Alex Cora To Return In 2010? Say It Ain't So Adam Rubin

by James Kannengieser on Sep 30, 2009 5:00 AM EDT in Analysis Comment 52 comments

In a recap of last night's game, Adam Rubin inserted a couple blurbs about the Mets' backup middle infield situation next season:

[Anderson] Hernandez has demonstrated he doesn’t have the aptitude to play shortstop at the major-league level—even if he could handle second base.

This is true. Hernandez has looked terrible at shortstop and the numbers back it up: -16.1 UZR/150 and -18 plus-minus/150 for his career. He's worth keeping in the organization mainly because he can play 2nd base admirably. The next passage is troubling:

The likelihood is the Mets re-sign Alex Cora as the backup middle infielder, which would leave Hernandez and Wilson Valdez as extras who could potentially fit at Triple-A.

This is bizarre. By all accounts, Cora had a poor year. A .288 wOBA, below average defense and multiple injuries ended in a replacement level season. Granted, he wasn't expected to play as much as he did but the Mets paid $2 million for a performance that any number of freely available players could have provided. Cora brought some toughness and veteran leadership to the team, but let's get real - he should not be brought back. He's 34 and appears to be fading fast in all aspects of his game. Don't let him become another Julio Franco or Marlon Anderson, hanging around past the point of usefulness.

Wilson Valdez would be a superior choice for backup middle infielder. I'm a broken record but in limited time this year Valdez has been worth half a win. He's likely hitting better than his true talent level but defensively he has been superb, living up to his reputation. Cut ties with Cora and stick with the cheap 31 year-old "Infield Endy" who will help young groundballers Mike Pelfrey and Jon Niese record outs.

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I can't wait to see how much we spend on useless pieces this year

Another $2 million for Cora, $7 million for Molina, we somehow trade Castillo and sign Hudson for 3/$30 million, Francoeur 3/$18 Million and Aubrey Huff 2/$16 million

And then when we come in third place, we’ll hear everyone saying “see Wright and Reyes just aren’t winning players, look at all the talent around them!”

"We must win and we must know how to win rather than win because we have statistical people."

by Evan_S on Sep 30, 2009 7:09 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

i weep for this inevitablility

by KeithsMoustache on Sep 30, 2009 12:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I liked what I saw from Cora early on. I like his attitude, and he seems a fair backup. I haven’t liked Wilson Valdez much, even if he’s played better lately. He’s also no spring chicken. He would be cheaper, true.

You can say attitude/‘intangibles’ means nothing, and maybe it does. But if it does mean something, better in a backup infielder that doesn’t have to contribute much in other regards, than in RF everyday.

Really, this guy’s going to play in like 12 games hopefully. 4 for Reyes, 8 for Castillo. Not one of the things I’m worried about.

-Ceetar, the Optimistic Mets Fan

by Ceetar on Sep 30, 2009 7:56 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Please direct me to where I wrote "attitude/intangibles means nothing"

I’m also curious what you think of Valdez’s attitude/intangibles, and why.

by James Kannengieser on Sep 30, 2009 8:49 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

My focus on the the Mets, especially interviews and stuff where I’d actually hear Valdez, has been pretty low since Valdez was necessitated. Fair assessment then? Probably not.

You didn’t, but it’s one of those ideas that’s floated out there, that attitude doesn’t mean that much, if anything. I think it’s often overrated by the media, but it’s also often undervalued by stat-heads.

You hear good things about Cora, and not so much about Valdez. Cora has been part of ‘winning ballclubs’. Is that worth anything? who knows..but for 1.5million or less, this isn’t exactly a move that will make or break the team. The Mets have had problems signing the correct ‘fringe’ guys the last couple of years. (On the other hand, they’ve been guilty of holding on to some of them too long as well)

-Ceetar, the Optimistic Mets Fan

by Ceetar on Sep 30, 2009 9:03 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The thing is

In your earlier comment you see Cora as a guy who gets in maybe 12 games next year (assuming good health on the middle infield, of course). Why spend $1.5-2 million on that guy, when you have a cheaper option with a better glove? This isn’t a signing that you’d agonize over too much if the Mets were looking to spend more money next year, but in an environment where the team is not going to increase payroll, saving that million dollars or so and going with Wilson Valdez makes a difference by freeing up money to target better players at positions with more pressing needs, like 1B, C, RF, LF, etc.

And Cora may have been on some “winning ballclubs,” but he was also on the 2009 Mets.

"He's definitely mixing it into his repertoire. That's French for 'repertoire' " - Keith Hernandez

by Catsmeat Potter-Pirbright on Sep 30, 2009 9:39 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Exactly

Spending 2 million here (say, on a backup middle infielder) and 2 million there (say, on a middle relief pitcher), and pretty soon that adds up. Heck, Randy Wolf’s base salary was 5 million this year – for three of these guys, you could have had him.

