Master Index of Archived Threads


Free agents, anyone?

batmagadanleadoff Oct 28 2020 01:58 PM

With the Mets finally poised to truly act and behave like a big market team for the first time in more than a decade, take a look at baseball's top free agents, linked below. And dream a little. Top 111 Free Agents https://sports.yahoo.com/top-111-free-agents-124637077.html SPOILER: Trevor Bauer and George Springer top this list. Marcus Stroman is ranked #7, one notch ahead of Justin Turner.

Edgy MD Oct 28 2020 04:40 PM Re: Free agents, anyone?

Is there reason to think Marcel Ozuna is still capable of being an above-average centerfielder?

MFS62 Oct 28 2020 05:18 PM Re: Free agents, anyone?

Edgy MD wrote: Is there reason to think Marcel Ozuna is still capable of being an above-average centerfielder? He's 29 years old and hasn't played centerfield since 2017 when he was with Miami. And he was negative runs saved when he did. Since then, neither St Louis nor Atlanta put him out there for even one inning. So I wouldn't think he is. Later

Centerfield Oct 28 2020 05:48 PM Re: Free agents, anyone?

It's considered a down year for FA, but still some good names. I like Springer a lot. And I think he can man CF for a few more years. Hendricks is amazing and worth a look. Zack Britton might be available too. Of the lower tier starters I'm not high on Odorrizzi or Gausman. I think Paxton could be better than he's shown. And maybe Kluber bounces back. I liked Alex Wood last year but he didn't really do well this year.

Centerfield Oct 28 2020 05:50 PM Re: Free agents, anyone?

And with the upper tier starters, I'd be wary of Bauer coming off what might be a fluke year against weak teams. I like Stroman, but not enough to give him ace money for a #3 starter. At 5'7” you'd also think he doesn't age well.

Edgy MD Oct 28 2020 07:50 PM Re: Free agents, anyone?

He may age better because of less complicated mechanics. I dunno. I tend to think he's burned his bridges with the team, though. If Springer is the primary target, it sure adds to a lot of their offensive redundancy, and they could pursue a starter via trade.

smg58 Oct 29 2020 06:29 AM Re: Free agents, anyone?

Getting one of the top 3 is imperative, two would be awesome. On the whole, though, I'm expecting a lot of one-year deals league-wide.

Edgy MD Oct 29 2020 07:17 AM Re: Free agents, anyone?

Well, I'm not hitching my wagon to that. (1) What does Yahoo know? (2) The Mets needs don't always match what the best pieces available are. (3) There are thirty other teams. (4) No matter what kind of money you are playing with, there are still realities about contract length, age, and health that factor into your dealing. Take J.T. Realmuto. On the one side, the Mets need a catcher, and he helps on both sides of the ball. On the other side, he's 30, you never want to go over three years with a catcher, but competition is going to drive him up to five years, maybe longer, and any team has to ask themselves how much risk they can incur. He may be a good buy anyhow. And it's certainly intriguing that three of the Mets' softest spots seem to be center, catcher, and starting pitchers, and those are the positions of Yahoo's top three. So (2) is more a philosophical point than a concrete one. Part of me is more interested in which pieces of their offense the Mets deal off. Springer would really squeeze out J.D. Davis and/or Brandon Nimmo.

Benjamin Grimm Oct 29 2020 07:19 AM Re: Free agents, anyone?

I can easily imagine Nimmo and/or Rosario being traded for a starting pitcher.

batmagadanleadoff Oct 29 2020 09:23 AM Re: Free agents, anyone?

