The Mets slipped in a signing before the season ending, inking Edwin Diaz to a 100mil+ deal.
We now are in the waiting period.
So.
Who's the next one signed?
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12 comments:
Mack,
Since there are few outfield options for 2023 in the Mets minors, Brandon Nimmo would appear to be their next priority.
Mack,
Let's add Jake Mangum to the mix as our fourth outfielder. Outstanding fielder with speed and the potential to be a high average batter.
I think Nimmo has to next (priority), but Boras is known for dragging his feet and trying to max the market. If the Mets get Nimmo early, it will be a big contract, IMO.
I agree that centerfield is their next step. I would actually really like to see them offer Nimmo a Q.O. and have him accept it. Use Mangum as the 4th outfielder in 2023 and slot him in as the starter in 2024.
I am really looking to see Ramirez progress through the upper minors and hopefully be ready for opening day 2025. To me he is the best home-grown centerfielder they have had in the system for awhile and I'd really like to see him succeed. A 5 year deal for Nimmo will probably not age well. I cannot see him playing center in 2 years, although he might be an adequate left fielder into his middle 30's.
I think Nimmo will be signed with somebody by the end of the Q.O. deadline. If they offer the qualifying offer and he doesn't have a big contract offer from somebody (potentially even the Mets) by Nov 20, he will be spooked enough by watching Conforto not play this year that he won't want to repeat that history.
After centerfield, they need look at the starting pitching. I cannot get any read or venture a guess on deGrom. I would set a top limit in both years and dollars and move on if he doesn't like it.
I do like Taijuan Walker and would like to see him come back. I also like Bassitt and wouldn't mind seeing him sign a 3 year deal. Ultimately though, can they realistically have upwards of $140M (or more) tied up in their starting five for 2023?
One flyer I might take is Sean Manaea. He pitched well for Oakland and then fell flat after the trade to the Padres. I don't know what happened there or if there are health issues, but he is a fairly young free agent who has had a track record and won't cost prospects. His down year in SD will probably keep his cost low. Perhaps a one or two year show me deal like the one Walker is coming off.
I also think Trevor Williams offers some decent upside, altho he may want to look for somebody that can offer him a guaranteed starting job. I think he is best used as a swing starter/long reliever.
And what they do with the starting pitching will dictate the bullpen. If they fill the rotation without Peterson and Megill, there are two good long relief guys. I am not really worried about that group at this point.
Jose Butto is another guy in the mix - will they go with two of Peterson, Megill, and Butto as their 4 and 5 guys? Hard to tell. Can't have enough pitching.
Interesting scenario with Nimmo........I agree that tying him up for the long term (5 years) would potentially block Ramirez. Sure, Nimmo could play LF, but I think it would be worth it to try and get Mauricio to play the OF (still see shades of Soriano with him and I would hate to see that on a different team).
I would love Nimmo on a three year deal, but no way Boras takes that type of offer, IMO.
I think Scherzer, Carrasco (if they pick up his option and I would) and one of Megill or Peterson (more likely) give you three starters and a "swing type" pitcher. That leaves three openings that will be expensive to fill if we simply try to sign our own pitchers (Jake, Walker and Bassitt). One of them, for sure (or the two cheaper ones??).
I sound like a broken record, but Jake will literally dictate everything else we do (especially with the staff).
I meant to say two or three openings, depending.
Such love for Mangum! Guys he’s 27 and has less than 100 triple A at bats. He has never been a top ten prospect in a soso farm system.
Fair enough, but you could also argue he hasn’t been given a chance in NY to excel or fail, so the jury is still out.
I’d at least cover him with a veteran OFer who could take over if he flops. Ideally, Nimmo is back and Mangum is a bench player, but if Nimmo gets crazy expensive (likely), maybe you spend elsewhere and give the kid a shot.
I think Mangum is a very solid bench player for the Mets in 2023. His problem is, this isn’t Pittsburgh, young guys like him will not be thrown in to play everyday. They will get used like Luis was, and Luis then played more as the opportunity presented itself.
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