Mets Today

A few years ago, the Mets made a very unpopular trade during the offseason, trading one outfielder for another. The trade seemed illogical, nonsensical, and a complete mis-read of the market.

After all, the Mets swapped a Gold Glove centerfielder — Mike Cameron — to the Padres in return for an unknown corner outfielder, at a time when it seemed like half the league was in dire need of a centerfielder. Heck, it was the same offseason that journeyman Gary Mathews Jr. netted himself a five-year, $50M payday.

Everyone said that Omar Minaya was an idiot for dealing away the popular Cameron for some guy named Xavier Nady. Nady, after all, wasn’t even a fourth outfielder for San Diego — he was a converted third baseman with a suspect glove and an inability to hit righthanders. The deal was universally panned by every respected news authority.

Somehow, Nady beat out Victor Diaz for the starting rightfield spot. Somehow, Nady hit 14 homers in half a season, and became not only a formidable force in the lineup but also a fan favorite. And when the young slugger was shipped to Pittsburgh for Roberto Hernandez (and some throw-in named Oliver Perez), people were again up in arms over a Nady trade — only this time they said the Mets were crazy for trading him away. Ironically, Omar was correct in the initial Nady deal, as well as the second Nady deal. In Omar We Trust.

Once again, Minaya made a universally unpopular move in a trade of two outfielders. This time, it was Lastings Milledge going to Washington for Ryan Church and Brian Schneider. Never mind that it’s rare for a non-MLB player to fetch two legitimate MLB starters — the Nationals stink, right? Milledge will run and hit circles around both of those scrubs.

Or will he?

Like Nady, Church is coming in as a result of an extremely unpopular deal. Like Nady, Mets fans barely heard of Church before the trade. Like Nady, Church comes in with a reputation as one who can’t hit pitchers who throw from a particular side. Like Nady, the expectations are low — everyone’s expecting this deal to look like a really bad one on Omar Minaya’s resume.

And with a little luck, like Nady, Ryan Church will silence the critics, and be a guy that no one wants to see leave at the trading deadline.

In 2007, Ruben Gotay led the Mets with 15 pinch-hits. The next-closest compiler was Marlon Anderson with 10. Gotay also led all Mets pinch-hitters with 19 total bases.

Overall — meaning as a regular, as a pinch-hitter, etc. — Gotay was second on the team (to Anderson) in batting average with runners in scoring position, smacking the ball safely to the tune of .356.

Gotay also led all Mets last year in the “close and late” category, batting .349 in those situations (he edged out David Wright by 3 percentage points).

Strange, isn’t it, that Ruben had to fight for a job this spring?

Stranger still, that Ruben Gotay was waived and is now a member of the Atlanta Braves.

The 25-man roster has been established, and one must wonder what went into the final decisions — and whether the spring training game performances had any effect.

There were only a few open spots, and one huge question mark. The 13th position player, the 12th pitcher, and the 5th starter.

Brady Clark won the lucky 13th positional spot, barely edging out the .210-slugging Fernando Tatis and earning himsel a place on the bench right next to the water cooler. I’m 100% on board with this decision, but only because Ruben Gotay is now a Brave. Had Gotay still been Mets property, I might have some problem with Clark getting the nod, but bygones are bygones.

Miraculously, Mighty Joe Smith was handed the final bullpen spot. Notice I stated “handed” and not “earned”. Ricardo Rincon, Nelson Figueroa, and Steven Register all outpitched Smith this spring. Heck, even Nate Field and Joselo Diaz looked better. But Smith got the spot. I don’t get it — and I LOVE Joe Smith, but it seemed to me that it would make more sense to option Smith down and hold on to one of the aforementioned — particularly Register, who had to be sent back to Colorado, or Rincon, who I feel is this year’s J.C. Romero.