Maybe each individual contract isn’t worth much, but when you’re trying to optimize a budget, every little bit counts.

by mnbv on Sep 30, 2009 9:45 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Rec'd

And Cora may have been on some "winning ballclubs," but he was also on the 2009 Mets.

by James Kannengieser on Sep 30, 2009 9:49 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

true.

It’s 1.5 million this year. I’m not 100% on how contracts work, but it looks like they’d have to agree on a deal for next year as a free agent. Or not. he’s 31 but has played in Japan. the Indians signed him as a minor league free agent this year. Assuming they have to renegotiate his salary, do you really think he signs for league minimum? Also, Cora has to be resigned as well. Don’t offer him 2 million, as a guy that’s coming off an injury and getting older, it’s not unreasonable to try 1.5 million. If someone else signs him..so what, it’s Alex Cora. If someone signs Wilson Valdez while you’re talking to Cora? So what..Valdez is hardly what I’d call irreplaceable.

the best answer is probably the third choice. The other guy. Someone else. Someone younger and more agile, someone that can also backup first(or the OF)

Valdez is a 31 year old guy who’s idea of a career year is this 40 game stretch with the Mets where he’s batting .260. This would be ‘buying high’ and that just doesn’t mean money, it also means talent. (Francoeur probably fits this bill too..)

On the other hand, anybody with real talent/younger isn’t a guy looking to play 15 games a year.

What we’re basically saying here is that we’re not going to look to get a quality guy for this role because we can’t afford it? Arguably this is Minaya’s biggest weakness, the little odds and ends. The extra bench guy, the backup IF, the 4th OF that’s a decent replacement for Alou, a solid reliever to spell Feliciano so he’s not burnt out by the end of ‘07 and ’08. The power pinch hitter that’s not an old guy coming off a good year. (Anderson, Tatis)

-Ceetar, the Optimistic Mets Fan

by Ceetar on Sep 30, 2009 10:11 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm confused

You think Valdez will cost $1.5 million? What?

Also, Cora has to be resigned as well. Don’t offer him 2 million, as a guy that’s coming off an injury and getting older, it’s not unreasonable to try 1.5 million.

Why does Cora have to be re-signed? $1.5 million for Cora is unnecessary. But if that does happen, will you be on here complaining about the Mets not having the $$ to sign good players? Maybe I’m splitting hairs here over a backup middle infield position but it’s decisions like this that separate good organizations from bad ones.

by James Kannengieser on Sep 30, 2009 10:19 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

No, it’s a maximum of a $1.5 million difference, and it’s possible Cora can be signed for less or Valdez would have to be signed for me. Suddenly that difference is shrinking.

You’re exactly right that it’s these decisions that make a good organization. Anyone can go out and sign the big guy for the big hole. What I’m saying is you’re severely overrating Valdez. He’s not worth keeping just because he’s cheaper than Cora. I’d rather spend that money on Cora if the alternative solution is signing Valdez ($1-$1.5 million should not make or break the Mets budget. And either way, they should know how much they’re willing/going to sign for C/C/LF/1B and know what they have to spend on this spot of the roster. Just because you can save money doesn’t mean you should), but the ‘best’ answer may be signing a different guy altogether.

-Ceetar, the Optimistic Mets Fan

by Ceetar on Sep 30, 2009 10:34 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Cora is a bad fielder and a bad hitter

Valdez is a bad hitter but a very good fielder, so doesn’t that make him more valuable than Cora?

"We must win and we must know how to win rather than win because we have statistical people."

by Evan_S on Sep 30, 2009 10:48 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not to mention money

Valdez can probably be had for half what Cora would cost and at the very least they should be about equal in value.

by Balagast on Sep 30, 2009 11:36 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

If the Mets

keep Castillo, then why wouldn’t Andy Hernandy be backing up both middle IF positions?

by deadspy3 on Sep 30, 2009 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Because A. It’d be stupid to get rid of Castillo, and B. Anderson Hernandez has shown nothing this year.

-Ceetar, the Optimistic Mets Fan

by Ceetar on Sep 30, 2009 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well, he's been fine at 2B

when he has played for the Mets or Nats. And he would be an ok backup SS if he was playing 10 games there over a year. Anticipating Castillo will have a fall-off next year, I would still prefer to ship him out, play A Hernandez at 2B, probably use Oil Spill as back-up IF, and use the money from Castillo towards Holliday and pitching.

by deadspy3 on Sep 30, 2009 11:52 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Why would you weaken 2B so significantly by playing Hernandez? Castillo’s not exactly making a fortune and there is no reason we can’t get Holliday without having to trade off good parts of the team.

-Ceetar, the Optimistic Mets Fan

by Ceetar on Sep 30, 2009 12:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe

but money is going to be tight next year if we’re talking about Holliday plus an SP plus a couple of bullpen arms… If I were confident Castillo could both keep up his great season with the bat and also cut out some silly errors I would be much more enthusiastic about keeping him, but he’s an old guy with weak knees and no range. The improvement on D with a Reyes-Hernandez middle IF combo is very intriguing to me, particularly with the way the defense has stuffed Pelf this year. As I’m also interested in signing Joel Pineiro, that applies to him also.

by deadspy3 on Sep 30, 2009 12:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

If we can get rid of Castillo

I want Polanco. He’s coming off a down year offensively, but he has a great glove and could have relatively cheap.

