Some notes from the Big Apple's NL representative…
- Buster Olney of ESPN.com tweets that Brett Myers is one of the pitchers that the Mets "are considering" in trade options. As MLBTR's Ben Nicholson-Smith noted in his look at the trade market for starters, Myers' solid numbers and reasonable contract will draw the eyes of several teams, but he must particularly intrigue New York due to his experience pitching in the NL East. Myers has an $8MM mutual option for next season that can be bought out for $2MM.
- Jason Bay talks about his underwhelming season with Steve Popper of The Bergen Record.
- Popper also tweeted that Fernando Tatis' shoulder surgery on Wednesday might hasten the end of Tatis' career. The veteran utilityman has a career .265/.344/.442 line and his versatility has helped the Mets given their multitude of injuries over the last few seasons.
- ESPN The Magazine's Matt Meyers thinks New York should give up on Jeff Francoeur.
mrsjohnmiltonrocks
Acquiring Brett Myers would be a shrewd move for the Mets.
oremlk
He would be a great fit. His career bugaboo has been giving up the long ball… so one of the most homer-suppressing ballparks in MLB should be just the ticket to keep his ERA low like it has been this year.The Astros will want a real prospect or two though, not just grade C trash.
Guest
but he’s worth C trash
oremlk
Um, not so much. If Bengie frikkin’ Molina is worth Michael Main, I’m pretty sure Myers is worth a legitimate prospect.
Steve Smith
Only reason that the Giants were able to acquire Michael Main as part of the Molina deal was because they included cash in the deal (few million). Rangers would have given a lesser prospect, were they not broke. It’s the same reason that Blake Beavan was included with Smoak. Seattle sent cash to Rangers so they could afford to pay Lee’s remaining salary.
oremlk
Yeah, well Myers also has a lot more value over contract than Molina. He has already produced 1.9 WAR, whereas Molina has produced 0.2 WAR.
Steve Smith
I was just stating that Bengie Molina alone, is certainly not worth Michael Main. So, it’s not fair to compare that deal with what the Astros could expect. I do agree with you though that Myers certainly has value. However, whomever the Astros do trade Myers for, I can promise that the return will be of lesser status than Michael Main. The Astros have little leverage, and will not be trading with the team that has the deepest farm system in baseball.
oremlk
Main is a good prospect, but he’s only a grade B who tops out as a no. 3 starter, so I don’t think it’s outrageous to ask for a similar return for Myers. The Astros have the leverage of saying “we’re going to hold onto him”, of course; he’ll likely be a type B free agent, and Houston can get a supplemental pick if he declines his end of the mutual option and leaves after this season. Alternatively, if he accepts the mutual option, the Astros get a good pitcher for cheap next year.
You don’t give a guy who has pitched 121 innings with 3.41 ERA/3.71 FIP for grade C nobodies. It’s better to just keep him and save the bullpen if a reasonable return can’t be had.
icedrake523
Brett Myers has been below average and injured the past 2 years. I remember his velocity was way down with Philly those last 2 years. Brett Myers isn’t a Type B yet and he still has a ways to go before he is one. If Houston is going to demand what you’re saying, then it’s no wonder that organization is in the state that it is.
icedrake523
Brett Myers has been below average and injured the past 2 years. I remember his velocity was way down with Philly those last 2 years. Brett Myers isn’t a Type B yet and he still has a ways to go before he is one. If Houston is going to demand what you’re saying, then it’s no wonder that organization is in the state that it is.
oremlk
Yeah, well Myers also has a lot more value over contract than Molina. He has already produced 1.9 WAR, whereas Molina has produced 0.2 WAR.
oremlk
Um, not so much. If Bengie frikkin’ Molina is worth Michael Main, I’m pretty sure Myers is worth a legitimate prospect.
Guest
but he’s worth C trash
jimboslice9
The whole idea of getting rid of Francoeur to me is not a good one, there may be stats to back it up, and yes his streaky-ness pains me as a Mets fan sometimes, but what happens in 2012 when Beltran is gone, and Pagan is in CF? Who plays RF if you don’t have Francoeur? F-Mart is too injury prone. Evans and Jesus Feliciano aren’t MLB quality players. Chris Carter is nothing more than a glorified AAAA player. So, if the Mets don’t keep Francoeur, I don’t see them having a starting RF for quite a while.
Moebarguy
Wait, so if we keep Francouer in 2012, that means we have to keep him for 2011, right?
