12/9/13

Mack’s Afternoon Report – 12-9 – Mets Payroll, Free Agent Starters Still On The Market


 

Adam Rubin of ESPN New York, estimates the current Mets payroll to be at $75.4 million dollars. Adam’s usually right about these things and he’d never go to print unless he checked it at least two or three times.
Estimated ARB allotment to Daniel Murphy - $5.8mil
Estimated ARB allotment to Lucas Duda - $1.8mil
Estimated ARB allotment to Ike Davis - $3.5mil
So depending upon which first baseman you would keep, you could trade Murphy and one of the first baseman and you would reduce the existing payroll to the $66.1 - $67.8 range.
Thus, working with a budget figure of $90mil, you would have $22.2mil - $23.9mil for either one stud or any two player package.
It seems to me that there is plenty of money to play with and accomplish any trade you want

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't $15mil a year the going rate for a stud bat right now? The Mets could accomplish this through a trade. They would have to liquidate some current monies on the books rather go in the direction of Stephen Drew.

I still say trade for your shortstop buy using a package of 1) Duda or Davis, 2) Flores or Murphy, and 3) deGrom, Robles, or Mazzoni. Make it a three man trade for one shortstop you can signup for three years. Then, take the rest of the money and go back to the free agent market and find yourself a pitcher.
 

Here’s what’s left of the starters unsigned:

Bronson Arroyo – 37 – $16, 445,533 - 32-ST, 3.79, 1.15, 202.0-IP, 5.52/K-9, 1.51/BB-9
Erik Bedard – 35 - $1,150,000 – 32-G, 26-ST, 4.59, 1.48, 151.0-IP, 8.23/K-9, 4.47/BB-9
A.J. Burnett – 37 - $16,500,000 – 30-ST, 3.30, 1.21, 191.0-IP, 9.85/K-9, 3.16/BB-9
Chris Capuano – 34 - $6,000,000 – 24-G, 20-ST, 4.26, 1.41, 6.90/K-9, 2.04/BB-9
Chris Carpenter – 39 - $12,500,000 - injured
Bartolo Colon – 39 - $3,000,000 – 30-ST, 2.65, 1.17, 5.53/K-9, 1.37/BB-9
Gavin Floyd – 31 - $9,500,000 – 5-ST, 5.18, 1.60, 9.25/K-9, 4.44/BB-9
Jon Garland – 34 - $500,000 – 12-ST, 5.82, 1.59, 4.24/K-9, 3.04/BB-9
Matt Garza – 30 - $10,250,000 – 11-ST, 3.17, 1.14, 7.86/K-9, 2.54/BB-9
Jason Hammel – 31 - $6,750,000 – 26-G, 23-ST, 4.97, 1.46, 6.20/K-9, 3.10/BB-9
Tommy Hanson 27 - $3,725,000 – 15-G, 13-ST, 5.42, 1.55, 6.90/K-9, 3.70/BB-9
Roberto Hernandez – 33 - $3,250,000 – 32-G, 24-ST, 4.89, 1.34, 6.74/K-9, 2.26/BB-9
Daniel Hudson – 27 - $518,500 - injured
Ubaldo Jimenez – 30 - $5,750,000 – 32-ST, 3.30, 1.33, 9.56/K-9, 3.94/BB-9
Jeff Karstens – 31 - $2,500,000 - injured
John Lannan 29 -$2,500,000 – 14-ST, 5.33, 1.52, 4.60/K-9, 3.27/BB-9
Paul Maholm – 32 - $6,500,000 – 26-ST, 4.41, 1.41, 6.18/K-9, 2.76/BB-9
Jason Marquis – 35 - $3,000,000 – 20-ST, 4.05, 1.52, 5.51/K-9, 5.20/BB-9
Jeff Niemann – 30 - $3,000,000 – injured
Mike Pelfrey – 30 - $4,000,000 – 29-ST, 5.19, 1.55, 5.95/K-9, 3.12/BB-9
Greg Reynolds – 28 - $481,000 – 6-G, 5-ST, 5.52, 1.47, 3.99/K-9, 1.84/BB-9
Clayton Richard – 30 - $5,240,000 – 12-G, 11-ST, 7.01, 1.63, 4.10/K-9, 3.59/BB-9
Ervin Santana – 31 - $13,000,000 – 32-ST, 3.24, 1.14, 6.87/K-9, 2.18/BB-9
Joe Saunders – 33 - $6,500,000 – 32-ST, 5.26, 1.60, 5.26/K-9, 3.00/BB-9
Edinson Volquez – 30 - $5,725,000 – 27-ST, 6.01, 1.67, 7.33/K-9, 4.36/BB-9
Tsuyoshi Wada – 32 - $4,200,000 – (AAA) 19-ST, 4.03, 1.43, 7.01/K-9, 3.07/BB-9
Jake Westbrook – 36 - $8,750,000 – 21-G, 19-ST, 4.63, 1.56, 3.39/K-9, 3.86/BB-9
Jerome Williams – 32 - $2,000,000 – 37-G, 25-ST, 4.57, 1.39, 5.69/K-9, 2.92/BB-9
Barry Zito – 36 - $20,000,000 – 30-G, 25-ST, 5.74, 1.70, 5.81/K-9, 3.65/BB-9

