The Mets' offseason will be a disappointment if the Curtis Granderson acquisition is the only big move, the New York Post's Joel Sherman writes. "If this really is it — after all the buildup asking for patience to let the money of Johan Santana and Jason Bay go away — then this will be a breach with the fan base," Sherman says. "Heading toward another $85 million-ish payroll is — quite frankly — not honoring the commitment. It is being the San Diego Mets." Here are more notes from around the East divisions.
- A.J. Burnett still hasn't decided whether or not to pitch in 2014, CBS Sports' Jon Heyman tweets. Burnett has previously said he intends to pitch for the Pirates or retire, but Heyman introduces a new possibility — that Burnett could pitch for the Orioles instead. Burnett resides in Maryland.
- GM Ruben Amaro says the Phillies would eat salary in a trade that improved the team, reports Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com. Salisbury notes that the Phillies would like to trade Jonathan Papelbon, who will make $13MM in both 2014 and 2015 and has a $13MM vesting option in 2016.
- Despite the signing of Nate McLouth, the Nationals have no plans to deal Denard Span, tweets Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. Span will continue to be their center fielder and leadoff hitter.
- The Yankees have had "lots of internal discussions" about free agent reliever Joaquin Benoit, USA Today's Bob Nightengale reports (via Twitter). The Yankees would like to add two bullpen arms.
KJ4realz
I hate your smug lying ways, Ruben.
Guest 4012
Don’t blame Ruben. He’s doing everything he can with the awful budget that the Wilpons stuck him with. Look at the moves he’s made like trading Beltran for Wheeler and Dickey for d’Arnaud and Syndergaard…it’s not his fault that the Wilpons lost all their money, or that the free agent market is ridiculously expensive this year.
HellBoyTB
Must be a new Ruben in charge of the Mets? I mean a sandwich could do better than Sandy but this is news to me for sure
KJ4realz
I almost fainted when I read the first few words in the sentence. I mean, someone trying to defend Ruben? Wiped the brow after I finished the sentence.
Guest 4012
Don’t blame Ruben. He’s doing everything he can with the awful budget that the Wilpons stuck him with. Look at the moves he’s made like trading Beltran for Wheeler and Dickey for d’Arnaud and Syndergaard…it’s not his fault that the Wilpons lost all their money, or that the free agent market is ridiculously expensive this year.
SpaceOwl
Was he seriously surprised that the Wilpons may have feigned us all that we “would spend” and just sign Granderson and Young.. with no other holes being filled. I have a TINY bit of hope left we’ll trade for a decent SS and sign a nice innings eater and some relief pitching, if that’s plugged,then we can definitely come real close to contending.
BluEandOrange
If only the Mets could have two additional spots in the lineup and a second second baseman and a second first baseman on the field so they could play Murphy, Duda, Ike, and Satin all at the same time.
SpaceOwl
Or trade Duda and/or Ike.
BluEandOrange
The Mets appear to have a love affair with both of them.
TheJuanWhoKnocks
Do you think the Orioles would do Eduardo Rodriguez and Schoop for Murphy and Davis/Duda?
OhthePossibilities
They shouldn’t.
rouscher
Thats a little much
rouscher
Thats a little much
jhramberg
go for Balfour. Make a great battery mater with McCann
OhthePossibilities
Balfour: Stop staring at me while I’m pitching!
*McCann stands in front of batter to receive the pitch.*
Benny
This was the offseason all Mets fans were waiting anxiously for, so he’s right. If this is all they have to offer, then it’s very disappointing…
WonderboyRooney10
What do you recommend? Nelson Cruz? 100MM for Choo?
Benny
I’m sorry, but last time I checked we had already completed our 2014 OF, yet here you are attempting to be smug by proposing signing more OFs, great job!
How about you just try to understand what holes we still have to fill and then go from there?
WonderboyRooney10
Juan Lagares is still somewhat of an unknown at the plate and Chris Young is best suited as a platoon player. You are making it sound like overpaying for a guy like Stephen Drew and/or Bronson Arroyo will make or break the offseason. Any addition the Mets can afford to make right now in the free agent market will be marginal.
Benny
$7.25 for a platoon player? Really??? They definitely don’t believe that if they gave him that kind of contract, anyway the Manager already spoke today and stated that Granderson/Lagares/Young is his OF.
I never even mentioned Drew or Arroyo, but nice try!
