Phase one is complete.
Against long odds, Yoenis Cespedes has returned to the New York Mets, though some did see it happening. That was the biggest task on GM Sandy Alderson’s off-season agenda. Let’s face it, letting Cespedes walk would have crippled the offense and driven a stake through the heart of this nascent “perennial contender” version of the Mets. Clearly, this was something the team had to do and to their credit, they did it. And while securing the services of a fine, power-hitting outfielder for the next four years was the main goal, there are also some collateral benefits to the move. First of all, this seems to have shaken off the shadow of Bernie Madoff. In giving Cespedes a contract with an annual average value of $27.5 million, owners Fred and Jeff Wilpon and Saul Katz doled out the largest position-player contract this side of Miguel Cabrera. As the New York Post put it, “they can no longer be called ‘cheap.’” It seems the Coupons have left the building. The other fallout is that Alderson has now cemented his reputation as the smartest GM the Mets have ever had. With the moves that still need to be made for the team to seriously challenge the Washington Nationals for the NL East in 2017, he’ll need to prove it all over again.
With Cespedes in the fold, the outfield is now overcrowded. One of Jay Bruce, Michael Conforto, Juan Lagares and Curtis Granderson will have to be moved either to another position, or another organization. Conforto would seem to be the only one who could shift positions and if it were up to your intrepid columnist, he’d be getting a first baseman’s mitt from Santa Claus this year, with Lucas Duda blasting occasional home runs elsewhere. That would leave three men vying for two spots. The Mets love Lagares, their very own home-grown gold glover and really, the only one on the roster who can handle centerfield without worry. So if it comes down to Bruce vs. Granderson, the move must be to trade Bruce.
Curtis Granderson came to the team as a free agent prior to the 2014 season. He was Alderson’s first really “big” signing in the four years he’d been here and almost immediately, gave legitimacy to Alderson’s efforts. The fact that he was a spurned Yankee – and took a little bit of a backhanded swipe at that franchise when he was introduced – helped. His 2014 season was dreadful, to be sure. His OPS+ that year barely peeked over 100 and fans got on him a bit, despite a second half surge. Little did we know we were seeing a pattern unfold. He got off to a slow start in 2015, heard it from the fans, but turned it around to become their third hottest hitter down the stretch, behind Cespedes and Daniel Murphy. Last year? Same thing. A torrid final six weeks helped carry the Mets to the Wild Card game. So he seems to have a knack for picking up his game at precisely the right time. He’s also shown himself to be a true leader, both in the clubhouse and in the community. With David Wright in eclipse, it will be up to Granderson to be the wise head in the room. He’s been compared to Keith Hernandez in that regard. To me, he’s more like Tommie Agee: the player who’s faced adversity and overcome it, stunningly at times.
Sandy Alderson now must go to work on phase two. Don’t let this man go.
Follow me on Twitter @CharlieHangley.
I’ve really enjoyed Granderson’s time as a Met, slow starts and all. The preference clearly is to trade Bruce. But given the situation, if Granderson can bring in a better return in a trade, he’s gotta be the one to go.
The Mets have three right fielders and there is a need for left handed power hitting outfielders in the marketplace. This is the time to move two of the three. The Mets control Conforto until 2022. Granderson and Bruce each have one year remaining on their contracts and both are generating trade interest.
I like Granderson for all the reasons you stated in the article, and it is difficult to trade Bruce and his power but it is time to give Conforto a clear path to playing time. The trade of the two veterans should each bring in a relief pitcher better than Robles and a low minors high ceiling prospect.
Everyone loves Granderson, even Mike Francesa. He’s one of the most generous players in MLB, devoting tons of his time and money to worthy charity and community causes. He busts his tail. He seemingly never gets injured. He gets on base, hits home runs and can run the bases. He plays a solid if unspectacular outfield. He’s not without flaws – a weak arm, too many strikeouts, extended slumps, a low BA. But we love him just the same He’s got smile that lights up a room and a killer walk up song (Nate Dogg and co., “Exxxplosive.”) We all want to see him pouring champagne in the dugout next October.
That being said, he’s on the books for $15 million in the last year year of his contract. It’s hard to imagine him still on the team beyond this season. I would never unload him just for salary relief but if somebody knocks our socks off with a deal, then we’d have to at least consider it.
I remember taking that pic of Grandy, it was the day we clinched the NL East in 2015!
I like Grandy and hope he stays for this year. Like Matt says, if a trade deal knocks our socks off then do it.
But Grandy is our Mike Napoli or David Ross. We need him.
Great comparison.
It’s fascinating to me how many different directions the Mets could potentially go, which is pretty unusual for a team that’s made back-to-back playoff appearances and certainly has designs on a franchise-first third postseason.
Re-upping with Walker and Cespedes gives some clarity but there’s still a ways to go. Both Granderson and Bruce are above-average players and Conforto has the potential to be one, too.
