As another disappointing season unfolds, I find myself thinking about the 2011’s. I am no expert in contracts and I am writing this on a bus without the ability to look up numbers, but let’s look at the team from the perspective of a fan in the uppers.
Is the 2011 lineup already playing every day? Why would it work next year?
1B: Ike Davis. I guess you could include him in a package. You can find someone else to play first. The question is, “Why would you?” He has shown pop and he will be inexpensive for years.
2B: Castillo. Who would want him? What would you get back?
3B: see June 15, 1977
LF: Bay has a big contract and had a bad year. Stuck. N
CF: Beltran. Will make $19 million, and still hasn’t shown himself to be the old Carlos. I don’t know who could afford him or if you would get “full value” back.
RF: Francoeur won’t be back. Pagan is nice but his numbers aren’t that good. This is one position where they could upgrade.
SP: I’m not ready to give up on Pelfrey, and Niese is young and lefty. Keep them. Santana would bring back a good return if you want to rebuild.
RP: I think the entire bullpen is moveable. You can find a closer. Parnell might get you something back.
C: anything excite you here? Could wheel and deal from this position
And I skipped SS. This morning I read that the Mets are planning to extend Reyes’ contract. They have a team option for $11 million for 2011, but plan to extend beyond that.
I think of all the “shake it up” moves you could make, moving Reyes would be the one. You would get real players back for him. Yes it is aggressive. The Red Sox once were a team that hadn’t won in 80 years and they had a SS named Nomar that was talked about as being arguably the best in the game (with A-Rod and Jeter). The Sox made the crazy move and have won more championships this century than anyone.
There’s nothing wrong with keeping Reyes here for another ten years. I get attacked any time I float this Interestingly I have seen others, including mainstream media, talk about this for the first time. All I’m saying is that of all the aggressive plays the franchise could make, that’s the one.
Otherwise, opening day 2011 is Santana, Ike, Castillo, Reyes, Wright, Bay, Beltran, the new RF and some C, and nothing these past few years suggests that that combo will work.
