After the Mets hired Brodie Van Wagenen as their new general manager last month, he declared the team expected to be “in on every free agent” this offseason. Van Wagenen’s comment led some to wonder whether the Mets, who could stand to upgrade the left side of their infield, would pursue Manny Machado. However, considering Machado figures to sign for $300MM-plus and the Mets have never even handed out a contract worth half that much, a marriage between the two always looked like a long shot. It appears to be fully out of the question now, as Jon Heyman of Fancred hears that the Mets have decided they’d rather spread their money around to various areas than splurge on Machado. As far as New York’s position player group goes, Heyman lists catcher, second base and center field as spots the team could spend on this winter. As for infielder Wilmer Flores, a non-tender candidate, Heyman notes that the Mets will “likely” tender him at a projected $4.7MM if they’re unable to trade him.
Here’s more from Heyman:
- The reigning World Series champion Red Sox may soon lose free-agent right-handers Joe Kelly and Craig Kimbrel, who finished first and second among their relievers in innings last season. With the futures of Kelly and Kimbrel in question, the bullpen is Boston’s primary focus this offseason, according to Heyman. Given that the 30-year-old Kimbrel is in line to sign one of the richest contracts in the history of relievers this winter, he’ll be harder than Kelly to retain. While the Red Sox do have interest in re-signing Kimbrel, per Heyman, he adds that the team “seems adamant about not wanting to go five years” for the highly accomplished closer. Meanwhile, to no one’s surprise, the Sox also hope to re-up free-agent starter Nathan Eovaldi. The 28-year-old righty had a terrific run in Boston last season after it acquired him from Tampa Bay in July, and he’s now one of the most appealing starters on the open market.
- The Dodgers, whom Boston defeated in the World Series, are looking to address the bullpen, the catcher position and possibly second base, Heyman relays. One of Los Angeles’ highest-profile free agents is catcher Yasmani Grandal, who rejected a $17.9MM qualifying offer from the Dodgers and, according to Heyman, now appears likely to head elsewhere. If Grandal does walk, the Dodgers may end up replacing him with a short-term option, observes Heyman, who notes that two of their top prospects – Keibert Ruiz and Will Smith – are catchers.
- The Marlins are hoping to add a left-handed hitter via free agency or the trade market, Heyman writes. No team scored fewer runs in 2018 than the Marlins, in part because they slashed a meager .241/.304/.361 (85 wRC+) against right-handed pitching. As of now, they’re slated to feature a righty-heavy lineup next year, with utilityman Derek Dietrich and light-hitting shortstop JT Riddle the only lefty batters on their projected roster.
Why does Heyman get his own page? Thanks for reporting the Mets likely won’t pursue Machado. Like anyone expected the Wilpons to hand out 300 million
Boras’ boy.
Awe
Heyman is still (Much) better than Joel Sherman.
I happen to like both. Like ALL writers, Sherman and Heyman HAVE to have sources. Just take what they write with a grain of salt like we do with the high paying staff if MLBTR (sarcasm).
You like Sherman? Being a Red Sox fan, probably makes him look a lot more favorable.
I just ignore what I don’t agree with. There are far worse than Sherman IMHO on MLBN. As I’m not a sabermetrics fan, I turn off Brian Kenney most days.
Brian Kenny is awful. He’s never wrong and always has to have the last word
LOL. He’s never wrong. If a co-host won’t hit him, I’m waiting for someone to simply walk off the set. Imagine the exchanges with fans if MLBN allowed radio type call ins. Would love to see Mike Francesa join his show for just one episode. I realize stating this could be a lightning rod but it would make for great entertainment if MLBN and FAN would have them live on both networks. To add more spice, allow Mad Dog Russo to control turning their mikes on and off.
L. He’s never wrong. If a co-host won’t hit him, I’m waiting for someone to simply walk off the set. Imagine the exchanges with fans if MLBN allowed radio type call ins. Would love to see Mike Francesa join his show for just one episode. I realize stating this could be a lightning rod but it would make for great entertainment if MLBN and FAN would have them live on both networks. To add more spice, allow Mad Dog Russo to control turning their mikes on and off
Kenny is like fingernails on a chalkboard, if anyone knows what a chalkboard is anymore…
This new Mets GM better realize now he’s on the opposite side of playing chicken these days …
I think the Phillies are definitely going to sign one of Machado or Harper this off season. No way they lose out on both after what their owner said.
