One Hitter, One Closer, One Beer

[Centerfield]

I figure the Mets will sign at least one relief pitcher. I mean, I think it's a given that they'll sign a few, but I think they'll sign one guy they can slot in as the "closer". I think they'll sign a hitter too. Someone just good enough to arguably help next season. I'm not convinced they will do anything with the rotation. I think there is enough of a contingent that views the rotation as a strength that the Mets won't feel compelled to spend money there.

So give me your prediction on the highest profile hitter they acquire (trade/sign, whatever), the closer that they get, and finally, give me a beer that you recommend for others here.

Hitter:
Daniel Murphy. Enough of a name. Justifications are easy. Bringing back a key piece of our WS team. MVP numbers, even in a down year put up an .800 OPS. Now fully recovered. At age 34 he won't cost a lot in dollars or years. "Very versatile, we can slot him in at 3 IF positions". I think this is your offensive upgrade.

Closer:
Dave Robertson. Former Yankee. Also older. A step down from the Craig Kimbrel level. In a perfect world, I'd love to get him for the 8th inning, as his WHIP is pretty consistently good. But we're in Metsland, so here's your new closer.

Beer:
I think I just miss LA. Craving Santa Monica IPA.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

been thinking about Muffin myself. It may come down to whether someone is desperate enough to make him a starter again, and/or whether Muffy is ready to accept a bench role.

[Benjamin Grimm]

I think the hitter is going to be McCutchen.

[Lefty Specialist]

No to Muffy. Move on, people.

And they need a real center fielder. That's not Cutch.

[Ceetar]

Can I wait until the GM at least speaks once?

[Centerfield]

Lefty Specialist wrote: No to Muffy. Move on, people. And they need a real center fielder. That's not Cutch.

That's not who I want them to sign. It's who I think they will sign.

[Benjamin Grimm]

I'm thinking McCutchen because he's a right-handed hitting outfielder. If he can't play center, he can play a corner position and Conforto or Nimmo could play center.

[Edgy MD]

I think it's very much an Alderson thing that, if he was going to spend semi-big, to try and hedge his bets by signing a guy that was fungible, that you can move around the field or around the lineup as needs change over the course of his contract.

If that philosophy endures, Muffin Man would qualify.

[Fman99]

Way to not pick a beer, y'all suck!

Here's my picks:

Hitter: I think Yasmany Grandal is a guy they will go after - best C on the market at a position where none of the internal options have put even a single full productive season together.


Closer: Familia. Mets known to bring back the known guy.


Beer: Had one of these Uinta black imperial double IPA's tonight while out and about. Delicious and packing a good wallop (9.3% ABV). It may even turn up on this quirky beer blog that I've been enjoying lately.

[stevejrogers]

Captain Lawrence

[smg58]

I think Fman is right about Familia.

For the hitter, I'm going to be daring and say Josh Donaldson.

[bmfc1]

Hitter: they need a catcher, otherwise the ball keeps rolling. Ramos will cost too much and they now have excuses not to sign Grandal. I think that it will be Matt Wieters. He's not great. https://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=4298&position=C

Closer: I'll just pick a reliever--Adam Ottavino. "Mets By The Numbers" goes on full alert when he is assigned "0". Grew up in Brooklyn. He will be 33 so there might be a "hometown + age" discount and the Mets like discounts. Had a 2.0 WAR in 2018. Gives up a lot of SBs so he'll fit right in:
https://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/adam-ottavino-has-a-weakness/
https://www.mlb.com/player/adam-ottavino-493603

Beer: I don't need a German engineer to help me pronounce "hefeweizen" (that's a "Better Call Saul" reference). Feed The Monkey by Jailbreak Brewing, a local (for me) beer, is delicious: https://jailbreakbrewing.com/jbb_beer/feed-the-monkey/