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.
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