CALLING ALL COLLIERS - 2006

[Guest Johnny Dickshot]

This is the fourth annual thread where I will argue that the pursuit of bench players should focus on "young veterans" who are transitioning from full-time to part-time roles and show some versatility, a la Chris Woodward, and Ralph/Vic Sage will argue that bench players in the grand scheme aren't all that important, and I'll go yeah sure but if we'd had any kind of bench depth in 2002 we might have scared nonperforming starters like Burnitz into having better years and Ralph will say we don't suck because of Lou Collier dammit.

Let's meet the 2006 bench candidates:

Chris Woodward R/R -- SS, 2B, 1B, LF, RF: I like Woody.

Xavier Nady R/R -- LF, RF, 1B, 3B
and/or
Victor Diaz R/R -- LF/RF

Jeff Keppinger R/R -- 2B (only?)

A. Hernandez B/R -- SS/2B -- 3B?

Castro R/R is the nominal starter at C but I'm sure he'll be in the first backup role when it comes time to play.

Today's Daily News quotes the agent for one-time phantom Met Mark Sweeney saying Omar has been "very aggressive" in pursuit of the guy who, ironically, was acquired in the Lou Collier Dammit trade but released during 2002 Spring Training!!!!!

Mark Sweeney is a L/L 1B who hit 294/395/466 in 221 ABs (lots of PH appearances) for the Pads last year. But he'll be 36. Not sure what's with all the aggression, Omar.

The I-don't-think-they're-coming-backs:

Miguel Cairo R/R -- 2B/1B -- RF/LF (badly) --

Valent L/L -- 1B/LF/RF -- CF?

Offerman B/R -- 1B -- LF/2B?

Ice Williams R/R -- CF/LF

Brian Daubach L/L -- 1B

Anyway, hopefully we can use this thread to have longwinded arguments about the philosophy of the bench, evaluate the field, and to track the Met one as it evolves.

[Guest Johnny Dickshot]

In addition to versatility and transitioning careers (meaning: we know they can handle a starting role at least for a short while), I want the Met bench to include:

* At least one (and preferably a LH/RH pair) hitter who represents extra-base power threat vs. the other guy's better relievers.

* Guys who can handle the skill defensive positions effectively (SS/CF/C)

* A guy who can pinch-run for the catcher when he's on first base and represents the tying run in the late innings

* One or more switch-hitters so WWSB doesn't get out-matchuped all the time.

[smg58]

I don't what's so bad about Valent that the Mets would pursue Sweeney.

The absence of Cameron means the Mets do need to find somebody who can play center besides Beltran.

Is Lambin ready to take Anderson's spot?

[Theoldmole]

Why not Valent?

[Guest Johnny Dickshot]

I like Valent; I just don't think he's gonna get a shot: He didn't last year while we ran out Williams, Offerman, Daubach, etc., and now that it appears we want Sweeney, have Nady/Jacobs, etc.

He must be eligible to sign with another org, tho I don't know that for sure.

[seawolf17]

Valent must have run over someone's kitten or something, because he just keeps getting buried. I know he's not exactly Ted Williams offensively, but you get the feeling like he just needs a chance. Problem is, lefty first baseman/outfield types like Valent are a dime a dozen.

[Valadius]

We always seem to have one more guy better than Valent. That's just my take on it.

[nymr83]

the at bats given to gerald williams last year are the most puzzling thing in a long time.
bench players should be good players, failing that they should be young with at least the potential to be good. Williams was neither and with 2 true centerfielders already on the team i saw no need to keep him around.

lets hope the mets have a "smarter" roster this year.

[Valadius]

Yeah, Popsicle was indeed a strange pickup. We obviously didn't need him.

[nymr83]

the way the '06 roster is shaping up a guy like him almost makes sense, not that i'd want one anyway but at least its justifiable now...

[Guest OlerudOwned]

Nymr83 wrote: the way the '06 roster is shaping up a guy like him almost makes sense, not that i'd want one anyway but at least its justifiable now...

Maybe someone like who who isn't actually him.