BCleveland3381
Chris Young is a solid signing. He has 30HR power and is still pretty young. He is a guy that can play CF as Juan Lagares insurance in case he regresses offensively. If Young bounces back, he’s trade bait for a contending team if the Mets are out of it. Prospects we get back would be worth the 7 million dollar salary. And last, to get an OF upgrade for one year isn’t easy. With Puello waiting in the wings, we don’t need to over extend ourselves until we know what Lagares will be as a major league hitter.
BadBJay
Some say Chris Young is underrated. I think his underrated status makes him overrated, to be honest.
WonderboyRooney10
Juan Lagares is still somewhat of an unknown at the plate and Chris Young is best suited as a platoon player. You are making it sound like overpaying for a guy like Stephen Drew and/or Bronson Arroyo will make or break the offseason. Any addition the Mets can afford to make right now in the free agent market will be marginal.
SWB0781 .
Well the Yankees are going around signing as many outfielders as possible. You never know.
Benny
They are mostly DHs, not OFs.
meetthemets26
yup, that’s it for the big moves, maybe a minor move or two, but their done…
rct 2
Yes, it’s Sandy’s fault that Harvey is out for 2014.
Benny
Huh?
What does Harvey have to do with anything?
Are you trying to say that because Harvey went down, we should just pass on the 2014 season?
rct 2
It’s brutal reality, but yes. You honestly think they can make the playoffs without him? He’s out for 2014 and their other best pitchers are so young that 2014, imo, should be used to gain confidence and experience.
Honestly, I don’t see how you can think Harvey doesn’t have everything to do with this.
BluEandOrange
Matt Harvey doesn’t make or break the Mets. With Harvey are they a much better team? Of course.
However, the plan was still to go for it in 2014 even prior to Harvey’s emergence as a star this season.
It’s as if you aren’t even familiar with the Mets situation and the statements the front office has made.
The Mets situation does not occur in a vacuum.
rct 2
What are you talking about? So because they made some silly declarations a few years ago that they should ignore reality? When they said that stuff, the team was a vastly different team. The team has changed, so should the course of action. Adaption is key.
And trust me, I’m well aware of what statements the front office makes. I just choose to realize that they’re a business and sometimes need to say certain things to appease fans/media/etc. They also say things to affect contract negotiations or trades.
If you want to believe everything the Wilpons say, that’s not my problem.
Benny
I remember when the Cardinals lost Carpenter, and when they lost Wainwright that one season as well, I don’t remember them calling it quits that year though…
Keep lowering your expectations though, the Wilpons love you for it!
rct 2
Yes, because the players the Mets have are as good as the players the Cardinals had.
Also, in 2007 and 2008, years Carpenter missed, the Cardinals missed the playoffs both years. In 2011, the year Wainwright missed, the Cardinals had Pujols, Berkman, Holliday, Molina, Carpenter, and great years from Allen Craig, Freese, and Jay. The situations are not comparable in any way.
The Mets won 74 games last year and have lost far and away their best pitcher for next year. Please, please, explain to me how they’re going to make the playoffs this year. It’s not lower expectations, it’s reality. Get a grip.
Benny
You proposed yesterday that the Mets shouldn’t do anything because they aren’t going anywhere simply because of Harvey’s absence. Obviously you have noted that in 2011 the Cardinals still added players to make the run they did possible, which is my point. While the Mets will make an excuse like the one you’re giving, the Cardinals moved ahead and still made additions to their roster to make that run possible.
“Also, in 2007 and 2008, years Carpenter missed, the Cardinals missed the playoffs both years.”
I love how you leave out last year and the year before!
mrnatewalter
Baltimore should just pay Burnett to retire and spare baseball as a whole.
OhthePossibilities
Heyman is contractually obligated to throw out the Orioles as a possible destination for anyone with a heartbeat.
mrnatewalter
Everyone and their dog has been linked to Baltimore or Texas this offseason… the boy has cried wolf a few times too many.
mrnatewalter
Everyone and their dog has been linked to Baltimore or Texas this offseason… the boy has cried wolf a few times too many.
MJensen
Joel Sherman is desperate to generate traffic to his website, nothing more.
rct 2
He’s endemic of what is wrong with the New York sports media: overly critical, the sky is always falling, no patience. It’s a shame because he generally has good info/intel, but his opinion pieces are almost always bad. I remember in 2003-4, it seemed like every other day he’d devote an article to demanding that the Mets trade Kazmir and lambasting the Mets for not already doing so.
I know we’re not supposed to criticize individual writers on this site, but it’s hard not to with him.
Danny Phillips
Nobody realistically thought Span was going to be traded. Rizzo never lets his actual intentions slip out.
