It’s Wait Til Next Year for the Mets

The inability to score runs and the recent K-Rod circus has all but eliminated the New York Mets from postseason contention. Prior to the All-Star Break, the Mets were within a few games of being the Wild Card leader with a record of 48-40. Since then, the squad went on a disastrous road trip to San Francisco, Arizona and Los Angeles where the team finished 2-9. The Mets have been unable to recover from the road trip and have a 61-61 record and have saw teams such as the Phillies, Giants, Rockies and Cardinals distance themselves in the race for the National League Wild Card. Add in the circus that occurred on August 12, when star closer Francisco Rodriguez allegedly beat up his father law in a dispute just a few steps from the Mets Locker Room. The Mets have recently “waved the white flag” by recalling young players such as 2nd Baseman Ruben Tejada and Outfielder Fernando Martinez (who has since been demoted) to take playing time from some disappointing veterans. With the season pretty much over, many questions loom on the future of the ballclub. These include:

Who will be running the baseball operations prior to the start of the 2011 season?

Many assume that Jerry Manuel (who is on the last year of his contract) will not be offered a second contract to stay on as manager for the Mets. Potential replacements include former Met Wally Backman and former manager Bobby Valentine. The bigger question is who will be the individual who picks the new manager. Omar Minaya came to New York in 2005 and did a good job until the historic 2007 collapse. Since then, Minaya has gone through two managers and has severely mismanaged the team’s payroll. Do the Wilpons give Minaya another shot to rebuild the Mets roster, or do they (swing for the fences) try and hire (former Padres GM) Kevin Towers? Towers is the personnel man most responsible for the team’s resurgence this year.

Can they unload the team’s dead weight?

Part of the reason Minaya has mismanaged the Mets’ payroll is by giving long term contracts to non-contributors such as Oliver Perez and Luis Castillo. Quite simply, these two individuals have absolutely no value on the trade market right now. The only way the two could be moved is by the Mets eating most of their contracts. Perez should be released because he declined an option to go to the minor leagues and try and fix himself. Right now, he is the last option in the bullpen and the team only uses him when there are no other pitchers to throw on the mound. Castillo is a different story. He is currently the best option at second base right now (due to Tejada being overmatched at the plate) offensively.

What to do with Beltran?

Many Mets fans have been disappointed with the play of Carlos Beltran since he returned from knee surgery in the middle of July. Beltran’s last year of his contract is in 2011 and many fans feel that they should get rid of Beltran even though management would have to eat much of his salary to make a deal work. Since he will be on the last year of his contract, Beltran will be motivated to have a great year (in 2011) to earn his next contract. That is why you keep Beltran until prior to the 2011 trade deadline.

What to do with K-Rod?

The Mets are expected to try and void the rest of Francisco Rodriguez’s contract after the altercation with his father in-law. If they are able to, they will have about 12 million dollars in extra money to spend (should they choose too). More than likely, they will not be able to void the contract and the team will be stuck with him (and all of his baggage). The team will then hope that all of the publicity will dissipate prior to next season and Rodriguez can continue to be a solid closer. For all of the people who want K-Rod out, just realize that the Mets will be unable to acquire a closer at the level that Rodriguez currently performs at.

Is it time to trade one of the franchise cornerstones?

Mike Francesa has stated on WFAN that he feels that the Mets should be open to trading both Jose Reyes and David Wright. While either of these players should not be considered to be “untradeable,” most trades involving Wright or Reyes give lesser value back to the Mets. It’s not like the Mets could trade either of these players for a superstar such as Albert Pujols or Evan Longoria. Trading Reyes would not make sense because his value is at an all-time low due to injury concerns. However, trading the Reyes makes more sense than trading the face of the franchise (which is Wright). Trading the fan favorite Wright, would send a bad message to Mets fans and the club would lose its most marketable player.

Who do the Mets build around?

The Mets should try and build their 2011 team around position players such as Wright, Reyes, and Angel Pagan, and Ike Davis. Jason Bay figures to remain (due to his long term contract) and will look to rebound from his disappointing first season in Queens. The Mets will look to “milk” one final year from Beltran. That leaves the Mets with two positions in which they can improve upon (2nd Base and Catcher). Mets management can choose to do nothing by keeping Tejada and Castillo platooning at 2nd and Josh Thole and Rod Barajas at catcher. Fans though will be further convinced that the team has money issues and does not have the commitment to winning. The lineup as it stands right now will continue to not be able to produce runs which caused the Mets to fall off in 2010. The future of the pitching staff is much clearer. Johan Santana, Jon Niese and Mike Pelfrey (even with his ups and downs) figure to be members of the starting rotation next season. R.A. Dickey has been a pleasant surprise this season and should be re-signed. That leaves one spot in the rotation up for grabs. Do the Mets commit to top pitching prospect Jenrry Mejia or do they try and sign a free agent such as Cliff Lee or Brandon Webb?