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In his most recent mailbag for MLB.com, Marty Noble writes the following about free-agent 2B Orlando Hudson:
“From what I’m told, Hudson, a free agent, yearns to play for the Mets. I can’t be sure of that. I don’t know him. But what I know of him would suit the Mets’ purposes quite well. Whether or not Hudson wants to play at Citi Field, money will be a factor, and the $18 million owed Castillo can make it an issue.”
Hudson, who has missed parts of the last two seasons due hand and wrist injuries, hit .305 with 8 HR and 41 RBI in 107 games last season with the Diamondbacks.
…as i said yesterday, i believe hudson is a must sign this offseason…it’s clear the Mets have missed the energy and leadership abilities of Cliff Floyd the last two season…from what i have heard and read, hudson has many of those same clubhouse qualities…
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WE WANT O-HUD!!
hudson is a def. fit.
anyone know anything about tony clark? i think he would be a good fit for the clubhouse and a backup 1b
i know he was a met in 2003
I love how “From what I’m told, Hudson, a free agent, yearns to play for the Mets. I can’t be sure of that. I don’t know him. ” becomes:
BUZZ: HUDSON WANTS TO BE A MET!!!!!
If there is documentation of Hudson’s “clubhouse qualities”, please post on MetsBlog, cause I haven’t seen/heard of this.
We have a second baseman, Daniel Murphy.
Delgado, Church and Schnieder will have company on the DL while we parade unknowns thru 2009 season. “Fire Jerry” will be heard all thru the land and we will hear all about what a terrible signing Hudson was from our resident experts….thank you crystal ball!
Now, I don’t know Orlando Hudson, but from what I understand by reading posts by people that also don’t know him, he is a clubhouse leader with intangibles.
What I do know about him is that he is a 32 yr old with a career .292 average and .367 OB%, who has battled injuries the past two seasons. Oh, wait! That’s Luis Castillo. Hudson is just 30 and has a .282 career average.
I’m not saying we go with Castillo, I’m saying we don’t replace him with a slight upgrade in power and health, when it costs tons of money. Daniel Murphy, with Easley coming back as a bench influence and part-timer against some lefties, works for me, maybe along with a solid young utility player that can play 3b and 2b, in case of injury.
Update from last night: Murphy played 2b and looked good according to reports. He made two inning ending plays with two runners on.
He also had two singles and a sac fly that held up as the game-winner.
p.s. Eddie Kunz closed the game out (no save situation as his team scored 4 in op of 9th — Murphy had single in that frame)
Hey, I don’t know Hudson, I don’t own anything about him. What I do know is that he wants to be a Met.
Sign him ASAP
make david a captain already
Why?
why not? if hudson can come into the club house and immediately understand the dynamics and asume the leadership, then i’m fine with that. if not, i think david should take that position. though he doesn’t seem like much of an alpha male
Do you know anything about leadership? You don’t just give someone a title and he becomes a leader. Leadership is developed and earned.
so you think hudson has developed and earned it
What are you talking about? He’d be a good presence in the clubhouse. He’s not coming in to be the “captain”.
You said make David captain, he should take the position. My point is that leadership is not a C on a jersey but the respect and trust that your teammates give you.
The only way you put a “C’ on Wright’s jersey is if the C stands for CHOKER
I’d make Murphy captain before I’d ever make the Golden One captain, I guess that tells you what I think of D Wrong’s leadership skills
Furioso, maybe we need to put an “R” on you’re jersey for “Retard”. I agree Wright struggled in clutch situations this year, but to say Murphy (a rookie with 130 AB) deserves the title over him is incredibly stupid. We all know the real captain is obviously Santana. You could make a case for Delgado too, but nobody came through when we needed them more than Santana did, even when he was hurt.
As for Hudson, this is a no-brainer. Sign him, get rid of Castillo (maybe include him in a package) and bring in some relief pitching. Then scout the market for a SP. Omar has his work cut out for him.
Retard? I think what he meant was that he could just as easily see Murphy , one of the newest team memebers, as a Captain given that Wright, the most tenured player, has exhibited no leadership competencies during his time here. I don’t think he’s actually advocating that Murphy should be the team captain. Careful throwing that “retard” word around…
I think Castillo should be made the team captain and Marlon Anderson co – captain.
Castillo is more than ready to take on that role, i can see it in his eyes and Marlon has already proven himself by creating statistical spread sheets for the team.
I like Hudson, but I think he reeks of the “old guard” players that this team needs to get away from….aging, injury prone guys who are “good in the clubhouse”….We need to get creative with second base, period. I won’t be opposed to a Hudson signing….at the same time, we’ve signed way too many free agents to a position that is so vital.
I say sign Hudson, send Castillo to some American League team so he can “find himself”….and keep a platoon of Murphy and Hudson going at second base if neccessary….if that’s what needs to happen….so be it.
Old.. He’s 31. I guess you want a young Manny.
LCS, I think you have this all wrong.
He isn’t the “old guard” at all… he’s what the “new” team needs. He isn’t some 38 year old player with a quiet personality. He’s still got a ton of good baseball left, plays a position that the Mets need, and is the type of player that I REALLY want this player to target: “fun” players who can keep the clubhouse loose and be an overall great presence. There is obviously more to a team than that, but I think it’s an important aspect to have and we have not had it.
I don’t disagree that he’s a fun player….I just see him as a long line of second basemen who fizzled when they came to play for the Mets….I do like Hudson, but I guess i’m so jaded at the history of second baseman for this team that makes me think he’s gonna fall in line with that as well.
