Mets Position Players Officially Report Today!

Photo Courtesy Of @Lets86It

Mets position players will officially report to spring training today, despite the fact that nearly everyone has already done so.  In fact, the only two players who are yet to arrive are Omar Quintanilla and Wilfredo Tovar.  They are likely to draw the ire of Mets skipper, Terry Collins, who prefers everyone to be in camp early.  Nonetheless, for the first time in 2014 we can officially say: Lets Go Mets!!

Wilmer Flores to Play SS for the Mets?

Yes you read that correctly. Here is a quote from Sandy Alderson that was pulled from Adam Rubin's blog.

“I wouldn’t say [Flores to shortstop] is dead. I think that one of the things we want to see is how well he has done with his training regimen in Michigan. Before this off season, I’m not sure he ever had any sort of structured, regimented conditioning program. The work that they have done on speed and agility and quickness, etc., may have an impact on his ability to play certain positions -- including second base and conceivably even shortstop. But right now, that’s all speculation.”

Okay, so fat camp must be doing something for Sandy and the gang to even think this is conceivable. Because since 2011 all we have heard was that this position for Wilmer was dead. Maybe this is why they haven't put the pedal to the medal to acquire Stephen Drew or maybe over pay for a trade. What Sandy is saying makes sense. Flores has done nothing but play baseball year round and not have the opportunity to work on the little things like quickness and strength.  I don't want to get too excited over this but management has to be seeing something here for them to even the make this comment. Or is it just more talk? Lord knows we have heard plenty already.

I think it would be awesome if something like this actually worked out. He was mashing in AAA but struggled when he got to the majors. Granted that was a small sample until he got injured. More exposure and at bats could change that. Regardless, what a story line this would make if he beat out Tejada and could put up comparable numbers to Drew.

Photo courtesy of: eluniversal.com

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Mets Leave The Door Open On Drew

As spring training nears, so to does a resolution of the Stephen Drew soap opera.  Drew remains the only available upgrade to the Mets shortstop needs and he could come by way of a pretty team-friendly deal.  Still it has been reported in the past that the Mets don't envision Queens as his most likely destination.  The Mets have gone as far as saying publicly that Ruben Tejada not only could be the team's opening day shortstop, but that they're confident in him if that occurs.  Still however, they keep hinting that Drew remains on their radar.

Shortly after signing Omar Quintanilla last week, Newsday featured a report that the Mets are still interested in Drew on a one year deal but expect him to find a longer deal elsewhere.  Last night, it was assistant general manager John Ricco's to talk on the subject.  Regarding the Quintanilla signing, he told ESPN's Adam Rubin that it signifies nothing, and that the team simply needed more help up the middle.

As is always the case with the Mets' front office we are forced to read between the lines.  Quintanilla's deal is only a minor league commitment.  What Ricco is saying is that the possibility remains that the team could still upgrade the position.  The Mets have waited out the market on Drew, and while no resolution is imminent, it appears that Drew will have to decide between the Mets and the Red Sox.  The Mets have been and remain willing to wait.  They are as comfortable as they can be with Tejada, but will upgrade if the opportunity presents itself.  This negotiation is a marathon, not a sprint, but the Mets remain involved and open to signing Drew despite recent moves that might seem to indicate otherwise.

Quintanilla Signing Doesn't Leave Mets Out On Drew

As reported here and just about everywhere else last night, the Mets signed shortstop Omar Quintanilla to a minor league deal yesterday.  If things stay the way they are now, Quintanilla figures to slot in behind Ruben Tejada at shortstop in 2014.

Some had asked if Q's acquisition means the Mets are moving on from any pursuit (no matter how lukewarm) of free agent Stephen Drew.  That's not the case according to a report by NewsDay, which believes the Mets "have not ruled out a short-term deal."  NewsDay also reports that the Mets are patiently waiting for Drew to find a long-term deal elsewhere, a deal that may never come if you believe reports from other outlets regarding the market for the best free agent shortstop available.

Quintanilla is not a starting shortstop at the major league level, despite having that role for the majority of 2013.  That said, the fact that his deal is minor league oriented, the team can easily send Q to Las Vegas in the event Stephen Drew does eventually find his way to Queens.  With that said, given the injury histories of both Drew and Tejada, the Quintanilla signing is a great depth move regardless of what happens from here to spring training.

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Perhaps its just the blind optimism by one naive Mets fan, but I still think there is a decent change Drew ends up in Queens.  I don't believe there are five or six teams interested in Drew, as his agent Scott Boras reported.  I think this comes down to the Mets and the Red Sox, which team offers more playing time and which team ponies up more money.  Ultimately, I don't envision having an answer to that question until we're a week or two into spring training.

How Would You Rank The Mets Free Agency Needs?

A few days ago, Jason Lempert, of Bleacher Report took the time to rank what he thought were the Mets most pressing needs via free agency.  He ranked them as follows:

1) Starting Pitching
2) Catching
3) Shortstop
4) Outfielder
5) Relief Pitcher

Umm..alright, I suppose these would be the five areas that the Mets need to address this winter, but that isn't even remotely close to how I would rank them.  Here is what I'm thinking:

1) Outfielder
2) Starting Pitcher
3) Shortstop
4) Relief Pitcher
5) Catcher

Even with the injury to Matt Harvey, the Mets still have a plethora of young starting pitchers.  Does that mean that the likes of Jenrry Mejia, Jacob deGrom and Rafael Montero should be depended upon next year? No.  But the Mets most pressing need with unquestionably offense.

Its for that reason that I would select outfield as the first area that needs to be addressed.  If you looking for a guy who is good for a 25HR/100RBI season, certainly there are more to be had in the corners of the outfield.  Whether or not the Mets decide to spend what it takes to bring one of those guys in is another story, but the fastest way to add pop to the line up is going to be via an outfielder.

Second, I would agree that starting pitching is a definite area of concern.  The Mets and their young pitchers would greatly benefit from the acquisition of a veteran teaching type.  Lempert brings up Bronson Arroyo, whose name has come up frequently so far this winter.  I'm not 100% sure Arroyo is the best answer, but I think he's the right type of player.

Third is a supposed replacement for Ruben Tejada and/or Omar Quintanilla.  I think this spot needs to be addressed, but more so because there are going to be legitimate upgrades available.  Ruben Tejada at his best (which may already be behind him) doesn't provide the lineup presence someone like Jhonny Peralta does.  This is an area the Mets should definitely look into if they have the funds after addressing the first two areas.

Fourth is the bullpen.  I think this lands an nearly every team's list this winter.  Bullpens are always a crap shoot for lack of a better term.  The Mets' pen ended the year on a pretty good note.  Lempert suggests that Parnell's questionable health is the reason for his high ranking, but I anticipate the Mets have other in house options that can temporarily fill this roll, just as LaTroy Hawkins did in 2013.

Finally, a veteran catcher.  I think this a fair assessment.  The Mets don't need Travis d'Arnaud as their lone major league caliber backstop, nor can they count on his health.  The reason I don't stress this area is that I think backup catchers are almost a dime a dozen (sounds crazy to say that having endured years of Josh Thole).  The Mets will find someone, whether it be Henry Blanco or the recently traded John Buck to fill this role.

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So that's what I think... And more importantly why I think it.  How would you rank them?  Do you agree with Lempert's assessment of things or am I more in line?  Maybe you fall somewhere in the middle.  Either way, let us know in the comments section below!