Alternatives to Manny

[Mex17]

Two free agents come to mind as alternative sources of the additional righthanded slugger we sorely need in this lineup. . .

1) Paul Konerko
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=5908

Advantages
-You can keep Cameron around to play RF and mantain the defensive advantage that Minaya envisioned for 2005.
-You do not have to roll the dice on Jacobs as a rookie playing first base.
-The .375 OBP this year looks nice.

Disadvange
-You do not know how he is going to adjust to the NL in general and Shea in particular.

------------------------------------------------
Reyes-ss
Beltran-CF
Wright-3b
Konerko-1b
Floyd-LF
Cameron/Diaz-RF
R. Hernandez Molina [OR] Castro/Jacobs-c
A. Hernandez/Keppinger-2b
pitcher
--------------------------------------------------

2) Carlos Lee
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=6161

Advantages
-He already has a year in the NL under his belt.
-41 doubles tell me that his swing is more condusive to Shea.
-You can use Cameron as trade bait to shore up the bullpen.
-Jacobs (assuming that he works out at first) represents an additional lefthanded bat in the lineup.

Disadvantages
-Who plays rightfield?? Floyd and Lee are both primarily leftfielders.
-The .265 average is not the best.
-You have to commit to Jacobs at firstbase (I still recommend signing Olerud as insurance).

--------------------------------------------------------------
Reyes-ss
Beltran-CF
Wright-3b
Lee-RF/LF
Floyd-LF/RF
R. Hernandez Molina-c
Jacobs-1b
A. Hernandez/Keppinger-2b
pitcher
------------------------------------------------------------

[Mex17]

I just saw that the Brewers have a 2006 club option on Lee, so that whole thing might be moot.

[Guest Rotblatt]

Lee doesn't get on base and plays a position we currently have filled--LF.

Konerko is clearly a better option, regardless of whatever NL/Shea factor he'd have goin' on.

[nymr83]

Konerko seems to clearly be the better fit for the 2006-2008 Mets, I think he's the better player as well.

[Guest Rockin' Doc]

I'm in the Paul Konerko camp. However, I don't think he will come cheaply. I would expect the White Sox to be serious bidders to retain his services.

I think he would be a great fit for the Mets. He's only 28 years old and should be coming into his prime. Though 2005 has definitely been the best season of his career, he has been a productive hitter for several years.

[Guest Edgy DC]

None
of
above.

[smg58]

The Brewers have a team option on Lee. I'd be surprised if they don't pick it up.

I think the best value free agent is Brian Giles, but we'd still have to make room for him even though he can play right.