New York Mets Free Agents and Potential Trades in the Offseason

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:

		G	GS	W	L	SV	CG	SHO	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP	BAA
Total		74	0	1	1	0	0	0	78.1	78	36	29	9	25	80	3.33	1.31	.260

Considering he pitched in Cincinnati, he might be better suited for Citi-Field.

Other guys I would look at are Juan Cruz. People are asking Juan Cruz, who is he?

Check out his numbers:

		G	GS	W	L	SV	CG	SHO	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP	BAA
Total		57	0	4	0	0	0	0	51.2	34	17	15	5	31	71	2.61	1.26	.192

In only 51.2 innings, he gave up 34 hits and struck out 71.

In speaking of second base, the Mets have many options here. They have the incumbent Luis Castillo, who I would trade for anything.

Joey DeMayo (NY Baseball Digest) has said that the Mets might be able to get Eric Byrnes from the Arizona Diamondbacks for Castillo since they want to get rid of Byrnes contract and they need a second basemen (2B Hudson will be a free agent) . If that happened, I would be jumping for joy! Byrnes is a high energy player who brings some grit and toughness that the Mets lack.

They also have Dan Murphy, who can be the second basemen next year. He is currently in the Arizona Fall League trying to get more work at 2B. If that fails, he might be a platoon outfielder in left.

New York can also go out and get Orlando Hudson who is a All-Star 2B. He is a switch hitter, who can hit and play great defense.

Of course, if the Mets don't make a deal for Eric Byrnes, they could look at free agent Manny Ramirez. Ramirez has always been high on Omar Minaya's wish list. They can get themselves a compliment to Murphy such as free agent Juan Rivera, who is a right handed bat that hits lefties.

We will see what goes on, but these are some things to think about...