Offseason 2014: Chances these players get dealt

In 42 minutes the clock with strike 12:00 AM, signaling the countdown to not only Christmas 2014, but to the baseball winter meetings. A fast paced offseason has already seen major talent acquired and dealt away as clubs retool for the upcoming marathon that will be the 2015 baseball season. Our beloved New York Mets headed into the offseason with three major needs: left fielder, short stop, lefty reliever. The Mets sprung out of the gate and acquired OF Michael Cuddyer on a 2-year deal on November 8th. With a rich pile of pitching depth to trade, the Mets will enter the second month of the offseason ready to pull the trigger to upgrade other areas of the team. Below are who the Mets are most likely to trade if such a situation arises at the Winter Meetings next weekend:

1. Bartolo Colon-60% chance the Mets find a suitor for the soon-to-be 42 year old starting pitcher. Colon's 1 year/11 million dollar contract is friendly enough to a team a pitcher or two away from serious contention. Colon was signed last offseason as the bridge to Matt Harvey's return in 2015. With Harvey's return imminent, the Mets will look to deal Colon, free up the 11 million, and slide a younger, long term option in the number 4 or 5 starter's spot in the rotation.

2. Dillon Gee- 45% Unlike Bartolo Colon in many ways, including age, contract, and recent history of durability, Dillon Gee seems to be losing favor within the Mets organization. Last season's opening day starter, Gee has not found the consistent health or performance the Mets would have liked to see, thus the idea of trading him in return for a lefty reliever, or in a package for a short stop, has been rather attracting to Sandy Alderson. Problem is, teams aren't necessarily jumping to acquire Gee, who's own inconsistency and health issues has scared off many teams in hope of contention.

3. Jon Niese-30% Niese's talent is there, and so are his injuries. Much like Dillon Gee, Jon Niese has struggled to stay on the field at times during the last few seasons. Niece's injuries deal with his left shoulder, an injury that many teams feel will require major surgery in a few year's time. Niese's team friendly contract and the fact that he's the only left starter on the team, are all reasons to believe Sandy will just decide to keep Niese, who should slide into the number 3 or 4 spot in the rotation should he remain healthy.

Mets News: Fores, Hall of Fame Ballot, Spring Training.

Wilmer Flores: The ever popular, and reliable, FansGraphs.com constructed a table recently of all short stops in major league baseball. The table predicted their stats, over the course of a full season, should they all remain healthy in 2015. Mets SS Wilmer Flores came in the middle of the pact, in front of Xander Bogarts, Jed Lowrie, Asdrubal Cabrera, and Stephen Drew. Flores's projected stats are as followed: .255 AVG; 14 HR; 56 RBI

Hall of Fame Ballot: It has been recently announced that Pedro Martinez, Mike Piazza, Carlos Delgado and Cliff Floyd, all former Mets, will be placed on January's hall of fame ballot for 2015. This will be Mike Piazza's third straight year on the ballot.

Spring Training: The Mets announced pitchers and catchers will report to spring training on February 19th. Positions players will report 2/24 and full practices will take place 2/26.

Non Mets related: The Red Sox are a powerhouse, again.

The die hard Mets fan in me has always had a very very small attraction for the Red Sox. The Knicks fan in me has a deep hatred for the Celtics, but that's a story for another day.

In 2012, the Red Sox were a disaster. Bobby Valentine was fired after one year and the Red Sox had seen their first losing season since the Revolutionary War (it felt like). Since then, Boston has picked up their third world series ring in the new millennium, and subsequently finished in last place in 2014. So, what does this mean for 2015? After today's it means the one thing we care about: The Yankees are screwed!

According to multiple reports such as ESPN and Yahoo! The Red Sox have agreed to terms with SS/3B Hanley Ramirez. With Bogarts settled at short, many would think the Red Sox would simply put Hanley at third base, where he played in 2012 for the Miami Marlins. Not so fast. Boston has also agreed to terms with 3B Pablo Sandoval on a similar 5 year/$100 million dollar contract. Ramirez is expected to play left field if both signings become a official.

Once again, the Red Sox have positioned themselves nicely after a down year. The last time it meant a world title. This time? We'll wait and see.

It's coming again Mets fans, it's coming.

2006 was seven years ago. About to be eight. Eight! and ever since the Mets collapsed in 2008, it has never been close to the same. Just think about it. In September 2008, as a kid, I nearly cried when the Mets were eliminated on the last day of contention. Fast forward six years later, and I'd cry if the Mets were still playing meaningful baseball on the last day of September.

Heading into each season after 2009, which roughly began the Mets season after season 70-win slump, Mets seasons have begun with pessimism instead of optimism. Whether it be an injury to Carlso Beltran, Johan Santana, or more recently, Matt Harvey, Mets fans have gone into the season with the "same old Mets" adage. 

