Outfielder: Mets looking for Right-Handed Bat

by Matthew Cerrone on November 19th, 2008 at 11:25 am

According to Ken Davidoff in Newsday, ‘the Mets continue to maintain communication with free agent Raul Ibanez,’ who is also drawing interest from the Phillies, Dodgers, Cubs, Royals and Mariners.

However, in a report for FoxSports.com, Ken Rosenthal says the Mets want to add ‘a right-handed bat, writing, ‘The Mets are not high on Pat Burrell, and Ibanez is not an ideal fit.’

…and that’s the thing, most of the best free-agent options all bat lefty, such as Adam Dunn, Bobby Abreu, Garret Anderson, and Ken Griffey Jr.…

…yes, Manny Ramirez is a free agent, but i just can’t see any National League team, much less then Mets, signing him to a long-term deal, except maybe the Dodgers who need him as much as he needs Hollywood…

…Juan Rivera is a right-handed bat, who can also play first base, and the Mets reportedly expressed interest in him around the trade deadline, so it would stand to reason they have at least minimal interest in him now…however, he is two years removed from his one good season, in his eight-year career, so to rely on him would be a huge mistake…though, to his credit, he did not get many at bats last season…

…to me, the most effective solution would be to acquire Jermaine Dye from the White Sox…

“On Tuesday, Nov. 11, several White Sox officials watched Mets pitching prospects Bobby Parnell and Eddie Kunz pitch in the Arizona Fall League,’ reported Mark Gonzales in the Chicago Tribune.

According to Gonzales, citing two NL scouts, the Sox were scouting players for deals that include Dye, who hit .292 with 34 HR, 96 RBI and a .344 OBP in 154 games last season.

Dye will earn $11.5 million in 2009, after which he has a mutual option in 2010 for $12 million, or a $1 million buyout that could make him a free agent.

…either way, the Mets are not going to have enough minor-league talent or money to upgrade at both second base and left field…so, if the Mets are unable to trade for dye, and they decide ibanez is not ideal, then my suggestion would be to sign Orlando Hudson to play second, and start Daniel Murphy in left field with a substantial back-up, i.e., Jose Reyes, Orlando Hudson, David Wright, Carlos Beltran, Carlos Delgado, Ryan Church and Daniel Murphy would lack substantial power, but it would be sound and balanced, and the infield would be strong up the middle, which, to me, is more important…

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