You Be The Judge
by Jeff Sullivan on Nov 7, 2008 2:24 PM PST
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But Met officials departed the GM meetings confident that someone they like from the free-agent field will fall to them in this game of big-money musical chairs.
If all fails via free agency, the Mets talked to the Mariners about J.J. Putz, and believe Seattle eventually will make him available this offseason. However, Putz makes just $5 million in 2009 with a 2010 club option for $8.6 million or a $1 million buyout.
So that puts Putz into the affordable available closer category with Oakland's Huston Street, Florida's Kevin Gregg and perhaps even Jenks in the right package.
On the one hand, teams with no plans of being competitive have little use for shutdown closers. On the other, JJ's value is as low as it's been in three years. I'm all for making JJ available - everybody should be available, all the time - but if I'm the new front office, I don't go into trade negotiations looking to settle. I look for a big return, and if nothing comes along, I give JJ a chance to right himself next summer before exploring the market again near the deadline. While this team doesn't have a need for JJ right now, it also shouldn't be in any rush to see him go away for less than what he's worth.
If anything, this offseason should be about seeing how much you can get in return for guys with decent value who either won't be around long-term, or who risk having their values drop down the road. Jose Lopez. Jarrod Washburn. Yuniesky Betancourt. And, as much as it pains me to say, Adrian Beltre. Obviously I wouldn't want to deal Beltre if I thought this team might be able to win, but if we're committed to rebuilding, we won't have any real use for him in 2009, and he won't want to sign an extension. So you might as well test the waters. It's the right thing to do. You just have to hope that GMZ's as good a salesman as he is an evaluator of talent.
There are countless right ways for the new front office to handle this offseason, and there are countless wrong ways. All this waiting for the first shoe to drop is killing me.
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Yup
If any team is willing to over pay, it’s the Mets. You test the waters on these guys, and if you get an offer you like you move on it.
That's exactly what I mean by Lopez as well.
If some team blows you away or gives you good value, great, do it. But don’t feel like you need to trade either. Yuni and Wash on the other hand…
All this waiting for the first shoe to drop is killing me.
If there’s anything Seattle sports has taught me, it’s this: It’s not the waiting, it’s the actual drop that kills you. Don’t be Bill, Jack, don’t be Bill.
Bill would trade Washburn for Andruw Jones
Trade the farm for Aubrey Huff
Trade Lopez for Benji Molina
Sign Jeff Kent to play second
Big money for Adam Dunn to play 1B or LF depending on how the rest off the offseason plays out
by JI on Nov 7, 2008 3:21 PM PST up reply actions
Hmmm....
Tempting…
I might actually trade Washburn for Andruw Jones, myself…
Oh, wait, HELL NO!. Andruw Jones owns a freakin’ Ford Pinto…
This signature space for rent.
My Dad bought a brand new Ford Pinto in 1972
Didn’t keep it for longer than 6 months
Determined, Jonesing Commentor | Proud proprietor of Washingtonhighways.org
What about an Ibanez/Putz package?
When I was at Shea I observed Ibanez getting ‘mad props’ from loads of Mets players, and Omar-whatshisname GM guy was talking to him for several minutes before BP.
What could be look at getting from the Mets anyway, how’s their farm?
I was at Shea for the Felix-Slam!
Personal M's record: 5-4.
HAHAHA.
“Schoolboy error”.
I was at Shea for the Felix-Slam!
Personal M's record: 5-4.
by EnglishMariner on Nov 7, 2008 4:33 PM PST up reply actions
I always thought the best plan for next year concerning closer was
to let Putz regain a good status, then trade him at the deadline and promote Fields… but well, we have to see what happens with Fields.
The downside about holding on to Putz
is if he doesn’t improve his value will be even lower and his contract value will be even worse.
Midnight Baseball - No Lights - Only in Alaska!
Do the Mets even have any good young players?
I feel like they have gutted their farm system pretty good lately.
More than that
Fernando Martinez is their top prospect. But there are more guys that should interest the M’s than that:
Mike Carp is a solid yet unspectacular first baseman who was very good in AA last year (.299/.403/.471). He would definitely be available in the right trade and would be a great target.
Jon Niese took a huge step forward this year. He is a LHP with good numbers at AA last year, and projects as a decent #4 type. He reached the big leagues last year, and could start 2009 in a ML rotation.
Wilmer Flores is the Mets version of Carlos Triunfel. He hit .310/.352/.490 in the Appy league this year, playing most of the season as a 16-year-old. A lot of people rank him above Martinez, although he has a long way to go. Very interesting prospect.
Jefry Marte is another very raw int’l signing. He hit .325/.398/.532 in the GCL in 2008, and didn’t turn 17 until mid-season. He has great tools and tons of upside.
Eddie Kunz is a solid relief prospect, and could be part of a package. He could pitch in the big leagues by next year.
The Mets also have a few guys from their 2008 draft crop who could be included in deals as PTBLs, like Reese Havens, Ike Davis, and Brad Holt.
I am not arguing that the Mets have an awesome farm system, because they don’t. However, all teams in baseball have some good players. There isn’t a team in baseball who couldn’t put together a package for a guy like Putz. The Mets definitely have enough talent.
Putz
I would approach trade negotiations as if Putz were still at an elite level, then only lower demands a little bit.
Perhaps it is just me seeing things through rose colored glasses, but Putz looked like his old dominant self at the end of the season. His velocity was back up, and he seemed to be back.
The range of potential outcomes with Putz next year is huge. I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if he was in 06-07. But the injuries are obviously a concern.
If the M’s can get a very good package for Putz, they might as well just hold off. It is very likely that he will be lights out next year, which would put the M’s in a very strong position at the trade deadline next season.
Speaking of the Mets, they are a great match for the M’s in an expanded trade. The Mets need a lot of help, including SP, 2B, and SL. How about a package of Washburn, Lopez, and Putz? Those three relatively cheap options (can’t believe I just said that about Washburn) would allow the Mets to devote more $$$ to bring in another starter and a bat in the outfield. The Mets are a club that has a long track record of valuing proven vets over young talent, and they are clearly in win-now mode. I hope that Zduriencik has Omar Minaya on speed dial this offseason.
I just noticed this little gem
You just have to hope that GMZ’s as good a salesman as he is an evaluator of talent.
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