"We must win and we must know how to win rather than win because we have statistical people."

by Evan_S on Sep 30, 2009 2:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

When they're basically the same in value going forward (and you could even argue Valdez is more valuable)

that “shrinking difference” is still money better used elsewhere.

"I dunno. I never smoked any Astroturf"
-Tug McGraw

by squid92 on Sep 30, 2009 3:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well, I'm sure Cora's attitude will be awesome when we lose 90 games.

"I dunno. I never smoked any Astroturf"
-Tug McGraw

by squid92 on Sep 30, 2009 3:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Also

“Oil Slick” is my favorite AA Met nickname

You don't cheer for the Mets. You drink for the Mets.

by Kevin H on Sep 30, 2009 8:28 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

If he gets a contract...

It’s because the team likes him as a person, not a player.

by The 'Ropolitans on Sep 30, 2009 8:56 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Alex

We just like you as a friend

by HotChipWillBreakYourLegs on Sep 30, 2009 10:01 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

This team...

finds new ways to disappoint me every day. I have nothing else to add to what’s already been said, but this is why the Mets depress me so much.

I could handle this being a flukishly bad year due to injuries if it was going to get better in the future. But as long as Omar and Jerry the Clown are running the show, we might as well get used to this.

by Bieser's Balk on Sep 30, 2009 10:24 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I have a hard time getting

excited about Wilson Valdez. I think you guys are overrating him as a fielder, and he’s clearly hitting over his head. There has to be someone, anyone, better out there as a backup than both him and Cora.

by David G on Sep 30, 2009 11:56 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

but he is the most exquisite bunter I’ve ever seen. Not that it counts for anything, except in Jerry’s head.

by deadspy3 on Sep 30, 2009 12:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well, if the Mets make the mistake of keeping Manuel..we probably should keep a good bunter on the team. We should also probably get MLB to institute 22 man rosters, since there are always 2-3 guys Manuel just ‘forgets’ about.

-Ceetar, the Optimistic Mets Fan

by Ceetar on Sep 30, 2009 12:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

he doesnt forget

they’re just in the doghouse

by KeithsMoustache on Sep 30, 2009 12:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He clearly forgot about Nick Evans

"I dunno. I never smoked any Astroturf"
-Tug McGraw

by squid92 on Sep 30, 2009 3:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nick who?

by KeithsMoustache on Sep 30, 2009 3:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nick Evans is a single A player

He should be nowhere near the big club. The kid has a slow bat.

Gary Thorne=Simply the Best!

by The American Mr.Hockey on Sep 30, 2009 7:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

A single-A player

with a 135 OPS+ vs. left-handed pitching. And I’m sure his bat speed is faster than Jermaine Dye.

by BobbyV_Incognito on Sep 30, 2009 8:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Give me a break

Evans cant get around a fastball. Jermaine Dye can actually get around on a fastball.

Gary Thorne=Simply the Best!

by The American Mr.Hockey on Sep 30, 2009 8:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Have you become like a parody or yourself?

The guy mashes lefties. MASHES them.

"I dunno. I never smoked any Astroturf"
-Tug McGraw

by squid92 on Sep 30, 2009 10:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Mashes them eh

He really mashes those little bloopers.

Gary Thorne=Simply the Best!

by The American Mr.Hockey on Sep 30, 2009 10:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

135 OPS+ vs. lefties in the majors.

Wow, dude, he sucks. I’d much rather play awesome Cory Sullivan or Fernando Tatis. Those guys are winners!

"I dunno. I never smoked any Astroturf"
-Tug McGraw

by squid92 on Sep 30, 2009 10:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Will the Mets win with Evans in the lineup

NO!! They didnt last year with him and they didnt this year. He is an eyesore watching him hit. Stop overhyping these garbage players who will be out of baseball in 2 years.

Gary Thorne=Simply the Best!

by The American Mr.Hockey on Sep 30, 2009 10:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

So you don't want him on your Yankees, then?

"He's definitely mixing it into his repertoire. That's French for 'repertoire' " - Keith Hernandez

by Catsmeat Potter-Pirbright on Sep 30, 2009 11:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Straw man

No one thinks Evans is a superstar, except maybe his mother. What most are saying is that he’s shown some potential at the major league level (good enough to start game 162 in 2008, if you remember) and with the season down the crapper the last few months he’s barely played. Meanwhile, guys like Tatis and Sullivan have eaten up at-bats. Why not give the 23 year-old Evans a chance to play everyday? Atleast play him vs. lefties.

by James Kannengieser on Sep 30, 2009 11:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs