The Mets began 2015 with a $103MM payroll, and they will likely pursue their second consecutive NL pennant with a similar Opening Day figure, writes Marc Carig of Newsday. In lieu of splashy acquisitions, GM Sandy Alderson will have to carefully tweak the current roster. Free agents Yoenis Cespedes and Daniel Murphy are expected to sign elsewhere which could create a need for more offense. The team could try trading pitcher Zack Wheeler, as they attempted in the nixed Carlos Gomez deal. Carig runs down the club’s various needs and potential solutions in detail. In addition to offense, shortstop, second base, and reliever top the list.
- If they feel the need to acquire a shortstop, the Mets should consider trading for Javier Baez of Jurickson Profar, opines Joel Sherman of the New York Post. Sherman notes that Mets shortstops – namely Wilmer Flores and Ruben Tejada – led New York to the 10th best shortstop WAR. While the fans have long asked for an upgrade at the position, statistics suggest it’s unnecessary. However, with the influx of top prospects at shortstop, there is a growing sentiment that a first division club should have a young stud at the position. Baez has well-known strikeout problems, but they’re the only thing between him and All Star quality production. Profar was once as hyped as Carlos Correa or Francisco Lindor, but he’s missed a couple seasons with a shoulder injury. For what it’s worth, I think the Mets are well served with by their current cost effective options. They should focus their resources on more gaping wounds like second base or a cleanup hitter.
- Outfielder Michael Cuddyer had surgery on Thursday for a core muscle injury, reports Carig. Cuddyer struggled in the first season of a two-year, $21MM contract. The team also forfeited a draft pick to ink him. Cuddyer, owed $12.5MM in 2016, could see a reduced role in 2016. Michael Conforto and Curtis Granderson are expected to man the outfield corners with Lucas Duda at first base. Since all three are left-handed, he should at least have a regular platoon role. It’s also possible the Mets will view him as a trade candidate.
surrendering a draft pick for Cuddyer was cringe worthy at the time and nearly vomit inducing at this point.
Never understood it from day 1. A small consolation is that last year’s draft class was extremely weak (especially at the top end), so the mets didn’t miss an Addison Russell in the draft.
Having the same payroll as last year is pretty unacceptable considering the amount of additional revenue gained both by the increase in regular season attendance (I’d estimate at least $10M; there was roughly a 420,000 increase in attendance) and the deep playoff run (and merchandise sales). I get looking down the line at securing all of the starting pitching, but that’s several years away.
Couple that with the fact that they could be very close to another deep playoff run, and it’s unfathomable that they’re still crying poor.
Not sure where I read it (NY Times? Wall Street Journal?) but the playoff run yielded little additional funds for the club because both NLCS and WS were 4 and 5 games. The later games go to clubs, the earlier go to MLB and players.
https://twitter.com/AdamRubinESPN/status/661284846715711488
So it looks like the Mets got $6MM for just the WS if I’m reading that right. So probably a few million more for the Division Series and NLCS. Then there’s concessions and merchandise, I’d imagine. Plus increased SNY ratings.
However you figure it, they made way more money than last year. Having a similar payroll is unacceptable, especially when you consider they’re already on the low end for payroll in baseball.
On the flip side, the strategy they used got them into the World Series, which is a point many people seem to miss. The problem with spending too much money is that large contracts are toxic far more often than they turn out well.
Why would anyone want or suggest Profar when he hasn’t played the field in 2 years and no one knows what he will be capable of post injury? Might be something the Dodgers, with deep pockets, could overcome if it doesn’t work out, but the Mets can’t afford that type of gamble.
for all we know, Profar’s future is just as a DH until he proves he can throw the ball well.
I’d take a flier, but I’m certainly not giving anything of significant value if I’m the mets, which is why the trade probably won’t work out.
I may sound crazy here, but what would mets fans think of a JD Martinez for Syndergaard trade? What about a JD and Jose Iglesias for Harvey/degrom and prospects? Obviously you’d have to balance it out with prospects, but that’d be the core of the deal
I think your out of your mind. Mets wouldn’t even entertain that.
JD put up close to MVP type numbers and has 2 years of control. He’s also a gold glove finalist this year. I can certainly understand not wanting to trade any of your young aces, I was just seeing if it was intriguing.
How about wheeler for JD? That’s a little closer
Doesn’t wheeler only have 3 years left and is coming off tommy john? No way the Tigers do that.
Syndergaard is under control for another 6 years. Why would the Mets trade 6 years of Syndergaard for 2 years of JD Martinez especially when they already have Michael Conforto in left field? I could see something like Wheeler and Tejada for Iglesias, which would make a lot more sense.
Because JD has put up MVP type numbers the past 2 years. Think about how cespedes affected the team down the stretch. JD is better than cespedes too. I do get that giving up 5/6 years of Syndergaard is a lot, but I figured some people might consider it because of how good JD and iggy have been.
Past 2 years? 57 runs, 23 HRs, 76 RBI, .315 BA, and a .358 OBP in 2014 is MVP worthy? Its a solid season but hardly MVP-worthy. He had a heck of a 2015 but let’s not overhype the guy. He’s a 5 year vet and just started to become relevant. I despise the Mets so I hope they’d accept something like this, but in a logical world 28 year old Martinez isn’t worth one of those younger Ace-like pitchers the Mets have. Those mets pitchers scare/worry me though, honestly. Of DeGrom, harvey, syndergaard, Matz, and wheeler……Degrom, harvey, Matz, and wheeler have injury riddled pasts (notably Matz), and all are tommy john patients. I wouldn’t be shocked if syndergaard followed the trend sometime next year.
I hate the mets. I wish they would make both of those trades
Is this a joke? Or are you serious?
Perhaps the mets should just stick it out with Flores and Tejada and look to upgrade there bullpen in front of Familia. Shawn Kelley could be an option as an FA or try a reclamation project like Bailey.
As an obvious cubs fan I’ve wondered why NYM have been labeled in desperate need for SS help. Flores and Tejada seem like a solid platoon. That said, baez or castro both have the ability to play 2B. Baez can play SS, 2B, AND 3B…. whenever Wright takes his now seemingly annual trip to the DL. Baez for Wheeler or Matz….. thoughts? I’ll throw in 1B prospect Dan Vogelbach too since we (unfortunately…. he can mash) don’t need him due to a dude named Rizzo.