Infield Scramble

[Edgy MD]

Among the pile of infielders that have been rumored as Mets targets — Kipnis, Dozier, Hernandez, Kinsler, Walker, Nuñez — a new name has been added:

[tweet:eouieyf7]

[/tweet:eouieyf7]

I never particularly liked this guy. And still don't even as he's coming off probably his best (partial) season. He's a solid starter but I think opinions about him are inflated because he's got a cool name. And his power is inflated by hitting at YSIII.

[Centerfield]

Not a knock on you or Castro but this makes me want to hurl.

MFY fans are jubilant that they got Stanton for nothing. Now we are hoping to dig through those scraps. Makes me sick.

As for Castro, career 733 ops. Doesn’t walk. Middling power. Expensive. Costs players.

Pass. Rather give it to Flores.

[nymr83]

Centerfield wrote: Not a knock on you or Castro but this makes me want to hurl. MFY fans are jubilant that they got Stanton for nothing. Now we are hoping to dig through those scraps. Makes me sick. As for Castro, career 733 ops. Doesn’t walk. Middling power. Expensive. Costs players. Pass. Rather give it to Flores.

If he were the best option for the Mets, the "Yankees castoff trash" angle shouldn't matter, but I agree with the rest. I have no interest in Castro because he isnt that good and would cost trade assets. A similar player can he had on the free agent market for nothing but Wilpon's cash, assuming you are steong enough to open his wallet with a crowbar.

[Edgy MD]

Nymr83 wrote: A similar player can he had on the free agent market for nothing but Wilpon's cash, ...

Who's your man?

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

I've never been a big Casto guy. I suppose Mets could do worse.

[nymr83]

Edgy MD wrote: Nymr83 wrote: A similar player can he had on the free agent market for nothing but Wilpon's cash, ... Who's your man?

Well, before I even get to the FA market, Flores is an equivalent hitter already under contract so maybe Wilpon's scarce resources should go elsewhere if this is the level of player they are looking at.

But on the market, i'd be much happier to re-sign Neil Walker as compared to acquiring Castro for even a mediocre prospect.

[Edgy MD]

Well free agents cost something that is often equivalent to prospects, as they may get three or four year commitments at this season's rates, while trade acquisitions might mean one or two years at rates reflecting a market from a few years prior.

And, of course, trading allows you to get the guy who you want, rather than just the guy who is available.

That said, I hates them trades.

[smg58]

He's another option. My plan A, if he is willing to play second, is Zack Cozart. But there are plenty of acceptable options.

[MFS62]

If TJ Rivera recovers from his surgery early enough to play significant time this year, would the acquisition of any other second baseman be necessary? To me , he looks like he'd a better hitter than many of the names being mentioned, and his defense isn't any worse than Danny Murphy's.
I'd target a full time third baseman with power if they don't feel Wilmer can't hold that job full time.

Later

[Edgy MD]

With a good chance that neither Rivera nor Wright will be ready for opening day, or possibly beyond, they are currently projected to open with Reynolds and Cecchini on the roster.

They seem committed to pursue a big league quality infielder to create more certainty. The question here is that, if this is going to come to pass, who would you have it be?

[MFS62]

Edgy MD wrote: With a good chance that neither Rivera nor Wright will be ready for opening day, or possibly beyond, they are currently projected to open with Reynolds and Cecchini on the roster. They seem committed to pursue a big league quality infielder to create more certainty. The question here is that, if this is going to come to pass, who would you have it be?

The Mets now have Cabrera to be a regular second baseman.
My gut feel is that that Rivera would be ready sooner, and be more productive, than Wright.
I'd rather they get a third baseman with power - Todd Frazier.
When Rivera returns, he can fight it out with Cabrera to see who plays second, or one of them could play third if Frazier has to play some games at first.
Of course, I'd rather see Wilmer be the third baseman for the next ten years, but you asked what I would do if they had to add someone.

What would YOU do?

Later

[ashie62]

They could sign Todd Frazier for 3b and use Cabrera at 2b and keep Flores to move around.

Not a big Castro fan, Starlin or Fidel.

[nymr83]

If the Mets are serious about winning, Wright can't be part of 'Plan A' at this point. If he ever stays healthy, you figure out the playing time then.

[Edgy MD]

If Wright isn't part of Plan A, I don't particularly see Frazier carrying the football. The Mets have had plenty of high-strikeout, low-average power hitters. He had something of a breakthough in the walks department in 2017, but I'm not sure I trust it. I trust his .222 batting average a little more.

I wouldn't kick him out of bed, but I don't think he's the guy to knock Flores out of the lineup.

[MFS62]

Edgy MD wrote: I wouldn't kick him out of bed, but I don't think he's the guy to knock Flores out of the lineup.

That's the way I feel.
So, if they HAD to add somebody, who would you go after?
Later

[Edgy MD]

Brian Dozier gets my blood pumping. Cesar Hernandez has me intrigued. Jason Kipnis looks like he could step it up on the rebound and be pretty expendable if he doesn't.

Those are three. Maybe in that order.

[Ceetar]

Sign Walker and then go hard at Dozier. if you get him, oops. find a 3B glove for Walker or trade him.

[Benjamin Grimm]

My hunch is that it's going to be Kinsler from Detroit, if the Mets are able to get him in exchange for a token prospect.

[MFS62]

Edgy MD wrote: Brian Dozier gets my blood pumping. Cesar Hernandez has me intrigued. Jason Kipnis looks like he could step it up on the rebound and be pretty expendable if he doesn't. Those are three. Maybe in that order.

Good choices. If there is a chance to get Dozier I'd be all in on that. He's a second baseman who hits like a third baseman should. What more could I ask?

Later

[Edgy MD]

Joel Sherman has suggested the name of Ryan Goins has been floated about.

I love Doug Flynn as much anybody, and more than most, but if we're goin' Goins, I'm hoping it's on a minor league deal.

[MFS62]

Edgy MD wrote: Joel Sherman has suggested the name of Ryan Goins has been floated about. I love Doug Flynn as much anybody, and more than most, but if we're goin' Goins, I'm hoping it's on a minor league deal.

I don't care if he's the second coming of Bill Mazeroski with the glove (well, maybe) , with that OPS+ (65) it would have to be a VERY minor league deal.
Sometimes, I think Sherman writes stuff like that just for the heck of it.
Later

[smg58]

We have two infield roster spots to fill, one starter, one reserve. Goins is an option for the reserve spot, but on an NL team I prefer my backup infielders to be bat-first rather than glove-first.

[nymr83]

what does Goins bring to the table that we don't already have in Matt Reynolds?

[Edgy MD]

Good hands, big league experience, second base specialization, and redundancy, I guess.

[Guest 41Forever]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: My hunch is that it's going to be Kinsler from Detroit, if the Mets are able to get him in exchange for a token prospect.

I think he'd be a good short-term option.

[Valadius]

Edgy MD wrote: I think opinions about him are inflated because he's got a cool name.

I agree with this analysis.

[nymr83]

Kinsler fell off a cliff, but i'd take a shot on his rebounding as i think its the last year of his deal?

[Edgy MD]

Mike Puma is reporting Jed Lowrie and versatile 2014 wonder Josh Harrison as other prospective infield candidates.

Man, this isn't narrowing down quickly, is it?

[Valadius]

I'd definitely kick the tires on Kinsler.

[ashie62]

I'm getting a Josh Harrison vibe. Don't know why but he may very well be the guy.