MetsCitiBlog

The market for John Lackey and second tier pitchers

2009-11-11T19:31:34-08:00

As I read rumors, tips, tweets, and all these other little snippets throughout the day, I realized two things. First, I need to concentrate on work more and secondly, the pitching market is getting more and more interesting by the hour. Besides John Lackey, there is obviously not a lot of star power on the free agent pitcher scene. Also, more and more teams have opened the door to trading their own pitchers. It seems like the free agent market for second tier pitchers (Randy Wolf, Jon Garland, Jason Marquis) and the trade market for this type (Bronson Arroyo, Edwin Jackson) is beginning to flood a bit. This could prove beneficial for several teams if they take advantage correctly.

First, this could eliminate teams from the Lackey sweepstakes, there by driving his price down. A bit like the lack of suitors for K-Rod last year and the Mets getting a very reasonable 3 year deal with him.If a lot of other teams are looking elsewhere, its quite possible one or two teams could end up being the choices for Lackey.

Additionally, teams like the Mets with a need on multiple fronts (slugging outfielder, effective starters, catcher) may be drawn away from Lackey because of the chance to fill the rotation spots in a more affordable manner to leave money for other acquisitions.

A team like the Yankees/Red Sox could use this to swoop in and make a strong offer and simply walk away with the best pitcher on the market. Without someone to compete with, Lackey is sure to snap up what he probably would receive as a strong contract.

Finally, this leaves the door open for a small market team to fly in and make a big offer to grab the right hander. Without a lot of competition, it just might work.

So, where should the Mets go from here? I still say Lackey would be a great piece. I also believe the Mets have got to inquire about Bronson Arroyo and Edwin Jackson as both are solid pitchers that are durable and could be very strong in the 3rd or 4th spot in the rotation.

State of the Mets--2010, Part 4 David Wright

2009-11-11T11:36:16-08:00

Position number 5 in your scorebook belongs to an important figure. Let me start by saying I do not care about David Wright's decreased power numbers. To me it is not important. He needs to be a hitter, more that a slugger for the Mets. I have several issues that I do feel are important including, in no particular order:

His .200 batting average with RISP and two outs, ouch.
David's circus-like defensive ability, great on the tough plays, adventure on the easy ones and throws
The anti-collision attitude he has with all the catchers in the league.

I have to say, other than my Keith Hernandez jersey, I wear my D. Wright to most games I attend. I love David Wright and truly believe he is still a work in progress. He is a five tool player. However, he frustrates me to no end. Championship teams grow and solidify as they build towards the elite status. That is exactly what transpired for Wright from 2005-2008. He built upon each season and progressed. Clearly, 2009 was a step back for him. I do feel however, that 2010 will be a great season for David. He knows how the league works. He should understand the grind now. I think the leadership position will be even more comfortable for him, especially if Delgado is no longer present as the elder statesman.

Wright is clearly a hard working player. He is a little nice for me. Says all the "Wright" things. Does all the "Wright" things. I need him to scream at an umpire, point at a pitcher that hits him (or at least glare), and mow down the next catcher in his way, stand up and nonchalantly step on home plate for the safe call!

I believe this will be your year David, League MVP and more importantly, team MVP.

Detroit's Edwin Jackson available, Mets are interested

2009-11-10T19:47:48-08:00

Detroit is in need of shedding some salary after having committed $100 million to only 10 of their players. It looks like Edwin Jackson may be the man in the cross hairs. Joel Sherman is tweeting that the Mets will be interested if it is confirmed that Jackson is available. In a separate, independent article, Foxsports is reporting on Jackson being available. Seems like this story has some teeth to it since multiple news sources are discussing it.

The Mets need to jump all over this. I mean now. Jackson is an emerging number 2 starter that has built up successfully in the AL over the last three years. Here is what I see in a quick breakdown of his stats from the last 3 seasons, 2007-2009.

Innings have increased each year with career high 214 last season.
Walks decreased each year from a walk every 2 innings in '06 to a walk every 3 innings in '07.
Hits allowed decreased dramatically over the 3 seasons. Now allowing less than a hit/inning.
Strikeouts have risen to career high of 161 last season

Everything points in the right direction for this guy and he is doing it in the AL. I know he is in the Central, but it is the AL, DH and all. Please do not tell me about his weak finish. I am aware of it. I do not think it is anything to be concerned with. My thoughts? Consider it a pitcher breaking 200 innings for the first time. Or, maybe he hit a rough spot.

What I do know is that he is exactly what the Mets need. The best part about it is that he only made $2.2 million last year and won't break the bank. This would allow the Mets to bring in additional pitching help (Lackey? Halladay?, Wolf). Minaya will certainly be in on this. The question is, how many other teams will as well? Also, how much will it cost the team that gets him?

Mets trolling the garbage heap, interested in Joel Piñeiro.

2009-11-10T17:54:52-08:00

Jon Heyman is tweeting that the Mets are interested in Piniero if his price tag falls below the $30 million mark over 3 years. The 31 year old right hander had a career year for the Cardinals this year. He was 15-12 and had an e.r.a of 3.49 over the span of 214 innings. His strongest point, only 27 walks all year. The problem is, he has been well below average for too many years leading up to this. I view him as a right handed version of Oliver Perez. He was built up so much as a young Mariner and never materialized. I guarantee you his 2010 stat line looks nothing line his 2009 stat line. I pray that the Mets do not spend money on this guy. Why not explore Jon Garland, Randy Wolf, or even Jason Marquis. All three are better than Pineiro. I would even be a fan of signing Brad Penny on the cheap and bringing his surly attitude to New York. He has electric, sinking stuff and is not afraid of anything.

This all may be posturing by Minaya as to who he really covets. Also, we can hope that the Cardinals want to retain Pineiro and sign him so all this is worthless.

