Mike Puma tweeted that Sandy Alderson told the New York Post that it is "safe to say" that losing a second round draft pick will not stop the Mets from signing a free agent who has received a qualifying offer. Very interesting. I, for one, have been thinking that Alderson would shy away from free agents who would cost that second round pick.
Free agents with qualifying offers that have been linked to the Mets this off season are:
Shin-soo Choo - With a .423 OBP last season, best among all free agents, Choo would be an outstanding top-of-the-order hitter. He is ranked as the 3rd best free agent this year. As a Scott Boras client, it is rumored that it would take a contract better than Hunter Pence's, perhaps 5 years/$100 million. Will Sandy scale that peak in order to make a real impact this year?
Carlos Beltran - Many Met fans yearn for a Beltran reunion. He would certainly be an upgrade. Talk is 2 years/$30 million. He's not the same player we signed back in 2005, but he is still a far better than average outfielder. Most analysts think he will resign with the Cardinals, or if the Cardinals pass on him, with the Yankees. Beltran is a long shot, at best.
Curtis Granderson - There's no question Grandersson would be comfortable playing in New York. He didn't play that much this year due to a couple of freak accidents, but he is normally a very durable performer. He doesn't hit for average that well, but when he connects (and that is fairly often) the ball flies out of the park. A good fielder, he can play all three outfield positions, and is regarded as a positive influence in the clubhouse. Tim Dierkes of MLB Trade Rumors forecasts that he will sign with the Mets.
Nelson Cruz - He's got pop, but the glove is not that great. He would provide Wright good protection in the order. His price may be more reasonable because of the Biogenesis connection. Cruz will likely be seeking a three year deal at an annual price around $15 million. Is he worth it?
Stephen Drew - Drew had a fine season with the Red Sox and cemented his position as a top flight shortstop. He is a stellar defender with an above average bat. MLB Trade rumors projects that he could get a 4 year/$40 million deal. His free agent competition comes from Jhonny Peralta, who does not have the cloud of a qualifying offer hanging over his head. Who would you choose.
There are, of course, alternative free agents the Mets could sign without losing a pick. What would you do? Those mentioned above are the cream of the free agent crop. Are they worth losing the pick or picks?
2 comments:
Stephen Drew receiving a QO could really drive down his price as he may get Kyle Lohse'd. I don't think teams are willing to pay $13M+ for an all glove 10HR SS who's avg is regularly in the .250's.
If he ends up into January without a contract a 3 yr deal for under $10M a season is VERY possible.
That said I do not believe the Mets will go after Granderson. I also think Beltran is not inclined to stay in the National League and him moving to the Yankees makes too much sense to not happen.
Choo is still a viable target as long as his price doesn't jump too high, which i personally think it will.
I've been thinking all along that Alderson will trade for a shortstop rather than pay either Drew or Peralta $10 million a year. There are several trade candidates who have been mentioned as possibilities, and I still feel that is a viable route. If, as you suggest, either Drew or Peralta is still on the market in January, and Sandy has been unable to pull off one of those trades, he would be more prone to sign a guy like Dew.
The outfield is where we are in the bind. We really should be signing two, and beyond the four who have QO's the market gets pretty thin, other than Byrd. I'm figuring sign one and trade for one. However, if Sandy bellies up to the bar and shells out the big bucks that Choo would require, we might be able to make do with a middling outfielder in the other corner, someone like David Murphy.
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