Pitchers: Pedro Martinez (July at Earliest), Billy Wagner, Duaner Sanchez, Pedro Feliciano, Mike Pelfrey , Phil Humber, Royce Ring, Henry Owens, Juan Padilla
Catchers: Paul LoDuca, Ramon Castro, Mike DeFelice
Infielders: David Wright, Jose Reyes, Julio Franco, Ruben Gotay
Outfielders: Carlos Beltran, Endy Chavez
Still Signed, Possibly be traded, but likely to return:
Pitchers: John Maine, Aaron Heilman, Brian Banniseter, Oliver Perez, Dave Williams, Alay Soler, Heath Bell, Victor Zambrano, Matt Lindstrom
Infielders: Carlos Delgado (has option to demand trade), Anderson Hernandez, Mike Carp
Outfielders: Shawn Green, Lastings Milledge
Free Agents, Possibly to Return:
Free Agents, Not Likely to Return:
Darren Oliver, Steve Trachsel, Roberto Hernandez, Victor Zambrano
Potential Free Agent Targets:
Pitchers: Barry Zito, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Jason Schmidt, Jeff Suppan, Mark Mulder, Gil Meche, Vicente Padilla, 2006 Met Free Agents Listed Above
Position Players: Alfonso Soriano, Carlos Lee, Moises Alou, David Delluci, Rich Aurilla, Eric Byrnes (Arbitration Eligible with Arizona), Adam Kennedy, Julio Lugo, Mark Loretta, Frank Catalanatto, Ronnie Belliard
Possible Trade Targets (Rumored):
Pitchers: Dontrelle Willis, Erik Bedard, Jake Peavy, Rodrigo Lopez, Freddy Garcia, Jason Jennings, Jason Westbrook
Position Players: Manny Ramirez, Eric Byrnes, Carl Crawford
Untouchable Prospects:
Mike Pelfrey, Phil Humber, Carlos Gomez, Fernando Martinez,
Position by Position Analysis:
Starting Pitching: Last year 13 different players started games for the Mets at different points of the season, Pedro Martinez, Tom Glavine, Orlando Hernandez, Steve Trachsel, John Maine, Jose Lima, Jeremi Gonzalez, Alay Soler, Mike Pelfrey, Victor Zambrano, Oliver Perez, Dave Williams, and Brian Bannister. With the way John Maine, who is rumored to be working on a splitter with Rick Peterson in the offseason, and Oliver Perez pitched in the most important games of the season in front of a packed house at Shea Stadium most Mets fans feel they have what it takes to be a big part of the future rotation of the Mets. Pedro Martinez should be nice acquisition around the Trade Deadline after rehabbing from shoulder surgery. Tom Glavine is deciding between the Mets and Braves as the spot he wants to celebrate his historic 300th victory next season pending a disaster, though I’m sure the Mets brass would love to have him back. The next time Steve Trachsel pitches in Shea Stadium he’ll be taking his time in a visitor’s uniform. The rumors floating around El Duque is that he wants to test the free agent waters, but I feel if Minaya offers him a one year deal for a few million dollars ($2-4 Million) he’ll be back at Shea after the way his season ended so disappointingly in ’06 with a freak calf injury before Game 1 of the playoffs. The Mets definitely need a veteran pitcher, especially if Glavine or El Duque aren’t back. Look for Minaya to get one of the big names free agents out there, whether it’s Zito, Schimdt or Matzusaka, but after the way Jeff Suppan carved apart the Mets in the NLCS I wouldn’t be surprised if he were the 3rd or 4th starter in
1) Barry Zito
2) El Duque
3) John Maine
4) Oliver Perez
5) Jeff Suppan/Mike Pelfrey
But remember, Pedro Martinez will be back in late July and judging by the way the rotation went this year, there is no way that those are the only pitchers that start for the Mets next season.
Catcher: Paul LoDuca will remain the backstop for the Mets next season. The way he handled the pitching staff and continually hit for a high average has Mets fan really loving this guy. Ramon Castro is a very serviceable big league back up and the off season will allow him to rest his injury. Mike DeFelice will remain in the minors working with Pelfrey,
First Base: Although Carlos Delgado has the right to demand a trade because he was traded after the first year of a multiyear contract I say that chances are he’ll remain with the club. Though, he might use this to renegotiate an extension with Minaya to make sure he plays with the Mets longer and guarantee his financial security through retirement. Only if the Ageless Wonder, Julio Franco, retires he won’t be a part of the Mets next season. This should provide not only a decent bat off the bench and a late inning spell for Delgado in the field, but more importantly the invaluable wisdom and experiences he provides for younger players in the clubhouse. An interesting note, will Mets’ Prospect of the Year, Mike Carp get any time with the club in 2007 before September?