Keith Law ranks his top 40 FA's for The Athletic, which is having a flash sale --- $1.00/month. https://theathletic.com/2153856/2020/10/29/keith-law-top-40-free-agents-ranking-of-the-mlb-offseason-2020/ Law only ranks the certain FA's, and excludes potential non-tenders. Springer's his #1 guy. Stroman's rated #4 and described as the only other pitcher in the FA class besides Bauer with a strong claim to No. 1 starter potential. Here's Law's top 10: 1. George Springer 2. J.T. Realmuto 3. Trevor Bauer 4. Marcus Stroman 5. Marcell Ozuna 6. Marcus Semien 7. DJ LeMahieu 8. Didi Gregorius 9. Kolten Womng 10. Jackie Bradley, Jr.

Edgy MD Oct 29 2020 09:49 AM Re: Free agents, anyone?

Benjamin Grimm wrote: I can easily imagine Nimmo and/or Rosario being traded for a starting pitcher. Me, too, but it'd be a shame to see the Mets futzing around with their lineup trying to replace a .400 OBP.

batmagadanleadoff Oct 29 2020 10:12 AM Re: Free agents, anyone?

I can easily imagine a zillion things. The sky's the limit with an owner who can outspend the Dodgers and the Yankees. I can see Rosario starting at short in 2021, or backing up Gimenez, or platooning with Gimenez, or having his playing time severely reduced or gone to make way for Lindnor. And that's just Rosario. "Guggenheim Partners bought the Dodgers for $2.15 billion in May 2012; the team has won the NL West in every full season since then.... L.A. has ranked in the top five in payroll ever since, leading the league from 2014-2017. The Dodgers have spent more money than any other team since 2012. That's a major reason why they've won more games [than any other team in that period]. (The Yankees have spent the second-most; they have the second best record.) https://theathletic.com/2168128/2020/10/29/mets-francisco-lindor-offseason/

smg58 Oct 29 2020 12:04 PM Re: Free agents, anyone?

A few cuts have already been added, most notably Brad Hand, whose $10M option was not picked up despite a 2.05 ERA, 0.77 WHIP, and 29/4 K/BB ratio over 22 innings in 2020.

Frayed Knot Oct 30 2020 05:28 AM Re: Free agents, anyone?

Zack Britton's option picked up by the Yanx; Brett Gardner's, not.

Centerfield Oct 30 2020 08:59 AM Re: Free agents, anyone?

You'd think even the Wilpons would pull the trigger on Hand. Hope he makes it to us.

Frayed Knot Oct 30 2020 01:18 PM Re: Free agents, anyone?

Even if only for the wealth of Spicoli jokes.

bmfc1 Oct 30 2020 02:42 PM Re: Free agents, anyone?

Under the prior ownership, this might have been it for the off-season. The Mets signed Nick Tropeano (who attended a college of some renown) and Jacob Barnes. https://twitter.com/AnthonyDiComo/status/1322272878784557059 https://twitter.com/AnthonyDiComo/status/1322267996782551042

Frayed Knot Oct 30 2020 04:42 PM Re: Free agents, anyone?

TBR declines Charlie Morton's option, making him a FA He a guy who seemed to find himself in the latter part of his career. The downside to that is that he's in the latter part of his career (37 in 2 weeks)

bmfc1 Oct 30 2020 06:31 PM Re: Free agents, anyone?

Charlie Morton, from Flemington, NJ, would be a strong addition to the rotation (if he would take a 2-year deal). He had a 0.9 WAR in '20 but a 6.1 WAR in '19. https://www.fangraphs.com/players/charlie-morton/4676/stats?position=P

Frayed Knot Oct 30 2020 07:45 PM Re: Free agents, anyone?

Ryan Braun has his option declined by the only team that's ever employed him. The Brews opted to pay the $4mil buyout fee rather than keep him for one more season at $15 I think he might be done and he's apparently already been hinting that this past year might be it for him. 2016 was his last real good year [135 OPS+] and his last full one. Turning 37 in a few weeks, mediocre-hitting corner OFs w/declining legs and gloves aren't a very sought after commodity. And it's not like he brings a ton of good will to the table either.

smg58 Oct 31 2020 08:54 PM Re: Free agents, anyone?

