Buzz: Mets Interested In Garcia

November 24, 2007 at 11:31 am · 91 comments

by Regis Courtemanche

In an article for the Daily News, Anthony McCarron reports that the Mets have expressed interest in free agent pitcher Freddy Garcia.

Garcia’s agent, Peter Greenberg, as quoted by McCarron:

“The Mets have shown considerable interest in him, and some other teams, too. Omar has called several times. Omar likes him. The Mets were one of the top contenders when the Phillies got him.”

Garcia, 32, is rehabbing from shoulder surgery on his labrum and rotator cuff and should be ready to pitch by midseason. Over his career he is 117-76 and has a 4.07 ERA.

…garcia averages roughly 200 innings per season, so if healthy, he could replace some of what the Mets lost when Tom Glavine went back to the braves…if the team didn’t pay too much to get him, it could be a decent move, but i’ve never been too big a fan of garcia…

…i’m just waiting to see what they plan on doing to improve the bullpen, other than trading away Guillermo Mota

{ 91 comments }

starz31 November 24, 2007 at 11:35 am

As we’ve seen in years past you can’t have enough backup starters. I’d be interested in bringing Garcia in on a low-risk contract and only if he’s a third pitcher we had ( #1 being an ace and #2 being an innings-eater).

Steve In Tampa November 24, 2007 at 11:38 am

agreed, load a contract with incentives, still doesn’t solve our immediate need, but he can act as a kind of mid-season back up plan in case of injury

bluNoway2go November 24, 2007 at 12:57 pm

I am sorry to say, but I had about enough of this high drama and revival dependency of injured pitchers set to mark their return mid-season. I dealt with it with Sanchez and recently dealt with it with Pedro. Rather focusing on Pitchers who are not eligible to pitch until July, why not focus on a pitcher who can pitch in April. Oh thats right, why should we it’s Karim Garcia who, if I may remind you probably pitched as many solid games for the phillies than the Mets have had no-hitters. I’ll take my chances with Mulvey than I can with Karim Garcia. He is undoubtedly on his last pitching thread and yet we are expecting this miraculous comeback from him.

Happy Recap November 24, 2007 at 1:46 pm

KARIM Garcia?

gowrightgo November 24, 2007 at 1:46 pm

I know what you mean but its Freddy Garcia. KArim was that crappy outfielder we had and the Yanks had for a short while

JNGordon November 24, 2007 at 1:50 pm

I seem to remember the Cardinals did the same thing with Carpenter. He became their ace and won the Cy Young before he got injured again.

RespectDaBestRM November 24, 2007 at 6:45 pm

mark prior can be the next carpenter.
why not sign him for an extremely high incentive contract.

gottabelieve07 November 24, 2007 at 11:40 am

Freddy Garcia is a perfect example of the kind of pitcher that’s exactly wrong for this team. Why waste any time or effort on this guy?

Even if surgery has corrected his low-80s fastball, he won’t be able to contribute until about July. If you’re going to take a flier on a guy with injury problems, why not just get Bartolo Colon?

At least Colon has already done his rehab and would be able to start the season with the team.

Just say no to Garcia.

TilMetsDoUsPart November 24, 2007 at 12:41 pm

This may not be the move that Minaya makes to fix the rotation. It’s possible that the rotation as of now looks like so:

Pedro
Maine
Perez
Hernandez
Pelfrey

And if Pelfrey is included in a deal for an ace or big time pitcher, and the Mets sign Garcia, the rotation will look like so:

Pedro
Ace/Big time pitcher
Maine
Perez
Garcia.

Hernandez to the bullpen so you can trade Heilman. Can’t argue that.

genius November 24, 2007 at 11:48 am

laughable. wow, loser fans think anything omar does is sweet.

TilMetsDoUsPart November 24, 2007 at 12:43 pm

If Omar got Freddy and did nothing else I’d lead him to a grassy knowle…

On the other hand if he traded Milledge, Heilman, Pelfrey and Gotay and magically ended up with Dan Haren, and then signed Garcia and Fukudome, I’d think those moves were marshmallows and hershey’s kisses.

gregf1106 November 24, 2007 at 11:49 am

Sad part is, if we dont get this ACE then we need to have multiple other options available, like the first two posters a low risk, insentive laden contract I would not be opposed to but we do need pitchers, I still like Garza and Ervin Santana who are both young with upside. If we can’t get the ACE go for youth and upside

TilMetsDoUsPart November 24, 2007 at 12:47 pm

When have you seen Ervin Santana’s upside? The year he has a 4.28 ERA in 133 inning with 99 Ks and 47 BBs?

