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In a post to Amazin Avenue, Sam Page lists 13 moves he would make as GM of the Mets, to re-shape the team for 2010.
…i can support page’s plan… i like it… he assumes a lot, though, such as suggesting the Royals even wanting Luis Castillo; that the 
Cubs will want to acquire Jeff Francoeur to replace Milton Bradley; that the Rays will accept Bobby Parnell and Wilmer Flores for Carlos Pena, who they might want to keep for the start of the season; and trusting Rich Harden, Kiko Calero and Carl Pavano will stay healthy for a full season; but, if the other 29 teams get out of the Mets way, allow for such moves to be made without obstruction, and everyone stays healthy, i like the team he puts together… i think they’d be successful, and fun to watch…
…i rarely post my own proposals because of statements like, “Trade Luis Castillo to the Royals for virtually nothing - I’d bet they’d take him,” as page writes… i love the blogosphere, and i love that we can talk about this stuff, all day, in text, on talk radio, etc… but, i also know there is so much that happens behind closed doors, about the business of the game, the politics of transactions, all things we’ll never know about or understand, and all of which make such proposals seem incomplete… because, that’s the thing, Omar Minaya and his colleagues can’t just bet a team will take someone, write it on paper and walk away proud of the idea… they have to actually follow through with it, make the call and find a fit for both sides, while not only competing with 29 other teams, but also dealing with real-life consequences down the line, such as paying with their jobs if the plan doesn’t work out…
…this is not to say fans and media shouldn’t make suggestions… we should… i will… page should… everyone should… and they can be realistic or totally unrealistic… who cares… and who knows, maybe page is right, maybe signing Kelvim Escobar to a one-year contract with incentives ends up being the difference-maker move for the Mets in 2010… making these suggestions and putting out these proposals is all part of being a fan… and it’s the best part of the off season, because it allows us to be hopeful on our own dime…
…so, you and i and page and everyone else should always keep writing and thinking, if for no other reason than it’s fun… and who knows, maybe someone of importance is reading, and it’ll spark an idea that actually happens… at minimum, it gives us something to talk about… but, personally, i have a difficult time assuming any one suggestion is as easy to make happen as it is to type out on a keyboard… i think this is why i spend so much time writing about the state of the market, and the feasibility of rumors, than i do writing my own, original ideas… i think, instead, what i try to do is crystallize and synthesize what is possible, in hopes that other bloggers can do what page is doing… because, i love reading everyone else’s suggestions, and linking to them, and talking about them… and page’s is pretty good… so, keep them coming…
Ha, I like Cerrone’s polite way of saying “why would the Royals ever take on Luis Castillo? This is a stupid trade proposal”.
Lets face it, we’re stuck with Castillo for the next 2 years.
I’d also be shocked if the Rays decided to trade Pena for the bucket of balls (Parnell & Flores) proposed here.
I don’t like Franceour for Fontenot one bit.
Basically… most of this is completely unrealistic.
It’s the classic case of, “No kidding this could work for the Mets, but why would the other team even consider it?”
Not really. If you know anything about Dayton Moore and the Royals front office, it’s that they’re even dumber and less aware of stats than Minaya.
They’re exactly the kind of dopes that would take Castillo because they’re under the mistaken impression he’s a good defensive player. This is the team that loves Mike Jacobs and Gil Meche.
Yeah, i don’t know how MOTIVATED Tampa is to move Pena. If a good deal comes along, sure. Yes, he is slated to make $10.5mm. However, I believe Crawford’s raise is more or less covered by trading Iwamura and the Kazmir trade has big ramifications on lessening this year’s pay-roll as well.
I agree with your thoughts about Tampa.
if they have any intention at all of competing they have to hold onto both Crawford and Pena. Unless some sweetheart deal comes along that they can’t turn down (like say the one Toronto was offered by boston for holliday and they stupidly turned down) both Crawford and Pena will be on the team for this season. Both will be Type A’s and be offered arbitration so they will gladly take the compensation picks.
If they don’t compete this year, they will easily be able to trade both players at the deadline. The Rays still have a team that can compete even in the AL East. They finished with 84 wins this year and were in it until about September.
A rebound year from shields and Garza, the continued progression from Price, niemann and bobby wade will decide how far this team goes.
I didn’t read it but i have to say i like Francoeur and I wouldn’t really want to trade him at this point
Not a bad post from Amazin Avenue, at all. Some of the ideas may be far fetched but it’s more realistic that most I’ve seen.
It baffles me how some people think the Mets can just package “Maine and FMart for a #2 Starter”, like it’s that easy. FMart has proven nothing and Maine is a 4th rotation guy. Why would any team want that.
It’s a given that we need LF and power. I’d go after Holliday and I think AA’s contract of 5 or 6 yrs at 17/18 million is spot on. Personally, I’d keep Frenchy, as well as Castillo. Both had solid seasons, so why bother trading. I would also offer arbitration to Delgado. When healthy, he’s a solid player and I think he’ll rebound nicely next year.
From a Catching perspective, personally, I would go after Molina. Yes, I know he’s 36 but he’s got power and he can hit. Plus, he would be a solid mentor to Thole.
