The Selling Of The Mets

I guess this falls into the category of my earlier posts regarding “if I was the GM”.
The all-star break is coming up and there’s a good chance Omar & Co. will be managing a fourth place team. Add that to the doctor’s report of very few players coming back, and this would be a good time to decide whether the team were buyers or sellers.
Let’s not waste any time on buyers.

No one is going to trade anyone of any importance, with the ability to turn around this dreadful season, for three or four of the Mets prospects, unless all four are named Fernando Martinez, Jenrry Mejia, Brad Holt, and Wilmer Flores.

That being said, I’ll assume that deal isn’t done.

So, I turn to my selling plan:

1. Trade SP Livan Hernandez while he still has some value. Hernandez has started to go in the wrong direction, and I don’t expect much in return, but I’m sure the Mets can wrangle away a AA-level prospect that either catchers, plays first base, or roams the outfield. Replace that roster spot with SP Jonathan Niese for the remainder of the season.

2. Trade C Brian Schneider, again, for what you can get. Once again, he’s not in the Mets future, and I’m sure the Mets can get, at least, an AA-level catching, outfield, or first base prospect. Replace him with a full time Omar Santos for the remainder of the season, and bump up Josh Thole from Binghamton, to be back-up catcher, and pinch hitter. Tell Thole that this is a no promises one-time early shot at sticking, but explain to him that he will most probably return to AAA next season for more maturing. My team will operate with one less infielder, so feel free to promote Mike Nickeas, who is the best defensive catcher in the system and would make a perfect third catcher for the remainder of the season.

3. Trade 1B/3B/LF Daniel Murphy for two AA-level prospects. Try to get someone that can play defense while you’re at it, but, concentrate those prospects on talent/ceiling, rather than position played. Remember, you can always trade them again later. In his place, name Nick Evans your full time first baseman for the rest of the season and promote Ike Davis to back him up. Davis can play first the days that Evans is needed as the 5th outfielder. Also, tell Davis the same thing you told Thole. Tell Carlos Delgado quietly and professionally he can chill, and slow down his rehab. He ain’t coming back.

4. Release P Tim Redding. Nice idea, but didn’t work. Replace him for the rest of the season with a guy that deserves the shot… SP Nelson Figueroa. Tell Nelly he’s got the season to prove he should stick next year, drop Fernando Nieve to long man, and rotate Johan Santana, Mike Pelfrey, Oliver Perez, JNiese, and Figueroa for the rest of the season. While you’re on the phone, switch over to John Maine and tell him to chill and slow down his rehab. Also tell him he’ll be back next year as a Met.

5. Outfield wise…

a. Keep Ryan Church around unless you can get something real decent in return, like a real SP3

b. Release or demote Fernando Tatis. He was a find last year, but, like others, he doesn’t represent the future and we’re going to deal with his position come free agent time.


c. Play Gary Sheffield until his legs fall off. He’ll go away on his own in the off-season.

d. Play Fernando Martinez every day unless his boo-boo gets worse. He needs all the practice he can get until next season.

e. Call up Carlos Beltran and tell him the same thing you told Maine

f. Release or demote Jeremy Reed when Beltran returns. Evans is acting as your 5th outfielder

6. Infield wise…

a. Release or demote Argenis Reyes when Jose Reyes comes back.

b. Play Luis Castillo at second base for the rest of the season and start negotiating with his agent for an off-season buyout.

c. Play Alex Cora at shortstop until, Jose comes back, but don’t be afraid to tell Jose the same thing you told Beltran.

d. Play David Wright at third base.

e. Move Cora into the utility spot when Jose comes back.

7. Pitching wise, we have a new rotation, so on to the pen:

a. Release Sean Green. Too much money, no future. Replace him with AA-prospect Roy Merritt. Tell Merritt the same thing you told Davis.

b. Release or demote Pat Misch and replace him with AAA-prospect Eddie Kunz.

c. Release Elmer Dessens and replace him with AAA-project Adam Bostick. He’s pitching great and he deserves another chance.

8. Tell your minor league suits to figure out what the hell to do down there for the remainder of the season.

9. Slot in the prospects you got from the trades mentioned above, which would be a minimum of four players.

10. Now, find a new a manager.