It doesn't meet Dickshot's standard, but how cheap could Lofton come and would he accept a backup role? He proved to have plenty left in the tank last season (.335/.392 OBP/22 SB) and can play center. It's probably unrealistic though.
I'm not sure is Terrence Long can play CF or not, but he might fit the "transition from starter to bench" thing.

[Guest OlerudOwned]

Adding to my own thoughts:
"Pittsburgh center fielder Tike Redman was removed from the 40-man roster Saturday and must be traded or released within 10 days."

Worth a look?
Lose one Redman and gain another, maybe.

[Guest Edgy DC]

]We always seem to have one more guy better than Valent. That's just my take on it.

] Problem is, lefty first baseman/outfield types like Valent are a dime a dozen.

Outside of two weeks of Daubach over the summer, it's not like we had any power off the bench at all last year. It was my big bugbear.

If you needed a pinch single, Anderson, Offerman, and Williams were fine choices to go to. If you need a three-run homer or a two-run double, good luck.

[Guest Rockin' Doc]

I like Woodward's versatility and think we should keep him around.

I like Diaz as a pinch hitter with extra base power. I can see him as part of a RF platoon against left handers, but his defense scares me too much for him to be a regular. A defensive replacement in late innings of close games would likely need to be used when he starts.

Nady would currently be the main competition for Diaz. Too bad he isn't a left handed bat.

I like Valent, but don't feel like he ever got much of a chance from Willie. His horrendous start at the plate last season seemed to seal his fate. I think he offers the LH bat with extra base potential that the Mets lacked most of last season. I doubt he will get much opportunity with the Mets.

I really liked Marlon Anderson for his overall play. He was a good role player with versatility last season. Alas, he has slipped off to Washington. I can't blame Omar, I don't think I would have given him two years guaranteed either.

Castro is an effective back up at catcher. Unfortunately, as our line up currently stands he looks to be our starter next season. Obviously, there is a lot of time for moves to be made this offseason, so this will likely change in the future. I'm fine with him as our second catcher.

Mike Jacobs had a promising fall. He showed a potent left handed bat, but does he have a position? I wish we knew more about his potential to handle the defensive burden at catcher. He is highly valuable as a catcher. He did a credible job for the Mets at first base, but are they sold on him enough to hand him the job and expect him to be the big power bat the line up desperately needs? I don't think they are. If the Mets acquire a true front liner for first base, where does that leave Jacobs. I still wish he could assume Piazza's role of recent years.

I'm not sure what to think of A. Hernandez or Jeff Keppinger. I guess I would rather see one of them fill a bench spot that some of the over the hill gang (Cairo and Offerman) that filled the roster last year.

Ice Williams serves little purpose other than as a defensive replacement in CF when Beltran isn't in the line up. I'd rather a younger player fill that role, preferably someone that can hit a little bit. Williams should be given a bus ticket to the Bronx and he should be made to take Offerman with him.

Daubach is intersting. He offers lefty power and is willing to take a walk, but Jacobs is far younger and has more upside. He might be nice as a lefty bat off the bench if all the other pieces fall into place, but otherwise Jacobs makes him rather redundant.

If the Mets want a Sweeney for first base, then I think they are looking at the wrong guy. Rather than Mark Sweeney I would prefer to see the Mets try to pry Mike Sweeney away form Kansas City. He would look good in the three hole with Beltran sliding into the two slot of the line up. I guess it would depend on the Royals willingness to move Sweeney and what they wanted in return for him.

A lot will likely change before opening day 2006. It will be interesting to see how the line up evolves.

[Guest abogdan]

Nady could serve as the backup CF. He played 30 games in center for San Diego last year.

As far as bench guys go, I like signing Mark Sweeney for a year. He should be a slight upgrade over Anderson, or at worse a wash.

It's tough to give Collier candidates this early, since a lot of the better ones end up being non-tenders that we won't learn about for another few weeks.

Does Tony Graffanino count? He'd be a great asset for the Met bench. He can get on base and backup everywhere on the infield.

If we're looking for a LH hitter, Scott "Pickin' Machine" Hatteberg is a free agent.

