Mack Ade – Morning Report – 10-8-13 – Noah Syndergaard, Travis d’Arnaud, Ike Davis, Matt Kemp, David Price

 

John Manuel –

Scouts and managers considered him the easy choice as the best pitching prospect in the FSL thanks to a premium fastball, notable as much for its arm-side run and ability to get in on righthanded hitters as for its premium 94-98 mph velocity. Noah Syndergaard adds a fine pitcher’s build and clean delivery, both indicative of durability. Scouts and managers in the FSL considered his secondary stuff—he throws both a curveball and slider as well as a firm changeup—closer to average, with the change more on the fringy side.

 

Brian Zarpentine –

Travis d’Arnaud is set up to be the starting catcher in 2014, and the Mets hope he can hold that position for many years to come. But considering his injury history and his inexperience at the major league level, the Mets need to make sure they have a competent backup, and their best bet is finding a veteran that knows going in that he’ll be a backup and who will be happy with that role. The Mets have solid catching depth with guys like Anthony Recker, Juan Centeno and Francisco Pena, but if d’Arnaud gets hurt, there’s no way they can feel good about going with any of those guys for an extended period. This means they’ll have to find a dependable veteran catcher in free agency. http://www.rantsports.com/mlb/2013/10/07/top-5-offseason-priorities-for-new-york-mets/?xgbODHfrxKMwQhsT.99

                Mack – I don’t agree with Brian. You simply can’t solve everything in one year and I think going with a young catching crew is just fine. Now… if John Buck wants to come back for around $3mil  a year…

 

Rob Patterson - 

When all is said and done, I expect the nod to go to Ike Davis once again (unless he is traded), despite the fact that Lucas Duda has a better approach at the plate.  The Mets are invested in Davis and his power potential.  They have also seemed hesitant to admit their mistake in each of the following two seasons when they waited forever to send Davis down.  With all the chances he has been afforded already, I'd just be surprised if he didn't get another. http://effingmets.blogspot.com/2013/10/the-mets-mess-at-first-base-davis-or.html

Mack – First of all… great new blog site from a veteran blogger… I agree with Rob. Given a choice between Ike or Lucas, I also have to stay with the pedigree pick. Both play the same kind of game with a bat in their hands, but Davis wins the tie-breaker with his potential Gold Glove defense. You know I would rather have Mike Napoli over both these guys, but, if I have to choose with what I have, I would go with Davis.

 

Steve Keane -

The one player of that financial magnitude that intrigues me is Matt Kemp.  Kemp has been plagued by injuries this season and a slow healing ankle sprain is keeping him out of the Dodgers post season run but when healthy, Kemp is the player the Mets desperately need to assist in turning around the team’s losing frown. His combination of power and speed plus his outfield defense would be the big ticket acquisition that would make baseball stand up and notice that the Mets are back in business. http://www.kranepoolsociety.com/2013/10/07/matt-kemp-a-met-why-not/

Mack – Maybe Steve is on to something here. Maybe the only chance the 2014 Mets have is to take on some other team’s damaged goods. Something has to budge in the Dodgers outfield. Four all-stars, Kemp, Carl Crawford, Andre Eithier, and Yasiel Puig are under long term contracts here and someone has to go. The assumption has always been Either, who has had problems with manager Don Mattingly, but they seem to be in the past. Any trade of Kemp would first be considered a salary dump ($21.75mil/yr through 2019). It might surprise Mets fans how little it would take to pry him away. My guess… 100% of the contract plus two pitching prospects.

 

Christopher Soto -

Something to put on the morning report. What are the Colorado Rockies needs? With Helton gone they need a 1B and still need upgrades offensively. How about we send them Murphy (an upgrade over LaMahieu), Davis (could hit 40 bombs in Coors), Montero (groundball/control pitcher with High #3/Low #2 potential), and Nieuwenheis for Carlos Gonzalez, who is reportedly more likely to move than Tulo?

                Mack – This is what the Democrats and Republicans are missing out on… negotiating. We’ve been throwing around different trade scenarios for either Troy Tulowitzki or Gonzales. They make more sense each time they are tweaked. This might be the best one because it included Rafael Montero, a pitcher that has already showed his stuff in a city (Vegas) similar to Denver. You also can give them a hoice betweek Duda or Davis. I like this one and Colorado could also, especially if the Mets took on 100% of the contract.

 

Michael Scannell –

All this talk about needing to add offense is justified and obvious. However, with David Price apparently hitting the trade market, would you trade any of the Mets' young pitching to acquire him?  Getting him would give the Mets an Ace for 2014 and a top 2 of Harvey and Price after that.  Would you be willing to make a deal for him, say starting with Wheeler and Niese?  2015 -  SP1 Harvey,  SP2 Price,  SP3 Syndergaard…  I don't know that I would....don't know if I wouldn't.

