Mets Must Say No to Yankee Free Agents
By Mike Silva ~ October 10th, 2009. Filed under: Mike Silva.
Over the last week we have heard rumblings about the Mets possibly having interest in Johnny Damon and today Newsday’s Dave Lennon speculates about Hideki Matsui in Flushing. Regardless of their offensive production Omar Minaya should say “no thanks” to each of these individuals.
Both Damon and Matsui would be fine acquisitions for a team that could afford the risk and has the DH as a fallback. I realize that both these individuals would be second to only Carlos Beltran in OPS on the 2009 Mets. That, in itself, says a lot about the Amazin’s.
This is the type of move that would not improve the Mets in 2010 and set them back going forward. Both will be looking for two year deals and won’t come cheap. Agents don’t normally offer their clients services on the cheap after a bounce back seasons in their late thirties. The market demand obviously plays a huge role in their 2010 salary, but even a 30% pay cut puts these players in the $10 million a year range. I have my doubts they either player can duplicate their 2009 offensive production going forward and the thought of them playing the spacious Citi outfield makes me cringe. What’s next Glenallen Hill in right?
Once again if you are going to spend $10-15 million on an outfielder why not commit to a Matt Holliday long term versus a 1-2 year stopgap with Matsui or Damon? I would rather see Vlad Guerrero, Magglio Ordonez, or Bobby Abreu. If you don’t want to play in the Matt Holliday sweepstakes than just find a way to trade for Magglio Ordonez and his $15 million versus paying $10 for Damon or Matsui.
This kind of talk is disturbing. I hope it’s more media brainstorming than real consideration by Omar Minaya and his staff.
