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By Jeff Todd | at
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Time2Scott
Didn’t Edgin get picked up by the Cubs?
Jeff Todd
You must be thinking of Leathersich.
chri
Youre confusing Edgin with Leathersich, they’re both LH relievers who had TJ surgery
jules
No mention of Daniel Murphy among the Free Agents, Reason?
Jeff Todd
Well, I mentioned him in the post, but I guess I somehow forgot to put him on the list. That’s the reason. We’ll get him on there where he belongs.
aff10
D’Arnaud seems to be emerging as an elite young catcher, if he can stay healthy consistently. I’m curious though as to what value Plawecki has on the trade market? I assume as a promising young catcher that he could pull in a nice piece, but a solid starting SS or CF?
Ruben_Tomorrow 2
The problem with d’Arnaud is that he’s incredibly fragile and has raised questions about his future as a catcher. I don’t think it’s a crazy idea to consider Plawecki as the Mets catcher in the near future. He definitely needs more playing time in the big leagues to see if he’s ready to hit. His bat did not look ready last season and he never really got to go back to the minors to work on things as he was made the primary backup catcher once d’Arnaud returned from the DL.
slider32
Agreed, d’Arnaud is injury prone along with Wright, he also needs to work on throwing runners out.
hojostache
He’s had multiple injuries, though they seem to be more random and not chronic. It still matters though bc he is a catcher and he needs to show he can stay healthy…so moving Plaw seems like a bad idea until the Mets can see more from Travis.
portopotti
The mets pitching is outstanding and with another year in the big leagues together should be better. I’m curious though why there was no mention of exactly how much Cespedes brought to this team and how he transformed the worst offense into the best almost single handedly. Where/how exactly is that bat going to be replaced? Conforto although promising, might be a realistic 15-20hr for a full season.
nymlagares
If Conforto continues to produce like he did and improves, d’Arnaud can stay healthy, and David Wright can play about 90-100 games it would help alleviate the loss of Cespedes. It wasn’t single-handedly Cespedes as they got a bunch of guys back with him and a lot of guys stepped up in the second half as well
portopotti
Cespedes transformed that lineup. I agree a full season of dArnaud could help alleviate the loss. I’m not expecting much from wright and its unfortunately the position that I think we could make the most impactful change.
The mets are also losing (probably) offense when Herrera takes over at second for Murphy.
stymeedone
really? replacing Wright could make the most impactful change? Have you really looked at what’s starting at 3B in the majors? Freese would not be an improvement and he’s the best FA. Better to hope for a healthy Wright.
portopotti
Yes, replacing Wright would be the most impactful change. From both an offensive and defensive standpoint. Surprised you’re even debating this.
While Freese is available, so is Frazier.
Jeff Todd
I don’t believe that Alderson is thinking about it that way. He wasn’t even thinking about it that way when he traded for Cespedes. They kind of hit the lottery with that deal. You say “sweet” and get back to business.
Think of it this way: suppose they had added, I don’t know, Gerardo Parra instead of Cespedes. He wasn’t so great. Would you be sitting here asking about how to get that kind of production back into the lineup? Maybe, maybe not, but it wouldn’t be tied to what they “lost” or what needs to be “replaced.”
I don’t mean to be dismissive, if this comes across that way. I’m just trying to explain why I don’t think it’s particularly relevant to look at this team’s situation through the lens of Cespedes’s departure.
(Also, I don’t really agree that his effect extended that far beyond what he produced in his own at-bats. He had an incredible individual performance. Numerous other players also had improved performances and/or were added/returned from injury.)
kbarr888
Cespedes may have not “single-handedly” carried the Mets to the playoffs, but it’s the presence of “that type of bat” that changes the dynamic of a lineup. Without that type of power somewhere in the lineup, there’s a lack of fear for the opposing pitcher. There is an intangible benefit of that big bat making everyone else better. The Mets are definitely set in the pitching dept……but they do need to sign a player who brings an offensive threat. Although Wheeler gives them a solid 5 man rotation, he’s also their best trade chip to bring back some star power. In light of Puig’s most recent troubles, maybe LA is ready to move him? Castro, Baez, and Alcantara are all probably available from the Cubs (pick one plus a prospect or 2). Jay Bruce is still available, but he’ll cost Wheeler, without addressing the needs at 2B & SS. (Can’t Matt Reynolds hold down 2B at least???). Fact is, they DO need to sign an impact bat, or they are not the same team that made the playoffs.
hojostache
I like the creativity of considering different options out there to improve the Mets’ lineup, but I’m not sure if they would be a true upgrade.
