Now that Neil Walker and Asdrubal Cabrera are in tow who do the New York Mets now need to turn their attention to during this Hot Stove season?
By Aniello Piro
If the Mets are in a truly giving mood, they could make the fan base extremely happy by making a few more moves this off season. The team, city, and fans deserve the absolute most out of the organization to do their part to attempt to get back to the World Series.
There are a good amount of options on the open market, and with around $80 million dollars to play with (if one thinks about the money offered to Ben Zobrist), much can still be done.
There is plenty of work to be done and only about four months to do it all, so lets get it done.
Here are the top five items on the New York Mets wishlist:
1. Gerardo Parra
Number one on the list is Gerrardo Parra. Parra is a guy who would fit in great with what the Mets have. The Mets targeted Parra at last year’s trade deadline but were unable to strike a deal with the Milwaukee Brewers.
Parra enjoyed a career year hitting .291/.328/.452. He’s a guy who hits a lot of singles and doubles, which Citi Field is made for.
He could play left and right field which would allow the Mets to continue to only use Michael Conforto against right handed batters if they wished. Parra is also valuable if Juan Lagares has a down year because the Mets could move Curtis Granderson to center, put Conforto in left, and Parra in right.
Parra is a career .277 hitter and is durable. He has played 120+ games a season every year he has been in the big leagues.
He also would not break the bank like some of the other outfield options on the Market.
2. Bullpen help
The Mets need a few relief pitchers to really lock down their bullpen. There are a few in house options as well as outside that would be serviceable.
Jerry Blevins
Jerry Blevins is a guy who, in his brief time with the Mets, pitched well. Unfortunately for Blevins his season was cut short with an arm injury. Blevins would be a good fit because hes accurate, and throws strikes. Jerry is also a lefty, something the Mets could really use in the bullpen.
Since he was hurt for a majority of last season he should be relativity inexpensive, and a good fit.
Blevins owns an era of 3.53 in his nine year major league career.
Bartolo Colon
Bartolo Colon is a guy who is interested in returning to Queens for another year. Bartolo, 42 and a guy who still somehow has gas left in the tank. At times last year Bartolo’s age showed which is why a bullpen role would be a good fit for the guy.
If Colon were to sign back he would likely fill in as a starter until Zack Wheeler returns from Tommy John Surgery. Once Wheeler returns he would be great out of the bullpen.
Colon pitched well coming out of the bullpen in the postseason last year.
Bartolo is 218-154 in his 18 year career and has a career era of 3.97.
Steve Cishek
Steve Cishek is a guy who can bridge the gap to get to Jeurys Familia. Steve is coming off his worst year meaning the Mets could swipe him for the low.
In his career Cishek has an era of 2.81, while he struggled last year posting an era of close to four.
Cishek would be a good gamble for the Mets to take.
3. Infield depth
Well, the Mets got another gift as they signed short stop Asdrubal Cabrera Wednesday night.
Cabrera is a high risk, high reward type of player.
Cabrera is solid defensively, and has a little pop left in his bat. Cabrera can also play some third base. This is huge because David Wright will need days off next season with his back issue.
The Mets could really use some depth. Kelly Johnson is another name who is rumored to be on the Mets radar.
With David Wright getting older, and Ruben Tejada’s leg issues the Mets need some legitimate insurance to help take the pressure off these guys.
Cabrera is a guy who is more than capable than filling where needed.
4. Power bat
Since last year Mets fans have been begging for the team to get a big bat. They picked up one with Yoenis Cespedes, but his time in Queens was short lived. The Mets have a few options if they want to bring in another big bat.
Justin Upton
Justin Upton is a guy who could be a game changer for the Mets. Upton would fill the Mets outfield holes, and provide the bat the team has been so desperately searching for.
Upton is a career .271 hitter with 190 home runs. He is a gap to gap hitter that likes to drive the ball, something Citi field plays well.
The biggest downfall with Upton is the price that comes with him. Unless the Mets can all of a sudden sign a $100 million dollar player the chances of the Mets signing Upton is only a dream.
Todd Frazier
Todd Frazier is a kid from Toms River, New Jersey who can play some ball.
Frazier would be a total long shot, but if the Mets really want to give the fans something to be excited about Frazier would be it.
Since Frazier is not a free agent the only way to get him would be via trade.
A trade idea proposed by Justin Boniello was that the Mets give up Zack Wheeler, Brandon Nimmo, and Gavin Cecchini in exchange for Frazier.
Possible, but unlikely.
Frazier is a career .257 hitter with some pop. He owns 108 home runs and 324 RBIs.
Both guys would be great additions for the Mets, but it seems unlikely it happens.
5. Speed
Rajai Davis
Speed is an element to baseball that seems to be forgotten, but is critical. Rajai Davis is a guy that would be able to provide some life on the base paths.
The Mets currently have no connection to Davis currently, however should consider taking a look a him.
Davis is a career .269 batter.
Since Rajai is a veteran at the end of his career a one year deal should be able to get the job done.
Davis would provide much needed speed to a team that is slow as molasses.
Davis owns 322 stolen bases in his career.