GaryMrMets
12-28-2004, 03:06 PM
http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/nym/news/nym_news.jsp?ymd=20041221&content_id=924708&vkey=news_nym&fext=.jsp
12/22/2004 8:00 AM ET
Mailbag: Swimming in free agents
Kevin Czerwinski tackles fans' burning questions
By Kevin T. Czerwinski / MLB.com
Do you think that the Mets can still match the Braves' pitching staff after they got Tim Hudson? On paper, they look a little better. Is Billy Beane willing to trade Barry Zito now? We could offer probably Kris Benson and a good prospect like Victor Diaz -- and pay some of Benson's contract -- for Zito. -- J.J.P., Passaic, N.J.
J.J., while seeing Zito in New York's rotation would be nice, it's not going to happen. Oakland general manager Billy Beane has already come out and said that he won't be trading Zito, and even if he did, the fans out in the Bay Area would probably revolt. While Beane received some top-flight prospects for Tim Hudson and Mark Mulder, they are still mostly unproven at the Major League level. Making a deal for Zito would require sending top-flight prospects back to Oakland, and the Mets don't have any that are close to being Major League ready. They traded Scott Kazmir and Matt Peterson to get Benson and Victor Zambrano.
I think the Mets should stop their wooing of Carlos Delgado. I would rather see them go after Carlos Beltran, who is younger, more valuable and could be a great addition to their lineup. Instead of Delgado, the Mets could sign a cheaper first base option like Doug Mientkiewicz, who is superb defensively and would greatly help a young inexperienced infield, and then go after Beltran. -- Adam, G., Danbury, Conn.
Adam, so much of what the Mets will do over the next few weeks hinges on who is available and who they have a legitimate shot at signing. The club needs a big bat, whether it is Beltran or Delgado. Right now, Delgado fits more into their price range than Beltran does, even though Delgado will command a high salary, too.
If the Mets could sign Beltran tomorrow, I would gladly take Mientkiewicz as the first baseman. But if Omar Minaya can't get some big bats in the outfield, then signing a defensive-minded first baseman, no matter how sound the logic, doesn't seem like much of a possibility. The club has very little pop in the lineup, and getting more offense is the primary goal.
Plus, signing Beltran means dealing with Scott Boras, and that's a wild card the Mets have been reluctant to play in recent years. Boras is a hard-line negotiator, always holding out for more. While Minaya dumped a boatload of money on Pedro Martinez, he's unlikely to give Beltran the $100-plus million he is seeking.
I wonder if some of our potential starters could work in the bullpen this season? For instance, the club would probably like to keep Jae Seo, Matt Ginter and Tyler Yates sharp. Couldn't they serve as good long-middle relievers with a starting rotation that doesn't go that deep into games? At the same time, we'll keep these potentially good starters sharp on Major League pitching, rather than let them face less serious minor leaguers. Is this just crazy or does it make some sense? -- Bob M., Rockville Centre, N.Y.
No, the idea isn't a crazy one. Yates had a very promising September after struggling to find his niche all season. He learned some things from pitching coach Rick Peterson and showed that he has some real potential to be a power right-handed setup man. Yates throws hard for an inning or two before burning out, and has shown he can adapt to what Peterson is trying to do. Plus, Yates had been talked about as a closer-in-waiting for years while pitching in the minor leagues, so the possibility exists that he will play a significant role on the team in 2005.
Ginter and Seo may be tougher sells as short relievers. While either may work in long relief, Seo doesn't seem to fit into New York's plans now that it has a complete rotation. Unless Seo adds another pitch to his arsenal, it's unlikely the Mets will keep him with the parent club. Ginter showed some promise last year, but he appears better suited for a starting role than pitching out of the 'pen.
What are the chances of the Mets signing Jason Varitek? I watched him during the playoffs and World Series and would love to see him at Shea. -- Jimmy D, New York City
Right now, signing Jason Varitek isn't part of the plan. Though he declined arbitration from Boston, he still has another three weeks to re-sign with the Sox and that's pretty much what everyone thinks he will do. Besides, Mike Piazza is still with New York and from what everyone says, from the front office to the manager to his agent, Piazza will be behind the plate for the Mets in 2005. He has a large contract that no one wants and he has the right to veto any deal, so moving him would be difficult anyway.
All indications are that Piazza wants to play past 2005, so enjoy watching him in his walk year. He might put up some pretty good numbers, though they won't be anything like the numbers he was putting up four and five years ago. He's a solid defensive catcher, though his arm remains suspect.
Look, you could so worse behind the plate than someone who will hit .275 with 25 homers and 75-80 RBIs. Piazza, in the right lineup batting fifth or sixth, could be very productive and a huge help. Don't sell him short just yet.
I noticed that the Giants are not going to keep A.J. Pierzynski after the singing of Mike Matheny. What do you think the Mets' chances are of going after him? I think he would be a great fit with the Mets if we move Piazza and throw Vance Wilson or Jason Phillips into a trade package. Pierzynski's numbers the last couple of years were not that much worse than Varitek, and he will not come at the high price tag that Varitek will demand. -- Ben S., Boston
You're not the first person to ask me this question, but the answer, I'm afraid, will mirror the answer I gave to Jimmy D. from New York City. Unless the Mets move Piazza, and right now that doesn't look likely, he will be behind the plate next season for at least 100 games, barring an injury.
While Pierzynski is the right age and at the right salary level and offers solid production, he doesn't fit into New York's plans unless a spot comes open on the roster. And that spot is Piazza's.
