I know this goes against what I wrote earlier today, but part of running a blog is writing what pops in your head, so here it goes again. One area where there will be, if not already, a lot of debate internally in the Mets front office is how much to spend on the bullpen. Do we pour everything there to buy away the demons this year? Do we tweak areas?
Well I would go for the latter. K-rod is tantalyzing, but 5 years feels like we could be walking on a rope bridge that gives out halfway through. Personally, what I am for (as of 10:45 10/15, because this will change like it has many times already) is something like this:
1) Sign Fuentes
2) Sign Hudson
3) Sign Manny
This combo allows the Mets to trade a player like Delgado because the Mets will then have an excess of 3,4,5 hitters, although the lineup would be killer with Reyes, Hudson, Wright, Manny, Delgado, Beltran (I can't believe it, but it that situation it makes sense to have Beltran batting sixth), we would be able to flip Delgado for starting pitching. I just can't see the Mets making three signings like this and then having money to go get starting pitching, and we will need at least one starter. I'm sure a flip of Heilman and Castillo would produce some sort of starter, but not what the Mets need. That being said, if they can find a gem for cheap (similar to what they did with Kris Benson trade for Julio and Maine) then lets keep Delgado.
Going back the mindset I was in this morning, it is still very earlier to start seeing how these things fall out because they all depend on eachother, they all depend on the other players on the market, how teams act and such, its going to be an interesting offseason. That being said, surprisingly, I would almost make an arguement that Hudson might be as important as Fuentes to the Mets. Hudson adds that fighting spirit. We also don't know the effect yet of removing a Heilman or removing a Perez from the clubhouse (or the adverse effects of removing a Pedro). There is a lot to consider.
No to Manny! This is just want we DON'T need! All this team needs is a hardnose vocal scrappy leader.. Some old examples would be Ray Knight,Wally Backman!!! In today's age someone like Youk or Pedroia from Boston. I know we can't get those guys but that is the type of guy we need. As great a hitter Manny is he will take us down hard when he is bored and doesn't feel like playing. Do you really think Manual will sit him down when he runs 1/4 speed on a grounder or doesn't breakup a DP…. Beleive me he is the “glamor” name but JUST SAY NO TO MANNY!!!!!