FanPost

AAOP: Need More Grichuk

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The Mets have some core pieces to win. Scooter, Thor, and Jake are a great start. 150 games of Cespedes wouldn't hurt either. So would 75+ starts from Matz, Wheeler, and Harvey. Will all this happen? Who knows! The truth is, these must happen for the Mets to contend. We have no farm. For that reason, gutting our roster makes no sense, especially since we would not be able to rebuild our system in 1 season. We don't have those types of tradable assets. The key to an offseason like this is creativity. Signing Lorenzo Cain, Wade Davis, Jake McGee and Carlos Santana is not possible. We can't spend money like the Dodgers or Red Sox (thanks Jeff Wilpon, Bernie Madoff, Bobby Bonilla, David Wright)

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Please. Sell. The. Team.

Trades

*DISCLAIMER: This is my first AAOP. I do not know much about farm systems. If my trades are awful, feel free to comment.

Aquire Ian Kinsler for Marcos Molina

  • I thought about a bunch of names to play 2B. Kinsler sticks out due to his leadership, strong fielding, and playoff success. He can also hit leadoff. He is 35 with 1 year of control. Last year was his worst year in the bigs. He still hit .236/.312/.412 with 22 HR , 14 SB, and 2.1 WAR.
  • Marcos Molina seems like a fair price. He has recovered strongly from TJ surgery. He should be big league ready by 2019, which appeals to the rebuilding Tigers. Really, insert any mid level prospect here. My main point is that Kinsler improves many facets of this team.
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Trade Asdrubal Cabrera for David Phelps

  • I like Asdrubal Cabrera. He is a decent player, who hits just well enough to overcome his weak defense. I would welcome him back to the team if the Mets could have a larger payroll. The Mets simply cannot pay $8.5 million for a utility player. Thanks for the memories Asdrubal!
  • David Phelps is a quality swing man with 1 year of team control. He is projected to make $5.8 million, but would make more on the open market.
  • Seattle is desperate to win. Currently, their top INF bench option is Taylor Motter, who hit .198 in 250 AB next year. They also have Dan Vogelbach playing 1B. The Mariners make this deal and give Cabby a 1B glove to try. This is a typical Jerry DiPoto trade.

Acquire Randal Grichuk for Hansel Robles and Gavin Cecchini

  • The Cardinals seem ready to deal their OF depth, as Tommy Pham has turned into a quality, everyday player for them. Grichuk seems to be the odd man out. He grades out positively in CF and RF and has some pop. The strikeouts are a problem, but a change of scenery could do him wonders. A 9th inning OF defense of Grichuk, Lagares, and Cespedes/Conforto would be awesome.
  • The Cardinals need relievers. Robles would be a piece to take a flier on in hopes that he regains his 2015-2016 form. Looking at their prospect depth, STL seems to lack INF prosepcts. See ya, Gavin!

Trade Rafael Montero to the A's for Casey Mesiner (A's #28 prospect)

  • Rafael brings back SP depth, in the form of familiar face
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Free Agents

Sign Todd Frazier (3 years/34.5 million, opt out after year 1)

  • I don't know exactly why, but I have always been a fan of Todd Frazier. He loves to play the game. Yes, his batting average sucks. What matters is that he can clobber the ball, play Gold Glove caliber defense, and bring leadership to a clubhouse that needs it. All the sudden, the Mets have an elite INF defense that includes Rosario, Kinsler, and Frazier. That helps our pitchers tremendously.
  • I think that Frazier will get more money then people realize. Therefore, including an opt out will hopefully be the difference maker. If he plays at an All Star level again, he will opt out, but both sides win.

Sign Jose Reyes (1 year/1.5 million)

  • He hit well enough in the second half. He loves to play here and will certainly take a discount. The $6.5 million difference justifies shipping Cabby away. That pays for David Phelps. Plus, Rosario loves him.
reyesrosario.0.jpgSign Addison Reed (3 years/27 million)
  • Stick with what has worked. Addison Reed is durable, has seen success in NY, and capable of closing.
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Welcome back, Addison.

Sign Miguel Gonzalez (1 year/3 million)

  • The Mets do NOT need an ace. That's what Jake and Thor are for. What this team needs is 180+ replacement level innings. Perfect job for Gonzalez. Throws a decent amount of strikes, gets outs. The Mets can't afford Jake Arrieta or Yu Darvish. Lance Lynn and Alex Cobb will be overpaid. Tyler Chatwood isn't durable. The difference maker is not there. If the Mets are contending and need an above average SP, make a trade around the deadline. These free agents are not worth it.

The Depth

My favorite part. Finding the next RA Dickey.

  • Minor League Deals: Tyler Moore, Chase d'Arnaud, Chris Martin, Josh Collmenter, Craig Gentry, Mike Bolsinger 494534977.0.0.jpg
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Who wore it better?

The Lineup

C: TDA/Plaw

1B: Dominic Smith

2B: Ian Kinsler

SS: Amed Rosario

3B: Todd Frazier

LF: Yoenis Cespedes

CF: Randal Grichuk

LF: Michael Conforto

The Bench

Brandon Nimmo
Juan Lagares

Wilmer Flores

Jose Reyes

TDA/Plaw

The Starters

1. Jacob deGrom

2. Noah Syndergaard

3. 2 choices...

a. Matthew Edward Harvey

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b. The Dark Knight

Standalone_1.0.jpg4. Steven Matz

5. Miguel Gonzalez/Zack Wheeler/Seth Lugo

The Bullpen

CL: Jeurys Familia

Setup: Addison Reed

LOOGY: Jerry Blevins

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David Phelps

Paul Sewald

Seth Lugo/Miguel Gonzalez/Zack Wheeler (2 of 3)

PAYROLL: $145.2 million

David Wright:

  • I would be thrilled to see David Wright jog out to 3B on Opening Day (no, not in a retirement ceremony). If DW shows he is capable of playing, find a way to put him on the Opening Day roster. Dom Smith can go down to AAA for more seasoning, put Wright or Frazier at 1B
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