Or was it his 5.76 ERA in 150 innings with 126 Ks and 58 BBs?

Was it the fact that he was never dominant at any professional level?

Or is there something I’m missing?

Anyway, I’d like Garza as well. But if an ace is perceivable, and Pelfrey is traded for him, I say go ahead and sign garcia to the 5 spot so we can move El Duque to the bullpen. Although I’d rather see Livan if his price is low.

njitalnstaln November 24, 2007 at 11:51 am

i’m not really interested in damaged goods. he has some upside, but i think the mets have had enough pitchers in the last several years signed to similar contracts that have been unsuccessful…

i’d hate to revisit 2006-07 when we used a patchwork of has-beens and maybes to patch holes in the rotation while people recovered from nagging injuries and omar looked for a way to save face for not having a big time pitcher to add to the rotation.

i want a real rotation for once. five guys that you can count on day-in, day-out.

no lima
no adkins
no williams
no lawrence
no vargas, etc.

i want 5 guys to be in there, and stay in there throughout the season. i understand that injuries and things happen, but we don’t need an army of these guys in AAA where mulvey, pelfrey, and humber should be fine-tuning their skills this season….

which is why uncle omar needs to make a big move during the winter meetings.

santana would be nice, but not likely….

blanton would fit nicely, but will omar pull the trigger?

and just to throw it out there, if you want low risk, high reward, talk to the marlins about eating some of dontrelle’s money and bringing him over here as a #2 or 3 starter.

his value is low and we know what he is capable of. like a lot of guys, i don’t see a change in scenery as a bad thing.

m00kie November 24, 2007 at 4:08 pm

what team has 5 pitchers that they can count on all year?

RespectDaBestRM November 24, 2007 at 6:50 pm

if we cant get an ace, then we should try building the rotation the way the chisox did when they won the world series.
they had 5 very solid starters
buerle, vasquesz, contreras, garcia and i forgot the last one.

nagel100 November 24, 2007 at 12:18 pm

I’d sign Garcia to a major league minumum contact. why not? who said he would be paid anything more? his agent may want more but he has no value at this time.He can come back in July play in the minors and see what he has,

Omar can best be judged after the off season is over. So far I’m happy about what he has done.

Getting rid of Mota for a Estrada was a excellent deal. A lefty/righty platoon of Estrada and Casto seems fine. Keeping Castillo, Easley, Anderson and signing them was also excellent.

We need to add a starter and a relief pitcher. We do have 2 things going for us right now. Some valuable trading chips and no shortage of cash.

this is the time to put the hammer down and use those chips and that cash.

If Beane wants to trade Haren for Milledge/Pelfrey and Heilman then I make that deal. then I would trade Gomez/ Humber and Mulvey for Bedard or Garza

I would then sign Andru Jones for RF. 5 years and 80 million should do. sign Dotel as well.

Reyes
Castillo
Wright
Beltran
Alou
Del Gado
Jones
Estrada/Castro

Haren
Pdro
Maine
Perez
Bedard/Garza

Wagner
ElDuque
Sanchez
Sosa
Feliciano
Schoenweis
Dotel

Andrew November 24, 2007 at 12:28 pm

You’re kidding yourself if you think that Gomez/Humber + Mulvey would get a Bedard or Garza deal done.

You do realize that Bedard struck out 221 batters in 182 innings last year and had a 3.16 ERA and 1.09 WHIP, in the American League, while being the same age as Johan Santana, who posted a higher ERA, just barely lower WHIP, and lower strikeout rate last season.

That is to say, Bedard’s value is not too far south of Santana’s.

TilMetsDoUsPart November 24, 2007 at 12:56 pm

In what world do you live in? The Mets actually going hard after Andruw Jones? Dream on. I’ll there is a team out there (Kind of like the Padres or Twins…) that probably will offer him a deal at his position. I think Fukudome is more of a… you know… reality. And Dotel would be a random.

Also, a bit far from reality:

Gomez and Mulvey for Bedard
Milledge and Heilman for Haren.

Your predictions are More like

Gomez and Gotay for Garza
Milledge and Heilman for Blanton.
Mets sign someone not named Rowand or Jones to play their actual position, rightfield.
Mets sign Dotel.

Mets4Life November 25, 2007 at 3:03 pm

Andruw Jones for 5 yrs $80MM? You have to remember, his agent is Scott Boras.

Andrew November 24, 2007 at 12:18 pm

Freddy Garcia? Yeah… thanks but no thanks.

