Plenty of names are surfacing on the Mets rumor mill over the past week or so. Follow along with me as I give my opinions on those names I have heard:
- The A's are looking to trade outfielder/DH Jack Cust and the Mets have expressed some interest. Cust is a Jersey guy and would probably enjoy playing closer to home. He would provide some left handed pop in the lineup. However, he is a guy that will strike out a ton. Cust is also not known as a very good fielding outfielder. He is better off in the American League.
- Jason Bay & Matt Holliday. The Mets have said they will at least make an attempt to sign some of the top free agents this off season. Bay and Holliday are the top two position players available. To be honest, I am not overly impressed with either of these outfielders. They are both talented players but I think they will be very over payed due to the lack of stars in this years free agent class. The Mets certainly need outfield help so I would have to say they should pursue one of these guys, but dont expect to much.
- The Mets have expressed interest in trading for Royals veteran outfielder Jose Guillen. I dont get it. I know they need outfield help as I mentioned before, but seriously, Jose Guillen?? Guillen is 33 years old and played just 81 games last season due to injuries. In those 81 games, he hit just .242 with 9 home runs. The Royals apparently are interested in Angel Pagan. Losing Pagan would not hurt, I'm just not sure Guillen would help at all.
- Jermaine Dye. Many teams have apparently called about Dye. They have been asking if he would be willing to play first base. Many people believe Dye's defense in the outfield has fallen a bit. He can still knock the ball around with the bat however and he hit .289 agaisnt lefties the past three seasons. That would be a clear upgrade over Daniel Murphy who hit just .223 against lefties last year. If Dye can play first base, he would be a nice pick up for the Mets. He could play 1st as well as the outfield if needed.
- Some other names that have come up recently for 1st base is Nick Johnson and Russell Branyan. The Mets called about Branyan. I would stay away from him though. He is 33 years old and had a career year last year. He did however have a bad second half. That could have been a result of a back injury. Nick Johnson is a very good defensive first baseman. The Mets would welcome that as it would help out the other infielders, especially David Wright. Johnson is also a on base machine. The knock against Johnson is that he seems to be a big injury risk.
- John Lackey is someone that Mets are certainly going to go after. It appears he may be their top target currently. At least he should be. Lackey would provide the Mets with a very good #2 starter behind Johan Santana. It would also take pressure off some of the other potential starting pitchers. If I were the Mets, I would go hard after Lackey.
- Jason Marquis has made it clear he would like to pitch for the Mets. He seems to think him and the Mets are a perfect fit. Marquis is a Staten Island native. While he should not be considered a top of the rotation guy, Marquis is someone that will eat up innings and give the team a chance to win more often then not. He would be a very good back end of the rotation starter. The only question is, how much will you need to pay for that.
- Somer other pitchers mentioned in rumors are: Ben Sheets (pictured above), Joel Pineiro, and Randy Wolf. I have always liked Sheets. He has not pitched in the majors in over a year but before he had surgery on his elbow, Sheets was one of the top pitchers in the National League. Reports have said he should be ready by spring training. I dont like Pineiro or Wolf. I dont think they are much better then what the Mets currently have.
When I hear more, I will let you know.