Bobthe4th

With the caveat that these are bold (i.e. unlikely) my reasoning for: 1. Exactly. 2. I expect Harper to have a big bounce back year. He was carrying an injury for much of 2016, had a higher WAR than Trout in 2015, and is still young. If I had to put values on it I'd guess 8.5 for Harper. If Trout plays the full season he'll prob get at least 9, so this prediction prob relies on Trout getting an injury. Trout has mainly avoided injuries so far in his career so maybe this year he's unlucky. 3. Hopefully us, but if not someone like the Phillies who have their first pick protected. 4. Exactly. 5. If Mets rotation all get injured again, they could take a step back. Nats and Marlins driven by Harper and Stanton could have better years than the Mets. 6. I very nearly put Angels as the surprise contenders, but believe they're 3rd best in their division at best. Instead I think that they'll finally decide that missing the playoffs every year while having the worst farm in baseball isn't worth wasting the career of the best player of his generation.

Haha, that's why they are bold!

Until he inevitably gets injured Floyd is prob the 6th starter and could also take away the longman role from Bolsinger.

Bold predictions: 1. Giancarlo Stanton will finally have a healthy season and will hit 50 home runs. 2. Bryce Harper will have a higher WAR than Mike Trout. 3. Jose Bautista will have a higher WAR than Edwin Encarnacion 4. Surprise competitive team will be Colorado. 5. The Mets will be deadline sellers. 6. Mike Trout will be traded at the end of the season.

ftfy

Smoak notwithstanding, I like our infield versus the Sox, but comparing the two outfields makes me shudder. Here's hoping we obtain a decent OF soon.

It's a bit strange timing when looking at his likely free agency year, but I guess the move now means he'll be looking to do more endorsements and raise his profile.

Well you just answered your own question. I see us obtaining a RF and mainly using Upton and Carrera in LF, with Pearce playing some OF and Barney also getting a few games there. I assume that Goins is the odd man out for the 25 man, as Barney makes him redundant.

Note - the above is what I think the front office will do. I'd want to give Pompey a chance to win a job in spring training.

Carrera is 100% making the 25 man if Gibbons has any say in it. And even if he doesn't, Carrera has shown he can be a 4th outfielder and his salary is low - that's the kind of security this front office seems to covet. Even though it wouldn't take much for Pompey to be better, his floor is never making it in the majors.

This is spot on. Pearce and Morales should be replacing Smoak and EE, but that'll only happen if we sign a RF AND a LF and get rid of Smoak. Unless that happens Pearce effectively replaces Saunders, (and also plays 1B) who after the all star break was every bit as bad as Smoak.

I'd like to see Pompey be given a chance, especially if we only sign 1 more OF. But if given a choice between him and Carrera, Gibbons is going to go with the "MLB proven" Carrera 90% of the time.

Yeah 0-3 this season too.

Doubt it in the East. Agree that he's arguably the best player in the NBA and he's what makes the Cavs elite.

Westbrook is single handedly carrying the Thunder and averaging a triple double. You're crazy if you think voters won't want to reward that.

Russell Westbrook and James Harden both should be ahead of him if voting ended today. .

Does that include Pearce?

My first reaction is no thanks, but I guess we could trade Morales at the end of the season. Though he'd probably insist on an opt out if he signed such a low $ three year deal.

Yeah that's obv sensible to have a full time DH with Morales moving to 1B when needed.

That's good to hear, though he'll still need a team to agree to that!

Yeah you're right, TBH we're prob dreaming if we think we are going to offer a larger contract than LA or New York anyway. I just hope whoever signs him gives him a chance to test himself against MLB pitching.

I would love that, especially if we let him play some outfield.

So that he doesn't get injured / worn out by catching everyday, and its not like we're blessed with lots of very good hitters. On days where Morales is at first, I'd rather Martin DH with Pearce in the OF, than Smoak or Carrera DH'ing.

It's naive to think that if given the choice the majority of American players wouldn't pick an American team over a Canadian one. However, offering money and success (both team and personal i.e. chance to play a preferred role/position) can overcome this bias for most. And for some I'm sure it doesn't matter.

But it would be nice to let Martin DH on days which aren't his scheduled days off. This relies more on having a decent backup catcher though.