In a weird way, it almost makes it harder with both of the veterans on the last year of their contract. Makes it harder to trade Conforto, knowing that the other two could be gone next year, too. Depending on what you think of Lagares and Nimmo, you could still deal him if he brought a suitable return.
And with all of the trade talk that’s been circling around, it’s not an absolute that they have to make a deal. Sure, it’s the most likely outcome. It’s the most preferred one, from both a payroll and roster construction POV. But with the uncertainty of Conforto’s production and Duda’s health, you’d figure there would be enough ABs among two OF spots and 1B to keep everyone active.
With all of the options available, I expect Alderson to make out pretty good if/when he pulls the trigger on a deal. The idea that he’ll just get some generic prospects is really underestimating the position of strength that Alderson is dealing from here, in my opinion.
I think of glue guys like Grandy as critical components of a championship team. Thats what we are striving for…and teams on the cusp trade exactly to get talent like Grandy on their squads—Im not surprised there is interest in him.
His role on this team is essential, and so I agree with your premise Charlie. In the 13th inning of Game 6, when we know TC will baffle us with an “Exorcist-like” head spinning double switch, Grandy will get the call to play 1B – and he will like true champ he is. He will also gladly be a back up and pinch hit if thats the role. He’s a leader, speaker, and motivator. He offers and gets respect in return. Every person in the world looks up to him. I cant imagine why anyone wants to move that. Look, 4 years ago when DWright was extended, this was his role, but circumstances have changed. Grandy is our guy there now. Leave him be.
And it is worth noting. My thanks to the Mets ownership group, who stood tall in the past few years, in the face of annual intense criticism, and has allowed the FO to do the things necessary to build a winning team. The trade of Fulmer for Cespedes will be one of those deals that says “all in”. The fact ownership stepped up with 5/137.5 for Cespedes is phenomenal.
“Alderson has now cemented his reputation as the smartest GM the Mets have ever had. ” I would say Frank Cashen was the best GM ever for the Mets. He took over a team that was 63-99 in 1979, and by 1986 was 108-54 and world champs. He traded for guys like Keith Hernandez, Ron Darling, Howard Johnson, Bob Ojeda and Gary Carter, among others.
That’s why I said “smartest,” not “best.”
Cashen lost his mojo after 1988, IMHO: trading for McReynolds, firing, Davey, relying on Jeffries too much, signing Bobby Bo, Murray, Torborg, Saberhagen, etc.
I agree with all you say 100%. Well, I dunno about trading Duda but I figure if Bruce is moved Conforto will see more time in the OF. But Granderson, even with the downs, has been an excellent fit for the Mets. They should keep him, and if they do move him it better be for an very integral piece.
I love the shout-out to Agee, my first baseball idol when I was a kid.
ZZZZZZZZZZZ!
I managed to get hold of teh NY Times, November 17, 1961 — with the announcement of the Mets skyline logo~!!!!!!!!
Chriss FFFFF!
lol
its totally awesome…but how to preserve it and display it is something I dont know how to approach!
If you was a smart Gm comment sence will tell you to keep Curtis gran,Jay bruce and let go of Michael conforto and duda and everybody that keep getting hurt not the people that’s going to help win a championship you have your ring right in front of you and can’t see it and for David wright he need to be move over to first base and Reyes back on shortstop and carberral on thirdbase and that’s your world serious championship so cespes in Lf Curtis grandson Cf and jay Bruce in Rf and watch how easy it be to when a ring if you don’t do this we are going to have a dispointe year once again
As someone who is in the “sign Fowler” camp, I should add all the usual caveats, which should go unsaid: Obviously the terms of the contract matter. Granderson signed for 4/$60 and I’d love to keep Fowler to 3 years. With inflation, my wild guess is that he gets something like $16.5 per. It’s not crazy to think that 4/$66 is fair market value.
With the Giants, Cardinals, and Blue Jays all interested, it’s unlikely — I have realized all along — that the Mets will go after him.
Sometimes as fans we try to predict what a team will do, other times we like to dream a little about what a team could do, what we wish they’d do.
I think the Mets sorely need what Fowler would bring to the lineup: an everyday CF, an everyday table-setter. The Mets would be a stronger team with him on the roster, slotting into the Granderson role but at a more premium defensive position.
Right now, as imagined, this team is asking an awful lot of Curtis Granderson and Jose Reyes.
I thought it made a ton of sense to go after Fowler if they didn’t re-sign Cespedes. Now signing him means you either need to make two deals or you have to be comfortable with Conforto being a full-blown reserve at the start of the year. At this point, I’d rather that the Mets prioritize getting a relief pitcher they feel good about using in the 8th inning.
I’d do both of those moves, and upgrade Rene Rivera. Push Travis with a truly competent backup.
Winning the NL East is essential. I don’t think this is a time for bringing back last year’s team and thinking we’re good to go because our starting pitchers are all going to be amazing. Wheeler, who knows. I love Harvey, but the track record from that surgery is not great. Matz may have Craig Swan’s Disease. No guarantees that the improved starting pitching will be enough, or even improved, though I am hopeful. Trading Granderson and Bruce brings salary relief and should definitely add a shot in the arm to the bullpen.
