Noble: Mets Off-season Plan, and Back-up Plan
In his Hot Stove preview for MLB.com, Marty Noble lists free-agent outfielders Mike Cameron and Matt Holliday; catchers Bengie Molina and Rod Barajas; pitchers John Lackey, Jason Marquis and Randy Wolf; second baseman Orlando Hudson; and first baseman Troy Glaus; as players the Mets will show interest in this off season, ‘according to people within the organization who are familiar with the club’s thinking.’
Noble believes the team’s priority is to acquire a power hitter, a No. 2 starting pitcher, a veteran catcher and, ‘as always,’ a set-up man.
In the event the Mets are unable to sign one or two top free agents, according to Noble, the team has discussed the following:
Sign Cameron to a one-year deal to play left field, where he can hit for power and improve the team’s outfield defense.
Trade Luis Castillo and sign Orlando Hudson.
Sign Glaus to split time with Daniel Murphy at first base.
Sign Wolf, then trade someone else from the rotation, not Johan Santana, to get a No. 2 starting pitcher.
…i want holliday… and i think a six-year deal is justifiable…
…however, if holliday signs elsewhere, and assuming Jason Bay returns to the Red Sox, i can live with cameron… as we know from having watched him, it’s about putting the ball in play for mike… if he puts the ball in play, he drives the ball… the thing is, he strikes out and swings and misses a lot, though he is walking more… he, Carlos Beltran and Jeff Francoeur would make for an effective outfield defense, but the lineup feels weak with him in there…
…the 33–year-old glaus is interesting… he missed nearly all of last season, suffering a setback or two in his recovery from shoulder surgery… so, i can’t see him getting a big-time guaranteed deal… if glaus can play 150 games, he will hit 35 home runs, and is probably a $10 million per season players… the thing is, can he play 150 games… can he even play in 100 games… in addition to the shoulder, there are concerns about a foot injury that has kept him out of play over the last two seasons as well… and so, i can see him as a platoon partner for Daniel Murphy, getting him lots of rest… however, though he hit them well earlier in his career, he has struggled the last few seasons against left-handed pitching, against whom he would probably play most… and, typically, he is more patient and less powerful against them as well…
