5 objectives for your team this off-season

[Guest]

World Series is over, lets start discussing what's to come.

[Woy]

1. Work on a long-term extension with Adam Wainwright. Can't let it be a distraction throughout the season like Pujols in 2011 and if he isn't re-signed, our 2014 rotation suddenly becomes one filled with very, very young arms.
2. Offer a qualifying offer to Kyle Lohse. Pretty simple. Send the offer and if he declines (which it's all but likely he does), then we get a pick for him. If he somehow accepts, the rotation becomes crowded but there's health concerns with Wainwright, Carpenter and Garcia going into 2013 anyways.
3. Find middle infield help. I've been bringing up Elvis Andrus trade possibilities for a while now (as are STL writers), but if that can't happen they need to find someone that can either start throughout the season or at least fill in for a while. Rafael Furcal can't be counted on for a full season with his elbow and Pete Kozma is nothing more than a utility player. Maybe Ryan Jackson finds some playing time finally, but even then, he might not hit well enough to command a full-time job.
4. Upgrade the bench. Matt Carpenter was a savior as a 1B/3B/LF/RF and will look to earn even more playing time in the classic LaRussa good hitter to 2B move, but he was the only main threat on the bench. Shane Robinson can not be the best RH option to pinch-hit in 2013. I was clamoring to go get Reed Johnson around the deadline, but I think Mozeliak and crew thought Lance Berkman was going to be back at some point.
5. Don't do anything stupid during the time off. I couldn't think of a legit 5th point at the moment.

[Villain]

1. Sign a starter (bring back Kuroda please)

2. Figure out if Hanley is playing 3rd or Short - then figure out who is at the other position (Cruz, Gordon, someone else?).

3. Sign a right-handed 4th outfielder who crushes left-handed pitching (Jonny Gomes, please).

4. Decide what to do with the bullpen - stay cheap or get spend happy (gotta figure the latter, especially with rumors of League getting a 3-year deal).

5. Fire Juan Uribe into the sun.

[Price]

1- Fix the bullpen

2- Sign a starting pitcher

3- Trade Wells

4- Don't bring back Ervin

5- Re-sign Torii (unlikely)

[EmpireWF]

1. Reach Long Term Deals with 3B David Wright & SP R.A. Dickey
The Mets will be picking up their club options in the coming days, but the franchise appears eager to get both signed to extended deals. Wright is a MUST SIGN considering he's the face of the franchise, is beloved by everyone and is coming off a bounce back year more in line with his great years from 2005-2010 (2011 was an injury plagued shitty season).

Dickey may be the NL Cy Young Award winner but he just turned 38 a few days ago. Apparently, some in the organization believe they should trade him under the assumption that there's no way he can retain this success over the next 2-3 years. I only see that happening is if negotiations completely break down with Dickey wanting more money/years than they're willing to offer. The first 20-game winner in Flushing in more than a decade, he's been the teams best pitcher pretty much since 2010. Besides, how much value can they expect back for a 38 year old knuckleballer?

With that said, if Dickey insists on 3-4 guaranteed years, and the Mets know someone is willing to offer a nice prospect or 2, I wouldn't be 100% opposed to making a trade.

Sounds like the expected deal Wright may receive from NYM is roughly 7 years and $120 million.

For Dickey, I'll guess 2 years and $18 million with a club option/buyout.


2. Cut Jason Bay

Much like they did a little while back with 2B Luis Castillo and SP Oliver Perez, it's a situation where Jason Bay offers little to nothing of value on the field other than hustle. Sure, he's a nice guy who works hard, but he just doesn't have it anymore. There's been nothing to suggest otherwise ever since his concussion issues last year and his lost season in 2012. The only problem is if they cut Bay, it'll cost a lot more than what they ended up spending to send Castillo & Perez packing. Bay is owed $16 million for 2013 and a $3 million buyout in 2014. The Mets aren't in the poor house anymore, but I find it difficult to believe any owner is going to be excited to throw $19 million down the drain.

Why this is important is it's a symbol of a move forward. Bay is not a starting outfielder anymore. A combination of injuries and just looking lost at the plate and what do the Mets have to show for his $66 million+ deal?

26 HR, 124 RBI, 119 BB, 128 R, 41 2B and averages of .234/.318/.369 and a 1.1 WAR over the course of his 3 years in NY.

They can pay him the $19 million and watch him produce next to nothing. Or, they can pay him the $19 million, send him on his way and see if anyone else can play.


3. Centerfield?

They have lots of wholes to fill around the field and one is in center. They had a rotating cast of characters in 2012: The versatile Scott Hairston is a free agent and could receive a multi-year deal elsewhere. Andres Torres is up for arbitration and a bump in his near $3 million salary, so he won't be back. Prospect Jordany Valdespin is a man without a position (came up as a middle infielder, played some left and center in the bigs last year, too) and is not a natural CFer.

Then there is Captain Kirk Nieuwenhuis who started strong as a rookie but hit the wall midway through the season and fell hard. His inability to hit lefties, frequent strikeouts and shaky health history are all red flags. However, he appears the only option among players already in the organization. AAA CF prospect Matt den Dekker did not light AAA on fire when he was called up late last year and he's looking at spending most of 2013 in Las Vegas unless he's red hot come June or July.

