After finalizing the R.A. Dickey trade earlier in the week with the Blue Jays-which brought in uber prospects Travis d’Arnaud and Noah Syndergaard-the Mets will now look to continue its facelift this offseason by addressing other needs-most notably the outfield.
So, where do the Mets turn to now? How do they go about upgrading the talent level for 2013 while also striving to remain committed towards building for the long-term?
Moreover, how do the Mets go about upgrading the outfield, which is in need of an overhaul?
Since the Mets received no outfield help from their biggest trading chip in Dickey (although they got there catcher of the future), the Mets will likely go to the free-agent route to upgrade their outfield corps.
Well, for starters the Mets made a minor move earlier in the week by acquiring the services of Collin Cowgill (traded for Jefry Marte) from the A’s. Cowgill is an uninspiring right-handed outfielder with not much of a track record. While, it’s great to nab a young righty-hitting outfielder with a bit of upside, Cowgill is certainly not a player that will excite the masses. In 196 career at-bats, Cowgill has a mediocre.255/.319/.311 slash line while playing for the Diamondbacks and the A’s in the last two years.
While there is some potential with Cowgill, you are not getting any production you can certifiably bank on. That’s why the Mets have to sign some outfielder worth his weight this offseason.
Although they don’t fit into the Mets’ youthful overhaul strategy, the Mets have to make a serious push for someone along the likes of Cody Ross and/or re-sign Scott Hairston; or perhaps even trading for someone like Josh Willingham or Jason Kubel.
The Mets certainly could use the attitude and the moxie Ross brings to the table. Ross can be the bridge in the outfield before the Mets get their wings and take off as a formidable unit. Ross can provide the gap before the Mets can go about signing front-line free agents when the budget is less restricted.
Last year Ross had a respectable .266 /.326/.481 slash line and .807 OPS. Ross could act as a glue guy-along with David Wright-while being a calming, veteran influence in a clubhouse full of boisterous, developing youth.
The Mets can’t really afford (not literally, mind you!) to take on any more projects while trying to upgrade the outfield. They need some stability in the lineup from the outfield spot. Ross could provide just that. Nick Swisher would be an ideal fit, but his price tag could be a bit out of the Mets’ reach. Austin Kearns, Xavier Nady and Scott Podsednik could be some low-level options worth gambling on. Podsednik is a curious case, as he could provide the Mets with a speedy leadoff option. Granted, at age 36, Podsednik isn’t what he once was, but on the cheap he’s worth a look.
Granted, right now the Mets are all about the future, but for 2013 they need an identity and an edge about them. And by signing Ross you’re accomplishing that.
Although the chances the Mets can contend for a playoff spot next year appear to be slim, it doesn’t mean the Mets should act idle. Sandy Alderson knows this and said on WFAN this week that he knows the Mets have holes in the outfield and that he will look to sign a righty-hitting outfielder of some “quality.”
The above mentioned free-agents (save for maybe Swisher) are well within reach of the Mets’ budget.
The Mets need to act before it’s too late.
(Note: Next Thursday I will discuss pitching possibilities the Mets should target)
Your talking about outfielders way past their prime. They would be more of a liability in the spacious confines of Citifield. We already know 2013 is lost so continue to add pieces for the future. Let’s put the kids out there and have them continue with their learning process. I see no point in spending 3,4 or 5 million dollars on stop gap players while the Mets continue to rebuild. I do agree about Swisher but he’s too expensive for the Mets budget. If you’re to have kids playing every day then we will takes our lumps with them and prepare for 2014. Who knows maybe one them will surprise us.
Absolutely spot on IMO.
Was jut thinking that the present strategy does leave the Mets vulnerable, like the Rangers this year, for a mass exodus if these prospects pan out as we hope. Then, without a mix, we will be back at ground zero.
Nady signed with KC last week, so cross him off the list.
I heard Sandy on the ‘FAN the other day and when asked about the outfield, he joked: “I’m going to answer every question with ‘Travis d’Arnaud.'” He also admitted that Cowgill probably wouldn’t “set off any seismographs at your station…”
Oh I did not know Nady signed with KC. I had a list of free-agents on ESPN and they it updated with other recent transactions but had Nady available.
With Buck on the roster I actually wondered if Collins would toy with D’Arnaud playing left. I’m sure that wouldn’t turn out too well.
Anyway!
We save a load of money between Wright, Bay and Dickey
I would kick the tires on Swisher because, frankly, he doesn’t cost a prospect (in the draft) and he should be a solid contributor.
I love Bourn and I think Canzler who was just cut by Clev. would be a good fit.
Problem with Bourn is that I think he costs a pick. I’m not giving a pick + money.
If i’m not mistaken Cowgill was a fringe prospect at some point, i remember him making the top 10 in the Dbacks orginzation at one point.
