Sandy Speaks - GM Meetings 2016

[Centerfield]

And as only Sandy can do, says a lot without actually saying anything. But after John "Look at my cards!" Ricco, it's a breath of fresh air.

Summaries:

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2016/11/jose-bautista-mets-rumors-cespedes.html

https://www.sny.tv/mets/news/what-sandy-alderson-said-at-the-gm-meetings-on-monday/208338234

Mostly it's stuff you'd expect, but a couple of takeaways:

*They're going to tender Lucas Duda.

*Even before the Familia incident, they were looking at getting bullpen help. They are not shopping in the top end of the market, so no Chapman, Jansen, etc.

*Seems to be resigned to our existing options at catcher.

*Most importantly, the dialogue around Cespedes is far more encouraging than last winter. Last year we heard about his demands being north of our budget, and not having a position for him, blah blah blah. This year, Sandy's message seems to be they want him back, and they would prefer to get it done sooner so they can move on to backups if it's not going to happen. Probably the most encouraging quote of the night: “I wouldn’t have indicated our interest in having him back if I didn’t feel that we had the resources to make that possible.” Man. So sexy when he talks like that.

*Says he hopes Walker takes the QO and would be open to a long-term deal with him as well.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Centerfield wrote: *They're going to tender Lucas Duda.

Not surprising.

Centerfield wrote: *Even before the Familia incident, they were looking at getting bullpen help. They are not shopping in the top end of the market, so no Chapman, Jansen, etc.

I've been kinda hoping for Jansen, but I also realize that paying $12 million for a reliever is a bad idea. I'm very curious to see what they do here. I remember how Antonio Bastardo looked like such a smart move last year.

Centerfield wrote: *Seems to be resigned to our existing options at catcher.

I expect that this will change. I would be surprised if they didn't add a veteran catcher and went into spring training with d'Arnaud as the starter and Plawecki as the backup.

Centerfield wrote: *Most importantly, the dialogue around Cespedes is far more encouraging than last winter.

I find that I'm optimistic that he'll return. I figure that Cespedes will get a four-year deal, maybe with a fifth option year. A week or so ago I posted that my estimate was four years, $100 million. I've since seen that number floated around, and I've also seen four years, $110 million. If he can be had for that, the Mets should definitely do it.

Centerfield wrote: *Says he hopes Walker takes the QO and would be open to a long-term deal with him as well.

My hunch has been that Walker will be elsewhere, but I could be wrong.

[Centerfield]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: I remember how Antonio Bastardo looked like such a smart move last year.

I was thinking that the biggest need the Mets have on the pitching side is a left-handed reliever that strikes some fear. Obviously they're not getting Chapman or Andrew Miller, but someone with a bit of a track record, who throws hard, would be nice. Someone like...Antonio Bastardo.

We should have kept Niese and sent him back to Pittsburgh!

On a (somewhat) serious note, 2017 is an odd-numbered year, and Antonio Bastardo is great in odd-numbered years:

http://www.espn.com/mlb/player/stats/_/id/30105/antonio-bastardo

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

*Says he hopes Walker takes the QO and would be open to a long-term deal with him as well.

That's polite but almost has to be a half-truth.

[Frayed Knot]

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: *Says he hopes Walker takes the QO and would be open to a long-term deal with him as well. That's polite but almost has to be a half-truth.

I think it is. The Mets could live with it whether Walker accepts or doesn't (obviously, or they wouldn't have offered).

[Edgy MD]

I also tend to think (almost complete speculation) that offering an extension to Walker back in August could have convinced him to play hurt down the stretch.

[seawolf17]

Centerfield wrote: *Seems to be resigned to our existing options at catcher.

I think they have to say that, at least publicly. Otherwise you have no market for d'Arnaud at all.

[Centerfield]

seawolf17 wrote: Centerfield wrote: *Seems to be resigned to our existing options at catcher. I think they have to say that, at least publicly. Otherwise you have no market for d'Arnaud at all.

I would love to sit with him one day and be like "Seriously though. What's up with that stance?"