The New Year

I think we can all agree that 2009 was torture. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't make sense of this past season. It was an absolute disaster.

2010 seems more promising, though. I don't know if its just that we were so awful in 09 that our team now seems good. Jason Bay joins us at Citi Field this year, I think that's great. Great and smart acquisitions by Omar also came to end 2009 that all could prove to be low risk, high reward such as Kelvim Escobar, Ryota Igarashi, Clint Everts along with a bunch of catchers and minor leaguers.

On behalf of everyone here at Chemetsry, have a happy New Year and here's to 2010! No matter how bad we suck or will be sucking in the future, we'll always be Mets fans. Cheers.

-M

A look at Jason Bay and the (current) 2010 Mets

Though not 100% official, the Mets and Jason Bay have reached an agreement of approximately 4 years, $66 mil with a 5th year option. This is all pending physical.

I like this move. He was one of two big name players for left field this off season and we got one of them. Sure you can argue that Matt Holliday is the better of the two, but Bay is a great player. Holliday also has Boras for an agent who will run you dry for your money, so I'm sure Omar felt it easier to deal with Bay. I'm sure that's not the reason, but I'm sure it helped.

Jason Bay will find success at Citi Field due to its big outfield and the ability to hit doubles and triples while Matt Holliday and his homeruns would've taken a hit. I like this move a lot.

Current line up:

Reyes

Castillo

Wright

Beltran

Bay

Murphy

Franceour

(catcher)

(pitcher)

That looks great. Pending the health of everyone, we have a pretty nice line-up.

Now for the rotation:

Santana

Pelfrey

Maine

Perez

Niese

We need extra firepower. My ideal pitcher would be Carlos Zambrano but I don't know how likely that will be. He'd be a fantastic #2 though. Another pitcher I think would fit is Ben Sheets. You can read more on the rotation in my recent post here.

For the bullpen:

Escobar

Igarashi

Stokes

Green

Parnell

Feliciano

K-Rod

I like that bullpen. Escobar and Igarashi can prove to be huge commodities. We know what to expect from Stokes, Parnell and Green and hope for them to improve. Feliciano has been great and we need for him to stay that way. K-Rod will get more save opportunities, hopefully, and get back to closing exciting games.

As for the set-up job, I assume Igarashi, Escobar, and possibly Parnell will be competing for it in spring training so who knows.

I like this team. They have a good core and a young bullpen. Though the rotation needs to be worked on, this team has good talent otherwise. The Mets are apparently off this week and away from office, so the Bay press conference and other moves will be made no earlier then next week.

Addressing the rotation

Over the course of this off season so far, no moves have been made to resolve the black void of a rotation behind staff ace Johan Santana. Little moves have been made to improve the bullpen. Having a bullpen of Igarashi, Escobar, Stokes, Parnell, Green, and K-Rod surely can be argued as a decently strong bullpen.

Now on the rotation.

The rotation in 2009 was just awful. Between the injuries, we had no-names fill in and attempt to give it their all, which wasn't a lot. What will the rotation be in 2010 and how will it be addressed this off season? The following are possibilities, starting with what we have and going on to what we can get through the free agent market.

Johan Santana

He is the clear staff ace and a natural leader. We all expect a lot from him in 2010, and as usual he'll deliver.

Mike Pelfrey

Huge potential, huge head case. In 2008, his first full season as a starter, he put up a 3.70 ERA which was supposed to be the first step to becoming a dominate pitcher as he was speculated on being. Predicting this step forward, he was placed in the #2 slot. This step forward actually became two steps backwards as he put up a 5.03 ERA this season. Yes, he did show signs of dominance and it was exciting. When he's on, he's definitely on. I don't want to see him traded because I can see his potential. He has fantastic stuff but I feel needs more experience and more maturity. I want to see him be a steady pitcher in 2010 so he can be a solid #3 and maybe eventually fill that #2 spot.

John Maine

Maine's first year as a Met was fantastic, putting up a 3.60 ERA in 2006. The following years he put up 3.91, 4.18, and then 4.43 in 2009. I always envisioned Maine as a great reliever due to the fact he cannot last long in games. Given we get a starter, I feel Maine would be the first one shipped from the rotation to the pen.

Oliver Perez

Where do I even begin? In his seven years in the bigs, he's only had three good seasons, posting a 3.50 ERA in 2002 with the Padres, 2.98 in 2004 with the Pirates and 3.56 in 2007 with the Mets. I like his stuff but he seems to not be all there. Omir Santos said in an interview that Perez talks to himself on the mound all the time. Sometimes Omir thinks he's talking to him so he goes up to the mound to see what's up, then is told that he wasn't talking to him. Due to Ollie's big contract, he'll most likely be in the rotation for 2010. He has to step it up though. I like that this off season he's been working really hard in rehab to get himself in shape and completely ready for 2010.

