For the second straight year, the Mets are pretending to be more like the Oakland A's than the New York Yankees. Instead of continuing to spend like we are a team in the country's biggest market, we are again scouring the bargain bin for players who might contribute more than they cost. Obviously it is a necessary exercise - I mean, this team and franchise has been an absolute mess over the past few years - but one that I know I am still getting used to. I like to think that I am one of the more rational fans of the team, but even I won't be fully comfortable with an off-season haul in 2012 like that of 2011 (Chris Capuano, Chris Young, Ronnie Paulino, Willie Harris, Taylor Buchholz).
All the rumors I am reading is that not only will Jose Reyes sign elsewhere, but that the money we won't be paying him won't be put into other big name free agents. Going into last year, all we heard was that 2011 would be a lost year and that 2012 was the year we should be excited for. After all, the team would have a lot of money coming off the books (Beltran, Reyes, Perez, Castillo, K-Rod) and we would be able to reinvest the money into other free agents (that of course, would be better scouted than in the previous era). However, with the recent financial troubles of the Wilpon's, it is quite clear that 2012 will not be a reloading year, but rather another rebuilding year. Instead of filling in the gaps around Ike, Wright, Niese and Duda with high priced veterans who might help us win 90 games, Sandy Alderson is resigned to build around those guys with young, unproven guys with potential. It is certainly a smart move for the long run, but in the short term, it is a weird place to be in. After all, it's looking more and more like our 2012 season might be lost as well. From what I can tell, Sandy is going to bring in guys with something to prove on 1 or 2 year deals to help the team remain semi-competitive and then look for 2013/2014 to be the years we make the playoffs again.
From what I am reading on metsblog.com, the team is looking to spend about $8-$10 million on the bullpen. Instead of buying a few arms for middle relief and giving Bobby Parnell the closer spot, it looks like they might be looking at a guy like Joe Nathan, Matt Capps or Francisco Cordero. They are also looking for a few arms to compete for the 5th starters spot behind Johan, Dickey, Niese and Pelf. Dillon Gee, the team leader in wins in 2011, is certainly the guy right now, but you don't know what you will get out Johan and you don't know what version of Pelf you will get. Chris Young might be back from injury, and Jason Marquis might be brought in as a #3 or #4, but there will be no big name guys coming in. It also appears that the Mets will tender Angel Pagan as he is cheaper than the alternative (I still think someone like Grady Sizemore might certainly fit Sandy's idea of a signing with a lot of upside, but who knows) so again, no big names coming in.
Ultimately, we don't know who will be signed (tons of players will be linked with the Mets this offseason), but this much I do know: there will be no Prince Fielder. No Albert Pujols. No CJ Wilson. No Big Papi. No Buehrle. Probably no Jose Reyes. We will probably open up the season with Davis, Murphy, Tejada and Wright in the infield with Duda, Pagan and Bay in the outfield. Johan might not be ready, so it might be RA Dickey throwing to Josh Thole.
While I have talked myself into believing in Tejada, Thole, Pagan and Duda, this team certainly could use some upgrades at those positions (I don't include LF because I have not talked myself into believing in Jason Bay). Those upgrades won't be coming this year. So instead, we as fans will need this team to be exciting. We will need them to work hard every day. We will need to see them show some heart. If we win 75 games again yet are successful in all of those, then I can be content with another lost season. After all, a future with Zach Wheeler, Matt Harvey, Jon Niese and Jenry Mejia in our rotation is not that far away. With that foundation in place, the Mets can then again show some of their big city muscle and overpay for those 1-2 players that will improve the team from 92 to 98 wins rather than flexing it to improve from 75 to 83 wins.
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