So the rotation now is Pedro, Maine, Perez, El Duque, Pelfrey/Humber, right?

Solution: Trade whoever has to be traded for Santana, Haren or Harden; keep Milledge if at all possible. Sign Livan Hernandez, an innings-eater and a warrior who will be glad to be on a team with his brother and also will allow El Duque to move to the bullpen, thereby strengthening both the rotation and bullpen.

So, assuming we carry 11 pitchers and that Heilman is traded in the Haren deal…

Rotation: Haren (I think he’s the most likely acquisition), Pedro, Maine, Perez, Livan Hernandez.

Bullpen: Wagner, Sanchez, El Duque, Feliciano, Schoenweis, Joe Smith/Juan Padilla.

And that, I think, is a pretty strong rotation and bullpen, except for Schoenweis, who just plain wasn’t worth signing to a three-year deal. But I guess every team needs someone at the back of the bullpen.

Note to Omar: Go. Do it. Go. Right now.

Andrew November 24, 2007 at 12:21 pm

My assumption here that the Mets will carry 11 pitchers is based on the fact that they have 5 outfielders and 4 second basemen. The bench is: Gotay, Easley, Chavez, Anderson, Gomez, someonerighthandedwho’sgonnaplayfirstbaseagainstlefties.

Andrew November 24, 2007 at 12:23 pm

Actually, replace someonerighthandedwho’sgonnaplayfirstbaseagainstlefties with Castro. Forgot about him.

yagottabelieve November 24, 2007 at 2:10 pm

Several potential problems with the plan:

1. How can we possibly trade for Santana or Haren, keep Milledge and still have Gomez and Gotay on the bench? What exactly are you hoping they’ll take, Heilman, Pelfrey and an old pitching machine? (I’m all for trading for one of those guys but we have to be realistic — it’ll cost almost all our young talent to do it, and that still might not be enough).

2. I wouldn’t include Rich Harden in the same class… too much of an injury risk. If we could get him for less, sure. But he could be Mark Prior.

3. The Mets will take 12 pitchers as they have every single season since Minaya took over, having NEVER (except occasionally during the first week in April) allowed themselves to dip below that number. I don’t think that’ll be a huge issue, though (see #1).

4. That bullpen is ugly. We’d be giving up our most dependable reliever over the past three years (and the only one who was effective down the stretch last year) and hoping we can replace him with a pitcher who missed all of last season and half of 2005, and an old man who is most likely to be ineffective in his first inning of work.

yagottabelieve November 24, 2007 at 2:14 pm

What would I do differently?

First off: Gomez for Garza (I’m assuming the reports that the Twins would take that are true – if not, toss in Gotay). Then we have two options:

If we can really land Haren (or Santana, but not likely), we have to go for it – and plug whatever one young pitcher is left (probably Pelfrey, as I think Humber & Mulvey have more value) into the bullpen. But that will leave a big hole in RF (and LF when Alou is off, which will be often) so we have to outbid others for someone like Fukadome.

If we can’t land Haren (which might be just as well because we keep Milledge & Heilman), I’d throw some money at Bartolo Colon – he was hitting 96 on the gun last year. Honestly, I like that option better as it preserves some young talent:

We’d be left with a rotation of:

Pedro
Maine
Perez
Garza
Colon/Duque

A bullpen of:

Wagner
Heilman
Sanchez/Sosa
Duque/Sosa
Pelfrey
Feliciano
Schoenweiss

(Sosa starts the year in AAA if both Colon and Sanchez are healthy)

Lineup:

Reyes SS
Castillo 2B
Wright 3B
Beltran CF
Delgado 1B (Easley against tough lefties)
Alou LF
Millegde RF
Estrada/Castro C

That’s really not that bad. And if Colon is healthy, we could have dominant pitching…

NYMBosco November 24, 2007 at 12:31 pm

You cannot count on sanchez and juan padilla. They had bad injuries and they may not make it back. They had their chances,enough with the post injury pitchers! Get new blood in the bullpen…….

Andrew November 24, 2007 at 12:36 pm

Sanchez was money with the Mets in ‘06, and he’ll be pitching in winter ball, so at best he’ll return to form, and at worst the Mets will have to go get someone else. But it’s not like he has a chronic injury, so he should be able to return to form just fine.

As you can see, I’m not counting on Juan Padilla, I’m just including him as an option for the last bullpen spot.

7-train November 24, 2007 at 12:43 pm

Exactly right about Sanchez in winter ball. Just like with Pedro Astacio a few years back winter ball will give us a good idea about what to expect out of Sanchez.

