An Overview After a Busy Day......

So, the dust from yesterday’s moves has settled a bit, and while not finalized, there seems to be some clarity forming for the off season so far.

OK, the Phillies got Roy Halladay. That is not good news for the Mets. However, let’s look past the initial shock of the move.

The Phillies gave up some prospects for Cliff Lee. They then gave up Lee and prospects for Halladay, then will have to give up a big money deal to keep him. At age 33 and with a TON of mileage on that right arm, that is a big gamble. However, are they that much better with Halladay than they were with Lee? Arguably, you could say they are worse off, at least long term, as they have lost a bunch of prospects AND tied up a lot of payroll in one arm that could go at any time. Of course, the Mets have that same problem with Johan Santana, but we only gave up ONE package of prospects for him, not two.

The bigger blow to the Mets, as I see it, is the signing of John Lackey by the Red Sox. This was the solid #2 that the Mets really needed, and all he would have cost is the one chip that this organization should have the most of, Money. What we have now is Johan Santana and a bunch of question marks. The remaining free agents out there are not much better than what we already have in house. The only relatively attractive free agent still out there is Ardolis Chapman, the 21 year old Cuban defector who has yet to throw a single pitch against real competition. He has great “stuff”, but “stuff” guarantees zippo. If the Mets are to get this guy, and use the high pick we have in the draft this year on a real prospect arm, then at least the Front Office could put on the front that they are trying to build long term.

But, the next time the Mets pay overslot in the draft will be the first time.

Read the rest at Mets Paradise!