It's the Hot Stove season once again! For the 29 teams not the current World Champions, it's time to regroup and work out a plan to rise to the top of the mountain next year.
No need to relive the past two seasons for the Mets, we both know how it turned out—two September failures.
Anyway, time to move onto the 2009 season, in which the New York Mets will have a new home. Good-bye Shea Stadium. Hello Citi Field!
As far as the product on the field, there are a bunch of changes that are needed.
Obviously, the bullpen needs to be addressed.
Current free agents also would have to still be-resigned or replaced. Here are a few suggestions I think would be good for the Mets.
Sign Kerry Wood
The popular reliever to sign is Francisco "K-Rod" Rodriguez, at least if you ask the mainstream fan.
However, at age 27, and coming off a 62-save season, Rodriguez worries me a bit.
His peripherals have all dropped dramatically in recent years, and could end up a prime candidate for the Robbie Alomar syndrome Mets fans have experience all too much in the early part of this century.
I think Wood, while still obviously a risk, would come cheaper then Rodriguez, and hopefully continue upon the success he had last year as a closer in Chicago. He handled the rowdy Wrigley Field crowd, so I don't think New York would scare him.
Wood would be a change for the Mets, who are used to predominantly left handed closers in their history (Tug McGraw, Jesse Orosco, Randy Myers, John Franco, Billy Wagner). Which brings us to the estimated contract it would take—3 years/$35 million.
Sign Jeremy Affeldt
After a successful run in Cincinnati and Kansas City, Affeldt would be a nice addition to the Mets' bullpen.
A one-time swing-man between the pen and the rotation, Affeldt should be able to provide some much needed innings, and not just be more of a situational lefty like the present left-handers Scott Schoenweis and Pedro Feliciano provide.
Affeldt has no big-city experience, but being brought in as a complimentary piece rather then to be "the man," should allow Affeldt to hopefully be okay in New York. Estimated contract—3 years/$17.5 million.
Sign Juan Rivera
Manny Ramirez you say? Mark Texieria? Yes, they would be nice, but I don't think either one is realistic.
Signing Rivera would give the Mets a lot of flexibility, and a combination in the corner OF of David Murphy, Endy Chavez, Fernando Tatis, Juan Rivera and Ryan Church should give the Mets enough production to avoid the offensive struggles they had at times in the middle to bottom of the lineup the last two years. Estimated contract—2 years/$9 million.
Re-Sign Oliver Perez
Yes, they will have to overpay, but why not bring back Ollie?
His 0.31 ERA last year against the divisional rival Phillies is as good a reason as any. Ollie is frustrating for sure, because "he's like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're going to get" the rest of the year. But in a big game, I'd take him over most pitchers not named Johan Santana.
Unfortunately, dealing with Scott Boras won't be easy, and the Mets will likely have to give on the fourth year. Estimated contract
4 comments Last one added 7 months ago — Leave a Comment
Henry Gula 7 months ago
I think that these are all really good ideas, and they are all realistic, which I like. I do think, however, that with the "open checkbook" for this offseason, Minaya is likely to bring in at least one of the big name free agents. And I don't think it'll be K-Rod, in the closer role I like Kerry Wood. But be careful not to give him too long a contract. I would say that they are gonna go and get one of the big name starters on the market, either through a trade or free agency.
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levinakl 7 months ago
Thanks Henry...
I'm not that certain they will end up with one of the "elite" FA's, but I guess it depends on your definition of elite FA. To me, the only elite FA's on the market are Sabathia, Tex and Ramirez. I don't see the Mets getting in the mix for any of the three.
The second tier of guys out there would be the KRods, Lowes, Burnetts of the world, and the third tier would include guys like Fuentes, Ollie Perez, etc.
Looks like Jeremy Affeldt is headed to the Giants, so there goes that option. Perhaps Joe Biemel will work in the scenario above, but I definitely liked Affeldt better.
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Paul Sievers 7 months ago
I think you suggestions are very realistic the issue I have is I look at that roster and I don't think it's enough to take the Phillies.
You are assuming that Murphy can make the transition to second base and be even average defensively which is a big assumption. If he can make that move then the Mets have hit the jackpot but if not we have an issue.
Juan Rivera has been very mediokar aside from 2006. His walk rates have been average to below average and aside from '06 he has never slugged anywhere near .500 for a season which is somthing the Mets need out of a corner OF. I would rather just let Murphy (assuming he's not 2b material) play RF every day than have him platoon with Rivera.
Grudzielanek is solid but only marginaly better than Easley, and I think if any team was willing to trade an Ameziga-type for Castillo then Minaya would jump on it in about .0000006 seconds.
I do think Heilman needs to become a starter but not in a Met uniform. I don't like selling low on the guy but it would be best for all parties involved to just cut ties. I do agree with everything else you said about the pitching though. All in all good work.
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levinakl 7 months ago
I wasn't trying to imply Castillo would be dealt for an Amezaga type, it was more two seperate type deals, or Castillo would be part of the deal.
I think Rivera has some more upside if he can stay healthy, and it wouldn't be a straight platoon with Murphy. If you get anything out of Castillo (which is still a possibilty, all be it minor), then Murphy would play more LF. Rivera wouldn't be counted on all that much. If the Mets were to shore up their bullpen (which obviously Affeldt wont be the answer at this point, having signed in SF), and tinker their offense, they'd be able to eclipse the Phillies.
The Phillies didn't run away with the division, so it's not like the Mets have to get 100 times better. A little more depth (Rivera, Grudz types), and adding Heilman or Niese to the rotation would provide some dividends. Would it be enough? I think so, but there would be some payroll flexibility left to add a guy or two during the season, and they wouldn't have had to trade any of their bargainning chips to do the above (F-Mart, Marte, Evans, Holt, etc)
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