This past week was the most action packed week of the MLB offseason. The Winter Meetings did not disappoint fans that love the gossip of trade rumors, free agent signings and actual moves being made. The Mets this past week signed John Mayberry Jr., which is a solid addition for the bench. The rest of the teams in the National League East were working on deals, and some moves occurred.
Atlanta Braves– According to Mark Bowman of MLB.com, the Braves may be interested in trading B.J. Upton for another bad contract, but nothing has happened. Multiple teams around the league have been asking about the availability of Evan Gattis and Justin Upton. Gattis is a power-hitting catcher who has hit over 20 homers the past two seasons, and it seems that the Braves are willing to keep Gattis, and are leaning towards trading Upton. If Upton were to be traded, the Braves would move Gattis to left field while starting Christian Bethancourt at catcher. Teams are going to be hesitant to acquire Upton, as he only has one year left on his contract, which is also a reason why the Braves may want to move him.
The Braves also signed utility man Alberto Callaspo to a one-year, $3 million deal, and took Daniel Winkler in the Rule 5 Draft.
Miami Marlins– The Miami Marlins are dedicated to putting a winning product on the field next year, as they traded away top pitching prospect Andrew Heaney to acquire Dee Gordon and Dan Haren. The Marlins acquired the present day version of Luis Castillo, as Gordon profiles to be their second baseman who will leadoff. Haren may end up retiring, as he has stated that he wants to pitch for the Angels next season, but we will wait for his decision to be made.
With Jose Fernandez set to return from Tommy John surgery sometime this year, the Marlins acquired a very solid piece for their rotation in Mat Latos. In a short season due to injury, Latos went 5-5 with a 3.25 ERA, showing that he still is a valuable pitcher. Latos is most likely going to be their third pitcher, behind Fernandez and Henderson Alvarez. This acquisition shows that the Marlins will be aggressive as they are trying to expedite their rebuilding process.
Philadelphia Phillies- Some may say this was inevitable, but the Ruben Amaro Jr. has officially begun the rebuilding era for Philadelphia. At the Winter Meetings, the Phillies dealt Antonio Bastardo to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Joely Rodriguez, and it is also highly likely that Jimmy Rollins will be dealt to the Los Angeles Dodgers for minor league pitchers Zach Eflin and Tom Windle. The deal has not been approved yet from Major League Baseball, although it seems that a decision will be made soon.
Rollins may be the first piece to be moved, as many other people wonder if Cole Hamels, Ryan Howard, Cliff Lee, Jonathan Papelbon and Chase Utley could be the next dominos to be traded. These players may be dealt for prospects, in order to retool their farm system.
Washington Nationals- The Nationals have been idle this offseason, but at the Winter Meetings, they traded Ross Detwiler to the Texas Rangers for prospects Chris Bostick and Abel De Los Santos. Bostick spent time in Single-A Myrtle Beach last year and played a majority of games at second base, so he may get a solid look when Spring Training comes around.
Recap: So far, the Mets have been waiting for the perfect deal to come. We know about the shortstop situation, and it seems the Mets will trade Dillon Gee to clear cap space, and hopefully acquire a left-handed reliever, a bench piece, or minor leaguers. Besides this, it seems that the signing of Michael Cuddyer will be the biggest splash the Mets make.
As far as other teams go, the Marlins have been very active this offseason, and the acquisition of Latos make them more competitive. Gordon’s speed is a game changer as well, and they are in the market for a first baseman who can provide more than Garret Jones did this past season. Other teams may be sellers, meaning that the Mets may be in good shape compared to the rest of the NL East. The Nationals will remain the team to beat entering the season, but if the Mets are healthy (which is a big if), they may be able to compete for a Wild Card spot with the team they have now.
If the Mets did get Upton in some trade? and he left next year as a free agent , we would get a draft pick and the other met prospects may be ready to come up. So , I think a one year rental is not bad, and maybe? the Mets could extend him ,after we won the wild card with him 🙂
No offense Rev., but why on earth would the Mets give up trade pieces to a division rival to get an outfielder, when they already have three starters presently? No one would be a likely buyer for Granderson, and Cuddyer just joined the team. Unless you want to get rid of Lagares, which would be silly.
Alderson better stop dicking around and aggressively pursue Tulowitzski.
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