09 In Flushing Is Flushed! 6 Smart Roster Moves & Jed Hoyer!

After losing 3 of 4 to the Diamondbacks at home, is it safe to say the 09 season is over in Flushing? They are 8 games behind Colorado for the Wildcard with seven teams in the standings to leapfrog. Ten games behind the Phillies. It is time to be honest and think about next year.

Yesterday Mack brought up the rumors of a 100 Million dollar payroll for 2010. Thank you Bernie Madoff! From where I sit-this could be a blessing in disguise. If the Mets do not make the playoffs this year it is the third year in a row they have not made it with a top 5 payroll. Why not try something different? Like using young talented kids to compete- instead of overpriced vets? Between Madoff pillaging the Wilpon’s to the tune of a reported 300 million, the economy and the team being battered and defeated- it’s time to start the overhaul today! Mets fans are sadly living in the perfect storm!

Buster Olney reported that this will be a very active August for roster moves. Teams will be looking to shed salary, but most teams won’t be making waiver blocks on high priced vets due to fear of actually having to take on the salary. With that knowledge in mind the Mets do have some players of value to playoff contenders, especially prorated for one month. Here is a 6 roster moves to consider before year end:

1. Trade Sheffield- Put Sheff through waivers! If he makes it through, trade him for whatever you can get. If someone claims him, work out a trade for minor leaguers. At this point he is a DH, although one team in the NL that could use his bat is the San Francisco Giants. I would take Sheff over Fred Lewis any day of the week. In the AL, the Twins would benefit from Sheffield’s bat. Not to mention I am sure he would be thrilled to stick it to the Tigers for releasing him in Spring Training. I expect Sheffield to be on a playoff team in October.

2. Move Brian Schneider-He doesn’t have a future with the team. If he can bring anything back- great! At this point it makes sense to give Josh Thole a chance to learn at the MLB level. He may not be ready, but the experience at the Major League roster will be great for him. Defensively he is behind, but from where I sit, rubbing elbows with Sandy Alomar Sr can’t be bad for him. I am betting Schneider is with the team for the rest of the year however. He has little to no trade value. I just can’t see teams lining up in late August to get their hands on a light hitting catcher.

3. Move Fernando Tatis- For a team in contention, Tatis has the ability to play multiple positions and does have a knack for the big hit. He would be a solid move for a playoff team. He also is blocking Nick Evans from playing LF and 1B in the same capacity. Remember, Nick Evans is still only 23 years old and has hit 17 HR’s and has 54 RBI between 3 levels (Binghamton, Bufallo and NY Mets) this year. He should be playing LF every day in Flushing. Getting back to Tatis, he has no money owed to him next year, so he will be desirable the end of August. Look for him to be on the move and for Nick Evans to hold down LF until Fernando Martinez is ready to play every day at the Major League level.

4. Beltran has his surgery now-Yesterday we posted a poll asking just that. 97% of you said it is time to put him on the shelf. I completely agree. If the Mets are in fact going with a 33% cut on payroll, then Beltran needs to be healthy and productive. As Mack noted in his post, Beltran would make the most sense to move to trim salary. But if he is hurt, he is unmovable. The next best option is to move Jose Reyes-but that is a blog for another day.

5. Trade Livan Hernandez-There are two things working in Livan’s favor. He has a history of success in the post season and he can eat up innings while keeping his team in it. The Cardinals for example are desperate for a 5^th starter and Livan fits the bill. Same deal with Sheffield, push him through waivers and see who bites. If nobody does, peddle him at the August deadline. I suspect he too can be moved- just don’t expect much back.

6. Cut Tim Redding and bring up Adam Bostick- Adam has 46 strike outs in 41 minor league innings and is left handed. 26 years old and has thrived since moving to the bullpen from being a starter. It is the perfect case of a pitcher being good enough the first time through the order. He is ready and frankly I am sick of puking a little bit every time Tim Redding comes in. I realize there are financial considerations with Redding- but it is time to cut bait and let a player who has a future with the big club try to get outs.

3 questions for Met fans:

1. Would you like to see Jose Reyes in the 3 hole when he gets back? Thus leaving Angel Pagan in the leadoff spot? I ask because Reyes gets over 200 hits consistently (outside of his injury this year). 200 hits in the three spot is a great deal of RBI’s. His SB numbers would take a hit, but his RBI numbers would go up drastically. Thoughts?

2. Is it time for John Maine to take the rest of the year off and get healthy for next year?

3. Is Daniel Murphy just keeping 1B warm until Ike Davis is ready? Opinion?

4. Do you want Jed Hoyer to run a more cost effective NY Mets?