The Braves announced at a groundbreaking ceremony today that their new home will be called SunTrust Park, reflecting a sponsorship agreement with the financial institution. Set to open in time for the 2017 season, the new ballpark is expected to deliver an important new revenue stream for the organization. Of course, the surprise deal to move the club to Cobb County has drawn its share of criticism for the financing agreement and political maneuvering that paved the way.
Here’s more from the National League:
- While the Braves entered the season with a whole new financial outlook — having completed the stadium deal, a restructuring of the club’s television contract, and several notable player extensions — things have not gone as hoped on the field. MLB.com’s Mark Bowman looked back at some of the developments that have led to what he calls the team’s most disappointing season in decades. Given the club’s difficulties, Bowman suggests that the job security of GM Frank Wren is increasingly in question looking forward.
- Mets GM Sandy Alderson has indicated that the team has more young players that it would like to protect from the Rule 5 draft than it has 40-man roster spots to do so, as ESPNNewYork.com’s Adam Rubin reports. The club will, of course, need to be strategic regarding its eligible players, assessing the possibility that another team will take certain players and keep them active for the full season necessary to keep control. Rubin lists all the team’s possibilities for elevation to the MLB roster, along with the slightly more advanced players who could be set loose to accommodate new additions.
- The shortstop position continues to be a major question mark for the Mets heading into the offseason. As Rubin notes, Ruben Tejada could theoretically be a non-tender (or release) candidate, less due to concerns with cost than the roster crunch. Tejada has only a .225/.338/.284 slash, though defensive metrics like his work and he has yet to turn 25. Meanwhile, Wilmer Flores has not yet delivered on his well-regarded ability at the plate at the MLB level, but has had less trouble handling the position than many expected. As Carson Cistulli of Fangraphs writes, advanced metrics have viewed his work (in a limited sample) as roughly league-average, which could be enough to give him a shot next year given his offensive upside. As with last year, the upcoming free agency period could be an interesting one for Mets fans hoping for a long-term solution at the shortstop position. Though GM Sandy Alderson has expressed that payroll expansion is unlikely, the market includes a number of quality veterans.
The Mets need to sign a veteran to play LF/SS. The best move would be to sign JJ Hardy for shortstop and let Nieuwenhuis and den Dekker battle for LF. If they wanted to go for a shorter deal sign Cuddyer to a 1-2 year deal at LF and as a spot starter at first.
What would make you think JJ Hardy would leave a playoff team as a free agent and sign with the Mets who are no certainty for the postseason moving forward? If Hardy leaves Baltimore you would have to think there are plenty of teams higher on Hardy’s wish list than the Mets at this point in his career.
Eh. Money talks, and the Mets have plenty of pitching in place to seriously contend in the near future.
-C
If money talks, I’d expect nothing but silence from Queens.
Maybe if it was 2011-12 again, but it’s not.
The Mets opened their purse strings to grab Granderson, and that’s only going to continue as their core moves closer to playoff contention, which isn’t much more than a season or two away (if that).
-C
Sandy has said multiple times that they’re not going to raise payroll next year.
i’d expect the yanks to out bid the metd for hardy
Hardy’s much too healthy for the Yankees. Hanley fits their profile.
I just said he should be their top free agent target, because of his defense and leadership at a position the mets are desperate for. Whether he leaves the Orioles for another team remains to be seen, but if he does I think the Mets are a good fit.
Shortstops who can hit – even though Hardy is declining in this area – are not undervalued in any market. Hardy is likely looking at a 3-4 year commitment at a fairly high price tag – unless the Mets change their stance on their spending, it seems unlikely he goes to Queens.
um, because players leave contenders all the time when the money is better?
Hardy has never had that really fat payday yet. At his age he should/probably will be going to whoever pays him the most for the next 3 to 4 years.
The Mets need to trade a few prospects for an actual Major League hitter. Is that too obvious for them to realize? Go get a Cespedes or a Cargo or someone similar. The team has so many pitching prospects they’ll hardly even notice, especially since the front 5 SP jobs are essentially spoken for.
First off I don’t see anyone trading for Cespedes because he is up at the end of the year (this offseason) and he has a clause in his contract where he cannot be given a QO. And supposedly he has said he doesn’t want to re-sign with Boston, which I only read from a commenter on here but I don’t believe it.
They want to win every trade and no other team wants to lose.
Dexter Fowler would be a more reasonable option than either of those guys. He’s had a better offensive year than Céspedes and would be easier to acquire. He’s also healthier and cheaper than CarGo. A move to a corner OF position would reduce his negative defensive impact and his offensive profile – high OBP switch-hitting – would solve the Mets’ leadoff situation.
Melky Cabrera comes with baggage and is going to get a Qualifying offer. Despite below average defense he would lengthen out the Mets order a bit. Because he relies more on gap power than home run power he’s the type of hitter that may do better at that ball park. He’s a gamble but I think it would be a decent gamble for the Mets. If they could get him for 3/35 or 4/45 it could be a decent pickup for the Mets. I’d just go with Flores at shortstop. To me that would be a better decision than signing Hardy, Drew etc.
I’m getting a feeling that the mets are gonna not sign anyone big out of free agency but, I think the mets are gonna make an impact trade for maybe a shortstop or an extra outfielder. Mets have too much players on the 40 man roster and more are coming some some players have to disappear.
I’m thinking the mets trading for someone like Daniel nava or even a guy like Parra.
Or make a blockbuster trade with the Indians
Lindor for Syndergaard other piece would likely be involve but the Indians have no need for lindor if rameriz is good
I agree on the possibility of a trade to acquire an SS or LF. I disagree on Nava – the Mets already have two guys in Nieuwenhuis and den Dekker with similar skills sets.
Nava is a much better hitter than either of them
I don’t feel like the Braves can seriously improve until Fredi Gonzalez is gone. Wren hasn’t done such an awful job, but Fredi Gonzalez just isn’t the manager for the Braves.
” Meanwhile, Wilmer Flores has not yet delivered on his well-regarded ability at the plate at the MLB level”
And then he went off tonight with a 2 HR, 6 RBI game.
Can I spin this into a prediction that he had not yet, but certainly would in short order?
Wilmer’s mammoth eruption was achieved to chiefly show up one Jeff Todd. It’s a cruel world.
Don’t forget the double off the wall.