Don’t worry Mets fans, the Mets will be making additions to their roster. And these moves will be soon. By mid-May, it seems very likely that a young pitcher will be gone and a new shortstop will be arriving. Now this trade could have been done two months ago or Stephen Drew could have been signed, but the wait will be worth it.
Wilmer Flores has shown his ability to play shortstop effectively. So, if Ruben Tejada struggles to start the year, the Mets can turn to Flores for a period of time before the replacements arrive.
It makes sense for the Mets. They need to find a long term solution at the shortstop position and they have a position of strength to deal from. Now the Jon Niese injury and the Jenrry Mejia concerns put a bit of a wrench in that process. But, soon those won’t be problems and the Mets will be back at full strength (except for Matt Harvey).
Being able to move pitchers that are young and have potential can bring back a good return, and Sandy Alderson knows that.
It’s why he’s okay with waiting. The rest of the team has looked good throughout spring training. He can gamble that Tejada figures it out and becomes serviceable. And that could well happen. Tejada could become a reliable player. Not one that hits .300, but one that is the supporting cast to the rest of the lineup.
It’s a risk worth taking. With a lineup much better than last year’s, giving Tejada a month to prove he belongs here won’t hurt the team.
By this time in May, this shortstop debacle will have an ending. Either Ruben Tejada proves himself, or the Mets trade for somebody else. Making a trade should become easier for Alderson once the season begins and teams figure out needs and surpluses. Alderson knows that the shortstop position is a weakness. This isn’t his first day as GM. But a knee-jerk reaction to the problem will only make it worse. Having patience and waiting for the right move will make the Mets a better team.
That right move could be Ruben Tejada, or it could be Chris Owings, Nick Franklin or one of the other shortstops that can be acquired. Only time will tell.
Very well stated. And I agree completely. It’s best to see if Tejada can do it. Personally, I think he can.
Also, it’s best to see if Ike Davis can do it. He’s looked good in the limited time he’s had. I know it doesn’t prove anything, because he was good last spring training, as well.
But, I really want to see how this plays out before we give up too much (money and/or players) for a problem that we ultimately discover didn’t exist.
So true. Sometimes good things come to those that wait.
What makes you so sure?
‘Cause he said so!
From Adam Rubin, ESPN:
Mets expected to stand pat trade-wise
KISSIMMEE, Fla. — The Mets are not expected to make any external additions before Opening Day, big or small, a team insider told ESPNNewYork.com.
The source said something not currently foreseeable would have to develop quickly for a trade to materialize.
I think the trade is going to be with Texas, for Jurickson Profar, for a combination of talent that includes a 2B, a pitcher or two, and one of the backup catchers we have.
We’re probably the best situated teams to give the Rangers everything they need in one fell swoop – cheap, controllable talent at positions of their need. And what they have, in Profar, we don’t need until at least June.
Besides Jesse Crain, when was the last time you saw a player getting traded on the DL? It’s hard to explain to both fanbases, one side will think they’re selling low, the other will think they’re getting damaged goods.
You’d be the only one I’d have to explain it to.
We’d be getting the best SS prospect in baseball. ‘Nuff said.
Well, I saw the pieces that you would give up for him, and you’d have to explain that to many more people other than me. You’d also have to explain to most current and former GM’s because i can hardly remember an injured position player being traded before. There’s gotta be a reason it isn’t done.
Feh. It’s little more than a dream, as all online trade proposals are.
The parts I am willing to give away, don’t impact the 2014 Mets and I’d bet most fans would trade the likes of Montero, Teagarden, Flores and DeGrom – not a single full major league season between them – to get a guy like Profar.
As regard explaining to other GMs? Somebody has to do something for the first time. Other people have investigated it (http://bleacherreport.com/articles/772509-mlb-trade-deadline-5-injured-players-who-may-still-be-dealt-by-the-deadline).
The Mets are getting Xander Bogaerts? Sweet… LOL!
What you call patience I call indecision and stagnation.
“And then one day you find ten years have got behind you.
No one told you when to run, you missed the starting gun.” Pink Floyd
Since October 2013 there has been a need for depth at shortstop but nothing has been done.
Firstbase can be played by two similar players. Instead of making a decision over the winter, the Mets go into the season with one taking up a roster position and sitting on the bench reducing manager defensive flexibility.
The bullpen is still shaky, with the closer not back to velocity, the reliable veteran presence too costly at 2.5 M, and the rookie heir apparent demoted to the minors.
A season is 162 games and a good team is ready from the start, not mid May.
Awesome article! Also, I like the Pink Floyd. But relax, Sandy ain’t stupid.
Just another rumor. I believe it when I see it. Let the season start and see what happens. Wasn’t Profar injured and and questionable for the start of the season. Texas also traded a top infielder, why would they trade a second? Yeah, awesome article?
Give them Quintanilla for short to seal the deal. While many see the Mets equivocating on Duda / Davis, both could have a large upside – maybe less than 50-50 that happens for either, but if both were healthy this spring, a clearer decision could have been made by mgmt. Both cooperated by missing 3 weeks! I give edge to Duda – I think Ike will go into a prolonged hitting funk again if he is tabbed as the lefty platoon to Satin. Duda will be more reliable vs. righties
I think the Mets could have made some splashes. I also think the payroll Sandy is on is tighter than the public thinks. Why were the Mets not in on Fielder, Fowler, Ellsbury (more) or make a big push for Kemp? Need new ownership badly. With the minor league depth no reason not to get a big time player via trade. As far as I see there is no shortstop, first baseman an unproven catcher (I am high on him but a solid veteran backup should have been acquired. The hope Chris Young bounces back and your center fielder can’t hit.
Ike and Duda have an upside? Sure they have potential, except for the year and half with Ike, both have proved nothing, but a waste of that potential. In my mind neither has shown enough to make the team. Both are batting under .210. I know its spring training. Most of the pitching they see isn’t major league pitchers. Collin’s said at the start of ST he wanted to give each 100 at bats to make a judgement. Neither had this, the are both not at 100% physically. I know the Mets lack left handed hitting. The line up would be more balanced if either of these guys would show up and play, but they aren’t. I also think the Met owners are right as far a long term contracts, they were right in not going after Fielder, Ellsbury or Kemp. They don’t need a center fielder, Fowler was a great deal for the Astro’s.