should we be talking about Denard Span?

[Frayed Knot]

And besides, no one is saying that Span is THE option to be taken ahead of all others, only that he's AN option to be considered.

[Ceetar]

I'd give Span a one year deal right now, but, anything more is going to have to wait.

I suspect other teams feel this way too. I think he's really going to have to progress in time/rehab a little bit first, so there are legitimate recovery metrics in place.

Of course, maybe you play that risk and gamble with it early when other's are worried.

What about something like a one year deal with a second year as a mutual (either/or) option at $9 per?

[Centerfield]

Frayed Knot wrote: And besides, no one is saying that Span is THE option to be taken ahead of all others, only that he's AN option to be considered.

Fair. And LWFS point is taken as well.

I'm just saying if you are going to go the "we don't necessarily need power" route, Jason Heyward basically is a much better, younger, healthier version of Span with tons more upside. (He just costs the Wilpons a lot more.)

I like the idea of a "None of us are stars, but we're all great hitters" type of lineup, but for some reason I feel like trying to construct one of these is a lot more tenuous than the "get a masher" approach. And I know it's not logical since your masher could get hungry for Dominican food and get into the wrong cab, but I feel like getting a HR hitter seems like more of a sure thing.

And I really hope that the goal this offseason is to be better than the team that ended 2015, rather than to be better than the team that started it.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

I think the 2016 club can be a lot better than 2015 only by staying healthier longer and playing better D, which are two very achievable goals not requiring a huge outlay of $$.

[Benjamin Grimm]

I don't know if we need a "Let's Talk About Jackie Bradley Jr." thread.

MLB hot stove: Mets showed interest in this Boston Red Sox outfielder The Mets continue to look for ways to upgrade their offense and one of the places they've looked to is Boston. The team expressed interest in center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr., according to a report by the Boston Globe. They weren't alone. The Globe report says the Royals, Mariners and Cubs talked to the Red Sox as well, and maybe the Nationals. Bradley is an intriguing asset. He is a super defensive center fielder, likely among the best in baseball. And this past season he showed improvement as a hitter, posting an .832 OPS in 255 plate appearances and popped 10 home runs. Writes the Globe: "The GMs we spoke to said Bradley is one of the most coveted outfielders this offseason. "His low cost, his elite defense, and his emerging offense" are major selling points, according to an American League GM. But those are also the reasons Boston wants to keep him." It would make for a quality duo in center field for the Mets if they could procure him. The left-handed hitting Bradley could split time with the right-handed Juan Lagares. Mets pitchers would love it because both are Gold Glove quality defensive players and as platoon players could compliment each other well -- although Bradley actually reverse batting splits for his career, hitting left-handed pitching much better of his over time in the majors. But the Globe reports that the Red Sox don't seem intent on dealing Bradley after acquiring Craig Kimbrel. They used their vast reserve of talent for a reliever and seem likely to look for a starting pitcher in free agency.

[Centerfield]

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: I think the 2016 club can be a lot better than 2015 only by staying healthier longer and playing better D, which are two very achievable goals not requiring a huge outlay of $$.

Staying healthy and playing better D would help, but I don't think it brings you there.

Right now, the team projected to start 2016 is basically the same, except we swap in Herrera for Murphy, and Lagares for Cespedes. (And the bullpen will be different) And definitely, this team is already better defensively. But it's a lot worse offensively. Even if this team managed to stay healthy longer, I don't think the improved defense is enough to offset the lost offense.

The only way this team would be a lot better is if they played better defense, stayed healthy, got repeat performances from Granderson, Duda and d'Arnaud (Duda and d'Arnaud are good bets. Granderson is more of a variable), and saw steps forward taken by the young guys (Herrera, Flores, Lagares, Conforto). All while staying healthy in the rotation and at closer. And while all of this is possible, it leaves a lot to chance.

They can take some of the guesswork out of this by spending money and bringing in more talent. And while you will never take luck and health out of the picture, adding shit tons of talent gives you more of a safety net.

Now, all of that being said, as long as they fill out their pen, I think the current Mets can still be a contender. Maybe even win 90 games again. I think Conforto will be a star. I think Lagares, if he is healthy, will make strides at the plate. And if not, there is always Nimmo who can step in. And I think Granderson and Cuddyer will platoon in RF. And I think Cuddyer, after his surgery, will bounce back with a productive year. And I think our pitching will carry us. But who knows what might happen.

