9/13/15

Mack’s Morning Report – 9-13-15 – Tyler Clippard, Addison Reed, Kelly Johnson, Mets Financials, the 2015 Outcome


Good morning.

Derek asked -

Mack, if you take the money and years out of the equation, out of all the free agents this year if you could keep 3, who would you keep and why? Also factor in AAA players who may or may not be ready. Thanks.

          Mack – Thanks for the question, Derek.

The first is obviously easy. OF Yoenis Cespedes has been the main difference in creating this team into a winner since the trading deadline. There are others that have played well, but it would be hard to argue that this guy wouldn’t be your first choice. He also loves playing in NYC and with his new teammates.

My second choice is equally easy. RP Tyler Clippard has turned out to be an all-star set-up man during the Mets chase for the pennant. He’s worth every penny the Mets are paying him and I hope they make a serious run at him in the off-season.

The third choice was a tie between two players until I realized once again that RP Addison Reed is already under Mets control through the 2017 season. I loved this pickup from the get-go and I expect him to be able to step right in any void that would be created if Clippard was to depart.

So, my third choice is multi-utility player Kelly Johnson, who has played five positions for the Mets during this run. He’s a free agent at the end of the year and I expect other teams to offer him far more than he’s being paid now. I hope the Mets move fast on this one.


Tyler asked –

        Mack, all these wins and sold out home games have to be translating into a better profit and loss statement for the Mets. Do see this creating a better financial future for the Mets and more dollars allotted for future rosters

                  Mack – Thanks for the Question, Tyler.

                  Two important factors here… revenues will be way up, especially if the Mets go deep in to the playoffs.

                  The current players that have recently joined the team will now be the standard bearer for how this team has to be operated in the future. I can’t possibly see this team returning to a below $100K payroll, even though a couple of their high cost free agents could be replaced by team controlled minimal salary players.

                  The Mets will never get away without signing a Cespedes quality player to lead the way next year, even if the rates hit the $25mil range.


And lastly...

    It's s hard to write about this team creatively at this point in the season. All they do is win every game while the National go on tanking at the same time.

How can you criticize anything that's going on out on the field and how dare any of us jinx this magical season by by discussing what this team will do next year.

I fought in a war and you win against your enemies by hitting your objectives with minimal body count to friendly fire.

When you get to magic numbers these low, there is very little left to criticize. 




16 comments:

Dallas said...

Playoffs are clinched, play now for homefield advantage. TC really needs to give Clippard multiple days off, he was way overworked him. Surprised Thor didnt get one more inning vs over extending Clippard.

Herb G said...

Mack-
Your choice of FAs to resign is spot on. Cespedes is indeed #1. I hate the idea of 6 years, but that is probably what he'll be offered. I wonder if he would accept less years at a higher annual salary. Would 4 years/$120 million do it? (spread $30-$30-$28-$27 with a $5 mil buyout of a 5th yr option, and an opt out clause after 2 years)

Metsiac said...

I really like what I've seen from Robles. I can picture him as a future closer. Reminds me a lot of Mejia, hopefully drug -free.

Tom Brennan said...

Sign Cespedes is goal 1. If he doesn't win MVP this year due to split leagues, he could easily win one or more as a Met in the next few years...which would be one or more than this team has ever had. No excuses...must be signed.

The Mets blinked the first time A Rod was available and passed on him. Do not make the same mistake again.

Kelly Johnson and Clippard. If reasonable enough, definitely re-sign both.

Tom Brennan said...

Sign Cespedes is goal 1. If he doesn't win MVP this year due to split leagues, he could easily win one or more as a Met in the next few years...which would be one or more than this team has ever had. No excuses...must be signed.

The Mets blinked the first time A Rod was available and passed on him. Do not make the same mistake again.

Kelly Johnson and Clippard. If reasonable enough, definitely re-sign both.

Michael S. said...

Gotta bring KJ back.

Tom Brennan said...

My brother Steve, I should add, was advocating very strongly for the Mets when Cespedes first came stateside. He was right. Cespedes is a keeper.

Ernest Dove said...

If the Mets, for example, commit to 'league minimum'ish' players in 2016 like conforto, Wilmer, Tejada (still technically pretty cheap), Reed, Robles and a few others then im agreement that Mets should go ahead and back up the truck on Cespedes.

S. Finch said...

Cespedes will take no less than 7 years. Book it. Lots of people try to get creative, but what possible incentive would he have to go less?

4/120? A) what if he gets hurt? He's risking at minimum 30 mil.
B) at age 34, a multi-year 30+ contract may not be possible. Especially if he returns to being a 3-4 war player.

7/150 is the absolute minimum. I'd wager he ends up getting an extra year plus more per year.


#2) the reason cespedes is not getting the MVP is not because of split leagues, it's because as good as he's been, harper has been a LOT better. Cespedes is a nice story and all, but harper has had an incredible year.

S. Finch said...

I am a huge fan of Robles as well. I think he can become a solid late inning bp guy. He's def. Got some swagger.

Though other than being Latino, not sure how he reminds you of mejia

Anonymous said...

I don't think there's an "creative" options that go beyond giving the man his money.

James Preller

Hobie said...

I too would like an INF LHB FA but Murp vs KJ. Anyone else?
Btw I'm on an extensive road trip (San Jose today) and depend on you guys to keepe informed. Thanks

Dallas said...

Have we ever seen a worst played defensive game? I counted 12 extra outs the Mets had to make today...

Dallas said...

Unreal...lousy played game and they pull off another miracle win.

TP said...

Thomas,
Your brother was spot on. Cespedes was a very low cost gamble 4 years ago but Alderson and the cheapskate owners couldn't outbid the wealthy Oakland As. Not to pick on old wounds, as the team has currently been fantastic. Anyhow, hopefully the cheapskate owners will be in the mix this time around. Itwill be interesting to see how the market develops and the Mets actually operating from a position of strength and a place players want to play. Who'da thunk it?

Like Mack, I love the Reed acquisition. I am also high on Robles, who reminds me more of Familia (when he first came up) than Mejia. Not facially, racially, or personality-wise, but stuff-wise. A little more focus/refinement on location and pitching vs. just throwing and he can be a big back end piece.

Tom Brennan said...

@ TP: hopefully, Mets ownership has been waiting for a time of momentum to open the purse strings. Let's get this organization on a perennial annual playoff run like the Braves did, but with a few more world series rings than they managed, and aggressive signings now will lock that in. Too much talent for it to not happen.

Robles will be fine (and possibly better) as long as he avoids serving up 0-2 meatballs.