After a second place finish in the National League Eastern Division last season, it is time for the Mets to step up their game and make themselves definite contenders going into 2015. However, Mets’ General Manager Sandy Alderson is not too big on signing the top free agents, so this offseason will come down the under the radar moves the organization makes. There are just north of 230 players who will hit the free agent market this season, and there are certain players that the Mets should be able to sign. As for trades, there is a plethora of talent on the Mets’ roster, so there definitely should be a trade or two made this offseason.
1. Trading for Yoenis Cespedes: The two time reigning Home Run Derby Champion was traded to the Red Sox last year during the Free Agent Deadline. When the Sox made this move, it was looked upon as a steal, because they got a big time, big bat outfielder that would not be a free agent until the end of the 2015 season. But with recent reports that Cespedes did not get along with the Red Sox coaches and trainers, the ball club is reportedly looking for places to send the outfielder…and the Mets could be a good trade partner. The Mets have prospects galore to send to the Red Sox, and are in need of an outfielder. Earlier this season, there were reports that the Mets would be willing to send Noah Syndergaard to the Rockies for Troy Tulowitzki; but with Tulowitzki’s injury history, that seems unlikely to happen. Therefore, the Mets should look into sending Syndergaard to the Red Sox in return for Cespedes. This would address both teams’ needs, and would make fans on both sides extremely happy. But more than that, this trade just makes sense!
2. Trading Dillon Gee: For the past two seasons, Dillon Gee has had huge expectations placed on him, and has failed to achieve them. 2013 and 2014 were both struck by injury for the young pitcher, and the problems do not seem like they will fade away. Therefore, it is vital the Mets trade away Gee for both room on the roster, and for Gee’s sake. If they were to deal him, the Mets would open up a spot on their five-man rotation, which would allow them to put Harvey back in, and not move anyone into the bullpen. Gee could easily be traded for a couple of prospects, or even be placed into a package deal for a major league caliber player. As for Gee, it may be good for him to get out of the New York media spotlight, and into a lesser market such Kansas City, San Diego, Texas, etc.
3. Signing Jed Lowrie: Another issue the Mets will face this offseason is finding a shortstop to replace Jose Reyes. Reyes left the Mets organization after the 2011 season, and the Mets have yet to find a legit short stop to take his place. Therefore, Lowrie could be a perfect fit for the position! Lowrie is nothing special, but he is a legit short stop who has a career 8.4 WAR. The only problem facing the signing of Lowrie would be his age; but at 30 years old, he will likely not be looking for a deal longer than 2 years…which would be perfect for the Mets who have a few shortstop prospects coming up in their system.
4. Keeping Bartolo Colon: Owed $11 million in 2015, it seems that almost every Mets fan wants to see Bartolo Colon traded this offseason. However, Colon is actually a valuable asset for the Mets. As much as everyone wants to believe that Matt Harvey will come back as his dominant self in 2015, there is a possibility that he will struggle. Plus, in the day and age we now live in, it is more likely than not that Harvey will be shut down or have to miss a few starts to “save his arm”. Therefore, by keeping Colon on the team, the Mets will have a fallback for Harvey’s spot in the rotation in case they need it. Colon also brings a veteran presence to the ball club, which a young club such as the Mets is lacking.
5. Extending Juan Lagares: Last night, we learned that Juan Lagares won the Center Field Gold Glove Award in the National League. But that aside, Lagares is one of the best players the Mets have in the majors right now, and he is not as bad of an offensive player as people may think. Therefore, if he can begin to hit with a little more pop in his bat, or get a few more base hits here and there, Lagares will be an all around player who would be a threat to play against. At his young age, locking him up will be both easy, and affordable!
The Mets have some decisions to make this season, and will need to make a few moves in order to contend in the National League East in 2015. Therefore, it is vital that the Mets make these moves, because it will both fill in some of their current gaps, as well as help them out in the long-term.
