The Morning Report 12.8.2015 | Mets Await Zobrist's Decision, Edgin Making Progress/Expects to be Ready Opening Day, Baseline Value Set for Potential Jon Niese trade

Also at Mack's Mets:

Kristie Ackert | NY Daily News- Ben Zobrist’s camp informed the Mets and others at the Winter Meetings that they expect to have a decision by “the end of the week.” First, the 34-year old will meet Tuesday with the Nationals at the Opryland Hotel. Many believe the decision will come down to the Mets and Nats. Zobrist’s representatives told the Mets and others that they were all planning to sit down and begin making a decision on Wednesday. “That could mean he makes a decision Wednesday night,” one industry source said. “Or it could mean by Sunday or Monday. But no one thinks it goes much further.”

(Chris Soto: I have succumbed to the fact that the Mets really want Zobrist. Fine, I get it, I am all for any free agent signing that makes the team better. Let's just make sure we get him and not the Washington Nationals. To be fair...over his past 5 seasons, Zobrist has averaged 148 Games per season with an outstanding .796 OPS. He may not be sexy, but his numbers are outstanding and better than any season Murphy was able to post. If his skillset can age well like the Mets think it will, then I am ok with the signing.)



Brian Devine | Metsmerized Online- According to Assistant General Manager John Ricco, left handed reliever Josh Edgin is making progress from Tommy John surgery and could be ready around opening day. Edgin has not had any setbacks in his recovery, and could be an effective weapon out of the bullpen next season if he returns to full health. “It’ll be about a year out right around Opening Day, and he’s progressing, hasn’t had any setbacks to this point,” Ricco said.

(Chris Soto: Spring Training is going to be an important barometer for Edgin. Is he truly 100%? or is this another Bobby Parnell case where a talented reliever is going to never find his stuff again? We wont know until Edgin steps onto that mound come March. Regardless, the Mets need a much more sure thing than Edgin and even Blevins. If you could pair those two with an Antonio Bastardo for instance, who held lefties to a .138 AVG, you have the makings of a very solid bullpen that has depth.)



HOT STOVE REPORT (courtesy of mlbtraderumor.com)

• Per Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, the Braves could be close to finalizing a trade for young SP Shelby Miller today.
• The Nationals signed 31 yr old RP Shawn Kelley to an undisclosed major league contract. Last season Kelley posted a 2.45 ERA and 63 strikeouts. This could open the door for a Papelbon or Drew Storen trade as the club now has a surplus of late inning RP arms.
• The Boston Red Sox traded LHP Wade Miley to the Seattle Mariners for LHSP Roenis Elias and RHRP Carson Smith.

(Chris Soto: The Braves continues to blow up the squad and try to re-tool for 2017. Man Freddie Freeman should give David Wright a call to see how it feels to be part of a losing squad during the prime of your career.

It seems like the Mets and Nationals are continuing to compete for the same free agents every time a potential name pops up. O'Day, Kelley, Zobrist, etc. This is turning into a very heated battle to build the best team possible to grab control of the NL East.

The Red Sox deal is EXTREMELY important for the Mets as it sets a baseline for what the Mets should expect should they decide to deal LHSP Jon Niese. Both guys are 29 yr old left handed SPs, generally thought of as solid #4 rotation guys. Both have career K rates of 7.0 per 9 IP, Miley's BB rate is 2.8 per 9, Niese is 2.7 per 9 IP. Miley has a career 3.95 ERA, Niese is at 3.91.

The fact that the Red Sox were able to get a younger, possibly more talented, lefty in Elias + one of the best young RP in baseball in Carson Smith is an unbelievable steal! Do I think the Mets would get a similar package? Probably not, but as a Mets fan I would be exctastic if the club could get their hands on a controllable young RP who posted a 2.31 ERA thanks to a 11.8 K/9 rate with a slider filthy enough to make Mike Trout look silly.)