Roy Halladay to the Mets?

2009-11-10T07:07:40-08:00

The off season is upon us and the game shifts from on the field to across the table. The free agents have filed or will file shortly and teams are preparing in the direction they want to go. All the while knowing that a lot of other teams have similar plans. Much has been said about the Mets from every angle. Some say they will spend big this winter, some say it will be far less and with second tier players. Some have them buying their acquisitions and some have them trading for them. One thing is for certain, no one really knows the direction, maybe not even Omar Minaya at this point.

So, I pose this beginning scenario. Trade for Roy Halladay. Assuming he is willing to waive his no trade to go to the Mets, I say get him here. It is clear the Mets need at least one, in not two starters. The free agent pitchers available include a good number two (John Lackey) and a bunch of solid number threes and fours (Garland, Wolf, Marquis, etc.). Halladay represents a second force for the team in the pitcher's league, the NL.

I know all the debates about trading away all your talent, blah, blah, blah. The problem is, prospects are just possibilities until they perform on the big stage. I could name you a lot of big time prospects that have never done anything. Alex Escobar, Lastings Milledge to date, Gregg Jefferies, are just a few and that is just Mets prospects.

I say trade away and get the known commodity. Hit the Latin American developmental leagues, keep drafting and make minor trades to bring back additional prospects to replenish after wards. Elite players are needed to get to the playoffs and beyond. Halladay would be a good start.

Mets Castillo being discussed in 3 team deal

2009-11-09T16:22:38-08:00

According to Ken Rosenthal, he is reporting that the Mets are discussing the basic idea of a three team deal to send Castillo out and essentially bring in Lyle Overbay. Milton Bradley would also be in the deal. The idea behind such a trade would be that Overbay could platoon with either Daniel Murphy or Nick Evans as part of a strong duo. This is certainly very early in the framework, but it is a lead in as to what the team is thinking. Clearly, get Castillo out and most likely bring in the long wanted, Orlando Hudson

Matt Holliday or John Lackey for the Mets? You decide.

2009-11-09T09:53:34-08:00

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State of the Mets-2010, Part 3 -Delgado, Adam Laroche, or Adrian Gonzalez?

2009-11-07T08:07:19-08:00

The Mets infield next year could be great or it could be a major problem. Health, age, and experience will all play a factor from first base all the way around the diamond to third base. Let's start at position number 3 in your score book.

The aging Carlos Delgado is a shell of his former self. He has filed for free agency and indications have not shown a concrete thought by Omar Minaya as to whether he is looking to resign the lefty. This is what we know. He will be 38 years old this coming season. Major injury limited him to 26 games this past season. He has shown an ability to carry the team when hot, or totally end a rally consistently when cold. So what do you do? Cut him loose? Incentive-laden one year deal? I will say that barring a trade, he is one of our best options on the free agent market. A guy like Adam LaRoche is intriguing as he is young and had a couple of very solid seasons. He could potentially lock up the position for years, but that would block the future of Ike Davis. I personally am not big on saving positions for a possible star that is still in the minors. What if he doesn't pan out? What if he gets hurt? Signing a guy like LaRoche, while not breaking the bank necessarily, locks you up with a solid performer. I will just throw out the name Adrian Gonzalez as well. I know the Mets don't have the stones to make a play, nor do I think he is available at this point, but wow is that guy a stud. He is healthy, young, and awesome. I would trade for him as a priority if he were available.

My sense is that the Mets still see Daniel Murphy as a viable first baseman. Horrible. They may try and pair him with a right handed hitter as a platoon to try and get through the year hoping Davis can contribute soon. I would gather this would happen especially if the break the bank on Holliday as they are not known for actually spending a lot on multiple players in the same off season.

NY Post reporting Mets & Yanks in on Aroldis Chapman

2009-11-06T18:36:43-08:00

According to the NY Post, the agent for Aroldis Chapman is stating that both the Mets and the Yankees have had discussions with them. Chapman's agency is based in the city and he has spent some time there.

Basically, this 21 year old lefty supposedly throws in upwards of 100 mph. He was apparently told two weeks ago by the Mets that they would not be pursuing him do to the estimated $60 million he was rumored to be looking for.

Mets fans, don't get excited. This smells a lot like an agent doing everything he can to include as many large market teams as possible. Would I be interested in him if Chapman were to come at a price tag in the $30 million range? Sure. However, he is raw and untested so to give him $60 million sounds a little Kaz Matsui-ish to me if you get my drift.

I am hoping that the GM meeting next week give us an idea of the Mets plan going forth. Certainly there will not be any major moves, but an inkling or a rumor or two and we could see some direction. For example, do we hear Lackey's name come up a lot? How about Randy Wolf's name coming up? We should know sooner than later at least a preliminary plan.

Royals release Olivo, best of the bad options for the Mets?

2009-11-06T11:05:17-08:00

According to Tim Dierkes at MLBTR, the Royals have released Miguel Olivo and others. Olivo is possibly the best of the worst. He is almost decent from a horrible crop of available catchers. He hit .249 this past year and struck out 129 times in 390 ABs. On the plus side, he did hit 23 home runs and drove in 65 runs in 114 games. He is 31 years old.

I am clearly not thrilled by him. But I guess he is serviceable until a solid catcher comes up (Thole) or becomes available on the market. The key is, don't spend any significant amount of money on such a weak position. Really, why spend millions more or give extra years to get a .250 hitter instead of a .240 hitter. All the catchers avaiable this off season are below average.

We will hear his name, I am just not sure what direction the Mets are leaning. Schneider seems like history. Torrealba does not seem possible given the bad blood in the past, and everyone else is old, horrible, or both. We will see how this plays out.