On a serious note, what on earth are you talking about? Do you honestly think the Mets couldn’t find a better player via FA or trade than Francouer in TWO off-seasons? It’s not as if the player’s pool in the majors is that of an office softball league. Sign Jayson Werth, and show “Frenchy” the door.
jimboslice9
I know we can find a better player in FA or trades, but I don’t trust Minaya to actually do it. He is the one to get Francoeur in the first place, and so far we have been incredibly lucky with that, but having Francoeur come off the bench in 2011 is not the worst thing in the world.
iwishihadaclue
Wait a minute..you don’t trust Minaya to bring in a good player, blame him for Frenchy, but don’t want to let Frenchy go? Am i missing something or am i reading your comment wrong. We can afford to lose Frenchy, there are at least 2 OF’s in our system who will probably be better than he is offensively. F-Mart and Kirk Nieuwenhuis. With a bunch of other guys lower down that might help out in 2-3yrs. I like Frenchy, but he’s a 1st pitch hacker.
jimboslice9
I’m saying we lucked out that Francoeur is as good as he is, and that he has improved since we have acquired him.Also, I forgot about Nieuwenhuis, so I see my point isn’t valid anymore, carry on.
csg
an outfielder with a .302OBP/.695 OPS is not an asset
jimboslice9
It’s better than I expected from him.
jimboslice9
I’m saying we lucked out that Francoeur is as good as he is, and that he has improved since we have acquired him.Also, I forgot about Nieuwenhuis, so I see my point isn’t valid anymore, carry on.
jimboslice9
I know we can find a better player in FA or trades, but I don’t trust Minaya to actually do it. He is the one to get Francoeur in the first place, and so far we have been incredibly lucky with that, but having Francoeur come off the bench in 2011 is not the worst thing in the world.
csg
some just havent figured it out yet. Francoeur is so easily replaceable. You really want to keep paying him 5+ mil every season. Please do so
csg
some just havent figured it out yet. Francoeur is so easily replaceable. You really want to keep paying him 5+ mil every season. Please do so
jimboslice9
The whole idea of getting rid of Francoeur to me is not a good one, there may be stats to back it up, and yes his streaky-ness pains me as a Mets fan sometimes, but what happens in 2012 when Beltran is gone, and Pagan is in CF? Who plays RF if you don’t have Francoeur? F-Mart is too injury prone. Evans and Jesus Feliciano aren’t MLB quality players. Chris Carter is nothing more than a glorified AAAA player. So, if the Mets don’t keep Francoeur, I don’t see them having a starting RF for quite a while.
mrsjohnmiltonrocks
I also wanted to say I’m sorry to hear about Fernando Tatis. His comeback a few years ago was a great story, and in some ways he was the Mets most valuable player last year. He covered just about every position. I say that realizing he wasn’t a great player, but I appreciate that he always put in the effort.
jimboslice9
I always enjoyed watching him play, sorry to see an injury will probably end his career. Especially with Manuel absolutely refusing to give him regular playing time.
Moebarguy
Where should Tatis have played regularly? Over Ike Davis at 1B? And please, Tatis is not a good outfielder…
jimboslice9
I know Tatis is not a good outfielder, but he had a grand total of 65 at-bats this season, and has played in less than half of the games. So, he could at least pinch-hit a little more, and if you’re not going to use him, why keep him on the roster?
And I meant regularly as pinch-hitting every so often, not once every two weeks, as it seemed.
jimboslice9
I know Tatis is not a good outfielder, but he had a grand total of 65 at-bats this season, and has played in less than half of the games. So, he could at least pinch-hit a little more, and if you’re not going to use him, why keep him on the roster?
And I meant regularly as pinch-hitting every so often, not once every two weeks, as it seemed.
Moebarguy
Where should Tatis have played regularly? Over Ike Davis at 1B? And please, Tatis is not a good outfielder…
jimboslice9
I always enjoyed watching him play, sorry to see an injury will probably end his career. Especially with Manuel absolutely refusing to give him regular playing time.
John
I wish the phills kept myers he would of been great in the bullpen or at the back of the rotation. How i would of had it…
Hallday
Lee
hamels
myers
pedro/moyer/happ/kendrick/blanton
John
I wish the phills kept myers he would of been great in the bullpen or at the back of the rotation. How i would of had it…
Hallday
Lee
hamels
myers
pedro/moyer/happ/kendrick/blanton
Steve Smith
I don’t know the Mets farm system well. Who are the better prospects that the Astros could realistically target, if any?