Something feels different with this team. We've been hearing all along from team officials and media that 2015 was going to be the year. Sure, back in 2011 we didn't expect more than half of the team to be home grown players. In New York City, we want star free agents after all. Sandy Alderson stuck to his vision, and had Matt Harvey not been injured, it could've possibly come a season early (2014). 

Looking at the National League as a whole, 85-88 wins gets you into the playoffs as the second wild card, or damn close to it. That's all Mets fans are asking right now. Get us damn close to it. A 79-win team can easily win six more games given the addition of Michael Cuddyer, Matt Harvey, plus full seasons from Jacob deGrom and Travis d'Arnaud (who missed time in Triple-A). 

Of course, things can go wrong. Granderson and Wright can continue back tracking. Harvey may not be 100%, and the bullpen may dissapoint. But, something tells me it won't. This Mets team, while constructed entirely different than 2006-2008, this team can win now and in the future. That team couldn't. It's time Mets fans...it's time. 

2014-2015 Offseason Plan: What's Next? Who's Next?

The Mets jumped out of the gates hot, securing free agent Michael Cuddyer to a 2 year/21 million dollar contract on November 10th, a few days after free agency began. The Colorado Rockies offered Cuddyer a qualifying offer of 1 year/ 15 million to return. To the surprise of fans and media alike, Sandy Alderson filled his need in left field by prying Cuddyer away from his qualifying offer, with he held of David Wright. Cuddyer, plus the return of Matt Harvey have Mets fans as optimistic as ever, but the questions still bears asking: What's next?

It feels like the entire offseason is still a head of us. The winter meetings haven't even begun yet, and the Mets seem quiet after a hot start. Looking over the team, there's still a need two areas: shortstop, and a left handed reliever. Sandy Alderson's recent comments coupled with the thin free agent and trade market has many fans speculating the team will either go into spring training with 23-year old Wimer Flores manning short stop, or wait until at least January or February to reassess the trade/free agent market. But, where does this leave the Mets in terms of a left handed reliever?

Multiple resports surfaced late this week that the Mets will acquire a left handed reliever by the end of the winter meetings in early December. The speculated list of lefties included Phil Coke, Joe Beimel and Craig Breslow. It has been thought all along the Mets were shopping pitchers Colon, Neise, and Gee for either an outfield bat or shortstop. Turns out, the Mets may trade one for a left handed reliever to go along with Jhenry Mejia, Bobby Parnell, Josh Edgin, the long lefty, Jeurys Familia, and Vic Black.

Should The Mets Go With Wilmer Flores As Starting SS?

Now that the Mets have signed Michael Cuddyer, their next major focus is to find a starting SS next year. There have been rumors they are considering trading for Starlin Castro, Alexi Ramarez, or Elvis Andruws, but no moves have been made so far. There has been a lot of debate about whether they should keep the SS position and make Wilmer Flores the starting SS. Last season, Flores got splaying time at SS and made a lot of progress as the season progressed. He hit .251 with 6 homers and 29 RBI's. He added 13 doubles and 28 runs. In September he hit .278 with 4 homers and 13 RBI's. As he become more comfortable at the plate, his defense improved and he cut down on his errors. I think the Mets should go with Flores as the starting SS. I don't want them to trade any of their young pitchers such as Rafael Montero or Noah Syndergarrd for players such as Castro or Andruws. I also feel that there aren't any free agent shortstops worth signing. Jed Lowrie is considered to be the top free agent shortshop, and is not the kind of offensive player the Mets are looking for. I think that Wilmer Flores will only continue to get better offensively and defensively if the Mets make him the starting shortstop in 2015.

Mets News; Fences, payroll, optimism.

Fences: For the second time in Citi Field's first six seasons, the Mets are moving in the walls. This time, the right-center field fence is being moved in as much as 10-feet. According to general manager Sandy Alderson, had the Mets played under these conditions at home last season, they would have hit an additional 17 home runs while the opposition would have hit an addiction 10. Some of the opposition coming from fans and media pertains to this putting a strain on the Mets' pitching rotation. On the other hand, offensive players Wright, Granderson, and Duda will especially benefit from a dramatic change of the outfield wall.

Payroll: One calendar year ago, the Mets were anxious to snatch outfielder Chris Young off the free agent market before anyone else even had a chance to look, and pass, on him. The Mets dished out $7 million to pry the declining Chris Young from free agency and join the Mets' lineup. When all was said and done in the winter of '13/14', the Mets payroll stood at roughly $85 million. All season long fans and media debated on why the Mets payroll, while playing in New York City, is this low. After backlash all season long, Sandy Alderson signed his third impact free agent in his tenure with the Mets this offseason. Michael Cuddyer's 2 year-$21 million dollar contract alone ads $7-10 million on next year's payroll, pushing the Mets more towards the middle of the pact. Arbitration eligible salary bumps to Duda and Murphy, plus another potential free agent signing along the way, will push the Met payroll closer to $100 million, where Adam Ruben predicted it would be at the start of this year's Spring Training.

