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Looking Ahead: 2006

Valadius Sep 09 2005 12:24 PM Edited 2 time(s), most recently on Sep 09 2005 03:32 PM

Now that the Mets have buried themselves out of the playoff race, we can start looking ahead to next year. Here's a look at the players whose contracts are up: Miguel Cairo Gerald Williams Mike Piazza Jose Offerman Wil Cordero Roberto Hernandez Mike DiFelice Doug Mientkiewicz has a team option, so he'll likely be let go. Steve Trachsel also has a team option. Tom Glavine has a mutual option. Felix Heredia and Danny Graves have team options. Braden Looper has a team option. Marlon Anderson and Chris Woodward are non-tender candidates, but they'll likely stick around. Edit: DiFelice is also a free agent.

MFS62 Sep 09 2005 12:49 PM

Never knew Glavine's option was "mutual". I thought he was automatically re-upped after he recently reached his IP number. Thanks, Later

Edgy DC Sep 09 2005 12:58 PM

The Mets end of the option automatically vests. He has little reason not to accept his end. He may want to jump if he can get similar money from a team more likely to back him with offense and help him add to his career win total, but that would be a rare opportunity to find such a team, and he'd have to commit to jumping before hearing from any such team, unless they use back channels to tamper. I doubt (though it could happen) anyone is going to break the rules over Tom Glavine. His agent will likely then advise him to take the bird in the hand and pick up his option.

metirish Sep 09 2005 01:10 PM

I'd have no problem with Glavine being back next season, I can't really look to 06 yet, to early.

Valadius Sep 09 2005 04:04 PM

Now, we haven't had great success with Japanese players, but here's an interesting bit I picked up: Kenji Jojima: a 29-year old catcher for the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks wants to play in MLB next season. He has been offered $25M over 3 years to remain in Japan. He speaks no English so a position change may be needed, but he may be the best right-handed hitter in Japan. Dodgers and Mets will likely pursue him. Jojima would become the first Japanese catcher to play in the majors.

metirish Sep 09 2005 04:14 PM

It'a always the Dodgers and Mets going after these guys,a position change to where, stay away form him,Nakamura was supposed to be a great hitter and turned out badly.

Nymr83 Sep 09 2005 04:18 PM

metirish wrote: It'a always the Dodgers and Mets going after these guys,a position change to where, stay away form him,Nakamura was supposed to be a great hitter and turned out badly. Nakamura wasn't given a fair shot...the Mets have Wright so who needs him, but another team should give him a shot and i bet they will be pleasantly suprised. ]Kenji Jojima: a 29-year old catcher for the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks wants to play in MLB next season. He has been offered $25M over 3 years to remain in Japan. He speaks no English so a position change may be needed, but he may be the best right-handed hitter in Japan. Dodgers and Mets will likely pursue him. Jojima would become the first Japanese catcher to play in the majors. IF he can catch for us i'd take him with the understanding that if he sucks its castro-time. if he needs to switch positions (1b?) just forget about it...we've tried that bullshit before and its not worth it.

Iubitul Sep 09 2005 04:27 PM

Psst... guys.... there's still a game tonight.... We have all winter for this....

Valadius Sep 09 2005 05:25 PM

Continuing with our in-season Hot Stove discussion... We have twenty-five roster spots. The following are certainly locked up for next year: David Wright 3B Jose Reyes SS Carlos Beltran CF Pedro Martinez SP Kris Benson SP Jae Seo SP Aaron Heilman SP/RP Then there's the players we will more than likely keep: Ramon Castro C Chris Woodward IF Marlon Anderson IF Tom Glavine SP Juan Padilla RP Heath Bell RP Mike Jacobs 1B (he might need a little more minor league seasoning) Tim Hamulack RP Those who are trade bait: Cliff Floyd LF Mike Cameron RF Victor Diaz RF Victor Zambrano SP Kaz Matsui 2B And those who are free agents or gone: Mike Piazza C Jose Offerman 1B Danny Graves RP Braden Looper RP Mike DiFelice C Gerald Williams OF Shingo Takatsu RP Miguel Cairo 2B Doug Mientkiewicz 1B Kaz Ishii SP Steve Trachsel SP Roberto Hernandez RP Dae Sung Koo RP

smg58 Sep 09 2005 06:59 PM Re: Looking Ahead: 2006

Valadius wrote: Doug Mientkiewicz has a team option, so he'll likely be let go. Steve Trachsel also has a team option. Tom Glavine has a mutual option. Felix Heredia and Danny Graves have team options. Braden Looper has a team option. Marlon Anderson and Chris Woodward are non-tender candidates, but they'll likely stick around. Edit: DiFelice is also a free agent. Doug is gone. Heredia and Graves are certainly gone, and Looper should be a certainty at this point as well. They have Trachsel, Zambrano, and even Bannister and Heilman competing for one spot in the rotation, which makes things interesting. Trachsel's option (from what I'm gathering, which could be wrong, $2.5M plus incentives based on IP) is too easy not to pick up. If they decide to go with somebody else in that spot he could be easily dealt, provided he's willing to go (he'll be 10/5 once the season ends). Woodward is too useful not to keep, but I can't help thinking Chase Lambin could do what Anderson does, with more power and as a switch hitter. Yes, let's play some baseball still.