Steve Smith
I don’t know the Mets farm system well. Who are the better prospects that the Astros could realistically target, if any?
oremlk
For Myers? Maybe a guy like Reese Havens, Ruben Tejada, etc. Probably not Fernando Martinez, but maybe, if they are disillusioned enough with him. The Astros would love to have Mejia but I’m certain he would be untouchable for Myers.
Probably only get one of their top ten for Myers plus some grade C throw-ins.
oremlk
For Myers? Maybe a guy like Reese Havens, Ruben Tejada, etc. Probably not Fernando Martinez, but maybe, if they are disillusioned enough with him. The Astros would love to have Mejia but I’m certain he would be untouchable for Myers.
Probably only get one of their top ten for Myers plus some grade C throw-ins.
Guest
Feliciano > Tatis. Francoeur sucks. Always has. Speed > Power once every 75 abs
Guest
Feliciano > Tatis. Francoeur sucks. Always has. Speed > Power once every 75 abs
BaseballFanatic0707
Call me crazy, but if the Mets drop Frenchy, I’d like to see the Yanks pick him up. Just have him be a go up there and swing for the fences-type player. We don’t need much of an impact bat off the bench, just something better than Pena’s bat.
It would also enable us to use trade resources for a reliever or two, instead of on the bench.
BaseballFanatic0707
Call me crazy, but if the Mets drop Frenchy, I’d like to see the Yanks pick him up. Just have him be a go up there and swing for the fences-type player. We don’t need much of an impact bat off the bench, just something better than Pena’s bat.
It would also enable us to use trade resources for a reliever or two, instead of on the bench.
East Coast Bias
A little off topic… but if any of you Mets fans are watching this game… Man, Lincecum is scary good!
Jason_F
Mets fans were also introduced to the cannon otherwise known as Buster Posey’s right arm.
icedrake523
First time he’s pitched well against them.
icedrake523
First time he’s pitched well against them.
wickedkevin
Hey Bay, the Green Monster says to stop calling, it knows how much you miss it.
Zebradune
Bay had a higher OPS on the road last year
Zebradune
Bay had a higher OPS on the road last year
frank_costanza
I wish the Phillies would swallow their pride and bring back Brett Myers. not only could he become a starter that their looking for, but given their closer troubles he could always step into that role.
Steve Smith
In most farm systems, Main would be ranked much higher than he was in Texas. Teams would be far more reluctant to trade away a caliber-prospect such as Main. In addition, most GM’s must realize that Myers is currently shopped by the Astros a sell-high player. He has a recent history of injuries. His ERA will most likely balloon if he is traded to the AL or NL-East. And, teams realize that the Astros have no solid reason to keep Myers. They aren’t going to contend for multiple years.
tmengd
and yet he is the only pitcher in baseball to at least go 6 innings in every single game he has pitched. His injury is in the past. He has pitched a ton of innings this year including NL east ball parks. Do you really think if he is not giving up a ton of HR in Minute Maid park that he will all the sudden give up a ton of runs anywhere else. I agree the AL might be too much for him. I don’t see any NL team having rocked him yet this year though, and he has pitched against most of them.
oremlk
Indeed. If the Mets don’t want to pay for him, we’ll keep him. Giving him away for nothing (or next to nothing) would be stupid. We won’t contend next year, but I’d rather save the bullpen and get a supplemental pick than only get back trash. Alternatively, negotiate a long-term extension to lock Myers up through 2012 or 2013.I don’t see it as a sell-high move because I expect Myers to post under 4.00 ERA over the rest of the season. He’s healthy, he throws strikes, stays in games, and he has very good secondary stuff, which allows him to strike out batters at a solid rate. The main question was whether his hip problems of last season would hurt his performance and inning count. He has answered that with a resounding “NO” by being one of the most reliable starters in the majors this season.By the way, the only reason he performed poorly with the Phillies was that bandbox ballpark of theirs. It’s not surprising at all to me that his HR/FB rate suddenly dropped back to league average when he got out of Citizen’s Bank Park.
icedrake523
Brett Myers isn’t a Type B free agent. The Astros could very well get absolutely nothing for him. The Astros have one of the worst, if not the worst, farm systems in baseball. They shouldn’t be picky about since they’re not in a position where they already have enough young talent stockpiled up in the minors. If someone is offering them one player, they should consider it. Two? They should absolutely take it. Especially since Myers could very well fall apart in the second half. You may not expect it, but it’s a possibility with his recent history.
oremlk
Myers will be a type B free agent if he keeps this performance up, which I think he will, and I’m guessing the Astros think he will too.