Finally, there is the utterly illogical handout of the #5 spot in the rotation to Mike Pelfrey. Like Smith, I love Big Mike and want to see him do well — but I’m not wearing rose-tinted glasses when I watch him. He still doesn’t have an off-speed pitch, and in fact doesn’t have much of a second pitch. El Duque needed to go to the DL and he did, and Pelf needed to go back to AAA to hone his game. The Mets could have slotted Jorge Sosa into the role, and then kept Figueroa, Rincon, or Register. Or, they could have given Figueroa a shot at the fifth spot. Again, not understanding why they wouldn’t take advantage of the opportunity to option Pelfrey.

We could say, aw, heck, what’s the big deal about the last three scrubs on the roster? But remember the Mets lost first place by one game in 2007 — so every man counts.

Hopefully, I have no idea what I’m talking about, and everything will work out just fine.

It’s not bad enough the Mets gave up on Ruben Gotay … but to make it worse, the hated Atlanta Braves were the team that claimed him off waivers.

Early on, it looked like Gotay might win a job on the Mets roster, but the ankle injury he suffered completely demolished his chances. The 25-year-old will join the Braves, though I can’t figure out how he fits in over there. Bobby Cox already has Kelly Johnson starting at 2B and likely playing 140-150 games at the position, with Martin Prado backing up. Prado hit well this spring (.338), as did fellow utility infielder Brent Lillibridge (.348). Presumably, one of them will start the season in the minors — though I wouldn’t want to be the informant.

What further bothers me is that the Braves do a really good job of evaluating young and “on the cusp” talent — and they’re obviously very high on Gotay’s skills. While I doubt Ruben will be much more than a utility guy and pinch-hitter, I would have preferred to see him not getting playing time with the Mets than not getting playing time with the Braves.

One last issue that bugs me comes from Willie Randolph, who said this about Fernando Tatis in a NY Post article:

“Tatis gives you more versatility,” Willie Randolph said Wednesday. “He played winter ball, so he’s in great shape. I’m not going to hold that [arrival] against him. If we feel like he can help us, then we’ll see.”

So … in other words, Willie isn’t going to hold Tatis’ late arrival to camp (due to visa problems) against him, but he IS going to hold Gotay’s ankle injury against Ruben. Because really, what’s the difference?

Gotay only hit .229 in a measly 17 ABs but he did post a .435 OBP and .529 SLG in his short trial, while playing acceptable defense at three infield positions. Tatis, on the other hand, has hit .212 with a .229 OBP and .364 SLG in twice as many at-bats. He also played adequately in the field, though his skills in LF look a little scary … and we only saw him play a few innings at 1B. Of course, there’s always the possibility that Tatis doesn’t make the team either, but I have a feeling Brady Clark is the next player cut.

In other news, Steven Register was welcomed back by the Colorado Rockies with open arms. They were only too happy to pay $25,000 for the private instruction services provided by Rick Peterson.

The Mets’ 25th man is down to Brady Clark and Fernando Tatis.

Clark is a much better outfielder and can play all three outfield positions. He’s a good singles hitter with not much power, and he runs fairly well. He strikes out more than he used to, but all in all at a less frequent rate than most batters — he’s a contact hitter and someone who can reliably execute the hit and run and drop down a bunt.

Tatis is only an okay outfielder, and is limited to the corner spots, but can also play 3B, 2B, and 1B. He once had a 34-HR season but that was a “Brady Anderson” year — he’s really more of gap hitter. His speed on the bases is somewhere between average and above-average. He’ll strike out a lot and probably won’t take too many walks.

Tough call.

On the one hand, Clark is an older, righthanded-hitting version of Angel Pagan, so once Moises Alou returns, he’s kind of redundant. On the other hand, Tatis is basically the same player as Damion Easley.

I get the feeling the Mets will lean toward Tatis, partially because they think he’s going to re-discover his homerun power, and partially for his versatility.

Either way, Ruben Gotay gets the short end of the stick.