I hear you, and totally get that. But, I think his value isn’t entirely tied to his production. Obviously if he wasn’t going to produce then I would have very little interest in him, but the fact that he could keep such a tense clubhouse loose and potentially provide the same type of presence that Cliff Floyd had makes him a pretty awesome addition if it happens.
It doesn’t hurt that he is a gold glover. Reyes/O-Dog MI combo would be nasty.
He’s 31 and going to be at the top of his game for the next few years. I think he’d play hard for this team and for Manuel.
Luis Castillo was also 31 when acquired by the Mets. Just sayin’…
If you truly believe Slappy was really 31 then I have a bridge in Brooklyn I’d like to sell to you.
Another reason to sign Hudson would be to take a lot of pressure off Murphy. Murphy was a solid LF for us this season, and if we can develop him to play consistent defense out there then it also relieves pressure on F-Mart. This is an obvious win-win situation here with O-Dog, and the effects would be very positive for Mets young players who may not need to be rushed into production like this past season.
hudson is not old guard. he is 30. aka the same age as johan.
no he’s not. he’s 31, johan is 29.
lol, who would even want to play for this team, but ive always been a fan of O-Dawg and his defense, and i think he’d be a good #2 hitter.
MAKE IT HAPPEN OMAR! THIS IS A NO BRAINER!!!!!!!!!!!
So was Alomar.
Good point, but Alomar was 3 years older than Hudson and we knew he had to taper off at some point. If Huddy can be solid for three more years I will be more than happy with that. It’s not like we need to sign him to a 5-6 year deal, here. 2-3 years with a club option is substantial, and considering the payoff it is well worth the risk.
Alomar absolutely was a no brainer….Nobody, not ONE baseball fan/analyst predicted such a rapid fall from grace….The guy friggin hit .335 the season before, with 20 hr’s and 100 rbi!
Id like O-Dawg’s defense if we have him we’ll have a very strong defensive infield and we can leave Murphy in the outfield where I think he’s better suited.
How can you know Murphy’s better suited to the OF if we’ve never really seen him in the IF?
You only need to look at him, watch him play, and see the way he moves. He’s not a second baseman, and he never will be. First base may be a different story, depending on how Ike Davis turns out in the next few years, but any position that requires quickness and agility is almost out of the question for Murphy.
Kirby Puckett
Ivan Rodriguez
Craig Biggio
Mike Piazza!
Tony Gwynn
John Kruk?
catch my drift?
Dwright, you really should pick up a copy of Moneyball.
Murphy played 2b last night and looked good according to reports. He made two inning ending plays with two runners on.
He also had two singles and a sac fly that held up as the game-winner.
1.) Fix the pen (addition by subtraction), and sign a closer ( K-Rod or Fuentes 2)
2.) Fix the Rotation ( trade for a good starting pitcher, I hear Halladay’s available)
3.) Sign O-Dawg
4.) Dump Castillo
Halladay isn’t available.
ur dumb why would we trade for halladay and lose more young talent when everyone on this site is saying to get younger…especially if sababthia burnett and lowe are free agents
unfortunately we can’t sign 3 type A’s and out rotation is a big concern and i really don’t want ollie resigned. But imagine how potent our rotation would be with Santana and Halladay at the top.
Why can’t we sign three Type A free agents? It’s an urban myth that we can’t.
As I understand it, as long as there are more than 37 free agents on the market, any team can sign three. Looking at the list so far, it seems likely that there will be more than 37.
I’m not saying we should sign three, only that we can.
37 type A’s. there aren’t going to be 37 type A’s. but if we lose Ollie (and if he’s a type A), we can sign 3.
Ollie is a Type A.
it doesn’t count towards our restrictions since he is our guy.
we can only sign 2 MORE TYPE A’s. if we lose ollie it becomes 3 if we resign him its 2. simple as that. derek lowe, krod. there are your type A’s. Is hudson a type A? if not im fine with pursuing him if he is then we have more important vacancies to fill with type A’s.
I have always really liked the O-Dawg and have wanted him on the Mets for years, but his signing could be problematic to say the least. If you can sign him without breaking the bank and somehow get rid of Castillo, I would love the move.
just admit that we made a mistake like the angels did. They signed gary matthews and then tori hunter. So why can’t we just admit Castillo was a mistake and get O-Dawg
I totally agree with that. Big market teams have to take advantage of having more money to spend. The Mets currently don’t have the stocked farm system that other teams do, so they have to use what they do have: $$.
If it takes trading Castillo and eating salary to improve the team, then do it.
The only FA over 30 that should be signed is Manny.
Wrong.
how much would hudson cost?
This team needs Tim Hudson, not Orlando Hudson.
And they need a bullpen. Oh WAIT. Let’s make an ALREADY powerful offense a bit better! Because that’ll improve our bullpen……
here we go, the offseason will be underway soon and the idiocy on this website will soar through the roof. Of course this team probably will get Hudson. Good, he’s a good player. But if it’s at the expense, in the least bit, to sign K-rod or Fuentes and rehaul the bullpen, I will not be in support of it.
I believe a team with Ramon Martinez batting sixth in a must-win game would not be considered a “powerful offense.” I’m not saying that their o is bad, but just pointing that out.
“ALREADY” powerful….disagree….disagree
Actually, improving the offense and/or the starting pitching most definitely helps the bullpen.
More runs help the bullpen, as they will have bigger leads to work with.
Someone reliable like CC or Lowe who can pitch a lot of innings, instead of 5-inning guys like Pedro (and often Ollie) helps the bullpen immeasurably, as they will have many less innings to pitch. Having every guy pitch 80 games and warm up every day definitely did not help the situation.
