Tag Archives: Winter Meetings

Dec 12

Wrapping Up Mets At Winter Meetings

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LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - The New York Mets left the Winter Meetings a better team than when they arrived. They haven’t been the busiest team this offseason, and didn’t make the biggest splash, but they have been far from dormant and above all, kept their word on being proactive.

COLON: Surprise addition.

COLON: Surprise addition.

Jeff Wilpon and Sandy Alderson took considerable heat for being dormant and talking a good game, but the additions of Curtis Granderson and Bartolo Colon were not talk. They aren’t the highest profile free agents, but will make an impact on the 2014 Mets assuming their health.

GRANDERSON

* Fills outfield spot they’ve had open since the beginning of last season.

* Adds left-handed power bat to give protection to David Wright.

* Provides veteran presence in the clubhouse along with a player who understands what it takes to play in New York.

COLON

* Fills one of the two slots for a starting pitcher for 2014, and assuming Matt Harvey’s return the following season, completes the 2015 rotation.

* Adds a pitcher who threw 190 innings in 2013 for Oakland, so we’re talking about durability.

* Adds mound presence young arms can learn from.

In addition to Granderson and Colon, this also came from Mets’ manager Terry Collins:

* Bobby Parnell might not be ready for spring training.

* As of now, Ruben Tejada is their shortstop.

* He’s prepared to go into spring training with both Ike Davis and Lucas Duda on the roster.

* He’s prepared to have Anthony Recker as the back-up catcher to Travis d’Arnaud.

* Wilmer Flores is in better shape, which could enable him to play the middle infield.

* The Mets don’t have a leadoff hitter if Eric Young doesn’t play.

* Said Chris Young is poised for a surprise season.

The Mets still have a way to go and must address the following:

* Find a resolution to the Davis situation. Sandy Alderson spoke with the Brewers on his way out of town, but Milwaukee GM Doug Melvin said nothing is happening there.

* They need another starter, at least for the first two months of the season until they are ready to bring up Rafael Montero.

* The acquisition of a veteran back-up shortstop behind Tejada.

* Bullpen depth in anticipation of Parnell not being ready.

* Determine who will be their leadoff hitter when Eric Young doesn’t play.

Although the Mets were more active than many anticipated, I felt they let several opportunities slip through their grasp, among them:

* Did not pursue Phil Hughes. Who would you rather have, a 27-year-old Hughes for $24 million over three years or a 40-year-old Colon for $20 million over two years?

* Despite needing bullpen help, didn’t make a run at Joba Chamberlain, who signed with Tigers.

* Could have had Nate McLouth over Chris Young. McLouth signed today with Washington.

There’s still a lot of time and a lot of work to do before spring training.

Your comments are greatly appreciated and I will attempt to respond. Follow me on Twitter @jdelcos

Dec 11

On Tap For Mets Today At Winter Meetings

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LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - As long as the battery works on New York Mets GM Sandy Alderson’s cell phone, he’ll be trying to trade Ike Davis.

Teams don’t often speak openly about players on their roster they are attempting to trade, but Alderson has made no secret he’s shopping the struggling first baseman. Manager Terry Collins didn’t help Alderson’s cause any by suggesting Davis presses at the plate.

“There’s a time where they’ve got to hit a homer,” Collins said of power hitters like Davis.  “They’ve got to hit a homer.  Singles don’t get it.  So I know that there are times that they’ll probably press a little bit knowing they’ve got to produce runs and that’s part of it.”

That means Davis is a project which any team talking to the Mets must realize.

Alderson will also spend the day looking for a starting pitcher as his choices are dwindling. The Mets aren’t close to any trades or signings, so today should be relatively quiet.

The Mets will also spend part of the day preparing for Thursday’s Rule 5 Draft.

LATER THIS MORNING: Wilpon says Alderson not restricted financially.