During the first week of February, I suggested that the Mets give Sean Burnett a flyer, considering that they had plenty of room on the 40-man roster, he was a low-risk, high-reward guy, and would come cheap. At the time, I had this crazy notion that the Mets might need an extra starter — just in case one of El Duque’s body parts acted up and/or something else unexpected occurred.

Once a promising young starter for the Pirates, Burnett suffered a serious elbow injury that required Tommy John surgery and knocked him out for the better part of two seasons. ARight before spring training, the Bucs DFA’d him, but he cleared waivers and stayed on with Pittsburgh.

Burnett put up a strong performance in winter ball, did well in the Pirates’ minicamp, and has had a stellar spring. However, he is fighting for the Bucs’ last bullpen spot and there’s a good chance he won’t make the cut.

So here we are, the Mets DO need another starter, and they may have a second chance to acquire Burnett for next to nothing. He may not be a better option than Nelson Figueroa or Jorge Sosa right now, but take a look at the lack of depth waiting in AAA and you tell me whether it makes sense to stockpile some arms like his.

Who knows, maybe the Bucs will add Xavier Nady to the trade as a throw-in.

The Royals have traded Justin Huber — but not to the Mets.

Rather, Huber was sent to the San Diego Padres for a player to be named later. Huber was out of options and wasn’t part of KC’s 2008 plans.

Yes, it was a longshot for Huber to return to the Mets organization, but he appeared to be a decent fit. After all, don’t the Mets need a RH-hitting first baseman / outfielder / backup catcher? Or am I missing something?

In truth, Huber hasn’t caught since 2004, so he wouldn’t be a viable option compared to Raul Casanova. And his career .204 average isn’t exactly awe-inspiring. But we Mets fans tend to get attached to the youngins’ that come up through the organization, and as a result we sometimes look past reality in our assessments. Heck, a part of me is wondering why Preston Wilson and Grant Roberts aren’t in camp.

Yesterday marked the first appearance of Billy Wagner on The Michael Kay Show on 1050 ESPN Radio — and it won’t be the last.

Wagner will have a regular segment on the show, and I’m having a hard time figuring out how the Mets are OK with this.

As Adam Rubin noted:

“This much is guaranteed: Mets PR guru Jay Horwitz is going to have a weekly coronary, because Billy Wagner will be a weekly guest expert on ESPN radio 1050 AM.”

If you missed yesterday’s segment, you can hear it here.

Billy sort of sounds like a little kid on a farm — in a good way — with his high-pitched voice and slight southern drawl. While he didn’t say anything incredibly controversial, he definitely said a few things that could possibly be misconstrued or twisted by someone hell-bent on stirring up the Mets clubhouse. For example, when asked about “the collapse”, Wags didn’t blame anyone, but he did infer that David Wright and Jose Reyes weren’t making the plays in the field and/or weren’t focused, and that “the team could see it coming.”

Anyone else see Wagner’s regular appearance on 1050 as an accident waiting to happen? Those who regularly listen to Michael Kay might be thinking, “uh oh, another Tiki Barber”.

According to an article in the Daily News, Moises Alou could return to the Mets before the end of April — to play in baseball games.

Supposedly, Alou is way ahead of schedule in his rehab — currently riding a stationary bike and scheduled to begin jogging next week.

We spent most of the offseason wondering which veteran starter the Mets would sign as insurance behind Orlando Hernandez and Mike Pelfrey. Yes, way back in November we were concerned with the slight possibility that neither El Duque nor Pelfrey would be ready to take a spot in the rotation. Here we are, less than a week before opening day, and what do you know — the fifth spot in the rotation is the team’s largest question mark (and there are several questions right now).

Let’s take a look at who is, and who might be, available.

Free Agents

Claudio Vargas
The most recently released pitcher of consequence, Vargas was abruptly dropped by the Brewers despite a fairly decent spring. He’s a five-inning pitcher with a career ERA of just under 5, so I’m not sure he’d be any better than who the Mets already have.