That's why I want the Wilpons to open things up and put at team out there that has an upside of 120 wins.

Edited November 16, 2015 by Guest

[Centerfield]

I don't know if we need a "Let's Talk About Jackie Bradley Jr." thread. MLB hot stove: Mets showed interest in this Boston Red Sox outfielder The Mets continue to look for ways to upgrade their offense and one of the places they've looked to is Boston. The team expressed interest in center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr., according to a report by the Boston Globe. They weren't alone. The Globe report says the Royals, Mariners and Cubs talked to the Red Sox as well, and maybe the Nationals. Bradley is an intriguing asset. He is a super defensive center fielder, likely among the best in baseball. And this past season he showed improvement as a hitter, posting an .832 OPS in 255 plate appearances and popped 10 home runs. Writes the Globe: "The GMs we spoke to said Bradley is one of the most coveted outfielders this offseason. "His low cost, his elite defense, and his emerging offense" are major selling points, according to an American League GM. But those are also the reasons Boston wants to keep him." It would make for a quality duo in center field for the Mets if they could procure him. The left-handed hitting Bradley could split time with the right-handed Juan Lagares. Mets pitchers would love it because both are Gold Glove quality defensive players and as platoon players could compliment each other well -- although Bradley actually reverse batting splits for his career, hitting left-handed pitching much better of his over time in the majors. But the Globe reports that the Red Sox don't seem intent on dealing Bradley after acquiring Craig Kimbrel. They used their vast reserve of talent for a reliever and seem likely to look for a starting pitcher in free agency.

Definitely worth kicking the tires. Had an .851 OPS in the minors, so seems he could be a pretty good hitter. What would it take to get him?

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Good patience (walk numbers no lower than 11% in a full minor-league season), along with pop.

Plus, he kinda reminds me, name-wise, of this guy:



But he'd cost a guy or two. Span wouldn't... nor would he cost a draft pick. I'd go 2-3 years, with heavy performance rewards.

[Centerfield]

Back to Denard Span.

If we can't get the big hitters (and it's looking more and more like that's the case), Denard Span would be my choice for CF. Very small commitment. Maybe throw in some incentives. No draft pick tied to him. Only problem is that Boras is his agent. So we'll have to wait and see.

I'm not convinced about Gerardo Parra. Plus he'd cost a lot more money and wants a long-term deal.

Will Venable. I can't believe I have to even mention Will Venable.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Do we really need to TALK about Denard Span? Can't we, just, like, nod in his direction, then purse our lips in terse acceptance once it's all done?

[Benjamin Grimm]

I'm hoping for Span too. On Mets Hot Stove last night, Andy Martino said that Scott Boras has said that Span won't take a one-year deal, and won't go anywhere where he has to platoon.

Of course, what Scott Boras says now and what eventually comes to pass may be two different things. But it does seem likely that Span won't sign anywhere until we get into January, so we'll have to wait and see.

[A Boy Named Seo]

Screw Span. What about Corey Dickerson? I feel like maybe we should talk about him a little.

[Edgy MD]

The Mets, like Lisa Simpson, have not had good luck with Coreys.

[Vic Sage]

how about Corey Haim?
Corey Feldman?
Professor Irwin Corey?

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Can he play CF? I look at Charlie Blackmon a lot myself but you never know what kinda non-Coors hitters these guys might be.

[A Boy Named Seo]

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Can he play CF? I look at Charlie Blackmon a lot myself but you never know what kinda non-Coors hitters these guys might be.

He's played CF, but I don't know if he's a centerfielder. And slightly less crappy away from Coors than Blackmon (Blackmon .695 OPS, Dickerson .724).

[TransMonk]

Are we down on Parra?

[Centerfield]

Denard Span will work out for teams in Tampa after the new year. Boras says this will prove his client's health.

I think this makes sense. I had reservations about giving a multi-year deal to a speed guy on the wrong side of 30 coming off of hip surgery. But if he can hit off a tee and shag some fly balls, then I say let's go for it!