Of course we need new arms in the bullpen, but with another workhorse starter OR a guy like Manny, the bullpen would be helped tremendously before Omar even starts to find some new arms for the pen.
Closers are very iffy, great one year, poor the next (this long list runs from Thigpen to Lidge and encompa*ses lots of names). So a long-term deal for KRod (with his many blown saves and major choke in the playoffs this year) would, in my opinion, be the biggest risk we could take.
Manny OR Sabathia is the way to go. Either make the offense like the Big Red Machine, which covers a lot of other deficiencies, or get the Johan-CC 1-2 punch, which can win, as teams from Seaver/Koosman to Randy Johnson/Schilling to Pedro/Schilling show is another way to win.
and you are certainly leading the way with the idiocy. Tim Hudson? Really a guy who is out for ALL OF NEXT SEASON…Yup he is certainly better to have then a player who will actually play next year.
OK first, I didn’t bother checking if he was out for next season. I knew he was injured but my point wasn’t we need Tim Hudson specifically – it was that we need pitching.
YES, the offense was powerful this last season. They were close to tops in the NL in many important offensive categories and were dynamic. Just because they failed to score against Florida the last series everyone is blinded to a full season’s body of work. They were a powerful offense this season, by the numbers. I’m not sure how that can be argued.
The bottom line is with ANYTHING resembling a major league bullpen this team would have won the division. Bullpen. Bullpen.
And as was completely ignored in all responses to me, I said I would like O-Hudson on the team because he’s a good player. ONLY if that doesn’t prevent us from signing K-rod and making other moves for the pen. I dont know if that’ll hinder us, and neither do you guys. I wouldn’t think so, so I would like Hudson in the lineup yes.
I’m guessing he would bat in the 2 hole although I was always advocating for Beltran in the 2 hole, his natural spot in the order. But sliding Beltran to 2 would necessitate acquiring a power bat – something I would prefer – like MArk Teixiera. That won’t be happening – and I’m fine with that too.
All I’m saying is that this “We NEED Orlando Hudson it’s a MUST for the MEts” talk is nonsense. They NEED a new bullpen. They WANT Orlando Hudson because he’s a big improvement at 2b. Big difference. I wouldn’t call this a must in the least bit so I disagree with this poster once again.
Orlando Hudson is NOT going to prevent us from signing pitchers. We will NOT break the bank on him, and I think about 90 percent of us in here will agree that 2B has killed us all season long. Hudson is a solid defender, has a good stick, but most importantly is a veteran leader. He’s a fresh face for a much needed “new era” beginning at Citi Field in 09. I agree we need pitching, especially bullpen. But who’s to say Omar will stop after signing Hudson? Now, some say we need Hudson and Manny, which I TOTALLY disagree with, because that does make it harder to sign more pitching. But that is a whole other argument. Hudson is a great deal for the Mets.
hi
My comments weren’t going through before, no need to get the phsychiatrist numbers out.
did somebody call for a doctor?
No…you?
sorry…couldn’t resist…
so, how much would hudson cost?
Definitely would like to sign O-Dog. But it seems to be a numbers game. If we get him thats someone else we can’t get.
I thought it was odd last year to sign Castillo when everyone knew Hudson would be a FA this year. I think we could have gotten away with our combined 2nd base options – we had (at the time) Easily, Anderson, Gotay, Anderson Hernandez, and an unkonown Argenes Reyes. Surely between all of them we could have patched a second baseman for the year and not have Castillo’s contract.
why is everyone stressing that signing hudson would be such a big problem. I understand that the mets have bigger holes but i feel that there isn’t one mets fan that likes castillo and hudson is by far the best option at 2b
getting rid of pedro, el duque, alou, and perez’s contracts and taking 4 mil off delgados through picking up his option brings the teams payroll to 100million. even if they cant find someone to take up any of castillo’s 6mil, how much is hudson going to cost? hes making 6.2 mil this year
Why is everyone so hyped on Hudson? He has never seen the postseason, and has good, but not remotely great stats in any offensive area….
I agree with the folks who say he is another Juan Samuel, Roberto Alomar, and Luis Castillo waiting to happen if we give him a huge contract which his career thus far has not justified.
And his career stats thus far are not even close to what Samuel, Alomar, OR Slappy McCrappy put up before they became Mets.
Before disagreeing, check out the stats.
so you’re alluding to what exactly? That there is some kind of ancient second base curse on the Mets? Maybe when they move to CF the Indian burial ground won;t be located between first and second base anymore. sigh.
Hudson was with the D-Backs last season when the went to the playoffs, by the way.
Lans–I was referring to signing overhyped second basemen who never again had the same success with the Mets–and all of the three I named had FAR better careers than Hudson before becoming Mets.
And Godsend–Hudson did not play in the postseason last year—or any year.
So maybe it’s in the dry-cleaning?
I know what you’re saying but I think you can’t go into every deal thinking this way. Its defeatist.
Not sure that past experiences with different people should influence this decision.
I guess we can go back and forth indefinitely, but I am talking specifically about ONE player here, not every deal, or even more than one deal. I am very pro-Manny or CC.
Hudson has done absolutely nothing special in his career, other than win 3 Gold Gloves, which is indeed excellent. His career offensive stats are OK, and nothing more. Why everyone seems to think he is so great is kind of strange to me.
I use the other guys as parallels as they were also players who we signed based on past successes (again, Samuel, Alomar and Slappy all had FAR better numbers before becoming Mets) who basically stunk here. The fact that they are all 2nd basemen is a coincidence.
