The Mets remain interested in adding a left-handed hitting outfielder and appear to be hunting for the cash to sign one, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com tweets. It was reported last week that the Mets are monitoring the market for outfielders who hit from the left side, including Johnny Damon, Kosuke Fukudome, Rick Ankiel and Raul Ibanez.
I doubt that any of the outfielders above will cost more than $1-2MM in terms of guaranteed salary on a one-year deal. However, the Mets are working on a budget, even after cutting payroll by approximately $50MM this offseason. The Mets' projected outfield currently consists of the right-handed hitting Jason Bay and Scott Hairston, the left-handed hitting Lucas Duda and the switch-hitting Andres Torres.
Sell the team, Fred.
Yeah…waiting for the day when an article [truthfully] announces:
Latest On Mets’ Search For New Owners
What if it was Rupert Murdoch 😉
They’re still paying Bobby Bonilla, right? Ask him back! Problem solved.
And Ankiel can even pitch when the projected starters are proven to be frauds. Oh wait, nevermind.
What a ghastly way to run a franchise. They probably need to trade David Wright, because Santana and Bay are signed through 2013.
Yeah, Johnny Damon would be great in LF, he has just the OF arm that the Mets need in that park.
“The Mets’ projected outfield currently consists of the right-handed hitting Jason Bay and Scott Hairston, the left-handed hitting Lucas Duda and the switch-hitting Andres Torres.”
So they already have 2 LH bats in Duda and Torres, what am I missing here, why do they need another?
It’s for a variety of purposes. They need a defensively solid backup outfielder (particularly w/Duda out there), speed, someone with an ability to move the runner over (club was terrible at this last year), AND a left-handed bat off the bench. (The last part is only a piece of what’s being sought…not the whole deal). Ankiel can’t help w/the sacrificing, but it solid enough on the others. Pierre also would have been a good fit.
Ankiel is much better than Pierre though. Pierre is totally washed up
Ankiel is much better than Pierre though. Pierre is totally washed up
Torres is a switch hitter…they need a lefty because they don’t have any other off the bench. Ankiel would platoon with Bay once he goes down hill come May.
Torres is a switch hitter…they need a lefty because they don’t have any other off the bench. Ankiel would platoon with Bay once he goes down hill come May.
They could’ve gone for a young 21 year old lefty bat off the bench that would’ve played near the league minimum… but oh wait, right. they cut Fernando Martinez…
Martinez is a bum and had his chance.
Speaking of people who had their chance, how did the Mets let Emaus go? His AAA numbers were outstanding last year. I can’t believe good hitting 2B are that easy to find
He was playing in Denver, that league notoriously inflates offensive stats. At this stage in his development, he is a AAAA and there was no way the mets would have carried him on the roster all year with Turner/Murphy, Havens, and Valdespin all behind him.
How can you so easily so he’s a “AAAA” when he’s had a grand total of 37 ABs in the major leagues? Ever heard of “small sample size”? The point is, he’s always hit well in the minor leagues and if I were king for a day I would’ve given him 250-300 AB’s, minimum, before making a decision. I’d certainly play him over Turner.
Reading comprehension dude….
“At this stage in his development…..” kinda implies theres plenty of room to get better in the future, no?
I don’t think the Mets were willing to give him half of a season of AB’s when he was outplayed in the spring and couldnt hit a thing in April and the only reason he made the club in the first place was his Rule V status.
Usually when people use the term “AAAA player” it is always used in the context of a player’s current stage of development, not their development in 5 years or 10 years or 2 years ago.
Also the term AAAA player is a pejorative term that, almost by definition, implies that a player has *no* room for improvement-hence a AAAA player. If you thought he had room for improvement, he wouldn’t BE a AAAA player, he would just be a AAA player.
And no I disagree with you that “at this stage in his development” (whatever that means) he’s a AAAA player. I think he’s an MLB level player that’s never gotten enough AB’s at the MLB level.
Last year, Justin Turner got 435ABs and put up a .690 OPS. I don’t think if the Mets had given 1/2 those ABs to Emaus it would’ve hurt the team; I believe Emaus deserved to have the chance to put up at least a .690 over 250 ABs.
“Usually when people use the term “AAAA player” it is always used in the context of a player’s current stage of development, not their development in 5 years or 10 years or 2 years ago. ”
Exactly….current stage of development. Thank you for making my point. And typically AAAA means they can rakeat triple A but can’t hit MLB pitching, which is exactly where he is now. It has no bearing on his future or past.
He was playing in Denver, that league notoriously inflates offensive stats. At this stage in his development, he is a AAAA and there was no way the mets would have carried him on the roster all year with Turner/Murphy, Havens, and Valdespin all behind him.
Wasn’t Emaus a rule 5 pick? Since he stunk at the major league level the only options are keep him on the roster or ship him back. The Mets chose to ship him back one month into the season.
Whatever-that’s beside the point.
Whether they had to outright him or not, my point was simply that there was no reason to give him 37 AB’s and then cut him. Lots of players struggle over 37 AB’s over the course of a season. I would never make judgments about a player on the basis of 37 AB’s; sample size is just way too small. There was an article somewhat to this effect on fangraphs I believe.
I understand psychologically it’s difficult for management to stick their neck out and go for an unproven player, but I think it’s just classier to be a bit more loyal.
Who would have thought that a big market team like The Mets would sink so low that paying one to two million for an outfielder would cause budget concerns.
I read that differently…they don’t want to pay more than 1-2M for a *backup* outfielder-nothing wrong with that. So if it was a SP or some other more valuable piece I assume they would be willing to pony up more dough
Team had a good GM and scouting group but can’t do anything big yet b/c ownership is broke. Selig needs to force them to sell – I want to be proud of being a Met fan again. Until Wilpons are gone I doubt that will happen
The Jays will trade you Snider or Thames for Niese. Come on, we know you want it
Niese is a medicore not worth to Snider or Thames. Jays current starters are way better than Niese. May be Santana, after eating big part of his remaining contract, to Jays for Snider and some minor leager.
Jays wouldn’t go for it. Not enough control, only get 2 years of Santana vs the amount they’d lose
Acquiring Snider would be a great move for the Mets… therefore it won’t happen.
Always ask yourself that… If the move is intelligent and logical you can pretty much rule the Mets out of said move.
Very tempting, but the Mets need pitching.
Domonic Brown, Cosart and Polanco for Wright.
Thats too rich.
Thats too rich.
Hilarious.
Anyone think Thames and Drabek will net us one of the Mets SPs?
If they would the deal would have been done already
Anyone think Thames and Drabek will net us one of the Mets SPs?
A team in New York ‘searching for money’.. Hilarious
A team in New York ‘searching for money’.. Hilarious
they can trade for Jon Jay. Seems like a logical fit, he isn’t art eligible for another year or two, good hitter, can play any OF spot, won’t cost an arm and a leg.
If they can’t come up with $1M to sign a platoon OF, they need to sell the team now.
I was hoping Ankiel would go to a good team but at least with the Mets he’ll probably be a starter by the end of spring training.