            I left off pitchers on the Mets roster last year (Marcum, Santana, etc.).
            It amazes me how bad most of these guys pitched last year. The ones that shined (Santana, Garza) are already making big money and will be priced above what the Mets have left in their budget. They simply can’t afford a $15mil+ pitcher unless they DFA or trade a couple of players like Daniel Murphy and Ike Davis.
            I do suggest that the Mets take a look at a couple of the guys that didn’t pitch last year. One especially would be Jeff Niemann, who elected free agency after being outrighted from Tampa’s 40-man roster. He missed the entire 2013 season because of a right shoulder injury, pitched a little in 2012 (8-starts, 2-3, 3.08, 1.11, 8.05/K-9), and pitched 2011 mostly healthy (11-7, 4.06). His overall 5-year pro stat line is: 40-26, 4.09, 1.29, 6.77/K-9, 2.93/BB-9. He’ll pitch next year as a 30 year old and the 6-9 right could be signed with a bunch of health incentive clauses. Guys, this was the Big Kahuna out of Rice in 2004 and was the 4th overall pick of that draft. (Err… the pick before him, the 3rd overall, was his teammate at Rice, Phillip Humber, by the Mets. Pick number two in that draft was Justin Verlander (Detroit) and who can forget San Diego’s number one pick overall in the draft, SS Matt Bush.)

Also, check out 28-yr. old Greg Reynolds who passed after being dropped from the Cincinnati 40-man. He too is coming off injuries but his last full year, 2013 in AAA, he went 12-3, 2.42, 1.06.

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

Bring Back Pelf!

Generally pitchers need a few months once they are back to truly get back into form.

There no reason why Pelfrey couldn't get back to being a 3.90 ERA 13 W type of guy.

Reese Kaplan said...

After you get past the obvious quality pitchers like Jimenez, E. Santana, Garza, etc. it could be worth a one-year high-pay for Bartolo Colon. Most of the other interesting names would be dice rolls or require multiple years (like Capuano or Arroyo). The "regain your value" group -- Pelfrey, Reynolds, Nieman -- come with a lot of gotchas.

The cheapest thing for the club to do is promote Rafael Montero and let Jenrry Mejia and Carlos Torres slug it out for SP number 5.

steve said...

I wouldn't mind Colon,they spoke with him today!
About the Gardner rumors for Murphy?
I'd rather have Murphy at 2 and Lagares in Center.
Than Gardner at Center and Fores or EYj at 2nd.
How about you Mack?

Anonymous said...

Or, you could pony up the cash to sign Garza for a few years (say 3 years, 45 million total).

That yearly average isn't out of line with what other starters have gotten or will get and he would be a nice middle of the rotation starter who is barely in his thirties.

That will also lend some stability to the rotation and give Thor and Montero some time to develop.

Deal Murphy (Young will play 2B for a couple seasons until Herrera is ready) and Ike (Duda can platoon with Satin) to free up some cash and find a SS.

