A great deal has already come to light in the week-plus since the World Series ended. The Mets are already actively involved in many Hot Stove dealings, and I’m going to give both the facts we know now and some early theories about what the Mets might do, going by position.
Catcher
The Mets have been linked to three catchers so far this offseason: Bengie Molina, Rod Barajas, and Chris Snyder. Each have various benefits: Molina has proven power and is a good defensive catcher; Barajas is excellent defensively and can hit for a bit of power; Chris Snyder is young and has some pop in his bat. Snyder would be acquired through trade, whereas the others would be free agents. Barajas is by far the cheapest option, as Molina will probably command around $8 million for one or two years and Snyder has around $12 million left. Snyder seems to make the most sense for the Mets, but the word is the D-Backs demand a major-league arm in exchange. All the Mets really have to offer through this type of trade would be Castillo, so it seems the Mets will probably end up with Molina (more likely) or Barajas.
First Base
At this point in time, the Mets seem very committed to having Daniel Murphy be their every-day first baseman for 2010. However, they are exploring options in the market as well. They have been linked, along with the Red Sox, to Adrian Gonzalez. However, he will cost a fortune, and would require gutting the farm system, since he is both so good and so cheap for the 2 years he has left under team control. The Mets have also been linked to Adam LaRoche and Carlos Beltran has lobbied management to consider taking back Carlos Delgado.
I think the most sensible move would be to re-acquire Fernando Tatis. He showed in 2008 that he could hit for an extended period of time and even had a solid second half of 2009. He could be part of a platoon with Murphy as well as play anywhere on the field if necessary.
Second Base
The Mets seem like they really want do-overs from last offseason. Thus, they are trying hard to move Luis Castillo. Today, it was posed that they could trade him to the Dodgers for Juan Pierre. However, that would require the Mets taking on a worse contract than Castillo’s. In any event, the Mets seem particularly interested in Orlando Hudson. Brandon Phillips may also be available in the trade market and is a player who I love and would love to see in a Mets uniform. The Mets also have much interest in signing Chone Figgins and playing him at second. Figgins, though, hasn’t played second in several years, and is a more proven third baseman. The Mets would do better to stay away from him and the sum of money he will command (around 5 years/$10 million per)
I get the feeling, though, that Hudson will be playing second for the Mets next year, and Castillo will be playing somewhere else. Who that is I can’t tell you, though.
Outfield
Their seems to be a split within the team on Matt Holliday. Omar Minaya is said to want him, but many in management are not sure he commands the salary that Scott Boras has suggested he does. Many think he will be overpaid due to this extremely weak free agent class. The Mets have also been linked to Carl Crawford, but for some reason I don’t see him leaving Tampa this offseason.
I think Matt Holliday will be playing left for the Mets in 2010. Their only competition seems to be the Cardinals, and the Mets will win a bidding war with them.
Starting Pitching
The word is that the Mets are very interested in Joel Piniero and want a “do-over” on Randy Wolf. Both could command $8-10 million per year for one to three years. The Mets could probably sign one of these and another cheap starter.
Or…they could trade for Roy Halladay. It’s being reported that the Mets will certainly be involved in some way; however, Jon Heyman has said that while the Mets have the talent to trade for Halladay, it would clean out their system. It would also be tough trying to extend him, as they would have around $45 million tied up in two pitchers. However, I think getting Halladay and signing him to a 4-year, $85 million extension (maybe 5/$105) is something the Mets should investigate, because having two top-five arms in baseball at the top of the rotation gives you a really strong front and basically prohibits prolonged losing streaks.
The bullpen hasn’t been discussed yet; though I don’t see J.J. Putz coming back.
It’s a little early to see any bearing on what the Mets might end up doing with pitching, though, because their are more solutions than with the position players.