Not really interested in any of those FA names you listed other than Hairston either because of production or pricetag.
Heard a report that Dogers were interested in Parnell? Not sure why because they seem to already have a deep bullpen, but i was looking at their 40 man and a OF named Alex Castenellos came up. Not a big prospect, but i think he may be a good swap for Parnell, if they really are interested.
I think the OF and pen are 2014 and 2015 issues is my guess. We are in stop gap mode obviously. Signing Bourne, as awesome as it would be makes no sense for a team that 3-5 yrs off.
Cowgill was putting up huge numbers at AAA in 2010 or 2011 I think.
Right now the Met OF is Duda – Kirk – Baxter/Cowgill. Duda can’t field, Kirk ended his season in the minors and Baxter leveled off when he played on a regular basis. There really isn’t much there.
It should be either Duda or Davis at 1B with the other being traded.
Duda simply can’t play the outfield. It would be nice to include one of them in a package for a right fielder, preferably right handed, that puts up above average power numbers 25 HR, 90 RBI, .800 OPS and is above average defensively, and under team control.
Ike is the better hitter,(.333/.455/.788 career and 274/365/640 vs lhp) to Duda’s (.338/.429/.767 career and ..282/.338/.621 vs lhp) and the better defender. In order to get the outfielder the Mets would want, Ike would likely be the traded one but the downgrade to Duda at 1b will be made up for in the improved outfield. If Duda should fail to progress as a 1B then the Mets have two prospects in Flores and Rodriquez who may be able to move up in 2-3 years.
The Mets should attempt to sign either Hairston or Ross to a 2 year contract in order to keep themselves flexible in the future. Not putting any of the savings into a low level FA would be criminal.
Trade Ike & keep Duda? C’mon.. Ike had a bad year and he knocked in 90 runs and played a solid 1B.. Duda is a downgrade… Lucas has to go…
You stick up for Duda too much. Defense eventually is more important than offense. Why can’t Mets fans see that? Look at San Francisco. Are they an offensive juggernaut? No! You look to accommodate Duda and sacrifice a solid defensive first baseman who is finally 100% healthy after is bout with valley fever. I can tell you that this illness wears you down and takes as much as a year of rest and no exertion to overcome the side affects. You have your 3 and 4 hitters in place. Despite not having a dependable bat hitting behind him, Ike managed to hit 30+ home runs and drive in 90 RBI’S. Give the kids the opportunity to mature and continue learning. There are no outfielders available who are going to make a difference in this coming seasons outcome. S
Pete – on the contrary, I would keep Davis if I had my druthers. It is just that Duda’s value has fallen so much that who could you get for him? For Duda’s value to go up, he has to play but playing him in left is no longer acceptable. For the Mets to get the OF they “want” they need to trade Davis, to get an “almost average OF” that could be a fill for a year or two they could trade Duda. I have been stating all along that the Mets should have kept their pitching intact and improved their defense. Therefore I would trade Duda for a more rounded almost average OF. You and I are in agreement but the Met front office doesn’t see things our way.
You stick up for Duda too much. Defense eventually is more important than offense. Why can’t Mets fans see that? Look at San Francisco. Are they an offensive juggernaut? No! You look to accommodate Duda and sacrifice a solid defensive first baseman who is finally 100% healthy after is bout with valley fever. I can tell you that this illness wears you down and takes as much as a year of rest and no exertion to overcome the side affects. You have your 3 and 4 hitters in place. Despite not having a dependable bat hitting behind him, Ike managed to hit 30+ home runs and drive in 90 RBI’S. Give the kids the opportunity to mature and continue learning. There are no outfielders available who are going to make a difference in this coming seasons outcome.
How frustrating! Given the pitching we had with a better defense we would improved on last years record. If the bullpen can hold onto leads that the starters pass to them our record would be better than indicated. Solving the pen would go a long way towards rebuilding this team. It’s been written that the Mets offense was inconsistent at best. However, I believe if the bullpen doesn’t blow as many leads as last year the 2013 team has a decent shot at playing .500 ball. So now that the mighty Sandy has shipped R.A. to Canada where is he going to find this years Andres Torres?
When are they going to pickup someone/anyone. All these players that were cut or free agents like: Russ Canzler ,Nate Schierholtz,Rich Harden,Francisco Liriano,Jim Miller,Scott Van Slyke,Tom Gorzelanny……are getting picked up by other teams not name Mets,why? I do think they can still be over .500 with a few right moves. And this day and age over .500 might mean a wild card.
I agree but I don’t think the Mets are looking to spend ANY money on free agents. I think money for free agents is not on the agenda for the Mets who I think will go with the kids for 2013 with an eye on 2014 free agents(Santana’s 25.5 million is off the books)