Spending $60 Million

With $68.3 Mil plus probably $10-15 Mil in smaller contracts and arbitration the Mets have between $36.7-41.7 Mil to spend. The goal is to keep their payroll beneath $120 Mil. That couldn't be that hard. What would that look like?

Free Agent Targets:

Jose Reyes, SS (29) - Jose is already popular with Met fans. Likes where he's living and is the best player available to fill the vacancy at SS. Matt Cerrone has said before that beyond Reyes, who else would the Mets be able to go after? The key will be Length and salary. I'm not going to ask for a Home Team discount from Reyes for size but I'm going to hold my offer to 5 years. (5 Years, $70 Mil: $10M, $12M, $15M, $16M, $17M)

C.J. Wilson, SP (31) - Wilson may not be the most exciting name out their but he'd be gifted the benefit of Citi Field and be joining a rotation that would include Johan Santana, R.A. Dickey and Jonathan Niese. He's not going to need to be an Ace, just a #3 pitcher. With the weaker pitching class hitting free agency I know that his price will be inflated but pitching is NEEDED. (3 Years, $27 Mil: $9M, $9M, $9M)

Jonathan Papelbon, RP (31) - Mets will need a closer and are the only "Big Market" team who is likely to pay for one. Even so, I don't think the Mets throw K-Rod money at a closer again no matter what. Still, the Mets need to throw a good amount of money for a better closer like Jonathan. (3 Years, $30 Mil: $8M, $10M, $12M)

George Sherrill, RP (35) - Nothing fancy, but nothing fancy is necessary. The Mets need a lefty and Sherrill is probably the best lefty reliever available for 2012. He could probably slot in as a third setup man on the staff but I'll leave him in the ranks of the middle relievers. The question is how big a contract can you give an aging lefty reliever? (2 Years, $6 Mil: $3M, $3M)

Javier Lopez, RP (34) - Here is another big move. I'm looking at signing TWO lefty relievers. Why? Well, because the Mets have been handicapped for too long by not having enough lefties in their bullpen. Most teams have 2-3 lefties to spot through a game to make the matchups favor them. The Mets need to run Tim Byrdak out there for 3 batters because they only have the one lefty. (I know O'Connor is on the team now, but do you count him? I don't.) (3 Years, $7 Mil: $3M, $2M, $2M)

From The Minors:

Kirk Nieuwenhuis, CL (L) - Captain Kirk is tearing up AAA and looking like he might replace Angel Pagan sooner than later. He's got SOME power and SOME speed but he's not Reyes or Davis. He looks like a 15 HR, 20 SB player who is a good fielder and solid all-around player. He projects as more of a corner OF with his speed but between he and Fernando Martinez both being fringe CF guys I think the OF defense won't suffer. Plus Angel moves back to the bench as the 4th OF guy.

Fernando Martinez, RF (L) - The forever prospect gets his legit shot at making the team. Because I'm the one writing this I'm going to say that he does succeed and in the spring both he and Nieuwenhuis push Angel Pagan into a reserve role. Fernando's power and production may not be the 30 HR range that I used to see... but... it could easily be above 20 and who knows how high from there.

Matt Harvey, SP (R) - Matt Harvey is still pitching in Port St. Lucie. Why am I projecting him into the starting rotation? With Mejia's injury and the extremely weak starting pitching market for 2012 Harvey has a shot to make the rotation next spring. It will be a fair competition between he, Cohoon and a few others to win the 5th spot in the rotation. Notice that I've cut ties with Mike Pelfrey before the season.

Mark Cohoon, SP (L) - Cohoon loses the battle with Harvey for a spot in the rotation but the finesse lefty is reliable enough to give a long relief job and a third lefty arm to the bullpen. Cohoon's style is well suited to long-relief as he should never be walking the ballpark and letting the game get out of hand (like Ollie Perez might. Cohoon could look to replace Dickey in 2013, though I give that nod to Jenrry Mejia.

Lineup: 8
1. Jose Reyes, SS (S)
2. Kirk Nieuwenhuis, CF (L)
3. David Wright, 3B (R)
4. Ike Davis, 1B (L)
5. Jason Bay, LF (R)
6. Fernando Martinez, RF (L)
7. Daniel Murphy, 2B (L)
8. Josh Thole, C (L)

Rotation: 5
1. Johan Santana, SP (L)
2. R.A. Dickey, SP (R)
3. C.J. Wilson, SP (L)
4. Jonathan Niese, SP (L)
5. Matt Harvey, SP (R)
Bullpen: 7
CL - Jonathan Papelbon, RP (R)
SU - Taylor Buchholz, RP (R)
SU - Pedro Beato, RP (R)
MR - Bobby Parnell, RP (R)
MR - Javier Lopez, RP (L) MR - George Sherrill, RP (L)
LR - Mark Cohoon, SP (L)

Bench: 5
Ronny Paulino, C (R)
Angel Pagan, OF (S)
Lucas Duda, OF/1B (L)
Justin Turner, IF (R)
Nick Evans, OF/1B/3B (R)

2012 Payroll: $113.7 Mil

Mets of Tomorrow

I decided to just have a day of pure fantasy speculation. As many know, the Mets are in a bit of a financial situation and have a big name player approaching free agency. I'm going to take a glass half-full look at this and future off seasons and make some roster guesses. I think playoffs in 2012 and World Series in 2013 and 2014 is totally attainable. Right?

