MLB/Mets Offseason Thread.

[NYman15]

"Here is a quick round-up of hot stove rumors from around MLB:

“The White Sox are expected to try to bring starting pitcher Mark Buehrle back on a two-year deal. … If he leaves, most would expect it to be for his hometown St. Louis Cardinals.” ~ Jon Heyman, SI.com
“Kelly Johnson is one of the winter’s most appealing free agent second basemen and Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos expects to discuss a possible deal with him.” ~ MLB Trade Rumors
“The Giants are expected to go hard for Carlos Beltran, who they obviously love.” ~ Jon Heyman, SI.com
41-year-old, free-agent LHP Darren Oliver would like to pitch one more season in the big leagues, Jon Morosi said on FOXSports.com.
According to MLB Trade Rumors, the list of catchers who could be non-tendered, and this become free agents or traded before that, include Jeff Mathis, Koyie Hill, Robby Hammock, Eli Whiteside, John Baker, Ronny Paulino, Jesus Flores, Rob Johnson, and Brayan Pena."

http://www.metsblog.com/2011/10/19/rumo ... round-mlb/

[NYman15]

It sounds like Yu Darvish is going to ask his team to put him up for bidding so he can pitch in the MLB next year.

"According to the Mainichi Daily News, 25-year-old Japanese pitcher Yu Darvish is expected to officially ask his team in Japan to put him up for bidding after their postseason, which will likely be in early November.

The team will likely grant his request, the News reports.

This season in Japan, Darvish is 18-6 in 28 starts with a 1.44 ERA and 276 strikeouts in 232 innings pitched. This is the fifth straight year in which he has had a sub-2.00 ERA."

http://www.metsblog.com/2011/10/20/yu-d ... ch-in-usa/

[treiz]

Would love Reyes to stay, but I think for the benefit of both parties I think he has to leave.

I think we need to make a run at Darren Oliver if possible.

[NYman15]

I'd love for Reyes to stay as well, but I think he's gonna leave and if he leaves, I think it raises the possibility that David Wright will be traded as well and the Mets go into a complete rebuilding mode.

I'd love to see the Mets go after Darren Oliver. He's old for a pitcher, but he's a lefty and he's still a very reliable pitcher and would be a great veteran to have in the clubhouse.

[NYman15]

"According to MLB.com’s Scott Merkin, if the White Sox are intent on cutting a significant portion of their $127 million payroll, it’s likely either John Danks or Mark Buehrle will not return in 2012.

Earlier this week, Jon Heyman of SI.com said the White Sox would like to re-sign Buehrle to a two year deal and he could decide to take a discount to stay in Chicago. Otherwise, Heyman says he could sign with the Cardinals during the off-season"

http://www.metsblog.com/2011/10/22/whit ... uehrle-go/

Mark Buehrle is one of the older pitchers in baseball, but he still is one of the best pitchers on the market. He's a guy who could make some sense for the Mets, but everything I've heard says if he's not in Chicago, he'd probably go to St. Louis to play for the Cardinals as that's where he's from. So, I'm not sure he'd want to move from the midwest all the way to the east coast. So, I don't see him as a possibility as a Met.

[NYman15]

"There is a possibility that the Marlins will make a run at Rays right-hander James Shields this winter.

Florida is a natural trade partner for Tampa Bay because they can dangle outfielder Logan Morrison in a package for the starting pitcher.

Via Buster Olney/ESPN.com "

Read more: http://baseball.realgm.com/src_wiretap_ ... z1befooLZq

Shields is a very good pitcher and I'd hate to see him end up on the Marlins. I'd love to see the Mets make a run at him, though. He had a great year for Tampa Bay.

[treiz]

If Reyes leaves and as much as I love Reyes, we don't have to consider trading Wright mainly because we still have some good pieces to work around with. Ike Davis is coming back, Wright was not healthy for pretty much the whole year last year, Jason Bay is due for a big year, Duda has provided us with some solid power in the year. Our infield D is pretty good especially with Justin Turner and Daniel Murphy stepping up, and we still have Ruben Tejada who is a great defensive SS and of course Pagan who has been a terrific CF for the past 2 seasons.

Our pitching needs work though, I'm not a big fan of Pelfrey but I think Gee could have a solid season as a number 3/4. We have an ace in Johan, Chris Young pitched very well before he got injured and Niese I think showed flashes of his potential last year as a very good number 2, however there was inconsistencies. I do agree that we should go for Shields, he had a great year last year with I believe 4 CGs. But my problem is what can we offer trade-wise? Or is he a FA? If we can get a closer (Broxton would be preferable due to price) and Darren Oliver as the set up man as well as a couple more in the bullpen, I think we can make a decent push for wild card next year. We also have Mejia coming back who before his TJS was pitching very well.

I really hope Reyes considers these factors, as I think we can convince him to stay with the current crop we have. With Terry Collins having a full year under his belt and we saw how much the players loved playing for him I think next year is a good year to be optimistic and it's mainly because we have an identity now, teams understand now that on game days the Mets will come at you 100% and that was all because of Collins.

[NYman15]

I definitely agree that this team has a bright future. I'm not sure if they're gonna really compete down the stretch next year, although it's possible. I agree that you don't have to trade Wright if Reyes leaves, but I think it's more likely that they trade him if Reyes does leave and they do a total rebuild than if Reyes stays. I think if Reyes stays, I think there's a better chance Wright stays.