If Garcia will take a low risk, incentive laden contract I’d say take a flier on him. If our rotation craps the bed by midseason he could step in as a replacement. Otherwise we could have him rehab in the minors and try to deal him at the deadline. Someone will need him next season.

If he were healthy now you could put Maine in a deal for Bedard or Santana and use Garcia to replace Maine. But due to his injury you can’t do that.

TilMetsDoUsPart November 24, 2007 at 1:04 pm

Harden is out of the question. Santana is going to be a Yankee.

Bedard is a possibility and may cost Gomez (or the one out of Gomez and Milledge that is more valuable), Heilman, Pelfrey, Humber.

Haren is the most likely for a cost of Milledge, Heilman, Pelfrey and Gotay/Humber.

I agree with signing Livan, I also agree with signing Fukudome and Miguel Cairo.

Lineup: Reyes, Castillo, Wright, Beltran, Alou, Delgado, Fukudome/Milledge, Estrada

Rotation: Martinez, Haren, Maine, Perez, L Hernandez

Bullpen: O Hernandez, Sosa, Feliciano, Schoeneweis, Sanchez, Smith/Kunz, Wagner

Bench: Chavez, Anderson, Castro, Cairo, Easley

yagottabelieve November 24, 2007 at 2:19 pm

Again, that’s just a scary bullpen. Unless Sanchez is healthy, there’s not a single guy (outside of Feliciano) you can trust to get outs before the 9th.

Smith was a mirage – don’t buy into the “he threw too many innings” nonsense – he threw more innings the past few seasons in college. And the one problem with Duque is that his worst inning tends to be his first – not a good thing in a relief pitcher.

squad November 24, 2007 at 2:38 pm

Uh yeah, you can’t really compare the innings he threw in college to the innings he threw with the New York Mets.

I doubt he had to throw as many pitches in those college innings as he did in the innings with us. How many times did you see him have 10 pitch atbats with hitters who would foul off pitch after pitch.

K-Hern November 24, 2007 at 12:42 pm

BUZZ: Mets fans interested in ACE pitchers

7-train November 24, 2007 at 12:50 pm

True. Ace, plus you have to be thinking about who you want to start in the WS, as that is our goal. Imagine putting Carlos Silva out in game 4 against the Red Sox, Yanks or Angels on the road. You’d have to have the bullpen getting warm during the introductions.

TilMetsDoUsPart November 24, 2007 at 1:06 pm

Trade Milledge/Gomez, Heilman, Pelfrey and Mulvey/Humber/Gotay for Haren/Bedard.

Sign L Hernandez/Garcia, Kosuke Fukudome is Milledge is traded, and Miguel Cairo if Gotay is traded.

m00kie November 24, 2007 at 4:12 pm

lol nice

nagel100 November 24, 2007 at 12:44 pm

Andrew

No Bedard?

OK .

How about Garza?

Twins need a CF so Gomez can do that and they get 2 pitchers in Mulvey and Humber.

Garza works for me.

BSMITTYFDNY November 24, 2007 at 1:02 pm

Garza works for me as well. I have been pushing for him post after post. I would be happy if he is the only starter we get. For Gomez and maybe Gotay, we still keep Humber and Pelfrey, and even Mulvey meaning one of the three should pan out to be good. Also we keep Milledge in RF which would be great. Gomez for Garza! Lets do it and then shore up this pen,and away we go to a great season!

7-train November 24, 2007 at 1:05 pm

I like Garza a lot too.

But I’d rather trade Humber or Pelfrey than Gomez. Usually I’d rather trade a position prospect than a starting pitcher. But I think Gomez has a better shot at being special than either Pelfrey or Humber do. In addition I think Gomez’s value will continue to increase in case you need to trade him later, while I think Pelfrey and Humber will depreciate in value.

I see Pelfrey as a reliever and possibly a very good one. But I don’t think he’s going to make it as a front of the rotation starter.

BSMITTYFDNY November 24, 2007 at 1:12 pm

Rather keep all three of our pitchers with the hope one of them works out to be very good. We deal Gomez then we still have Milledge and my favorite Met prospect Fernando Martinez who I think will be freaking sick in a few years.

yagottabelieve November 24, 2007 at 2:21 pm

Garza’s a stud. At WORST a #3. And go back to the scouting reports on him from the spring. There was talk that his upside could be close to Santana/Liriano and that he would give the Twins a devastating rotation. I’d do Gomez & Gotay for Garza in a second.

