Bye Bye Murphy

Twas the night before Christmas, not a creature was stirring...except the pesky Nationals. Listen I get it Murphy needed a home and he probably wanted to stay on the east coast. He probably wanted to stay in the National League as well. The Nationals do have a vacancy at second base. But why did Murphy have to be the Nationals guy? That kind of sucks. I just don't like the sound of Murphy having to face the Mets more times than say the Angels, who are in need of a left handed bat.

For seven seasons Murphy developed into a fan favorite in New York. He came up through the Mets system and was a third baseman in the minors. After the catastrophe that was Murphy out in left field, he settled into second base while still playing a little first and third here and there. He settled in at second base as an every day ball player. Consistently making contact and having a knack to not strike out. His defense wasn't anything spectacular and his baserunning sometimes had you wondering what he was thinking but at the plate he would do the little things. He would move the runner over, or get a single to start a rally. He was a team guy and when Wright went down with an injury, he stepped up as a leader in that clubhouse. But for $37.5 million over three years, he's gone to extend the rivalry with the Nationals.

I'm happy he got paid. For all the people that think that Murphy should have stayed a Met, if the Mets wanted him they've had years to resign him but I don't think he ever fit in their plans. I think he would have fit better with the Angels. His left handed bat in that lineup, playing second, third or even first base while getting time as a DH would have been pretty nice for him.

I think the Mets are looking at Steve Pearce who can play left field, first, second, right, and even has experience at third might be the new right handed bat. I'm not a huge fan of him because I still feel like the Mets need a guy that can back up at center field that isn't named De Aza. It just seems like a cheap piece for the Mets bench. Pearce might not be the guy the Mets should be looking at but maybe bring back Uribe for insurance at third base. He's a clubhouse guy and can play well with some pop. Maybe an Austin Jackson signing?

Thank you Daniel Murphy for all the memories! I will always enjoy the postseason that you had, for carrying the team to the World Series in the postseason and stealing third base will never be forgotten. Thank you Daniel Murphy!

Do you think Pearce fits? Who do you think the Mets should sign?

Alejandra De Aza Signing and the Ripple Effect

Alejandra De Aza. That's the outfielder that will compliment Juan Lagares out in center field. It will also allow for some flexibility for Conforto to come along during the season. De Aza signs for a one year deal for $4.5 million plus $1.25 million in performance bonuses. This seems like the cheap way out for getting an outfielder. This seems very similar to the Chris Young signing a couple of years ago: While they didn't know how the market would play out, they gave CY a deal for $7.25 million, while Nelson Cruz signed a deal for $8 million with the Orioles a little while after. I don't need to remind you of how both deals worked out. With so many outfielders yet to sign, I think the Mets could have tried to get the ball rolling with signing a free agent outfielder, a good one. Not one from  the bargain barrel. I think the only thing that's good about this deal is that it's probably right in line with what De Aza was projected to make this year and the fact that it's a one year deal.

I like that it's a one year deal so that they can go after another outfielder, or in the best case scenario, Lagares shows he can hit pitchers from both sides of the mound and Conforto proves he's an every day left fielder. Lagares is a premium defensive centerfielder while his offense has coaches yearning for more. I like Lagares and what he brings to the table. His defense is exciting to watch and it's something that is starting to be noticed and coveted (ie Jason Heyward). His offense isn't so bad. He's a bottom of the order hitter. Sure, I'd like a better bat in the lineup, but that's where the corner fielders come into play. But why not? A ball in the mitt can win the game just as much as a ball over the fence.

I would be kind of surprised if De Aza made it on the team for the whole year. De Aza is not a starter, so if a starter had to spend time away from the MLB roster due to injury or more seasoning, they would need someone other than De Aza. They could still be in the market for another bat with Michael Cuddyer retiring, but that's more of a right handed bat off the bench. I wouldn't mind seeing Austin Jackson in orange and blue. He could sign for something inexpensive and his upside is way higher than De Aza. I think that Jackson, with all the lefties already on this team, would be a good fit.

I like to believe that this deal still leaves a chance for a Cespedes or Justin Upton signing, but I don't think that either of those guys were ever an option for this lineup.

What do you think? As far as outfielders, who do you think the Mets should sign next?

Just Some Thoughts

It's interesting how many big names are still out there on the market and yet the White Sox still opted to trade for Todd Frazier. I really like this trade for all three parties. What I like most is the fact that Todd Frazier gets out of the National League. Unfortunately the Mets face the White Sox this season, so someone will be facing Abreu and Frazier, in some order, probably back to back. I feel like the Reds could have gotten more for Frazier though but still the haul that they received was good and this is one of those trades that it looks like everyone made out in.