I would also consider inserting Gsellman into that crucial late-inning role and signing a nearly washed up veteran or two to minor league deals as potential emergency starters.
The track record for the surgery isn’t enough to make any conclusions. Have a dozen pitchers at the major league level had it this decade? Has anyone besides Harvey had it since Jaime Garcia?
I just don’t believe you can assume the worst with all of the guys currently on the team and then turn around and assume the best with guys who played elsewhere. Fowler’s been on the DL seven of his eight years in the majors but he’s going to come here and be completely healthy?
I’m not anti-Fowler. I just think he’s an odd person to hitch your wagon to, given the total sum of where the Mets are at here in early December.
Fowler plays a critical position in the field that we seem to be short on, and hes a genuine lead off hitter. Grandy is not a leadoff guy, and does an ok job in the field, while Lagares is a plus defender but a 7 or 8 hole hitter. Once guy solving 2 issues is a plus. He will likely give you 450 ABs.
As for the pitcher health. I dont think its directly assuming the worst as opposed to looking at recent outcomes. Harvey has spent 50% of the last 3 years on DL. Whether or not Harvey returns well from ToS remains to be seen — and in my eye that is exactly the point. Matz has a reputation in the industry as an injury guy given all his DL time. Wheeler hasnt thrown a pitch in anger in 2 years with complications from TJ…complications from TJ screams “whooooooah”. These are all legit concerns. I havent mentioned deGrom, but that lurks on the edge of the radar too.
Does Fowler play the critical position well? Last year was by far his best in the majors and he was barely above average. I think you can make the case that he’s worked on his defense and gotten better after his dismal 2014 season. But you could also claim he benefited from improved positioning in Chicago and what happens when he’s in a different system? I don’t pretend to know if what he did in 2016 is his new normal. But I wouldn’t wager on him as a plus defensively.
If you’re going to pay eight figures for a leadoff guy, I’d certainly like to project more than 450 ABs for him. I recognize you’re being conservative but Granny has put up an average of 563 ABs the past three seasons and that’s with drawing an average of 81 BB per year. That PT difference is real.
It seems like a legitimate concern to be worried about the health/production of the SP. But to me the answer to that is to pay the freight to get a good SP option, rather than focus on making two trades so that you can create the room to get in a bidding war for a guy who’s been on the DL so much in his career.
Sounds more like fantasy baseball than reality.
I love Grandy, but he’s not a CF. He can still track a ball well, but the arm is so substandard its very noticeable. Hes a corner guy, and Im happy with him in RF. Fowler has played CF every year of his MLB career. Is he great? Nah, but he would very much get the job done, while getting on base at a 38% clip, and crossing the plate ahead of Grandy when he hits a HR. We need a lead off guy, one we really dont have.
Baseball Fantasy? I believe you are correct. That kind of all-in is not the Alderson way.
Things that need attention that I think will go unaddressed:
1. C – We need a MLB level catcher.
2. leadoff batter – Reyes I guess, but if hes a platoon, then who?
3. 3B – I feel so bad for DWright, but I suspect the days at the hot corner are over.
4. 1B – I get it…Duda’s our guy. I just hope he parties like its 2014 again. But I doubt it.
5. CF – its a patchwork quilt of option, none of whom can do the job in total.
Rene Rivera was signed, so we have the same 3 it appears.
Granny should be in LF with that arm.
To me, the arm is less of an issue in CF than RF. However, I have doubts about Granny holding up over a full year in CF at his age. Last year they clearly preferred Granny in center over Conforto. If they trade Bruce and keep Granny, does that still hold?
I said it last year but I think it still applies – with his arm being the worst of all of the OFers, it’s surprising to me that there’s been no talk of having Granny play 1B. I’d have him take reps there before Conforto.
Dillon Gee didn’t exactly bounce back from it.
I read an article a while back, remember a guy in Minnesota, maybe, who also struggled. It’s not a common surgery, it’s true, but that doesn’t alter the fact that the track record hasn’t been very good.
My point was that banking entirely on the return of the starters is not exactly a sure thing by any stretch. Factor in that we lost Colon. I’d love to see the starting 8 upgraded, too.
Not banking on Fowler — I don’t think it’s going to happen — but I do think a real CF and a real leadoff guy would be a valuable, daily upgrade. I’m ready to stick Conforto in RF.
I didn’t realize Gee had it.
Google tells me he had it after the season ended in October, so it’s too soon to say if he bounced back yet. His career was hanging in the balance, so even if he doesn’t – I wouldn’t view that as anything to compare to Harvey.
To me, SP depth is an area where we should spend. Someone who will go to the pen and become a SP if we need him. Someone like R.A. Dickey. Now that the Braves have acquired TO surgery survivor Jaime Garica, maybe he’s available…