[ESPN]Mets dealing for catchers (C'mon 'Stros)

I agree... Catcher is one position that Tim specifically mentioned that the club would try to upgrade (but he also said that re-signing Ausmus was a priority... so who knows what their real plans are).

But, for what its worth... if all these FA's end up being signed by the Mets, its really not going to be a bad thing for the rest of the NL. We all know the Mets are not going to magically become a winning team... after all, they're the Mets. Thus, with them getting all these "good" players, it will definitely weaken the rest of the field because it prevents some of the other decent teams (Phillies, Cardinals, Braves) from re-loading and becoming more dangerous.

Hooray Mets... the countdown to another dissapointing/mediocre 70-80 win season has begun.

 

One of these days, the sky will really be falling. Maybe.

 

It's not like the Mets are the Cubs. They went to the World Series about 5 years ago, have won a World Series, etc. There's no reason to think the Mets won't be good this year. They are making some big upgrades on that team.

 

Big upgrades, yes... but I still believe that the best way to build a team is to have a primary core (either home-grown, or FA's that have been around for a few years)... and then add a piece here or there.

The Mets just seem to think that getting the "biggest name" out there year after year will = success. Sure, you have the occasional team that just goes out there and buys a championship (1997 Marlins), but you far more often have teams loaded with new expensive players that invariably come up way short (The Mets since 2000, the Yankees since 2000, The Cubs since 03).

Plus, I still believe that the Mets will truly be cursed for the antics of that 86 team that won it all. Frankly, the Cubs still scare me more than the Mets... NY will find a way to screw it up.

 

I agree with a lot of that, but I think the Mets are smartly getting young/in-their-prime players. The Yankees are the other team with this bad habit (on a consistent basis), but they keep getting old, over-the-hill guys. I think Delgado and Wagner (if they get him) are great moves for that team. Last year, their problems were a lack of a reliable closer and offense - they addressed both of those needs.

 

I hope the Astros management aren't that smug and complacent about a National League rival who is set to add Billy Wagner, Carlos Delgado and one of these catchers to a team that was improved last year. The Astros won six more games than the Mets did last year and your acting this cocky? "We all know the Mets are not going to magically become a good team..." You could have said the same thing about the Chicago White Sox last year. I hate to defend the Mets of all teams, but counting on your rivals to keep sucking while you do nothing is a bad idea. I can't see the Astros pitching staff duplicating their 2005 performance, so I would hope they add some bats right now.

 

God I hope the 2006 Mets aren't as scary as last year's "New Mets." My God, they were the best team ever assembled...on paper.

Oh yeah...they didn't make the playoffs though.

 

Neither did the White Sox in 2004. Oddly enough, when you add a couple of good players, you become better. Delgado and Wagner are worth 6 games (the margin they were behind us). Florida sucking is worth another couple of games for every NL East team. Given that we won the wildcard by 1 game, it doesn't take a lot for teams like Philly or the Mets to make the playoffs.

 

The one problem that the Mets have always had...and will continue to have...is that they try to compete with the Yankees. They would rather tyr to assemble a better team (on paper) than the Yankees than actually having a solid, unified team that can compete. That being said, the players they have added over the last 2 years...along with the couple they are still going after...certainly make them a force in the NL.

Take into account that Beltran had an injury plagued year, Piazza couldn't throw out the garbage, and their closer was better suited working at Carmine's in midtown the way he served up meatballs, and they have definitely addressed (or have started to address) some glaring needs....certainly so much so that they SHOULD be in strong contention for a playoff spot.

I'll save judgement on our offseason until we actually start maing moves...BUT..I hope we start to do something soon.

 

Let's keep in mind that it's still VERY early. We haven't even had the winter meetings yet.

 

Someone on AstrosDaily (I know, not the most reliable) said Purpura was on 610 yesterday and said he had not spoken with any agents for other players because the team was waiting on decisions from Ausmus and Clemens. I hope he heard wrong or that it's a smokescreen from Purpura. If it's not, I'm incredibly depressed... did we not learn anything from last offseason? Make contingency plans ahead of time.

Furthermore, even if Ausmus and Clemens both come back, I'd hope we would still be looking to make a couple of minor upgrades to the offense and possibly the bullpen.

 

It wouldn't surprise me one bit if the Astros' biggest offseason acquisition is re-signing Clemens. I came to grips with the fact that, barring trade, the Astros will not be big players in the FA market. As long as they keep overachieving with what they have.....what incentive does Drayton have to go out and sign a big FA? Bottom line, the Astros are a BUSINESS...and Drayton is a BUSINESS MAN. He'll squeeze every last dollar out of what's working until it just doesn't work anymore. And, like it or not, it "worked" more last year than any other.

Would I like to see the Astros address their glaring weaknesses? Sure..

I hate to be negative, but I just don't see many fans being happy with the way this offseason turns out.

 

Personally, I could care less how the off season turns out. It is the regular season that concerns me and for 10 of the past 11 years the Astros have either been in the playoffs or competing for a playoff spot in September. Not too many teams can make that claim.

 

The problem with that is Clemens all but said (at least the way I took it to mean) that if we don't improve the offense, he isn't coming back....the other problem, like others have said, is that Ausmus is one of the most upgradable spots there is in terms of who we can get to replace him AND not breaking the bank in the process.


Like max said...its early yet (and last yr taught us - especially me - to be patient)...its just going to be frustrating not participating in the Marlins fire sale and other early FA signings.

 

Even if we upgrade the offense, I don't think Roger will come back if Ausmus is not here.

Yes, he thinks that highly of him.

 

According to the Bergen Record, the Mets are in fairly productive discussions with Boston regarding Manny.

Additionally, some Toronto paper is saying that the Blue Jays are going after Giles.