Mets Fans Forever

The Case for Manny

Author: Joe Siegal

With Tuesday’s signing of Mark Teixeira by the Yankees, once again outbidding themselves for a top free agent, the market for Manny Ramirez just became one team smaller. The Yankees have just about matched their payroll from last season, and probably will not pursue any more top free agents. The Mets, having restocked the dismal bullpen from last season, are now looking for a starting pitcher and possibly a left fielder. The perfect player for the left field position is Manny Ramirez.

Manny would be the perfect power bat to put in middle of the Mets lineup. Last season, many fans complained about David Wright’s lack of clutch hits and RBI’s. Manny Ramirez would protect Wright in the lineup, and would be able to get on base and drive in those clutch runs the Mets most desperately needed down the stretch the last two seasons. A lineup featuring the likes of Reyes, Beltran, Wright, Ramirez and Delgado would strike fear in the hearts of Phillies, and the rest of the Mets’ National League rivals.

The most common complaints about Manny Ramirez are usually about his lack of defensive skill or his personality. Last season, the Mets used Fernando Tatis and Daniel Murphy, both converted infielders, as starting left fielders. Both Tatis and Murphy had huge hits for the Mets, but played average defense. The Mets would not lose any defensive ability by putting Manny out in left at Citi Field, plus no one is sure if a Tatis/Murphy platoon will be effective again. My belief is that Murphy should be trained as an infielder, and groomed to be the Mets’ first baseman of the future. Tatis should be the fourth outfielder.

Last season, many baseball fans thought Manny’s actions before being traded from the Red Sox to the Dodgers were terrible. Clearly, Manny was no longer happy in Boston, and wanted to be traded, and the Red Sox eventually did so. When he arrived in Los Angeles, Ramirez immediately sparked the Dodger lineup and led them to the NLCS. The Mets need that spark, and Manny’s upbeat personality would fit in with players like Jose Reyes and K-Rod, and most likely add more fuel to the fire in the Mets-Phillies rivalry. Omar Minaya is probably salivating at the chance to land Ramirez, but will probably have to make a strong case to ownership to go after Manny.

Put simply, Manny Ramirez is one of the best hitters not only of his generation, but also of all time, and adding him to the New York Mets would once again make them the team to beat in the NL East.

A Short Q & A with Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com

Author: Will Sommer

I recently had an e-mail exchange with Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com. Hope you enjoy.

WS: If you had to predict what starting pitcher do the Mets sign.

JC: If I had to guess today, I'd say Derek Lowe. His market doesn't seem to be materializing the way Scott Boras had planned -- at least to this point. I think the Mets will just sit tight and wait for Lowe or Oliver Perez to come in at a reasonable price, and then make the call on which guy they prefer. Randy Wolf is also a possibility.

WS: What other additions will the Mets get for the bullpen?

JC: I know they've inquired about Will Ohman, but I don't think they want to give two or three years to a lefty reliever after getting so little out of Scott Schoeneweis in exchange for their $10.8 million investment.

WS: Do the Mets now have the best bullpen in the Majors?

JC: Toronto's bullpen is pretty good. The Jays led the majors with a 2.94 bullpen ERA last season, and they've got Scott Downs, Brandon League and Jeremy Accardo, among others, in front of B.J. Ryan. And obviously, the Phillies are very strong in the National League. They're a little deeper than the Mets. But I don't think anybody has a 1-2 eighth and ninth inning combo to compare with Putz and K-Rod

 
WS: Are the Mets going to trade Castillo?

JC: I'm sure the Mets would love to trade Castillo. But he's a physical wreck and he has three years and $18 million left on his contract. If Omar tries to move him, I'm sure the Mets would have to eat most of the contract. At this point they might just be better off running him out there, keeping their fingers crossed and hoping they can get 120 games out of him.

Lowe Going to the Mets?

Author: Will Sommer

According to Gordon Edes of Yahoo! the Mets are in deep discussions with Scott Boras client Derek Lowe. Since the Yankees just landed 1B Mark Teixeira another Boras client people expect that the free agency will now begin to pick up. I would prefer the Mets to get Lowe over Oliver Perez

Opinion: Mets Trades

Author: Will Sommer

    The Mets came away from the 2008 Winter Meetings in Las Vegas nothing but winners. Omar Minaya said their top priority was to get a closer to replace injured Billy Wagner, well they got two closers, in Francisco Rodriguez who had a record breaking 60 saves last season. They got him for a 3-year $34 million contract, a far cry from a 5 year $75 million contract K-Rod desired at the beginning of the off-season. They also got J.J. Putz in a three team mega deal, Putz who had an injury plagued 2008, had a 1.38 ERA with 40 saves in 2007 and he’s the set-up man. Minaya said Putz, and K-Rod were closer options 1 & 2 entering the winter meetings, and he got both. One talent evaluator said, “To me, they're the best. And they're not just a great duo. They're a strikeout duo, too. There won't be many balls in play when those two guys are out there. As big as strikeouts are in the ninth inning, sometimes they're even bigger in the eighth." Jason Stark wrote in his column “J.J. Putz and K-Rod are an upgrade on everybody's eighth-and-ninth-inning bullpen-assassin combo.” Pretty impressive huh?