Brad Brach and Dellin Betances exercised their player options. Thank you, Brodie.

Frayed Knot Nov 01 2020 04:31 AM Re: Free agents, anyone?

Look at it this way, that's two fewer relievers we have to go look for this winter ... or two extra we can use as trade bait.

smg58 Nov 01 2020 08:58 AM Re: Free agents, anyone?

It's $8M for two relievers who combined for -0.2 WAR this past year, in a market where we could have claimed Brad Hand off waivers for $10M (PS nobody claimed him).

Frayed Knot Nov 01 2020 06:47 PM Re: Free agents, anyone?

So Six potential FAs were given qualifying offers from their 2020 clubs George Springer (HOU) Trevor Bauer (CIN) DJ LeMahieu (NYY) JT Realmuto (PHI) Kevin Gausman (SF) Annnnnd .... Marcos Stroman

Benjamin Grimm Nov 01 2020 06:49 PM Re: Free agents, anyone?

Who's the sixth?

bmfc1 Nov 01 2020 09:23 PM Re: Free agents, anyone?

If you believe Ken Davidoff, and there's no reason why you should, the Mets will sign Springer, Stroman, and McCann. https://nypost.com/2020/11/01/top-mlb-free-agents-2021-ranking-and-predictions/

smg58 Nov 02 2020 09:46 AM Re: Free agents, anyone?

Given what we already know about the market, I think Stroman would be nuts NOT to take the QO. Plus I don't think anybody would give up a draft pick for a guy who didn't pitch last year. He's back one way or the other.

Frayed Knot Nov 02 2020 10:19 AM Re: Free agents, anyone?

Not that I've seen a lot of McCann, but he looks to be a good fit. 30 y/o, his offense has taken a jump over the last couple years, and he has a good reputation defensively except when it comes to pitch-framing but I'm hoping that pitch framing disappears in a year or two when we get Robo-Ump.

metsmarathon Nov 02 2020 02:15 PM Re: Free agents, anyone?

I'm on board with trying to get springer. and fully expect us to be on the hook for stroman, for better or worse. mccann? sure, as long as it's not brian. and it's a hell of a lot better an idea than yadier fucking molina, that's for damned sure. other than relievers, which we shall always need, do we have any other significant team needs that would then go unaddressed with the above? do we need another starter, or should assuming syndergaard is healthy enough going to be enough?

Benjamin Grimm Nov 02 2020 02:22 PM Re: Free agents, anyone?

We can't assume that Noah will be healthy. He may not be available until late in 2021 if at all. If they have deGrom, Peterson, and Stroman, that's not quite enough. I'm not sure about Lugo, and pretty sure about Matz! I'd like them to bring in another starter, and I think they'll do so by trading Rosario and/or Nimmo.

vtmet7 Nov 04 2020 07:05 PM Re: Free agents, anyone?

If you believe Ken Davidoff, and there's no reason why you should, the Mets will sign Springer, Stroman, and McCann. https://nypost.com/2020/11/01/top-mlb-free-agents-2021-ranking-and-predictions/ I would be ok with the Springer/McCann part...I would hope that we could do better than Stroman or Matz however in the rotation

Edgy MD Nov 04 2020 07:13 PM Re: Free agents, anyone?

Stroman is probably the best available free agent starter who isn't a deplorable fascist.

vtmet7 Nov 04 2020 08:31 PM Re: Free agents, anyone?

Edgy MD wrote: Stroman is probably the best available free agent starter who isn't a deplorable fascist. unfortunately in the past 4+ years, I've found that most states are overrun with deplorable fascists... I would hope that with our overabundance of LH'd hitting LFers (which includes the guy that has been pretending to be a center fielder) that we could trade for someone better than Stroman or Matz...

Edgy MD Nov 04 2020 08:35 PM Re: Free agents, anyone?

Are you really that committed to the idea that Stroman and Matz are comparable?

vtmet7 Nov 04 2020 10:40 PM Re: Free agents, anyone?