Reyes, Castillo, Beltran, Wright, Holliday, Delgado, Molina, FCore, SP.
From a Pitching perspective, I would go after Harden, Marquis and Wolf. I’m not saying all 3 would sign but if you can get two of the three then it’s a success. then you can look at signing a guy like Sheets, if he’s still available.
Santana
Marquis
Pelfrey
Harden
Perez
Delgado is unpopular, but that doesn’t mean he should not be considered. Assuming Davis is the real deal you do not want a long term commitment at 1B. You also want someone you can move easily is Davis is ready mid-season. Delgado fits bot criteris. He will be relatively inexpensive base salary and will not be more than one year. Perhaps a 1 + option.
I also sgree with you on Castillo. Last year was not the end of the world and you could do much worse. To move him you would need to eat his salary and sign someone for a similar salary. The money is best spent elsewhere.
Molina / Santos for 2010 and Molina / Thole for 2011 also makes sense. You can also put Molina at 1B to spell Delgado. Santos, while not great, isn’t all that bad.
Keep , Murphy as insurance and use Pagan to spell Beltran.
You also have a few DH options for interleague play, and hopefull the WS.
For pitching you may also want to include Sheets in the mix.
that is a good lineup and a fairly good staff at reasonable prices and with obtainable pieces.
Exactly. That lineup has speed and power and consistant hitting. It’s not a bad lineup at all. I’d be 100% satisfied if we went to war with that.
The rotation may not be the strongest but, by making the FA signings, you leave yourself the possibility of trading down the line. So, if a guy like Halladay becomes available, you can trade for him.
it is also a deep lineup. Francouer’s faults are well hidden at #8 and his positives are enhanced there too.
Castillo pretty much has one offensive quality which really exists only batting behind a Reyes, or at the #9 slot.
They will score some runs making the pitching appear better. For what is’t worth the hard core fans out here in St Louis love Marquis.
plus you don’t empty the farm.
I think one thing is clear among all us posters and on other blogs…and potentially realistic…
We need to sign Matt Holliday.
I personally don’t want to trade Fmart or Wilmer Flores in any deal unless it involves a young top-potential pitching prospect/starter or an all-around offensive talent (Adrian/Prince. etc)
Carlos Pena is good, yes, and could easily duplicate Delgado’s numbers (bad average included)…but I think Wilmer or Fmart could attract better and more controllable talent.
The Mets really have to start thinking long-term strategy as opposed to short-term fixes. There is absolutely no way that they should include any of their top prospects in deals that don’t net them top prospects.
I agree, the only guys we should be thinking of trading for are adrian gonzalez and prince fielder bc they are young (but we wont get them anyway). This is the offseason to SIGN not trade. The Mets have an opportunity to sign all their needs like the yankees did and spare their prospects while NOT losing their first round pick at #6.
The Major Moves:
• Sign Matt Holliday to a 6/$110 Million contract, starting salary $17MM–Maybe he will only sign for five years, but I think at age 36 he would still be at least an adequate outfielder given his skillset. – I totally agree with this as I imagine most Mets fans do. This is probably one of the most prominent examples I can think of where going into an offseason for the Mets and player simply had to be signed. In fact, once we do it I can see parallels being drawn to Brian Cashman and CC Sabathia, where Cashman was praised for not sacrificing prospects in a trade when he knew he could get his man in free agency just a short while later. In fact our situation is even better because we won’t lose our #1 pick, which makes this even more of a no-brainer. Then take it one step further and notice that Holliday proved all doubters wrong by posting great numbers outside of Colorado where his splits scared many fans away, and you’ve got a match made in heaven.
• Trade Bobby Parnell and Wilmer Flores to the Rays for Carlos Peña – I’m sorry, but this is a terrible idea. I think most fans underestimate the value that Bobby Parnell has, and these same fans are probably choosing to ignore the tremendous future value that a Wilmer Flores can have. Parnell is a guy who can be a closer or a starter for you. He has a special arm, he is cheap and he is a tough competitor. Sure he had a bad half season, but something tells me his value will reach new highs next year when he gets another chance. Wilmer Flores is the type of player who if you give him another season in the minors will have teams beating down your door to get him. He’s the type of prospect who could be the centerpiece of a deal to acquire a star, not just a throw-in. I realize it may come across as though I am blindly in love with our prospects, but make no mistake I am not one of those people. I will admit though that I love these 2 prospects, and I am not alone. — I cannot knock a plan for 1B without at least presenting an alternative though. My alternative is to sign Carlos Delgado for 1 year $10 million. He just might do it if it gives him a chance to stay with a team he knows and gives him a year to prove he can be healthy and productive. If the market slants in our favor then we might even be able to get him for less. If the signing doesn’t pan out then you still have Daniel Murphy who batted .266 with 12 HRs and 63 RBI in his first full professional season. Do not underestimate the impact of a first full season on a player. To think that Murphy does NOT have the potential for a .290+ AVG with 20 HRs and 80+ RBI in his second season is just foolish. While you’d like to have more production out of 1B, this is a very nice backup plan, and let’s not forget the defense.