WonderboyRooney10
Awful stance from Sherman. Should the Mets just go re-commit freed up money to even more risky contracts? I am pleased with Granderson but the Mets are still not in a position to compete for the playoffs. Payroll flexibility will be more important when Harvey is back.
Benny
They shouldn’t just spend for the sake of spending, but they need to plug up the holes. Trading for a SS, signing a veteran SP, and signing a reliever is a must!
WonderboyRooney10
The offseason has just started. Its day 2 of the winter meetings…
Benny
You just proposed basically a plan of doing nothing for the rest of the offseason because we need the “payroll flexibility” for when Harvey returns. Make up your mind!
WonderboyRooney10
Sherman proposes making another “big splash”.
Benny
You just proposed basically a plan of doing nothing for the rest of the offseason because we need the “payroll flexibility” for when Harvey returns. Make up your mind!
Benny
They shouldn’t just spend for the sake of spending, but they need to plug up the holes. Trading for a SS, signing a veteran SP, and signing a reliever is a must!
BluEandOrange
Actually, if you were acquainted with the situation, it wasn’t Sherman who initially made this stance, it was the Mets front office themselves.
DarthMurph
I laughed out loud at the San Diego Mets. I got lost driving home from Laguardia last week and found myself in front of Citi Field. What a depressing place.
meetthemets26
you mean you ….LOL…..and you went by citi field last week in the winter
and it was depressing…..maybe you should go during the summer….LOL.
DarthMurph
I was depressed because Matt Harvey and Mr. Met were panhandling outside to raise cash for the 2014 season.
meetthemets26
lol….i hear ya….merry christmas bro
meetthemets26
you mean you ….LOL…..and you went by citi field last week in the winter
and it was depressing…..maybe you should go during the summer….LOL.
BCleveland3381
You didn’t need any new rims for your car?
Benny
Or used tires at a discounted price 🙂
DarthMurph
I asked for directions and they said they’d only help if I bought a ten game package and a stale box of miller light.
DarthMurph
I laughed out loud at the San Diego Mets. I got lost driving home from Laguardia last week and found myself in front of Citi Field. What a depressing place.
TheJuanWhoKnocks
Trade one of Ike/Duda, sign Drew, sign Bartolo Colon for 1 year and we may contend for a wild card.
Matt Mccarron 2
4 decent hitters in your lineup, 3 decent starters, no relievers, a bad bench. Phillies have that. They can’t contend.
MJensen
After 3 years of spending nothing, and fans clamoring for a signing, Mets finally sign Granderson, and then, “It’s not enough. They fail unless they sign one more.”
Danny Phillips
They also signed Young 😉
MJensen
Right, but Young “hits .220” and so it’s perceived as being nothing, even though he puts up superior WAR than many many OF’s.
Danny Phillips
Tongue planted firmly in cheek.
MJensen
Fair point. They did sign Young. Again showing Sherman knows nothing and shouldn’t be given authority as a writer at the NY Post.
mrnatewalter
The NY Post is like someone read a better newspaper, and texted you the main points of the article… I don’t take Sherman for a grain of salt.
BluEandOrange
Who is Chris Young? Another reclamation project? Please inform yourself of the situation with The Wilpons, the front office, and all of the promises they’ve spewed before posting on the topic.
BluEandOrange
Please inform yourself of the Mets front office’s double talk before posting on the subject.
Danny Phillips
Tongue planted firmly in cheek.
DerekJeterDan
Because signing Chris Young was a terrible mistake an that 7.25 Million was a waste simply because people will never acknowledge Young and it wasted a lot of money to bring in resources. Had that for to Stephen Drew or Bronson Arroyo, along with Granderson who filled an OF need THAN Sandy would have done enough but acquiring 2 OFers for 67 Million dollars, although it was a problem position is lateral at best. Granderson and Drew or Arroyo should both be New York Mets. Chris Young made little sense.
BluEandOrange
You can’t claim you’ll make “significant acquisitions” and end up with just Grandy and Chris B. Young.
DerekJeterDan
Completely agree. The Mets have promise for 3 years that 2014 was the year. Anything other than an impressive Offseason should be met with rebellion and scorn from the fan base.
BluEandOrange
The Mets ownership has never come clean about their financial situation. They’ve actual flat out lied to the public about it but most of the Mets beat writers are sheep that fear losing their platform instead of reporting the truth.
The massive debt the Wilpons are in is actually public record.
When you make bold face lies, you have to be held accountable.
If only they told the truth instead of trying to play this charade would they be less embattled with the fanbase.