And as Hudson will soon be 31, and is coming off injuries the last two years, I would respectfully say that there should be many red flags considered before giving this pretty good, aging, possibly-now-injury-prone player a lot of money.
they signed castillo last year because he was a close friend of johan in minnesota, and omar wanted to show johan that castillo would be around the team for awhile so that he would sign here
I think Johan just wanted a big payday for his buddy. He got his wish now lets cut him loose.
I know this is pretty random, but I just met someone by the name of Ryan Nolan. Get it, Nolan Ryan but I met a person with his names switched. Life is strange.
Yes. That was pretty random.
wow – it sounds like you’re experiencing a form of reality dyslexia.
Did you get his graphauto?
lol
-Sign Hudson
-Trade Castillo for byrnes
-trade church and whatever other prospects it takes to get Putz
-sign lowe
reyes
hudson
beltran
delgado
wright
murphy/evans (LF)(it worked fine last year…dont forget bullpen, bullpen,bullpen)
byrnes (RF)
Schnieder/Castro
johan
pelf
lowe
maine
Niese/parnell/FA
Putz
Cruz
Affeldt
Smith
feliciano/ohman
beimel
stokes
Bullpen is the key to this offseason…we had the lead in the 7th-9th innings way too many times this year to only have 89 wins
Except for Hudson, I love it. Putz and Lowe alone could make the difference. How about we pray that Murphy can play 2nd, and have Evans and Tatis platoon in left?
why are you anti-hudson? are you anti-doc, anti-straw, and anti-mookie?
I don’t appreciate the ridiculous suggestion of racism—very inappropriate. My other posts today advocate getting Manny or CC.
Hudson’s stats are OK across the board and absolutely nothing special in any manner.
I loved Strawberry and Gooden and Mookie and John Milner as a boy if you have heard of him. I think Jackie Robinson and Martin Luther King are two of the greatest Americans of the 20th century.
After the horror of the vile posts the last weekend of the regular season, I vowed to never make another negative post, but accusing me of racism is a vile thing to do, just because I am able to read Hudson’s stats, which are OK, and nothing more.
Kingman, don’t mind metsymad, he is an absolute joke on this site and if you question something he thinks, he will call out you as being a bad fan, and apparently, also call you racist…you stay cla$$y metsymad22!
Thanks Mrose….I am trying to stay positive, but as a white guy who HATES racism and has worshiped black athletes and musicians since I was a little kid, I really did not care for being called racist….I appreciate your post.
i dont know about putz, but i would love it if we could get the rest of that bullpen
Hate to blow your grand plan, but it’s impossible.
Lowe, Cruz, Affeldt, Beimel are all Type A or B free agents – Mets will only be able to sign 3.
And why the hell would the D-Backs take Castillo for Byrnes.
This “can only sign” a limited amount of guys means that Delgado is getting moved to fill holes, while Murphy gets 1b
That’s the same thing I was wondering, haha. Nobody wants Castillo straight up. To get rid of him we would have to eat his contract.
look back a few days of posts here, they both have bloated contracts…yes we may need to take on more of castillo’s but…they both have terrible contracts
Because, James, as Mets fans our responsibility isn’t to look at the other team we’re trading with and ask if they want, oh let’s say, to trade Byrnes for Castillo. Why do that? That would be rational, and that’s obviously something Mets fans are not.
All we need to be concerned about is how the rest of baseball can help the Mets out. Castillo for Byrnes? Sounds good to me, fine! Curch and prospects for Putz? Well that would be GREAT for the Mets! Why bother asking why Seattle would trade a dominant player for a platoon type player and some “prospects” we know aren’t valued around the league.
If Mets fans had any brains, they’d look back on this last season – the WHOLE season – and realize that isntead of wasting time talking about Orlando Hudson they need to fix this bullpen. No, instead they look back on the Florida series and want more offense. With or without Orlando Hudson this team will not do anything unless they fix the bullpen.
But now I’ll have to hear about how “more runs equals bigger leads for our bullpen” as if Orlando Hudson is going to propel this offense from very good – which it is already – to very great. He’s not. Sign Manny and Texiera, then the offense is unstoppable. But add Hudson to this lineup and the bullpen will still blow game after game after game after game.
Funny that O-Dawg wants to play here. Amazing how often free agents say they’d like to play in NY. Hmmmm…. I wonder why that is?
I have one question…
Why would Hudson want to be a Met?
If i were in the MLB right now i would be anyone but a Met…
Anyway if he truly does get and get him quick
Well, we don’t even actually know if he said he wanted to be one lol This is a rumor. No one knows how clear it is or isn’t.
Why would he want to play for the Mets? Because they have a second base void and lots of money. $$$ Thats why.
I would rather be a Met than a National, Pirate, Mariner, Royal, Padre…do you want me to keep going? I understand this team has had two tough finishes, but there are a lot of positives surrounding them as well. It’s not like they’re the Detroit Pistons and are all getting old and washed up. There is a talented young core of players from which to build around, and no matter how disappointed Mets fans are there will always be excitement. Why else would we be on here religiously?
I would play for the mets for the minimum mlb wage. I can’t be any worse than castillo
Im getting tired of you slider. I remember every ridiculous post that occurs from you. Wtf are you good for? Nothing you say is realistic and i respect your love for baseball enought to “settle” for mlb minimum wage. But thats 6 or 7 times more than the average american government service wage. Ya im only 14, Id like to play baseball for $350,000 too.