7 Train to Maine November 24, 2007 at 12:53 pm

My ultimate off-season plan:

If the Mets want to get a top of the line starting pitcher they need to trade Milledge. That means losing our starting right fielder for all of the 2008 season, until F-Mart is ready (that is if F-Mart isnt traded). Well this is what I would to make up for that.

Trade for Dan Haren: This would most likely require Milledge, Pelfrey and quite possibly Heilman. With the Cordero signing, I would be reluctant to trade Heilman. I think the Mets best option is to trade Gomez, Milledge and Pelfrey for Haren. Plus the A’s have always had pitching. They have always lacked the explosive offense after losing Tejada.

Now to replace the hole at right field here is my dark horse trade. Phillip Humber and Deolis Guerra/ or some decent minor league pitchers like Bobby Parnell for JOSH Hamilton. With the emergence of Jay Bruce and Joey Votto (who could play 1st and left), the Reds have a surplus of outfielders (Hopper, Freel, Griffey, Dunn, Votto, Bruce, Hamilton). The Reds have been shopping around Freel and Hamilton this off-season trying to see what they could get. The Reds could very easily be contenders. They have always had the offense and they are obviously going after some young pitching. Their pitching staff next year will feature Harang, Arroyo and Homer Bailey which is pretty decent. The Reds already have one young pitcher from Texas (Bailey), and they are probably interested in what a guy like Humber could bring to the table. With a stabalized bullpen with the Cordero signing, it seems like their top priorities is obviously a deeper rotation. Humber is the perfect complement. Hamilton is a great defensive players, has all the physical tools and hes a great hitter. His numbers are a bit inflated, but his .274 away average is pretty decent.

Lord Charles Curveball November 24, 2007 at 1:13 pm

Trade Guerra? Why? He has relatively low trade value as A) he’s never pitched above A Level and B) he’s about 5 years away from the majors. Guerra is 18. Trading him now makes no sense as his value will not be at it’s highest for another 3 years, at best.

Trading for him makes even less sense.

BiggieSmalls November 24, 2007 at 1:16 pm

and trading him for a recovering crack addict makes even less sense.

gowrightgo November 24, 2007 at 1:01 pm

I think that making a signing of some FA pitcher now before the meetings puts us in a better position. If it were a Colon or Jason Jennings or Livan or Silva or Garcia….Any of them signed on a short term deal (1-2 yr make good deals) makes us stronger to get the ace we need.

I think if we do it in the opposite approach, work the pitcher market for a trade, then sign a back end filler guy, we run the risk that our preference on the back end is not there and we run the risk that whoever is left on the backside has us over a barrell.

Hence, I think we have 2 moves to make at minimum to shore up the teams starting pitching….

Move 1 – Sign one of these free agents pitchers (Silva, Jennings, Livan, Garcia, or Colon)….my preference being Bartolo Colon actually.

Move 2 – Trade for one of the following starters ….Bedard, Haren, Sheets, Santana, Kazmir. All are rumored to be avail and not all will be scooped up by the Yanks, Red Sox, Angels, or Dodgers

BSMITTYFDNY November 24, 2007 at 1:06 pm

Anyone know the date when the winter meetings start? Thanks.

BSMITTYFDNY November 24, 2007 at 1:12 pm

When do the winter meetings start guys? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

Lord Charles Curveball November 24, 2007 at 1:14 pm

12/3

BSMITTYFDNY November 24, 2007 at 1:19 pm

Thanks Lord Charles. Wow. That soon huh? I cant freaking wait. We better leave those meetings with at least one ace and maybe another good starter. Even a bullpen arm would be good but an ace is a must. Come on Omar!

BiggieSmalls November 24, 2007 at 1:15 pm

forget about the Mets for a second.. the LAST thing that a recovering crack addict needs is to play in New York. Josh Hamilton is a bomb waiting to go off… not even worth discussing..

RespectDaBestRM November 24, 2007 at 6:55 pm

and then maybe sign milton bradley

sylvan November 24, 2007 at 1:23 pm

Why are people so determined to put El Duque in the bullpen? Unless we make TWO big-time starter acquisitions, which I doubt will happen, I think the Mets are still going to see him as part of the rotation.

A guy like Livan might be less of an injury risk, but he’s not even a league-average pitcher any more. Would you rather get 150 innings of 3.72 ERA from El Duque or 200 innings of 4.93 ERA from Livan? As long as we still have a couple backups to plug in when he’s hurt, El Duque is a damn good choice.

