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For Mets, What’s Next?- What I Would Do


By Mike Silva ~ December 30th, 2009. Filed under: New York Mets, Offseason Speculation.

So Jason Bay, pending physical, will play left field and bat fifth for the Mets in 2010. I outlined the reasons why I think this is a good deal earlier today. What’s next for the Mets? Probably announcing the Bengie Molina deal, however I am sure we will start to hear more rumblings after the New Year. Here are some of the moves I would like to see them make.

Sign Ben Sheets.

I don’t think it’s necessary to give out another risky contract. As much as I like Bay, years four and five could be problematic. Shelling out $12 million on an injury plagued pitcher may be crazy, but for one year the upside of Sheets is worth it. The alternatives, free agents like Jon Garland and Joel Pineiro, and trade possibilities like Carlos Zambrano and Bronson Arroyo aren’t worth the money, years, or risk. Take a flier on a pitcher that could be a “second ace” next to Santana. Wouldn’t you love to see what Sheets can do on a good team with 35 starts? Twenty wins is not out of the question if he is healthy. A productive Sheets also slots Pelfrey, Maine, and Perez in more conducive roles in the back half of the rotation. If Sheets fails you can turn to Jonathan Niese, or possibly acquire an arm midseason.

Bring in a Second Lefty.

The Mets have been thrifty with their bullpen this offseason. I like the moves to bring in Kelvim Escobar and Ryota Igarachi. There are still some quality arms from last year like Sean Green, Bobby Parnell and, of course, the closer Francisco Rodriguez. Any championship team needs too lefties out of the pen (see Yanks and Phils in last year’s World Series). At the very least give Pedro Feliciano the opportunity to rest a day or two. I am not an advocate of a long term deal, but perhaps you can land Joe Beimel, Alan Embree, Ron Mahay, Brian Shouse, or Will Ohman on a one year deal. None of those pitchers will require the Mets to lose a draft pick. Personally, I like Beimel or Shouse.

If Healthy, Consider Signing Carlos Delgado.

I have been against this move, but it makes sense the more I think about it. As much as I like Ike Davis, I would prefer a full year at AAA to see if he is ready. Daniel Murphy would be a great bench bat who can play multiple positions. Could you imagine Delgado in a lineup where he is asked to bat sixth? If he gave you his 2007 line it still would be worth bringing him back. Are 20 homers, 80 RBI and an OPS of .800 out of the question? Not sure if Murphy can provide that and he sure doesn’t impose the offensive presence of Delgado.

Sign a Right Handed First Baseman.

Complement Murphy or Delgado with someone like Ryan Garko or Kevin Millar who both hit lefties very well for their career. Worst case you have Nick Evans who was productive in a small sample size, however why not bring in more of a sure thing if it’s not too expensive.

Everyone knows that Omar Minaya can recruit and sign the “big fish” like Jason Bay. The failure of his tenure has been to round out the roster with quality. The Mets have consistently been short one bat, on the bench, and in the bullpen throughout his time as general manager. This hasn’t always been his fault as ownership fails to go the extra mile financially on smaller ticket items. Minaya can’t control the health of his stars, but he can give them the support they need. The moves I suggest are quality players who don’t blow out their 2010 budget. Even with Bay, a short roster will result in more of the same in 2010.

Mike Silva is a freelance writer and radio host since March of 2007. This website is his own personal "digest" of New York Baseball He's also hosts NYBD Radio on Blog Talk Radio and 1240 AM WGBB. Check out his sports media commentary at www.sportsmediawatchdog.com. Check out his official website, www.mikesilvamedia.com
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9 Responses to For Mets, What’s Next?- What I Would Do

  1. Gregory Rojas
    December 30th, 2009 at 12:47 pm

    I agree with Mike, but we could go one year and a team option with Ben Sheets, i like the Delgado signing, i would like a trade for Sambrano, but i prefer Barajas over Molina, please this guy can’t run and is 35yo; i would like both Sheets and Sambrano, and go with Santos – Blanco, check this…….
    Reyes Santana
    Hudson Sambrano
    Beltran Sheets
    Bay Pelfrey
    Delgado Perez
    Wright
    Francouer
    Santos-Blanco.