I like this lineup when they're all healthy. If you bring back Reyes and you add him to a healthy Wright and Ike along with Bay and Duda added to that, you could have a very good lineup. The pitching does need a lot of work. However, I think the rotation pretty much stays the same except Johan will probably be back. I think Pelfrey is back as well. The bullpen needs a ton of work and they do need a closer. I think we'll see Sandy go after guys like Brad Lidge or Joe Nathan or Johnathan Broxton. Players who have high upside, but probably won't make a lot of money.

Mejia still isn't ready to pitch. He just started to throw, at least that was the plan, and Sandy has said he won't be ready for spring training. However, I think there's a good chance he's back pitching sometime this year, although I think he'll be back in AAA starting. However, the Mets have a nice group of young, high potential starters in the minors lead by Matt Harvey who could be up in the majors next year.

[NYman15]

"The Twins announced today that they've declined their club option on reliever Joe Nathan. The option was worth $12.5MM, but the team will pay a $2MM buyout. GM Bill Smith said, "I spoke with Joe and his agent this morning, and expressed our interest in re-signing Joe. We will remain in contact with them as we move forward into the free agent process."

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/10/t ... athan.html

I expect the Mets to be interested in Nathan. He's probably not gonna sign for a lot of money, but he has been a dominant closer in the past, something the Mets need, and if he can regain that form, it'll help the Mets fill a need and it'll help Nathan get another big contract. He's looking like that low risk, high potential type of player this offseason, in my opinion.

[treiz]

Really hope Reyes does stay and maybe a healthy unit next year and we can make some noise, if not. It's understandable, we do have to rebuild, but I don't think there is an urgency for a complete rebuild yet. Even if Reyes leaves.

What's the recovery time on TJS normally? I thought it was a year.

If Joe Nathan's available we need to make a run at him, our bullpen is quite bad and if we do plan to compete we need to upgrade on set-up man and closer. Like you said low risk-high potential. Really hope our starting 5 rotation next year goes:

Santana
Niese
Pelfrey
Dickey
Gee

Or interchange Dickey/Gee if need be.

[NYman15]

Recovery time for tommy john surgery I believe is around 12-18 months. I believe it varies from player to player. I'm hopeful that Mejia will pitch sometime next year in the minors, but they have to see how his progress goes. He could possibly be back pitching in May or it could be in August. It's still too early to tell, but the fact that Sandy said he would start throwing I think is a good sign.

I agree on Joe Nathan. I could definitely see the Mets interested in him. I think he's a good fit for them. I'm sure they'd talk to other players like Brad Lidge and Johnathan Broxton as well.

I could definitely see that being the starting rotation on opening day. I would have Dickey behind Johan and Niese 3rd, but that doesn't really matter, but I think that's probably the rotation we see on opening day.

[NYman15]

"In a post to Twitter, Jon Heyman says the Reds are expected to pick up the option for 2B Brandon Phillips if they cannot work out an extension.

The 30-year-old Phillips has a $12 million option for 2012.

Heyman also says it’s a “closer call” as to whether or not Cincinnati will pick up Francisco Cordero‘s $12 million option, or buy him out for $1 million."

http://www.metsblog.com/2011/10/26/heym ... dero-iffy/

Phillips has always been rumored to the Mets, but it's never happened and I don't see it happening this year. However, Cordero, if released, could be an option for the Mets closer position. However, he might want too much money and too many years, but he could be an option.

[NYman15]

"In a report for the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Paul Hoynes says the Indians recently spoke with the agent for OF Grady Sizemore about restructuring his $8.5 million option for 2012 into a long term extension, but, “that’s not going to happen.”

Per Sizemore’s contract, the Indians have three days after the conclusion of the World Series to pick up his option for next season or he will become a free agent.

Sizemore has played in just 210 games since 2009 and hit just .234 with 28 home runs and 109 RBI over that span. He had micro-fracture surgery on his left knee in 2010, which required him to miss half of the 2010 and 2011 season. He recently underwent arthroscopic surgery on that same knee, but is expected to be ready for Spring Training."

http://www.metsblog.com/2011/10/26/indi ... on-for-12/

There's a very realistic chance Angel Pagan won't be back next year so the CF position could be open and Sizemore would be an interesting option. He's been hurt a lot the past few years, but when healthy he's been one of best centerfielders in all of baseball. Depending on how many years and how much money he wants, he could be a fit for the Mets, assuming he becomes a free agent.

[NYman15]

"In an interview with host Mike Missanelli on 97.5 FM in Philadelphia, ESPN.com’s Jayson Stark said:

“The Phillies like David Wright. They have talked about David Wright. Are they really going to be able to make a deal for David Wright? Are the Mets really going to deal him to the Phillies? I mean, those are big questions. But, I’ve heard David Wright’s name for some time. Whether it happens is another story. But, the Phillies like him. … It would have to be a gigantic deal. And, where are the pieces left in the Phillies system to make that deal? … It’s unlikely, but don’t ignore it, because the Phillies have talked about it.”"


http://www.metsblog.com/2011/10/27/star ... id-wright/

I seriously doubt the Mets trade Wright to the Phillies. It's not even that likely that they trade Wright to anyone let alone the Phillies in my opinion. The Phillies would have to give an absolute boatload of prospects.

[NYman15]

The Cardinals have picked up a two-year, $21M contract on injured pitcher Adam Wainwright, helping set their rotation for next year.

Wainwright is rehabbing from elbow surgery in February that sidelined him for the entire season.

Read more: http://baseball.realgm.com/src_wiretap_ ... z1c1cEEZAK

I was hoping that Wainwright would become a free agent so the Mets would have a shot at him, maybe at a discounted price due to the tommy john surgery, but that won't happen. When healthy, he's a great pitcher. Even with him being injured, I think the Cards made the right move in picking up his option.