Daily Archives: December 21, 2009
In a report for FoxSports.com, Bob Klapisch explains why, if they fail to sign Matt Holliday or Jason Bay, the Mets should consider trading Johan Santana, and start re-building.
…if the Mets ever traded santana, they would be searching for an ace the very next day… i would never trade him, if for no other reason than he’s so entertaining… the team will have other parts and pieces to trade, should they decide such a grand move is necessary… they’ll never find another johan…
…but, here’s the thing, a) the Mets are not in position to risk poor attendance and ratings, given their new ballpark and television network, it’s just not going to happen, and b) the current administration has given me very little faith that they’d be able to manage a trade of santana, and then a subsequent rebuilding process… so, to do what klap is suggesting, the Mets would need to make such a move in June… in other words, give it a go in April and May, and if they’re out of it June 1, pull the plug on everyone in upper management and let them manage the next phase…
…look at the Mariners… GM Jack Zduriencik took over a terrible, terrible situation, and a team that just lost 100 games… and, within two years, using less of a budget than the Mets, he has basically rebuilt his entire franchise and has them in a position in which, i bet, most every pundit will pick them to make it to the post season next year… so, it’s possible… but, Ownership has to have the guts to make the move, and, more important, be sure they hire the smartest and best people for the job…
The Reds non-tendered Jonny Gomes, meaning he is now a free agent.
Gomes will be eligible for arbitration the next two seasons, after which he can be a free agent.
Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post believes the Mets might look to Gomes, other non-tendered free agents and players available in trade, in the event Jason Bay signs elsewhere.
…it’s a logical assumption… gomes will be 29 years old all of next season, he has consistently hit one home run every five or so games throughout his career… but, he’s never played a full season as a starting outfielder, either because he’s been hurt, or because he’s never been given the opportunity, usually left to platoon, because he struggles against right-handed pitching… however, last season, he played more or less every day for the Reds beginning in June, and ended up hitting .267 with 20 HR and 51 RBI in 98 games… he’s a strong kid, very, very similar to Jeff Francoeur at the plate, for better or worse… he’s also not the best fielder in the world, and could struggle in Citi Field…
…also, he’d be a character in New York… according to friends who root for the Rays, he’s a bit of a tough guy, lots of attitude, and Mets fans would love him if he gets the job done, because he plays hard and he’s intense… however, if he struggles, it could easily work against him…
The 2010 Bill James Handbook projects Gomes will hit .245 with 16 HR, 50 RBI and 17 doubles in 278 at bats next season.
…gomes will likely end up signing a one-year deal, at no more than $1 million, while bay is going to be paid more than $15 million per season, and will require at least four, maybe five years…
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…do you realize it has been more than 10 days since the Mets offered a contract to a free-agent OF Jason Bay, and free-agent C Bengie Molina…
John Morosi of FoxSports.com believes free-agent catchers Rod Barajas, Jose Molina and Yorvit Torrealba will remain on the free-agent market until Molina signs a new contract.
In Newsday, Ken Davidoff writes, “According to a Mets official, if the team fails to secure Bay, it will strongly consider raising its offer to Molina. But if Bay signs, the Mets will hold a harder line with Molina.”
…do the Mets realize molina is only a four– of five-HR upgrade from what they had behind the plate last season… if they do, the should also realize making a more lucrative offer to molina, in the wake of losing bay, makes zero sense… in fact, i fail to see how one has anything to do with the other… i mean, tell me about his defense, game-calling, his relationship with the pitching staff, fine, but to talk about molina like he’s some soft of significant offense upgrade is not accurate… the Mets need to be careful here, because he can just as easily end up being a major, major rally-killer…
In a post to Amazin Avenue, the Meddler says, “Mets fans may not agree on everything, but one thing we seem to be uniting over right now is our absolute distaste for Molina.”
…as for bay, i agree with the Mets, who clearly believe he is not worth giving more than $16 million a season to, and at no more than four years… i see people suggesting bay does not want to play for the Mets… it’s a logical conclusion… though, i feel it has less to do with the Mets and New York City, and more to do with bay not wanting to play any place without a five-year guarantee…
That said, according to Joe Janish of Mets Today, when it comes to Bay, ‘No news is good news.’
…from what i understand, bay can basically take the Mets up on one of three choices, a) the four-year, $65 million deal on the table, b) $16 million per season, with a fifth-year team option, or c) a five-year guarantee, but less money per season, such as a $70 million, five-year deal, which would be $14 million per season… he wants the fifth year guaranteed, but also wants the most money, and understandably so, but, it’s just not there for him…
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