Go Get Mark Texiera

[Centerfield]

I've been thinking about it, and I think signing Texiera will be the key to success not only next year, but for several years down the road. The Mets were decent offensively this year, but they got better than expected production from Delgado. I loved what he did in the second half, but I'm skeptical about him staying at the level next year. With Texiera, not only can the expect to duplicate those numbers in 2009, but they can expect them to be even better (.962 OPS vs. Delgado's .871). Plus Texiera is young, only 28, and plays good defense.

I would think Delgado would have some value considering the year he had, and you'd think an American League team would want to take a flyer on him. At $12 million for the next year, I would think that it's a reasonable enough salary and short enough commitment that something of value could be brought back. Ideally he could be traded for bullpen help.

This would drastically help the team without bumping the payroll significantly, especially if Texiera is willing to backload some salary. He is a young, all-around player going into the prime of his career. To me, he makes a lot more sense than Manny or even Sabathia.

Long-term, you'd have Reyes, Church, Wright, Beltran and Texiera all locked up for the next few years. It wouldn't take a whole lot to build around that core.

[Guest AG/DC]

Complete no-trade clause for Delgado.

[Centerfield]

You've said this to me before. I think a few of Adam Rubin's articles have said Delgado can be traded.

Plus, if you remember, nothing in his contract barred him from being traded to the Mets. He had the right, if I remember, to demand a trade, but he did not exercise that.

No 10 and 5 rights either.

GET TEXIERA.

[metirish]

All options will be pursued by Minaya , just how hard he would go on Tex is the question.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

AG/DC wrote: Complete no-trade clause for Delgado.

Not true!

A no-trade clause was what the Mets offered him when he was a free-agent but he took Florida's $$ and lack of trade protection instead.

I like the idea of getting Texiera and trading Delgado, even if both situations are longshots. I think the Mets shoulda traded for Texiera before the Braves did for goodness sakes.

[Frayed Knot]

AG/DC wrote: Complete no-trade clause for Delgado.

No he doesn't.
That's how he got here in the first place.

[Guest AG/DC]

]No he doesn't. That's how he got here in the first place.

Thanks, yeah, I was sentient at the time.

I'm also aware enough to realize that he's capable of waiving the rights he negotiated into his contract. I'm only stating that it's there, as per Cot's Baseball Contracts.

[Guest Rockin' Doc]

From what I have read, Delgado had a complete no trade claus as part of his 2001-2004 deal.

His free agent contract of 1/27/05 with the Marlins does not contain the same no trade protection from what I have been able to find online. *



*I can't attest to how accurate this information is however.

[Guest AG/DC]

You're right.

I read down the bullets without realizing that they switched to the old contract.

The man is moveable.

[metirish]

Minaya has stated that Delgado will be back if that means anything.

[Guest AG/DC]

Well, he'll certanly have his option picked up.

[metirish]

AG/DC wrote: Well, he'll certanly have his option picked up.

True , my bad as there is a difference to what I meant.

[Guest AG/DC]

Yeah, but I was like, dead wrong.

[metsmarathon]

unless we're talking closer, i'd like to think that delgado is worth more than just bullpen help.

that said, i'd be more than happy with an arrangement that gives delgado to some al team, and in return we get, say, jj putz (if he's going to be healthy next year), or perhaps eric bedard (which might be me dreaming)

[Frayed Knot]

Delgado as trade-bait is going to be an interesting topic.
Most of the rest of the team is either;
- untouchable (or virtually so): Reyes, Wright, Beltran, Santana
- or not likely to bring you much: everyone else

Delgado is like the king of the in-between guys, not off-limits but somewhat valuable: Church, Pelfrey, Maine might fit in there too but those guys are going to be harder to replace.


The only cold water I'll throw on the Teixeira idea (ei both before and after the x) is that I'm reluctant to hand out mega-contracts ($$ and length) to 1st basemen just because it's the easiest place to find a decent caretaker either within the system (Carp?, Murphy?, Evans?) or via a cheap-ish outsider.

Good player, I'm just not sure that's the first place I want to spend my allowance.

[metsmarathon]

texiera would've been our most productive player last year, using WARP.
10.0 to wright's 9.6 and beltran's 9.3

his 30 win shares put him 3 behind beltran's 33, and just ahead of wright's (and reyes') 29

[Centerfield]

Using a cheap inside solution, or a cheap outsider is not likely to get you the production that Texiera will. Going cheap a first base will mean you have to fill that void in another position...and other positions may not be as easily filled as first base.

