New Ongoing 2005 25-Man Roster Thread

[MFS62]

Has anyone heard whether Keppinger's leg is recovered enough to play Winter ball? If so, where will he be playing?

His minor league OBP numbers make me think he would be an effective #2 hitter. I see him being a Ron Hunt type of in-your-face, my-uniform-is-always-dirty, overachiever type of player. Comparing his baseball skills to Anderson Hernandez' tools is a discussion of the type that could keep the hot stove fires burning this winter.

And in a sorta' roster related question, doesn't Mo Vaughn's contract (counted for luxury tax purposes) also expire at the end of this season?
EDIT: Edgy, if you think this shouldn't be in this thread, please let me know. I'll make it a new thread.

Later

[smg58]

I haven't heard anything about Keppinger either, and I'm just as curious as you are. His status would definitely influence how the Mets go about the offseason.

The Mets gave Vaughn, Leiter, and Rich Hidalgo buyouts of $2M apiece this offseason, plus paid $4.5M of Cedeno's salary, so that's over $10M in dead money they'll be freeing up this year.

[Guest Rotblatt]

On 9/11/05, we recalled Keppinger, then placed him on the 60-day disabled list.

He was supposed to be ready to play in late August/early September, so either he had a setback; he's healthy and we used him to free up space on the 40-man roster purposes; or both.

I'd like to see how he does in Winter ball too. Gonna be a wild offseason. If we end up signing a FA who could be a starter but might not pan out (ala Mientkiewicz) at either 2B, 1B or C, the Spring will be really interesting, with Jacobs & Castro competing for starting jobs and Anderson Hernandez & Keppinger competing for bench spots. If we don't trade Cameron, we'll also have Diaz competing for a starting job.

Lots of controversy for the daily rags to stir up, and lots of fans like me ready and willing to be their patsy.

I really, really hope Yankee fans are having similar discussions in four days.

[Guest heep]

From what I saw of Kepp last year, he could be a good little ballplayer. He was hitting over 300 in AAA and makes contact which could be useful for our lineup. If we can rid ourselves of Matsui, 2b could be an interesting competition between Kepp and Hernandez, or a platoon type situation.

Does anyone really know why Jacobs is not catching? Correct me if I am wrong, but in combing his numbers between AA and Mets, he has 30 hr and 110+ rbi and .290 avg?

With a lack of FA catchers, isn't Jacobs is a cost-efficient, internal, productive solution?

Does anyone feel Helton is a realistic goal for the offseason? If we are going to pursue a 1b, why not pursue the best.

[Guest 86-Dreamer]

A shoulder injury in 2004 pretty much ended Jacobs hopes of being an ML catcher.

Helton's contract is way too much to take on. I don't know the exact figures, but I think it is somethng like $18 mil/yr for next 6 years.

[Guest rpackrat]

]Does anyone feel Helton is a realistic goal for the offseason?

Please, no. He has an albatross of a contract and is on the wrong side of 30.

[Frayed Knot]

Yeah, Jacobs wasn't considered much of a defensive catcher even before he hurt his shoulder in early '04. He then missed most of that season and spent most of this one at 1B & DH. I wouldn't count on him returning behind the dish on anything other than a limited-use basis.


I'm not sure what to make of Keppinger. His BA has been good - both in '04 when we got him and this year before the injury - but he doesn't tack a whole lot of walks/OBP onto that avg, hits for almost no power, and isn't really considered a defensive standout either. I think Met fans like this guy - or at least like the idea of him - a lot more than the scouts & touts crowd does.

[Elster88]

Just say no to Helton.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Was Todd Self ever with this team, or merely on the roster for bookkeeping purposes?

[MFS62]

Edgy DC wrote: Was Todd Self ever with this team, or merely on the roster for bookkeeping purposes?

You mean the famous Joe Randa "Wasn't he a Met?" Memorial Roster Spot?

Later