As far as free-agents that are out there still, Chris "Crush" Davis is still out there. After having a bounce back year with the Orioles, the Orioles had taken a 7 year $150 million deal taken off the table. This is still a Boras client and Boras likes to wait, and as we've seen in the past, sometimes it might be harmful to the client. $21 million a year isn't too bad for a guy that is usually top five in the league in strikeouts. He is also top five in round trippers and that's why he'd be making that money. With a league that has been taking in some sabermetrics, and basing contracts off that. Like the Heyward contract, age (26) and great defense really pushed that contract to what it was. A free agent that has made it to the big leagues, being only 26 is really unheard of in this era. He is also a great defenser. So unlike Heyward, Davis isn't going to battle for a gold glove but he will crush homers and be a threat in the middle of any offense. Davis can play any of the corners. He has spent most of his recent time at first but has played left and third in his career as well. He is 29.

Now for the Mets free agent target. One of the last holes they need to fill, an outfield bat. There are still so many free agent outfielders out there. Justin Upton, Yoenis Cespedes, and forgotten nemesis, Alex Gordon are three outfielders that the Mets will be priced out of. It depends on who gets who, the Cardinals and Angels are looking at those three guys. But I think the guy that the Mets MIGHT try to cram into the lineup is Cespedes, but I'm not a huge fan of his glove. Heyward just made his money from taking away runs, as will Gordon (that's why the Cardinals will probably not get Gordon unless they trade Holliday). The Mets could move Granderson over to center make room for Upton, hiding Grandy's below average arm while having a strong arm in right. With Upton having a down year, he might be able to be gotten at a steal.

Now for reality. Span and Parra. One of those two names will probably be a Met by spring training, maybe even before Christmas. I would like Parra because of him being just below a starter but it's looking more like Span. I think it also depends on who will sign a one-year deal (maybe an option with that deal).

What are some of your thoughts?

Free Agent Names

The Mets have a little extra cash they could spend and these are some fun names that could be seen signing before pitchers and catchers report.

First, just some fun. What if Ian Desmond could really play outfield? He is being looked at as an outfielder as well as in other positions. Maybe that's an interesting bat to look at if being an outfielder is something that interests Desmond. What if the Mets sign Justin Upton? He's kind of been forgotten about this offseason but during the season, he is a bat that pitchers need to remember. If the Mets signed him, you could play him in right and move Grandy over to centerfield. Just a thought for how to get another bat into the lineup- unfortunately at the cost of defense.

Some intriguing names that are out there for the outfield or bench players are  outfielders: Will Venable, Denard Span, Gerardo Parra, Austin Jackson, utility man Kelly Johnson. I think Parra is the favorite out of this bunch for his combination of good defense, good hitting and he can swipe a few bags. Parra is able to play all three outfield positions. But with Heyward off the board, and the rest soon to follow, it will start to get difficult to sign these players.

The Mets bullpen was one of their weakness and probably their downfall, while it was the World Series champions strength and a  big reason why they where able to win it all. With so many good free agent relievers off the board already, it was hard to find the good ones but I have a few that might be diamonds in the rough. All but one are left handed because I think they will be in need of a lefty come Opening Day- Hosmer and Moose bat lefty and I'm probably the only person who thinks they should have brought in Niese in the ninth inning of game five. These are just some bullpen arms to think about. For the most part they will be lefty specialists but could evolve into something more. Bring back Jerry Blevins to see if he can continue what he started. Craig Breslow is a name that has always been bounced around in the Met organization. Some interesting names are Antonio Bastardo (.138 average against left handed hitters), Neal Cotts (.186 average against left handed hitters), Franklin Morales (.192 average against left handed hitters and fifteen year vet Randy Choate. Those are all left handed pitchers. The final pitcher who I think would be a very good middle relief guy is Carlos Villanueva and is right handed.

There is only one guy who I think would fit best with the Mets and that is Bartolo Colon. I think that is the proper fit for the Mets young pitching staff. There is also Tim Lincecum who would be a nice project for Dan Warthen. They will need a fifth starter and those are two names that could fill the role.

What do you think? Who do you think the Mets should go after?

Happy Retirement Cuddy

Michael Cuddyer has had a great 15 year career. His retirement is bittersweet because he is definitely a great guy to have in the clubhouse but his production on the field took a heavy hit this past year. He would have been a fourth or fifth outfield and served as a formidable backup first baseman. But now that he is going to retire that means that the Mets have some extra cash they will be able to spend which is pretty cool. They could now look at Flores for a fill in at fist base even more now, just as a backup. Even though Cuddyer didn't have anything close to a great year for the Mets, he was a right handed bat off the bench and never really had a position/spot other than a high priced backup. The Mets will have to buyout Cuddyers contract but the rest of that money could be used on the fourth and fifth of, bullpen help and another starter.

Cuddyer was a great clubhouse guy and a presence for the young guys on the team to turn to. He finally made it to the World Series and his body can't continue to go through the daily grind. Cuddyer will be missed. Thank You Michael Cuddyer for your time with the Mets and time to the game. It was fun watching you play with your heart. You didn't have the best of any attribute except for maybe making contact some years but you always made sure you gave 110%. You left it all out on the field. It was really great watching you play the game. I hope you enjoy your well deserved retirement.

