Under Sandy Alderson, the Mets were hesitant to shop at the top of the free agent market for at least two reasons. First, Alderson was on record as saying that most of the mega deals did not work out for the clubs. And secondly, it’s not like the Wilpons wanted to spend a bunch of money, either.
But now that Alderson is gone, there’s a chance the new GM will think differently and perhaps he’ll be able to convince ownership to loosen the purse strings. We saw that once before with Omar Minaya, so while it may not be the most likely scenario, we can’t rule it out, either.
The question is: Should they reverse course in this matter? Yesterday, I asked that the club do just that, looking to sign the top free agent closer available. Many wanted the Mets to split up the money among two or more people. In theory, that’s a strong alternative.
But here are the relievers the Mets signed as free agents from other clubs the last eight years for at least $1 million. It does not count guys they re-upped with, like Addison Reed, who was very good, or Fernando Salas, who was very bad.
Jon Rauch – $3.5
Frank Francisco – 2/$12
John Lannan – $1.5
Jose Valverde $1
Kyle Farnsworth $1
Antonio Bastardo – 2/$12
Anthony Swarzak – 2/$14
There’s not a lot to be excited from in the above list. Perhaps the old GM was just not very good in identifying mid to low-tier relievers. Or maybe it’s not as easy to record a hit when shopping at this level as it might appear at first glance.
For sake of argument, let’s assume that the Mets budget $18 million dollars for their bullpen this offseason, with the idea of picking up two or three guys. Would you rather spend that money primarily on one guy and pick up whoever you could after that big expense or would you rather spread that money around, in something like – but not limited to – a 10-6-2 configuration?
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You would know better than I, Brian, but correlation of RP performance year-to-year seems darn near zero. That prejudice makes me (a) optimistic about Swarzak, and (b) weary of any high-priced FA RP.
i’d consider re-signing Familia with Lugo & Swarzak SU & Gselm in multiple inning situations. Did I say I’ve never liked Kimbrel? …I’ve never liked Kimbrel.
I would bring back Familia who should be better now that he has been exposed to the better hitting AL. Famila and Andrew Miller?
Apply the money to a legit closer (15 – 18 ). The Mets have the ability to take care of the rest in house
Spreading money around is the equivalent of drawing names from a hat. Kimbrel is better than randomly being good or bad.
I guess the answer to the question is contextual: Are the Mets (1) going for it, (2) reloading with hope for a WC, or (3) the perpetual “rebuilding for it” [trade mark]?
It all depends on the approach taken for 19, and beyond.
We basically all agree that the Mets need multiple additions to the pen, so in my eyes that eliminates the one big fish approach, right or wrong. Additions can be made by FA, trade, or from within, but it looks like FA is the only route the Mets feasibly have. I would be very pleased with a double of say Britton and Familia but any double is going to exceed an $18 mil budget. Can Mets360 set up a Go Fund Me for the 2019 bullpen cause?
Since Brian coined the “flip-fop” yesterday, I’m going to flip-flop like crazy.
I voted to spread it around by copying TJ’s theory of going big on a one-two punch.
But you see how Alderson went with a banzai charge of throwing in a bunch of AAA/AA relievers via trades and seeing who sticks out. There’s nothing like home cooking of young guys on the dinner plate.
Unfortunately those guys have so far shown little value. So I’ll look positively on Familia/Britton in the pen along with a comeback Swarzak and a consistent Gsellman/Lugo.
Relievers are here one year, there the next. Relievers pop up, failed starters, a triple A guy who develops a new pitch, an ex closer. It’s a big risk to spend a lot of money on one.
I’m not a fan of paying top dollar for a reliever. Look at Wade Davis. How about Brandon Murrow? Jansen from the Dodgers has an irregular heartbeat.
My point is, look at the people who affect the game for eight innings and just give me competent people for the last two. I’m not talking dogs, but look at Bud Norris who did a good job for 1/3 of what Chapman got. Give me a good reliever and two Bud Norrises instead. You shop around. If Ottavino takes $9, ok. If he wants $15MM, then move on. Some examples: Can I get Marco Estrada, Zach Britton and Chris Tillman for $20MM per year, or those kinds of players?
