MVN - Most Valuable Network

Mets Possibilitites

Since we know where the flaws are with this New York Mets team (Pitching/Age/Management), and which ones they are unwilling to change at this time (Management), I figured I’d make a list of options for the positions in most need of change.

Starting Pitching

All of us are expecting the inevitable departure of Tom Glavine to create the second vacancy in the starting rotation. Even before the beginning of the ‘07 season, the talk had been directed toward two names to fill in one of those spots- Dontrelle Willis and Johan Santana. There are a few more names on that list.

So, in order, here are the guys who I feel can correct the pitching staff.

Aaron Heilman- A great talent. A true team player. A heralded starter in Notre Dame. A few years removed from a complete game 1-hit shutout as a starter for the Mets. And he got better. Omar and Willie can’t go into panic mode. Ignore the mass public filled with the “trade anyone” approach. The answer to at least one of the starting rotation woes is wasting away in the bullpen.

Dontrelle Willis-With the future of the Marlins dependent upon an agreement for a new stadium (which looks grim), there is little doubt that the Florida team will have to shed one of the two contracts which make up over half of their payroll. Look at the career numbers for them both (Willis and Cabrera); it’s a no brainer that when push comes to shove, it will be Dontrelle Willis who is traded. It all depends on how the Marlins try to sell the D-Train’s value.

It won’t cost the Mets anywhere near the amount of talent it would have last year, but it will cost them a pair of guys like Kevin Mulvey and Mike Devaney. And after seeing them dangle him for a set-up man, I don’t believe it will cost anything more than a singular prospect like Phil Humber. Not my favorite move, but last year it would have been both Humber and Pelfrey, as well as Gomez or Milledge. It’s amazing what one year can do to a player’s value huh?

Johan Santana- While Johan is clearly the best semi-available option, he will cost the Mets far too much in prospects. A lot of us already feel that offering Milledge, Gomez, Humber, Pelfrey, and Heilman is far too much. So think about any three of them included with the phenom shortstop Jose Reyes. It’s not worth it right now. Wait until he hits free agency months before Citi Field opens it’s doors. That’s when you make the best offer for him.

Gagne, Wood Dotel- I’ve said this before, but it does bare repeating. With the free agent relief core looking very promising, Something has to be done. Acquire any of these guys to take Heilman’s place, in addition to the return of Duaner Sanchez, and the demons of the pitching staff would be exorcised. What do they have to lose?

For those who don’t know my particular stance on value; I don’t believe that a talented starting pitcher is worth more than a talented position player. There are chances for the position player to effect the game every game, while the pitcher is every fifth day. As dominant as he may be, I would take Jose Reyes’ game changing ability any day over a Johan Santana. Considering he is what the Twins would start negotiations with, it’s not even worth talking about a trade to them. So mark Johan Santana as “highly unlikely” on the list of pitching solutions.

First Base

Carlos Delgado- I understand that he has one more year on his contract. My suggestions fell on deaf ears before the season started (Actually before his first 5 minutes as a Met were official). As it is now, he is virtually untradable due to his putrid year. However, don’t expect him to play the same at all in ‘08. It’s his contract year, and he will be a year removed from his surgeries which clearly hampered his performance a great deal.

Doug Mientkiewicz- Enough can’t be said about the importance of defense at this demanding position. Since Delgado is still under contract for next year, who better to platoon with him, and help groom the next first baseman in the coming years? Be it Mike Carp or who I feel should start taking grounders at the position-Fernando Martinez, Doug Mientkiewicz should be given a 2-3 year deal to keep this position sure handed for the changing of the guard.

Darin Erstad- I’m not sure what his stance is on the Mets now, but it used to be that he didn’t want any part of it. Winning has an effect on these kinds of players. So does money.Both he and Mientkiewicz are stellar fielders and quality hitters. The only concern is how he would adapt to being a par-time 1st baseman/outfielder.

Second Base

David Wright- This is a very temporary solution to the position which would only occur if Alex Rodriguez lands with his favorite NY team. We all know that Wright had expressed his willingness to shift to switch his position in the event of such a blockbuster acquisition. Now I say temporary solution because if A-Rod lands with the Mets, Wright will switch to the other hot corner as soon as Delgado’s contract is expired.