I was making a joke. I know the minimum baseball wage is 390,000
Yes, O-Dog is a major upgrade. But I wouldn’t be worth it. He’s a slightly upgraded Luis Castillo. No joke. Close to being the same type of player. We all know what we have to focus on and frankly, I think Murphy can handle starting 2nd. The tools evaluated no matter what abybody says about him cannot be denied the tools and future skills excisting with tremendous potential. Forever talks about defense on the right side, yes Delgado doesn’t have the best range, but not all 1st basemen are Willie Mays but I think his glove makes up for it. He can really pick it. And really if your going either way on Murph at second, neither side of the argument has a large enough sample size. But like I said, I say let his tools develop and be patient. In New York that doesn’t always fly, but I really believe results will show. And I’d really prefer Byrnes in left rather than anybody else for the next 2 years of his contract until either Fmart or someone else comes along.
luis castillo hit .250 this year. he is a cancer, bad in the cluhouse, and terrible defensively. o-dog is TEN TIMES what castillo is.
hey, I will be playing college baseball next year, I am a starting pitcher, but if the mets draft me to be a reliever I will gladly accept it. I cant be any worse than the 2008 bullpen.lol
where are u goin to college
University at buffalo
UB has a baseball team? :)
At least you can watch some Bisonsbaseball next year and hop on the field if they need you.
if you can throw the ball 60 feet youre better than most of the bullpen
Stranger things have happened. See Joe Smith.
If Daniel Murphy’s not the 2B, I think it’s smarter to try and sign Furcal over Hudson. And consider Eckstein too who is cost friendly. Hudson’s value will be inflated. I’m thinking Furcal’s injury may get him a lesser contract. He may not want a long term deal so he’s able to establish his full value again.
I’ve heard rumors of Hudson thinking he can get as high as 15MM. This isn’t the kind of player we need at that price. I know he’s better than Castillo, but is he really worth an extra 9 million? I know we’d all like for Murphy to be the 2B, but in the event he’s not this team has to have a better plan.
1) SS Reyes
2) 2B Furcal
3) 3B Wright
4) CF Beltran
5) 1B Delgado
6) RF Church
7) LF Byrnes/Murphy
8) C Schneider/Castro
furcal will be expensive and has more troubling injury problems, and is a SS. next.
Eckstein works too. He’s won two world series and clutch. He does all the little things right. He’s gotten his feet wet at second base with the Diamondbacks last season. If the Mets can get him at a similar deal the Jays signed him to last season, I wouldn’t mind that.
Dude, Eckstein is awful. He had 2 good/lucky World Series games and everyone thinks he’s god.
Look at his cringeworthy D-Backs stats if they don’t hurt your eyes too much. Castillo is better than Eckstein.
Furcal won’t be no more expensive than Hudson. And he may not command the same amount of years. He may not want a long term deal because if he plays well on a one or two year deal, he can cash in larger later on. I know he’s a SS, but it’s not like the 2B market is thick. Although he’s old, I’d consider Jeff Kent too.
lol anything to avoid the black guy huh?
IMHO, anybody who doesn’t like Hudson clearly can’t stand having to root for a black guy. I’m sorry but this guy is EXACTLY what the Mets need, and he WANTS TO PLAY HERE! Delgado didn’t want to play here, he signed with FLA over us. Beltran offered the Yanks a cheaper deal to sign there. O-Dog wants to be a Met. He is a leader, an amazing defender, and a .300 hitter perfect for the two hole. Look at his clutch stats too over the last 3 years. Better than anyone on our team.
As long as the price is respectable, I agree with you. If Daniel Murphy is capable of being the every day 2B though, it’d save the Mets a lot of money. Murphy has potential like Hudson. Hudson’s a good ball player, but the one thing you forgot to mention are injuries. And when you’re talking about a guy getting a 4yr/56MM type deal, it plays a role.
if Murphy become 2nd base then we have to sign a big free agent left fielder. Plus watching Murphy id feel a little shaky with his defense and the way he moves around.
Signing a LF is easier than signing a 2B. When you’re talking about the 2B market, it’s pretty much Orlando Hudson and a bunch of old guy’s who are all of similar quality. As for LF, you’re really working with three positions and you got names out there like Manny, Abreu, Ibanez among others who are all worth taking a lot at.
I’d want to see Murphy play there in spring training before anything is definitive. I’d sign a capable platoon player in the event he’s struggling. I don’t think Argenis Reyes is capable of doing so on a regular basis. I think Danny will handle it alright though. He’s a sound player. It’s not like we haven’t had our share of limited 2B in the last couple years. Gotay, Castillo and even Easley.
yeah I saw those. He would be a great addition and would be half the price and half the age of Manny. And we don’t need another slugger. We need a guy who can do the little things and play good defense.
he’s also injury prone
Pretty broad brush you’re painting with, metsymad.
I am neither for nor against this signing. I understand your points about what Hudson brings, but if it is at a price tag of $15MM per year over 5 years (hypothetical scenario where we overpay) and I say I think the money is better spent elsewhere, that makes me racist?
The answer to most questions is, “it depends…” One guy cannot fix all the holes on this team, black, white, hispanic, asian, martian, klingon, whatever. And people may look at the Hudson issue factoring in that a Hudson upgrade may cause the Mets to miss out on someone else that can fill another hole.
You’re entitled to your opinion, obviously, but everyone else is too… without the threat of accusations or name calling.
You my friend are an idiot.
Just because I think he is not worth 15 million a year I am racist? That is the dumbest thing I have ever heard. I guess the Vikings are racist too.
Dan Murphy has played 2 weeks of professional 2B……TWO WEEKS. Do you realize the defense = longer starts, less runs scored for the opponent, less bullpen use, lower ERAs?