Castro…ugh, no. Let someone else deal w. his barely replacement level production. Yes he had some good early years, but 2 of his last 3 yrs were meh.
Baez…probably too expensive now, though I really like his upside. If they pulled the trigger earlier last year when Baez was really struggling it could have been a nice get, but not now for Wheeler/Matz…which you know the Cubs will push.
Alcantara…don’t know much, so I’ll defer to others.
J. Bruce..the Mets already have him…his name is Lucas Duda.
Seeing what Happ got, the value of a controllable young arm just keeps going up and up. The Mets need to hold onto their young arms, sign Murphy or Zobrist, and add a couple of elite BP arms. I know, it is asking a lot…but that is what they need to be a serious threat in the playoffs in ’16.
portopotti
Single-handedly was a reach, lol.
They definitely hit the lottery but you also then saw the trickle down effect from Cespedes being in that lineup. Maybe that’s part of where we differ as you don’t think he had anymore of an impact except simply his at bats.
They don’t have Cespedes, they probably don’t make the playoffs. His presence in the lineup transformed the team. They needed a power bat, they got one, and they went from worst to first in offense. Primarily due to him.
If they added Parra then no, I wouldn’t be asking about how to get his production into the lineup but that’s not really a fair comparison as they are completely different players serving different purposes. They don’t make the playoffs with Parra.
I guess I’m not understanding why it’s so easy to dismiss what Cespedes did and then to think that everyone will have a better year to offset what he brought, especially with what might amount to essentially the same exact team.
I understand Conforto’s impact, and a full year of d’Arnaud, but where else are you getting power/middle of the order bat. Duda who while streaky still hit 27 HR? Flores or Granderson who both hit fairly well? How much better can you realistically expect from them?
hojostache
Who takes their playoff spot if they didn’t get Cespedes? I still think they make the playoffs, but it would have been a lot closer and I don’t think they would have had the same swagger.
slider32
Yes, I think that Alderson will still be looking for a couple of bargin players instead of an impact player.
slider32
My only concern with the pitching is the amount of innings last year. The Giants won 3 world series in 5 years years with 3 different aces. Lincecum and Cain weren’t able to maintain performance. Wainwright also comes to mind. Pitching is oulier.
donniebaseball
The mets could really use an upgrade at 2nd, ss, and cf. They have Flores and Lagares who are average, but their other (position) players are all just above average (or have significant question marks). They can’t just have a bunch of average players throughout their lineup. They need someone elite in that lineup.
nymlagares
Flores played well last year and especially down the stretch, I would consider him above average at either middle infield position and Dilson Herrera looks strong at 2B and would be a cheap replacement for Murphy. I agree with the CF upgrade, but I think Lagares will rebound but you can’t bank on that when you need to compete
stymeedone
Beats having below average players.
donniebaseball
Haha very true!
FosterChirps
Inciarte would be a great fit and probably reasonable to acquire. Is he actually on the market though?
Jeff Todd
There’s been a lot of chatter on Dbacks outfielders. Seems trading him isn’t their first choice – said to be a high asking price – but I think he’s in play.
Ray Ray
I don’t see the upside of non-tendering Mejia. He is an awesome pitcher when he is available and you won’t even have to pay half of his estimated salary. Tender him and if you don’t need him, you might get something for him at the deadline. Of course I have never seen a team with too many good bullpen arms.
alphakira 2
I mean, considering his best friend on the team, Familia spoke out against him and several people called him selfish, I don’t think it’s worth bringing back a guy that won’t be too well liked in the clubhouse and one that already had 2 strikes in 1 year.
hojostache
I agree with all of this…but I’d still consider giving him a ST invite. If he can catch lightning in a bottle, then he could still be worth his history. If the Mets go out and sign 2 elite RPs and decide to drop him…so be it, but if they roll w. their current arms, I think it’d be a mistake to not even see how he does in ST.
FosterChirps
Any idea what it would cost the Mets for Inciarte or Blackmon?