Mind you I love the way David Wright plays third base. I would like for him to get some throwing kinks worked out, but I can see Wright turning into a Biggio type of second baseman. If he wants to stay at the position, Mientkiewicz can hold down the fort easily and groom Carp/Martinez. If Wright wants to switch, Mientkiewicz could groom him to be the first baseman of the foreseeable future. It’s not a bad position to be in at all.

Kaz Matsui- I said it was a mistake to let him go, and he proved in Colorado that he could indeed play at a far higher level. All he needed was a little more time. Looking at the free agent options for second base, there are none that are better than Kaz. Assuming the A-rod thing doesn’t come to pass, the Mets should swallow their pride and give him a new contract. He doesn’t have to play a full-time role. He can platoon with Gotay improving every game.

Luis Castillo- Luis had surgery on his knee and is expected to be ready for spring training. Does that sound convincing to you? No? Me neither. As much as I would love to have him back fully healthy, I can’t get the image of him turning into Jose Valentin out of my mind.

Left Field

Carl Crawford- I know that I keep pressing this issue, but the Mets need this guy. His talents are obvious, and the D-Rays would ask a lot for him. If I were Omar I’d find out the parameters they are willing to work with. Trading good talent for him is worth it. It all just depends on how much.

Kazmir was quoted as saying it gets tiring to be the laughingstock of the league, and he wants veteran help. Well he can’t leave until 2010, but I know a certain team that is more than eager to get their hands back on that sure talent a year after Citi Field opens. The way to do that would be to take away top talent from their team now.

Carlos Gomez/Moises Alou- We saw how the platoon situation panned out with Milledge. Although he was more ready than given credit for, Lastings won’t have to worry about that now. He’ll take RF. LF is going to be platooned with Alou and Gomez unless Crawford makes his way, or Fernando Martinez has a ridiculous first half in the minors prompting a quick promotion.

Catcher

Lo Duca/Castro/Hernandez- Any combination with Castro will do this team a great service. Lo Duca provides that fire and leadership, as well as a hometown discount. Hernandez will require trades, but provides a very potent bat and great defensive capabilities. Castro keeps the entire team loose and still provides a great deal of offense despite coming off of the bench.

Speaking of which…

Bench

Moises Alou- Platooning with Carlos Gomez in LF is a must in order to do two things. Develop Gomez into a full caliber major leaguer, and to keep Moises off of the DL. His bat was so crucial to the team after coming back from his injury and they would do well to keep him around since he wants to come back.

Marlon Anderson- I don’t think I can stress enough how important he is to the team. No need to even explain. You all know.

Tony Clark- Bring back the guy who was wearing Mr.Met’s number. He is a switch hitting first baseman with good power and a good glove. A quality veteran presence that keeps the bench very strong.

Damion Easley- After doubting his worth to the team when he was acquired, it’s easy to see how good of a pinch hitter he is. He came through in the clutch so many times and they were really hurt when he went down. His talent has to be a gift awarded to him for being born a month after the Mets’ first world series victory. Ok, that’s fishing for some kind of connection, but it’s not impossible. After seeing this ‘07 season fall apart, I know that anything is possible.

Well, that’s what I have for you all. Those are my solutions while still holding true to keeping a balanced budget, a good mix of homegrown talent, and veteran stars. Glavine, Green, Alou, Castillo, Lo Duca, Castro, Valentin, Conine, and Sele come off the books this winter. That’s nearly $50 Million that is freed up to teak the roster. While a few guys are going to be returning, most of them will be getting pay cuts. A year later, Delgado, Pedro, and El Duque come off the books. Depending on how healthy Pedro is, he’ll be back, but I can’t see him earning what he does now. That’s nearly $40 Million the Mets can invest into the Johan Santana sweepstakes. We’ll see how things pan out.

The Mets have been very silent since the end of the season. Just like the calm before a storm, the Mets are building up something fierce. Expect them to make very effective changes to walk into Citi Field as the defending World Series Champions.

This entry was posted on Sunday, October 28th, 2007 at 9:34 pm and is filed under Mets News, Updates, 7 Train. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.