Mack’s Morning Report – 12-3 – Tenderizing, Jim Johnson, 2014 Pitching, Juan Centeno, Rant Sports

 

Justin Turner ‏@redturn2                      

Thanks @Mets fans for all the kind words, I don't know where I'll end up, but I'm going to have a blast no matter what happens! #LGM

 

The one obvious problem with returning the site to Blogger is the fact that posts are posted on top of each other and don’t make it very reader friendly to scroll down and find the third or fourth post up at the time they go to the site. The Word Press ‘front page’ had seven posts featured right in front of your eyes, thus, you could click on them and participate.

Please remember to scroll down and participate. I’m getting a little paranoid about my morning reports.

 

The Mets made a very intelligent decision yesterday when they non-tendered SS Omar Quintanilla and RP Scott Atchison. Not only did it give them two open roster slots on the 40-man going into the Rule 5 Draft, but it also eliminated a projected $2.1mil that would have had to be paid to them in 2014. This money can be added to the unspent portion of the projected 2014 team budget and could be the difference in signing their final free agent of the Hot Stove season.

On paper, this solidifies (for now) Ruben Tejada as the opening day starting shortstop, with either Wilfredo Tovar as his backup. Atchison’s replacement could be Jeurys Familia, Joel Carreno, or someone still unsigned.

These are just really smart moves by a General Manager trying to work with a miserable budget in a frenzied market.

Re: JV1… not worth my time discussing.

And then came Hefner and Turner and I'm starting to figure out that this is just the beginning of some big plan Alderson and Company has begun to spin. You're watching quite the cleaning out of the house and one has to wonder who's going to fill these spots

No one draft five players in the Rule 5 draft, so these openings could represent any combination of players obtained that way, guy who were non-tendered by other clubs last night by other clubs, players obtained via free agency, or by trades

The money saved is around $4mil, making their committed 2014 current salaries at $56-58mil. The budget is supposedly $85-90mil, so you now have left $29-34mil left to spend.

All five of these cuts can be absorbed by players already in the system who already have their salaries counted. Players like Wilfredo Tovar, Zach Lutz, Matt den Dekker, Jeurys Famila, and Carlos Torres. can fill the roles tomorrow, allowing the Mets do whatever they want with the $29-34mil left to spend

First thing first...  they still need a starting right fielders and a major upgrade at short.
 

Wilmer Flores in VWL – 10-20, .500, 1-2B, 4-BB, 1-K        
 

Danny Black -

The Orioles have a lack of Major League ready prospects at key positions and a Jim Johnson trade could be used to fill some holes.  By trading Johnson Baltimore would have holes at 2B, LF, SP, and closer. Top second base prospect Jonathan Schoop missed parts of last year with a back injury and never played up to expectations. He will almost certainly start the year at Norfolk and look to get back on track. Henry Urrutia played in the Arizona Fall League with the idea of improving defensively in LF while waiting for is power to develop.  The verdict remains out on when the Cuban outfielder will be ready to start in the majors.  The Orioles best pitching prospect entering 2013 was Dylan Bundy, but he won’t be a major league factor until 2015 after undergoing ligament-reconstructive surgery on his right elbow.  The Orioles have no clear internal options to replace Johnson;  Tommy Hunter would most likely be given the chance if no other acquisitions are made. http://gradingonthecurve.com/2013/12/01/orioles-lack-prospects-influence-jim-johnson-trade/

Mack – On the surface, the Mets do have more important needs than a closer, but someone like Johnson doesn’t become available every day. The Mets could put a deal together and package a second baseman (Murphy or Flores) and either a starter (Gee or Montero) or a closer (Parnell or Black). The bad news is he’s due around $10mil this season, which is his last year of arbitration. Remember one thing here… if you’re building a pitcher-based team, it wouldn’t hurt to have the guy that has led the league in saves for the past two seasons. 

(update... traded late last night to Oakland...)

Andy Martino –

Re: Bronson Arroyo - What we can tell you is that the Mets don’t seem hot for the veteran.  While there is some level of interest, it does not appear serious at this moment.

Mack – I sort of go back and forth on whether or not the Mets need another 2014 pitcher. My feelings is this team isn’t going to compete for a playoff spot in 2014 and we’re going to have to push things back until 2015. That’s fine with me, only if some members of this squad get another shot to turn things around while others get to mature within the lineup.

Regarding pitching, there is plenty for 2015… Harvey, Wheeler, Niese, Gee, Syndergaard, Montero… and more.

The team has allocated only a certain amount of money for additional salaries, which I assume are for both free agent and trade candidates. Let’s use that money where the needs exist more… on the field every day.
 

Sandy Alderson says that catcher Juan Centeno will play in AAA-Las Vegas come opening day.

           Mack – Outstanding.

I’m a strong believer that the number two person on every position should be playing every day in Las Vegas so they are one (long) plane ride away from being game ready. Sitting next to Omar Quintanilla on the bench doesn’t hack it in my book.

I’m also a big fan of my number one player for every position having to look over his shoulder and see what’s going on down on the farm. Nothing keeps a front line starter on the right path than his replacement leading AAA in OBP.

Let Centeno play Vegas until Kevin Plawecki is ready to go there. Now, THAT’S your problem!

 

Rant Sports (http://www.rantsports.com/mlb/2013/12/02/ranking-the-new-york-mets-top-10-prospects-heading-into-2014/) has posted their top 10 Mets prospects:

#1  -  SP  -  Noah Syndergaard

#2  -  C  -  Travis d’Arnaud

#3  -  SP  -  Rafael Montero

#4  -  IF  -  Wilmer Flores

#5  -  OF  -  Brandon Nimmo

#6  -  OF  -  Cesar Puello

#7  -  1B  -  Dominic Smith

#8  -  SS  -  Gavin Cecchini

#9 -   IF  -  Dilson Herrera

#10 – C – Kevin Plawecki

            It looks like a pretty accurate list. What’s interesting is there is only two pitchers on this list. Hopefully, the Mets will begin to develop some bats within the system to support the rotation that seems like is going to be filled in by opening day 2015.

            Three players were secured via a trade… three via an International free agent signing… and four draft picks.