Second Base: This Position is a huge wild card for the team. Jose Valentin played a great 2nd base throughout the season, went 63 games without an error and played incredibly throughout the playoffs on the defensive side, but his offense really struggled through the end of the season and into the playoffs, will Minaya keep ridin’ this horse or will he realize that he might have used all of what Valentin had left. He’s a great clubhouse guy and the team liked him, but is it worth keeping him around as a starter? He played well enough where he can go to a smaller market and start, but will he want to stay as a bench player, something he really struggled with? I doubt it. The in-organization options are players like Anderson Hernandez and Ruben Gotay, which the team doesn’t seem to incredibly high, though they love Hernandez glove, they have to think it’s a concern he simply can’t hit. You would have to think they will go to the Free Agent Market for this position. Alfonso Soriano is a “sexy” player to put here, but his defense is not even average and he is too much of a free swinger and can often be a lazy player. The talent is there, no doubt, but is it worth it for the Mets to give him a bad contract that they will probably regret in 3 years? Probably Not, but I wouldn’t put anything that would really help the teams offense, which really struggled in October, past Minaya. I think Julio Lugo, who wouldn't mind playing for the Mets, has a good shot of getting picked up or maybe someone with lower production, but who can excel on defense, like a Loretta or a Grudzielanek. I think it’s either going to
Shortstop: Jose Reyes is locked up for the next four years at 6 million a year, a real steal for the Mets, which is ironic, because Reyes is the one who is so good at stealing. Reyes really matured this year at the plate doubling his walk today from the season before and is only 23. Just think how he could turn out to be in a few more years. The sky is the limit with this kid. Anderson Hernandez or a Chris Woodward type player will be able to back him up on the occasional off day that Willie will give.
Third Base: With all the troubles the franchise has had at third base throughout the years it seems they made a smart call locking up David Wright for 6 years at about 10 million a year. Although he struggled in the second half of the season and in the NLCS Mets fans have complete confidence that he will be fine next season and carry this franchise into the future and beyond. Wright gets only a handful of days off a year, and whoever the Mets carry as their utility infielder will spell him on those days. Wright and Reyes provide the front office with a couple of very young, home grown players who are locked up through at least the opening of the new stadium in 2009. This is not only great for the Mets management, but also for fans who especially in New York love seeing homegrown kids become stars in the big city (Darryl Strawberry, Doc Gooden, Derek Jeter, Etc.), hopefully Reyes and Wright will be added to this list within the next couple seasons, if they aren’t on it already.
Left Field: There are a few places the Mets could go for this corner outfield spot. One could be Endy Chavez, who maybe made the best catch in playoff history in game 7 of the NLCS but struggled a little bit as an everyday player, he played much better when he wasn’t expected to produce everyday as a starter. Mets fans have grown to love Endy for his gold glove caliber play and constant hustle, but he may not be the best solution for the outfield, he still sometimes swings for the fences a little too much for a speed guy. Cliff Floyd probably won’t be resigned, even though he is a fan favorite he is clearly a little past his prime as is very fragile. It is time for the Mets to part ways his Floyd, respectfully. Lastings Milledge is another option for this position. The highly touted prospect struggled last year defensively at times and has yet to get a major league bat in the small sample we saw him, although there were flashes of brilliance. The biggest knock on this guy is that some people seem think he could become a clubhouse cancer people, if he isn't already. The infamous “know your place rook” incident really hurt this guy and may eventually lead to him being traded for some pitching this winter. The free agent options are Carlos Lee and Alfonso Soriano, those guys like Moises Alou and David Delluci are much more realistic fits in my opinion. If Milledge gets traded this winter expect Minaya to sign one of those two, if not I’d imagine that Chavez and Milledge would both see time in left next season if not. And there are always the Manny rumors, but I don’t think Minaya likes the idea of Manny coming to the Mets anymore, he’s not what they need at this point, in 2005 at the deadline it would have been nice, but the offense can be worked out in other spots for much less (money and prospects).
Center Field: Although some Mets fans are down on Carlos Beltran after going down looking to end the season with the bases loaded in Game 7 it is impossible to argue that he didn’t have a great year and helped the Mets tremendously throughout the entire season. I expect the same next season. Beltran really fell into a nice groove in
Right Field: This position is a real toss up for the team as well. It looks like it probably will be Shawn Green, but there is a chance Minaya tries to dump his salary and look elsewhere to fill the position. It could be filled in a trade. Rumors circiling around the league are for a smaller trade or free agent signing if Green is no longer with the team. Again, it could be Alou or Delluci, or a trade for a player like Eric Byrnes or possibly, but very far from likely, Carl Crawford. Acquiring Crawford would probably cost too much in prospects and somehow the Devils Rays always end up ripping people off, especially the Mets (Cough, Cough…Kazmir). I imagine that Shawn Green will end up staying in right field and be spelled by Milledge or Chavez if the Mets acquire a big name player for left field through free agency or trade.
Bullpen: The Mets will most likely carry 7 guys in the bullpen (12 all together with 5 starters). Wagner is definitely coming back, although like every other closer in Mets history, fans sometimes still hold their breath until the last out. Sanchez should be back and healthy after the devastating blow he took in a taxi accident in
Bench: The Mets had a great bench in the 2006 season and helped them win their first division in 18 years. Endy Chavez and Jose Valentin started the year on the bench, but their play earned them spots in the starting lineup for most of the second half. Julio Franco still amazes everyone by playing at age 48 and constantly slapping hits the opposite way. Chris Woodward may or may not be back, but if he isn’t Omar Minaya will find another great bench player in the rough like he did so well the past two years. Look for Anderson Hernandez to work on his swing this winter and probably secure a spot on the 25 man roster come April his glove and speed are already top of the line, but he is a very below average hitter, though he showed some promise in September. Ramon Castro will serve as backup catcher and clubhouse comedian again next year. There is a chance that Lastings Milledge finds a spot on the bench, although if he’s not playing everyday he’d be better off in the
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