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.