Reese Kaplan -- Mets Offseason Roster Bullet List Number Ten

Mack's Mets will summarize players mentioned as possible new members of the team available via trade or free agency that have popped up in the media associated with them as a part of the 40 man roster.  These bullet points are not necessarily factual as if they were leaked from the Mets front office.  They comprise opinions, rumors and hypotheticals that various Mets beat writers and bloggers have felt necessary to put out into public notice.  Like EPA gas mileage ratings, take the news with a grain of salt.  We share but don’t necessarily endorse any of these transactions.

Alonso Inactivity Continues

Another week goes by and no closure on the Pete Alonso front from either side.  One story appeared suggesting that the emotional high from the fans that would result in bringing him back to Citifield is worth more than the dollars it would take to make it happen.  All of the sudden Juan Soto becomes an addition to the Mets collection of players rather than a replacement (albeit a better one than Alonso).  To tell the truth, most fans and media would indeed be celebrating a reunion contract.  Scott Boras and Pete Alonso may not feel festivities are in order since the player and agent would wind up taking far less for a way shorter duration than was possible, but hey, negotiations are a two way street and sometimes people on either side misread what is equitable and what the market will bear. 

In other Alonso news, the Blue Jays simply won’t go away.  They too seem to be capping Alonso contract talks at three years but in their case it is understandable as they have to deal with the never ending free agency talk arising on Vlad Guerrero, Jr.  If both wind up north of the border then one plays 1st base and one become a DH.  Then there is a fallback plan should Guerrero enter a wild free agency bidding war. 

With the Boomer Esiason inaccurate drivel still warm, other media types are going on record declaring “Today is the day!” and other nonsense about Alonso signing a renewal with the Mets. Some have even gone so far as to use the word “inevitable” when describing this action taking place. The consistent theme, however, is that the door is open once again despite Steve Cohen complaining about how exhausting it has been.  Right now David Stearns and Pete Alonso need to get the negotiations done with or without his agent Scott Boras offering up more interference and greed.

Players Other Than Pete Alonso

In other rumor news, the Mets took steps to offer up a non-guaranteed reunion with former Met Mark Canha.  He’s an on-base machine and provides pitchers with tough at-bats as well as home run power.  Towards the end of his career he would offer up a capable bench role and occasional starts in the outfield, as DH or dare we even say at first base.

Another rumor surfaced that the rehabbing Drew Smith be granted a similar deal as he was a competent pitcher for the team while healthy.  This arrangement could snare him back into the Mets fold without the risk of a more conventional free agency deal.

Apparently while the Ryne Stanek deal was being finalized the Mets were also considering a deal for former ace closer Kenley Jansen.  The problem is he is within a reasonable two-season closer total of 52 saves to reach a milestone an doesn’t see himself well as a setup guy.  Furthermore he would cost quite a bit more than the since signed Stanek, so some are reading that decision on the Mets part as one of saving money to bring back Mr. Alonso.

Over the weekend I wrote about the Mets interest in the Rays’ first baseman Yandy Diaz.  Frankly, I’d like to see him whether or not the Mets bring back Alonso as he is a much more solid option to put at first base while Alonso would become an awesome DH. Together they add up to way more than Starling Marte, Mark Canha or Jesse Winker.

The Dylan Cease to the Mets rumors have pretty much, well, ceased.  The Padres are apparently looking for immediate major league talent or multiple AAA top prospects ready to step in immediately to help the big club.  Right now for the Mets the AAA prospects would include Brett Baty, Ronny Mauricio, Luisangel Acuna, Drew Gilbert, Ryan Clifford and Jett Williams on the offensive side.  On the pitching side it would be Brandon Sproat and Jonah Tong.  On the major league front there’s not a lot there that the Mets could offer up while paying down salaries like Starling Marte or Jeff McNeil.  They could dangle Tylor Megill, Paul Blackburn or Jose Butto, but it seems to feel that going after Cease isn’t going to happen.

On Michael King, read the last paragraph.  The same situation exists.

Finally, OMG Jose Iglesias may not have a Mets future with the arrival of the less expensive but not guaranteed split contract option in Nick Madrigal.  He’s a solid hitter, though .274 for his career is about a dozen points below what Iglesias has done.  He has modest power and not a great deal of speed, so many would feel the emotional lift of Iglesias would count for more than the money saving approach to Madrigal.  After all, neither Joey Wendle nor Zack Short meant nearly as much as the late coming minor league contract player Iglesias did.  Don’t forget that the Mets could indeed stash Madrigal in the minors.