The Astros don’t have one of the worst farm systems anymore. It has improved significantly the past few years and now they are in the middle of the pack.
icedrake523
Sports Illustrated ranked it 30th (John Manuel of Baseball America wrote the article). MLB Fanhouse (article by Frankie Piliere, a National MLB Analyst) ranked it 29th. Keith Law has a ranking on ESPN but it requires Insider (I can’t find my latest issue to activate Insider to check) but I’m going to guess he has it in the bottom 5.
So I don’t know where you’re getting the idea that it’s in the middle of the pack.
oremlk
First off, I saw several other sources that ranked it in the low 20s before the season started.
More importantly, much of the progress has happened this year. The Astros had a very solid draft, including three of the first thirty-three picks, and have made a ton of international signings in the last twelve months. Many prospects in the system are having breakout seasons or confirming previous progress, raising their stock as a result.
oremlk
First off, I saw several other sources that ranked it in the low 20s before the season started.
More importantly, much of the progress has happened this year. The Astros had a very solid draft, including three of the first thirty-three picks, and have made a ton of international signings in the last twelve months. Many prospects in the system are having breakout seasons or confirming previous progress, raising their stock as a result.
icedrake523
Sports Illustrated ranked it 30th (John Manuel of Baseball America wrote the article). MLB Fanhouse (article by Frankie Piliere, a National MLB Analyst) ranked it 29th. Keith Law has a ranking on ESPN but it requires Insider (I can’t find my latest issue to activate Insider to check) but I’m going to guess he has it in the bottom 5.
So I don’t know where you’re getting the idea that it’s in the middle of the pack.
tmengd
and yet he is the only pitcher in baseball to at least go 6 innings in every single game he has pitched. His injury is in the past. He has pitched a ton of innings this year including NL east ball parks. Do you really think if he is not giving up a ton of HR in Minute Maid park that he will all the sudden give up a ton of runs anywhere else. I agree the AL might be too much for him. I don’t see any NL team having rocked him yet this year though, and he has pitched against most of them.
Kelly
Brett Myers I would think Wilmor Flores and Daniel Murphy or James Fuller and Cohoon
I could see the Astros in a win win Since Myers is doing well has PLayoff XP and He has that last year option. I mean he makes 1.2m for the rest of the year. I think the Astros would Love to take Murphy and Flores for Myers but would be happy for Flores Fuler and Cohoon
Matt
brett myers for flores AND murphy? i hope that’s a joke. myers wouldnt be nearly enough to get you just flores…
Kelly
How do you figure its a joke? Murphy has no where to play and Flores is the Prize package. Sure Astros could add Lets say Brian Bogusevic or Chia Jen-Lo as a PLayer back towards you. But that would be it. Astros really Need SP or Starting Players Your Choice. Ruben Tejada Reese Havens Are not what the Astros would look at and Niether would F-Mart. Mejia would be but Doubt he could be had, Considering his value is way high. Flores and Murphy for Myers and Bogusevic would be fair.
Yankees420
Bogusevic is a 26 year old career .779 OPS minor leaguer, and not even ranked in the Astros top 10 (and that’s saying a lot). Sorry, but there is no way that the Astros get Flores in a trade for Myers.
Yankees420
Bogusevic is a 26 year old career .779 OPS minor leaguer, and not even ranked in the Astros top 10 (and that’s saying a lot). Sorry, but there is no way that the Astros get Flores in a trade for Myers.
Tom
I believe Fernando Tatis is the only player to hit 2 grand slams in the same inning. Am I right?
Moebarguy
Correct. At least, the only NL hitter to do that…
JonATLBraves
For the sake of helping the Braves and #6, please please please get Brett Myers. We love to face him and would only help us when we play the Mets down the stretch… lol. For Francoeur, he is really an “unnatural,” as opposed to his SI cover statement. That swing just screams strike out each time in the box. Braves fans know as he was the reason pitchers needed TJS after throwing all of those sliders ;). You can also help GA’s and NY’s economical position by continuing to pay him outrageous money so when he purchases more property in each state and plays in both, there’s less deficit. On more of a serious note, great playing and looking forward to the competition down the stretch… a la 1999 and 2000