In a bit of good news, at least from my stand point, the Mets don't appear particularly inclined to acquire any of Andre Ethier, Matt Kemp or Carl Crawford, who the Dodgers are open to trading this winter. This according to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, who reported last night that none of the three have risen to the forefront of players the Mets are discussing internally.
All three come equipped with financially irresponsible contracts and/or significant financial concerns. As a wrote yesterday, I hope the Mets steer clear of these three. Although when healthy they are an improvement over the in house options, none represent the type of risk the Mets should be taking at this point in their rebuild. At least to this point, it looks like the Mets are on the same page. We'll have to see how things play out as other options drop off the board.
Showing posts with label Matt Kemp. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Matt Kemp. Show all posts
November 9, 2013
November 8, 2013
Mets Should Pass On Everything The Dodgers Are Selling
Slowly but surely the hot stove is starting to heat up. One of today's bigger revelations was that the Los Angeles Dodgers well listed to trade offers on Andre Ethier, Matt Kemp and Carl Crawford. All three would likely be considerable upgrades over whomever they would stand to replace in the Mets outfield, but the Mets should still steer well clear of this trap waiting to happen.
At age 31, Either is poised to enter the third year of a six year/$95.5MM contract. Despite rumors cited by MetsBlog's Matt Cerrone that the Dodgers will pay up to one quarter of Ethier's remaining contract, the Mets should still be mindful of his declining numbers. The Mets should be hesitant to pay what would still be $13MM a season to player who has average just 16 home runs since signing his big contract, and has seen his batting average drop 20 points over that time. The two time former all star will not benefit from a permanent shift to Citi Field and should not be the BIG trade the Mets have spoke of this winter.
Remember all the talk of Carl Crawford money when it came to retaining Jose Reyes? Well, he still has four years remaining on that monster contract that will average $20.5MM a year. Like it or not, the Mets just aren't playing in that end of the swimming pool just yet. Added to that is the fact that Crawford has missed more games than he's played in over the past two seasons. Crawford is well removed his prime, and at 32 years old he is the definition of player who depends on his legs that just doesn't have it anymore.
Finally there is the best player in the group, Matt Kemp. He is the player that fans salivate over, but thats because they're stuck on his highlight reel. Kemp has six years left on an eight year/$160MM deal that he received after a 39 home run season in 2011. The problem is, he has only his 29 home runs since. Over that time he has missed 145 games to injury, to include three hamstring injuries and as shoulder injury. Although I wouldn't go as far as saying he has entered his declined, the Mets need to acquire players who can stay on the field, especially when Kemp would represent at least half of the $30MM to $40MM budget this winter.
At the end of the day, I think Ethier is the most likely player to end up in Queens, but I remain convinced that none will be a quality addition. What makes it worse is that the Mets may have to give up quality talent in any case to make it happen. There are other options, cheaper options, and basically just better options that will come available this winter. The Dodgers are shopping each of these guys because they know they've buried themselves in these contracts. Does that sound familiar? The Mets just waited out their bad deals, they don't need to import them from other cities now.
At age 31, Either is poised to enter the third year of a six year/$95.5MM contract. Despite rumors cited by MetsBlog's Matt Cerrone that the Dodgers will pay up to one quarter of Ethier's remaining contract, the Mets should still be mindful of his declining numbers. The Mets should be hesitant to pay what would still be $13MM a season to player who has average just 16 home runs since signing his big contract, and has seen his batting average drop 20 points over that time. The two time former all star will not benefit from a permanent shift to Citi Field and should not be the BIG trade the Mets have spoke of this winter.
Remember all the talk of Carl Crawford money when it came to retaining Jose Reyes? Well, he still has four years remaining on that monster contract that will average $20.5MM a year. Like it or not, the Mets just aren't playing in that end of the swimming pool just yet. Added to that is the fact that Crawford has missed more games than he's played in over the past two seasons. Crawford is well removed his prime, and at 32 years old he is the definition of player who depends on his legs that just doesn't have it anymore.
Finally there is the best player in the group, Matt Kemp. He is the player that fans salivate over, but thats because they're stuck on his highlight reel. Kemp has six years left on an eight year/$160MM deal that he received after a 39 home run season in 2011. The problem is, he has only his 29 home runs since. Over that time he has missed 145 games to injury, to include three hamstring injuries and as shoulder injury. Although I wouldn't go as far as saying he has entered his declined, the Mets need to acquire players who can stay on the field, especially when Kemp would represent at least half of the $30MM to $40MM budget this winter.
At the end of the day, I think Ethier is the most likely player to end up in Queens, but I remain convinced that none will be a quality addition. What makes it worse is that the Mets may have to give up quality talent in any case to make it happen. There are other options, cheaper options, and basically just better options that will come available this winter. The Dodgers are shopping each of these guys because they know they've buried themselves in these contracts. Does that sound familiar? The Mets just waited out their bad deals, they don't need to import them from other cities now.
October 14, 2013
Mets Will Steer Clear Of Matt Kemp
With the Dodgers set to compete for the NL Pennant this week, Kemp finds himself a member of the walking wounded yet again. Out of the post season due to an ankle injury, Kemp has already had shoulder surgery since his season ended. Despite what will be his second surgery on the injured wing, he is expected the be ready for spring training next season. However, 2013 was the second consecutive season in which Kemp missed major time due to injury, appearing in just 73 games.
Injury concern aside for the moment, the 28 year old Kemp is scheduled to make $21.5 million each season through the 2019 season and will take quite a haul (talent wise) to acquire from the Dodgers. He would instantly become the highest paid player on the Mets and consume nearly half of the teams potential budget this offseason. That's not a play I would expect Sandy Alderson to make in a million years.
Sometimes fans need to take their blinders off when it comes to players like Kemp. Yes, he is an excellent offensive talent with 30 home run and 100-plus RBI potential, but the injuries have come at an alarming rate in reach years. Two separate trips to the disabled list in 2012 for hamstring injuries, along with four more in 2013 for an ankle ailment. Scary stuff if your considering making him part of your outfield plans for the foreseeable future.
I don't need a comment from the team, or a report from an outside media source. The Mets need to gamble somewhere this winter, but Matt Kemp is not the type of gamble they need. He is not worth the commitment in talent the organization would have to send to Los Angeles to get him, or the financial liability he represents long term. Simply put, there is no way the Mets will be in on Matt Kemp.
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