Jon Niese

I like Niese. He's a young kid who is clearly an organization favorite. Though is fastball is pedestrian, his is curveball is fantastic. I remember Chris Carlin once called him Captain Hook one postgame due to this. I'd love to see him in the #5 spot in 2010, so hopefully he has a successful recovery. His injury was awful to watch and just a huge downer to me. A new face with a lot of potential gets the spot start and is eventually hurt and needs season ending surgery. I can't wait to hear about his progress and how he's doing in Sprig Training in competition for that 5th starter spot.

Now for a free agent...

Ben Sheets

Ben Sheets excites me. He'd be a great #2 behind Santana. When healthy, he's basically a Santana carbon-copy and an ace. I'd completely be all for Sheets, he's asking for $12 mil for one year deal and I might give it to him now. It might be pricey due to his injury given history, but at this point in time I'd be for it. Erik Bedard is another one to think of, but I like Sheets as our best opportunity. I feel he has the better arm and can give us more if healthy.

The 2010 rotation would look like Santana-Sheets-Pelfrey-Perez-Niese. If Sheets is healthy and his stuff is on, it can rival that of Santana's. The Santana/Sheets 1-2 is deadly and powerful. Pelfrey and Perez, given maturity and experience, would give you solid starts. I like Niese as our #5 because I feel Maine would be awesome in the bullpen. Niese can work out any kinks he has and show us what he's all about.

Mets' inactions are hurting them

What big free agents have signed this off-season? Jason Marquis, Garrett Adkins, Mike Gonzalez, John Lackey, Latroy Hawkins, Mike Cameron, etc. You get the point.
How many of those guys went to the Mets? None.
Who has the Omar Minaya signed? Let me think... Chris Coste, Henry Blanco, Mike Hessman, Clint Everts, Ryota Igarashi, and Elmer Dessens. None really what you would call big free agents.

In past off-seasons Omar Minaya has made a big move or two to acquire top talent. This year, he has not signed or traded for a top of the line player. I don't understand how move can be made all around the Mets, and Omar Minaya has done absolutely nothing! Ok, Matt Holliday and Jason Bay are still on the Market, but how has he not signed a starting pitcher, or a starting catcher? John Lackey, Randy Wolf, and Jason Marquis are on the Red Sox, Brewers, and Nationals respectively.
Speaking of the a Natinals, they have signed Ivan Rodriguez, and traded for Brian Bruney, along with the signing of Marquis. Now when the Nationals are making more major moves than you, there is something very wrong!

The Brewers signed Randy Wolf, and Latroy Hawkins on the same day! How did Omar not even factor into their decisions to go there? Shouldn't he want a starter and reliever? Couldn't Omar have signed them too? I would assume so, given that the brewers are a small market team. He could have out-bidded them.
from all of the reports that circulated John Lackey, none said that the Mets had even offered him a contract. How is that possible when you need a #2 starter? Ben Sheets anyone?

According to many sources, R.A. Dickey is close to signing a minor league deal with the Mets... I know it's a minor league deal, but still Omar needs to step up his game, or else he is out.

For more on this subject see Ed Prices' AOL Fanhouse article.

Pedro Martinez, on the Mets' radar?

Pedro? Really?

I'm not sure what Omar is thinking about right now, but it shouldn't be Pedro. Does he really think Pedro Martinez, at age 38, is a good idea at this point in time? Why go through his desperate measure when there are still options out there: Sheets, Bedard, even Garland and Doug Davis.

Pedro hasn't been stellar in a while, let alone satisfactory, and probably shouldn't be entertained with the idea of him landing a spot on our roster. Sure, if the Nationals or the Royals needs a guy for their rotation, sign Pedro for a year. How could he fit into the Mets once again when we know he has no more gas left?

Sure, during the playoffs his change-up was very good at times. But how about the other times when it was crushed? Pedro posted a 3.63 ERA in 44.2 IP with the Phillies this past year, while striking out 37.

All I know is that it would be a horrible idea for Omar to resign Pedro. If they wouldn't resign him in 09... why would they decide to in 2010? With other viable options and decent pitchers still lurking the market, why settle with Pedro Martinez?

I'm just really confused.

Why the Mets may be better off with Jason Bay

The Mets need a left fielder. There is no question about that. They had Gary Sheffield, Angel Pagan, Fernando Martinez, Fernando Tatis, and Cory Sullivan playing left for them last year. Not good.

The Mets need a guy who can replace Carlos Delgado in the clean-up or #5 spot. They need thump in the lineup. That thump was obviously missing last year given that they finished last in the MLB in homers. Bay hit 36 homers last year. That is the kind of power the Mets need in the lineup.