Kevin Czerwinski is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/2004/05/10/otiZYYRn.jpg
Youngster Tyler Yates showed enough moxie in September to warrant another look. (Julie Jacobson/AP)
12/22/2004 8:00 AM ET
Mailbag: Swimming in free agents
Kevin Czerwinski tackles fans' burning questions
By Kevin T. Czerwinski / MLB.com
Do you think that the Mets can still match the Braves' pitching staff after they got Tim Hudson? On paper, they look a little better. Is Billy Beane willing to trade Barry Zito now? We could offer probably Kris Benson and a good prospect like Victor Diaz -- and pay some of Benson's contract -- for Zito. -- J.J.P., Passaic, N.J.
J.J., while seeing Zito in New York's rotation would be nice, it's not going to happen. Oakland general manager Billy Beane has already come out and said that he won't be trading Zito, and even if he did, the fans out in the Bay Area would probably revolt. While Beane received some top-flight prospects for Tim Hudson and Mark Mulder, they are still mostly unproven at the Major League level. Making a deal for Zito would require sending top-flight prospects back to Oakland, and the Mets don't have any that are close to being Major League ready. They traded Scott Kazmir and Matt Peterson to get Benson and Victor Zambrano.
I think the Mets should stop their wooing of Carlos Delgado. I would rather see them go after Carlos Beltran, who is younger, more valuable and could be a great addition to their lineup. Instead of Delgado, the Mets could sign a cheaper first base option like Doug Mientkiewicz, who is superb defensively and would greatly help a young inexperienced infield, and then go after Beltran. -- Adam, G., Danbury, Conn.
Adam, so much of what the Mets will do over the next few weeks hinges on who is available and who they have a legitimate shot at signing. The club needs a big bat, whether it is Beltran or Delgado. Right now, Delgado fits more into their price range than Beltran does, even though Delgado will command a high salary, too.
If the Mets could sign Beltran tomorrow, I would gladly take Mientkiewicz as the first baseman. But if Omar Minaya can't get some big bats in the outfield, then signing a defensive-minded first baseman, no matter how sound the logic, doesn't seem like much of a possibility. The club has very little pop in the lineup, and getting more offense is the primary goal.
Plus, signing Beltran means dealing with Scott Boras, and that's a wild card the Mets have been reluctant to play in recent years. Boras is a hard-line negotiator, always holding out for more. While Minaya dumped a boatload of money on Pedro Martinez, he's unlikely to give Beltran the $100-plus million he is seeking.
I wonder if some of our potential starters could work in the bullpen this season? For instance, the club would probably like to keep Jae Seo, Matt Ginter and Tyler Yates sharp. Couldn't they serve as good long-middle relievers with a starting rotation that doesn't go that deep into games? At the same time, we'll keep these potentially good starters sharp on Major League pitching, rather than let them face less serious minor leaguers. Is this just crazy or does it make some sense? -- Bob M., Rockville Centre, N.Y.
No, the idea isn't a crazy one. Yates had a very promising September after struggling to find his niche all season. He learned some things from pitching coach Rick Peterson and showed that he has some real potential to be a power right-handed setup man. Yates throws hard for an inning or two before burning out, and has shown he can adapt to what Peterson is trying to do. Plus, Yates had been talked about as a closer-in-waiting for years while pitching in the minor leagues, so the possibility exists that he will play a significant role on the team in 2005.
Ginter and Seo may be tougher sells as short relievers. While either may work in long relief, Seo doesn't seem to fit into New York's plans now that it has a complete rotation. Unless Seo adds another pitch to his arsenal, it's unlikely the Mets will keep him with the parent club. Ginter showed some promise last year, but he appears better suited for a starting role than pitching out of the 'pen.
What are the chances of the Mets signing Jason Varitek? I watched him during the playoffs and World Series and would love to see him at Shea. -- Jimmy D, New York City
Right now, signing Jason Varitek isn't part of the plan. Though he declined arbitration from Boston, he still has another three weeks to re-sign with the Sox and that's pretty much what everyone thinks he will do. Besides, Mike Piazza is still with New York and from what everyone says, from the front office to the manager to his agent, Piazza will be behind the plate for the Mets in 2005. He has a large contract that no one wants and he has the right to veto any deal, so moving him would be difficult anyway.
All indications are that Piazza wants to play past 2005, so enjoy watching him in his walk year. He might put up some pretty good numbers, though they won't be anything like the numbers he was putting up four and five years ago. He's a solid defensive catcher, though his arm remains suspect.
Look, you could so worse behind the plate than someone who will hit .275 with 25 homers and 75-80 RBIs. Piazza, in the right lineup batting fifth or sixth, could be very productive and a huge help. Don't sell him short just yet.
I noticed that the Giants are not going to keep A.J. Pierzynski after the singing of Mike Matheny. What do you think the Mets' chances are of going after him? I think he would be a great fit with the Mets if we move Piazza and throw Vance Wilson or Jason Phillips into a trade package. Pierzynski's numbers the last couple of years were not that much worse than Varitek, and he will not come at the high price tag that Varitek will demand. -- Ben S., Boston
You're not the first person to ask me this question, but the answer, I'm afraid, will mirror the answer I gave to Jimmy D. from New York City. Unless the Mets move Piazza, and right now that doesn't look likely, he will be behind the plate next season for at least 100 games, barring an injury.
While Pierzynski is the right age and at the right salary level and offers solid production, he doesn't fit into New York's plans unless a spot comes open on the roster. And that spot is Piazza's.
Kevin Czerwinski is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/2004/05/10/otiZYYRn.jpg
Youngster Tyler Yates showed enough moxie in September to warrant another look. (Julie Jacobson/AP)