With the Winter General Managers meetings getting underway on Dec. 7, both the World Champion Yankees and the not-so-world-champion Mets will be very active in the free agent and trade markets this off-season. Here is a preview of what you can expect.
Mets
The Mets were ravished by injuries last season. Shortstop Jose Reyes, third baseman David Wright, first baseman Carlos Delgado, center fielder Carlos Beltran and countless other players all missed significant time while on the disabled list.
Although injuries to the many key players would ruin the chances of any organization, that is no excuse when you play in New York. Fans will demand action from General Manager Omar Minaya to make some key moves, especially with the World Series trophy sitting in the Bronx.
The main concern for the Mets is the power outage. In their first season at spacious Citi Field, they hit only 95 home runs, by far the least in the National League.
Former Athletics/Cardinals outfielder Matt Holliday would meet the needs for this team in a lot of ways. First, he has power to all fields; his career .909 slugging percentage would fit perfectly in the clean-up spot in the order. Second, he would provide protection for David Wright, who, with nobody dangerous hitting before or after him in the order, had the worst season of his career. Lastly, he plays corner outfield, a spot that desperately needs an upgrade.
The second biggest need for the Amazins is starting pitching. The best available starter on the market is former Angels ace John Lackey, but with his injury history the Mets will steer clear, and with number three-type starters like Joel Pineiro and Jason Marquis as the only free-agents left, the Mets should continue their holiday shopping by pursuing Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay.
Yankees
Don’t think that just because the Bronx Bombers won a World Series they won’t pursue free agents as heavily as usual.
The number-one concern this off-season for the Yanks will be re-signing their own players with expired contracts.
Johnny Damon played a key role in the Yankees regular and post season, batting .282 with 24 homeruns. With a swing made for the short porch at the new Yankee stadium and with a fan base that loves him, Damon needs the Yankees just as much as the Yankees need him and should be back in pinstripes next season if agent Scott Boras doesn’t demand too much money.
Other notable Yankees free agents are fan favorite, starting pitcher Andy Pettitte and outfielder Hideki Matsui. For Pettitte, he will either call it a career or resign with the bombers, with the odds of either happening at 50-50 as of now.
World Series MVP Matsui looks as though his time with the Yankees is over. With his range in the outfield all but gone, he is now strictly a designated hitter, a position that is crowded with the likes of Jorge Posada and Nick Swisher, who can easily fill that roll. It looks like “Godzilla” will need to find other lands to conquer next season.
An interesting story to watch with the Yankees is Halladay.
He has already said that he is willing to waive his no trade clause to go to the Bronx and if the Yankees are willing to part with their young talent, like pitchers Joba Chamberlain, Phil Hughes, Ian Kennedy and top prospect Austin Jackson, then a trade could be feasible. Adding “Doc” Halladay to the top of the rotation with ace CC Sabathia would give the Yankees the best 1-2 punch in baseball.
Be the first to comment on this article!