With the 2014 winter meetings having come to an end, the New York Mets did not control the majority of the baseball headlines this week. The Mets, though, did not go into the winter meetings with a big agenda of tasks to complete. There were only a few particular areas the Mets really needed to look into, and they accomplished some, but not all, of their goals this week.
About a month ago, the Mets’ offseason began with the signing of outfielder Michael Cuddyer to a two-year contract. At the winter meetings this week, the only notable Mets headlines included the re-signing of left-handed reliever Scott Rice to a minor league contract and the signing of outfielder John Mayberry Jr. to a one-year deal to be a right-handed bat off the bench.
With Mayberry, the Mets addressed their lack of right-handed bench depth. However, there are still three other particular roster areas to address before spring training.
The first issue is the rest of the bench. Do the Mets want to stick with the bench depth they already have, or will they look at free agency for other options?
Along with Mayberry, the Mets bench right now should consist of Anthony Recker, Ruben Tejada, Eric Campbell and Matt den Dekker. While Kirk Nieuwenhuis could be another bench candidate, the Mets could still look at free agency for more potential depth. Again, the bench may look set now, but don’t be surprised if the Mets sign another hitter for more bench depth.
The second issue has to do with left-handed relievers. The Mets do not have another left-handed reliever in the bullpen aside from Josh Edgin. During the winter meetings, the Mets checked in on left-handed free-agent relievers, including Craig Breslow, Neal Cotts and Phil Coke.
Mets did meet with Neal Cotts’ reps yesterday I’m told. Met with Breslow as you know. Seems neither are likely options though.
— Marc Carig (@MarcCarig) December 10, 2014
Mets have cast wide net on lefty relievers. Told nobody in that group stands out and nothing’s close. Not engaged with Phil Coke.
— Marc Carig (@MarcCarig) December 10, 2014
#Mets have had preliminary contact with free-agent LH reliever Phil Coke, but no substantive discussions yet. @FOXSports
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) December 10, 2014
However, right now, it does not seem too likely that any of these southpaws will end up signing with the Mets.
The third and most significant issue, though, resides at the shortstop position. Will the Mets stick with Wilmer Flores as the everyday starter? Does Ruben Tejada still have a shot to start? Or will the Mets sign or trade for a different shortstop?
Nothing is for sure just yet. No one on the Mets has confirmed anyone being a definitive starter at this point, so time will tell how it ends up working out.
But it seems like no matter what, any shortstop upgrade that may occur will not be the significant upgrade that fans are probably hoping for.
For those asking about Troy Tulowitzki, Starlin Castro, Elvis Andrus, etc., forget it. Sandy Alderson says any SS upgrade would be modest.
— Adam Rubin (@AdamRubinESPN) December 9, 2014
There is still a lot of time, but unless the they end up pulling off some sort of unforeseen trade, Flores will most likely be the Mets’ starting shortstop on Opening Day.
As far as trading current Mets elsewhere goes, the team is looking to move Dillon Gee with all the excess pitching it has. However, despite quite a few different teams showing interest in Gee, there has not been too much progress on this just yet.
As @Jim_Duquette just said on air, up to 6 teams on Gee
— Andy Martino (@MartinoNYDN) December 10, 2014
#Rockies and #Twins have spoken to #Mets about Dillon Gee, sources say. #Rangers have been involved, too. No deal imminent.
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) December 10, 2014
#SFGiants are among teams that have checked in with #Mets on Dillon Gee, sources say.
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) December 10, 2014
Hopefully, the Mets will end up getting a trade done for Gee so that there aren’t too many roster issues by spring training. The Mets could look to move Bartolo Colon as well, but it will probably be tougher to move him at the age of 41.
All in all, the Mets’ 2015 roster looks pretty set in most areas, but a few more notable moves should still occur by March.
For a grade, I’d give the Mets’ offseason thus far a “B” for addressing some of the team’s needs, while there are still other areas to address before spring training.
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