To me, it makes all the sense in the world. A multi-year deal to Texiera certainly makes more sense than long-term contracts to an aging Manny Ramirez, or less complete players like Pat Burrell or Adam Dunn.

[Guest sharpie]

O'course we would be competing against Yankees and Angels and maybe Orioles throwing big hard chunks of money at him.

[metirish]

We've competed against them before and walked away with the man , plus Minaya has a good relationship with Boras. I expect Jeff to be showing Tex the delights of the NY Metropolitan area soon.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

I actually don;t think the Mets will pursue him, although I think they should.

[Centerfield]

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: I actually don;t think the Mets will pursue him, although I think they should.

This is what worries me. I fear that Omar will put too much stock into Delgado's second half and go into the winter with the mindset that "We are set at first base" not recognizing that first-half Delgado is just as likely to return as second-half Delgado.

The double-whammy there might be that Omar counts on Delgado's resurgence as a middle of the lineup force for next year and short-changes left field.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

I think it will be more like.

Omar: I'd like to get Texiera.

Jeff: $$

Omar: But...

Jeff: $$!!!

[Guest AG/DC]

Centerfield wrote: ="John Cougar Lunchbucket"]I actually don;t think the Mets will pursue him, although I think they should. This is what worries me. I fear that Omar will put too much stock into Delgado's second half and go into the winter with the mindset that "We are set at first base" not recognizing that first-half Delgado is just as likely to return as second-half Delgado. The double-whammy there might be that Omar counts on Delgado's resurgence as a middle of the lineup force for next year and short-changes left field.

What do you think they will do, on the offensive end?

[metirish]

I think Tony Bernazard will be a crucial voice in this , if he stays with the Mets then I think he will be the voice advocating for a Texiera and not letting Minya do what CF thinks he will do.

[Centerfield]

AG/DC wrote: ="Centerfield"] ="John Cougar Lunchbucket"]I actually don;t think the Mets will pursue him, although I think they should. This is what worries me. I fear that Omar will put too much stock into Delgado's second half and go into the winter with the mindset that "We are set at first base" not recognizing that first-half Delgado is just as likely to return as second-half Delgado. The double-whammy there might be that Omar counts on Delgado's resurgence as a middle of the lineup force for next year and short-changes left field. What do you think they will do, on the offensive end?

I don't know if I would go as far as to say it's likely, but I can see the Mets overvaluing a guy like Orlando Hudson because he's "gritty". I can see them using precious free agent dollars on a guy who is good at a lot of things, but great at none. His career OPS is under .800. I can see them eating Castillo's contract to get this done.

I worry that they will count on Delgado to repeat his 2008 performance and rely on Daniel Murphy for left field.

[Gwreck]

I think the money spent on Texieria is better spent on starting pitching.

Unless money is no object, in which case I'll take Sabathia and Texieria both.

[Guest AG/DC]

C.C. Takeabathia scares the pants off of me. I see paying for seven years and getting two.

How about Sheets and Dunn.

[Guest metsguyinmichigan]

AG/DC wrote: C.C. Takeabathia scares the pants off of me. I see paying for seven years and getting two. How about Sheets and Dunn.

I don't know about Dunn -- when will we know how Citi plays as a hitters/pitchers park -- but I agree totally about Sabathia. He may be filthy now, but the really heavy guys don't last too long, unless they are named "Ruth."

[Vic Sage]

CF is, as almost always, correct.

Delgado is a tradeable commodity, and Texiera is the best offensive player on the market (of all the players who aren't a 37-year old Manny Ramirez, looking for a 7 year deal). He's also a great defensive 1bman, for whatever that's worth.

I have little confidence on either Murphy or Delgado repeating their 2nd half performances, so requiring them BOTH to do so for the offense to work scares the crap out of me. I have similar fears of Sheets and Sabathia. And F-Rod's peripherals are in decline.

Trade Delgado for a decent #3-#4 SPer; dump all other expendable salaries for nothing (Castillo, Anderson, Castro, etc), play Murphy at 2b, and sign Texiera, Dunn and Fuentes.

Edited October 16, 2008 by Guest

[Benjamin Grimm]

Vic Sage wrote: Trade Delgado for a decent #3-#4 SPer; dump all other expendable salaries for nothing (Castillo, Anderson, Castillo, etc), play Murphy at 2b, and sign Texiera, Dunn and Fuentes.

That sounds like a decent plan. (Not the only option, of course, but a pretty good one.)

Only problem is it would leave the Mets still needing one more starter, (remember, they have to replace Pedro and they have to either replace or re-sign Perez) unless you think Niese is ready to step up.