He played the majority at 3B, but he did alright in the OF. It’s not like this guy isn’t an IF though. Remember Edgardo Alfonzo? Not the fastest guy. He made the transition just fine. He actually did better there. I’m not saying it’d definitely work. I’m just saying it’s worth a shot. Signing a guy like Eckstein to a 1yr/5MM deal so they can platoon would be a safe idea.
doesn’t matter, Manuel will use everyone in the bullpen even if it’s only for .2 innings. And everyone he doesn’t use will be warming up anyway.
yeah I dunno, it’s still a tough call between Manny and O-Dawg. I like Manny’s bat but I like Hudson’s defense, speed, and leadership qualities
Come on, if it came between Manny and Hudson it wouldn’t be that hard lol It’d be Manny. Manny’s an amazing hitter. Someone you want up there at any given time. He’s healthier even though he’s older. Hudson’s a good ball player, but no where at the same level. The competition for Manny will be thicker though and he seems to really like LA who gave up lots of prospects to get him. So it wouldn’t shock me if they gave him the cash.
L.A didn’t give up Crap to get him. And O-Dawg is a lot cheaper.
Manny wants 5 years @ 17 million. He is 37. He doesn’t play defense. He is slow. His own team voted to kick him off! He is playing in a zero pressure environment for a manager who is extremely good at dealing with veterans.
Orlando Hudson is 30, not injury prone despite having two freak hand injuries as a result of a hit by pitch and a catcher tagging him at the plate. He plays amazing defense. He is fast. He also hits .300, just without the power. He is a leader whose teammates revere! And he will cost less at a position that is very hard to find a solid presence.
Manny!! do it Omar
Seeing this team younger and having leadership really would be the best quality of all. I don’t think the Giants would trade Rowand, but if the Mets can get him they’d really change the way they play.
The good thing about Rowand is he’s locked up for the next 4 years at market value. He’s a right-handed hitter and can play a corner OF position.
Aaron Rowand 2007: 27 HR 89 RBI .307 BA
2008: 13 HR 70 RBI .271 BA
He isn’t coming off the best year, so the Mets may actually be able to get him at a respectable value. The Giants probably wouldn’t mind shaving payroll. C.C. wants to play in the NL on the west coast. Manny’s a FA too. What about Church + Parnell for Rowand?
I don’t think it’d take F-Mart or Niese to get him because there is a very likely possibility that has skills are diminishing. I still see him as a solid ball player with good quality in the clubhouse. In my opinion, he actually thrives under pressure. And I could see him love beating the Phillies.
1. SS Reyes
2. CF Beltran
3. 3B Wright
4. 1B Delgado
5. RF Bobby Abreu or Raul Ibanez
6. LF Aaron Roward
7. 2B Murphy/Eckstein
8. C Schneider
Although he hasn’t had the greatest year, I’d also consider signing Jason Varitek for his veteran experience. I wouldn’t start him on a regular basis. No more than I would Schneider or Castro. The Mets could trade away one of their catchers. Probably Schneider. Gerald Laird is also worth considering. Few people speak about the catcher’s position, but this is a spot where the Mets can upgrade.
I like the idea of signing Manny myself, but I do have to admit that making a full season of a lineup that includes Hudson and Murphy (OF or 1b if we get hudson) improves the Mets mental toughness.
But will it be by enough???
I have 100% mistrust for any lineup configuration that counts on Choker Wright and Choker Reyes to get it done for us.
Getting manny alters that equation.
Hmmm…the more I think on it, the more I begin to bet that both Delgado and Church get moved this winter
i have no problem with Hudson but if the mets want to go into the year platooning Murphy and a RH in LF then they need to find someone better than Evans
Evans looked overmatched every AB. Tatis did a fine job but he shouldnt be starting on a playoff team. Id love to keep Fernando on the bench though…
He WANTS to be a Met?
Hired.
What about Casey Blake?
are you putting him at 1st base…or what? his power numbers would make him a below average offensive first baseman. no thanks. if we absolutely needed a 3rd baseman, maybe.
No but he would be a good utility player as he can play IF and OF.
yup, and, seeing that Citi will probably be a major pitchers park (the wind will constantly be blowing in from left), we need a gap hitter. thats why we shouldn’t go for big free agents. we should go for guys who drive the ball into the gaps
Wow so remembering back to 2006, my brother an I did some research into what happened in that series. I did not remember but Heilman gave up the Molina HR in the 9th in a tie game. So I said “why wasn’t Billy out there”……
The reason:
The day before, in a 4-0 game, Heilman pitched a 12 pitch 8th inning giving up no runs and one hit. But genius Willie and his coach Manuel decided to bring in Wagner, who is NOTORIOUSLY BAD IN NON SAVE SITUATIONS.
Wagner ended up throwing 25 pitches while surrendering 2 runs, making him unavailable for game 7.
Even if Duaner was around and not hurt, the fact that Willie mismanaged the pen is why we lost what should have been a world series title. I’m glad the guy got fired in the middle of the night.
by bringing in billy i meant for the ninth, heilman cruised through the 8th inning.
Has anyone else done the stats comparison on Castillo and Hudson and seen that they are the exact same player?
I’m sure Hudson has some more range than Castillo and he hits some more doubles at the rate of about 1 extra double every 2 weeks. But this is not an upgrade. Let Murphy play there and get his bat in the lineup. We need more guys who work counts and draw walks. Murphy has Kevin Youklis like AB’s. Not sure if he has the power to play 1B in the National League but he’ll be better than league average at 2B.
Have you seen the stats comparing the two players? They’re not the same at all.
Firstly, Hudson is years younger and a much better defender.