    First let’s start with the Mets closer of the future, the guy that almost everyone wanted, Francisco Rodriguez. K-Rod coming off a 60 save season is the Mets closer for at least the next three years. Even before the Mets got J.J. Putz, K-Rod helped solidify the 9th inning. Met fans no longer have to watch 4 relievers get the final three outs, and most likely blow it. K-Rod has shown he is clutch, and can perform on a national stage. (See: 2002 World Series) He’ll be 27 on opening day, which I remind you is still young.  He isn’t past his prime and likely wont break down the way Billy Wagner did. His fastball has gone from 97-98 MPH to 91-92, but some of the media and some fans are saying he’s in decline. I for one don’t by that. He has a great change-up, which he didn’t have a couple of years ago. That change-up results in a lot of swing and misses. K-Rod is still one of the top 5 closers in all of baseball. He is better than Wagner, while he was healthy. Wagner choked way too much. I believe K-Rod won’t do that. Plus we got him for less money than Wagner.

    Now to J.J. Putz, what a trade by Omar Minaya. Who would have thought that after we got K- Rod, the Mets would get one of the top closers in the majors, as a set-up man. Plus in the process we got rid of Aaron Heilman. Unfortunately though Joe Smith, and especially Endy Chavez are gone. Endy you will be missed; no one will ever forget “The Catch.”  Yes I know JJ had an injury plagued 2008, and had a mediocre season at best, but let us take a look at his 2007 season. Putz had a 1.38 ERA with 40 saves in 42 opportunities. Oh he also had 82 SO in 71.2 innings pitched. K-Rod had 77 SO in 68.1 innings this year. I guess the Mets bullpen is no longer lacking with power pitchers. Now we have two. We may only have Putz for one year, but that one-year will be worth it. Putz I believe is happy being a set-up man in New York, despite what his agent said. You can never trust agents.

    So there you have it. The Mets I think have the best 1-2 punch in al of the major leagues. Omar didn’t even believe he would come away with two closers, "There was no way that I thought I would be able to come here and get both those guys.” He also had this to say, "Going to get bagels in the morning," "I'd hear, "Omar please address the bullpen.' Well, Mets' fans, we have addressed the bullpen."

Oh, and also thanks Omar for shipping out Scott Schoeneweis to the D’Backs. Good Luck Scott!

Lets Go Mets

Author: Clare Lafferty

    Thanks, Omar for playing Santa a few weeks early. The Mets got their men in Francisco Rodriguez and JJ Putz without giving up too much. Yes, I think most Mets fans liked Endy Chavez and thought Joe Smith was OK as well. But, Aaron Heilman leaving is a welcome sight for the Mets and the fans. Let him go since he was never really happy here. I wish him good luck.

      Now, we need another starter and maybe another outfielder and we will be in good shape. I can’t wait for April 2009! A new team, a new stadium and a new chance to finally prove to everyone that the Mets belong with the big boys.

      And today, Cole Hamels on WFAN radio stated that the Mets were choke artists and needed to prove to everyone that they can finish the deal! Wow – since I live right outside Philly, I have to hear this nonsense. This should give the Mets more motivation as well.

      

Let’s Go Mets in 2009!

Here is my first attempt at photoshop. As you can see it's Derek Lowe in a Mets hat. Hopefully this becomes a reality.  Sorry if it's bad.

Q & A with Mets Beat Reporter of the Star Ledger, Dan Graziano

I recentley had a Q & A with Dan Graziano of the Newark Star Ledger about the Mets and Citi Field.

WS: If you took the tour of Citi Field what was the ballpark like?

DG:  Citi Field is beautiful. I was on the tour Tuesday, and Jeff Wilpon showed us everything from the right field upper deck (which overhangs the field) to the adjustable treadmill pool in the home clubhouse. The details are borrowed from a lot of the other new parks (in places it might feel like Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, St. Louis or some others), but the result is a gorgeous product about which the Mets and their fans should be excited. It's a big place, but it feels small because the reduced foul territory puts the fans closer to the action. I came away very impressed.

WS: Do you think there will be a name change for the new ballpark, or are the Mets willing to take the bad PR?

DG: Mets and Citi both say they're not changing the name. I don't think it's bad PR for the Mets -- moreso for Citigroup, which is spending taxpayer money on naming rights and sponsorship for a baseball team and its park. Unless the bailout doesn't work and Citi tanks, I can't imagine it'll change anytime soon.

WS: Who's the closer in 2009? Which closer would the Mets most like to get?

DG:   My prediction is that the closer will be Francisco Rodriguez, mainly because I feel like he is the guy they'd most like to get. And the way it's played out, they hold all the cards in the free-agent closer derby.

WS: Are the Mets willing to trade F-Mart for a high level player?

DG: Depends what you mean by "high level." No way Omar Minaya would ever deem anybody totally untouchable, but they'd have to be getting some kind of spectacular player back if they were to move Fernando Martinez. Think "Blue Jays decide to put Roy Halladay on the market" -- in that kind of deal, they'd make Martinez part of the package. But it'd have to be a high-impact guy -- the kind of guy who usually doesn't get traded. I mean, think about it. They didn't want to deal him for Johan Santana. And we know how good he is.