                                Mack – I have followed Price since his days in Vero Beach. He would cost you big time, but, IMO, he’s easily worth $15mil, probably much more. The secret to any trade here is health. If you has a crystal ball and could guarantee that Price would stay healthy while Harvey came back 100%, you would wind up with a legitimate SP1 to help you return to respect in 2014, and probably one of the top three SP1-3 in 2015. Yes, I’m always ready to consider a pitcher for pitcher deal. Price is a better pitcher than Wheeler and he will only be 28 next season. Plus, he’s a lefty. In a heartbeat.

 

And lastly, we’re always looking for additional Mets writers especially now during the slower, off-season. We especially invite writers who specialize on other teams, baseball history, fantasy, or baseball cards. Most of the writers here participate on a weekly basis, but there are no general rules so once a month is more than we would have had if you didn’t join us. Please contact me at macksmets@gmail.com and we’ll make the arrangements to join the site.

 

 

Hot Stove: - Yoenis Cespedes, C.J. Wilson, Matt Kemp, Michel Hernandez, Atlanta Braves

Yoenis Cespedes - Salary Command: IFA from Cuba could sign a deal similar to the one Aroldis Chapman received a few seasons ago.  Hypothetical Deal: 6 yrs; $35-$40 million dollars  Lost Compensation: None - Plus: The YouTube wonder has hit the stage and made everyone drool watching him and his abundance of tools.  He has shown power production and in limited international exposure the ability to become a five tool player.  He shows tremendous bat speed and is highly athletic, enough so that some feel safely about sticking him in center field.  He is just entering his prime and might need a short time adjusting to a major league program.  He has vast upside that can be had without committing the $100 million dollars that would come normally. He would be locked into service time until he is 32 years old and you will get the best years out of him for very cheap.  As much as I hate throwing out comps, I see a bit of Vladimir Guerrero type athletic ability in Cespedes. http://orioles-nation.com/2011/11/14/2012-potential-fa-outfielders

Rangers GM Jon Daniels said this weekend that he has remained in contact with free agent C.J. Wilson. Wilson has already drawn legitimate interest from a number of different major league teams, including the Angels, Nationals, Yankees and Marlins. But the Rangers are keeping tuned in on negotiations and will make an offer when they feel the time is right. Wilson, 30, posted a sparkling 2.94 ERA and 206/74 K/BB ratio in 223 1/3 innings this past year for Texas. He's likely to land a five- or six-year deal. http://www.rotoworld.com/headlines/mlb/345225/baseball-headlines?r=1

Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports that the Dodgers and Matt Kemp are engaging in serious discussions on an eight-year extension worth $160 million. Kemp is currently scheduled to become a free agent after the 2012 season, and the Dodgers want to lock him up long-term before he even gets a whiff of what might be available to him on the open market. $20 million per year over the course of eight years should do the trick. Kemp batted .324 with a .986 OPS, 39 homers, 40 steals and 126 RBI in 161 games this past season. http://www.rotoworld.com/headlines/mlb/345224/baseball-headlines?r=1

The Indians have signed free-agent catcher Michel Hernandez to a Minor League contract for 2012 that includes a non-roster invitation to Spring Training, the club announced on Thursday. Hernandez, 33, originally signed with Cleveland on July 1, hitting a combined .320 with 10 doubles and 26 RBIs in 39 games between Double-A Akron and Triple-A Columbus. The 14-year Minor League veteran has a .263 career Minor League average for various clubs since defecting from Cuba in 1996 and being signed by the Yankees two years later.  http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20111110&content_id=25950978&vkey=news_cle&c_id=cle

Atlanta Braves Offseason agenda: What is the solution when a team expected to make the playoffs has two quality starters miss time with injuries, further taxing an overworked bullpen? And what about when five other core players, many of whom had subpar offensive seasons, combine to miss roughly 200 games because of injuries? General manager Frank Wren believes you get busy cooking on the hot stove. The Braves got rid of their hitting coach, traded righthander Derek Lowe in a salary dump and—in attempt to make room for their younger arms and add offense—are actively shopping promising starter Jair Jurrjens and infielder/outfielder Martin Prado. Atlanta’s offensive production was terrible during the final month, especially in the final week of the regular season.  http://aol.sportingnews.com/mlb/feed/2011-10/hot-stove-league/story/hot-stove-report-atlanta-braves#ixzz1dpchVa6W