But in terms of hitting, Castillo’s OPS+ last year was 79. Hudson’s was 109. Castillo had an OPS of .660 last year, while Hudson’s was .817.
These are HUGE differences. What stats were you looking at? Hit by pitch?
There are differences. However, are those differences worth paying part of Castillo’s contract AND giving Hudson 3 times as much money?
He is 2 years younger than Castillo, career wise has a similar average, similar OBP. Castillo has more steals even when injured and scores more runs. Hudson has more power and RBI potential but scores VERY few runs. Hudson’s career best year in runs was 87 in 579 AB’s. And every year but 1 has struck out more times than he has runs scored. Also he has more K’s than RBI’s every year.
Castillo scored 91 runs in 548 AB’s while injured in 2007.
Castillo has only twice since becoming a regular player had more K’s than runs. Even last year with limited time he still scored more runs than K’s.
All this being said, of course I would rather have Hudson at 2B. But not at his current contract demands. Like I said below, If he wants 4/32-40 then sure.
Prisomo,
Go look at 2007 and 2006. Castillo and Hudson were both hurt last season. They are almost identical stats wise. Hudson has a higher SLG % becaiuse all Castillo hits are singles and Hudson as I said above smacks 1 more double every 2 weeks.
Hudson is not a major upgrade over Castillo.
except that hudson last year hit .305 while playing gold glove defense, and castillo hit .250 while being a butcher in the field.
right this is all we need, another injury prone, aging 30+ veteran whose is looking to retire on New York type money. Guarantee this guy never hits better than castillo.
I would think he would hit better than Castillo but not 3 times as good which is what kind of money he wants. Hmmm, 4/24 for Castillo or 5/75 for Hudson. That’s just too much. During a healthy year their production is too much alike.
IF big IF he would take a discount to become a Met, something like 4/40 then maybe. Fact remains last we heard he wanted 5+ at 15 million a season. You could have your Manny for less money than that. Not to mention the fact that his production does not even come close to equaling that contract. 47 RBI? 51 Runs? Nor does that mention that he has multiple injuries to his wrist. This guy is Roberto Alomar waiting to happen.
I would think that he comes last on the list of things we need to spend money on this offseason.
Fans who want Manny for his bat can easily see that hios production has remained pretty consisitent
Fans who want Hudson are missing a key stat. His range factor has been slipping for 2-3 seasons, to the point that he is only close to the league average.
Manny still has the skills we want.
Hudson had the skills we want.
Not only that but his production just does not warrant the contract.
In all truth, upon reviewing the situation, I gotta say: Hudson doesn’t make that much sense. He’s essentially a league-average hitter. If the contract is gonna be much bigger than Castillo’s, I don’t see the point.
Agreed, see if Murphy can play 2nd. If not then you don’t lose that much with Castillo, Easley, Hernandez hitting 8th.
castillo needs to be off this team. easley is 39 and oft injured. these are horrendous ideas brought up to avoid bringing in a player who brings a lot more to the table than just his stat line.
Guys lets face it. The Mets are not going to spend over 42 million this offseason. That includes the 12 million that has to go to Delgado. This leaves 30 million. If Hudson cost you 15 million that leaves you 15 million to get a new closer and pen, 2 new starters and address LF. Nice, LOL.
Look, 2b is way down on the list of issues for this team. After the closer, 2 or 3 bullpen spots, 2 or 3 starting spots (depending on Maine), LF and the bench THEN we can worry about 2b.
Oh, and unless he is going to spend time in the bullpen, kicking their butts, his leadership qualities are meaninless to me.
I would not say meaningless but we are not talking about an offensive powerhouse here either.
For his career he his his normal average in RISP, RISP 2/O, Close and Late. Thus he is the definition of clutch. IF you go by the popular theory that clutch does not exist and guys will go back to their norms with enough AB’s.
How many people think Omar already has his speech down that “There was nothing on the free agent and/or trade market” and “They explored every option available?” I think that’s what every Met fan wakes up to in a cold sweat. lol
I can see Omar and company sipping their coffee in the morning, logging on to Metsblog.com to see this and they turn to one another and say “Well guys, we did it again, another guy they think they’ll be getting with Castillo on our team. And then during the afternoon, they’ll all be huddled together spending time on the computer giggling about making a rumor telling us the Mets will outbid the Yanks for Sabathia next.
Haha I can almost picture him doing that but more in his bathrobe after just waking up.
So apparently Heilman is a Type A free agent. Shall we net us some draft picks?
WHAT!!?!?!!? That’s awesome (if true)….
hes only arbitration eligible until 2011…. maybe he WOULD have been a Type A? I know I read something the other day on who WOULD be Type A, and there were plenty who would be but aren’t actually free agents
I decided to do some research so I signed Orlando Hudson to the Mets in my favorite baseball game, MVP Baseball ‘05 by EA Sports.
I played game 7 of the World Series against Anaheim (they finally make it past the Red Sox next year) and Hudson hit the go-ahead homerun in the 8th inning. I’m no expert but I think that means we should sign him.
Unfortunately we also signed K-Rod and he blew it in the 9th, how’s that for symmetry.
Did you get Ryan Nolan’s graphauto?
Good lord what a boring topic. Can we get a new one that matters? Like what FA pitchers the Mets will be looking at? You know things they actually need to spend their money on.
You enjoy complaining a lot, don’t you?
LOL, YOU calling ME out for complaining.
That would be the gist of it, yep.
So you are complaining that I complain too much. LOL.
Nope, just making an observation. :)
You may continue to complain to your heart’s content!
Actually, I really don’t complain that much on here usually. This Manny Hudson talk the last 2 days has killed me.
