of about 2 years...the Mets need to start building a quality organization, not just a 90+ win team for next year.

The Mets went through the whole Heilman as a starter project. It didnt work out plus they are more willing to give Niese and Parnell a shot at the fifth spot in the rotation. The only way he starts is with a nother club.

If i have to read one more idiotic post about how the mets should trade away a player who for 1) Pretty much by himself carried the Mets in the 2nd half of last year 2)gives experience in a clubhouse where there is no doubt it is needed and 3) takes 12mil of salary off the books next year (which IMO would be a good thing seeing how next years FA market looks a lot stronger than this years does) i think i might have to kill myself lol. Carlos Delgado should NOT be traded!

"So the emphasis needs to be on pitching."

Agreed. Bring in your FA LF, and then fix the pitching. I try to resign Ollie, and if that doesn't work, go for a different FA starter.

"The Mets went through the whole Heilman as a starter project. It didnt work out plus they are more willing to give Niese and Parnell a shot at the fifth spot in the rotation. The only way he starts is with a nother club."

Yeah, his age 23 rookie season. By your logic, Andy Sonnanstine shouldn't be a starter b/c he was horrible his rookie season. Guys like Clay Buchholz and Gio Gonzalez won't succeed as starters because they struggled out the gate. Neither will Gavin Floyd, and he had a pretty successful season this year.

Niese and/or Parnell will probably struggle out the gate, as most rookies do, and you, and a good portion of the NY fanbase will write them off.

Alright i'm sure im going to get killed for this but what the hell.

First let me start off by just stating that if it comes down to Fuentes or K-rod i'd rather just pay K-rod what he wants because Fuentes isnt going to come cheap either.

With that said I think the Mets should make Bobby Parnell or Eddie Kunz there closer. I know they have not pitched a lot of major league innings but both (Parnell especially) look like they have closer stuff and I really feel that the best closers are the one's that are brought up through your system. Think about it the best closers in Baseball today are Rivera, Papelbon, Lidge, Nathan, and K-rod. 3 out of those 5 were home grown and the other 2 were trades.

I think that when you trade for somebody or bring them through your system it takes a lot of pressure off of them as opposed to the big FA Signing.

Heres what I would do. I would totally revamp the Bullpen. First I would trade for somebody with closer experience like maybe a Houston Street. Then I would either make Parnell or Kunz the closer or make Street the temporary closer until the Mets feel Parnell or Kunz is ready. Then like I said I would go out and totally revamp this Pen. Smith and Feliciano would be the only ones I keep and maybe Heilman (I think most Met fans know he is a good pitcher)unless I could trade Heilman for something that could help this team I would move him to the rotation or leave him where he is and hope that it was just one bad year.

"Heilman has shown his value as a solid relief pitcher unlike sonnastine and Buckholz. Which is why the mets will not start him. Im not saying he wouldn't get 10 or so wins but its clear that the mets value him as a reliever more."

Starters. Are. Worth. More. Than. Relievers. If a guy is both a successful reliever and has potential as a starter, you put him in the rotation.

As was Justin Duchscherer. He went to the All-Star Game as a reliever. He was converted to a starter, and it was a smart move.

Brandon Morrow was lights-out as a reliever. He's being converted to a starter.

Josh Outman was ready to make it to MLB as a reliever with the Phillies organization. When he was traded to the A's, they converted him to a starter. It will hinder his progress a bit, but its the right move.

Just to make sure i understand...there are people out there that saw Aaron Heilman pitch last year and thought..."hey, this guy should be a starter..." Maybe I wasn't paying attention...