As a lifelong New York Mets fan, one thing I have plenty of experience with is looking forward to next season. Many years, this process starts in early summer once the team is too far back in the standings to care about the current season. This season was interesting until the very end, and it was followed by me not even thinking about baseball for at least a week. Well enough time has now passed so I am back to discuss the Mets chance at redemption next season.
OBVIOUS MOVES
All of the speculation at this time seems to point in the direction that the Mets will pick up Carlos Delgado's option for next season. Although this would not have been even a thought in June, it is now a forgone conclusion based on his MVP caliber performance in the second half of the season. The Mets should still make sure they have a qualified back-up to platoon or replace Delgado in case of injury or if the second half surge was a fluke.
The Mets need to make sure they get rid of all of their aging dead weight. Moises Alou and Pedro Martinez have each had great careers, but as free agents they are not worth re-signing due to either injuries or ineffectiveness. Luis Castillo belongs in this category as well, but its a little more complicated. The Mets signed a 4 year contract with Castillo prior to the 2008 season, which seems about as smart as bringing back Roberto Alomar for a second stint. General Manager Omar Minaya should hope for a trade similar to Kaz Matsui or Guillermo Mota, when nothing is expected in return as long as some team is willing to take them.
QUESTIONABLE MOVES
Anyone who knew anything about baseball this season knew that the Mets' bullpen was atrocious. There were no players that were reliable and once Billy Wagner went down for the season, Manager Jerry Manuel was forced to mix and match to piece together every out at the end of games. This leads to the Mets most important goal in the off-season is to get a quality closer to anchor the bullpen. Many fans are weary of signing Francisco Rodriguez due to his high WHIP and amount of blown saves. However, he is only 26 years old and had the same amount of blown saves as Billy Wagner in 35 less opportunities. Yes he will come very overpriced, but since neither Mariano Rivera or Jonathon Papelbon will be available this off-season, the Mets do not have a better choice. If the Mets choose to take the less expensive route towards someone like Brian Fuentes, I only hope they use that money towards another useful position.
5 comments Last one added 8 months ago — Leave a Comment
Justin Wells 9 months ago
I totally agree with your perception of Beltran. He's the best defensive CF in baseball, doesn't get caught when he runs, is a lock for 25-30 HRs and 110 RBI. He does everything well. I wouldn't remotely consider trading him. He's worth what he's paid.
"He is a better than average player getting star credit"
Name a better player in his position in baseball. Only one close is Sizemore, who isn't near the defensive player that Beltran is.
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Justin Wells 9 months ago
I meant to say disagree, not agree.
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Rob Goldberg 9 months ago
First of all he is not even the best defensive outfielder on the team, Endy Chavez is more consistent and goes all out for every ball, not just one's he could make a Sportscenter catch for. Besides him, better center fielders include Torii Hunter, Jim Edmonds, Andruw Jones, Coco Crisp and Vernon Wells.
Offensively, he is more inconsistent from month to month than any player I have ever seen. More importantly, I'm not sure there are too many Mets fans who would ask for him to be at the plate with the game on the line.
Finally on the base paths, where he has "the highest stolen base percentage of any player." The reason for this is that he never steals a base when he has to, only when he wants to. He will never steal second when the runner needs to be brought into scoring position, or even if the pitcher looks in his general direction. But he will steal 3rd base when he knows he can and they aren't holding him on.
Beltran seems to play for his stats and not for the betterment of the team. The idea was not only to bash Beltran as a player, but more importantly to assess his value to the team. I feel the Mets could receive more value with trading him away.
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Justin Wells 8 months ago
You need to watch a met game.
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Sean Matrai 8 months ago
well its obivus the ets need to make a move in the offseason hopefully more than 1 ,i think the mets shouldnt trade beltrant to the yankees trade him to the cubs for derrek lee and ryan theriot who will definitly be less then beltrans contract+delgados,or how about this make a trade with colorodo include beltran in a deal maybe for holiday.As far as bp sign fuentes as a cheper choice.They could go for k-rod but we a ll know how much hell want.They will not sign back perez,theyll try to get sabathia.They shouldnt make a deal with the yankees
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