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At the always-informative MLB Trade Rumors, Tim Dierkes takes a closer look at the Mets luxuries and needs.
Regarding catcher, Dierkes suggests that Rangers C Gerald Laird, Indians C Kelly Shoppach, Giants C Bengie Molina and O’s C Ramon Hernandez could all be available in a trade.
The 30–year-old Hernandez hit .290 during 2005, .275 during 2006, and just .258 with nine HR and 62 RBI in 106 games last season for the Orioles. He has $15 million and two years remaining on his current contract, which also includes an $8.5 million club option for 2010.
Meanwhile, Molina, 32, hit .276 with 19 HR and 81 RBI in 134 games for the Giants this past season. He has $12 million and two years remaining on his current deal.
…it’s still early for this type of talk, but i think it’s a logical assumption that the Mets could have interest in molina or hernandez, if for no other reason than they were on their short-list at catcher two off-season ago, as well…by the way, you’re gonna hear a lot about hernandez’s close relationship to Rick Peterson, dating back their days in oakland…i have no idea yet if this is as true as the rhetoric…
Regarding second base, Dierkes writes that, if the team does not want to bring back Luis Castillo, “I’d first learn the asking price for Orlando Hudson, Mark Ellis, and Freddy Sanchez.”
According to the Arizona Republic, during a radio interview in July, Hudson indicated that he would not be surprised if he got traded from Arizona at some point in the next season or two. He is eligible for free agency after the 2008 season.
The 29–year-old Hudson hit .271 during 2005, .287 during 2006, and .294 with 10 HR and 63 RBI for the D’Backs this past season. He has played in at least 131 games during each of his last five seasons, during which he won two Gold Gloves.
Dierkes also offers up his opinion on the starting rotation and outfield, while noting that the team’s biggest luxury is cash and prospects in the way of Mike Pelfrey, Philip Humber, Mike Carp and Fernando Martinez.
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An interesting idea that a couple of people on MLBTR as well as other sites I’ve seen, is possibly going after one of the Cordero’s (Francisco or Chad) for a setup/backup closer this year and later successor of Wagner and giving Heilman a chance at the 5th slot, which would make sense especially if they were to turn around and offer a Humber or Pelfrey for a top of the rotation starter. Probably a bit in the realm of unlikely but another idea to toss around.
Also I love the idea of bringing over the O-Dawg if he is being shopped.
I agree, I like the idea of finally letting Heilman have a shot at starting. While I would LOVE O-dogg, he probably wont be available right now from Zona. They should lock him up. I would really like to explore Josh Barfield, since the tribe seems to have given his job to Asdrubal Cabrera. I think Heilman can at the very worst post a 4.25 era in about 190 inings with 165 K’s. Then we dont have to hear about trading Milledge or Gomez for Fat Joe Blanton.
Heilman did start and was moved to the bullpen. His issue was his consistency by far. I was at the game he threw a one hitter that should have been a no hitter, he poorly played a ball that went for an infield hit. However the starts before and after that were horrendous, it would be interesting to see if his consistency has improved as a starter but he isn’t going to get a chance to prove himself.
How about inquiring about Josh Barfield and Kelly Shoppach once the Tribe is finished in October?
Cabrera seems to have taken control of 2B and Martinez has a firm hold on catcher, and seems to be like Piazza in that he thinks of himself as a catcher.
I have no idea what Cleveland would want, or need, but if I am Minaya this is a trade I would be looking to make.
Tell me these two wouldn’t be perfect fits here? Barfield could play 2B and at the very LEAST could be the perfect platoon partner for Gotay, but could very well rediscover his stroke coming back to the NL. Shoppach is a nice young catcher that could share time with Castro, eventually taking hold of the position for the next 5-10 years.
I liked Barfield when I saw him 2 years ago in San Diego. I would be all for that deal. That may actually happen. Great thought.
I liked him in San Diego too, but he just had an atrocious year in Cleveland though. Not sure why.
Orlando Hudson would be an excellent pick up for the Mets. He solves lots of problems. He’s younger than Castillo, has better knees, great defense and some pop. Not sure what the cost would be (AZ needs some offense), but I’d try to land him if I could.
I like the thought of O-Dawg
I noticed Hudson is listed as in the minors, anyone know why.
O dawg (I don’t think I could take hearing that every day!) would be a nice solution to shore up 2B.
One of the younger catchers mentioned that has an upside would also be fine, if it didn’t cost too much.
I actually like the idea of ‘converting” some of the excess prospects (OFs say) into propects for positions of need, preferably ML ready guys.
Everything else (the OF) can be handled by what they have now (Milledge), or some 2nd tier moves for a back up (like when they got Nady or Green).
I’m still convinced that some of the younger pitchers are ready to step up and take on a more improtant role. Perez and Maine took a step or 2 last year, and can develop even more in 2008. pelfrey also can move into a “real” starter role, instead of a young guy up/down.