2012 New York Mets:

The Mets do decide to re-sign Jose Reyes who agrees to a lucrative three year deal, with a vesting option for a 4th and 5th. Alderson uses the rest of the money the Mets clear to sign Edwin Jackson and Jonathan Broxton to two year deals. Lastly the Mets promote Fernando Martinez and Reese Havens from AAA to fill the gaps at RF and 2B. Jenrry Mejia continues to pitch well after his mid-season promotion in 2011.

Lineup:
1. Jose Reyes, SS (S)
2. Angel Pagan, CF (S)
3. David Wright, 3B (R)
4. Ike Davis, 1B (L)
5. Jason Bay, LF (R)
6. Fernando Martinez, RF (L)
7. Josh Thole, C (L)
8. Reese Havens, 2B (L)
Rotation:
1. Johan Santana, SP (L)
2. Jonathan Niese, SP (L)
3. Jenrry Mejia, SP (R)
4. Edwin Jackson, SP (R)
5. R.A. Dickey, SP (R)

Bullpen:
CL: Jonathan Broxton, RP (R)
SU: Bobby Parnell, RP (R)

Notable Losses:

Carlos Beltran - Beltran leaves the Mets and catches a 1-year deal with Boston. He replaces David Ortiz as the DH and fills in occasionally in the OF. Francisco Rodriguez - Francisco Rodriguez signs a contract with Philadelphia and has two 30+ save seasons before losing the job. Mike Pelfrey - Mike Pelfrey catches on with Milwaukee and wins 10 games.

Notable Acquisitions:

Edwin Jackson - Jackson comes to New York but never amounts to a front-line starter. He does prove to be reliable in the second half of the rotation.
Jonathan Broxton - The Dodgers let Broxton go after two consecutive down seasons and the Mets sign him to compete with Parnell for the closer role. Broxton wins the role in camp.

2013 New York Mets:

Angel Pagan and Santana leave town and the Mets again build from both within and without. Caesar Puello is promoted after crushing AA in 2012 and takes over in center. The Mets re-sign David Wright during the season after using their 2013 option. Mark Cohoon has a mediocre year as the Mets #5 starter but the Mets do find success with their front 4.

Lineup:
1. Jose Reyes, SS (S)
2. Josh Thole, C (L)
3. David Wright, 3B (R)
4. Ike Davis, 1B (L)
5. Jason Bay, LF (R)
6. Fernando Martinez, RF (L)
7. Caesar Puello, CF (R)
8. Reese Havens, 2B (L)
Rotation:
1. Cole Hamels, SP (L)
2. Jonathan Niese, SP (L)
3. Jenrry Mejia, SP (R)
4. Edwin Jackson, SP (R)
5. Mark Cohoon, SP (L)

Bullpen:
CL: Jonathan Broxton, RP (R)
SU: Bobby Parnell, RP (R)
Notable Losses:

Angel Pagan - The Mets decide that they can't afford to give Pagan the contract he is seeking. He signs with Seattle. Johan Santana - The Mets let Santana out of his option and he signs a two-year deal with the Cubs.

Notable Acquisitions:

Cole Hamels - The Mets take advantage of their fiscal conservative 2011 and 2012 and sign Hamels to a four year deal.

2014 New York Mets:

The Mets offer Edwin Jackson arbitration and he accepts. Clearing out Jason Bay and Broxton allows the Mets the financial freedom to make a big trade for Felix Hernandez. King Felix extends his contract with the Mets for 4 additional years. Wilmer Flores after converting in 2013 to the outfield finds his place in right field.

Lineup:
1. Jose Reyes, SS (S)
2. Josh Thole, C (L)
3. David Wright, 3B (R)
4. Ike Davis, 1B (L)
5. Wilmer Flores, RF (R)
6. Fernando Martinez, RF (L)
7. Caesar Puello, CF (R)
8. Reese Havens, 2B (L)
Rotation:
1. Cole Hamels, SP (L)
2. Jenrry Mejia, SP (R)
3. Jonathan Niese, SP (L)
4. Felix Hernandez, SP (R)
5. Edwin Jackson, SP (R)

Bullpen:
CL: Bobby Parnell, RP (R)
SU: Juan Urbina, RP (L)
Notable Losses:
Jason Bay - Bay's option is not exercised and he eventually signs a 1-year deal with the Tigers.

Notable Acquisitions:

Felix Hernandez - The Mets acquire Hernandez from Seattle who could not afford his $20 Million contract and wished to re-build.

Fantasy can be fun sometimes. Sadly... that's all this is.