Your comments are greatly appreciated and I will attempt to respond. Follow me on Twitter @jdelcos

Dec 10

Day Two: Mets Winter Meetings Wrap

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LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – The New York Mets concluded their second day at the Winter Meetings learning Curtis Granderson looks good wearing the No. 3.

Other than that, it was another slow day for the ballclub, with only the re-signing of Jeremy Hefner the lone thing passing for an addition.

General manager Sandy Alderson said the team is still attempting to trade Ike Davis, but manager Terry Collins said he plans to go into spring training with the anticipation of having both Davis and Lucas Duda on the roster.

Collins touched on several topics today, including Ruben Tejada, saying as of now he’s his shortstop. Even so, neither Alderson nor Jeff Wilpon ruled out Stephen Drew, but with the Red Sox saying they are interested in retaining him, the Mets appear unlikely, especially since the opening bid for him is $14.1 million.

Alderson continued to work the phones for a starter, but nothing was close. Once on their radar, Bronson Arroyo is close

Your comments are greatly appreciated and I will attempt to respond. Follow me on Twitter @jdelcos

Dec 10

What’s On Tap For Mets Today At Winter Meetings

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LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - I’ll have a post this morning on how the Mets’ reluctance to offer multi-year deals could be working against them in their quest to acquire starting pitching.

COLLINS: Will talk today.

COLLINS: Will talk today.

This afternoon, manager Terry Collins will address the national media, and invariably answer questions about his rotation, bullpen and the first base situation. Alderson will also talk to the media this afternoon. If there are questions you’d like answered from Collins, please write them as a comment on this post and I’ll do my best to get them asked.

Alderson said nothing was imminent on the Ike Davis front, but a team to keep an eye on are the Pittsburgh Pirates. Speaking of the Pirates, there is no interest in bringing back catcher John Buck. The Mets have not said anything about bringing back Buck.

I plan on hosting another Q & A on Twitter today. I will announce a time later. Speaking of which, I ask that you follow me on Twitter. Thanks.

LATER THIS MORNING: The Mets’ reluctance to give multi-year contracts, plus their young pitching depth, are working against them in their quest for starting pitching.

Your comments are greatly appreciated and I will attempt to respond. Follow me on Twitter @jdelcos

Dec 09

Mets Conclude First Day Of Winter Meetings With No Moves

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While the New York Mets would like to deal Ike Davis or Lucas Duda by the end of the week, general manager Sandy Alderson gave no indication today a move was imminent.

Teams are waiting out the Mets in the hope either might be released, but that won’t happen. Alderson said prospective buyers are exploring other options, whether it is in the trade or free-agent markets. And, teams could be offering the Mets little in return.

ALDERSON: Nothing doing.

ALDERSON: Nothing doing.

There are a lot of reasons why a trade doesn’t get done.

“That’s always the case,’’ Alderson said. “There’s always going to be an alternative. That’s what provides the tension of negotiating a deal. [Teams] are always looking at what their alternatives are. That’s what provides the tension of getting something done and not getting something done; simply there are other options.’’

Of course, it could take one phone call to change everything. A team could offer the Mets a sweet deal, or Alderson can cave just to make a trade.

The latter is highly unlikely.

“Could we do something?’’ Alderson rhetorically asked. “Yeah, we have that ability. Whether we do it or not is a function of what we can get and what our other options are.’’

Working against the Mets in trying to trade Davis is that other teams are aware of his shortcomings and of the Mets’ overt desire to swing a deal. The Mets have not been subtle in this, and given the high probability Davis won’t be with the team next spring have teams being reluctant.

They aren’t waiting in line to talk trade about Duda, either.

“Everybody is aware of what we have. We don’t have to advertise that,’’ Alderson said. “As far as marketing, [other teams] do their own evaluations. If somebody is not inclined to make a deal for a particular player, it is difficult to talk them into it and get something in return.’’

Your comments are greatly appreciated and I will attempt to respond. Follow me on Twitter @jdelcos