Olivo has a cannon for an arm and can hit for power. platoon of Castro and Olivo might work if him and Reyes can get along…
I was a huge fan of Olivo until that incident on the final Saturday. I’m sure Reyes played as big a role in that fight though.
Marlins can keep him.
Olivo and Reyes are friends in the off season. Supposedly, Reyes was talking trash like they normally do and Olivo didn’t take it that way.
I heard they were friends as well. And while I love the fact that he can throw 98 to 2nd base what would the point be of having 2 right handed catchers platooning? It would be rather pointless, you may as well have one defined starter and a backup if you don’t have them hitting from opposite sides of the plate.
i don’t think it would be wise to waist minor league chips on orlando hudson or a stop-gap catcher. these chips need to be used for starters and/or relievers.
keep castro or lo duca and pick up a free agent, light hitting catcher. for 2b, keep castillo or let gotay platoon with a defensive 2b.
probably the basic plan that Omar has, but expect him to make a move for a position player if he sees a good deal in front of him.
Won’t do much good to patch up th epen if you end up with an offense that sucks after the top 3-4 guys and can’t score runs!
Castillo and Loduca at this point are 2 giant offensive black holes. If delgado doesn’t rebound, that is a real weak stretch of the lineup.
Sure, they can get by with those guys, but if they can do better, go for it.
I don’t mind a 2B platoon though with Gotay and ??
There is a difference between an offensive black hole (LoDuca) and a perpetual injury risk (Castro) who has hit vey well 2 of his last 3 years in the league.
LoDuca isn’t all that bad for a catcher, actually. He’s not bad enough that we should give anything away to replace him. e should just be paid as a 35-yr-old league average (or worse) platoon catcher. Maybe $3-4M/yr for 1 yr w. club opt.
With Castro getting 250 at-bats, we’d only need LoDuca as a platoon catcher.
Nice to see some creative solutions being proposed (names that are a little out of the mainstream).
better than just hearing the same couple of big name washed up guys (think Steve Phillip’s favorites) and Santana after we trade the entire farm system for 1 year.
Yeah, the pen needs work, but pen guys often come out of left field. 1 more legit starter and the rotation should be fine.
So, shoring up weak spots for years to come, if it can be done, would be a nice bonus.
Remember, the market (such as available FAs) largely determines what a GM can accomplish. So even if you think the team needs to upgrade in 1 area, if the players just aren’t gettable, then improve in another area if you can.
Last year, the OF market kind of sucked (either wildly overpay in $ and years for a name like Lee or Soriano, or crap). So Omar went with ALou as a stop gap.
To me, Castillo or Laduca should be plan B for C and 2B. Only a stop gap if they can’t get a real solution.
BPs are usually half stop gaps anyway, and change year to year.
“…Yeah, the pen needs work, but pen guys often come out of left field. 1 more legit starter and the rotation should be fine.”
I take issue with this comment “stickguy”. Our pen guys always come out of right :-).
not always on the road!
I meant at Shea, but didn’t say it. You win on a technicality haha. But I do agree with you on bullpen stuff. I have noticed that releivers are usually good every other year.
Mota - hold
Schoenweis - hold
Heilman - hold
Wagner - no choice; who is available and better?Feliciano - could be a rough year
Sanchez - hopefully he will return healthy and in shape
We need Dennis Cook and Turk Wendell.
Remember, Padilla will be back as well.
agreed…LoDuca and castillo are fine for the next season and perhaps a year after. I hate to trade the big prospects for position players.
If Omar were going to trade Pelfrey or any of the outfield prospects it would be for a young front of the rotation power pitcher that the organization would have control over for two or three seasons. I know Dan Haren’s name was rumored and I think he would be the kind of guy Omar would trade for and not Santana. I think Haren would be a great acquisition. I think we have the prospects to get him. You would have to give up alot - probably Milledge/Pelfrey and a Joe Smith/Kevin Mulvey, but it may be worth doing. He’s a young durable power pitcher who throws hard…very much along the lines of Beckett and Peavy.
I honestly think Haren has more value in a trade then Santana, because of his contract status, but thats just me.
Interesting comments on the MLB trade rumors site. Consensus was that starting pitching is hard to correct and trading away Maine along with others for top flight Santana level pitcher would create a new vacuum at the 3 which is still hard to fill.
Some suggestions included Heilman to the rotation, moving Duque to the pen and occassional spot starter and if Pelfrey doesn’t look like he turned the corner on starting…place him in the pen.
I can definitely see the logic on the pitching side of trading for Santana and using Maine as a chip with say Gomez and one other prospect (mid level) Then move Heilman to the rotation and Pelfrey to the pen
Starters - Santana, Pedro, O Perez, Heilman and pick up a guy like Livan or take a flyer on Colon. Humber and Mulvey and Duque as insurance for injuries
Pen - Wagner and Feliciano are givens, Dump Mota and Shoe for whatever is possible, Duque in long relief, Joe Smith gets one of the spots, Duaner competes for anotherif healhty or Pelfrey gets an opportunity (if not then AAA for him as a starter)….then sign a Fransisco Cordero or trade for a Joe Nathan type and resign Sosa.