Optimism: Whether it be from the mouth of Michael Cuddyer, Jacob deGrom, Terry Collins, or Sandy Alderson, there is a renewed buzz surrounding the New York Mets. Seemingly days apart, the Mets were awarded a gold glove outfielder, rookie of the year, and a top free agent signing. Rumors have been swirling about how the Mets will handle the comeback of ace pitcher Matt Harvey in 2015.  No longer is the conversation about shutting him down in September when the Mets are most likely out of it. The debate now is how to keep him fresh for September when the Mets are in a pennant race.

Sandy Alderson: "We're as well positioned in the next two-three years as anyone in the division"

For the first time in what seems like five years, the Mets, and most notably Sandy Alderson, are confident again. No longer are we discussing two the three years away of being in contention. Instead, we are currently talking about being in contention for at least the next to the three years.

Sandy Alderson recently spoke with WOR 710 AM saying "We think we're on the way up. We're as well positioned in the next two-three years as anyone in the division." Certaintly Sandy is point to his win now free agent signings of Curtis Granderson and Michael Cuddyer and the length of their contracts, two-three years, as a measuring stick for success. That, plus Wright's still relatively young age, and the contract statuses of ace's Harvey, Wheeler, and deGrom all point to the next two-three years of being something special in Flushing.

Three realistic targets that would make the Mets better right now.

Sandy Alderson has convinced fans to be patient, calm, and collected as the he took two extra years to transition Omar Manaya's mess into a stripped-down, prospect rich version. Now, with the payroll hovering around $85 million, Alderson is expected to use the 2015 offseason to propel a near 80 win team into serious wild card contention

Criticism over if Sandy Alderson can be trusted on to assess a free agent market and trade market that make the current major league product a successful one are still to be determined. Alderson's moves one off-season ago were an iffy attempt, as he brought cut his first signing only a few months into he season, Chris Young. Curtis Granderson's subpar, but not terrible, season has been quietly less scrutinized than many thought it would be, and Bartolo Colon's 15 win season can be considered a success. Other than that, house-hold options like Duda, and Juan Laggers are what helped the Mets achieve 79 wins for the first time in three years. This offseason, Alderson must look at these three players who can take the Mets to the next level:

Alexi Ramirez-Recent reports surfaced today linking the Mets up to Alexi Ramirez. The White Sox 33 year old short-stop is entering the final year of his contract, and is expected to earn $10 million. The Mets have contacted the White Sox about a potential trade, as have the Yankees. "The Mets have exactly what the White Sox are looking for," says Levine, who first broke the news. Levine is referring to starting pitching when assessing what the White Sox want in return. If the Mets are going to upgrade at short-stop, which has needed an upgrade from Ruben Tejada for two seasons and counting, Ramirez is the perfect choice. Should Sandy decide to stray away from the inconsistent Wimer Flores, Ramirez, a 15 HR and 70+ RBI hitter, who plays exception defense, is exactly what the doctor ordered for the price of a starting pitcher: Gee, Neise, or Montero. 

Alex Gordon-The defending American League champion Kansas City Royals are expected to listen to offers for outfielder Alex Gordon, who, like Ramirez, is entering the final year of his contract. Gordon is considered by many as the best hitter the Royals have, but they know like we do, they can't afford to retain him. The Mets have the prospects and starting pitching to land Gordon, a 15 HR+ 80+ RBI hitter, who can play left field. What exactly are the Royals looking for? Reports have surfaced a team must be willing to part with starting pitching, and a possible hitting prospect at a high minor league level. To me, when you have the chance to acquire a hitter with as much talent, intensity, and heart as Gordon, you do it. The Mets need one more outfielder who can hit double digit home runs, and 75+ RBIs. Look no further than Alex Gordon. Should the Royals want Murphy, Gee, and a hitting prospect, they should take it. Time for Alderson to make this team better...Now

Michael Morse- Coming off the heels of the Mets new found disinterest in outfielder Michael Cuddyer, largely due to the fact that signing him will cost a first-round draft pick, reports surfaced claiming the Mets had interest in Michael Morse. Morse, currently a nemesis with he Nationals, won a championship not even three weeks ago, as a member of the San Fransico Giants. At 32 years old, the outfielder can still go get it, and play first base as well. MLBTR suggested Morse will ask for a three year deal, but will ultimately get 2 years/$24 million. Should Alderson not fill his outfield needs in trades, he can look no further than Michael Morse to fill the void. A clutch 15+ home run hitter who has the raw power to hit it out of any stadium is just what the doctors ordered. Sure, does he have a history of injuries, yes, but so did Bartolo Colon, and that worked out. The Mets need to begin taking risks in order to succeed. Morse will compliment both Duda and Granderson beautiful in a mostly lefty-dominated lineup.