No
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Why is everyone in love with Cespedes? Do we know how much he wants to renew? Would he renew? He had a nice year last year but only hit .269 and hit .240 the year before that, and while he hit a lot of homeruns in the all-star game in 2013, so did Josh Hamilton one year. You want to trade Syndergaard for a guy that others had problems with in Oakland and now in Boston, and he wants to be a free agent next year? Are you guys really serious about the things you write?
Agree with every move but the Lowrie signing, but not trading Thor either unless Tulo is involved.
As for Lowrie, not really sure he’s an upgrade and worth allocating more money. If they move Murph or Flores, obviously that changes things
So basically you’re swapping Gee for Cespedes for payroll. I guess TexasGus beat me to the punch. If the Red Soxs ( a veteran ball club) cannot handle Cespedes, what makes you think the Mets staff can handle him? He’s just as vain and arrogant as Puig. So you think David Wright in his Spanglish will get the message across when Big Papi who has 2 World Series rings could not? So that’s a no on 1. Gee definitely needs a change of scenery. So yes on 2. Lowrie signs for how much? 5 million? Dan as with other writers who post can you please do the math and add up the salaries and see where this ball club ends up in payroll? 54 million for 4 players. 10 arbitration players-26 million. Cespedes is due 10.5 million for 2015 after which he’s a FA. The 10 remaining spots on the roster at league minimum 5 million. Including Lowrie you get a 100 million dollar payroll. So Dan reality is no Lawrie, no Cespedes. Colon’s veteran presence at 11 million for a 4+ ERA inning eater? 4. No. Extend Lagares? In a perfect world yes. But the Wilpons are broke and will use Sandy and his magic wand to keep salaries down.no matter how well any of the youngsters play.
+1
pete, you are on fire.
+1
+1
If the Rocks are really open to offers, make them one on Cargo.
Colon, Murphy, and something else. Buy Gonzo low (after an injury) and sell high (Murphy).
GG, 9% BB rate, good power. He won’t perform 880+ OPS in Citi, but he’ll be good enough.
Oh yeah, plus get younger. Slide Flores to 2B (or Herrera) and bring up a younger pitcher
I think a great buy low candidate is Stephen Drew… if he fires Scott Boras (not sure why he hasn’t already done so). His stock couldn’t be lower, and there is zero buzz for him even from the SS-needy Mets. He can still play the position quite well, and his upside is still nearly the same as it was a year ago, when many Mets fans were clamoring that they would have paid 4-5 years at 10-15 million per. This is the year to sign him!
I’d do 1 year 3-5 mil with incentives up to 6-9, and if possible, an option year. Maybe 2 years, if it’s cheap enough.
Not a bad idea!
I would have to agree. There is more upside to Drew than most any other FA.
Of course Drew Tejada. The two cannot co-exist, and if I had to spend $2.5MM on either I’d go with the younger guy that has a track record of producing positive wins.
I’m pretty sure I’m the only RT fan hereabouts, though.
I’m totally against Lowrie. We basically have a similar player in Flores. I’m all for a Cargo deal if they can get him without giving up big contracts. Yeah his splits are bad and he’s hurt a lot, but even Cargo on the (750 career OPS, approximately 30 doubles and 20 plus homeruns per 162) is still a major improvement over what they had last year.
But Scott you need to give up those big contracts in order for a trade to come to fruition. You’re basically swapping payroll with Colorado or any other team that fits the bill.
Lol, whoops, meant prospects, not contracts. Wrote that quickly. I’m all for moving a contract. Colon would be most probable in that deal. I’m not giving up Syndergaard or Matz though.
1. Cespedes as a one year rental for Thor? No.
It would have to be a player who is already locked up for 2-3 years before I traded Thor
2. Trade Gee (or Colon or Niese) in a package with Murphy and get the best outfielder or shortstop that the package can buy.