[Guest OlerudOwned]

Does anyone else like the idea of Redman. He meets Dickshot's "younger guy transitioning to bench" theory, hits lefty, plays a solid CF, can run well. Stuff we need.

[Guest Johnny Dickshot]

Eh. Only one solid season, but generally low OBP, little power. He'd strictly be a defensive guy or pinch runner. Better than Ice Williams prolly but not an upgrade on Nady as the backup CF at present.

P.S.:
Tike Redman
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[Guest Edgy DC]

That looks like Johnny Dickshot and nine names somebody made up.

[Valadius]

Wait a minute! Prentice and Tike Redman are brothers!

[Guest cleonjones11]

]If we're looking for a LH hitter, Scott "Pickin' Machine" Hatteberg is a free agent. CAN HE CATCH?

[Frayed Knot]

"Wait a minute! Prentice and Tike Redman are brothers!"

Yup.



"Can Hatteberg catch?"

Not anymore. He was originally a catcher but blew out his elbow which is what started him on the road to being a cut-rate 1st baseman.

[Vic Sage]

Assuming Mets sign Ramon Hernandez and can't trade Matsui...

[u:031ad2f793]Starting Lineup:[/u:031ad2f793]
ss- Reyes
2b- Matsui
cf- Beltran
Rf- Floyd
3b- Wright
1b- Jacobs
Rf- Nady
C- R.Hernandez

[u:031ad2f793]Bench (5 - 6):[/u:031ad2f793]
- Castro ©
- V.Diaz (Rf/Lf/1b/ph)
- Woodward (ss/2b/3b/1b/Of)
- Graffanino?
- CFer/pinch-runner?
- LHed Pher = _____ Sweeney? Valent? Hatteberg?

[Valadius]

Oh boy. I don't want to suffer through another season of Beltran hitting third and Wright hitting fifth.

[Guest sharpie]

I didn't suffer last season. I suffered more in many other seasons. Seasons where Joe Orsulak would be batting fifth for example.

[Valadius]

Heheh. I was 6, 7, and 8 in those seasons.

[MFS62]

If this thread is about possible bench players, did anyone else notice that old friend Todd Pratt is a free agent?
Why spend big bucks on a free agent catcher when a lower cost alternative would be to give Castro most of the starts? Considering his fewer at bats, his numbers weren't significantly different than the two high priced spreads. And Todd could be a more than adequate fill in when Castro rests and a decent righty pinch hitter when he doesn't.

Thoughts?

Later

[Guest Yancy Street Gang]

I'd rather see them spend big bucks on a free agent catcher. They have the money to spend.

[Guest sharpie]

Todd is 38 and is coming off of two .250-ish years.

Castro hit a robust .244 last year but is a career .222 hitter only one year away from hitting .135.

Both had decent power for part-timers (Todd 7 homers, Ramon 8).

I'd be very uncomfortable going into '06 with that catching corps. Either we see how Jacobs does or we go out and get a new #1 catcher.

[Valadius]

Here's an interesting player:

Eduardo Perez, 36, 1B A late bloomer, he's this year's David Delucci, only right-handed. Perez is a perfect part-time player at either first base or DH because he mashes left-handed pitching (.897 OPS last year) and hits premier power pitching, which makes him a good late-inning bat off the bench. He popped 11 homers in only 161 at-bats last year. The past three times he was given 100 at-bats in a season he posted OPS marks of .745, . 843 and .865.

[Guest OlerudOwned]

="Valadius"]Here's an interesting player: Eduardo Perez, 36, 1B A late bloomer, he's this year's David Delucci, only right-handed. Perez is a perfect part-time player at either first base or DH because he mashes left-handed pitching (.897 OPS last year) and hits premier power pitching, which makes him a good late-inning bat off the bench. He popped 11 homers in only 161 at-bats last year. The past three times he was given 100 at-bats in a season he posted OPS marks of .745, . 843 and .865.

I remember that he completely owned the Big Eunuch this past season. Not important for the mets, but the impressive numbers are.