Agreed
I can easily see Machado signing with the Yankees and Harper with LA.
Actually the opposite will be true. Harper to the Yankees Machado to LA.
As long as u mean Angels and not Dodgers
Really no need for Angels to add Machado to a lineup that is already RH heavy, and has a SS who’s won the GG for the last two seasons. Nice to add the bat, but very far from a priority.
Priorities are SP, RP, C, and Trout extension.
He plays 3B n Cozart can play 2B
wrong. machado didn’/doesn’t want to be on the west coast.
he ends up in philly or the bronx.
I guess you forgot Simmons plays SS for the Angels.
Nobody forgot Simmons is the SS. Gold Glove Machado at 3B n slide Cozart to 2B.
They’ll go where they want to play after the offers are sorted out.
But it would be logical for at least one of them to end up with the Phillies. Neither player has shown to be a difference maker on the field (Dodgers will be better with Seagar back at SS). They come with me-first attitudes, claiming they want to win, but not doing the things on the field consistently to help their team win.
They are as players what the Phillies are as a team and an organization…..
Terribly, terribly overrated.
Neither of those Pretty Boys will sign in the City of Brotherly Love….
This will not be a great loss to the Phillies either, as both are indeed are me-first douches….
agreed!!
The Phillies need to go to wish #2….and they will thank their lucky stars after things play out..
Losing Kelly and Kimbrel are 2 giant losses to Sox pen.
Lots of options on the Kelly level and he could be back..
Kimbrel will not be worth 4 years never mind 5.
Adios Craig Kimbrel. You’ve been great and now that you’re slipping and want massive money, we’ll let you walk like we always do. … Jason Bay, Johnny Damon, Pedro, on Down the Line.
Kelly comes back if the money is decent. The only time I’ve seen him consistently good is this year’s playoffs. Wasn’t his regular season ERA over four? He has great stuff but has never been able to put it together consistently.
Red Sox have been tremendously lucky with the Let Em Walk attitude but it can be hard for fans sometimes and there are exceptions. Losing heroes to Yankees is a tough thing, even if they flame out two years in
Count me in the they are going to let Kimbrel walk he won’t be a Red Sox next year. They may sign Kelly but he has been wildly inconsistent. I do believe that Boston will bring in a couple of relief arms this offseason just don’t see them overpaying for it. I’m also guessing that they will give Feltman an invite to camp and give him every chance to make the big leagues out of camp. Would love the Sox to sign Fight club Kelly though.
I’d love to have Kelly return but let’s not forget he was also pitching in the 6th in August and September because he couldn’t be relied on. Kelly said he loves Boston and doesn’t feel like a free agent but that could be lip service. Either way, I don’t think they lose both.
exactly why the sox won’t repeat, losing two bullpen arms
Did you know that they can also sign two brand new guys to come aboard?
Sox werent going to win in 2018 because of their weak bullpen, now 2 guys are must signs. Let them walk, big 1 inning arms are a dime a dozen. Save the money and win with real starting pitching.
We could use Kelly. Kimbrel is good but isn’t irreplaceable. He had a kind of disappointing year, over 3.00 FIP.
Wouldn’t mind Flores on the Braves
Flores for Minter??? Seems fair for both teams.
The Braves aren’t trading their best reliever and future closer for a scrub bench player.
Flores is not a scrub in terms of batting . Guy hits for power and above average.
2016- 307 AB, 267 with 16 HR
2017- 336 AB, .271 with 18 HR
2018- 380 AB, .267 with 11 HR
Ok, hold up. Look at the numbers you posted.
This is an every day player and you say that is hitting for average and power?
Those numbers are a joke.
He never broke a 280 average, he is a 10 HR a year guy and over-achieved, and he is below par defensively. So any runs he does produce are negated by runs given up in the field.
On any contending team in the majors, Flores is a bench guy or a AAAA player that bounces back and forth from the minors.
But hey, his price is perfect for the cash strapped Wilpons. I wonder if they use food stamps since they cry poor all the time.
Boras said it right “the Mets shop at the Wilpon store”, which is where you find the bargain basement players.
Just because they got players last season doesn’t mean they didn’t bargain shop? Frazier? I wouldn’t trust a guy who spent his career hitting in Cinci and Yankee Stadium.
But yeah, defend Flores, a guy who wouldn’t cut it with any team in the majors. I doubt Billy Bean would even find a place for him.
