Only the Second Best for Us

[Centerfield]

Report: Mets might target second tier starting pitchers.

https://www.sny.tv/mets/news/mets-are-reportedly-starting-to-target-second-tier-free-agent-starting-pitchers/265774276

Guys, we are committed to winning a championship here. What I want you to do is go out and find the best pitchers that are available. The very best in their field. Come up with a comprehensive list. Then we're going to cross off all of those names. We will then pick through the remaining names, and consider signing one of them. Actually, anyone willing to accept a minor league deal is probably best.

[Benjamin Grimm]

The Mets are beginning to target second-tier, free agent starting pitchers, such as Lance Lynn, Alex Cobb, and Jason Vargas, SNY contributor and former GM Jim Duquette said Thursday on Mets Hot Stove.

Well, if "second tier" means Lynn and Cobb, I'm okay with that. I was afraid that it meant guys the next level down after them. A Lynn or a Cobb would help the team a lot.

And I saw that episode of Mets Hot Stove. I don't think that this is a correct interpretation of what Duquette said. I think he said that the Mets should consider Lynn, Cobb, and Vargas, not that the team is targetting them.

[Guest 41Forever]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: The Mets are beginning to target second-tier, free agent starting pitchers, such as Lance Lynn, Alex Cobb, and Jason Vargas, SNY contributor and former GM Jim Duquette said Thursday on Mets Hot Stove. Well, if "second tier" means Lynn and Cobb, I'm okay with that. I was afraid that it meant guys the next level down after them. A Lynn or a Cobb would help the team a lot. And I saw that episode of Mets Hot Stove. I don't think that this is a correct interpretation of what Duquette said. I think he said that the Mets should consider Lynn, Cobb, and Vargas, not that the team is targetting them.

Especially since we already have two top-tier guys in our rotation, potentially three or four if Harvey is back and Matz can stay healthy.

[Ceetar]

I mean, I think they should sign Darvish, i'm less sure about Arrieta. But they're expensive and risky too and we've got a lot of bodies here too.

[nymr83]

41Forever wrote: Especially since we already have two top-tier guys in our rotation, potentially three or four if Harvey is back and Matz can stay healthy.

Harvey was one of the worst starters in the majors last year and was at or below replacement level in 2016 as well. any plan that thinks of Harvey as more than the 6th/7th option is a bad plan.

I think Matz has the better shot to rebound and counting on him as your #4/5 isn't a terrible plan.

Cobb or Lynn would help this team immensely.

[seawolf17]

Lance Lynn was very good last year, is 31 this year, and only made $7.5M in 2017.
Alex Cobb was very good last year, is 30 this year, and only made $4.2M in 2017.

A solid raise for either of those guys for a year or two would be excellent.

[Centerfield]

I’m hearing both are tied to draft pick compensation. This probably kills any chances. So it’s likely Vargas if anyone.

Darvish is free and clear for what it’s worth.

[Benjamin Grimm]

That's true. Lynn and Cobb both received Qualifying Offers back in November.

[list:1qu1vt31]Jake Arrieta, SP, Cubs
Lorenzo Cain, OF, Royals
Alex Cobb, SP, Rays
Wade Davis, RP, Cubs
Greg Holland, RP, Rockies
Eric Hosmer, 1B, Royals
Lance Lynn, SP, Cardinals
Mike Moustakas, 3B, Royals
Carlos Santana, 1B, Indians [/list:u:1qu1vt31]

But... because of the Mets' poor record in 2017, doesn't that mean that the draft-pick penalty for the Mets would be lower than it would be for a first-division team? I'm not sure I recall what the current rules are.

[Benjamin Grimm]

From MLB.com:

Any team that signs a player who has rejected a qualifying offer is subject to the loss of one or more Draft picks. While a team's highest first-round pick is exempt from forfeiture, any additional first-round picks as well as Competitive Balance picks are eligible. Under the previous CBA, only the top 10 overall picks were exempt from forfeiture, so this is a big change. Three tiers of Draft-pick forfeiture -- which are based on the financial status of the signing team -- are in place to serve as a penalty for signing a player who rejected a qualifying offer: • A team that exceeded the luxury tax in the preceding season will lose its second- and fifth-highest selections in the following year's Draft, as well as $1 million from its international bonus pool for the upcoming signing period. If such a team signs multiple qualifying-offer free agents, it will forfeit its third- and sixth-highest remaining picks as well. Examples: A team with one pick in each round of the 2018 Draft would lose its second- and fifth-round picks. A team with two first-round picks and one pick in each subsequent round would lose its second-highest first-round pick and its fourth-round pick. • A team that receives revenue sharing will lose its third-highest selection in the following year's Draft. If it signs two such players, it will also forfeit its fourth-highest remaining pick. Examples: A team with one pick in each round of the 2018 Rule Draft would lose its third-round pick. A team with two first-round picks and one pick in each subsequent round would lose its second-round pick. • A team that neither exceeded the luxury tax in the preceding season nor receives revenue sharing will lose its second-highest selection in the following year's Draft, as well as $500,000 from its international bonus pool for the upcoming signing period. If it signs two such players, it will also forfeit its third-highest remaining pick. Examples: A team with one pick in each round of the 2018 Draft would lose its second-round pick. A team with two first-round picks would lose its second-highest first-round pick.

So if the Mets signed Cobb or Lynn, they would lose their second-round pick in June.

[Centerfield]

Jake Arrieta is encumbered too. As well as Greg Holland.

I don't think the Mets will feel that sacrificing that pick will be worth it. I'm guessing it's Vargas or no one.

Alex Cobb is much better than I thought he was. I wonder why I've never heard of him.

[Edgy MD]

Cobb gives hope to Matt Harvey.

He's also abandoned the splitter as a rule since coming back from TJ survey. Apart from that, he's also a survivor of a line drive off the noggin. From the bat of Eric Hosmer, as a matter of fact.

[Centerfield]

Wow, that's incredible. How weird would it be to have two guys that have had TJ surgery, TOS surgery, and gotten victimized by Eric Hosmer.

[Benjamin Grimm]

I'd be willing to give up a second-round draft pick for three years of Lynn or Cobb.

[Frayed Knot]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: I'd be willing to give up a second-round draft pick for three years of Lynn or Cobb.

Yeah, I don't see that alone as a reason to walk away, and I don't suspect the Mets do either.

[Centerfield]

In a recent interview, Sandy mentioned the draft pick compensation as a reason not to pursue Moustakas. If that applies to starting pitching, I'm not sure. But there is certainly reason to suspect that they would consider this a factor.

Personally, I would think it's worthwhile. Second round picks are usually a crap shoot anyway, but who knows what they think.

Also there's the international pool money. That's something.