We. Still. Need. Outfielders.

[Vic Sage]

Because the value of win 89-91 that Hairston could provide an expected 89 win team is worth a hell of a lot more to a team than the value of win 75-77

well, that's exactly what i meant by marginal utility. maybe i used the wrong phrase or i didn't explain it right.

But the wisdom of the decision is ALSO related to the team's budget, because, if we were spending in the $150m budget range, that means we would likely have bought some very good players and we would be less likely to be in the 75 win range and more likely to be in the 90 win range where Hairston's marginal utility becomes meaningful, as we both agree it would be in that situation.

[ashie62]

The reality may be that we see alot of Collin Cowgill...

[Ceetar]

I think the two things work at counter-purposes though. Acquiring quality starting outfielders is probably the biggest way for the Mets to become 'good', and the better they plug that hole, the less they need the righty backup outfielder to play. Not 400 AB certainly, and probably not even 200. You could certainly overpay for that, but I certainly wouldn't do 2 years of overpaying. It's the 2 years thing that really gets me. If the extra $2-3 for one year isn't costing you anything, certainly take the best possible player for said position, but I wouldn't commit to it not being needing a year in advance.

But I suspected that last year, that Hairston had outproduced his value, particularly to the Mets.

[Ceetar]

Also, the Nationals were probably talking about Michael Morse much like we're talking about Cowgill and Brown right now. Marginally useful outfielders practically grown on trees which just means there are more often older guys that haven't gotten a fair shake yet that can make an impact.

[Theoldmole]

Collin comes to play.

[ashie62]

And play he will per Alderson today. Sandy all but concedes Wheeler & D'Arnaud will start in AAA and that in general Sandy is not happy with where the team is today, especially in the OF...

http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/mets/post/_/id/59933/alderson-not-happy-with-2013-prep

[nymr83]

And play he will per Alderson today. Sandy all but concedes Wheeler & D'Arnaud will start in AAA and that in general Sandy is not happy with where the team is today, especially in the OF... http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/mets/post/_/id/59933/alderson-not-happy-with-2013-prep

Alderson toots his own horn a bit too, and seemingly rubs it in Toronto's face how well everyone thinks the Mets made out in the trade:

Alderson wrote: Alderson offered an interesting tidbit on d�Arnaud. The GM said he wanted two prospects from an unspecified team (probably Texas) for R.A. Dickey. That team declined the request. Once d�Arnaud was acquired from the Jays, that team offered the same two players for the catching prospect straight up -- meaning the Mets could have had Noah Syndergaard and Wuilmer Becerra from Toronto plus the two other prospects for Dickey in all, if the Mets were willing to part with the newly acquired d�Arnaud. �Now at that point everybody had fallen in love with Travis, so we weren�t going to do that,� Alderson said.

[ashie62]

Like he would never, right? Pleez

[Edgy MD]

Who would never what? Please what?

[Guest Swan Swan H]

Edgy MD wrote: Who would never what? Please what?

... please me.
... mister, please. Don't play B-17.
... come to Boston.
... release me.
... Mister Postman
... Hammer, don't hurt 'em.

[Edgy MD]

We should do a poll of the best "Please" songs.

[ashie62]

Edgy MD wrote: Who would never what? Please what?

Alderson patting himself on the back and bragging about never trading D'Arnaud in a scenario that was presented to him.

I thought you were tracing Algeria? Now hush little boy.

Edited January 18, 2013 by Guest

[Edgy MD]

Do you mean ever or never?

Are you saying that he wouldn't or that they would?

Please what?

[Edgy MD]

What's with the "Little Boy" bullshit? I was just asking for clarity. It's part of a conversation. Please don't be unpleasant.

[ashie62]

Edgy MD wrote: Do you mean ever or never? Are you saying that he wouldn't or that they would? Please what?

I am going to Smashburger today..Yippee!!

[metirish]

Ashie62 wrote: Edgy MD wrote: Do you mean ever or never? Are you saying that he wouldn't or that they would? Please what? I am going to Smashburger today..Yippee!!