Moves With Future in Mind

In a stunning turn of events, I think the Mets are better off without Ben Zobrist. Zobrist will be 35 getting four years at $14 million. That's a decent amount for someone that wants one full time position. I think that a big draw to him is his versatility. The fact that he can play second, left, right average as well as fill in at third, short and center in a bind really makes his value that much greater even given his age. He fights every at bat and can play pretty much every position on the field. He seems to be a good clubhouse guy.

The Mets turned around quickly and traded a piece that was going to be expendable for a piece they are going to need. They traded Jon Niese for Neil Walker and I think both sides will benefit from this trade. Ray Searage seems to have a way with pitchers like Niese (see J.A. Happ). Neil Walker is a switch hitting second baseman. He started at second base and was batting fourth for most of the season last year. I think Neil Walker can bat many places but his better swing comes from the left side of the plate. I think he can bat second, fifth or sixth. He is a very similar player to Daniel Murphy. Neil Walker has a little more pop and has a higher strikeout rate. I think Walkers best attribute is his bat, another second baseman with a better bat than defense. I kind of like this deal because Walker is only here for a year (at worst) and if they want to they can trade him. If he spends the whole year with the Mets, and the Mets offer him a qualifying offer then the Mets get another draft pick. It was a pretty sneaky move with them now getting a pick from Murphy signing elsewhere. I think this move was set up with Dilson Herrera in mind to get him more seasoning in the minors and then when he's ready he can come up and take over.

The Mets also signed Asdrubal Cabrera who can play the middle infield well and has some pop. He once looked like he could be an up and coming player with the Indians. He is still solid and can be an everyday shortstop if they think Flores can't be. I think that with this signing it makes Flores the guy for third base on days that Wright needs off. Flores will take the role that Murphy would have if he wasn't a free agent. Flores should also take some grounders at first just in case he needs to cover for Duda. And maybe they look into trading Duda mid-season while Flores can take over at first.

The winter meetings are always a fun time. The Mets still have a lot more work to do before Opening Day. They need a lefty (Blevins? Hopefully someone else too), another outfielder (Parra can play all three outfield positions with more pop than Span), and Bartolo Colon because well Colon is like a cowbell and you can usually use more cowbell.

What do you think? What names in the bullpen would you like to see? Who would you like to see as help in the outfield? Would you like to see Cespedes or Heyward in a Mets uniform? (I don't think either of them really fit).

Ben Zobrist

So far the Mets top target is Ben Zobrist. I like him. He's a solid baseball player that can play multiple positions well. He can play the corner outfield positions (center field if needed as well), second and third base, as well as shortstop in a pinch. He can bat second because he makes contact and sixth or seventh with his ability to drive in runs. He won't be hitting too many balls over the fence and swiping even less bases. Zobrist is the kind of player that every team covets because of his versatility and everyday hitting capability.

Zobrist would be a nice addition to any lineup, including the Mets. But at what cost? Zobrist does not come with the qualifying offer tag, meaning the Mets don't need to surrender a first round compensation pick. Zobrist being traded mid-season has eliminated that cost. Now as far as the monetary value of him, what is it? His price will go up simply because of how many teams are going after him. I value him worth about 13.5 million over three years (making him 37 at the end of his contract). Maybe a vesting or club option for that coveted fourth year he is looking for. I think he caps off at 15 million over four years, but who will offer that to the versatile Ben Zobrist?

Now for all of you thinking, "What about Daniel Murphy?". Let me ask you this, who plays better defense at second base? Yes Murphy is younger and seems to have a career year this past year and he is always a tough out, will grind out his at bats and will work hard for the team but his defense just doesn't seem to be there for the 30 year old. Zobrist should be the Mets first option, mainly for second base but not limited to there. He adds insurance if Wright needs time off, if they can't find an everyday shortstop (Flores looked pretty good over there at the end of the season) and maybe even in center field. He will be signed to play second base but is an insurance policy for so many other positions while not having to rush prospects.

He also brings a gritty hard working attitude. He tries to do the little things similar to Murphy but looks more fluid doing it. I think Zobrist is a good addition to the Mets and can help bring a winning attitude, coming off a World Series ring to the Mets. He can make the kids in Queens more hungry to go back there and win it all. He could be a small piece, one that has more of an affect on this roster than Chris Young and Michael Cuddyer did in the previous two years. This is a Sandy Alderson signing that could very well happen seeing as how he likes to make minor moves in the offseason and then seeing what he has in spring training and during the season while evaluating and making the moves necessary to put a winning ball club on the field.

What do you think? Do you think Ben Zobrist will be a New York Met? Do you think the Mets will fork over the money for Zobrist? Do you think the Mets should go after a different player? Who would you rather have Murphy or Zobrist?