Although I wonder if Omar might actually try to use him as an under-the-radar trade piece for younger pitching. I could see a team like the Twins wanting a credible veteran like him to complement the young players they’d receive in a trade. They probably don’t want to have a 100-loss rebuilding year right before their new stadium opens.

Lord Charles Curveball November 24, 2007 at 1:31 pm

A 38 year old pitcher, who might actually be 42 or so,carries absolutely no trade value. Especially when that guy takes a month a season off.

sylvan November 24, 2007 at 1:51 pm

Even Guillermo Mota has trade value, as we just saw.

El Duque is would improve almost any team’s starting rotation if he were in it instead of their scrub fifth starter. By definition, he has value, and significant value. He is only a short-term solution, but he is a good one.

Don’t get blinded by your hate born of Omar’s tendency to stockpile elderly players. He isn’t less valuable than a younger pitcher simply because he’s younger; the young guy still has to pitch better than he does.

7 Train to Maine November 24, 2007 at 1:23 pm

Josh Hamilton is a recovered drug addict. At this point, Hamitlon is probably a better guy than Milledge. Hamilton didnt do anything this season that caused Jerry Narron to get pissed off at him, and he didnt do anything that got other teams infuriated. Milledge on the other hand has had several problems with Mets management and opposing teams hate him.

BSMITTYFDNY November 24, 2007 at 1:28 pm

Milledge is what 21 or 22 years old? Can we please hold on to our own home grown talent? Let him have the full time RF job for the entire season and see what he can do. Please. Thank you.

BiggieSmalls November 24, 2007 at 1:36 pm

Addicts never recover.. they are always fighting that battle.

JNGordon November 24, 2007 at 1:56 pm

“Fat, Drunk and Stupid is no way to go through life”
Animal House- We have to see with these young guys if it is immaturity and will be outgrown. There have man many guys named “Meat” Bull Durham…..Million Dollar arm and nickel heads out there. It takes time and discernment to sort them out.

BiggieSmalls November 24, 2007 at 2:57 pm

drinking in college is a far cry from throwing your MLB future away smoking crack

7 Train to Maine November 24, 2007 at 1:30 pm

Out of all the corner outfield options out there Hamilton is the best one. Guys like Bradley, Jenkins, Freel, Preston Wilson are major risks. Id rather take a 26 year old who hit 19 homers and had 47 rbis in less than 300 at bats

7 Train to Maine November 24, 2007 at 1:31 pm

What if Milledge turns out to be the biggest bust ever. His trade value goes wayy done and Mets are stuck without an ACE and with a horrible RF.

BSMITTYFDNY November 24, 2007 at 1:35 pm

We can still get an ace without trading Milledge. We have Gomez to give up. The ace’s name is Matt Garza of the Twins. Him and keeping Milledge in RF is the best option in my eyes. Milledge should do the following this year at the very least, .275 BA, 20-25 HR’s, 80-90 RBI’s, and 10-15 SB’s with a full season of course. Are those numbers toooptimistic?

gowrightgo November 24, 2007 at 1:54 pm

Those numbers are not at all too optimistic. THey are in fact his baseline projections. He performed to that level in the 2 short stints with the METS already. Simply prorating his production to date over 150 games will get him those numbers. This was also when he was shuffled in and out of the lineup and Green was breathing down his neck for time.

Given a chance to see the leagues pitchers multiple times and learning the patience required to lay off pitches in counts until he gets his pitch, should see a big jump in his production.

stickguy November 24, 2007 at 4:27 pm

I agree 100% that if you can trun GOmez into Garza, and keep Milledge for RF, the team will be much better.

Beyond that, maybe 1 more SP (although not essential), probably a reclamation project like COlon, and they should be set.

Just find a couple more live arms for the pen (and that likely won’t shake out until ST), and they will be set on the field and the mound.

Or, if they get Garza, they can keep El Duque in the rotation, with the young guys in reserve getting experience (in the pen or AAA), and should have a ready replacement when he breaks down. THen to the pen with him

Duque will be a swing vote. If they fill the rotation, he is a long man, If they fill the pen, he can start.

And giving up GOmez doesn’t weaken the team at all in ‘08, or probably ‘09.

He is the excess prospect with value that can bring someone good back without leaving any holes.

And, all the rest of th e”ships” are on hand to be used, or for deals during the season (or next year).

Win now, buiold for the future!

Reyes
Castillo
DW
CB
ALou
Milledge
Delgado
Estrada

Gotay (if here)
Castro
Easley
Anderson
Chavez, or new OF/1B

Pedro
Maine
Perez
Garza
Hernandez

Wagner
Feleciano
Sosa
Scheonweis
Pelfrey
Sanch? /TBD
Smith?/TBD

That looks good enough for me, and the rotation is better than all but a few teasm in the league.

