With Black Friday just two days away, I have devised a plan for the Mets offseason spending. With rumors floating around saying that the Mets will only have a payroll of $87 million in 2014, I will be taking $43.5 million to fill some of the holes in the Mets roster, but by doing it affordably too.
Rajai Davis– Davis is 35 years old, and is still capable of playing every outfield position. I will give him $12.2 million in a one-year deal. Davis is a consistent .250 hitter, and has made only 21 errors in his seven-year carrier. However, Davis is not an elite player, and he can be quite streaky at points during the season. Also, he is on the wrong side of thirty, and makes his money using his speed. So, Davis could use this one-year deal to prove himself, and then a multi-year deal/extension may be in his future.
Kevin Youkilis– Although Youkilis spent the last two seasons as a third baseman; I believe that he should be paid $8.4 million in a one-year deal to play first base. Ike Davis has clearly shown that he is not fit for the New York Mets, and the idea is that he will be traded at some point this offseason. So, this would leave a gap at first base, and Youkilis would be the perfect man to fill it. Just like Rajai Davis, Youkilis is 35 years old, so he will not be getting a multi-year deal from a National League team such as the Mets. Also, due to his recent struggles and injuries, Youkilis has not been looked upon as a major free agent, and not many offers have been made to try to sign him by other teams, making him cheap and affordable.
Munenori Kawasaki- Munenori Kawasaki has been in the Major Leagues for two years now, and he is yet to put up amazing numbers. However, he is a shortstop, and he has the capability to play 146+ games, which is exactly what the Mets need right now. The team should pay him $16.3 million over the course of two years, and also help him raise both his batting average, and his WAR. In 2013, Kawasaki had a WAR of 1.3, but his momentum seems to be bringing him in an upwards trend; so if he plays around 146 games, his WAR will most likely be a solid 4.86.
Brian Wilson– Brian Wilson is now a little more than a year detached from his second Tommy John’s Surgery. However, when he was pitching for the Dodgers in 2013, he clearly showed that he is ready to step back in to the closing role. He should get a one year, $7.6 million offer from the Mets, with a one year club option for 2015 worth $10.6 million. Yes, it is short and cheap, but Wilson only pitched three months in the majors this past year, so he will need to play for a little bit longer to see if he is worth any more money.
Saving is never easy, but it is still an option for the Mets. All the team needs to do is go out and sign these four players, as they will be quite cheap this offseason.
Of course, Brian Wilson will be a bit of a bargain, but as long as the Tigers pass on him, it will not be hard to sign the closer. Plus, this will give him an opportunity to make a statement to the Yankees, by signing in New York and not shaving his beard. And if you think I am crazy for recommending these deals, think of it this way: this is exactly what the Red Sox did last off season.
You’re buying “WHAT!?”…for 30 to 40 million dollars!!!!!!!!!! What a Raft of Crap!!!!!
Dan! I think someone spiked your egg-nog! 12 million dollars for a .250 hitter?! Kevin my aching back Youkillis Mr, disable list 8 million for 40 games? Sounds feasible to you? Either that or you have some financial interest in these guys. You really think SA is even remotely considering these players? At those insane prices! Haven’t you been around long enough to get a feel as to how Alddrson operates? If you’re going to throw away money then at least sign someone who is capable of earning his contract. How about Mike Napoli at first base? At least he can cover his contract and hit behind Wright. But that will never happen in our lifetime.
Kawaski will be getting less than $1MM to play ball this year; he is the Omar Q of 2014.
The salary for Davis is off about $10MM; after last year, at 33, he hardly deserves a raise from $2.5MM.
Youk might still be able to play, and he probably gets awfully close to $8MM. But why we are spending $8MM to play a position you have literally four guys at now, plus your some of your best minor league talent, is beyond me.
Well, I am def a Brian Wilson fan, so I can’t argue with that particular move! Also, Parnell is coming off of surgery and I see him more of an 8th inning set up guy. Would be nice to have a legit closer. Of course we prob wouldn’t see him in many games!
Thank God you’re not the GM. What an awful waste of payroll.
MY Mets makeover, on Friday:
Trade: Bit the bullet and give TBRays what they want. Justin Turner and Ike Davis for Yunel Escobar. If necessary, add AAAA talent like Capt Kirk; and frankly, for a 3 WAR shortstop at $5MM a year for the next two years, I’d go all the way to just Montero and Davis.
Sign: Again, bit the bullet and pay the guy that you think smells the least. Cruz, I guess, give him 4/70 to play LF. I don’t like him OR Granderson, but we’re beggars.
You still have $6MM for the #5 starter and 50 innings from a bullpen guy.
New lineup?
Escobar, SS
Satin/Duda, 1B
Murphy, 2B
Wright, 3B
Cruz, LF
Young, RF
TDA, C
Lagares, CF
At every position, you are above replacement level. You are clearly overpaying for Cruz, but hopefully you are getting free Wins from Lagares, TDA, Escobar. I think you’ll have a fine defense at SS, CF, RF, C, 3B and at least league average at C and 1B.
It’s a team that has at least an outside shot at 85 wins next year and since you retain rights over Escobar for 2015, a shot at the title when Harvey gets back.
I think you have mixed up Black Friday with April Fools.
I hope,this is meant to be humorous?