10/13/13

The War Room - One Free Agent

avatar - war room

Let’s get today started with one simply question and all of you can take the room where you would like it to go.

Let’s say you are Sandy Alderson and Fred Wilpon walks in your office and tells you that you can only sign one player in this off-season, but it can be for as much as it takes to the sign the player and for any amount of years that wouldn’t make the team look clueless. You get one shot and one shot only to improve this team for the 2014 season, and beyond.

Who would you sign?

20 comments:

Kevin said...

The easy answer is the best player in Cano. But realistically, the best player who makes the most sense for the Mets, is a much harder question. I'd actually say Peralta since he has a strong bat and decent glove, he would be a major improvement.

Or anyone who can hit cleanup - Nelson Cruz

Kevin said...

The easy answer is the best player in Cano. But realistically, the best player who makes the most sense for the Mets, is a much harder question. I'd actually say Peralta since he has a strong bat and decent glove, he would be a major improvement.

Or anyone who can hit cleanup - Nelson Cruz

Mike said...

I would say sign the free agent that cost the most dollars, for the simple reason that, Fred Wilpon sucks as an owner of a NY team..maybe bad decisions will hasten his departure of owning the mets, and maybe we will have a new owner one day that actually cares about the mets and there fans and about winning. I'm disgusted to be a met fan...

Reese said...

I'd have to concur. You have an in-house option for 1B in Wilmer Flores if you're ready to move past last year's um, er, "solution". You can pick up outfielders in trade more easily than you can other positions due to volume. Theoretically you have LF and CF covered so you'd only have to find someone for RF. After Tulowitzki and Peralta it's a huge drop-off in production at the SS position.

Ed Marcus said...

I too would say Canoe but I do think if he gets anywhere near what he's asking the team that takes him on will have an A-Rod situation on his hands ( diminishing returns injuries etc) as an alternative I believe I would sign Napoli to a 3 year contract

Mack Ade said...

I would sign Ellsbury.

Remember, the question said I could sign anyone I wanted as long as I didn't give him too many years. I can't see him getting the 8 years his agent says it will take to sign him. I'd give him the money he wants but only up to 2019.

Charley said...

I agree with Mack.

It would be Elsbury or Abreu. I think Elabury would make a great impact.

Although I think the mets won't even bother with either one.

Cano can be a payroll killer during the last half of his contract in the Bronx. I wouldn't pay him that huge contract and I hate the fact that he thinks he's worth that.

If I was the Yanks, I'd tell'em to go find the best deal he can and than I'd match it, not a penny more. And that's only if the final deal doesn't exceed 135 million for 7 years.

Mark said...

Tough call. If it is clearly for PR benefit and on field performance than Cano solidifies the middle of the lineup while putting the maximum number of fans in the seats. If we are talking about the player that has the chance to solve more of the Mets problems than I agree with Mack and I sign Ellsbury. Ellsbury gives us a leadoff hitter with speed and the potential for occasional pop. If Mets could trade for Reyes than my answer would default back to Cano. Pitching, speed, and defense is the name of the game and the quicker Alderson figures that out the better. Darkhorse would be Tanaka. Top of the rotation starter that would not come with the loss of a draft pick and gives the Mets more flexibility now and in the future to trade some of their stockpiled starting pitchers in the minors for bats.

Richard said...

Build the strongest pitching staff in all baseball. Use pitching depth to acquire bats. Sign Tanaka.

Mack Ade said...

Richard, yours is a good choice but we have to address the lack of runs someday and the system has very little to offer for the next couple of seasons.

I picked Ellsbury because he would set the table with his ability and speed.

I also would play him in CF which would move both den Dekker and Lagares to corner outfielders and I'd have one of the top defensive outfields in the game.

Derek said...

Ervin Santana. He is an innings eater like Arroyo but 7 years younger. An established veteran moving to the NL. Will allow the younger pitchers to get healthy and develop and in a couple of years if he is your #5SP then that is great for the Mets.

Charley said...

Boy would I love to skip strait too March and see what this team will look like.

I think they'll be far too many teams vying for too few impact players and Sandy, Wilpons, & company are fooling themselves into thinking they'll remake a roster with 30 million bucks.

The above average player into today's game makes 10 million a year. That's three players and they've shot their load. The Mets will have to keep Davis at first to give themselves the potential for 30 homers at that position because they just don't have the funds to upgrade more then three positions while adding a veteran starter and solidifying the bullpen.

They know this I'm sure, so I wouldn't expect anything but a half hearted attempt at players like Abreu and Elsbury. Probably Choo as well.

Peralta, Bryd, and possibly Beltran seem like the best options right now.

Jame said...

I'd personally want Stephen Drew. We have NOTHING at shortstop. He'd help a lot. THen to get back to the real world if he, Beltran, Byrd are all added I think that could be pretty good.

Mack Ade said...

Don't be surprised if the 'go get the best offer and then call me' plan has already been worked out with Fred Wilpon and Carlos Beltran.

Mack Ade said...

I really worry about Drew, who really didn't have a great stat line playing in that band box

Michael S. said...

Ellsbury...for the reasons Mack stated.

Richard said...

I would go after young outfielders, like Peterson from LA, with pitchers like Montero.
The only pitching prospects I would not deal would be Syndergaard, Mejia, and Matz. If I were actually a GM I would have a better idea of what I can get for Gee, Montero, deGrom, and the others.
I would be hanging my hopes on a return of Harvey, along with Wheeler, Syndergaard, Tanaka, Matz, and Meija.
Also I saw some video of Tanaka. I would want to here from scouts. He looked awesome in the video, even being a highlights it was still very impressive but I would like to hers from those who saw him in person over several games.
Ellsbury would be a good choice also. Much less a risk, fills a need directly.

TJ said...

Mets really need a real #4 hitter, and preferably a lefty behind DW. I'd say Reggie Jackson if he is game. If not, I'd say Bronson Arroyo to stabilize the staff and lead the kids.

John said...

While I would love a hitter such as Cano or Choo, I think this is a difficult question to answer because no one knows what the market will be for the bats. Signing Cano would be great but signing Cano for 10 years 200 million would be a bad idea. I think if the Mets are only able to sign one free agent, I would like for them to sign Tim Hudson. If the Mets want to develop their prized, young arms, then an established, veteran starter would go a long way in helping them.

Of course the price must be right and other people would need to be added to the lineup.

Herb G said...

If I knew I could trade for David Price, I'd sign Ellsbury. But getting Price is a long shot since everyone will be in on him. So I would probably end up putting my money on Tanaka. A 2015 - 2019 rotation fronted by Harvey, Tanaka, Syndergaard and Wheeler would be absolutely dominant. We wouldn't have to score all that many runs, but I would add offense through trades this off season anyway. Asdrubal Cabrera or a reasonable facsimile threrof at SS and one first rate outfielder like Cespedes, Bautista, Braun, etc.