The three relievers that are no longer with the Mets are AJ Ramos($9.225 M), Familia ($7.925 M) and Blevins ($7.0 M). Swarzac his going to get a raised from $5.0 M to 8.5 M. When those numbers are added it comes out at $20.65M. Don’t put all eggs in a very expensive basket. Instead try to sign both Familia and Herrera who are 29 YOA and are experienced closers.Give them 3-4 year contracts at AAS $12 M. That would “bust’ the budget by $3.45 M. Teams make $50.0M+ when the go the World Series. Who wouldn’t invest that $3.45M just to boost revenue (in attendance, parking,apparel, commercials to just name a few)? And that’s not going to the World Series either.
Metsense the Wilpons would not. Evidence is there..Didn’t all MLB teams receive 50 million from Bamtech? As Gus once pointed out to me have the Wilpons ever re-invested their
insurance money from Wright’s contract? The team steadily draws 2+ million fans or so. That more than off sets their payroll. The Coupons will not go over their budget for now.
TJ I know you’re being sarcastic about the go fund me. The Coupons already have a donation page for funds. It’s called Citifield
Great point, Pete.
When Alderson was selling off the pieces in July 2017, he told us that he got the ok from Coupon to go that high in the payroll, but if it didn’t work out, he’d sell all he could to save money. He said he gave his word and he did what he promised.
All the BS from Jefferey is just his normal bullshit. He’s a loser and that won’t change. In a chat, someone asked Kiley McDaniel if he thought the Wilpons could ever run a good organization. His answer:
“I tend to say no because the history of terrible, meddling owners with lots of history of being terrible and meddling…then turning into even decent owners is basically zero. I mean give me some examples but did Donald Sterling, Dan Snyder, Peter Angelos, etc. did they magically start running successful, winning franchises after a long stretch of being bad?”
“Kiley McDaniel: If the Wilpons insist on being involved at a similar level as they have been before, no serious, top 10 or 15 GM prospect type candidate would take this job. Having a hand tied behind your back is a huge risk…like if they make you do something you don’t want to, then have to go in front of the NY media and defend a bad move, then be judged for future GM jobs based on that…would you do that if you aspire to be a GM for a long time? Little margin for error.”
Very profound stuff.
My point in all this is I don’t think the Coupons would reinvest $3.45, much less $3.45MM. Sorry Metsense.
The team needs to address positional players, with a plan to throw young arms at the bullpen to work around Lugo and Gazelle, as a Start. I’m hopeful on Swarczak and Jerry making some recovery and pitching well. Add your 5 starters and you need 3-4 more to begin. Show Me one or two live young arms.
I’m a fan of Familia, if he’s somewhat reasonable. He can be very good, and he’s very effective in several Late Roles. Otherwise, I want to address a Major League RH OF, Catcher, and a young verteran infielder….although I’m open for solving that from within.
If they’re going to chase Bullpen, I want them to do it when they’ve identified that they have a shot. Otherwise, I want them to build out the positional Squad.
Eraff Cespedes at 29 million addresses your request. Young veteran is a contradiction. But I aagree that should be resolved from within. What;s the point of filling your position players if the team doesn’t have a competent closer? Look at the Tampa Bay model. No studs there but the team won 90 games so…As for catcher Grandal solves that problem with a non tender to TDA you can apply the 5 million or so he would of gotten. I’m a fan of Marwin Gonzalez but I think the Astros will probably re-sign him.
Young Vet does not contradict my assumptions: Brandon Drury….Scooter Gennet–that type
Ces???? I’m not planning on him…if he’s healthy, he’s his own plan, and I’d love to have that problem
Problem here is the Wilpons will not re-invest any insurance money it gets back
into the team get. So even if Cespedes is out for the season they’re not going to use those funds. What about Marwin Gonzalez from the Astros? He’s a FA. Can play infield and outfield.
How many current playoff teams and potential teams are in need of a closer? Boston, Houston, New York, Chicago? St. Louis? Not too many options so it should make for an interesting off season
There’s an in between approach that I advocate for. Don’t go for the very top guy (Kimbrel) but get two guys from the 1a variety like Robertson and Britton. Yes, I’m sure their combined annual salary would equal more than Kimbrel, but they will likely command shorter term deals.