Now that the postseason has begun, it’s only fitting for Mets fans to revel at players who might consider changing teams next year. This season became the seventh straight year the Mets have failed to participate for October baseball, and now is the time to consider what the future holds as we watch the four division series. Two players that may entice Sandy Alderson are Justin Morneau and James Loney. Both players have a resume of consistent production, a component lacking from the first basemen on the current roster. The signing of either of these players will clearly hinge on whether the organization is willing to go forward with Ike Davis or Lucas Duda or enter the bidding war for Cuban defector Jose Abreu. Already presented with many unknown roster answers next season, it might be frugal to consider some options where the results appear more predictable.
Morneau, once an elite player, has still shown consistent production the past few years. He is no longer the 30 plus HR and 100 RBI guy he was with the Twins, but each of the past two seasons he tallied 77 RBIs showing he still has significant value. This drop, however, will guarantee that his 14 million a year price tag will come down too. The concussion he suffered in 2010 has had an alarming and detrimental effect on his career and will still be a factor for suitors considering his services next season. It’s unclear what the market will be for Morneau. Now 32, he will probably be looking for at least a three year deal. As he bats cleanup for the Pirates this postseason, many eyes will be watching. He may get many big opportunities in big spots if teams decide to walk Andrew McCutcheon. It will be an important showcase for Morneau; how he fares in the spotlight may play a factor in where he lands this winter.
Loney, 29, is less a risk than Morneau but with perhaps a lower ceiling. Loney has never been a big power bat throughout his career, but still has reached the 65 RBI plateau six out of the past seven seasons. His career slash line is .285/.340/.421 and his glove has always been steady. Consistency, durability, professionalism and age are the attributes that will spice up interest. Like Morneau, Loney has the opportunity to showcase himself this postseason albeit lower in the batting order.
Mets fans are going to be looking for a splash in roster movement this winter. Abreu will cost money and could be a star. On the other hand, he could be a bust while being a burden of salary and inconsistency. We just don’t know. He will likely have to be given at least a five year deal, a commitment that the Mets will have to seriously weigh before making. There is no guarantee Abreu will be like his former Cuban teammates, Yoenis Cespedes and Yasiel Puig. The unknown factor is a gamble the Mets should be wise to steer clear of. Much like the case of Davis or Duda next year, they will have their fingers crossed as to what they will be getting come Opening Day. Fans of the Metsies should maybe keep their eye on Morneau or Loney the next couple of weeks. If Alderson decides he wants immediate results from the first base position, these soon to be free agents just might be his best options.
The first decision the Mets have to make is Duda or Davis?
Avg NL 1B: 341/427/768 21 HR
Davis 326/334/660 9 HR
Duda 352/415/767 15 HR
This doesn’t seem to be too tough a choice but the Met hierarchy are in Florida discussing it.
Can the Mets upgrade?
Loney 348/430/778 13 HR
Morneau 323/411/735 17 HR
Duda stil looks like a viable option and he is the least expensive. Satin can still platoon also to increase the production at the position. The money that isn’t spent on a free agent first baseman can be allocated to a RF (they don’t have one), a shortstop, and another outfielder to upgrade LF production and add depth to the roster.
“The unknown factor is a gamble the mets would be wise to steer clear of” I wonder if the dodgers asked themselves the same thing when they were thinking of signing Puig? The mets
need to take some risk before they have no fans coming to the games and Sandy knows this
and is aware of a sense of urgency to do what it takes to build a winner now! Loney will
give the mets the same production as Murphy so in that case you might as well move Murphy
to first and play Flores at 2nd? Abreu at the least will give you 25-30 hr’s and 100 rbi’s
and at his best in a year or two 40 hr’s and 100-120 rbi’s so either way you slice it its
a lot better than what we have now or whats available out there for first base and it won’t cost them one or two of there best pitching prospects! If he cost 60-75 million for five years its better than Choo at 100 million for five years! Choo is not worth it but Abreu is!! Sign Abreu and Beltran and Byrd and sign or trade for a SS and sign a good starting pitcher(not named Marcum) and the mets will contend for a while card next year!
Interesting. I’m not. Big Loney fan. He’s ok. I’m ok with the Mets taking a gamble on Abreu but keeping Duda and Davis are already gambles so keep them both if needed and put the money into SS and RF (as mentioned above). Think Drew and Choo!
I agree. If they land Choo and Drew, Davis or Duda starting the year at first is fine with me…emphasis on STARTING the year
I will give you the Met stance on your dream list. Due to budget constraints the Mets will wait until the price comes down. Ooops!No one left. Well we did set aside 50 million for free agents but the market was so competitive that no free agent in his right mind wants to come here with so many quality organizations vying for their services. No I can’t see SA spending 7 million on a first base man when he already has 3 very cheap players at his disposal. You need to think dollar store not Saks.
I would take Loney or Morneau over what we have in Duda or Davis. We know what we have in Duda and Davis at this point and it just is not good enough. Abreau is too much of an unknown and at this point the Mets can’t afford to take a risk that might not pay off having just cleared the bad contracts of Bay and Santana.
Morneau will probably want 3 years at minimum 10 million+. Loney the same. Do the Mets spend their limited resources on players who are either passed their prime or playing for a new contract or do they funnel their inadequate budget on the outfield.