BadBJay
Sadly, the Mets have bigger problems than what’s on the field. Their mgmt is in complete disarray.
MJensen
People think money is unlimited for NY teams. Let me tell you, unless you operate efficiently, you will not see success, no matter how much funds you have.
slashieboy .
AJ Burnett was done. But like so many others he looked good in the weak NL. He wont help help the Orioles, he will help all the other teams in the AL East. Stay in the weak NL or retire, dont make a fool of yourself in a Orioles uniform.
JTrea81
Burnett is far from done. His groundball rate has increased quite dramatically and he’s still got strikeout stuff. Pitching against the Yankees might be even more motivation.
slashieboy .
Thats was not my point, he will not look good back in the AL. He should stay in the NL if he knows whats best for him(and his stats)
slashieboy .
Thats was not my point, he will not look good back in the AL. He should stay in the NL if he knows whats best for him(and his stats)
alphabet_soup5
I agree. He has done good in Pittsburgh, but I have a feeling he would get lit up pitching in the AL East again. He should stick to the NL, he won’t have the option of deciding to retire or not if he goes back to his old ways. Nobody will want him.
BCleveland3381
I still think the Mets should go after Drew. His market isnt that high. 3 years 36 million and they could probably get him. Teams are wary giving up a first rounder to get him, and the Sox don’t want to offer him more than 2 years. He’d only cost the Mets a 3rd round pick. He’s an upgrade offensively and defensively. Even with the Mets being broke, they’d have to trade Murphy and Ike, but could handle his salary. Move EY to 2B which is ok, because he’s the only guy on the roster even remotely resembling a leadoff hitter. Our lineup would look drastically better than last season.
2B – E Young
CF – Lagares
3B – Wright
LF – Granderson
RF – C Young
SS – Drew
1B – Duda/Flores(platoon)
C – d’Arnaud
TheJuanWhoKnocks
I love Lagares, but Drew makes much more sense in the 2 hole. I also think we should hang on to Davis unless we get a good return.
Benny
Agreed, Lagares is in the 8 hole no matter what lineup you throw out there.
BCleveland3381
That’s fine by me. It’s just the general idea. Drew is attainable without adding a ton of payroll. If EY doesn’t start, who is our leadoff hitter? That’s why I think Murphy has to get traded. Well, that and his salary of course.
TheJuanWhoKnocks
What do you guys think of signing Colon for a year. He is said to be a great clubhouse presence and he’s a fly ball pitcher who would do great in our park and with our defense in the outfield.
Benny
Definitely worth it on a one year deal. Great bridge to the young guns coming up soon, but makes too much sense for the Mets to pull the trigger.
Benny
Agreed, Lagares is in the 8 hole no matter what lineup you throw out there.
BadBJay
I don’t think Stephen Drew wants to be a Met.
BCleveland3381
So far, the only teams reported as showing interest is the Red Sox(barely), the mets, and Twins. The Sox wont offer more than 2 years. Now it’s between the Mets and Twins. Mets are probably a better choice if they offer a 3 year deal.
BadBJay
Not sure if the Mets are the better choice. He’s better off taking the RedSox offer (for him anyway).
BCleveland3381
Depends what he wants. If he wants the security of a 3 year deal, he takes that. The Red Sox have the young guys to replace Drew and seem pretty lukewarm about him coming back.
BCleveland3381
Depends what he wants. If he wants the security of a 3 year deal, he takes that. The Red Sox have the young guys to replace Drew and seem pretty lukewarm about him coming back.
Benny
Mets won’t offer more than two years either, although they did say they wouldn’t go over three years for Granderson, so who knows…
BCleveland3381
Right. Anything you hear publicly is want Sandy wants us(and Drew) to hear.
Benny
Agreed…
Benny
Mets won’t offer more than two years either, although they did say they wouldn’t go over three years for Granderson, so who knows…
ea19
Where did you hear that the Twins were in on Drew?? If it was from Drew’s agent….they are just trying to drive up his asking price!! Kind of like Matt Garza saying that he would be willing to come back to Minnesota even after his bitter departure:)
AlphaICaesar
You should see the size of the smile on the Xmas card we just received from Bobby Bonilla. Brighter than the tree lights.
Sam Henzler
I’m confused. What role does McLouth have now with Washington? With Harper, Span, and Werth, it seems like a waste of 10+M
OhthePossibilities
He can fill in when Harper or Werth hit the DL.
OhthePossibilities
With Harper, he might hit the 15 Day DL so hard he’ll go right on the 60.