  2. Steve
    December 30th, 2009 at 1:43 pm

    Let’s hope the Mets do something else. This is still far from a championship team. The pattern the last decade is fill the team with four or five star players, and then largely ignore the rest of the positions or rotation, praying that they will just work out (even though these positions are loaded with .230 hitters and starting pitchers with sub .500 career records). I’ll keep saying this like a broken record – unless they address all starting positions and the depth and make a concerted effort to go over the top, Met fans will continue in misery with more 85 win seasons at best…

  3. Vern
    December 30th, 2009 at 3:51 pm

    The Mets have more to accomplish in building the 2010 team this off-season. The signing of Jason Bay and Bengie Molina (done deals except for physicals) filled gaping holes, but are not enough.
    Pitching (both starting and relieving) is the next item on the list. My preference is two starters and a lefty reliever.

    The Carlos Zambrano for Luis Castillo rumor (if real) is worth exploring. So is the a trade with the Reds involving Bronson Arroyo or Arron Harang. Post-2009 season acquisitions (Escobar, Ryoto, Dickey, Dessens, Everts, and Egbert) suggest incumbant bulllpen members (Sean Green and Bobby Parnell) are available to be traded. Steps in the trade front should precede signing a free agent signing. Two trades of one trade and a free agent sarting pitching signing is in order.

    A lefty bullpen aquisition is also a NEED.

    After that, anything is extra. The signing of Carlos Delgado or Adam LaRoche for first base is something to look into, but only after pitching has been addressed. A righty firstbaseman is not, as the Mets have Nick Evans and Chris Carter on the roster filling that requirement

  4. John
    December 30th, 2009 at 8:49 pm

    Hi Mike,

    I enjoy your work. A quick question, why do so many people seem to think that Bay is going to break down in years 4 and 5? Guys like Damon, Abreu, and Hideki Matsui continue to play well in their late 30′s. Bay will only be 36 when this deal ends. Bay really hasn’t had major injuries that would lead me to think that we have to worry about him that much.

  5. Mike Silva
    December 31st, 2009 at 6:25 am

    John

    Thanks for the compliment. I think the rumors of Bay’s “health risk”, which was first floated by the Boston media, is part of the issue. There is no data to support this (surprised that more people haven’t called this one out). Any 30+ signing is a risk, but the new philosophy of youth, speed, defense, and run differentiation, might start to make players like Bay less desirable. Just like High OBP top to bottom was a big thing at the turn of the century, two way players are starting to replace that. Unfortunately, finding a great two way player is very heard, you can argue that David Wright isn’t even that.

  6. Mark P
    December 31st, 2009 at 10:54 am

    Getting Sheets is like buying a blender with a bent blade. Maybe it’ll work, but maybe the blade will break off while making a Margarita when you really need one, like after Sheets gets injured in a crucial game.
    And Delgado is the old refrigerator that the ice cream keeps melting in. You can try to keep it going but then again, better to have a newer more efficient model, even if it’s smaller, and put the clunker on the curb. And in Delgado’s case, I’ll be suprised if anyone picks him up, even for parts.

  7. ed
    December 31st, 2009 at 2:40 pm

    All talk should cease on trading Luis Castillo. He did do last year what he promised the previous year. He came back in better shape and had worked hard at rehabilitating injuries. The man batted .302 and played fundamentally sound baseball.Luis showed improved speed,plate discipline and is able to sacrifice.Until you find a suitable replacement why bother discussing. If lineup had not been destroyed by injuries the discussions regarding Luis would be about the comeback he made last year.

  8. Mark P
    January 4th, 2010 at 7:38 am

    I missed Castillo’s promise to make the fielding errors he made. If he did promise to lose games with his fielding, he truly is a man of his word.

  9. Kelly
    January 5th, 2010 at 10:28 pm

    Guys, FYI, I watched Chris Carter all season last year in Pawtucket, and he can CRUSH long balls. One of the last home runs he hit went at least 525 feet by my estimate. The Red Sox pissed me off royally by trading him– he was PawSox MVP and led in all hitting categories. No one worked harder to improve, and no one on that club had a sweeter swing. Just saying. I am really hoping that he gets his chance with your team, because he deserves it. With a good hitting coach, he will only get better. Good luck with J Bay and CC!

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