Agees Catch November 24, 2007 at 1:35 pm

Regis,

It’s about the starting pitching. The bullpen is fine the way it is.

The one position that should have changed didn’t. Jimmy Dolan must be running the Mets, too.

BSMITTYFDNY November 24, 2007 at 1:36 pm

sorry too optimistic I meant.

7 Train to Maine November 24, 2007 at 1:44 pm

Matt Garza is a top prospect. But he wasnt ranked any higher than Pelfrey last year. I doubt we could get him for only Gomez. Minnesota isnt stupid. Especially since Santana has no interest in coming back (rejecting a 93 million dollar contract)

BSMITTYFDNY November 24, 2007 at 1:47 pm

Trust me he is better and will be better than Pelfrey. Minny is in love with Gomez and with Hunter gone they need a CF so I think Gomez + maybe Gotay gets it done. And if I am wrong then we still have Pelfrey and Garza on our team after that trade so its a win win for us. What do you think of my projected numbers for Milledge by the way?

stickguy November 24, 2007 at 4:30 pm

Good projections for Milledge.

Also agree that having Pelfrey and Garza gives you a ton of flexibility. If the both blossom to their potential, you have a dominant young rotation for years to come.

Or, if needed, it gives you the option to trade a young starter (one of them, or another guy) in the right deal.

It seems pretty obvioius from the trade ideas floating around that viable pitching is at a premium, so it makes sense to stockpile as much as possible, and fill other holes by trading an extra guy.

BSMITTYFDNY November 24, 2007 at 4:50 pm

Wow I finally have a post that most of you guys agree with. I am glad to see most of you still have faith in Milledge. He can be our all star caliber RF for the next decade. How many of you watched Strawberry come through the minors to our major league club and feel so proud to have such an athlete of his talent come through our system? Only to then watch him blow away his career by using drugs and alcohol. Not that Milledge is near the same level as Straw but here is where I draw a comparison…. Milledge indeed scares us with his shady past and on and off the field antics, yet remember one thing…He is a kid. He has so much talent but just needs to be focused and encouraged by the right people. Unfortunatly in Straws case no one really grabbed him by the collar and said look kid you have the world by the nuts and so much natural ability so cut the crap and make the best of your career and life. It seemed the only concern anyone had is how well he hit or how far he hit a homer. It is easy then to say lets get rid of Milledge and his baggage but I suggest rather we have either veterans or even Willie, or whomever grab this kid, put him under their wing and help him develop on and off the field. Maybe I am a optomist but he is ours so if the Mets can try to get this kids back I think he can be a very special player. They just have to learn from the mistakes that were made with Strawberry and use that experience with Milledge. Again, Milledge doesnt seem to have the talent Straw had but he has the chance to be very good and just needs to be guided down the right path.
Comments? Sorry so long of a post guys.

Mets4Life November 24, 2007 at 1:55 pm

No, those numbers seem pretty realistic to me. Thats assuming that he gets 550-600 AB’s

Mets4Life November 24, 2007 at 1:58 pm

Why does everyone seem to think that Gotay has any trade value? He is a switch-hitting backup.. thats it. He should really only be a left handed hitter because he is very bad from the right side anyways.. Yeah, im sure The Twins want him.

7 Train to Maine November 24, 2007 at 2:03 pm

Twins have 3 guys that have no power what so ever that play on a consistent basis. Jason Tyner hit his first homer since Little League (seriously) this year. Nick Punto is arguably the worst everyday player in big leagues. Jason Bartlett is a weak hitting shortstop. Ruben Gotay looks like a total steal if he replaces on of those guys.

Mets4Life November 24, 2007 at 2:06 pm

Gotay has surplus power? Thats something new..

sylvan November 24, 2007 at 2:12 pm

When you’re the Twins, and you have a starting 3B with SLG in the .200s, Gotay’s .421 probably starts to look pretty appealing.

Mets4Life November 24, 2007 at 2:16 pm

Haha thats very true. Good point.

a817 November 24, 2007 at 2:20 pm

didnt freddy garcia fail a drug test in 2006 in the world baseball clasic? hmmm…… i guess he will fit well with the mets, and a two year contract. I wonder if he is on the mitchell report?

Charlie November 24, 2007 at 2:22 pm

this is all we need to know about the state of the mets pitching. we are in trouble, people.

