The Mets finally lit the hot stove last week with the extension to David Wright, and now they head into Nashville with a lot to do, but a lot of different ways to do it.
There are three items that must be accomplished in Nashville, and they are all related to each other:
– Dickey’s future must be determined
– At least one OF’er must be acquired
– The Mets will decide whether to get a platoon for Thole, a replacement, via trade or Free Agency
The situation Dickey pulls at my heartstrings and my brain stem. In my heart, I want to see Dickey sign the 2-3 year extension with the Mets and finish out his career in the Orange and Blue. My brain recognizes that if the right deal presents itself, the Mets have to sell now. Reports have surfaced that if an extension isn’t signed this week, Dickey wants to sit at the table for negotiations. Reports have also surfaced that 6-7 teams have approached the Mets about trading Dickey.
Complicating signing and trading Dickey is Jon Niese. The Blue Jays are interested in Niese for J.P. Arencibia, but that wouldn’t be enough for the Mets, which is the correct stance. If the Mets decide to move Niese or Dickey, then they avoid having to pay for a C or OF, or have more money to devote to one.
If the Mets decide to keep Dickey and Niese, then they will need to sign a budget OF and C. In this case, the Mets will probably go after a non-tendered catcher from another team and see if they can get a mid tier OF.
Last year, the meetings started off with the Mets missing out on Jose Reyes, and ended with the Mets building their bullpen and OF in trades and Free Agency that brought Torres, Ramirez, Rauch and Francisco to Queens. All in all, not a good winter meetings for the Mets. With the Wright signing, this already looking to be a better winter. Let’s hope the Mets use their cards wisely.
If the Mets decide to keep Dickey and Niese, that would be fine, we can fix the lineup next off season when the budget frees up and hope for upsides this year. If the Mets trade Dickey or Niese, that would be fine, we can fix the rotation throughout the season as Wheeler and Harvey get more experience, and be ready the next offseason with a clearer picture. There are very little avenues right not to see the Mets as competitive in 2013, but there is some actual real hope for 2014 and 2015.