But hey, we got Jay Bruce back right! While Eric Hosmer spent an entire off-season available, after Smith reported to camp overweight and dropped in the prospect ratings out of the top 150.
Since the marlins barely have any money on their payroll, the O’s would most likely gladly trade them Chris Davis
i know you are joking, (at least i hope so), but I’ll point it out anyways. they just got rid of Stanton & his contract after he won the MVP. Don’t think they want to pay anywhere close to that for a 6’3 windmill
Nope, note said they wanted a hitter.
The Marlins have plenty of money on their payroll. They have to pay for Jeter, his limo, private Jet, personal stylist…..
LA why not make a play for Realmuto using one of your prospect catchers? Your window to win is now…
Their window is now but not closing. They have a lot of major league depth and talent in the farm.
Dodgers aren’t that desperate. They should be good for the next 4 years at the minimum. All they need is a shutdown bullpen arm and they will be back in the playoffs, probably even the LCS at least.
Their goal isn’t to make the playoffs, though.
Just making the playoffs again isn’t the goal of the fans, but if ownership has a higher objective, we honestly don’t know.
Because thats not even close to what they are asking for. And both of their catching prospects are pretty dang good.
What are your sources for what they are asking in return for Realmuto. Dodgers have the luxury of two excellent catching prospects (hard to come by) plus surplus of starters,
Every baseball reporter on the subject. I dont want to hear about how those are just “rumors”. When multiple people are saying the same thing its probabaly true
And because it’s true because I believe it’s true. LOL. Thanks for the laugh.
Window is now…. last time I checked they lost their top Cy Young pitcher to age and over-use, and their best reliever is undergoing heart surgery.
Not to mention Bellinger wasn’t exactly as good as the previous season, and what is the odds Muncy has another big year?
They also need to re-sign Machado or they are missing a huge piece.
The only thing they have in their favor is that they play in a division that is usually about as rough as one with the Royals or one with the Marlins and Mets.
Why wouldn’t the Red Sox resign one of the two Kimbrel/Kelly? They’re need is bullpen depth and there’s not too many quality options out there
Kimbrel is gone, Kelly could be back easily.
There are a lot of options out there…. Britton, Robertson, Otavino are options…. Then Miller, Herrera, Allen, Soria, Familia…
Kimbrel will only be elite for another year or two
Andrew Miller, if he’s really healthy this year, would be a nice replacement if you don’t want to be locked up for the years. He may be available on the short side of years.
Or I like Robertson. I read something that said he’s considering the Red Sox.
Going to make this simple for the Mets. Sign Wilson Ramos to a 3 yr, $30 million contract, sign DJ LeMahieu to a 4 yr, $52 million contract, sign Adam Jones to a 1 yr, $10 million contract, sign both Andrew Miller & Adam Ottavino to 2 yr deals and try to trade Syndergaard for Kris Bryant. Here is what the Mets lineup could potentially look like:
1. Nimmo
2. LeMahieu
3. Conforto
4. Byrant
5. Ramos
6. Bruce
7. Jones
8. Rosario
Rotation would be anchored by DeGrom, Wheeler & Matz
Bullpen would become an instant strength with both Miller & Ottavino sharing setup & closing duties, depending on matchups.
The Mets would become instant contenders.
Ok will you stop posting this comment on every Mets thread. Syndegaard for Bryant 1 on 1 won’t ever happen. Also, no way the Wilpons spend that much money in a single offseason. Just hope for the best that Cespedes returns to form, and be content with one of Grandal/Ramos and one of Ottavino/Miller. Probably the most the Wilpons can spend.
Never said straight up. Trade Syndergaard along with a couple of prospects for Bryant. Definitely fair. Quality starting pitching is far more valuable than a power hitting 3rd baseman. #Truth
If you believe that than why would the Mets have to include prospects. See you don’t even believe your own lies
In MLB the show maybe, in real life, no way Theo trades Bryant for an injury prone SP and prospects from one of the worst farm systems in the game. #Truth
Because unlike Syndergaard, Kris Byrant is the face of the Chicago Cubs. When trading a franchise player, it’s only fitting that the team ask for more to avoid a PR nightmare.