Happy Recap November 24, 2007 at 2:23 pm

This isn’t the answer to any problems, but he could be a nice bonus if he gets healthy by mid season. Bottom line is I’d prefer to have him start a game in September then Brian Lawrence.

Mets4Life November 24, 2007 at 2:24 pm

How about we trade Gomez or Milledge and Humber for Garza and let the jacket work his magic on him. He has done it before.. Hello Tim Hudson, Mark Mulder and Barry Zito.

By the way who do you like better?

A) Carlos Gomez
B) Lastings Milldege

I tend to like Gomez better because of his potiential for power (he is 6′ 4″ and hasn’t bulked up yet) and speed (as fast as or faster than Reyes).

gowrightgo November 24, 2007 at 2:34 pm

They are much different prospects and at different levels. Gomez may have that late developing power (like Hanley Ramirez) Ramirez hit 27 hrs in 1500 minor league at bats over 4 years.

Milledge is more powerful and polished a hitter right now. But it is really anyones guess as to what happens in the future. YOu have to like both of their tools.

Both seem to have the potential to be all star caliber players.

For next season, the better bet is Milledge. beyond that though…it is really an open question

innaword November 24, 2007 at 2:33 pm

With the stench of last season still lingering, I really don’t care who they get or which positions.

Even if they go 72-90 in ‘08, it would not be worse than what happened in September.

I’ll root hard for this team because I’m a fan, but I really have no expectations anymore.

Playoffs? WS? This club and its fans have no right to even think like that at this point — no matter who they get or don’t get.

Show some spirit and heart on the field first. Stop losing games you are supposed to win. Beat the teams you are supposed to beat. Get players who understand THAT–regardless of their role.

m00kie November 24, 2007 at 4:27 pm

one game out of first is worse than 72-90? not sure I”m with you on that one.

lawgotham November 25, 2007 at 8:00 pm

I didn’t like Garcia before…too many home runs. Okay Shea is not a home run haven but, I just have a bad feeling about it.

njitalnstaln November 24, 2007 at 11:52 am

that comment is bias and unnecessary… grow up biggot.

Steve.P November 24, 2007 at 11:59 am

Why does it always come back to that? I’m a huge Mets fan but it’s become so apparent that the team’s following has a large outer-boro contingent. So tribal and backwards.

ReyesRocks November 24, 2007 at 12:04 pm

You seem to be the one with a racial DISpreference for players though

Steve.P November 24, 2007 at 12:36 pm

70 degrees and sunny, you oaf.

Steve.P November 24, 2007 at 1:17 pm

I don’t even want Garcia, but for the reasons other readers have pointed out. Nothing to do with his ethnicity or Omar’s “preference.” I just don’t see the upside is all.

squad November 24, 2007 at 2:35 pm

John Maine, Scott Schoenweiss, David Newhan, Shawn Green, Billy Wagner, and Paul LoDuca.

All white players that Minaya has brought in… and that’s off the top of my head.

LoDuca was let go because he’s overrated. He’s 35 years old and was only going to get worse. Not to mention he is a poor defensive catcher.

The Bannister trade, whatever, we’re not having this conversation if Burgos doesn’t blow his arm out. There is no way Minaya could have predicted that.

You also conveniently left Bostick’s name out of the Lindstrom and Owens trade. For the record, I do believe Bostick is white.

If you don’t realize that there are a ton of L_atin players in the league, with that number increasing every year, then you need to open your eyes. Do you seriously think that Omar is going to pick up a L_atin player over a player of a different race who is better? If you do then you’re crazy. Omar’s job is to field a winning team, and he’s not going to jeopardize his position to bring in L_atin players.

If the Mets sign Garcia it will be the same thing as when the Yanks signed Lieber. They’ll stash him in the minors to rehab his shoulder and if he gets back to form he will be a terrific addition. If not, oh well, it was just money.

And what’s the big deal if the entire Puerto Rican national team takes the field for us opening day? All I care is that the Mets win ball games.

Xavier22 November 24, 2007 at 3:15 pm

Not to mention Marlon Anderson, Damion Easley, Xavier Nady, Ben Johnson and Jeff Conine as other non-la_tino players Omar has brought to the team.

Could it just be that la_tinos make up a solid percentage of MLB players?

RespectDaBestRM November 24, 2007 at 6:48 pm

acquired beltran pedro, delgado, valentin, julio, o. perez, alou, chavez, lima, burgos, el duque, mota, sanchez, gotay, castillo, ledee, estrada, j.franco, sosa, sandy alamor jr., r. hernandez, etc.

and you can probably add alteast 1 of the following.
colon, livan, silva, garcia

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