With all the hype surrounding Alex Rodriguez, wouldn't it be a smarter move to re-sign Luis Castillo, leave David Wright where he is and pressure Carlos Delgado to put up big numbers in the walk year of his contract? Then divert more of the A-Rod funds to bolster the bullpen, maybe pick up a veteran outfielder and trade a youngster -- Lastings Milledge or Carlos Gomez -- for an established starter like the A's Joe Blanton.
There's no need for the Mets to overreact because of last September's collapse. The supposedly bitter fans aren't going anywhere -- what, they'll buy tickets for the Yankees instead? -- and the Mets still have one of the most talented rosters in the National League. Why blow up everything by bringing in A-Rod? He's just one player. An immensely talented, player, sure. Maybe the best ever. But even $350-million doesn't guarantee anything.
That logic won't stop GM Omar Minaya from chatting with Scott Boras, but we won't see what the Mets' real plans are until the dollars start flying, and that might not begin until the Winter Meetings next month in Nashville.
Before then, it's all pretty much speculation, but that's another thing I don't get about the Mets' approach with A-Rod. If you're not 100 percent committed to bringing him to Queens, I'm not sure what the benefit is to flirting with A-Rod only to fall short when it comes time to write the check. Either go all in or devote your time and resources to solidifying the weakest areas of the roster.
Comments (14)
Omar is having a tough time finding a place to put the A-Rod merchandise tent, since CITI Field has taken up most of the available real estate.
So you are saying don't do the most powerful agent in the game a favor by publicly kicking the tires and showing interest? Oh, okay...
Joe Blanton?????????? Lennon, WHY on earth would we trade blue-chip prospects like Milledge or Gomez for him??????? He's clearly a 2nd. rate pitcher. Thankfully, you're not the g.m.!!! Trade for Santana! He'll anchor the starting rotation for the next 5yrs.!!!!!!!!!!!
David,
I was think for 2 hours today, what I would do if I was GM of the Mets... Omar, take note. The mets have one Bargaining Chip... Money.. our Farm system is weak.(needs to be addressed). i would Pony the Money up for AROD, I would sign Catillo, move Wright to first, Trade Delgado (Eating half his salary) for a corner outfielder(Nady- type). With beltran, Alou, RF Via trade, Endy Chavez, Marlon Anderson as outfielders. I would also consider signing Sammy Sosa for a one year $7million deal.
Pitching:
Pedro
Schilling or Glavine (Prefer Schilling)
Maine
Perez
Sign Silva
Pelfrey in Waiting
Bullpen:
Duaner Sanchez
Heilman
Wagner
Felicano
Joe Smith
Jorge Sosa
Catcher:
Re-Sign LoDuca 2 yrs
Lineup:
Reyes
Castillo
Beltran
Arod
Wright
Alou
Loduca
RF
Picther
Omar- You are welcome
The Mets sign A-Rod they take back this town.
There is an opening that has not been there since 1986.
A-Rod is more than just a ballplayer for the Mets, he is The Franchise, and ancillary income in team revenue will pay for himself.
It's a perfect fit
Tom Griffin - Shilling is off the market, will resign with BoSox.
Forget about Blanton. They need an ace, so go for Dan Haren. Gomez, Humber and another prospect should accomplish this.
u guys talking about getting Arod? That's funny. You had your chance and you blew it ... he's not coming, you're stuck w/ Delgado at first and your rotation is a wreck. You'll hammer your way hru the NL again b/c of a solid line-up and then if you don't collapse down the stretch again your pitching will get eaten up in the post season. Nice rotation!
Uh, speak for yourself, yankee fan. With a little tinkering, the Mets get back in the playoffs again next year and we will take it from there.
Who wants Arod? You must be a Yankee fan still smarting over Arod spurning your team. But many mets fans don't want this egotistical postseason choker who will be hugely overpaid. There are so many other better ways to spend the money than on an insecure slugger who melts under the spotlight. Too bad he didn't stay with the Yankees as it would have been nice to see him continue to choke in their postseasons for years to come as they continually fell short. And to continue to eat up the Yankees grossly bloated payroll.
Mets don't need Fade-Rod, he is nothing more than a egotistical self serving player who fades away in October. How can there be any doubt that that kind of money can be better spent elsewhere.
Sadly, Mets ownership is too cheap and too short-sighted to get A-Rod, which would, in addition to giving the team the best player in the game, raise the profile and revenue (increased attendance, a justifiable ticket price increase and higher SNY advertising rates) of the club tremendously. When they are convinced that higher bidders exist Mets brass will, for P.R. purposes, make a bid that will fall short, assuring the Mets of continued second-class status in New York and eliciting a sigh of relief in The Bronx. Mets ownership continues to contentedly take a middle-market approach in a big-market city.
Watch for the Mets to instead dazzle their shell-shocked fans by signing the sensational Yorvit Torrealba to replace Paul LoDuca and further depleting their young talent by trading for a declining Dontrelle Willis.
What "Frustrated Mets Fan" has described is basically the New York Yankees blueprint (minus the part about the PR stunt) and look where they are. A bunch of overpriced hookers that all got to watch the world series from the comfort of their own home. Believe me, I feel your frustrations, but getting Fade-Rod to fill seats during the regular season will only lead to heartache when he disappears in the postseason as usual. Texas tried it with him and so did the Yankees and neither team fared any better in the end. Just because a team has the money doesnt mean they should throw it away.
Dear 2nd rate Mets,
I know YOU aren't criticizing the Mets rotation. Maine, Pedro and even Oliver Perez are better than the Yanks top 3. Mussina is finished, Wang might win 19 games again but then he'll lose every postseason start again, Petitte probably won't return and The Rocket is out of fuel. Who else do you even have? Phil Hughes is not even close to being a reliable starter and Chamberlain was lights out in the 8th but can he be that dominant for 6 or 7 innings every 5 days? There's lots of question marks in your rotation too. It's okay though. I understand why you're so angry. It must suck to not have won a WS in 7 years...or survived the 1st round of the playoffs the last 3...with the highest payroll in the game. Let's discuss the other side of the ball shall we? Who's your 3rd baseman? Oh that's right...you don't have one! I take that back. I'm sure Wilson Betimit will pick up right where A-Rod left off. D Wright is no A-Rod but I'll bet every penny I have that he will put up better #'s than whomever the Yanks put at 3rd. I have faith in Omar Minaya. He might not be able to pull a rabbit out of his hat and grab Santana from the Twins but I know he will address the pitching..both the rotation and the 'pen. He will also upgrade the offense. Not with A-Rod but don't be surprised if he scores Andruw Jones or Aarond Rowand to play RF. I know they both play CF but for the right price, I'm sure either guy would gladly move. And to you Mets "fans" who are so eager to move Wright to 1st or 2nd to make room for A-Rod - stop it! You can't be serious. The ONLY way I would accept A-Rod on this team is if HE agrees to play either of those positions. But he is not a team player so that will never happen which means he'll never be a Met so move on. Let's focus on improving the pitching and maybe another bat to compliment the big boys. The Mets have proven they can win without A-Rod. It's the pitching that has let them down the last 2 years so if they correct that, they will return to their rightful place atop the NL East.