BCleveland3381
That’s the cost of a 4th OF nowadays. I should have went into the 4th OF business instead of driving trucks around delivering food.
mrnatewalter
10 million dollar insurance policy.
Danny Phillips
They also plan on resting the OFs more often this year Matt Williams said he plans on Nate getting 350 ab’s at least.
jeffm
If Ruben is willing to eat money in the right deal, why is Papelbon still a member of the Phillies?
BCleveland3381
Because Papelbon stinks, is a headcase, and there are a boatload of better closers that wont cost pieces to get.
jeffm
I’ll give you that he’s a headcase, but not the stinks and boatload of better closers.
MJensen
That headcase is what the Tigers needed, not Nathan.
Benny
Nathan cost the Tigers money, while Papelbon would’ve cost them money and prospects.
Nathan > Papelbon
BCleveland3381
Because Papelbon stinks, is a headcase, and there are a boatload of better closers that wont cost pieces to get.
mrnatewalter
If I trade for him, there’s a feeling that I have to use him… that, in and of itself, has to be a terrifying feeling when acquiring Pap.
BadBJay
Yup. And he will not be a setup guy – he has no desire for the role. He will be a virus in the clubhouse.
mrnatewalter
If I trade for him, there’s a feeling that I have to use him… that, in and of itself, has to be a terrifying feeling when acquiring Pap.
MJensen
Probably because of the years in the contract.
np2392
So sick of the Wilpons. Every year there is an excuse. First it was Madoff, then Bay/Santana. All they do is tell the fans how next year will finally be the year. 2014 will be the year of “just wait until next year when we have Harvey!”. 2015 will be blaming the GM for not turning the 500k ownership gives him into a team of all stars. By 2016 the Wilpons will find themselves in some other fiasco.
I will always be a diehard, but it becomes harder and harder to watch games as the years go on. I have no problem with them being bad, I have a problem with the Wilpons trying to sell us this narrative that the Mets need to operate like a small market team. We will always be second to the Yankees but it’s still the New York market! They own their own TV channel!
I am not encouraging reckless spending, and this FA class is weak, but we have so many glaring holes that we need to start somewhere. It seems like ownership has no interest in improving this team or fixing more than a few of its holes and just banking on every prospect becoming an all star. Pathetic.
Benny
The excuse is and will always be Madoff (no matter what else is said).
MJensen
So sick of whiny Mets fans.
Benny
So there’s nothing to whine about? Everything is great in Metsland?
mrnatewalter
With a healthy Wright, a Zack Wheeler with some game experience, a newly signed Granderson, and when Harvey is healthy again, I think the Mets have multiple pieces that can make them competitive.
It’s not like the NL East has been an active division this offseason… aside from the Marlins getting Salty and having a great young team, and the Nats trading for Fister, the NL East has been very quiet… the Mets could be one more signing away from turning the tide in that division.
BluEandOrange
What’s up Jeff? I’m assuming that because we all know daddy Fred doesn’t read blogs.
You are oblivious to the Mets current financial dire straits as I don’t believe Pops has had that talk with you yet so please read “Wilpon’s Folly” by Megdal to catch up to speed.
MJensen
I spend and I spend. Beltran, Vaughn, Bonilla. What more do I need to do?
BluEandOrange
You are oblivious. Wise up on the topic and what Sandy and the front office have said in addition to all of their contradictory statements to the public and to one another.
It’s quite shameful.
MJensen
Politics is politics.
BluEandOrange
That doesn’t make it acceptable. The problem with politics is that too many are uninformed, disillusioned, disenchanted, and no longer care about holding their representatives accountable for their mistakes.
That’s where dutiful citizens come in.
People make mistakes. As Lord Acton once said “There is no error so monstrous that it fails to find defenders even among the ablest of men.”
However as well all know “the only way for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.”
Your apathetic attitude towards the situation makes me believe you are the good man who does nothing.
MJensen
Politics is politics.
BluEandOrange
You are oblivious. Wise up on the topic and what Sandy and the front office have said in addition to all of their contradictory statements to the public and to one another.
It’s quite shameful.
MJensen
I spend and I spend. Beltran, Vaughn, Bonilla. What more do I need to do?
Senor_Met
Haha, I could totally see Wilpon checking in on MLBTR for suggestions for Sandy.
“Hey, Sandy, have you heard of this ‘Tanaka’ guy? You think he would cost less than $5 million?”
SpaceOwl
I highly doubt there’s any combo of signings in this FA market where we can compete against the Braves or even Nationals.
BluEandOrange
The declarations were quite recent. Three months ago to be exact.