This is the time of year that most Mets fans thrive for. Since being a contender hasn’t been part of the fold recently, fans have used this time to come up with different trades, signings and scenarios for the Mets. Some are actually logical and would help, and some are just laughable (one Twitter user suggested trade Lucas Duda and Ruben Tejada for Max Scherzer).
That’s what this time is about: being creative. Everyone loves being able to play the armchair GM, and they can. Now most of their ideas will never happen, but at least they’re trying. Sandy Alderson and the Mets front office is about to do the same thing. They are about to embark on a mission to make the 2014 Mets better; and are going to need to get creative in the process.
This includes the idea of bringing Curtis Granderson to Flushing. Speculation has already begun on Granderson possibly becoming a member of the New York Mets. Those who are against this idea say he’s too old, his power is a product of Yankee Stadium and he’s injury prone. While I agree that he is a bit on the old side, his power splits are actually not as vast as expected ( out of his 115 career HRs as a Yankee, 52 were away from Yankee Stadium). Besides missing a majority of last season, Granderson has been a guy who stays healthy.
Now, Granderson can’t be the only move the front office makes nor can it be their marquee signing. But, couple Granderson with other signings like Corey Hart, Jhonny Peralta plus a trade or two and the Mets’ lineup quickly has been transformed. Is it the ideal situation and lineup? Absolutely not and that’s okay. The Mets aren’t in a position to hand out these lucrative deals to guys like Shin-Soo Choo and Jacoby Ellsbury (and they shouldn’t anyway). Adding talent now, in order to make the 2014 Mets better, will make Flushing a more attractive place for players to want to play.
By doing that, the Mets can take another step forward towards competing again. It’s creativity that will ultimately make the Mets matter again. And that creativity starts now. So go ahead, grab a soda and sit in your chairs at home and come up with whatever trades and signings you can think of. They just might happen.
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I would not be totally against Granderson. The Mets could certainly do worse. He’s a good club house guy with pop.
One guy i like that hasn’t been talked about at all in free agency is Colby Lewis. Had TJ surgery and was out all of 2013, but he’s been solid since coming back to the States. I’m thinking a Chris Capuano like contract (1-2 million base + incentives) should get the job done. The same can also be said for Ryan Vogelsong. I have a japanese-back-to-mlb pitcher fetish i guess.
Buster Olney said Peralta is lookin for more than 3yrs/45 mil. I think the market will eventually dictate that is wishful thinking
Hart would need to play primarily at first, so I don’t think the Mets will sign him.
Just because Granderson may be the cheapest best available option doesn’t mean the team should sign him. I find it curious that Hart’s agent showed a video of him doing drills on his surgically repaired knees. What we don’t see is the next day video of Hart having both knees wrapped in ice due to the swelling from the activity. While that is purely speculation on my behalf don’t forget his agents are trying to get a max deal for their client. Due diligence from any team would be to send a medical representative and repeat the same drills and have Hart spend the next 24 hours under observation. The agent will never let that happen. Red flag please
Granderson wants to play for a winner so the Mets don’t qualify.
Peralta wants 3/45. What kind of drugs was he taking besides PEDS to believe that!
Why would you take a chance on a diminished Hart when you wouldn’t take a chance on short term Byrd who can play a position of need?
Very strange going ons from the perspective of my Lazy Boy!
OTC, Metsense … Peralta, I believe, wants 5/75 or nearly that. He sees himself as a 4 WAR SS that has shown the ability to play 140+ games a season for the last 8. That is as rare commodity in baseball as you will find.
Very, very rare. No team will sign Peralta for less than four years, and less than $60 MM.
Who has an opening at SS or could use an upgrade?
Marlins (but obviously not gonna happen)
Phillies (highly unlikely, but chance they want to start making Rollins a utility guy)
St. Louis
Pittsburgh (do they believe in Jordy Mercer)
Cincinnati (I’m not sure what they think of Cozart)
Boston (technically they have an “opening”, but it’s likely Bogaerts job)
Minnesota
Houston (are they gonna spend this winter?)
Mets
So basically you have the Cardinals, who like the Mets are currently aiming high and would like Tulowitzski and also looking into Lowrie as the only team really looking for a SS.
And you also have a bunch of teams who Peralta may help, but already have low-cost options available such as the Pirates, Reds, Twins, Astros, Marlins, Boston.
Then you have Philly, and that depends on what they think of J-Rol.
Unless he is willing to play the OF, I just don’t see a huge market for this guy, especially with the PED cloud hanging over him. My bet is 2/25 with the Cards/Mets if he is adamant about SS.
Jerry Grote what other teams are looking at upgrading shortstop? I don’t think any of them are looking to invest 5 years on Peralta. Aim high and then work your way down so if a team offered 3 at 45 his agent will then say let’s split the difference 4 for 60.
sometimes we get a better perspective when we can relax after having a few rather than being so intense over non-issues like Hart. Wouldn’t it be hilarious if the Mets did sign Hart after watching the video his agent put out there for all to see.
I think Corey Hart is a no-brainer signing for the Mets. He’s cheap, he plays 2 positions of need, right and first, and has some pop for the latter part of their lineup, which is the weakest. I don’t understand why some posters here seem to think first base is occupied; I think it’s as vacant as your local Sears store.
“he plays two positions of need” outfield and 1B …
He couldn’t play defense when he HAD two good knees. And there is no way to project whether or not he suddenly becomes equal to Duda now – which isn’t like I’m asking him to become Keith Mattingly or Don Hernandez.
This is the same team that said NO to a fan favorite that slugged 24 HR last year, because apparently $8MM per season is too much to pay for 4 WAR. I don’t think Corey Hart will be playing at Citi next year.
LID. Hart is a no-brainer? How do you know he’s cheap? You keep saying he PLAYS 2 positions. That WAS 2 YEARS AGO!! Hello? He had micro surgery on his right knee in June 2013. Just because an agent shows a video showing Hart doing some drills doesn’t mean he’s fully recovered. What they don’t show is his knees AFTER he finished! Makes you wonder maybe they were swollen just a little bit.