3. Lowrie is projected at 3 years/$30m .(MLBTR) . I don’t think the Mets can afford this upgrade with the new outfielder’s salary from the Murphy trade.
4. Colon and his $11M sure would look the best in a Murphy/Colon package. It frees up $19M, which should get you a pretty good outfielder (would the Dodgers trade Kemp?)
5. I would prefer Lagares gets extended after the 2015 season.
Just putting this out there for everyone, but a trade of Cespedes if he doesn’t sign an extension will also net a 2016 first round pick (unless something drastic happens), and that needs to be accounted for in trade valuations.
But does that mean you give up Thor who is about to make his MLB debut next season for a future draft pick who may or may not ever make it to the big leagues in 3-4 years?.For a one year rental? Who may do more harm in the clubhouse than Collins? It’s like taking 2 steps forward and one step back. Very slippery slope.
I was making more of a general service announcement rather than commenting on the specific Thor for Cespedes trade.
I keep hearing people say: “We shouldn’t trade [insert our prospect here] for [insert trade target here] because he’s only under contract for 1 more season” Many don’t seem to consider that If the player you are trading for is of high enough caliber, you’ll get a 1st round draft pick the next year if an extension isn’t done.
So it’s not just a 1 year rental, it’s either a 1 year rental plus a draft pick.
In other words, don’t let the fact that a player is only controlled for 1 year scare you away from trading for him because even if you give up top talent to get said player, if you aren’t able to keep him long term, you’ll likely get a similar top player back in your system within another 1-3 years.
Name,
You do not know if the first round pick will work out. Why trade a known quantity for an unknown quantity?.
If you have a top prospect, you don’t trade him for a rental unless you are pretty sure you have a shot at greatness. The Mets haven’t even been to the playoffs in 8 years.
I would consider trading Thor for a player like CarGo, Kemp, Stanton, or J. Upton in various packages. Cespedes is not near these players’ potential, and quite honestly, has a terrible reputation in two cities so far.
Name>>> There is no compensation if Cespedes signs with another team after 2015. Cespedes’ contract was specifically worded to negate the ability of his team to make him a qualifying offer.
I think we can all agree that “1st round pick” can be misleading.
The best value of the 40 or so players taken in R1 lies in 1-15. Maybe as much as 80% or more.
The picks from FAcy are nearly always in the bottom of the draft. Mike Trout aside (boy, that Teixeira contract is the gift that just keeps giving), you are looking at probably a 30% shot at 5-6 WAR (to me, that means an average value of 1.5 WAR).
And as an aside you have to account for the fact that you have to wait 5 more years to get those wins.
Doesn’t scare me to make the move. Would Alderson make such a move?
Believe it or not I am a fan of RT as well. If Wright and Granderson had produced what should of been expected of them, then you can leave RT in the 8 hole and just leave him alone. No he’s not a superstar but you shouldn’t have those kinds of expectations on him. Adequate? Yes. Are there better alternatives available out there? Yes. But at what price?
lol only kolten would come up with ideas like this
lol only kolten would come up with ideas like this i dont know if i should take you serious or not
Only 4 and 5 sound like appealing options to me. The Mets are going to use Colon up early next year to save Harvey’s arm for a hopeful playoff run, then dump him for whatever they can get at the deadline. Extending Lagares now would be a great move as this is probably the cheapest we’ll ever get him. I understand he’s an injury risk, but he’s affordable right now, and might only be getting better. Lowrie is a nice 2 WAR SS, but if it’s going to cost 3/$30, I think the Mets will do a hard pass.
I’m not a baseball genius but just a Met fan. I don’t understood why a shortstop is needs as there are quality shortstops in the farm system only a year or so away. The Mets should let Flores hold it down and Tejada backup. The most important key to playoffs is a quality reliable closer and Mejia is not the answer. I would trade Mejia and An back up outfielder and try to get a top quality slam the door reliever in return. Bobby Parnell is not the answer either.