So your taking stats from a video game and applying that to real life…………Wow, just wow. I don’t even need to say more after that but look it up brother, Mets now have the 12th Best Farm System in MLB. So that means they’re rated ahead of 18 other teams and that constitutes being one of the worst??? Gmmm, check the facts dude.
mets already blew it…they should have traded thor…AND Degrom…to cubs, for bryant, joe maddon, and theo epstein, and $10 million. Cubs sign Machado, and with that team, even I could manage them to a pennant. So Cubs wouldn’t need Maddon anymore . And, Maddon has proven that he can take a tired moribund franchise (rays, cubs) and figure out how to win with them. Cubs getting Thor and Degrom means they get two stud pitchers for about $1MM cost this season; so they would have no issue throwing in $10MM or so in cash. And because the Cubs would now have a nucleus that would most likely win for another 5 years, there is no need for them to keep Epstein, Theo has turned around a franchise in the nations 3rd largest city; and then, the second largest city…so the only challenge left for him is to turn a franchise around in nations largest city; NY. Besides, how much fun would Theo have fighting for the back page headlines of NYC tabloids with Brian Cashman? As for that $10mm; the check is not made payable to the Mets; its made payable to the Wilpons, with the express instructions that they tak
e the money, and go on a 5 year extended vacation somewhere. Cubs get a winning franchise for next 5 years; Mets get their only real chance to rebuild a winner; and Met fans everywhere get the one thing they really want…HOPE!
Hitting the sauce kinda early??
Cubs arent trading Bryant fir Syndy 1:1 true, but Mets system is actually quite good now. Probably top 10-12.
Hitting the sauce kinda early??
There seems to be going a lot of that around….hic….hic
Agreed #Eil718..cough-cough-ey
Cespedas is not coming back this year they want that insurance money. Live with Bruce, Nimmo, Conforto & Lagares in the OF.
The Mets will sign Maldonado and some low budget RP. The crazy thing is I expect them to compete with that pitching.
Bruce & Frazier can’t possibly be that bad again. Conforto obviously was rushed back so he should bounce back. Alonso comes up and is at first. The young 2B looks like a gamer. I really don’t think the Mets need to do anything crazy. Gsellman & Lugo look like quality bullpen arms.
I’m good with signing Ramos, Jones and Ottavino.
I’d pass on LeMahieu, he’s a good player but his offensive performance is pretty Coors driven. Miller makes me nervous from a medical standpoint.
I also believe that trading Syndergaard would be a great move, though I’m unsure if the Cubbies would make that deal. Anything’s possible.
I agree on Miller but disagree about LeMahieu. Yes, he put up better numbers at Coors Field throughout his career but he has had solid splits on the road as well. In ’17 he hit .294 BA on the road with a .352 OBP and had a .303 BA on the road with a .353 OBP in ’16. Not mention multiple Gold Gloves at 2nd Base and Brodie Van Wagenen has stressed improving up the middle defense. Would be a great signing for a player providing great defense with good bat to ball skills as well. LeMahieu can steal a few bases on top of all that. He’s a perfect #2 hitter.
I forgot to mention that LeMahieu also has a career .304 BA in Citi Field.
BA lol
Yea, it’s called batting average a$$hole. Stop trolling.
You can laugh at BA all you want but I have been watching baseball for over 30 years and I have never seen a walk get a player home from 2nd. I have however seen a single do it hundreds of times. You can love sabermetrics all you want but it is not the end all be all stats of the game.
I like the plan, but that is a lot of money, which the Nets have never been very willing to spend.
That’s true but I truly have a feeling that Brodie Van Wagenen is going to change that narrative. Mets have ZERO contractual obligations beyond 2020. The time to spend is now.
Your comment was posted 20 seconds ago and already has an upvote. Interesting.
Stop hating.
I get tired of hearing the Mets don’t spend that’s their problem they spend to much on the wrong guys. Wright got paid. They were one of if not the most active teams in FA last year. Their problem is their defense in that ballpark. But please don’t say they don’t spend if anything complain about who they spend it on. The team was in the WS just a couple years ago.
What is interesting is that baseball1600 is concerned about up or down votes.
Isn’t Ruiz like 19. Not sure he’d b ready to go yet. Think they need to find a stop gap starter on a short term deal and have Smith start the season as the backup and let him play 2-3 games a week and get his feet wet.
Ruiz turned 20 this past July.
I have the Phillies signing Grandal, Britton and Adam Jones. Mets sign Ramos.
I’m just tired of “aw I’m broke” Wilpon. You have a big market team with needs throughout the entire lineup.
