Here’s some things to get you caught up on any Mets news you may have missed this holiday weekend:
Joel Sherman of the New York Post writes that the Mets’ depth in pitching is not something that is likely to be leveraged as part of a blockbuster trade. Sherman argues that with the amount of pitching available in the market, the Mets would not be negotiating from a position of strength. With names such as Cole Hamels, Jon Lester, Ian Kennedy all available through trades or free agency, the simple laws of supply and demand indicate that the Mets would not net a huge return for their arms. Unless of course, a team like say, the Colorado Rockies wants to trade one of their players (like Troy Tulowitzki) and they’re not really looking to compete in 2015, so the “win-now” players don’t make sense.
Our own Sean Flattery opined that with the non-tender deadline approaching tomorrow night, that Eric Young Jr. and Ruben Tejada could be approaching their final hours as Mets. Honestly, it would be nice to have Tejada as a backup middle infielder, but in the grand scheme of things, good riddance. With payroll dollars once again being at a premium, there’s no sense in paying these two to take up 40-man space.
Reese Kaplan from our friends over at Mack’s Mets offered a different view on the Wilpons’ financial issues. He makes some very good points, and while I don’t necessarily agree with everything he says, it is very good food for thought, and worth your while to read.
Joe D from MetsMerized Online took a glance at Wilmer Flores‘ good performance in Winter Ball, and why that might mean he is positioning himself better at being the 2015 Opening Day shortstop. It’s good to see Flores doing well, and I don’t think he will do a terrible job if he is the everyday shortstop because of his bat, but that glove is a tough pill to swallow. Upgrades are good, and if the Mets can get a better than okay shortstop, they should.
“Sherman argues that with the amount of pitching available in the market, the Mets would not be negotiating from a position of strength. With names such as Cole Hamels, Jon Lester, Ian Kennedy all available through trades or free agency, the simple laws of supply and demand indicate that the Mets would not net a huge return for their arms.”
Thank you for saying this!
I still don’t know how to feel about Ruben Tejada leaving. His defense was not too bad, and could be used as a defensive replacement. He isn’t a gold glove, but he could help the Mets later in the game, and he could be used to lay down a bunt. I don’t think he’s worth the $3 million, but I wouldn’t mind seeing Tejada return.
Both nice articles. I don’t think playing SS will negatively impact Flores over the long haul, especially if given a longer reign, rather than the few games here and there that he’s had more recently. Give the man a chance.
However, in the Kaplan article, how much of that projected $70 million would actually go to the team, rather than paying off debts, settling court costs, or simply lining the pockets of people who were rich, then suddenly not so much anymore?
I cant help but think that things are still gonna be tough in Queens next year because some sort of blockbuster is not in the works. The Braves have cried “uncle”. The Phillies are DOA. The Nats are the Nats. The Marlins are strong maybes for the NL East. Basically, does anyone really believe Cuddyer is the answer to playoff baseball? Alderson continues the high wire act with hopes of Grandy improving, that DW will come back, that Flores (who has hoodwinked many) can be an every day MLB SS…and so on. Unfortunately, the Mets do need some sort of “buster” even instead of the microscopic creep. Look at what the Mariners are doing…thats how you make a real attempt at post season baseball.
Chris, There is no chance of a competitive season without Wright and Grandy returning to some significant level versus “their baseball cards”….. an 80-90% return to “norm” would be a giant step.
Does your “blockbuster plan” include removing/replacing both of those guys?….that simply doesn’t exist—and certainly not in Mets World.
My plan is to expect this front office to do next to nothing so as not to be disappointed. I implemented my plan after the huge 2012 “Winter of Marcum.”
So far, so good, as the team remains crappy but my blood pressure remains stable. Remember, it is important for us Mets fans to take care of ourselves, think about how many thousands have died since the last time the team had a .500 campaign.
And who knows, one year maybe the stars align and we get a Wild Card. Maybe even 2015. Stranger things have happened.
Of course not Eraff. I’m just saying, I think it’s a long stretch to believe adding Cuddyer makes this team somehow magically really good. Of course we want Wright and Grandy to improve, but that’s not gonna do it either. We have what is sizing up to be one of the weakest “up the middle” defensive teams in the game. The collective bats of TdA, Murph, and Flores/Tejada cannot make up for the defensive shortcomings. Add that we don’t know what Wright will look like on defense, and all the sudden Lucas Duda is the star defensive player on the infield. I don’t know, but that scares the hell out of me. And it doesn’t sound like October in Queens.
With MLB awash in money, I can’t help but wonder why this team looks like the As.
agree…agree.agree!!!!!!
The defensive “core” of Flores, Murph and d’Arnaud (pitch framing my ass!!!!) is a major, major concern. They can probably “hide” Cuddy a bit, but the Duda-Murph-Flores “contiguous troika” is gonna be about alot of missing outs on defense. Note, I’m not talking about errors…I am questioning their ability to make defensive plays.
Thats exactly where I am at. And I’ll tell ya, we dont know what Wright will be like back at 3B. As his arm slot dips every season, I seriously question whether he has the power to make the throws to first…and his throwing errors are horrific.
Im really concerned about playing more than 27 outs. It strikes me this team defensively (aside from Lagares, who sigle handedly may counterbalance everyone else) gives up out after out on defense…thus extending innings pitched and making it harder to fight back from behind. Its not just errors, but its failed DPs, its the throw from the 5.5 hole that fails to get a runner at first, its the inability to catch a fly in the corner that turns into a double…all double jeopardy…not only do we add outs, but it leads to runs, and I hate it. And the flip side is playing for less than 27 outs. Our pitcher miserable hitting and complete failure to bunt more or less means the opposition needs only 24 outs. I hate that too.
Its time we begin wondering whether the righty hitting power bat to play left field is presently playing 3B for the Mets (before you cry foul, remember Chipper Jones did it). Talk about a blockbuster…what would it take to get Nolan Arenado from the Rox? Syndergaard and Montero? All Im thinking is that the incremental creep is not moving the needle far or fast. In my eyes, its time to be thinking about inevitable big changes that have to be coming and start planning.
With the usual injuries etc, the presently configured club is not even a .500 team. Sure Wright gets better, but then Murph blows another MCL. I dont see that the team has enough proven players. The post season chatter is already deafening, and its all predicated on the Miracle that everyone has a bounce back, Flores magically turns into a shortstop, and the young guns all have heroic seasons. My gut feeling says that’s a bet I dont place in Las Vegas. Improved? sure. Going toe-to-toe with the Nats? umm, no.
Reese Kaplan’s article has so much truth in it. The primary goal of the Wilpon’s is to keep control of the team. If the Mets maintain their budget and don’t over extend it, then the Wilpon’s guarantee themselves that they can maintain ownership.The Mets are not in the financial position to take the risk of an increased payroll even though it may result in increased attendance and revenue.
The Wilpon’s are hoping instead that the pitching and some bounce back seasons by their two most expensive players will result in a winning season and increased attendance and revenue. The Wilpon’s can’t lose the team by taking this conservative approach. The Met fans suffer because of this under funded ownership.