Nymr83 Sep 09 2005 07:52 PM

out of Matsui, Woodward, Anderson, Offerman, and Cairo i hope that only 1 (woodward) or 2 if we can't trade matsui are on the roster opening day next year. as a group they create too much redundancy and block lambin/hernandez unnecessarily. i know its not the offseason yet but the mets need to look forward to '06 with the following: C: Castro, because anyone out there is not much of an upgrade and alot more expensive. I'd want to bring in a 2nd guy with a little pop to play maybe 25-30% of the starts. 1B: this is a wide open position right now. i'd be very upset if they don't fill it externally and with a power hitter. 2B: i don't like any of the external FA options. I'd love to see what Hernandez and/or Lambin can do but i wish we had begun that process months ago. 3B: David Wright. if he leaves i leave. SS: Jose Reyes. he still hasn't proven himself as a top of the order guy to my satisfaction but you'd be nuts to go with anyone else. LF: I'd like to bring Floyd back, but with the caveat that i want a strong 4th outfielder because i expect missed time. CF: Beltran. RF: Cameron should be used as trade bait and Diaz should be given the start here unless there is an upgrade out there that won't cost an arm and a leg in terms of prospects. If they don't get aslugger at 1B maybe they can find one here. Bench: Woodward, Valent, Jacobs would be the 3 guys around now that i want to keep. SP: Martinez, Glavine (friggin vesting contracting), Benson are locks for rotation spots. Traschel option is cheap and he's good so i need to exercise it. Seo hasn't done anything to not deserve the 5th spot. Another half year at least in the minors for Bannister and Petit because we are very deep in starters. Heilman can remain in the pen, hopefully in a bigger role. BP: heilman, bell should return. hamulack should be given a shot in the spring along with a host of other young guys like ring, padilla, etc

smg58 Sep 10 2005 12:21 PM

I like Diaz more as the strong fourth outfielder than as the regular in right. I'd love to make room for Brian Giles, if he'd come to New York. Even Shea would look like Coors Field after two years in Petco, and a lefty bat you could count on for a .400+ OBP and a .900+ OPS is exactly the kind of hitter the Mets need. His age is a mild concern, but it might also lower his price.

Elster88 Sep 10 2005 01:11 PM

You can't say Diaz will only be a fourth outfielder any more than you can call him the next Manny Ramirez. No one knows one way or the other. ____________________________ This post had the designation 159) Bob Shaw

DocTee Sep 10 2005 01:14 PM

Am i the only one on the Jeff Keppinger bandwagon? He's hit ML pitching--Lambin and Anderson have not.

MFS62 Sep 10 2005 02:04 PM

More Willie Wisdom from this morning's Daily News early edition: He said he does not intend to play a lot of kids to give them major league experience until they are "mathematically eliminated". Memo to Willie: Maybe some of those kids might be able to delay that elimination just a tad. It isn't as if they would be replacing some key players from the '27 Yankees. Later

Edgy DC Sep 10 2005 03:03 PM

You're changing terms between sentences. If the idea is not yet playing them "to give them experience," that doesn't discount playing them to help the team win, if that's what's judged to be the best way.

MFS62 Sep 10 2005 03:20 PM

That was from memory. Here is the entire section of the article: (I'm retyping it because I don't want to get a logon to the NYDN site) Rookie Mike Jacobs started at first base in his first appearance since Sept. 1. For now, however, Randolph plans to start a lineup he feels has the best chance to win that night rather than expose young players to the majors to gauge their ability to handle it in 2006. "When we're mathematically eliminated that might happen" Randolph said. "But I'm not throwing in the towel." I see the key word there to be "expose". It sounds he won't play them at all, including (your point) to help the team win before that elimination. Yes, wanting to keep on winning is admirable. (and a standard managerial starement) But I feel that maybe some of the kids (like Hernandez when he comes up after the Norfolk playoff run, and a pitcher such as Ring) might just be some he'd like to "expose" to see what they can do. In any case, one or two more Norfolk losses could have them up with the big club before mathematical doomsday. Later

Edgy DC Sep 10 2005 03:45 PM

You're working way too hard to make something of nothing.