If you can’t afford to have a team, sell them to someone that can.
Wilpon is a joke, and if MLB was smart, they would force him to sell the team.
I mean if he can’t afford players contracts, he should sell the team so he can afford his day to day expenses.
We have to sit here and listen to “Yankees get Stanton”, or “$150m deal for Corbin and possibly another starter”, Mets are looking at backup catchers.
Frazier was a joke at 3rd. He can’t hit. We happen to need a 3rd basemen. Machado can play 3rd. We also need hitters, fielders, pitchers, ball boys, etc..
I would love to get Harper, Realmunto, Machado, Kimbrel, etc.. but that will never happen. He thought signing Cespedes was a gift to the fans. No, winning games is a gift to fans.
Last season, the Mets needed a CF, SS, 2B, C, 1B, 3B, and 4/5th starter.
So they go out and re-sign Jay Bruce, who is none of those positions. Leaving them with 3 corner outfielders.
They get Vargas as a 5th starter. He might be the worst pitcher in baseball. I would rather have Bartolo back.
They pick up Gonzalez from the waiver wire because Dominic Smith has fallen from top prospect status, and while Hosmer is available for the entire off-season, Wilpon was more than happy paying the league minimum for Adrian Gonzalez, who just isn’t good anymore.
The saddest thing? You would look at the box score, and Bautista, a guy no team in baseball wanted, batting in the cleanup spot.
And their hope is have a rotation of DeGrom, who might not want to re-sign with a team that refuses to spend, that Noah stays healthy a full season, that Matz stays healthy, and Wheeler, who was good last season, was also healthy for the first time rather than trading a guy like Syndergaard to the Padres for a boat-load of prospects, and we can rebuild
They call themselves a contender. Contenders tend to spend money, improve their team, and don’t cry poor.
Why not just rebuild.
TEAR IT DOWN.
Trade DeGrom. Is there a more desirable player in the market? He would be more sought after than Harper and Machado.
They could ask for any prospects or young mlb players they want and they would get it.
Why waste a guys best years on a team that won’t be winning till the Wilpons die and get something in return?
Somehow even with all the losing, the lack of good free agent signings, and no international market signings, they have the second worst farm system in baseball. That means they don’t just have a bad owner, they must have the worst scouts in the MLB.
Does anyone really think Rosario is going to be something special? What about Nimmo? Dominic Smith is a bust.
I’m disgusted. We all should be.
When you own a team, you have to be willing to spend money on players. Someone forgot to explain that to the Wilpons when the average family has to spend like $250 on seats, 50-100 on food/drinks, and 50-100 on miscellaneous to watch a team go out there and fail miserably.
You want to know how bad it is? Read the NY Post.
On one page, it’s about the Mets. The story is that they are interested in bringing back Asdrubal Cabrera. Really!
The next page.
“Yankees going hard after Corbin” who should get about $150m and are looking to spend more.
I’m not asking to spend yankee money. But they need to spend some money on a team.
I have never seen a team so excited to have insurance on Wright’s contract.
well if you have any trash players you don’t want the Padres will take them, about all that team takes anymore
The Yankees need a legend.
The Mets are waiting to finish paying Bobby Bonilla’s salary, once it comes off the books in 10 more years ,they will spend…
Too bad that the Mets won’t be in on Machado. He’s such a perfect player to fall in line with Mets history. After getting paid, he’ll fizzle like so many others in that uni.
As for Kimbrel, I’m not sure why it is believed the Red Sox won’t be able to sign him because of his price tag. There aren’t many teams that could pay him, who would have him as their closer. The Yankees have their guy, so do the Dodgers. What other teams that would need a closer, that would be willing to pay excessive money for Kimbrel, are there out there? I don’t see any. Seems like just an article just to add suspense that really isn’t there that much.
As for the Marlins pursuit of a lefty bat, the reports have been Logan Morrison, but that doesn’t make sense since they are better served sticking with giving a look to Peter O’Brien and Garrett Cooper at 1B. Guys like Melky Cabrera, Curtis Granderson, or Matt Joyce would make more sense for them at their price, for the corner OF spots since that’s where the immediate holes are for now until their OF prospects are fully ready. If they’re looking at 1Bs with a lefty bat, they should just bring Justin Bour back once he’s free from the Phillies. Then, when he hits again, we can trade him again to another contender willing to give us something again.