CONTRACT ISSUES
Free agents: Moises Alou, OF; Fernando Tatis, OF; Damion Easley, 2B; Oliver Perez, LHP; Pedro Martinez, RHP; Orlando Hernandez, RHP; Luis Ayala, RHP; Ricardo Rincon, LHP; Matt Wise, RHP.
Eligible for arbitration: Ryan Church, OF; John Maine, RHP; Pedro Feliciano, LHP; Aaron Heilman, RHP; Duaner Sanchez, RHP.
Player options: None
Club options: Carlos Delgado, 1B, $12 million, $4 million buyout
Non-tender possibilities: None
Like last season, they have their reasons. Though GM Omar Minaya's starting lineup is all but set with the exception of 2B and LF, the starting rotation might need some retooling, and the bullpen has to get a new look.
Oliver Perez and Pedro Martinez, two significant pieces of this season's rotation, will both hit free agency in the days following the World Series. And the few pitchers waiting in the wings represent a combination of youth and inexperience. It's a combination that the Mets, historically, have tried to avoid.
And so a team that boasted one of baseball's largest payrolls—roughly $137 million at season's end—is likely only to add to that figure. Assuming the Mets exercise their $12 million club option on Carlos Delgado's contract, they will shed four significant salaries: those of Martinez, Perez, Moises Alou and Orlando Hernandez. After accounting for increases in other salaries, that's roughly $25 to $30 million off the books.
It's a near certainty that the Mets will reinvest all of it.
The Mets have plenty of needs, especially in relief, but the rotation could be revamped. They can go out and try to trade for a pitcher like Jake Peavy, Zach Grienke, or a Matt Cain.
If the Mets go out and try to get one of these elite young pitchers, they will have to use one of their top prospects, including Fernando Martinez. Even though the Mets think F-Mart has a high ceiling and he is only 19 years old, they may make a move here.
The bullpen needs a obvious face lift. Guys like Aaron Heilman and Scott Schoeneweis should be moved and apparently have some value left. Joey DeMayo on Mike Silva's NY Baseball Digest last night suggested that maybe the Mets can make a trade including Aaron Heilman with the Oakland A's for Huston Street. Billy Beane has always made it known that he likes Heilman and would make him a starter in Oaktown. Stay tuned.
The Mets need a closer and everyone in baseball thinks the Mets can go out and get themselves Francisco Rodriguez.
If they fall short in the bidding for the record breaking saves leader, they might go out and see if Brian Fuentes will come to NY. They had some interest in him before the trade deadline, but the Rockies were still in the range of the playoffs and they did not want to trade him.
Look for the Mets to compliment who ever they get at closer. They will be in the hunt for middle relievers. They need a left handed specialist and I think the Mets should look at Jeremy Affeldt, who is a free agent.
Here are his numbers:
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2 months ago
Good read. I think the Mets should keep Murphy out in left considering we don't know what we're gonna get out Church, and I think Murphy is too tall to play second. 6'3, he just doesn't look like a second basemen y'know? I think he's Delgado's heir at first. Keep him in left for now and sign the O-Dawg.
I read somewhere that the Mets are willing to go into a bidding war for CC. Wouldn't that be something if we can pull that one off?
2 months ago
I WANT L-CAST OFF OF MY TEAM!!!! That is Omar's Number #1 priority in my opinion. HE MUST EAT THE REST OF THE CONTRACT AND PUT ANYBODY ELSE on Second Base.... And Omar... WHY are the Wilpons in love with him??? They give him a 3 year extension BEFORE the season ends! Give me a break! And Manuel! He's been part of TWO Collapses, yet we are keeping him around! This team needs a shake up!!
Tune in to my page for some of my Personal insight on the changes the New York Metropolitans should make.
I am the Angry Mets Fan, and I flip out so you dont have to!
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