Pitchers and catchers will report to spring training tomorrow, officially marking the beginning of baseball season. But that doesn’t mean the hot stove has gone cold for the year. With names like Nelson Cruz, Ubaldo Jimenez and Ervin Santana still left on the board; there are moves to be made by different teams.
The Mets are no different. First off, they aren’t signing any of the guys listed above but they are far from done with making another splash or two. They signed Kyle Farnsworth to a contract during the week, and are said to be still in the market for another ‘closer type’. Yesterday the Stephen Drew saga escalated, as reports surfaced that the Mets had made an offer to Drew and were discussing the terms of the deal.
This shows an ability to spend money, and make additions to the team. Based off of everything being reported, it seems they are very set with going into 2014 with Ruben Tejada as the starter (which seems like the better move). That being said, the money they have would be better spent adding bullpen arms to a very questionable group of pitchers fighting for jobs in Port St. Lucie. There is a ton of talent coming to camp that can make the team in the bullpen, but competition brings out the best in everybody.
It makes a ton of sense to sign some guys on minor league deals and see what can happen. It’s how the Cardinals shape their bullpen. Signing or trading for guys like Mitchell Boggs and John Axford, combining that with their young crop of arms led them to the World Series last year.
Farnsworth, coupled with a guy like Andrew Bailey or Joel Hanrahan can add depth, competition and quality to a bullpen that has lacked all three of the things over the past couple of years. Due to an emerging prospect system, the Mets have the ability to move some of these guys to the back-end, where they have a chance to see the field.
Tomorrow starts a wonderful time of year. But just because it seems that baseball is around the corner, that doesn’t mean the signings won’t stop. And that includes the Mets. By the end of camp, you could see three or four new faces you didn’t see at the start of camp. They may make the team, they may not. But in some way, they will make the Mets better for 2014 and that’s something everyone can agree on.
I Feel very interested in this S/T that I haven’t felt for a long time. I almost forgot how it use to be such a big part of the baseball season for me. I think the METS will be fun to follow this year. With a lot of new faces being added and more to follow. I hope they “jell” into a winning team spirit.
Interesting news on Drew. I hadn’t heard that a possible offer had been made. A favorable Drew signing should really do a lot for team and fan spirit.
I don’t know that I’d call the BP candidates a “questionable group of arms.” It’s more that the bulk of them are young and/or unproven. That being said, they should certainly add as many low-risk arms as they can as insurance. That’s the strategy they’ve taken the last few seasons and one that shouldn’t require a lot of money. They just need to avoid any more of these Francisco/Carrasco signings. Yikes.
At this point, I just wish someone would sign Drew so we don’t have to read about him every day.
Black Familia and Torres I think are all good candidates. Edgin has had his moments and I think Lannan will end up in the BP too. Dice K if he loses out to Mejia should end up there too. It will be nice to have some guys who can pitch two or three innings if they come in the fifth or sixth innings. Of course the key is Parnell. Is he healthy? That will determine how good this BP is.
If that got Rodney on a decent deal, that would be a nice signing. I like Drew, but I’m warming to the idea of seeing if Flores can handle the position.
Of the free agents that are left unless someone can be signed for some ridiculous price don’t count on us to spend money but if we do sign someone I could see us signing Cruz because another outfielder would screw up the team more than any other position, that would be what we do…….brilliant!!!
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