PART 3 Next Mets - The OF: RH Corner OF

Finally we come to the third and final part.  Since the other two parts have addressed CF and a LH corner OF, this final part will cover the need for a RH corner OF, one that can hit for power, produce runs, get on base, and hit legitimately from the clean-up spot.  The first obvious answer is Miami's Giancarlo Stanton.  Since he's the big fish (no pun intended), I'll save him for last.

The first player that comes to mind is Hunter Pence.  It would be great to see d'Arnaud and Pence hit well and help the Mets win a title while the Phillies have to watch what could have and should have been.  The problem with Pence is that he'll likely want more free agent dollars than he's worth and probably profiles better as a #5 or #6 hitter.  He can do the job but I think the Mets can do better.

Another current major leaguer who can hit in the middle of the Mets lineup is Carlos Quentin.  Quentin has been a top run producer in Chicago as well as in San Diego.  In fact, his performance in the pitcher's paradise in SD leads me to believe he could easily do the job for the Mets.  I also don't think an arm and a leg would be needed from the Padres in trade to acquire him.  The problem will be in expecting Quentin to play a full season, something he doesn't seem to be able to do regularly.

In the minors, George Springer and Mike Olt could be part of the Mets' long-term solution.  Springer is going to be a star.  I've written before how Springer could be a great target for the Mets, either on his own or to be flipped later for Stanton - http://tinyurl.com/bcfcu5z.  He's been hitting well in spring training so far and I believe he'll be ready to contribute as a major league regular in 2014, especially when the playoffs roll around.

As with Springer, I think Olt will be up for good later this year and could hit clean-up for the Mets full-time next year.  Olt is even likelier to be dealt at the deadline as the Rangers figure to be in contention and Olt is currently blocked on his own team.

This brings us to the big ticket, Giancarlo Stanton.  Some out there feel that there is no way he'll be traded to a division rival, however the Marlins have shown a willingness to trade with the Mets before (Delgado, LoDuca).  They'll move him for the best trade package in return, regardless of who offers it.  The Mets' farm system might not have the depth to make s deal now but a year from now things might have changed.  Dillon Gee may have taken another step forward, Jenrry Mejia may have established himself as a major league power arm, and Wilmer Flores may have become a top 50 prospect in MLB.  New draft picks might have made other organizational players expendable and existing prospects (Puello, Fulmer, Montero, etc.) will be another year closer to the majors and could have exponentially greater value.  Lastly, there is no telling what prospects will be acquired at the trade deadline that could be flipped for Stanton.  In fact, I would make deals for young players that fit Miami's needs.  Currently they need 3B, 2B, CF, Ca, and as always pitching.  I could see a scenario where Texas is in need of pitching as they make their playoff push.  The Mets could offer Santana + and hold out for Olt as they have held out for top return in other trades.  Then, at the WM they could flip a package built around Olt, Flores, and 3-4 pitchers for Stanton.  If other teams are offering 3-4 players, then we OVERPAY and offer 4-6 players.  Stanton changes the whole lineup, the whole team...not for just now but for the life of these New Mets.  A core middle-of-the-order Wright-Stanton-Davis-d'Arnaud could be devastating for 5 or more years.  It cannot be understated just what a coup his addition to the team would be.  Evaluating the lineup with the best options for a 2014 playoff push, that October 2014 team could be:

1. CF Gary Brown (.5)
2. LF Alex Gordon (10)
3. 3B David Wright (20)
4. RF Giancarlo Stanton (10)
5. 1B Ike Davis (10)
6. Ca Travis d'Arnaud (.5)
7. 2B Nick Franklin (.5)
8. SS Ruben Tejada (.5)

SP1 Matt Harvey (.5)
SP2 Zack Wheeler (.5)
SP3 Jon Niese (5)
SP4 Noah Syndergaard (.5)
SP5 OPEN    

The total salary for this lineup is $58.5M.  I'm assuming $10M for both Davis (extension) and Stanton (arbitration).  I thought it would be best to show what I consider the most ideal lineup as it stands to reason that it would be the most expensive and therefore the most fiscally conservative.  I've also included Nick Franklin as he is my pick for the team at 2B (see: http://tinyurl.com/aslz45l).  Almost $60M for this team that could contend for a WS next year.  The Mets could become what would be the ideal franchise - a Tampa Bay Rays that could afford to keep its players and add to areas of need in order to put themselves over the top.  As the team wins more and grows in popularity (and the team's financial woes abate), salary increases should be easy to afford.  The Mets could have taken a couple of years of suffering to build what the Yankees have had since the mid-90's - a solidly-built team that has a chance to win EVERY YEAR.  It will have taken 3 years but Sandy & Co. will have transformed the major league roster to one that has youth, speed, power, defense, and great pitching.  The minor league system will be in good shape...going forward the biggest task will be to maintain the major league lineup as well as continue to build that pipeline from the majors from the farm.