Hawkins Heads West

Photo Courtesy of @Lets86It

Soon to be forty-one year old middle reliever and impromptu late season closer Latroy Hawkins signed with the Colorado Rockies yesterday in a move that sent a surprising ripple through the Mets fan base.  Hawkins deal nets him $2.25MM for 2014 where he'll assume the Rockies closer's role.  There is also a team option for 2015 that could see him remain with the club if things go well.  This is his second go around in Colorado where he was part of the 2007 team that made it to the World Series.

Fans took to the airwaves to condemn the Mets for not signing Hawkins, who by all accounts far exceeded expectations last year.  Reportedly the Mets had made Hawkins an offer, but it was well below that of the Rockies.

Look, I realize Hawkins was pretty good last season and I understand the need to have a veteran in the bullpen, but I am not about to hold the Mets hostage over their decision not to overpay for a reliever who will be forty-one next season.  Hawkins arm has been ageless, but with nineteen seasons under his belt he too will turn into a pumpkin one day.

Ultimately I think the uproar for Mets fans has more to do with the fact that they haven't signed anyone, than actually losing Hawkins.  Bullpens generally get overhauls on an annual basis and the Mets haven't been any different in recent years.  The Mets will need to bring in some arms to compete for spots this spring, but with youngsters like Vic Black and eventually Jack Leathersich, the Mets pen isn't in as bad a shape as everyone would like to think it is.

Good luck to Hawkins, as this deal was a no brainer for him.  I hope he does well and blows only a handful of saves this season..preferably against the Mets.

Who Should The Mets Move? Jon Niese or Dillon Gee

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With the New York Mets set to enter the trade market this winter, they are going to have to trade something to get something.  If there is one area of strength within the organization, it is starting pitching, but the Mets don't seem eager to go down that path just yet.

Even prior to his need for Tommy John surgery, Matt Harvey was going to be untouchable.  The same likely goes for Alderson's star acquisition to date, Zack Wheeler, and the team's front office has stated it will not part with top prospect, Noah Syndergaard.  If those three aren't available, teams will have to look at the Mets only remaining Major League caliber offerings: Jon Niese and/or Dillon Gee.

If I had to chose, I would say that Jon Niese has the higher ceiling of the two.  The only lefty in the Mets rotation for much of the season, he remains under contract through at least the 2016 season with team options for both 2017 and 2018.  At minimum he's owed only $21 million over the next three seasons.  When in control of his pitches, Niese has a good fastball and an excellent curveball.  However, the issue with Jon remains health as he pitched only 143 innings last year and seems to often battle fatigue issues throughout the year.  Despite never having a major arm ailment, this may be a red flag to inquiring minds.

Dillon Gee is a different kind of pitcher.  Despite leading the Mets with twelve wins in 2013, Gee would probably be shopped as a young, consistent back of the rotation arm who has gotten better each of the past three seasons.  Like Niese, Gee remains under team control through 2016, as he is just entering his first arbitration eligible year right now.  That likely makes him a cheaper option than Jon.  Furthermore, with the exception of a circulatory issue in his throwing arm in 2012, Gee has been much more dependable from an injury standpoint.

Photo Courtesy of @Lets86It

Each pitcher has their upsides, with both having the capabilities to impact the starting rotation wherever they hypothetically land.  I have been a big defender of Niese, as I have long believed he had the stuff to be an ace at the Major League level, but he just doesn't have the consistency to put it together.  Gee on the other hand is what he is, a #4 starter at best who you can be certain is going to give you six or so effective innings every time he takes the mound.  There is a ton of value in that!

I suppose what I'm saying is that I would prefer to see the Mets part with Jon Niese at this point if I had to chose between the two.  I think the fact that he is a lefty with a higher ceiling may make him more attractive on the trade market.  Along with the fact that the acquiring team could have him under their wing for as many as five years at a reasonable price also serves him well.

For everything he does well, I just think Niese remains the bigger question mark for the Mets between the two.  His seemingly repetitive trips to the disabled list make me wonder if a major arm event is in the cards going forward.  The Mets have too many of those to navigate as it is, and while Dillon Gee could just as easily fall victim to the same fate, the writing appears to be on the wall for Niese. 

Whether either gets traded or where they might end up remains to be seen, however each of the Blue Jays, Rockies and Red Sox have had interest in Niese in the past.  Each of those teams have players that the Mets should be interested in this winter.  Does that mean anything at this point?  I don't know, but if it were my decision to make Jon Niese is the man I move this winter.

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CarGo No Longer An Option For The Mets..Or Is He?

I'm one of the few who spent the summer questioning why on earth the Rockies would ever trade away Carlos Gonzalez.  It just didn't add up for me.  Granted CarGo's services are about to get pretty expensive ($10.5M in 2014 rising every season to $20M in 2017), but you're talking about a twenty-seven year old who is not only under contract for years to come, but he also had a chance to lead the league in home runs prior to getting injured this summer.  Maybe he isn't an elite player..certainly not as rare as a Troy Tulowitzki, but still.

I felt pretty vindicated yesterday when the news broke that Rockies wouldn't be trading the young slugger this winter.  Again..why would they?  However, after a little more research I learned that Rockies owner, Dick Monfort, actually said the following:

My plan is to always keep them (Tulowitzki and Gonzalez). Is that the smartest thing in the world to do? I don't know but our fans think so.

