This season is over already. Yet again this group of players has proved that they haven't got what it takes to win the division or win the wild card.
So if you were GM what moves would you make in the off season to make the Mets a serious contender in 2011?
Moves For 2011
The biggest move the Mets could make is to make Angel Pagan the starting center fielder. That would set off a chain reaction which would cause Carlos Beltran to move to right field. Jeff Francoeur would be an odd man out so he would be traded. Jason Bay would continue as the left fielder. I think it makes sense because we saw before the break that Angel Pagan could fill the center fielder role from both an offensive and defensive point of view. Beltran has lost a step due to the knee surgery and so the team would be better off if he had less ground to cover in the outfield.
The Mets should also cut Luis Castillo loose in favor of Ruben Tejada at second base. Tejada isn't there offensively yet but I like what he does in the field. He can bat 8th and work with the batting coach to improve his offense.
Finally the Mets desperately need a setup man. Recently we've seen how dangerous the bullpen can be in the 7th and 8th innings. Omar needs to figure out who could possibly fill that role in 2011. Another starter will be critical too. I don't expect Oliver Perez to be around and am not sure if John Maine will be able to be effective again.
2011
1) Hope for a miracle on the 25th anniversary of 1986.
2) Pagan, I don't know. He's been the most consistent Met all year, which is great, but he wasn't last year and what's to say he would be again next year? Current results are no guarantee of future performance. He might be more like a Tatis than Pagan. Why did Chicago give up on him anyway?
3) If you don't expect Perez to be around, why wouldn't he be gone now then? If they were going to eat the contract, they wou;d've done so by now and no one's going to trade for him.
4) [ugh, just got nasty work phone call...need to do #4 and beyond later]
2011 part 2
5) I haven't been able to see Tejada enough day to day and sure the K-Rod pickoff was executed masterfully, but do we know that he's the 2B of the future? (Honeymooners fans, having a hard time not asking if he "can core a apple....") Didn't I just read that he just had an 0-for-23 stretch or something? His offense isn't there and don't know if playing him every day is going to make it happen this year or next.
2nd Baseman of the Future
I don't know about Tejada for sure. What I am sure of is that Luis Castillo is the Mets second baseman of the past.
Castillo Confirms It
He won't be with the Mets in 2011.
http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/mets/what_lu_ser_Z0mVynnPcV1VXoSUP0200K
What i would do.
1. Fire Jerry Manual.
2. Hire Wally Backman, i think this is a must as it would give the majority of Mets fans what they want a create alittle buzz.
3. Dump Luis Castillo and Oliver Perez. They aren't contributing anything at all anymore so just get rid of them.
4. Build a package including Carlos Beltran to acquire a starting pitcher like Matt Garza or Bronson Arroyo(Might be available anyway).
5. Sign free agent Jayson Werth which would give the Mets Bay, Pagan and Werth as there starting outfielders.
6. Trade for a legitamate 8th inning guy.
I can go on but will stop at 6.
I think we are jumping the
I think we are jumping the gun.
1. Determine if Beltran is tradeable. Right now I don't know that you could get Bronson Pinchot for him (much less Bronson Arroyo). You may have to wait until spring training next year before you can make a decision on Beltran in order to get a fair value. (I don't want to pay Beltran to hit for another team.)
2. Determine if Martinez and Thole are starters for next year, 2012, or never.
3. If Martinez is ready, move either Francoeur (value known) or Pagan (value never higher) for more pitching (even if it is minor leaguers).
4. Start converting Mejia into a starting pitcher if that is his future.
Lets go Mets.
Trading Carlos Beltran
I don't think that trading Carlos Beltran is a good idea, even if you can do it. Who replaces him in the outfield? Jeff Francoeur? I think that the Mets must keep Angel Pagan. They spent too much on Jason Bay to give up on him after one season. So what is left is a decision between Jeff Francoeur and Carlos Beltran in the outfield. I know about Francouer's defense and his offensive potential. But he hasn't got it done at the plate. I'd like to believe that with an off-season to rest and a real spring training the Carlos Beltran we get in 2011 is much better than what we have now and also better than Francoeur.
I hear all these voices wanting to trade Angel Pagan and I think they sound silly. Here's a guy that we've suspected to have some nice tools finally getting healthy, while leading the team regulars in batting average, hits and stolen bases. He has played very good defense in the outfield. His value is high because he is good. He will be 30 years old next season. Carlos Beltran will be 34. If the Mets need to get some pitching then Jeff Francoeur is the player that they should send away in a package deal. He will have value because of his age and potential.
Finally, the case for Fernando Martinez is a very weak one. In both of his limited major league stints he has failed to bat above the Mendoza line. Okay, he's only 22. But at least hit over .200. I know that F-Mart could be really good. We'll just have to see what happens for the rest of the season and in spring training this year.
WHAT I WOULD DO!?
GM: I Don't Know
MGR: Wally Backman/Pat Listash
SP: 1.Bronson Arroyo 2.Mike Pelfrey
3.R.A. Dickey 4.Erik Bedard
5.Dillon Gee
RP: Miguel Batista Juaquin Benoit
Ryota Igarashi Bobby Parnell
Joe Beimel Randy Choate
Bruce Chen Grant Balfour
Jeff Weaver
CL: Jon Rauch
C: Josh Thole Bengie Molina
Miguel Olivo
1B: Ike Davis Russell Branyan
Aubrey Huff
2B: Nick Punto Adam Kennedy
Ruben Tejada
3B: David Wright Aramis Ramirez
Omar Infante
SS: Jhonny Peralta Miguel Tejada
Nick Punto
LF: Carl Crawford Chris Carter
Lucas Duda Pat Burrell
CF: Angel Pagan Rick Ankiel
Jim Edmonds
RF: Jason Werth Jermaine Dye
Andruw Jones
DH: Hank Blalock Jason Kubel
Mike Sweeney
Post new comment