Positionally speaking.. the Mets hit enough to be ranked 3rd in the NL. Point being don’t do too much for something that is not broken. Keep Delgado at 1b, Resign Alou and Castillo, explore an upgrade at catcher but not for much…if nothing else presents, resign LoDuca. Gotay on the bench with Damon Easley return and Marlon Anderson along with back up catcher and Endy Chavez.. Start Milledge and let him do his thing. He will hit enough to be your #7 spot in the lineup.
I agree with most of your points, except I think trading away Maine is going to be a huge mistake. Over the next few years, he could be a wash vs. whoever they pick up, other than he costs a lot less in $$!
I’m also leaning more toward Heilmann to the rotation though. If they need to get younger, that’s a place to look.
Exactly, Heilman can be the young innings eater everybody keeps talking about. And guess what? he wont cost us Milledge and Pelfrey for blanton. He may even be better then Blanton
I doubt he could be an innings eater with his perrenial tendonitis in his throwing elbow.
I was at a blow-it-up-and-start-over state of mind as recent as a week ago. I didn’t want the legacy of this collapse to linger with the same players appearing in ‘08. But we are not Cubs, Pirates, or BoSox fans. We will never accept or be comfortable with losing. And with that, I have high hopes that this organization will not either.
So I have come back down off the ledge a bit and honestly agree with your general idea. I don’t think too much needs to be revamped other than the bullpen. Perhaps Santana is not what we need, considering the price. I posted yesterday the following list of tangible reasons to why the Mets have a 0-0 October record in 2007:
“- Alou being out and replaced with lack of experience and/or no Endy to fill in.
- Delgado not ever getting over his injury with a sub-par season. The middle of the lineup was not solidified until August.
- No Pedro, trickling down to lack of rotation depth.
- Lack of bullpen effectiveness and depth.
The first 3 take care of themselves in ‘08. Alou, if signed, will likley only play 110 games. A healthy Endy and Gomez will fill in fine. I actually like the idea of going young and athletic by putting Gomez, Milledge, and Endy in the corners surrounding Beltran. But you cannot argue with Alou’s bat and professionalism. So I’ll take either option. Delgado should hit better and remain in the 6 spot. Pedro….he’s back…enough said. The only missing cog that will not cure itself is the pen. Omar made monumental errors with the Mota and Shoeweiss moves and not re-signing Bradford (who was one of my top 3 team MVPs in ‘06). I feel replacing him with garbage made much of the difference this year b/c the poor bullpen put undo pressure on the offense and starting staff. Omar must address this horrible bullpen first and foremost in ‘08. ”
Though not a priority, any upgrade at 2nd base is highly welcomed. I love the ideas of Hudson, Ellis, or Sanchez in the 2-spot. The fact that they are young is an added plus. But I can deal with Castillo or an Easily/Gotay platoon.
Catcher…LoDuca’s fine. I love his fire. Just don’t bat him anywhere but #8.
Highest priority: I want this bullpen fixed. Mota must be shown the door. Shoenwiess and his ridiculous contract can play the Sele role. As for additions, any of the big names mentioned will due. Hell…I’d shell out 12-14M per for Mariano and not think twice.
Those are the on-paper fixes. The off-paper intangible cures to this teams approach is it’s own essay. I won’t get into it. But let’s just say these players, coaches, and Execs better march to a different order in ‘08.
I agree with alot of what you have to say as well. I dont think there is any excuse for not getting Santana. He is a stopper every fifth day, number one, stud, ace, etc. I/We have been a little spoiled at the catcher position (Carter, Hundley, Piazza, LoDuca) so I would like to see us getting a young catcher that will stick for 5-10 years but it isnt that easy. There is a debate as to whether or not we shouild go after Hudson in a deal and I am still undecided. Save what prospects we have left after pursuing Santana or get a guy who gives us a sick fielding middle infield? Latter sounds good but at what cost?
Hudson had a season ending thumb injury and Ojeda stepped in so well Hudson might be expendable, its in Az paper today.
Oliva might get released would be a free agent or waiver wire.
Don’t give up the Maine. I think he and Perez are becoming bona-fide Mets (i.e. the fans associate them with the team and root for them) and part of the Mets identity. I was pulling hard for Maine’s no-hit bid.
They also happen to be the best we can get for the money. Very solid #2 and 3 starters. If either Pelfrey or Humber (or both) get it going and we get an ace in ‘09, we have a pretty nice rotation.
Though Boston is in a bit of a hole right now, I think they offer a model for the Mets to follow: they built this team around starting pitching. They gave up top prospects to get Beckett and backed up the truck to bring in Dice-K.
The Mets will not go far in the post season without top-shelf front line starting pitchers. Omar understood that when he grossly overpaid to bring in Pedro but he seems to have forgotten it and more recently gone for economical solutions, which have obviou