MFS62 Sep 10 2005 03:49 PM

Hey, its a Saturday afternoon, and I've finished all my chores around the house. I had to do something to take my mind off the fact that my wife is out shopping with my daughter. That has historically been a dangerous combination, and so I forced my mind to think of things other than the bills they will ring up. Later

Nymr83 Sep 10 2005 08:23 PM

]I'm retyping it because I don't want to get a logon to the NYDN site huh??

Valadius Sep 11 2005 01:19 PM

I don't see Lambin as a major leaguer.

Rotblatt Sep 11 2005 02:27 PM

]I don't see Lambin as a major leaguer. Why not? 25 home runs from a middle infielder not enough for you? He's put up better offensive numbers than Anderson. Anderson might have more upside, but I'd give Chase a shot to see what he can do.

Valadius Sep 11 2005 02:33 PM

He scares me with that glove.

Rotblatt Sep 11 2005 02:36 PM

I haven't actually heard anything BAD about his glove anecdotally--he's just recorded a number of errors. I'd love to hear what a scout thinks about him, but everyone asks about Hernandez instead.

Valadius Sep 11 2005 06:56 PM

Ok, now here's a look at the lineup with a depth chart: 1. Jose Reyes SS 2. Carlos Beltran CF Mike Cameron/Victor Diaz RF Insert Player Here 3. David Wright 3B Carlos Beltran CF 4. Insert Player Here Cliff Floyd LF David Wright 3B 5. Cliff Floyd LF Insert Player Here David Wright 3B 6. Mike Cameron/Victor Diaz RF Mike Jacobs 1B Ramon Castro C 7. Mike Jacobs 1B Ramon Castro C Insert Player Here 8. Ramon Castro C Insert Player Here 9. Pitcher This is done without a second baseman for now, as we are certain to get a new second baseman for next season. Also, it factors in where we could plug holes by signing somebody. For example, we need a legit power hitter. We're also getting an unknown at second. I have it such that based on who it is we get, we can plug them in accordingly and shift some people around. Also, I have Mike Jacobs penciled in as the first baseman. That may or may not come to pass, but for the time being, I have him in there. Also with the famous actress platoon that is Cameron/Diaz - who knows if either of them will stay, but for the purposes of this projected lineup they are included as a single entity. Feel free to comment on this.

Rotblatt Sep 12 2005 02:23 PM

From the Gammons column: ]If the Marlins do not make the playoffs, they will lose $20 million-$30 million, likely cannot get a ballpark built and will have to try to trade Carlos Delgado to the Mets before Omar Minaya, the Mets' GM, starts tinkering with acquiring Manny Ramirez. If the Mets continue to dive and Carlos Beltran gets booed right on into October, it will be interesting to see the Mets' response if and when the Red Sox reiterate the offer they made in July of Ramirez for Beltran. It would save New York close to $30 million. whoa. That would be fucking crazy. I hadn't heard about the Beltran for Manny offer, by the way. Had anyone else? Would we take Manny for 3 over Beltran for 6? I'd seriously think about it, especially since we have Cameron (who's been a better hitter than Beltran this year). It'd take some juggling (move Floyd to 1st, Cam to center, Diaz to right, Manny in left? Or would we move Floyd?) but it would give our offense a nice boost--and save us $30M.

Yancy Street Gang Sep 12 2005 04:46 PM

I don't know about the Carlos for Manny stuff, but if Gammons is right, it gives us a reason to root against the Marlins.

Nymr83 Sep 12 2005 04:52 PM

you needed a reason? go astros!

Rotblatt Sep 12 2005 04:57 PM

]I don't know about the Carlos for Manny stuff, but if Gammons is right, it gives us a reason to root against the Marlins. I'm be a little leary of that. I mean, I'd love to get Delgado, but it would really depend on who they want for him. Of course, if Gammons is right, then we'd have them pretty much over a barrell and should be able to get him for not much--maybe Zambrano and a lower-level prospect? I'm not sure I'd be willing to give up much more than that. Delgado's expensive and we might be able to get Konerko for less, without having to give up any prospects. Delgado > Konerko, but the difference isn't even close to worth a Petit, Milledge, G. Hernandez type, in my mind.

Yancy Street Gang Sep 12 2005 05:02 PM

I'm figuring that, again, if Gammons is right, if the Marlins are desperate to deal Delgado, and the Mets are one of the few options out there for them, then maybe the Mets can get him in a salary dump kind of deal. Even if the Mets don't opt to help the Marlins out with this, it's good for them to have it as an option. I don't want to purge the farm system for Delgado either.