Jeff Todd
DBacks would want MLB-ready pitching, I’m guessing. Rox might be a bit more flexible in terms of the type of return.
Either way, I think those teams will look for a strong return.
hojostache
Too bad Montero had multiple phantom injuries at the end of last year, as he’d be a good candidate to dangle. He has good stuff and peripherals, but he isn’t showing that he can stay healthy and contribute at the major league level.
Colton530
The Mets should re-sign Yoienous Cespendes but I don’t think they will because off how much money he wants but the should go for Alex Gordon because he’s got pop and he can field and was not want that much being on a team like the Mets
slider32
Gordon and Zobrist seem to be the best value picks, everyone is going bid on them which will bring their price up.
hojostache
Or Span. I’d love Gordon in their lineup…but he’ll still probably get $80-$100m…too rich for the Coupons.
Colton530
The Blue Jays should go for Jordan Zimmerman or Jonny Cueto because they are David Price just throwing righty and they will play get and I know they cost a lot but they lost David Price and need a good ace
slider32
Both the Jays and Sox need an ace to win.
hojostache
Zimmerman isn’t an Ace though. He has shown some abilities, but he is pitching like a #3 with #2 upside. Cueto…I can’ quite figure him out. He can look lights out, and then other nights…very very pedestrian. His multiple arm angles and varied deliveries must be a nightmare for a pitching coach. I can see him fizzling out, though I hope he doesn’t.
3Tavgreg
The Mets should re-sign Johnson and maybe Uribe if they can get them cheap for 1 year.
Then sign Parra if they can get him for the 3 year 21-23 mill range. He can platoon with
Lagares in CF, and allow Cuddyear to rotate in spelling Conforto, Granderson and Duda
against Lefties. Throw in another Lefty RP as mentioned above and you have enough
bench help then. Mix in Herrara and Reynolds when they’re ready and they should be OK
even if Wright misses time again. You could also turn Gilmartin back into a starter and use him as a 6th starter or in spot situations to keep the big 4’s innings down early on,
as long as they’re near the top of their division standings
kbarr888
Johnson and Uribe are good value signjngs, they shouldn’t be too expensive to carry as bench bats. No way Parra signs for $7 mil/yr……he’ll command 4/36 at least (no draft pick attatched, he’s only 28 and looking for a full time job……SF is interested, so are others). The rest of your ideas result in an extremely mediocre team (your statement “they should be ok”….is what they’ll be. ….just ok). No way they are “near the top of their division” if they follow that plan.
hojostache
This is the most realistic (and cheapest) approach I’d find palatable. I wouldn’t like it, but I could see ownership pushing this “compromise everywhere” approach.
cyclone24
Why don’t the Mets trade Duda , Wheeler, Lagares , and Niese,to the Braves and get Freeman, Markakis, Nd either Adonis Garcia Or Jayce Peterson. This is why it works for both teams . It gives the mets a better contact , speedier, defensive lineup . And 2 less Mets killers in Freeman and Peterson . And for the Braves it gives them a 1 or 2 pitcher Wheeler a good LH in Niese a good CF who need a diff change and a younger just as good power 1B man who is as good defensively . Think of this lineup
Markakis CF
Granderson RF
Conforto LF
Freeman 1B
Wright 3B
D’Arnaud C
Flores SS or 2b
Peterson 2b or SS
hojostache
Too many players, these types of deals RARELY happen and even more rarely actually work. Niese is signed below market value (check his stats, he’s a #3/#4 getting paid as a #5), Duda is very inexpensive for his production (Almost 60HR in 2 yrs, that is a short list of players), and Lagares would be trading low on a hurt former GG’er. I admittedly want to keep Wheeler unless absolutely blown away (which I don’t expect for a guy coming back from TJS). Yes..I’m a Mets fan, but that doesn’t change the above considerations.
cyclone24
Of cause u can change lineup around
busmannyc
has anyone considered pedro alvarez as a 1b/3b option for the mets? you are going to get 25-30hr & about 90 rbi from him at citifield. you can package duda & some of the mets extra baggage “cuddyer, nieuwenheis, campbell, carlos torres” i see it as a win-win for both teams. only thing is he’s a free agent after 2016 season & he’s a SCOTT BORAS client 🙁 i would give it a shot