For Mets, decision time has arrived
Manager Jerry Manuel said after Sunday's 4-0 season-ending win over the Astros that he would have an announcement regarding his coaching staff on Monday. A shake-up of some sort is all but certain. And despite the belief that this offseason may be a relatively quiet one for the Mets, there are more than enough issues to dominate the winter months.
After Sunday's game, Carlos Beltran talked about how much he would like to continue to play with Carlos Delgado, who is a free agent -- "There's nothing bad I can say about Carlos," Beltran said. Other free agents include Gary Sheffield, Brian Schneider, J.J. Putz and Tim Redding, and then there are several non-tender candidates -- such as Sean Green -- who may not be back.
With the managerial and front office positions seemingly secure for now, however, the most pressing offseason issues for the Mets look something like this:
--Anthony DiComo
After Sunday's game, Carlos Beltran talked about how much he would like to continue to play with Carlos Delgado, who is a free agent -- "There's nothing bad I can say about Carlos," Beltran said. Other free agents include Gary Sheffield, Brian Schneider, J.J. Putz and Tim Redding, and then there are several non-tender candidates -- such as Sean Green -- who may not be back.
With the managerial and front office positions seemingly secure for now, however, the most pressing offseason issues for the Mets look something like this:
- Will Jose Reyes be healthy? The Mets don't know and can't know just yet, but they also can't afford another season like this one from the fragile Reyes. Without a 100 percent healthy Reyes, their journey to the postseason would be a tough one.
- What to do about the rotation? Even if the shadow of Bernie Madoff did not loom, the Mets will be entering a market all but devoid of front-line starting pitching talent. Can they proceed comfortably with John Maine and Oliver Perez as their third and fourth starters? Probably not. But what alternative do they have?
- Is Daniel Murphy a big leaguer? He did not play like one at times this year, but again -- the Mets have few options. With only so much money to spend and with no guarantee on Delgado's return, they will have to look long and hard at first base this winter.
- And what about catcher? Like in left field, the Mets seem to have a hole behind the plate. Omir Santos appears better equipped to be a backup, and Josh Thole is not quite ready as a receiver. The Mets may look elsewhere for their answers.
--Anthony DiComo
Why not do the following:
Trade Beltran and a reliever and/or young starter to the Tigers for Curtis Granderson and Maggilo Ordonez. Mets would take on additional salary but will fill a position of need with a RBI bat in the last year of this contract. The Mets would hold Granderson for a couple more years. Granderson is not as good defensively as Beltran but comparable offensively and a big plus is he has not been as prone to injuries. Maggilo would hold left field for a year to either wait for Carl Crawford to become a free agent or Fernando Martinez to live up to his potential. We had Sheff in left field for most of the year so there isn't much of a downgrade there with Magg's defensively.
Trade Angel Pagan and Jose Reyes to the Blue Jays for Roy Hallady and Marco Scutaro. The Mets might have to add a another player to be named but it would be worth it.
Sign Delgado to an incentive laden deal. Let Brian Schneider go and let the duties to Omir Santos (primary) and Josh Thole (alternate). Let Putz go and move Parnell to the 8th inning set up role.
The stadium proved that it is going to be a pitchers park so you might as well have 2 of the premier pitchers in MLB manning it. The owner have stated that they will be spending to make this team better so I say show it..
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I looks like the Phillies are loaded offensively, they they get a Cy Young winner during the season!
The Mets need to find some hitters. Trade David Wright, he showed what he's made of; strikes out trying to pull everything. Even the Marlins have better offense than the Mets when all are healthy.
I also notice a lot of Marlins and Phillies are real buff. Do I detect steroids???
Who is Utley to hit so many homers. He's a shrimp!
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Trade Carlos Beltran and Luis Castillo to the Cubs for Soto (C), their rookie first and second basemen in addtion to Phil Bradley and a top AAA starting pitcher.
Sign Troy Glass, Jason Bay and a starting pitcher such as Jason Marquis.
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