WS: Will Derek Lowe sign with the Mets? Or will they go for a Jon Garland type pitcher? Or Jon Niese?

DG: I doubt they'll sign Lowe. Other teams seem more motivated on Lowe. The Mets are hanging back, more likely to get Garland if they do get a free-agent starter. As for Niese, there has been an organizational decision made to give him a shot at a rotation spot in spring training. Which means they're out looking for one more starter to go with Santana/Maine/Pelfrey/Niese.

WS: Is Luis Castillo going to be traded or can they just not do that?

DG: Castillo is basically untradable, unless they pay almost all of the contract (and why would they do that?) or get a terrible contract back in return. They'd love to move him, but I think they're stuck with him.

WS: Dan Murphy, everyday player next season at LF or 2B, or a platoon in LF.

DG: 2B seems unlikely for Murphy. Their current plan is to platoon him in LF with Fernando Tatis.

WS: Is there any shot the Mets get Manny?

DG:  I think they SHOULD get Manny. But the Wilpons seem to disagree, and it's their team. If they didn't let Omar go get him in July, when he could have been had for a song and the Red Sox were willing to pay the salary, I don't see them OKing a long-term deal for the guy.

WS: Aaron Heilman is he a lock to get traded? How come the Mets haven't tried him out as a starter?

DG:  The Mets are trying to trade Heilman. The Cubs were willing to give them Jason Marquis for Heilman (and pay some of Marquis' salary), but the Mets didn't like Marquis and they believe they can get a reliever such as Huston Street for Heilman. So they're holding onto him because they think he can help bring back a better reliever from a team (Colorado) that may still look at him as a potential starter. The reason they don't like him as a starter is an issue with his mechanics that makes them believe he'd break down if given more than 100 innings in a season. It's called a "high back elbow," and my understanding is that's exactly what it sounds like, if you look at video of Heilman throwing.

WS: Is Duaner Sanchez going to be released? 

DG: I have heard nothing of Sanchez being released. Could be non-tendered, I guess, but I haven't heard that (or anything else) on Sanchez this winter.

WS: Any truth to the Trevor Hoffman rumor? 

DG:  I'm not sure which rumor you're referring to. As I understand it, Hoffman is #4 on their list of preferred free-agent closers, after K-Rod, Fuentes and Wood. If Hoffman or Fuentes or Wood were willing to come to NY and be a setup man, the Mets would love that. They want to get a closer and also an eighth-inning guy with closer experience. But I think those guys will be able to find closers jobs, and it's doubtful any of them would be willing to come to the Mets to be a setup man.

WS: Will the Mets trade for a catcher?

DG:  They'd trade for a catcher if it were an upgrade and didn't cost much in return. But they have limited resources to trade and bigger needs than catcher (rotation, pen, corner OF, 2B), so while you can't rule anything out, I don't see a big deal for a catcher being a front-burner issue for them at this moment.

Interview with MlbTraderumors.com, Tim Dierkes

For all the up to date info on trades, rumors, etc. you must go to Mlb Trade Rumors

WS:Who do you think is the best closing option for the Mets?

 

TD:I like Fuentes for the Mets if he can be had on a three-year deal in the $36MM range.

WS:K-Rod or Fuentes who would you choose?

 

TD:I'd choose Fuentes, but I don't think K-Rod in the low $50MM range for four years is a horrible move.  And they do seem to like J.J. Putz, who could be a bargain next year.

WS:Do you think the Mets make any major trades this winter?

 

TD:Seems like that some members of the bullpen will be dealt.

WS:Is Omar on the hot seat?

 

TD:Not that I know of...I suppose he could be a year from now.

WS:Aaron Heliman,  Scott Schoeneweis, Pedro Feliciano, who gets traded out of that group?

 

TD:Just Heilman.

WS:Can the Mets get a high level prospect for Heilman?

 

TD:I don't think so, he is pricey his reputation isn't great.  It will be a useful player though.

WS:Juan Cruz or Joe Beimel, or someone else for middle relief?

 

TD:Not a fan of either option, I don't think they will come cheap.  I would troll for the really cheap guys.

WS:Will Luis Castillo get traded? What can they get from him? How much money will the Mets have to pick up?

 

TD:No, and they can't get anything for him except for another bad contract.

WS:Orland Hudson- Future Met?

 

TD:It does not seem that way.

WS:Out of all the free agent starting pitchers who do the Mets get?

 

TD:I can see them adding Randy Wolf or Freddy Garcia.

WS:Is Dan Murphy the everyday LF next season? Or do you see the Mets getting Manny, or Raul Ibanez?

 

TD:I would be surprised to see Manny or Ibanez signed. 

WS:Will the Mets trade for a catcher?

 

TD:Probably makes sense to stick with Schneider.  Sorry for the less than exciting answers...I figure that if the Mets add a high-priced reliever, a setup man, and a starter, they won't have much money left over.  Maybe enough for one mid-tier position player like Juan River