Well, for what it’s worth – I wouldn’t sign Manny. And I’d only sign Hudson for a 3 year deal max; and for less than what he’s asking per year.
Also, I think the bullpen and a start should be addressed first. If after those two roles are filled, the Wilpons are willing to dish out money for a 2nd baseman that’s fine by me.
I can agree with that. I would love to add Manny and or Hudson to the offense but not at the cost of the bullpen and SP. Hudson will want much more than 3 years and will be seaking at least 12 million per season. Do you really think they will spend more than 42 million?
They might. New ballpark brings in added revenue. And the Wilpons know it will be a disaster if the Mets fail to make the playoffs for a third straight year.
Get Orlando, keep murph in the outfield for next season and then work him into playing first base after Delgado leaves.
Not saying that idea won’t work. However, how much do you think he will cost? Reports say he is looking for 5/75. The Mets will not spend more than 42 million. 12 million of that will go to Delgado. If 15 million goes to Hudson then that leaves you 15 million for 2 SP, a closer and reshaping the pen. How would you get that done? Through trade?
They better get out there checkbook. Luis Castillo is absolutely unacceptable to almost every Mets fan. And they need more offense than they already have. They do have a few dollars coming off the books. So I would expect a few trades, a Fuentes or KRod deal and some bench help. Patience is wearing thin. He doesn’t want to see what 3 straight chokes looks like.
i thought our bullpen was our #1 concern.
Eh, according to Ted you don’t even need to name any bullpen guys. Just give the roles to scrubs and spend money on old people.
Mets need upgrade at P, LF, 2B and catcher … Basic philosophy i guess, but i think team is better off with a GREAT player at one or two positions and fill in with best available Tatis type production at others, as opposed to getting merely GOOD players at all. Hudson is merely good, not a difference maker, and i would not limit ability to go after Manny, CC, etc. for him.
translation: they need another talkative, charismatic black guy to replace Floyd/Cameron
Who wouldn’t want to come the Mets as a free agent so they too can experience the joy of dropping out of the playoffs after a lackluster final two weeks of the season?
which is the most economically sensible option:
5 years, $75 million for a 37 year old cleanup hitter who cannot play defense, who is incredible at the plate but whose former team voted him off, who may or may not play against opposing aces, who is looking for his retirement contract, just like the many overaged players the Mets have made mistakes on before.
5 years, $75 million for a 27 year old closer, whose era and whip aren’t even close to the top for closers, who has blown many big games, who does not throw gas anymore, and who would not even be playing everyday.
5 years, $75 million for a 30 year old 2B who hits .300, slots in the 2 hole, is known around the league for his leadership and presence, who plays gold glove defense at a position we have no rightly filled since fonzie, and who has yearned to play for the Mets for years. And he is not injury prone, he got hit by a pitch and ran into a catcher, that is where his injuries come from.
Haha MetsyMad it’s official I am off the Manny train and I want Hudson! From there trade for a left fielder, use Murph or Evans (sell em high). The optimal goal would be Holliday but I don’t know about his availability. From there trade for Huston Street. I know his numbers aren’t incredible but he’s a young kid who throws hard and would give us a jolt we need. Sign Everday Eddie and then snag Burnett and Garcia.
Trade/Release- Castillo, Heilman, Sanchez, Show, Feliciano.
Sign Oliver and Farnsworth
Lineup
1. Reyes SS (S)
2. Hudson 2B (S)
3. Wright 3B (R)
4. Delgado 1B (L)
5. Holliday LF (R)
6. Beltran CF (S)
7. Church RF (L)
8. Schneider/Castro (L,R)
Rotation
1. Santana (LHP)
2. Pelfrey (RHP)
3. Burnett (RHP)
4. Maine (RHP)
5. Niese/Garcia (LHP, RHP)
Bullpen
Closer- Street
Set-Up- Ayala
Smith
Stokes
Parnell/Rincon
Oliver
Farnsworth
Bench
Chavez
Castro
Reyes
R. Martinez
Tatis
Honestly, the mets didnt make the postseason twice. By ONE game each time. If my memories right, offense didnt score when we needed them to through the last series of the year each 2 times, and bullpen couldve won us like wat, 8-12 games where the gave up the lead, or a bunch of times couldnt keep the game close for the mets to stay in the game. First priority, we need a new good bullpen, or at least average. If our bullpen was as half good as last year, we prob wouldve won the division. And they definently need someone who can be that type of player like hudson.Great glove and a huge upgrade in offense, good clubhouse presence and leader. Face it, castillo helps no offense.
i think this offseason the mets need to get hudson, burnett, delgados option, fuentes, oliver, affeldt, and maybe ayala. hudson is a great second baseman (better than slappy boy) and can be a great mentor to reyes by teaching him how to field better. and, if they get him, i feel that they would have the best infields, almost as good as piazza, ordonez, alfonzo, olerud, and ventura. burnett would be a good number 2 starter behind santana. delgado was a beast this year and i feel that he has one more good season left in him, plus, teixiria wants alot of money. fuentes is a pretty good closer and is alot cheaper than k-rod. oliver was with the mets in ‘06, and pitched amazing, and if they bring him back, maybe they can reclaim that great bullpen. affeldt is a good hard throwing lefty who is better than schoenweis and feliciano combined. and i say maybe ayala becuase for the most part he was good, but then down the stretch he lost it. so, if the mets get these guys, then ill definitely be happy.
oh yeah and resgin tatis, dont resign heilman or shoenweis and trade castillo even though no one wants him so all theyll get is a washing machine at best. and resign easley, and also consider sean casey.