What else is there to do? They could try to entice Michael Bourn to man center but that's going to take a long deal and probably well over $40 million. I can't see them spending that money this off-season (definitely next year when Santana and Bay are off the books).

By default, it appears Nieuwenhuis is the man in center to kick off 2013. Can they find a better solution elsewhere?

4. The Bullpen

Just like every other team.

Franciso, signed to a 2-year deal is hurt and will collect his $6.5 million not pitching for most of the season. Jon Rauch and Tim Byrdak are free agents and almost certainly gone. Ramon Ramirez had a shitty year and may not be back. Manny Acosta could be back if he's not looking for a long deal. Parnell is back and who knows whether he can step up as the closer. Josh Edgin is back and did well as a rookie.

They need arms and they need a closer if they're not 100% behind Parnell.

5. fuck, too much to name. MORE OUTFIELDERS. A CATCHER WHO CAN HIT. MORE OUTFIELDERS.


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Mets are in for another tough year, like one where Terry Collins will get the axe by the end. Then when they can bring in some fresh $$$$$, who knows where they'll go.


Opening Day and this is what we know so far….

C - Josh Thole (they're going after Miguel Olivo apparently)
1B - Ike Davis
2B - Daniel Murphy (could be dealt….if he is, ????????)
3B - David Wright
SS - Ruben Tejada
RF - Lucas Duda
CF - Kirk Nieuwenhuis
LF - Mike Baxter ()

On the bright side, even if Johan is not ready to start the season….they'll be some nice competition in camp for the young guys.

Dickey, Niese, Harvey and Gee are the givens assuming nobody is dealt. That leaves 1 spot for Colin McHugh, Jenrry Mejia, Jeurys Familia and any other poor sap in the organization.

Zach Wheeler, I doubt will be given a chance to compete in spring training but he could make his debut later in the year if his performance at AAA warrants it.


Mets 2013 = 70ish wins

[Goober]

1. Sign Carlos Gomez to a long term extension.
2. Sign Zack Greinke.
3. Sign a low cost, possibly high reward pitcher (McCarthy, Lewis, Feldman, Baker).
4. Retool bullpen without signing any multiyear contracts.
5. Expand operations in international scouting.

[Rudi]

1. Figure out what the leadoff position. Drew Stubbs is clearly not the answer. Phillips didn't do much from there once moved to leadoff and he is better suited a 2 hitter. Whether the solution is in house [Billy Hamilton] or someone on the free agent market, this team needs more production from the top of the order next year. I think I read our lead off hitter batted .206 for the year. Disgusting.

2. Make a decision on Drew Stubbs. Many are fed up with Stubbs. His constant striking out at the plate and low .200s BA does not sit will with many people. I'm still on the fence on him because I don't think he would be an awful 7/8 batter in the line-up but he shouldn't be anywhere near the top. I personally think Stubbs will stick around for another year while Hamilton learns to play CF this year in the minors.

3. Either re-sign Ryan Ludwick or find another option for LF. Luddy declined his 1 year, 5mil option in hopes of getting a multi year deal. Rumors are we may sign him for 2 years. Personally, I don't think this is a good option considering he hit .170 the first month and a half, had a 6 week stretch where he couldn't get out, then was poop again until the playoffs. I love the guy, but I just don't see him producing at a high level the next two years. He is 34. As far as other options in LF go, Heisey could play it probably put up respectable numbers [.260AVG, maybe 15-20HR] and great defense but there may be someone on the market that we could go after. Will have to wait and see.

4. Move Aroldis Chapman to starter. Sure this year Chapman at closer was incredibly awesome, but it was done due to necessity. We signed Chapman to be a starter, and he is making a lot of money to just be a bull pen pitcher IMO. He started out this year as a starter in Spring, and that was the plan going forward until Madson and Masset and others got hurt. It's time to give someone else [JJ HOOVER] the closer role this year, and run Chapman into the rotation. A rotation of Cueto Latos Chapman Bailey Arroyo would be filthy.

5. Sign some better bench players. The days of Miguel Cairo and Wilson Valdez need to be gone. Get some guys that can still swing a fucking major league bat on the roster at least.

[Lanteri]

1) A starting pitcher.
2) Another starting pitcher.
3) A third starting pitcher.
4) Another starting pitcher
5) A first baseman.

[FUSE]

1) Resign drew
2) Resign McCarthy
3) Find a veteren Catcher, Derek Norris isnt ready just yet
4) Decide if Donaldson is the answer at 3rd base
5) Decide what to do at 2nd(Weeks, Sizemore or someone from minors)

[killgod]

1) Trade manager to Boston
2) Let another manager go to Boston
3) Let yet another manager go to Boston
4) Hold press conference to talk about Payroll Parameters
5) Sign Jo Jo Reyes to round out the pitching staff.


3/5 already complete, LETS GO BLUE JAYS.

[Glenbino]

1) Re-sign Grienke
2) Let Haren walk
3) Let Hunter walk
4) Let Santana walk
5) Shore up the pen w/o signing big name guys so we can actually have money in the draft pool this year