Edgy MD wrote: Are you really that committed to the idea that Stroman and Matz are comparable? no...I just don't have any faith in either one of them...I also don't want Wacha or the mushroom man back in the rotation either...the way that I see it is we have 3 viable arms: deGrom; Peterson and hopefully Thor...the rest of the Mets pitchers from 2020 were useless, and Stroman was pretty inconsistent as a Jay, so I don't have a lot of faith in him either

Edgy MD Nov 05 2020 06:20 AM Re: Free agents, anyone?

Diaz was usless? Castro? Familia?

Benjamin Grimm Nov 05 2020 06:22 AM Re: Free agents, anyone?

I have to think that anything they get out of Syndergaard is a bonus. He can't be counted on.

smg58 Nov 05 2020 07:21 AM Re: Free agents, anyone?

Guys can take a while to get fully well, even if they're on the mound. The most obvious recent major league example is Lance Lynn, who missed 2016 and had a bumpy ride in 2017 and 2018, before getting back more or less to being the pitcher he had been. In the Mets system, Peterson was two years removed from TJS and exceeded expectations by a lot, but he was so-so in the minors in 2019. And Kilome was one year removed this past season and really not ready; I wouldn't pencil him in anywhere other than Syracuse to start the year, but I certainly wouldn't give up on him. That being said, I'd be willing to keep Lugo in the rotation for a couple of months if the expectation that Thor will be at 80% by the ASB is reasonable. But, assuming Stroman returns, we still have a big hole we should try to fill with a #2. And if I decide that's not a reasonable timetable for Thor, we will need somebody else as well. Better players than Matz are being non-tendered. He's not returning.

vtmet7 Nov 05 2020 09:19 AM Re: Free agents, anyone?

Edgy MD wrote: Diaz was usless? Castro? Familia? sorry...I meant starters...out of the relievers, the only one really of potential as a starter, didn't fare well as a starter...

vtmet7 Nov 05 2020 09:23 AM Re: Free agents, anyone?

=smg58 post_id=49926 time=1604586118 user_id=62] Better players than Matz are being non-tendered. He's not returning.

I haven't followed Chris Archer since he left the Rays, and know that he had a high ERA in 2020...but he was a surprise to me that he got released...

Centerfield Nov 11 2020 08:20 AM Re: Free agents, anyone?

MLB Trade Rumors Free Agent Predictions. These are fun, if seldom right, but it gives you an idea of market value. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/11/mlb-free-agent-predictions-2021.html

Centerfield Nov 11 2020 08:26 AM Re: Free agents, anyone?

I read someplace that the Mets have about $76-$78 million before the luxury tax. If you figure that Cohen might want to stay under the tax his first year, there's still room to do this: 1. Springer $25M AAV. 2. Stroman $17M AAV 3. Hendricks $10M AAV 4. Hand $7M AAV 5. McCann $10M AAV Total: $69M

nymr83 Nov 11 2020 09:14 AM Re: Free agents, anyone?

=Centerfield post_id=50409 time=1605108397 user_id=65] I read someplace that the Mets have about $76-$78 million before the luxury tax. If you figure that Cohen might want to stay under the tax his first year, there's still room to do this: 1. Springer $25M AAV. 2. Stroman $17M AAV 3. Hendricks $10M AAV 4. Hand $7M AAV 5. McCann $10M AAV Total: $69M

sign me up!



add a few retread starters like Porcello/Wacha for depth

A Boy Named Seo Nov 11 2020 09:20 AM Re: Free agents, anyone?

$69M? Nice.

MFS62 Nov 11 2020 04:47 PM Re: Free agents, anyone?

From Associated Press: Four players declined qualifying offers at the 5 p.m. EST deadline: right-hander Trevor Bauer from Cincinnati, outfielder George Springer from Houston, second baseman DJ LeMahieu from the New York Yankees and catcher J.T. Realmuto from Philadelphia. Later

batmagadanleadoff Nov 11 2020 04:57 PM Re: Free agents, anyone?