Horacio Ramirez
Let go last week by the Mariners, Ramirez remains available. I’d be interested in him because of his lefthandedness, and the fact that he was fairly successful in the NL; maybe a return to the senior circuit is exactly what he needs to rediscover his groove.

Jeff Weaver
Another former Mariner, Weaver is still looking for a job. His 6.20 ERA last year is unattractive, but might be worth giving a AAA audition — but certainly not an MLB job.

Rodrigo Lopez
Also still looking for a job, Lopez had a 4.42 ERA in 14 starts with the Rockies last year. I was dead-set against making a deal for him a year ago, but today I’d consider him as a AAA option — though like Weaver there’s no way I’d give him an MLB job right away.

Freddy Garcia
He won’t be ready until at least July. I still think it’s a good idea to pay for his rehab, in hopes of getting something better than Brian Lawrence for the second half.

David Wells, Roger Clemens, Russ Ortiz, John Thomson, Eric Milton
No, no, no, no, and no.

Trade Possibilities

Jon Lieber
Here at MetsToday we strongly advocated for a Jon Lieber signing over the winter. However, Lieber was “promised” a rotation spot with the Cubs. Guess what? He’s starting the season in the ‘pen, as Ryan Dempster and Jason Marquis have won the 4th and 5th spots. Maybe the Cubs would consider moving the elderly innings eater for a NJ-born LOOGY. If they would throw in Matt Murton, all the better.

Jeremy Sowers (or Cliff Lee?)
Omar Minaya and Cleveland GM Mark Shapiro had a meeting a few days ago, but nothing was accomplished. Since then, Sowers was sent down and Cliff Lee won a spot in the Indians rotation. I’d take either of these lefties in a heartbeat right now.

Jonathan Sanchez
The Giants’ lefty is in the running for a rotation spot, but is sporting a 6.00 ERA this spring. Interestingly, that’s better than the two men he’s in competition with. I’d do Pelfrey for Sanchez straight up — though it’s doubtful there’s any chance of that happening.

Edwin Jackson
It wasn’t long ago he was among the top pitching prospects in all of baseball. He’s now losing a battle for a rotation spot with the Rays to J.P. Howell, and is out of options. The Rays might consider moving him, and who knows — maybe all the kid needs is Rick Peterson. Jackson is only 24 years old, by the way.

Dan Meyer
The Woodbury, NJ native has been a bust since being the centerpiece of the deal that sent Tim Hudson to Atlanta. The 26-year-old lefty made the A’s 25-man roster as a mopup reliever. He went 8-2 with a 3.28 ERA in 21 AAA starts last year. Maybe Billy Beane would part with Meyer in exchange for Ruben Gotay and/or one of the Mets’ spare relievers?

Internal Options

Jorge Sosa
The slider machine likely is the de facto Mets #5 starter. Who knows, maybe he can recapture the magic that made him virtually unhittable in the first half of 2007.

Nelson Figueroa
Being the type who roots for the underdog, I’m hoping “Figgy” has a lights-out performance in the “Civil Rights Game” and earns a spot in the rotation.

Aaron Heilman
It wouldn’t be MetsToday without at least one post arguing Heilman’s right to a rotation spot. Yes, it would take about a month to stretch him out, but the long-term results would be well worth the effort. With Brian Stokes, Matt Wise, Joe Smith, Steven Register, Pedro Feliciano, Ricardo Rincon, Jorge Sosa, and Scott Schoeneweis all pitching well out of the ‘pen, plus the eventual return of Duaner Sanchez looming, now is as good a time as any to give Aaron what he wants — there’s plenty of depth to fill in the gap. Omar, it can be all your idea, OK? Just do it already!

Jonathan Niese
He’s looked promising in his spring appearances, including his most recent yesterday afternoon. However, he still needs polish, and ran out of gas in the fifth inning. Hopefully the Mets will stretch him out in the minors, as I think we’ll see him at some point before the end of the season.

Tony Armas, Jr.
He won’t be in shape for at least another three weeks, at minimum. Even then, I’m not sure he’s the answer.