Elster88 Sep 12 2005 05:11 PM

When did we get Wil Cordero? _____________________________ This post had the designation 157) Alex Ochoa

Valadius Sep 12 2005 05:17 PM

July, I think. We released him a short time ago, though.

Spacemans Bong Sep 12 2005 05:21 PM

Trading Beltran for Manny is Gammons writing with his Red Sox hat on. Why would the Mets logically trade Beltran for Manny? Manny is a great hitter, but if they can get Carlos Delgado for nothing, best to take him, as it kills two birds with one stone (premier slugger, first base).

Nymr83 Sep 12 2005 07:32 PM

Spacemans Bong wrote: Why would the Mets logically trade Beltran for Manny? Manny is a great hitter, but if they can get Carlos Delgado for nothing, best to take him, as it kills two birds with one stone (premier slugger, first base). why are the two mutually exclusive? beltran/ramirez aren't far a apart in salary and piazza coming off the books allows delgado to fill that "salary slot"

Rotblatt Sep 12 2005 07:36 PM

]Why would the Mets logically trade Beltran for Manny? Manny is a great hitter, but if they can get Carlos Delgado for nothing, best to take him, as it kills two birds with one stone (premier slugger, first base). Well, here are a few options: 1) the Mets think Beltran has already plateued and won't be much better than he has been this year, 2) the Mets think Manny, in addition to being one of the best hitters in baseball, will draw more of a crowd than Beltran, 3) the Mets lose in the Konerko & Hernandez sweepstakes and want to make a splash/add an impact bat, 4) we think Milledge is the real deal and will be ready in 2007, when Cameron's contract is up and we don't want Beltran blocking the way. I tend to agree that we're not likely to want to do this, unless we're confident that Beltran will never be able to reach 2003/2004 levels again. That being said, who knows? I'd much rather do this than trade Petit &/or Milledge for Soriano or Delgado.

Nymr83 Sep 12 2005 09:32 PM

]3) the Mets lose in the Konerko & Hernandez sweepstakes and want to make a splash/add an impact bat i know i was once high on him, but i'd feel like i won the booby prize if we won the "hernandez sweepstakes"

smg58 Sep 12 2005 11:25 PM

The Mets aren't the only team who would bid on Delgado, especially if Konerko stays in Chicago; we'd be competing with the Red Sox, for example, and possibly the Yankees. Plus, if teams in worse shape than the Marlins (like the Devil Rays) can refrain from a fire sale, I can't see the Marlins just giving players away again, especially to a division rival. There's a "sweepstakes" for Ramon Hernandez? I had suggested here in August that the only way the Mets could deal for Manny without the money transfer turning into a logistical nightmare was to offer Beltran. It would have been too disruptive midseason but afterwards... I've been hoping that Beltran would give me a reason to think this wouldn't be a good idea, but he hasn't yet.

Spacemans Bong Sep 13 2005 12:04 AM

The idea of trading a 29 year old Beltran for a 35 year old Manny is goofy. Manny's BA is dropping, and this has been speculated by some as a good sign of decline; it's gone from .324 in 2003 to ~.285 this year. Beltran has been hurt in one way or another almost the entire season and he's not really a brittle player. To give up on him for an older player and one who does one thing better than Beltran and nothing else is silly. It'd be typical Mets short-term thinking. Adding Manny to LF in place of Floyd or someone else would be a net plus for the Mets; but trading Manny for Beltran adds a piece of the puzzle while removing a piece. The Mets would be better off with Delgado, and I think they have a chance to get him. The Yankees have a 1B, and no prospects. The Red Sox signed a Cuban 1B and seem to be loath to trade any prospects anyway - I think the Mets could snag him. He would also fill THE biggest Met hole - the 1st base job, which is probably the biggest reason they aren't in contention.

Rotblatt Sep 13 2005 08:05 AM

I'd agree with you, Bong, if we didn't have Cameron locked up for another year. Cameron, when he was healthy, outperformed Beltran in every aspect of the game. Well, I'm not sure about defense--tough to tell--but I'd say Cam's a better defender at CF than Beltran. We'd definitely have some juggling to do, since we'd suddenly have 2 left fielders, but I don't think this idea is as ludicrous as it sounds. Diaz & Manny as full-time corner outfielders is a little scary, but maybe we can move Floyd to right and use Diaz as a fourth OF? Or 1B, I suppose. As for the "Hernandez sweepstakes," I think there'll be a bidding war for him and that the Mets are going to feel pressure to land him--get the best C free agent on the market and all. Maybe I'm wrong.