The Mets aren’t planning to pursue Cliff Lee this offseason, people familiar with the team tell Andy Martino of the New York Daily News. Johan Santana underwent left shoulder surgery and won’t resume throwing until the spring, but barring the unexpected, Lee won't sign with the Mets. In fact, the team probably won’t seriously consider spending on any elite free agents, whether Omar Minaya or another general manager is in charge.
Martino's sources say the Mets have too much money committed to the current roster to commit to this year's top free agents. The front office may consider trading Carlos Beltran, Luis Castillo, Oliver Perez and Francisco Rodriguez, but unless the Mets shed an unexpected amount of salary, they won’t be players for the biggest names on the free agent market.
brianinwi
Sigh. Another dreary season for the Mets next year. Frank Cashen, where have you gone?
andy tworischuk
…and in other news, the sky is blue. film at 11.
Kike
It’s time for CTRL + ALT + DEL for the Mets.
Infield Fly
Nah, that just “reboots” the same crappy program you had before. Mets need to wipe their hard drive and their front office (and don’t even get me started on ownership).
🙂
Brandon Woodworth
The Mets need to delete system32. /computer analogy’s.
icedrake523
That doesn’t work if the computer is frozen.
brianinwi
xxx
wynams
Healthy Strasburg means last place NL East finish for the Mets imnsho
Jake Humphrey
Strasburg won’t be back until late 2011 at the very earliest. A conservative outlook for him would have him 100% ready to go by Opening Day 2012.
theflushingfotografer
wynams, you won’t see Strasburg again until 2012, minimum!
start_wearing_purple
If the Mets are willing to take on Oliver Perez’s salary I could use a housekeeper… I have a frozen pizza in the fridge I can trade to them.
icedrake523
Is it DiGiorno?
start_wearing_purple
Well it’s not delivery…
BravesRed
Frozen pizza is to much for him.
venn177
Nah. If it’s a crappy off-brand pizza, I’d do it.
brianinwi
Nothing will get better until the Wilpons sell the team.
attgig
I don’t understand how there’s all these rumors about what the mets are going to be doing this offseason, when the other rumor is that they’re going to bring in a new GM.
To me, I would think that would be for the new GM to decide.
which imo, means, there is no new GM OR the Jeff Wilpon is the real GM…. yay…
theflushingfotografer
the second one
Infield Fly
Jeff Wilpon is already the GM behind the scenes, and it’s been that way for quite a while. So unless something radically changes (like, say, ownership) no matter who they bring in to sit in the GM chair, it’ll still be Jeff running the show. This is all just a fancy way of saying “the Mets are screwed.”
attgig
I’m liking the rumor about Kasten – supposedly the type of GM that takes control over everything if he takes a job.
jimboslice9
Yes, but supposedly Omar Minaya asked the Wilpons if he would have complete unobstructed control over the front office when he signed, and the Wilpons said they’d let him. Look how that turned out.
jimboslice9
Yes, but supposedly Omar Minaya asked the Wilpons if he would have complete unobstructed control over the front office when he signed, and the Wilpons said they’d let him. Look how that turned out.
Tim Valencia
I know they are trying to rally promise and excitement by potentially committing themselves to top free agents, but seriously their team isn’t one player away from world series let alone a playoffs appearance. They are already hindered by so many bad contracts and it seems like their only solution is more large contracts with potential for them blowing up in their face. Change the MO and build a strong team rather than buying a few good players
theflushingfotografer
I love Omar. Great guy. Grew up in my neighborhood. I think there will always be a place for him with the Mets. I do think it’s time for him to step aside. I was really hoping Kevin Towers was going to be the man but he didn’t even stick around for the end of the season. While us Met fans were speculating whether or not the Yankees would give permission, he was talking to Arizona all along! Oh well, here comes John Ricco. This young man has a lot to prove.
nymets4581
Oh you love Omar. Is your name Ruben Amaro?
brianinwi
“build a strong team rather than buying a few good players”Sadly, their options for doing that are extremely limited. Normally, when you rebuild, you try to move the high-paid veterans for a package of young prospects. ALL of the Mets’ trade bait vets (Beltran, Castillo, Santana, Rodriguez and Bay) are damaged goods with ridiculous salaries and are essentially worthless on the trade market. Ditto Perez, though he’s not injured, just terrible. So, that just leaves David Wright or Jose Reyes as the only potential trade candidates. Sure, you could probably get a lot for either of those, but trading away young all-star candidates entering their prime at two notoriously difficult positions doesn’t seem too smart, either. 2011 will be another lost season for the Mets, and they won’t be able to seriously rebuild until 2012 at the earliest. I think you’re looking at least 5 years before the team gets competitive again. I’m not happy about it, but that’s what it looks like.
nymets4581
Keep Ike, Wright, Thole, Mejia, Santana and Pelfrey. Other than that, empty it out. Reyes will get some good value and Havens/Tejada can pick up some production that they lose with Reyes
brianinwi
Havens needs to show he can stay healthy for a full year. And Tejada needs to show he can hit major league pitching.
dc21892
Yes, Reyes will get value. The only thing is who wants him? The Mets have a lot of guys to trade but not a lot of interest. Wright is just about the only player teams want from the Mets. Reyes only helps the Mets he doesn’t hurt them. Beltran needs out and if they can move him for half of what he’s being paid, I’m sure they do it. Don’t expect the Mets to be REALLY active in free agency for 2-3 years. They need to start fresh.
nymets4581
True. Except trading Wright would be dumb. And I think Reyes is actually a valuable asset when healthy. A shortstop who can hit, run and field well? That’s in pretty high demand
redsandyanksfan
If there considering trading Reyes i think the Reds should be all in on it, as they hve no future shortstop i would think if he is on the block the reds will be center of attention including some others. He has great speed, he can hit and field. The Reds could use him at leadoff even though his obp needs to increase a little but maybe playing in Cinnci would help. All in all i would be estatic if the reds picked him up
Hector Cortes
Only way i’d trade with the Reds is if they were giving the Mets Brandon Phillips or one of there young starters back in the deal other then that no thanks i’d rather keep Reyes honestly (I think people undervalue Reyes capabilities as a run producing leadoff guy honestly)…
redsandyanksfan
Which young pitcher? I dont think homer bailey could do it, i would assume they would ask for Travis Wodd but if i could get it done around like Bailey,Alonso and Fransico with a low level ppitcher would you? and if your asking or would i would just give you Wood,FRansico and a arm
budman3
Another week, another article about the Mets not spending big in free agency.
So what else is new? Most know that is the situation going into 2012. here’s hoping the new GM makes some shrewed, smaller moves which actually improves the team.
bigpat
Might as well rebuild and stay away from big free agents for a year or two, they never seem to work out well for them anyways.
wnymetsfan
I would agree. The FA class this year is not great. You have Lee and Crawford and that is about it. Lee is more than likely going to the Yanks whether the Mets wanted to pursue him or not. Crawford would be a fit but the Mets actually have a number of OF prospects so why block them with another high priced aging player. Also after 2011 they will be out from under Beltran, Castillo and Perez’ contracts for a total of $36 million. If they can find a taker for KRod it would be even more giving them payroll flexibility. Personally I would try to trade for a young starter and let the young guys get more experience.
zack
i can’t wait til 2013…
Guest
lol
Gumby65
The Dodgers reportedly have interest in Oliver Perez, and have offered Frank & Jamie McCourt. Is municipal mutiny even possible?
fredo71
Think of the bright side, Met fans. There has been no mention of bringing back Mettle Mule.
Slopeboy
How about Metamuesel?