Mets Make Moves

Over the past couple of days the Mets have been pretty busy. They signed Moises Alou to a one-year deal worth 7.5 million dollars with a 2008 team option worth $7.5 million with a $1 million buyout. They also traded Henry Owens and Matt Lindstrom for Jason Vargas and Adam Bostick from the Marlins, Vargas and Bostick are both 23 year old left handed starting pitchers. They also declined Tom Glavine's 2007 option, they paid him a $3 million buyout.

First, the Alou signing. This is a great signing in my eyes. I believe that Alou will be a great stop gap for one year, he is a very solid right handed bat who crushes left handed pitching, the guy can just rake, which is exactly what the Mets needed. He also will provide some protection for David Wright in the lineup, and will be given many opportunities for RBI. If he can get 400 ABs he could have a great year. As long as he stays healthy I see him having a very solid year, but as we found out with the 2006 Mets, that is an enormous IF.

The trade with the Marlins was a little surprising, but finding young starting lefties is hard to do, so it works out. There is really no room for Owens and Lindstrom in the bullpen, who are both getting into their upper 20's in the minors. We really won't know how this deal worked out for a few years, but I think a guy like Vargas can become a solid National League pitcher.

Everyone knew that they would decline Glavine's option. It seems as though they have a deal on the table that Glavine has agreed to, but is waiting to hear from the Braves. It seems as though proximity to his family might be the only reason he goes back to Atlanta, if he wants a chance at another ring, his best bet is to stay in Queens, which I think he will eventually do.