G-Snarls

Problem is those guys will get overpaid, and we're trying to save $. Rogers, Cecil, McGowan et al are all cheap.

Mets Prioritizing Offense Over Pitching By Steve Adams [November 12 at 11:59am CST] The Mets are in the market for offense this winter, so much so that they may not even spend much time considering the free agent market for pitchers. Asked whether the team's preference was to target upside or a stable veteran presence to eat some innings and mentor the Mets' young arms, special assistant J.P. Ricciardi told MLBTR: “I think the one thing in our favor right now is our pitching in our organization is getting closer to being big-league ready, so that makes us say that we might have some in-house options. So maybe we wouldn't even be as inclined to go out and look at that market. It's kind of a work in progress to see what is available, but I think one of the securities we have is that at least we have some guys coming through the system that can get to the big leagues a little quicker. I don't know if we'd be as willing to jump on something like that right now.” Instead, it appears that the Mets will focus their efforts on improving the team's offense. “We have a lot of holes in our lineup,” Ricciardi acknowledged, declining to target a specific area of focus. Ricciardi stated that the Mets are committed to Travis d'Arnaud at catcher though he was less committal when discussing Juan Lagares in center field: “I'd say right now, he's probably the guy that we'd say: 'He can play center field.' I think a lot depends on what we're able to bring around him.” In terms of outfielders, the market is rife with power bats that could improve the Mets' lineup. Shin-Soo Choo, Curtis Granderson and Nelson Cruz could all provide a boost to the club's outfield group, though each would require a draft pick to sign. The Mets are open to forfeiting their second-round pick for “the right player,” though as Ricciardi put it, the team isn't “jumping up and down to give up any picks because we're still trying to build.” Should the Mets surrender a pick, one will likely be their limit. Ricciardi dismissed the possibility of the Mets being as aggressive as the Indians were last season in forfeiting a second-round pick in order to sign both Michael Bourn and Nick Swisher: “I don't know if we'll be that involved with those type of guys. Like I said, it has to be the right guy for us to even do one, so I can't really sit here and tell you that we're probably thinking about doing two.” I asked Ricciardi specifically about the organization's top pitching prospect, Noah Syndergaard, and his chances to make the Majors next season despite being just 20 years old: “I don't know. I think a lot's going to depend on how he handles Triple-A. I think we'll use that as a barometer. I don't think – and I can't speak for Sandy – but I don't think we're going to let anyone's youth get in the way. If he's ready to pitch in the big leagues, he's ready.” Ricciardi also praised the arms of Rafael Montero and Jacob deGrom, as well as the team's core of young relief pitchers in reiterating that the offense will be this winter's primary focus. Asked if he had a preference toward right- or left-handed batters or corner outfielders versus shortstops, Ricciardi simply replied, “I would say 'bats.' We need to improve our offense.”

Yep, and I think you could Lowrie without giving Beane Stroman or Sanchez (though he'd probably ask for one of them initially...)

And Fielder was under 30!

Actually how many MVP caliber years did ARod have after the Yankees signed him? He really was still good for a while. Pujols not so much.

So far it's 0 for 2 SSS

It all comes down to the pitching. Even with one upgrade like adding Jiminez or Hudson or equivalent and progression from Morrow Hutch Stroman, this team COULD be many many wins better in 2014. BTS is right, you can't factor in improvements for Reyes Lawrie etc without accepting possible downturns for Rasmus and Edwin. But the offense is good enough. Our 2014 chances come down to our (hopefully new) catcher and the starting rotation. And we're rolling the dice with the latter.

Yep. Just yet another in a long line of failed offensive top prospects. Move along. Nothing to see here.

I'd like to think part of his problem was how he was used by Melvin. He played a lot of games at 3 different positions, and most games at the hardest one (short stop). A full season with 150 games at second base and he might be a lot more reliable. And he's always hit well.

Nice target for 2B? Or is his defense too weak?

I love the off season

He would look FANTASTIC in a Rockies uniform

STL? DET? BOS? LAD? Winners with money = short list I'd add PHI just for lulz cause I can totally see them overpaying him too Cap fill

A) He won't Even if he does no way does he become even a adequate defensive player so I still don't want him C) He's too much a of a distraction D) Getting rid of him now is the right thing to do regardless of what he ends up doing elsewhere. They have too much at stake over the next two years to NOT upgrade at such a critical position and there are better players available via free agency.

Please keep Alex. Please.

I'll take anything we can get for him. Anything. I'm just so glad AA is (almost certainly) planning to get rid of him.

You were having visions of Kramer and George weren't you??

You need to put on a pair of "Beeston Brand" rose-coloured glasses man. Then it's all good.

How did we burn all of Sierra's options already??

The Blue Jays would like to see if he takes enough to the position to become an option there on occasion with his power right-handed bat. Sierra is out of options and won’t likely clear waivers, so the Blue Jays are trying to make him as versatile as possible. He and Anthony Gose provide inexpensive options for a fourth outfielder next year.

Yeah me too because I worry he'll strike out on his desired FA's again.

LOL @ FAP contest (Free Agent Prediction)

C - free agent 2B - Trade BP pieces for a league average player SP - free agent Keep Stroman and Sanchez

Only if a hometown NYY discount

Right. Like all these superstar prime FA guys you'd pay the AAV if you could get him for 5-6 years. But there's always some desperate team (Angels, Tigers, etc) who will make it 9 or 10. Blech.