11/23/10

Another Thought on Offering Feliciano Arbitration

By David Rubin

I meant to include this in my earlier post, but didn't want to end the day without discussing it. By offering Pedro Feliciano arbitration, the Mets have ensured that they will at least receive a sandwich pick between the first and second rounds in the 2011 draft. According to our in-house draft expert, one Mack Ade, the 2011 draft will be a strong one; however, the 2012 and 2013 drafts are not looking to be particularly strong, and so the timing for the Mets moves seems perfect. Imagine this scenario: the Mets lose Feliciano, but gain another draft pick and choose from one of the following prospects:

33. RHP Dylan Maples

34. LHP Ryan Carpenter

36. OF Dwight Smith

37. OF-2B Kolton Wong

39. SS Christian Lopes

40. LHP Tyler Anderson

41. SS Brad Miller

42. C Austin Hedges

43. SS Javier Baez

44. RHP Christian Montgomery

45. RHP Dylan Davis

46. RHP Hudson Boyd

47. 1B Preston Tucker

48. 3B Harold Martinez

49. RHP Deshorn Lake

50. 3B Levi Michael

This means that the Mets could conceivably have 3 picks within the first 80 picks or so. In a deep draft, that could equate to 3 more major leaguers or more chits for future trades.

Furthermore, since the 2012 and 2013 drafts aren't shaping up so well, if the Mets were to lose any draft picks as a result of free agent signings, it's certainly better to do so when the draft is a weaker one, and this coincides well with the huge amount of money coming off the books after the coming season. Although this wasn't planned by Alderson, it's certainly a case of excellent timing. And who knows- maybe we'll have a second coming of the 2008 draft next year!!!

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