• Sign Rich Harden to a 1-year/$10 million contract with incentives and a mutual option for a second season– I LOVE this move, love it. Huge mistake if we don’t take a gamble on a guy like this. Even if he has a really good season, and not a great season, he will likely project as a type A and so signing Harden has the potential to be an investment in the MLB team and the minor league system all at once. With Harden, if it doesn’t work out then it’s still a 1 year deal. If it does work out and he turns out to be great, you will likely also have a clause that gives you a real chance to have him for a second season too as your #2. Sure taking a risk on a player with an injury history is tough to do a year after having the worst injury streak in franchise history, but it’s also important to keep in mind that the team needs to stop looking backwards. This has been a common criticism. That Omar also plugs holes because he looks backwards rather than thinking about the future. Why should the argument be any different then if he stays far away from injury risks just because we had injuries last year for the first time. With this move the roster would sit at Santana, Harden, Pelfrey, Perez, Maine, Niese, with a few spot starter options in the minors. Good, but still not great. I think one more starter needs to be looked at, but not a #1 or #2 type, more like a #3-5 type.
• Trade Jeff Francoeur to the Cubs for Mike Fontenot.– Why on Earth would/should the Mets do this? This is a prime example of overvaluing statistical measures and not using any qualitative analysis. That is hard for me to say because all I do for a living is quantitative analysis, but at some point you have to draw the line. Jeff Francoeur is currently the perfect player for this team, and I have no interest in seeing him go. If you are going to sell so low, why not take a chance and ride him out for the start of the season. If he repeats his 1/2 season performance from last year, then teams will be climbing over each other to get this guy. He’s young, cheap and a terrific defensive player with grit and by all accounts he is a terrific person.
$10mm for Delgado is WAY overspending, especially if Omar has $30 to spend. I think best he can expect is $5-6mm with incentives, maybe an option on top.
The Minor Moves (I’ll be less critical here as these are minor moves):
• Sign Carl Pavano 1 year/$6 million dollar contract– Even though it’s a tough move mentally to make after witnessing his impact on the Yankees, it’s also an interesting move. But does anyone think he would come back to NY? The press was not kind to this guy. Plus incidents like crashing your Porsche and not telling anyone while trying to pitch with a broken rib probably won’t fly here. I saw proceed with caution. Only if your due diligence blows you away should you consider something like this. And $6 million is far from a buy-low contract. Also it concerns me when opposing hitters have a .300 average against a pitcher.
• Sign Kiko Calero 2 years/$5 million dollar contract– He’s pretty good, I’d do it.
• Sign Adam Everett 1 year/$1 million– Yeah, this is a good move, but $1 million? Really? What makes anyone think he will take that?
• Sign Greg Zaun 1 year/$800,000– I agree with the assessment of Omir Santos, but I disagree with this move. Gregg Zaun should be an absolute last resort. You can forget about Yorvit Torrealba, not that I would want him anyway, but your top two choices should be Bengie Molina and Rod Barajas. Barajas might be the top choice. If it weren’t for Molina’s price tag I would say that he should be the top choice, also factor in that type A status and its tough, but if you sign Holliday then you lose a 3rd which is a little easier to do (though it’s still a lot. There is a ton of talent you can get with a top 10 pick in round 3, a ton. Especially if you flex your financial muscle a little you can get a first round talent.) But make no mistake about it. Molina is a stud player. He’s a catcher batting clean-up and you could definitely have seen his impact on that clubhouse.
• Sign Endy Chavez 1 year/$1.5 million– YES, yes yes yes yes. “Thats all I have to saaay about thaaat” – Forrest Gump
• Sign Shawn Hill 1 year/$400K– Yes, good move. Haha, would this guy really move out to NY for $400k and no guarantee of playing time? Maybe I’m a little out of touch, but I don’t see it happening.
• Sign Mike Sweeney 1 year/$600K– Nice.
• Sign Kelvim Escobar to a 1 year contract with incentives/max value $2.5 million– Might be one of the most underappreciated and overlooked moves in the offseason, but quite possibly the best. Getting this guy for $2.5 million is an amazing move. This would round out our rotation to Santana, Harden, Pelfrey, Perez, Maine, Niese, Escobar, with Nieve, Hill and an assortment of others in the minors. If anyone questions Omar’s ability to provide organizational depth after something like this, then they are just not paying attention.
• Trade Luis Castillo to the Royals for virtually nothing– I also agree in selling high on Luis, who did have an impressive season. Of course you cannot expect to get much in return because of the contract that anyone would inheret, but such a move allows the Mets to be flexible. It’s just a shame that the Mets dont have a great defensive 2B in their minors. It doesnt even have to be a big RBI guy. But if you could replace Castillo with a guy who will come in and play .265+ ball with a couple of home runs and some RBI, then you haven’t really lost any production but you gain millions in payroll flexibility. Whats 25 extra hits at the end of the season if it means you can have $6 million more to play with and a chance to showcase a young kid. I wonder if Anderson Hernandez can be that guy? Maybe its Everett?
constructive critism: use paragraphs
Trust me, it didnt look like that when I wrote it up. Thats the problem with bullets.