Centerfield

And more importantly, .854 OPS versus lefties in the last 3 years.

Yeah, I'm not sure anyone left is worth that much of an investment. Was all set to go in on Antonio Bastardo until I realized he's only good in odd years.

Wonder if they give a low risk deal to Parnell. Second year from TJ bla bla bla.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr wrote: Funny. Without looking here, and looking over a list of current FAs, I was JUST thinking of Byrdie. If cheap, Steve Pearce might be an even better fit. Byrd continued to be productive this year. Even at 38 years old. I have no idea what he would cost, but it looks good on paper. Like his .820 OPS against lefties. Don't know anything about Pearce. Numbers don't look great.

I guess Seattle would give him the opportunity to close. Who's even left now?

Tough choice there. Some of these late season covers should be calling the selection committee complaining about their draws.

Too bad Mike Hessman retired. What is Val Pascucci up to these days?

Got it. Agreed.

Edgy MD wrote: I've kind of supported going big on Cespedes, depending on how big. I just think — and I'm dangerously close to entertaining broad, sweeping generalizations with regard to Cubanos — he's kind of crazy, living in his own orbit, and possibly juiced to the eyebrows. I just don't like — have never liked — spending the offseason coveting other people's stuff (and former stuff). That's just not what I root for. I become interested in Mets when they become Mets. I understand this. And you've been consistent on this throughout the years. You and I both advocated re-upping Piazza at the end, and frankly, we both whiffed on that. Which makes your failure to endorse Cespedes strange. It's out of character for you. You started a Murphy thread. I hear you on the Cespedes reservations. I have them too. I far preferred Heyward (I have no such hangups about coveting others' stuff). But I think he and Upton, imperfect as they are, are the best options left.

Edgy MD wrote: I'm saying all here can speak speak for themselves. I'm-not-naming-names straw man shots like that is part of what Saladoc used to make this place as miserable as hell. I didn't think it was really contested that some disagree with me on the payroll issue. Anyone that has been reading the past few weeks can see that and know who that is. I know I have not been arguing against myself. I'm happy to name names, as you saw above. I didn't think, and still don't think, this is necessary.

Edgy MD wrote: Centerfield wrote: Some here may pretend that the payroll is less important than what it is, but in my opinion, money is the single biggest factor in achieving our ultimate goal, which is to win a championship. Enough with the "some here" stuff. Talk about bad form. Are you implying that this is not true? Ceetar and MGIM are outspoken about this. Ashie falls into this camp too. As for your standpoint, I don't know where you fall. I know you refute a lot of my points. You were not sold on Heyward. You don't advocate for Cespedes. Upton, you say, is not a good fit. But I don't know that I've seen you speak openly on your thoughts about the payroll.

Mex17 wrote: Based upon that $92.2 million number that Rubin put out there as the payroll commitment going into the winter, things roughly break down like this. . . $92.2 million - $9 million for Niece - $12.5 million for Cuddyer + $10.7 million for Walker + $8.5 million for Cabrera = $89.65 million Assuming that they have a $120 million budget to spend (not unreasonable given that this was the around the median for MLB last season and this is a New York-based defending NL Champion), that gives them around $30 million to play with. So. . . $10 million for Span or Parra $10 million for an 8th inning guy $5 million for Colon $2 million for Blevins $3 million for Steve Pearce And there you go. If there really is $30 million, I would go $20 million for Cespedes/Upton, then spend the remaining $10 million on bullpen help. Blevins is a great start. I think Cishek could be had for less than $5 million. I'd also look into bringing back Kelly Johnson, as I think he can still be a very useful piece.

themetfairy wrote: Centerfield wrote: Is it bad form? Then I guess I am guilty as charged. Let's remember, Cuddyer did not die. And he has not been struck ill with a serious disease. He is a person that was given the ultimate gift of playing major league baseball. He is retiring after 15 years, a long and successful career, as a very rich man. Is he sad today? Sure. We should all be so sad. I celebrate today because I am a Mets fan, not a Michael Cuddyer fan. And as long as Cuddyer was on the team, not performing, using up limited resources, his interests were aligned against the Mets. I celebrate today because his retirement greatly helps the Mets. I also welcome number crunching. Crunch away Mex. Some here may pretend that the payroll is less important than what it is, but in my opinion, money is the single biggest factor in achieving our ultimate goal, which is to win a championship. And by factor, I mean obstacle. We are playing against a stacked deck. We are playing teams with far more resources than us. So when resources free up, I understand celebrating and number crunching. It's exactly what I did. I love you Man! And I have a fond regard for you as well.

That being said, very classy move by Cuddyer all around. Both to walk away and to write that statement. I would never expect an athlete to act so altruistically. The move there is to show up in Spring Training, talk about being in the best shape of your life, then collect checks while sitting on the 60 day DL.

Is it bad form? Then I guess I am guilty as charged. Let's remember, Cuddyer did not die. And he has not been struck ill with a serious disease. He is a person that was given the ultimate gift of playing major league baseball. He is retiring after 15 years, a long and successful career, as a very rich man. Is he sad today? Sure. We should all be so sad. I celebrate today because I am a Mets fan, not a Michael Cuddyer fan. And as long as Cuddyer was on the team, not performing, using up limited resources, his interests were aligned against the Mets. I celebrate today because his retirement greatly helps the Mets. I also welcome number crunching. Crunch away Mex. Some here may pretend that the payroll is less important than what it is, but in my opinion, money is the single biggest factor in achieving our ultimate goal, which is to win a championship. And by factor, I mean obstacle. We are playing against a stacked deck. We are playing teams with far more resources than us. So when resources free up, I understand celebrating and number crunching. It's exactly what I did.

They would have only had to come up with another 175 million or so. Maybe only $155 if you take away Cabrera. All kidding aside, maybe if he had retired earlier, the Mets decide to look at upper tier OF'ers, and maybe then they decide Heyward is the best fit.

Think he could be the new bench coach? Like, not kidding.

The fucker couldn't do it a day earlier? Like when Heyward was still available? Fuck even 12 hours earlier.

There must be some sort of buyout no?

Now if only Cabrera would also retire. We could sign Cespedes.

This just in. Ceetar still expecting big things from him in 2016.

Confirmed says Adam Rubin.

Twitter is buzzing that the Mets listed Cuddyer retiring on their transaction page. It was soon removed. When asked, the Mets, instead of saying it was a mistake, said "No comment".

I remember the time he retired 12 hours too late for us to get in on Heyward.

Sounds like RD is a card-carrying member of PAW. Welcome to the club good doctor.