Davidoff for trading players we have not even acquired yet

[Guest metsguyinmichigan]

Collins added that Citi Field's new dimensions should help Wright and Jason Bay, and Alderson expressed optimism about Santana, of all people, as well as Ike Davis.

Let's categorize those hopes as 85 percent fantasy, 15 percent possibility. We aren't looking at a historically awful club here. It's more a case of a mediocre team that will face a tougher schedule, thanks to the expected improvements of both Miami and Washington.

If the Mets somehow contend, then great for them. Maybe the Wilpons actually could start to push aside the cloud that has been hovering over the franchise since the day of Bernard Madoff's arrest.

If the Mets don't shock the world? Then it's time to make some hard decisions.

"Imagine if the Mets put a revitalized Wright, Pagan and Pelfrey, as well as a veteran reliever such as Francisco, on the trade market next July. Contemplate how much talent that quartet could bring back in deals. How much the Mets could expedite their rebuilding."

Earlier he writes: "Go ahead and make an underdog run. Keep David Wright, bring back Angel Pagan and Mike Pelfrey, sign Frank Francisco to close and see what, if anything, Johan Santana can contribute. Try to draw a few optimistic fans to Citi Field."

Kind of bad to be bailing on the team in December. Yes, this sucks right now. But shouldn't we sign Francisco before we talk about dealing him?

[ashie62]

They could trade Andy Dirks for some bullpen help in 2012 for the pennant run.

[HahnSolo]

metsguyinmichigan wrote: "Imagine if the Mets put a revitalized Wright, Pagan and Pelfrey, as well as a veteran reliever such as Francisco, on the trade market next July. Contemplate how much talent that quartet could bring back in deals. How much the Mets could expedite their rebuilding."

I don't think it brings back nearly the haul that Davidoff seems to imply.

[Edgy MD]

The zeal for rebuilding can get out of control, and lead to as many delusions as rooting for the team as currently composed.

[metirish]

I'm confused, is that an article Davidoff wrote or some excerpts with MGIM add ons?

[Vic Sage]

HahnSolo wrote: metsguyinmichigan wrote: "Imagine if the Mets put a revitalized Wright, Pagan and Pelfrey, as well as a veteran reliever such as Francisco, on the trade market next July. Contemplate how much talent that quartet could bring back in deals. How much the Mets could expedite their rebuilding." I don't think it brings back nearly the haul that Davidoff seems to imply.

I dont know... we got Zach Wheeler for 2+ months of Carlos Beltran as a RFer. I doubt Pagan will bring much, unless he's having a great year, but Pelfrey, even as just a middling mid-rotation innings eater, could still get us a decent prospect, as could Francisco (or whatever closer we pick up this year, based on their health/production through July).

But Wright can terminate his 2013 option if traded, so he'd just be a rental too. So, to maximize the return, I'd wait until after the season, after picking up his 2013 option, before even thinking about moving him. Even then, you have to balance David's hometowny "face of the franchise" stuff against the return. But i wouldn't rule it out by any means. I guess it also depends on where we are on the rebuild curve at that point.

[Guest attgig]

I hope we have a clear direction of rebuilding vs contending, and the way the offseason is going thus far, it seems like more of the former rather than the latter.

If we get stuck in a middle of the road course of neither nor, I just don't see much hope for anything great. Hopefully, Alderson doesn't sign anyone to a stupid contract (a la the castillo contract) that screws us up. we already have the Santana and Bay contracts to work around.

[Edgy MD]

Everybody, to some extent, is on a middle course.

[Vic Sage]

attgig wrote: I hope we have a clear direction of rebuilding vs contending, and the way the offseason is going thus far, it seems like more of the former rather than the latter. If we get stuck in a middle of the road course of neither nor, I just don't see much hope for anything great. Hopefully, Alderson doesn't sign anyone to a stupid contract (a la the castillo contract) that screws us up. we already have the Santana and Bay contracts to work around.

exactly. this is why i support consideration of a Wright deal, at some point. So there is no confusion about what path we are on... either among fans, or within management. Its the lack of commitment to a long-term strategy that i fear most with the Mets. It's so easy to take half-measures, but that way lies the trap of perpetual mediocrity. Trying to "contend" when you don't have the talent (or budget) to do so simply sets up the fans for continuing disappointment and ultimately disillusionment, while costing the team top draft picks that the truly bad teams get, and encumbers us with middling contracts that keep us just short of affording top-line players when they come available. Sure, the "lets pretend to contend" approach can luck into a post-season run once in a while, but relying on luck is not a sustainable long-term strategy.