According to Adam Rubin of the Daily News, the Mets are likely to re-sign Alex Cora to be their back-up middle infielder.
Cora, who had season-ending surgery on both of his thumbs, hit .251 with a .320 OBP in 82 games for the Mets this season.
… he didn’t have a sensational season, but, i believe he is the type of player who fans are unable to judge, because his true value may be in the clubhouse, and on the bench, not on the field… so, i can handle him being re-signed…
…the thing is, omar, please, do not pull a Marlon Anderson, or a Julio Franco, and box yourself in to a corner by giving him an unnecessary, two-year deal, because you felt you had to overpay to keep him… he’s valuable, but he’s not that valuable…
Cora hit .417 in 16 plate appearances as a pinch hitter this season, while batting .243 in the 67 games that he started.
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I agree. one year deal or AHern gets the job.
he deserves a one year deal…he risked his own career to play with a torn ligament in his finger.
But agreed…just one year, otherwise, thanks but no thanks.
I like cora and i’m not upset with this move, its really the least of our problems and he’s a good influence in the clubhouse, do a one year deal
could give Alex Cora Jerry’s job?
I’m sorry, but this is a terrible move.
Cora wasn’t that good this year and odds are he’ll be even worse next year. And the Mets are going to pay him at least 3 times what they could pay Valdez, who would be just as good for the limited role either player would play.
People have no right to complain about the Mets not being able to spend a lot of money if they advocate a $1-million-plus deal for someone as mediocre as Cora.
I don’t see whats wrong with him for $1million. He got 2 mil this season, so its not going up from there. And I dont think it’ll be repeated.
But I’d rather have him, a veteran, on my bench for 1 million than a Valdez-type for half the price. Cora does have a lot of value when he isn’t in the lineup.
How do you know that? What could you possibly be basing that on?
The fact that the incompetent GM/manager who gave him $2 million and are trying to justify it say so? The fact SNY cameras show him talking to Mike Pelfrey?
That’s a complete guess on your part. I’d rather pay for production.
And the idea that fans couldn’t possibly understand the value of Cora is ridiculous. It’s the kind of insider nonsense that GMs perpetrate to keep them immune from criticism. Matt, give yourself more credit. You watch the games, you know baseball. So do we.
My bad for watching the games and listening to what Gary Keith and Ron have to say about things, not to mention articles written about it. I guess i shouldn’t believe everything i hear or read.
I’ve heard plenty about them talking about Cora taking players aside in the clubhouse, and how he speaks to the younger players, how he was a mentor to Dustin Pedroia and he could do the same for Reyes, if only Reyes was actually around.
You believe what you want, I’ll believe in his value as a leader, whether its speculation, i dont know, but i havent heard anything to say its not true.
Don’t get me wrong though, I’m not saying we overpay for the guy for his off-field intangibles. I’m just saying if its only a marginal cost to keep him over AHernadez or Valdez, I want to do that. I think he is a more solid baseball player then those two PLUs he brings experience. If someone else comes along and is more capable by all means I’m interested. And I dont want to pay him again 2 million if that prevents us from spending elsewhere.
I hear what you’re saying. I’m sure Cora is very smart. And if he could replace Jerry the Clown as manager, I’d sign for that right now.
I just don’t think he’s any good as a player and with the Mets pinching pennies, they need to spend as wisely as possible.
This includes not signing Francoeur to a 3-year deal, not signing Cora when a minimum salary guy will do, etc.
I agree completely.
$ aside, I like what Cora brought. Perhaps he did not excel on the field much over cheaper alternatives, but he brought a leadership quality that was lacking (i.e. someone to step like Lo Duca use to do, and perhaps even better (i.e. less baggage)).
However, we can not separate the above from the $ issue. Like it or not, Mets were Madoffed, and because of it purse strings are rumored to be tightly closed.
Prior posts indicated that if we assume that salary level will not decline (not guaranteed) and focus on player salaries coming off the books v. built in salary increases of player guaranteed in 2010, then we only have 21-28 million to play with to fill all our needs. The above assumed Cora’s 2 million was coming off the books. $2 million in our 2009 winter is a lot of $$$.
Notwithstanding Cora’s intangibles, I am not sure we can afford spending $2 million for such a back up. If Reyes is truly not healthy and able to play at 100% then we have bigger problems.
Based on the above, I think Cora at $2 million is a bad move. I will take an inexpensive AHern or Valdez and keep the $2 million to spend elsewhere!
Better idea.
Take the $2 million less what it would cost to get an inexpensive alternative (i.e. AHern or Valdez) and add it to what you would offer Sheffield to stay in a PH role.
If you are going to throw $ away, I would rather have a power bat pitch hitter that could step in at any time over a backup infielder.
Yeah, can we please just keep our $2M and spend it on a player that can actually help.
I guess Omar has not learned one thing in his time here.
Ugh! Why?! Why pay this guy $2M when he’s nothign special. $2M is not a lot but if you do this too often it adds up and prevents you from landing a good player.
Is Cora $2M better than a Chris Woodward, who could be had for the league minimum?
The biggest part of this is that the Mets seem inclined to waste the limited budget Cora and Redding types again this winter instead of getting replacement level play from minimum wage players.
Not a good sign at all…
Mets could bring back A-Hern to serve in that role at a fraction of the cost. As good as Cora is in the clubhouse at his age coming off surgery, I’m not sure we can expect a repeat performance on the field in 2010.
Cora did a nice job (and was asked to do way more than expected). But he was also overpaid for it.
a 1 year, 1 mill deal is reasonable, and a small premium for that “veteran presence”.
Any more than that, and Valdez (or any one of a bunch of other guys with positional flexibility) for minimum wage is a better plan for the team, and a better use of budget $$s.
A 1year deal is fine…if he takes 1 million or less. His defense was not good (no range + no arm = not good)…
Otherwise, Anderson Hernandez should be the guy. Better range, better arm…still not great defensively though.
Check the stats. Hernandez is an above average 2B. For 2008 his Total Zone Data is +16.5 at 2B, while Castillo is -23. However, Hernandez is not a good SS,
Paying Cora $2mm again would be worth the $$. He showed this year that he’ll hit .250 plus while playing injured; it’s fair to say that he’d hit better if he filled his role of a backup.
If Reyes gets hurt (or never gets healthy), or if Castillo relapses to injury/rehab condition, who would you rather run out there — Cora or AHearn?
Plus, he’s a constant spur to Castillo, and a good influence on all the IFs. (I wonder what the stats show about Met 1B defense with Cora vs Castillo @ 2B?) Plus, the Mets need 2 reserve IFs anyway, one of whom can hit – which is Cora’s role – so why not just get a cheap one who can backup 3B too and be the one who only plays in blowouts?
anyone who is against signing Cora and just going with Ahern is not thinking. Sure, do I think he deserves a 2 year deal? No but he is the kind of player you want on a championship team. To me, he is a must re-sign. But i dont mean must in that u give him a 2 year deal.
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