They opened up in Pelham.....pretty good although I liked Five Guys more....Smashbuger does have a better ambiance though.

[Edgy MD]

Today in 1996, we were in the same boat, until today, January 22, when the St. Louis Cardinals sent outfielder Bernard Gilkey to the Mets in exchange for pitchers Eric Ludwick, Erik Hiljus and Yudith Orozio.

[bmfc1]

Scott Hairston to the Cubs. 2 year deal.

[MFS62]

bmfc1 wrote: Scott Hairston to the Cubs. 2 year deal.

This was a switch. They beamed Scotty up.

Later

[metirish]

He will be a platoon outfielder?, at this price??

By Bruce Levine | ESPNChicago.com

The Chicago Cubs have signed free agent outfielder Scott Hairston to a two-year contract worth up to $6 million, according to a source with knowledge of the negotiations.

Hairston will fit into the Cubs' mix as a platoon corner outfielder. The other teams that had been talking to Hairston's agent, Casey Close, are the New York Mets, New York Yankees and Atlanta Braves, according to the source.

The 32-year-old Hairston's deal includes incentive clauses that could increase the value to $6 million, pending a physical.

Hairston played for the Mets in 2012, putting up his best power numbers. The outfielder had 48 extra-base hits, including a career-high 20 home runs, in just 377 at-bats.

Hairston made $1.1 million last season before becoming a free agent for the first time in his career. He most likely will platoon with left-handed hitters Nate Schierholtz in right field and David DeJesus in center.

[Lefty Specialist]

So when are the open tryouts for outfielders being scheduled?

[metsmarathon]

isn't that what theyre doing down at fantasy camp?

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Dariel Alvarez, eh?

Likely cheaper that Bourn, and he won't cost a draft pick, AND he's not considered an "international FA" signing (and is therefore exempt from signing-pool cost restrictions), you say? AND he's "24," and plays all three OF spots, you say? And you say he's Cuban... AND walks?

You say... such interesting things.

[Edgy MD]

Richard Justice of MLB.com wrote: The New York Mets have no interest in signing free-agent outfielder Michael Bourn if it means surrendering their top 2013 Draft pick, the 11th overall.

He doesn't cite a source and also wonders out loud why the Mets would be interested under any circumstances. (Answer: he's an outfielder and the Mets believe they are weak in the outfield.)

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130125&content_id=41170334&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb

[Vic Sage]

he's an outfielder and the Mets believe they are weak in the outfield.

The Mets "believe" they are weak in the OF? Do you mean to imply that you don't think it's an objective reality; that it's only a matter of their belief?

Or is my inference unwarranted and unintended?

[Edgy MD]

Sorry, I didn't mean to be overly cute. He wonders why the Mets would be interested in signing the player, so I noted their perspective in particular.

[ashie62]

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr wrote: Dariel Alvarez, eh? Likely cheaper that Bourn, and he won't cost a draft pick, AND he's not considered an "international FA" signing (and is therefore exempt from signing-pool cost restrictions), you say? AND he's "24," and plays all three OF spots, you say? And you say he's Cuban... AND walks? You say... such interesting things.

Can he walk off the island?

[MFS62]

FA Juan Rivera might be a decent right field platoon/option. He's 34, a righty hitter with some pop, and IIRC a decent RF arm.

Later

[Vic Sage]

"I am in discussions with several outfielders. I met them on the Internet."

�GM Sandy Alderson, at the Baseball Writers' Association of America's New York Chapter dinner.

[Edgy MD]

How'sabout Nolan Riemold?

Hits when he's healthy, but knocked out last year by a herniated disc. The Orioles re-upped him for a $1 million dollar-one year contract, but they've sort of moved on during their run last year and have a crowded outfield in place. Could probably be had for a second tier prospect. Ahmed Rosario? Gabriel Ynoa? Cory Vaughn? Juan Lagares? Maybe it'd take two, but still.

I feel a fraternity with our orange brethren, and Oriole players have always made a grain of sense to me in Mets uniforms and vice versa.