Side note....NOT in love with Stephen Drew AT ALL! Don't see what everyone else sees, I guess (how the hell is he worth 15 million per year?)

Anonymous said...

Anonymous...

Garza is looking for $20M+ AAV in the 5-6 yr range

Also the Mets rotation does not have room in it beyond 2014 so a 1 yr deal is best.

Anonymous said...

Thor, DeGrom, and Montero will all be MLB ready come July 1st.

So that gives you Harvey, Wheeler, Niese, Thor, Montero, Gee, Mejia, DeGrom in 2015.

Mets will be in an excellent position to trade Gee and DeGrom for a big piece next off-season. Maybe even Mejia too if he can stay healthy.

Niese will remain with the team until another lefty is developed (ie Matz.)

Hobie said...

Chris S.

Not opposed to bringing back Pelf, but when I look at last year's wounded, I'm more interested in Dan Hudson. Anybody know his prognosis?

Anonymous said...

@Hobie

This is Daniel Hudson's second Tommy John Surgery. He is not expected to begin throwing in minor league games until late July which puts him in line for a mid to late August MLB debut.

So yea....he's not a viable option

Mack Ade said...

Steve:

I am fine with Murphy at 2B and Lagares in CF

I'd like to see an upgrade at SS and a 1-yr deal for a vet-SP - that's all

steve said...

Hey Mack;
I really hope they don't trade Murphy. Im really hoping they go Ike to Tampa for Escobar and sign Colon,and maybe an Axford for the pen. They can do those things,and stay in budget

Mack Ade said...

Steve, I always like a proven commodity and Murphy is exactly that. I know Flores is younger and potentially could do more, but I'm not sure he will ever play a position good enough to be a NL player.

And, as you know, I don't want to trade Ike either. I'd like him to get one more shot at this team, batting, say, 6th in the lineup, with no pressure

Anonymous said...

@ Soto

You are probably right about the SP situation (one year deal preferred), but Garza would look nice in the rotation.

I can't see him getting over 100 million for six or more years! (in this market I suppose it could happen, but that is "ace money" and he is more of a 3 IMO).

Scary what Price will command in a couple years.

Unknown said...

Nice post Mack! I'm anxious to see who they sign and who they bring in after trading Murphy/Davis. I think the Mets are gonna stick with Duda.......

Herb G said...

As usual I'm late to the dance, so I don't know if anyone else will get to see my thoughts or respond, but . . .

Rubin's payroll number ($75.4) was tweeted the day before the details of Grandy's deal were announced, with a 2014 salary $2MM less than expected. So it is actually now $73.4 and Sandy could have between $24 & $26MM.

I'm reconciled to seeing Davis go. Murphy may or may not. I would try to get my SS with Davis. I see Yunel Escobar as the most likely, since the Rays match up so well. I would also push for a Brett Gardner - Daniel Murphy trade. I really feel the Mets are a better team with a Gardner - C Young - Granderson outfield, with Gardner batting leadoff than they are as currently constituted. Failing to get Gardner, I'd move to LA and try for one of their outfielders; Kemp, Ethier (both with cash) or Pederson along with Dee Gordon.

Re the rotation, the Mets signals seem to be no multi year deals and not alot of money for a SP. (Maybe they are conserving their cash for a more expensive shortstop or a third outfielder.) And clearly Alderson wants depth, plenty of depth. They seem to be out on Colon, out on Arroyo, out, out, out. So maybe the smart move is to sign Johan, Dice-K and Harang on low base or minor league deals, and let the 3 of them fight it out for the #5 spot. I think #4 in the rotation should be Mejia's to lose.

Mack Ade said...

Things seem to get clearer each day.

You sound spot on right now

steve said...

I don't think there done with Colon! I believe that wa a feeling out meeting ,with his reps? Sandy will give them a 1 year,they will look for a 2. If they cant find a 2,Colon will come back.
Mejia might not be ready, till May? So SP depth is needed, but on 1 year deals.
No way would I trade Murphy for Gardner. Maybe in part for Kemp or Braun! But not for Gardner.