Right here, right now, this is my centerfielder.
We’ve talked about this before. The system is light in AAA/AA outfield prospects. Juan Lagares is doing everything he can to learn center, Kirk Nieuwenhuis will need another year to heal/rehab/play, and Matt den Dekker is two years away.
I truly believe the Mets will deal with this position… a year from now. Michael Bourn, Melky Cabrera, Matt Kemp, and B.J. Upton will all be available and the Mets should be in a better financial situation to go after one of these guys.
For the arbitration money, Pagan is currently the best option out there, unless they can pry away Upton a year earlier with a couple of prospects.
My problem with Angel is not his ability, but what looks to be his focus, and maybe his attitude. He just didn’t seem to play 100% (especially in the field) once the team was out of the playoff picture. Word is he has pissed off both the manager and the coaches.
Frankly, I don’t care. I’d play him for one more year.
That’s 11 down, 14 to go.
Ive read a few stories today from Adam Rubin and Bob Klapish, and just as i've said before, theres no reason to believe the Mets will be in better poison financially next year. They owe on Citifield loans, Mlb loans, revenue sharing payments, and the biggest one yet...the Madoff lawsuit which is looming. Also, their revenue is dropping like a ton of bricks, the ten or so minority stakes they are trying to sell needed to be tweaked because no one wanted the crappy deal they were offering, and they're going to lose their franchise SS to free agency (possibly their 3rd baseman via trade aswell because of budgetary issues). Within, the last month, they've also laid off nearly ten percent of their entire work force aswell. All of this horrible situation can not be turn around without two things happening. First, they must must must settle this Madoff case. They could have hundreds of millions in their personal bank accounts, yet can't part with it for fear of not knowing if they're going to have to pay nearly 389 million in a court settlement. Knowing how this is affecting their team, you'd think they would be screaming for a speedy trial. Secondly, they need a winning team. Thats the only way they'll ever sell out their new stadium. New eight foot blue walls isn't going to get anyone to the park. Hitters who hit balls over them and pitchers who keep balls from being hit over them is the only way to do that. This isnt Wrigley where the fans come no matter what, this is Flushing baby, and we don't show up for the hotdogs. I understand the need to rebuild at this point, but when the rebuild is over, the Mets better be in position to spend whats needed and right now and for the foreseeable future they're not. The debt and lawsuits MUST GO.
ReplyDeletethey will go away but these things take time... the lawyers have to run up their hours first...
ReplyDeleteAdam hasn't been kind to me personally, but he is usually 99% right about things. He has the best sources.
2012 will be painful for everyone.
I dont like the unkind, sorry to hear about that. Kinda makes me happy that Omar called him out about trying to get hired as a player development guy in the Mets organization. I know the hours need padding, just dont believe people realize just how bad everything really is. I personally cant see this team really contending until 2015. By then, the Phillies pitching will be older and the Mets might have enough youngsters to do what the Rays have been. Dont see money being there for the Mets for the next three seasons.
ReplyDeleteWell getting to Angel here, While I am open to bringing him back for 2012, I am in no rush to do it. If I'm Alderson i slow play it with Pagan while gauging Sizemore's value. TC did a perfect job of handling an oft injured OF get back into it (Beltran) last year and could have the same success with Sizemore. IF and only IF he is the same cost as Pagan do i sign him.
ReplyDeleteAlso another gripe i have about Pagan is his inability to bat lead-off. The post is spot on when projecting the line-up but Pagan doesnt work the count very well and has even told Adam Rubin that he doesnt like leading off.
espn.go.com/blog/new-york/mets/tag/_/name/angel-pagan
christopher:
ReplyDeletei would be very happy with a one year (2nd year team option) deal for Sizemore
Actually just saw your post on Rick Ankiel rumors, thought about it, and REALLY LIKED the idea.
ReplyDeleteAnkiel would bring great defense, great arm, decent pop BUT doesnt solve our lead-off hitter issue.You cant win if you cant score runs
How did the Mets score runs last year? They set the table with good OBP, used small ball and speed to get them into scoring position, and dinked and dunked a hit here and there to drive them in.
If there's no one to set the table then they dont score runs which makes REYES even more valuable to the team. I dont think people realize that on top of losing one of the top SS in the league and the most electrifying player in NYC, you also lose the key catalyst in what the Mets offense is all about.
If we do find a way to bring back Reyes. I go full steam ahead for Ankiel for approximately $2-3MM. Saved money goes to Reyes.
Rick or Angel? Its a toss up really. One has power and great Defense. The other has a speed game and little else if he's not hitting. I'd actually have to go with whoever is cheaper in this showdown. Leave some money for others areas, cause they're going to need it.
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