Matt Holliday may have a higher average; but per hit, Jason Bay has more extra base hits (Click here for more on this stat). That tells me that he has higher power potential, and that he is more suited to be in the #4 or #5 spot in the lineup.

The Mets also need someone to drive in all the runners they have in scoring position. They had the 7th most at-bats with RISP (1433), and the 6th highest average (.276) in that situation, BUT they had the 15th most RBIs (526). There is something wrong there. They had a 1 to 1 ground ball to fly ball ratio with RISP; the league average was 0.85 to 1 last year, that 0.15 difference makes a huge impact! The Mets can't hit the ball out of the infield! Jason Bay's ratio is 0.51. Holliday, 0.79. I would rather go with Bay there.

Holliday may be a better fielder and strikeout less, but Jason Bay has more power potential, get on base just as much, and gets more RBIs.

That's my case for Bay, what's yours?

Aroldis Chapman for New York

"I want to be the best pitcher in the world. That's my objective."

The 22 year old Cuban phenom hasn't made a decision yet where to sign, and I believe the Mets should look into him heavily. Chapman is young, full of talent, and could be the Mets' project over the next few years in the minors.

Since the Mets are clearly not spending on top pitching this off season, this would be a good investment. In a post in October here, I said that the Mets had too many holes to fill to pay him the money he seeks and that its not worth it. Now seeing this off season was a bust for pitching for the organization, he would be a great asset.

Chapman has been labeled as "one of three greatest pitchers not in the majors" along with LHP Stephen Strasburg and Japanese RHP Yu Darvish. He is a workhorse and bound to be a star.

Aroldis has a great build and has been labeled as "mature, limber and powerful." His electric fastball sits at 93-95 while hitting 100 and not uncommon for him to hit 97 regularly. He's been clocked at 102 in the first inning and has hit 102 later on in the game as well. His 2-seam sits at 91-92 and also throws a hard, plus-slider at 81 and a plus-curveball at 75.

If the Mets want to start rebuilding for the future and get serious about contending, Chapman is their guy. By signing him, we'd get major coverage and attention as he climbs the ranks in the minors.

He's exactly what we're looking for to shake up this organization. He's young, promising, and full of energy and upside projection. Chapman would be more than welcomed in New York by me. What do you think?

To learn a little more about Aroldis Chapman, watch this video.

Clint Everts

The Mets just signed 25-year-old RHP Clint Everts to a one year, major league deal. In 2002, Everts was the fifth overall pick in the draft and headed to the Nationals (Expos at that time). Last season he went 8-1 with a 1.65 ERA (with six saves), all combined from his 09 stints in A+, AA, and AAA.

His minor league career numbers are 32-39 with a 3.98 ERA in 76 starts and 115 relief appearances.

My question is why didn't the National ever bring him up? Its not like their bullpen was anything to brag about anyways. Regardless, I'm excited. I feel that this was such a good move by Omar. This kid has so much talent with major upside. It sounds promising to sign a fifth overall pick, no matter how long ago it was. He was picked fifth for a reason, now its time to show it.

Other notable players from that draft are BJ Upton, Zack Greinke, Prince Fielder, Joe Saunders, Scott Kazmir, Cole Hamels and Matt Cain. Here's a fun fact, all these players (except Upton) listed above were all picked after Clint Everts was, so I guess that shows something.

Lets see if he can be a valuable commodity to the Mets organization. I sure hope so.

The future of the infield

CATCHER

After hearing of the Henry Blanco signing, it got me thinking about the catcher situation. Say we sign Bengie Molina to a one year deal, our catchers for the 2010 season would be Molina and Blanco. This would give Josh Thole a chance to further develop in Triple A. Pending defensive improvement, he'll be rewarded with a September call up to get his feet wet again in preparation for a spot on the 2011 team.

FIRST BASE

I would do the same thing at first base. I'd keep Murphy at first for the time being and give Ike Davis a September call-up, all in preparation for the starting first base spot for 2011.

SECOND BASE

Hopefully, the Mets can rid themselves of Luis Castillo and receive a solid second baseman. They have their eyes on Orlando Hudson which is awesome. He would be a major upgrade from Castillo and fit real nicely in the line-up.

SHORT STOP

A healthy Jose Reyes is needed. A fantastic contributor to the line-up, if Reyes learns to mature a little more and really focus, it can impact the team greatly.

THIRD BASE

David Wright had a down of a season in 2009, but I'm not worried. A four-time consecutive All-Star, Wright is the face of the organization and needs to continue to lead and inspire his teammates.

Since we have strong prospects at catcher and first base, it should make this off season and next off season very specific in what Omar should focus on to get us back to a contending team, specifically left field and the starting rotation. Hopefully all goes well and the Mets will become a threat to the competition in the near future.

Let's hope!