MetsCitiBlog

Mets add another replacement in waiting, former Reds GM Wayne Krivsky hired

According to Ken Rosenthal, the Mets have added another possible replacement for the front office for the 2010 season in former Reds GM Wayne Krivsky.  Two of Krivsky's biggest moves in Cincy were trading for Bronson Arroyo (sending Wily Mo Pena to Boston) and trading a player to be named later to Cleveland for Brandon Phillips.  The later obviously worked out very well for the Reds. 

Krivsky worked as a scout for the Mets during the second half of the 2008 season before being hired as a special assistant to baseball operations in Baltimore in the off season.  Apparently, he will have a similar role with the Mets.

Do not get to comfortable Omar, who knows how long you and Jerry will be in there.

Why do the Mets over-value mediocre role players?

Now that Alex Cora has signed a $2, possibly $3 million contract, he becomes the latest player in recent years to receive a contract that makes no sense for what he will hopefully accomplish.  Why is it that the Mets constantly over-value these types of role players?  I thought the bench was supposed to be the area in which you saved a couple bucks by signing players that are too week to perform on a regular basis, but can fill a specific role.  In other words, back up catcher, late inning defensive replacement, pop off the bench, etc.  What I do not understand is why the Mets, and Minaya specifically, likes to pay so much for these guys?

I mean really, do you need to spend $2-$3 million on a bench guy that you hope will not have to play often?  Is he that much better that the other available utility guys out there that you have to snap him up so early in the off-season?  What if you wait, do you think your bench would be incomplete?  I do not get it.

Take a guy like Nick Green.  Nick played for Boston last year and had roughly the same number of at bats as Cora.  He is also 31 years old and a free agent while Cora is 34 years old.  Last year Cora made $2 million and Green made about $500K (courtesy of Baseball Reference).  Cora beat him in average by only about 15 points, however, Green had 6 homers to Cora's 1.  Also, Green had twice the RBIs and 7 more doubles.  I know that Green is about half the player defensively that Cora is, but does it merit four times the salary?  If he hits his bonus incentives, Cora can make $3 million next season.  If that happens, do you think the outcome will be good.  He is a career .246 hitter in 12 seasons.  Not worth it.

I really feel the Mets, if constrained by money even the tiniest bit, should wait on guys like this, sign the players you want to go after, and patch up the bench at the end.  A million here and a million there to a few of these guys and you will be eating up $4-6 million of next years payroll that could be used effectively elsewhere.  I don't think this was a sound baseball move for the team.

Mets re-sign infielder Alex Cora

The Mets have re-signed Alex Cora to a $2 million deal.  Of course, they had to include a bunch of bonuses possible so they can end up spending even more on a mediocre backup.  Don't get me wrong, Cora has done a decent job considering all the injuries and even his own injuries.  However, I feel the Mets always pay too much for these guys.  Marlon Anderson's two year deal.  Jose Valentin's contracts.  Why can't the Mets sign these backup utility guys for $1 million or so.  It seems like this could be done like other teams.  How about giving the job to a stellar defender in the minors and see if he can pick it up with the stick.  I just think it is money better spent other ways

Mets supposedly in talks with Henry Blanco, but sign Chris Coste

Although Ken Rosenthal at FoxSports is reporting that the Mets are close to signing Henry Blanco, multiple sources are saying that they have signed former Phillie Chris Coste.  Coste is 37 years old and is not much.  While I do not think they will sign Blanco also, I do think they will sign a better everyday catcher or trade for one. 

I would have preferred Blanco as the one signed as he is a great defensive catcher with a strong arm.  Both are not much with the bat, but can come up with a big hit here and there.  Coste was also known for being a great receiver and his pitchers raved about his game calling.

There have been rumors about John Buck, Ryan Doumit, and others as trade targets.  It seems that a lot may depend on who is non-tendered and who stays with their teams.  Minaya will have several avenues once he knows where everyone stands. 

I did read Coste's book, "The 33 year old Rookie."  Although he was a Phillie at the time, it was recommended to me as a good read.  I would recommend it to any baseball fan.

One Week from Monday, the Mets Off-Season Really Begins

On December 7th, a week from this Monday, the Mets and 29 other baseball teams will begin the Winter Meetings in Indianapolis, Indiana.  I wonder why they chose there?  Why not the warmth of California or the flash of Vegas?  Whatever, hopefully the action is hot enough in the meetings to keep the temp up. 

Going into the meetings, we know the Mets are focused on the following positions (names linked to the Mets listed):

• Power Hitting LF-     Matt Holliday & Jason Bay
• Starting Pitchers-     Lackey, Wolf, Sheets, Pineiro, Smoltz, Penny, Marquis
• Starting Catcher-     Barajas, Molina, Olivio
• 1st Baseman-           Delgado, Glaus, Branyan

Of course you can add relievers to the list, as all teams patrol for them during the off season as well.  Look for the Mets to sign a couple guys, hopefully on the cheap, to bring in.  Most notably let's hope for another lefty to go with Feliciano!  Also, if they can dump Castillo, add second baseman to that list.

On the trade front, the Mets have been linked or should be linked to the following players as well:

• Edwin Jackson
• Roy Halladay, loosely
• Jose Guillen
• Lyle Overbay
• Kevin Millwood
• John Buck
• Brad Hawpe

As listed on FoxSports, Minaya is expected to be in the area of anyone and everyone that is available for trade or signing.  Omar knows his job is on the line so look for him to be very active.  It might not be as a big spender like going after Holliday and Lackey, but he will be active.  I have a feeling that Omar leaves Indy with a trade or two completed or at least a very solid foundation created on the trade front.