Wow..that is about as non-committal as it comes!  In fact, I'm more confident that CarGo is available than I have ever been.  According to John Harper of the New York Daily News, many people in Colorado believe that a full rebuild is in order.  That's likely the reason Troy Tulowitzki's name came up as a possible trade option this week.  Again, while I think it would lead to full fan revolt, I can only begin to imagine the prospects the Rockies would receive in return for the two of these guys.

So I suppose this leaves the option of Carlos Gonzalez on the table this winter for the Mets brass, and the large portion of the fan base that has been demanding his acquisition since early summer.  I'm less certain the Mets have/are willing to part with the prospects necessary to make the trade happen.  However for the time being, that isn't the issue.  For a team looking to fill so many holes, the possibility of Gonzalez still provides hope.

As October and November give way to December and January we'll undoubtedly get a better idea of where Mr. Monfort's intentions really lie.  We'll also have a better idea of what the Mets' front office is thinking.  But for the time being at least, all options remain on the table this winter.

Should He Stay Or Should He Go: Eric Young Jr.

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Eric Young Jr. was a man searching for an opportunity.  Never a regular fixture in the Colorado Rockies outfield, Young became expendable.  When the Mets finally demoted Ike Davis, sliding Lucas Duda over the first base, the team was in need of an everyday left fielder.  Sandy Alderson immediately sent AAA pitcher, Collin McHugh, to Colorado in exchange for Young's services.  Upon his arrival, Young received the opportunity he had been waiting for.

Whether or not Young seized his opportunity probably depends on what you expected from him.  If you were looking for a power hitting outfielder, aka the pipe dream the Mets had for Duda, well than Young was not your man.  If you were looking for a speedster capable of hitting leadoff, a role the Mets were lacking, and a significant defensive upgrade from the aforementioned Duda, well than maybe Young was your guy.

Young would go on to bat .251 for the Mets in route to stealing 46 bases on the season, good for second in all of baseball behind only Jacoby Ellsbury.  He also played top ten defense amongst his peers in left field.  Not an all-star by any means, but certainly a respectable showing given the circumstances.

The question now becomes whether or not he has earned the opportunity to be a member of the 2014 New York Mets outfield.  As per MLB Trade Rumors, the arbitration eligible Young is predicted to earn $1.9 million in 2014.  That's a raise of $1.5 million over his 2013 salary, one which I feel is both warranted and appropriate for a player of his caliber.  That said, while I think the Mets should do what they can to make sure Young remains on the roster next year, I don't think he should be the starting left fielder of the future.

There are better options available to patrol left field next season, but that doesn't mean Eric Young Jr. shouldn't be kept in the fold.  There hasn't been a Mets player since Jose Reyes who has caused the type of havoc Young managed on the base paths in 2013.  His speed is a game changer and although Young proved this season he is capable to playing a significant role when necessary, his skill set is better suited to see him as a fourth outfielder, a defensive replacement, and a late game pinch hit/pinch run option.  Basically, Young would be an excellent addition to the Mets' bench in 2014 and its for that reason he should stay.

Like what you've read?  You can follow me on Twitter at @RobPatterson83.

CarGo Will Be Available, Mets Unlikely To Be Suitors

Photo Courtesy of RockiesReview.com

Rumor has it the Colorado Rockies will in fact entertain offers for slugging outfielder, Carlos Gonzalez, this winter.  He had been in the midst of the stellar season that featured a .302 BA, with 26 HR and 70 RBI until a sprained middle finger sidelined him in early August.  He missed nearly a full month of play before appearing as a defensive replacement multiple times this month, but has not batted and appears unlikely to do so.

Gonzalez led the National League in home runs at the All-Star break this season, but was ineligible to appear in the Home Run Derby due to a hand injury not unsimilar to the one that's ultimately ended his season.  In addition to being amongst the most formidable sluggers available this winter, he also remains under contract through the 2017.  As a result, it will take quite a haul to secure his services.

As per the New York Daily News' John Harper, the Rockies will seek a position player oriented package, due to the fact that pitchers often struggle at high altitude.  Harper goes on to explain that the Rockies remain unimpressed with the position players the Mets have to offer, which could leave them on the outside looking if/when he is dealt in the months to come.

Its no secret that the Mets best prospects are pitchers, however the team has said they will not move top prospect, Noah Syndergaard, and remains hesitant to deal anyone who could impact the rotation next season as a result of the injury to Matt Harvey.  As a result, a position player package would have to revolve around the likes of Wilmer Flores, Ike Davis, Lucas Duda, Matt den Dekker, etc.  In any case, these players either haven't carved out a role at the major league level or find their role in question going forward.

As a result, none will have the impact potential necessary to acquire Gonzalez from the Rockies in the months to come.  While it's assured that the Mets will find their way into the rumor mill, they may be forced to turn their sights to Marlin's slugger, Giancarlo Stanton, if he too becomes available.  With all the farm system building the front office has done in recent years, it would be a shame if they don't have the horses to land one of the biggest fish on the market this winter, but that remains to be seen.  Which would be a better fit in Queens has been the topic of much debate, but at this point that may unfortunately be a moot point.