=MFS62 post_id=50471 time=1605138450 user_id=60] From Associated Press: Four players declined qualifying offers at the 5 p.m. EST deadline: right-hander Trevor Bauer from Cincinnati, outfielder George Springer from Houston, second baseman DJ LeMahieu from the New York Yankees and catcher J.T. Realmuto from Philadelphia.

Cohen should sign three of those four (all but the Yankee) and then sign Lindnor.



How's a front three of deGrom, Bauer and Stroman sound to youse?

Edgy MD Nov 11 2020 07:39 PM Re: Free agents, anyone?

Lindor's not a free agent. Bauer can eat my ass.

Frayed Knot Nov 11 2020 07:49 PM Re: Free agents, anyone?

Edgy MD wrote: Lindor's not a free agent Even if we repeat it often enough here that he is?

nymr83 Nov 11 2020 09:08 PM Re: Free agents, anyone?

Edgy MD wrote: Lindor's not a free agent. Bauer can eat my ass. Bauer can help us win a World Series now and he can eat your ass later.

Edgy MD Nov 11 2020 09:14 PM Re: Free agents, anyone?

No way, man. I'm an American.

batmagadanleadoff Nov 11 2020 09:45 PM Re: Free agents, anyone? Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Nov 11 2020 09:50 PM

Edgy MD wrote: Lindor's not a free agent. Obviously. They'll have to sign Lindor after they trade for him.

batmagadanleadoff Nov 11 2020 09:48 PM Re: Free agents, anyone?

Edgy MD wrote: Lindor's not a free agent. Obviously. They'll have to sign Lindor after they trade for him. Frayed Knot wrote: Edgy MD wrote: Lindor's not a free agent Even if we repeat it often enough here that he is? Oh please, ferchrissakes, already. You got me again. Happy? /rollseyes As if the zillion posts I've written on Lindor over the past two days isn't proof enough that I know Lindor's not a free agent this year -- including the first post where I wrote that I'd trade Rosario and Gimenez for Lindor. Why would I support that trade if I thought Lindor was a FA?

Benjamin Grimm Nov 12 2020 03:59 AM Re: Free agents, anyone?

Edgy MD wrote: Bauer can eat my ass. I imagine he'll get better offers than this one.

metsmarathon Nov 12 2020 11:48 AM Re: Free agents, anyone?

is marcus semien something we would be interested in if we'd think our current crop of infielders and spare parts might be better served in servicing the rotation?

Fman99 Nov 12 2020 12:14 PM Re: Free agents, anyone?

=metsmarathon post_id=50543 time=1605206908 user_id=83] is marcus semien something we would be interested in if we'd think our current crop of infielders and spare parts might be better served in servicing the rotation?

The Mets are better off blowing their load (i.e., their FA budget) on other guys besides Semien.

Centerfield Nov 12 2020 06:36 PM Re: Free agents, anyone?

During a slow part of the day, I took the time to appreciate the fact that the Mets are definitely going to get one of either Springer, Bauer, Realmuto or Springer. When they do, it will be their biggest free agent acquisition since Carlos Beltran. Just amazing. And we're going to get another starter and bullpen help. What a country.

Edgy MD Nov 12 2020 07:33 PM Re: Free agents, anyone?

=Centerfield post_id=50572 time=1605231379 user_id=65]When they do, it will be their biggest free agent acquisition since Carlos Beltran. Just amazing.

Suck it, Billy Wagner.

bmfc1 Nov 15 2020 04:00 PM Re: Free agents, anyone?

Trevor Bauer, on his YouTube Channel talked about Steve Cohen and the 4 things that he is doing right for 17 minutes, without notes or a break. My "take" is that Mets beat reporters better buy a bigger notebook if he signs. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61zvP3o5TPc