Tight Times of 2012

Let us imagine that the Wilpon's financial constraints forced the Mets to not sign a single free agent in 2012. They can re-sign players through arbitration, but with 40 Million coming off the books, the Mets can re-invest only 10. What would the Mets look like?

2012 Lineup:
1. Angel Pagan - CF (S)
2. Josh Thole - C (L)
3. David Wright - 3B (R)
4. Ike Davis - 1B (L)
5. Jason Bay - LF (R)
6. Fernando Martinez - RF (L)
7. Ruben Tejada - SS (R)
8. Reese Havens - 2B (L)

2012 Rotation:
1. Johan Santana, SP (L)
2. Mike Pelfrey, SP (R)
3. Jonathan Niese, SP (L)
4. R.A. Dickey, SP (R)
5. Jenrry Mejia, SP (R)

2012 Bullpen:
1. CL: Bobby Parnell, RP (R)
2. SU: Manny Alvarez, RP (R)
3. MR: D.J. Carrasco, RP (R)
4. MR: Pat Misch, RP (L)
5. LOOGY: Mark Cohoon, RP (L)
6. LR: Dillon Gee, RP (R)

Bench:
1. Mike Nickeas, C (R)
2. Daniel Murphy, Util (L)
3. Matt Den Dekker, OF (L)
4. Jordany Valdespin, IF (L)
5. Nick Evans, 1B/LF (R)

Lineup: You might notice that Reyes is gone... Beltran is gone and that Reese Havens has been promoted to starting 2B. I guess I'm showing a little optimism that Havens and Martinez could be healthy, but if they are... I would think that lineup could still be capable of winning some games. Thole is built in the #2 hitter mold, Martinez can protect Bay and the others and Havens and Tejada would not be an awful bottom of the order.

Rotation: This has an 80% chance of ACTUALLY BEING the rotation. The fact is... that Roy Oswalt is the biggest FA starter that will be available. Now.. the Mets might move on from Pelfrey or Harvey could be ready quickly, but a rotation starting with Santana and ending with Mejia is probably a step and a half up from the rotation now.

Bullpen: This is where the Mets show their needs. I suppose the Mets could stay pretty meager and bring back a Byrdak or an Isringhausen etc... The Mets don't have a lot of MLB level pitching near the majors and that includes the relievers.

Bench: First, where is Duda? Second, why are Valdespin and Den Dekker on the team? Duda is a lefty and the Mets cannot afford to have Murphy and Duda on the bench. Murphy simply plays more positions. Valdespin is the guy who can play the middle infield positions and doesn't have a high ceiling that would be ruined by a year on the bench. Den Dekker is a pure CF, where Nieuwenhuis is not. Add to this that Captain Kirk could be more of a starting MLB player given the opportunity and Den Dekker winds up on the bench.

Hopefully the Mets are purchased by a wealthy person who wants to let Alderson and company have free rights to build the Mets as they need to make them win. Here's hoping...

The Mets of the Future

The Mets have a new man at the helm and he likes to keep the wallet from opening too frequently. That is good in general, but does it mean that the Mets payroll will dwindle to the ranks of the middle 20 teams of baseball or does it just mean that the money the Mets typically spend (bottom of the top 5 payrolls) will just be spent better?

2012: We know the story, 40 Mil comes off the books (as long as K-Rod doesn't close a certain number of games...) yes whatever. 40 Mil is good, but what can it buy us? The Mets will likely be letting Jose Reyes reach free agency, this means that if the Mets don't have an in-house backup plan, almost half of that is going to Jose. Add in the raises for a number of the players and the Mets could be left with 10 or so million to spend on NEW talent. That isn't SO bad, it's just not SO good either.

The Mets COULD go a different direction with Jose. Move Ike Davis into the outfield and have God awful defense... or something of that nature. Actually let's get it out there... If you want Pujols... know this: The Mets will trade Davis to make room and fix the actual problem of no pitching. That isn't an awful solution as no great free agent SP's are available this winter. Know also that Pujols might mean no Jose and that it would require the exact kind of contract Sandy Alderson opposes.

2013: Almost no additional money comes off the books in 2013 but do you know what DOES happen? David Wright enters the option year of his contract. That means David Wright goes from making 16 million to upwards of 20. That's another giant contract but one I assume Alderson will be forced to hand out. It will also likely be the last Met year for Johan Santana who has proved a little too injury prone for his contract's terms.

2014: Basically all the big money on the table today can be off the books for 2014. If the Mets wanted to cut all ties with major players and get their payroll below that of the Pittsburgh Pirates they could manage it by 2014. Jason Bay comes off the books, Johan Santana is gone... this would mean that quite a few other players also left and the Mets failed to retain Jose Reyes, David Wright, and other young players currently on the Big Club. Hopefully by 2014 the Mets can roll out the HOJO-BOT 5000 and the laser pistol and super shoulder I equipped him with.

This is Phlavio Phega and, if it relates to the Mets, I have an opinion.