Mets have time to get healthy -- and make moves
The Mets can replace Alou internally, using some combination of Endy Chavez, Marlon Anderson, Damion Easley and Angel Pagan. Chavez -- a left-handed hitter who hits lefties well -- eventually could alternate with Ryan Church, another left-handed hitter, in right field. Easley or Olmedo Saenz could platoon with another ailing player, Carlos Delgado, at first base.
While time is on the Mets' side, the team looks alarmingly fragile and would benefit from the addition of a right-handed hitter who can play first base and/or outfield. Alas, the Johan Santana trade depleted the Mets' prospect inventory, and rival clubs are unimpressed with their available relievers — Scott Schoeneweis, Jorge Sosa and Co.
The Mets inquired about the Tigers' Marcus Thames at the winter meetings, but the talks failed to gain traction. As Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski says, "We're not looking to move Marcus Thames. He's an important part of our club. I can't say any player is untouchable by any means. But he fits our club very well."
The Tigers expect the Thames-Jacque Jones platoon in left field to be highly productive. Ryan Raburn, 27, conceivably could replace Thames, but is far less proven and has minor-league options remaining. Brent Clevlen, 24, is not ready for the majors.
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| Xavier Nady could be a valuable stopgap for the Mets. ( Jonathan Daniel / Getty Images) |
Another option for the Mets could be Xavier Nady, whom they traded to the Pirates for reliever Roberto Hernandez and left-hander Oliver Perez in July 2006, after learning that reliever Duaner Sanchez had separated his shoulder and was lost for the season.
The Pirates discussed Nady with the Padres and other clubs during the off-season, but almost certainly would want major-league ready prospects in return. The Mets have few such players to offer after parting with four prospects for Santana.
The Orioles probably would take Sosa for outfielder Jay Payton, a former Met. But Payton, 35, is earning $5 million this season, and bristles at part-time duty. Another Oriole, first baseman Kevin Millar, 36, is no longer viable in the outfield.
What about Konerko?
If the Mets wanted to do something truly extravagant, they could make a run at White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko, who remains quietly available, according to a major-league source.
The problem is, the Mets owe Delgado $20 million — $16 million this season, plus a $4 million buyout — and Konerko is guaranteed $12 million in each of the next three seasons.
Even for a New York team, that's a little much.
Unlikely as a trade of Konerko might be, such a move would be especially appealing to the White Sox if they could acquire a quality starting pitcher in return. Right-hander Jose Contreras is back to throwing 93 to 94 mph, but the White Sox still plan to use two inexperienced starters, lefty John Danks and righty Gavin Floyd.
Konerko, because of his service time, will gain full no-trade protection early in the season. The White Sox could move center fielder Nick Swisher or left fielder/third baseman Josh Fields to first and keep Joe Crede at third in his final year before becoming a free agent.
Of course, the market for first basemen is thin at this time of year — and even thinner for those with $12 million salaries. Frankly, the Yankees might need Konerko even more than the Mets, and they could even include center fielder Melky Cabrera in the trade. But if the White Sox were going to take back a high-salary pitcher, they surely would want better than Kei Igawa or — ahem — Carl Pavano.
Next for the Rockies: Holliday
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| Matt Holliday is due for a big deal, but just how big? ( Jeff Gross / Getty Images) |
Give the Rockies credit for locking up shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, right-hander Aaron Cook, closer Manny Corpas and right fielder Brad Hawpe. Their biggest test, however, will come with left fielder Matt Holliday.
The market for Holliday will become clearer if the Tigers, as expected, sign third baseman Miguel Cabrera to a lucrative extension. The Rockies will not pay Holliday top dollar, though Holliday has said that he will not necessarily want top dollar. The team proved that it could do business with Holliday's agent, Scott Boras, by recently signing Holliday to a two-year, $23 million deal that covers his remaining arbitration years.
Cabrera, earning $11.3 million this season, has one more year of arbitration remaining. He figures to command at least $20 million per season for his free-agent years. A six-year deal starting with this season would make him a free agent at age 30, an eight-year deal at age 32.
Holliday has a higher career OPS than Cabrera, .936 to .930, but Cabrera rates a decided edge when their numbers are park-adjusted. Cabrera's former home, Dolphin Stadium, is a far more difficult hitter's park than Holliday's home, Coors Field.
Holliday, 28, probably deserves $18 million per season — Torii Hunter, Vernon Wells and Andruw Jones, lesser-hitting center fielders, are all in that range. But the Rockies, burned in the past by long-term contracts, probably would not go beyond that level, or beyond six years. Holliday's next deal will start when he is 30.
Third baseman Garrett Atkins, three years away from free agency, is the one regular that the Rockies might not sign long-term. Ian Stewart, the Rockies' top position prospect, is more talented and reported to spring training looking like an NFL tight end. Atkins could be a prime trade candidate at the end of the season.
Ellis a keeper in Oakland?
As aggressively as the A's are rebuilding, second baseman Mark Ellis would appear a logical candidate for any "most likely to be traded" list.
Surprise!
The A's, facing the loss of Ellis as a free agent at the end of the season, could try to sign him to a contract extension rather than trade him for prospects.
The trade market for Ellis appears limited. The Rockies, who remain unsettled at second, would be perhaps the best fit, and the Orioles could use a one-year stopgap if they trade Brian Roberts. Meanwhile, the A's lack a replacement in their farm system.
Ellis, 30, hit a career-high 19 homers last season while playing his usual stellar defense. He could provide quiet leadership as the A's mature, and his current $5 million salary is in the proper range. The Mets signed free agent Luis Castillo for $25 million over four years last off-season and the Astros signed Kaz Matsui for $16.5 million over three.
Around the Horn
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| The Red Sox aren't going to give away OF Coco Crisp. ( J. Meric / Getty Images) |
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