Mets Minor League Free Agents

The minor league free-agent market is now open, and over 600 bushers are available.

Soon I will provide my list of players worth considering. In the meantime, here is the list of players free to leave the Mets’ organization:

Righthanderd Pitchers: Joe Hietpas, Brian Lawrence, Clint Nageotte, Marcelo Perez, Corey Ragsdale, Jose Santiago

Lefthanded Pitchers: Ricardo Morales, Raul Valdes

Catchers: Edwards Guzman, Jose Reyes

First baseman: Andy Tracy

Second basemen: J.E. Cruz, Jake Gautreau

Third basemen: Brett Harper, Vince Harrison, Fernando Tatis

Shortstops: Jason Alfaro, Wilson Batista, Mark Kiger

Outfielders: Ender Chavez, Ambiorix Concepcion, Elvis Cruz, Jesus Feliciano, Chad Hermansen, Luis Matos, Miguel Negron

Hietpas used to be a “catch and throw” catcher, meaning a catcher who couldn’t hit. He was converted to pitching early in 2007. Ragsdale was a similar case; he was a no-hit shortstop with a cannon who finally tried pitching this past year. There’s a possibility both will return.

Brett Harper is the only guy that jumps out. He was once a slugging first base prospect who had a hard time progressing as quickly as the Mets would have liked. He had a fine season in AA last year — but as a 26-year-old. By his age, he wants to be in MLB. Unfortunately, he’s a one-dimensional power hitter, with poor fielding skills and a slug around the bases. Yes, I’ve just described Carlos Delgado, but Delgado has hit 40 HRs at the MLB level. Who knows, though … both Travis Hafner and Jeff Bagwell were late bloomers.

No worries regarding Ender Chavez. It is indeed Ender and not Endy.

Ambiorix Concepcion was once a crown jewel of the system — in 2004 he was the #1 prospect in the NY-Penn League, prompting Baseball America to say “There wasn’t a manager in the league who questioned the remarkable talent of Brooklyn outfielder Ambiorix Concepcion.” Since then, however, he has regressed, and spent all of last year in A ball after being overmatched by AA in 2006. His quick fall from grace should be considered by Mets fans who have remarkably high hopes for youngsters such as Francisco Martinez — evaluating teenage talent can be a real crapshoot.

The rest of the free agents are mostly filler players and non-prospects — no one that the Mets will miss.