What is clear is this.  The Mets will be active.  Reports come out almost daily about the Mets being big spenders this winter, then the next analyst says they aren't spending anything and will only be in on marginal talent.  My feeling is this, the Mets  will spend what they think is appropriate.  They do not  want to overspend, nor do I think they feel they need to.  The Met brand required overspending to get the likes of Pedro, Wagner, Beltran to come to Shea.  However, now the Mets have a solid core, and are somewhat close to being a playoff contender.  Because of this, do not expect Omar to throw huge contracts around with 6 or 7 year deals.  Frankly, I am glad too, because this leads to trouble at the end of said deals.  The Mets will spend money in a direction that will probably mix one big names with a few lesser names.  Lackey maybe and a cheaper option that Holliday/Bay, followed be some supporting cast pickups.  Possibly they go with Holliday and Wolf, Pineiro, or Marquis instead of Lackey. 

Regardless, I look forward to the event.  I will be online constantly and will update as soon as I sniff a rumor or possibility.  I will most likely cover all the league news during that time period as there will be a lot going on and regardless of who signs someone, it very well could affect the Mets too.

Are the Marlins making Josh Johnson available? Should the Mets call?

John Perrotto at Baseball Prospectus mentioned that the Fish would deal Josh Johnson if they were blown away by a deal.  I love when people say this statement.  What does that mean?  Perhaps they would only accept Santana and David Wright for Johnson.  How about Reyes, Pelfrey, and K-Rod?  Seriously, all that means is that yes, we will trade him if we like the deal.  Anyway, I have no idea what the Mets think but I will throw it out there.  If this guy is available, send them some prospects and get him.

He is 25 years old and has ace stuff.  Put him behind Santana and that is a nasty Lefty-Righty top two.  How about pairing him with one of the Marlins high salary guys like Uggla (send him somewhere else for prospects?) or Ross in order to have to give up less in the way of talent?  It's all a reach, but something that I thought would be worth mentioning.

Ben Sheets to Flushing Please, Now!

Yes, I know he has some injury issues.  I also know the guy is a number one when healthy.  Bart Hubbuch from the Post has a confirmed source from MLB that says the Mets will take a look at Ben Sheets as a lower cost add to the rotation.  I love this play.  Much like taking a flyer on John Smoltz (yet younger) this could easily pay big dividends if the Mets handle it well. 

First, I have to believe a one or two year deal would get it done.  I think he will look to re-establish himself with a healthy season and hit the open market again for a big payday.  The idea of this was discussed by sources last winter before he was shut down and had surgery.  He probably looks for around $7-$9 million per and the market of teams involved will dictate how close he will get to that.  I am completely in on Ben Sheets for a year at $6-$8 million. 

Second, I say make him the fifth starter at the beginning of the season to limit his starts and innings early on, especially in the cold.  Maybe he could simply stay in extended spring training for the first couple weeks until he is stretched out a bit and can join the club in more mild weather.

Third, get him an extra day off when ever possibly.  These days pop up sometimes, take advantage.  Somehow Pedro used to get an extra day once in awhile, so can Ben. 

The way I see it is that Ben Sheets is a known commodity when healthy.  He is supposedly going to be ready for spring training so let's go for it.  How about a rotation of Santana, Lackey, Maine, Perez, and Sheets?  Sounds solid, except for Ollie sir walks a lot Perez, but maybe he bounces back next season.  Yes, I left out Pelfrey.  Could he be valuable in a trade for a bat if needed?  If we miss out on Holliday/Bay?  Possibly DeJesus from KC or a bigger name like Cabrera, Pena, etc.

Mets close to deal with reliever Elmer Dessens

According to Rosenthal and Morosi at FoxSports, the Mets are near a deal to bring back the 38 year old right handed reliever Elmer Dessens.  Dessens actually ended up pitching o.k. for the Mets.

After starting out with mop up appearances in June & July, he began to see more meaningful games and did fine.  In 28 games, he had an ERA of 3.31.  One thing I especially liked about his stat line, righties hit .228 against him and lefties hit .193.  Do I think he is the answer to the Mets need for a crossover reliever?  No, but I like any reliever that gets outs from both sides of the plate. 

His one hiccup in his stats are the long ball though.  He game up 5 in only 32.2 innings.  Yikes.  All in all, if it is a cheap one year deal to bring him back, I am fine with that.  I have to believe Omar learned from his Scott Schoeneweis deal to avoid long term deals with middle relievers.  I am a firm believer of bringing in a bunch of cheap guys and having them compete with a sprinkling of prospects during spring training.  Low cost way of building a pen.  It has worked to some degree in the past too. 

A look at the Trade Market

Tim Dierkes, the genius behind MLBTR, has put together a great look at the potential trade market by position.  It is a simple, but great look at who is/may be available.  Must read for any fan.

There are lots of possibles and some names I would love to see the Mets in on.  This off season should involve a lot of trading as compared to recent years as teams look to reclamation projects and to say spending a lot on free agents.

No Way Jose! Guillen not a fit for the Mets

The Daily News has reported that, although there is no specific deal in the works, the Mets may consider Jose Guillen by trade from the Royals should their other areas (Holliday, Bay, etc.) dry up.  I hope this is not even plan Z. 

Jose Guillen has played for 9 teams in 12 years.  What does that tell you?  He is frequently injured ( played in less than 100 games last year) and play horrible defense.  He had 8 errors in 2007.  How do you have 8 errors in the outfield.

Beside all of this, it is well known that his a malcontent.  Did I mention he is owed $12 million next season?  It has been mentioned that the Royals paying part of the salary may be a consideration.  The Royals do not want to, nor do they rarely cover salary in trades. 

This sounds exactly like the type of desperation than can follow a bad year.  Take a flyer on a guy that has shown flashes of good play and pray he turns it around to help the team.  No thanks.  Keep him.