[EmpireWF]

It pains me to know that the off-season is here. The long, dreadful, plodding off-season is here. We won't see an important MLB game until April. But nevertheless, the Mets showed a lot in this series besides an inconsistant offense. Led by General Manager Omar Minaya, the Mets will look to build on a tremendous 97-win season and aim for a World Series ring in 2007.

First off, let's take a look at pitching. The rotation will be interesting. Pedro Martinez is expected to return around the All-Star break so figure mid July 2007. Tom Glavine has a mutual option with the Mets. Meaning, if he wants to stay, he'll get $14 Million. If he decides to go home to Atlanta, the Mets will still need to pay him about $7 Million. The ball is in his court. Then you also have the chance that Orlando Hernandez is brought back.

John Maine and Oliver Perez have the momentum on two of the five rotation spots after their clutch performances in the NLCS. Other possibilities include Mike Pelfrey, Phil Humber, Brian Bannister and even Aaron Heilman.

Steve Trachsel is gone, SO LONG. SO the Mets will likely need to sign at least one, maybe two starters. One big name, front of the rotation kind of guy and possibly a middle or back-of-the-rotation guy.

The bullpen should be back to strength next year. Closer Billy Wagner will enter the second year of a four year contract. Duaner Sanchez should be healthy by spring training and return to a set-up role. Guillermo Mota should stay and act as the 7th inning man. Then you have middle-relief guys like lefty Pedro Feliciano and righty Chad Bradford. Roberto Hernandez is also available. Some believe Darren Oliver will price himself out of the Mets range so I doubt he's back. If he does leave, the Mets could be interested in another long man and as always, they may be looking for another lefty reliever.

As far as the position players go. Expected returning players include: 1B Carlos Delgado, 1B Julio Franco, UTI Chris Woodward, SS Jose Reyes, 3B David Wright, CF Carlos Beltran, C Paul Lo Duca, C Ramon Castro, RF Shawn Green, OF Endy Chavez, 2B/SS Anderson Hernandez

I expect LF Cliff Floyd and 2B Jose Valentin will both leave as free-agents. Valentin should be able to find a good paying gig elsewhere. This leaves a whole in the Mets line-up at LF and 2B. Would they trust Lastings Milledge? Or will they go out and look for a veteran? At 2B, they may look to acquire one via a trade.

As for Willie Randolph, Omar Minaya said he plans on sitting down with Ownership and Randolph and working out a new deal. Randolph is entering the final year of his original three-year contract. You can bet he'll get a nice sized contract.


Possible Opening Day 2007 Roster
SP: Tom Glavine
SP:
SP: John Maine
SP: Orlando Hernandez
SP: Oliver Perez
MR/SP: Aaron Heilman
MR: Chad Bradford
MR: Pedro Feliciano
MR: Guillermo Mota
MR:
SU: Duaner Sanchez
CP: Billy Wagner

C: Paul Lo Duca
C: Ramon Castro
1B: Carlos Delgado
1B: Julio Franco
2B:
SS: Jose Reyes
UTI: Chris Woodward
UTI:
3B: David Wright
OF: Carlos Beltran
OF: Shawn Green
OF: Endy Chavez
OF:

[Lefty Noob]

Great stuff, Empire. I'm sure the top of the rotation guy most Mets fans are looking at it Zito, and truth be told, I'd be kind of surprised if he DIDN'T sign with New York at this point. I'm a little surprised to learn that Julio Franco is expected back, but then, every season he plays I'm surprised he's still around. One of these days, he's going to finally retire... or drop dead on the field at the age of 80 or something. Doesn't seem to have an ounce of quit in him.

[EmpireWF]

There's no doubt Mets fans want a "sexy" kind of free agent signing and I'd think Zito fits the bill. But I don't know if the Mets hierarchy are enthralled with him.

Julio Franco signed a two-year deal last year so he'll be here for at least one more year. And yes, this guy is amazing, on (although his bad slowed in the second half) the field or off the field as a clubhouse leader.

[MVB]

The Mets should shoot for Mark Mulder and/or Jason Schmidt who have good numbers against the rest of the NL teams.

[firefrozen]

Barry Zito's name looks good on paper but in real life he may not be able to repeat his '02 performance. I think he would be a good pick up but they would have to pay him based on his perfromance of 4 years ago and i dont think they should do that. The mets should be going after Soriano if he doesnt resign with the nationals. The mets have plenty of pitching in their own system and adding Soriano to the mets line up would make any pitcher cringe.

[MJHMarc]

Welcome to the GoTeamsGo Fan Forum, firefrozen!

I think that signing Alfonso Soriano will be ranked near the top of the Mets off-season priorities. They will probably focus on acquiring Barry Zito since they ran into some disasters late in the season with a faulty rotation. But to tell you the truth, I think they need a 2B because they have enough solid pitchers for next season but if they don't have a pure second-baseman they will finish up like they did this season.

So, you don't think the Mets will sign back Cliff Floyd?

[firefrozen]

Cliff Floyd is too much of a liability and with Endy Chavez proving that he has what it takes theres not much of a choice. Cliff is consistently injured and the mets don't desperately need a power bat. The mets are better off going with a guy that will get on base and get into scoring position for jose reyes who has shown that he can drive in runs out of the lead off spot.

[MJHMarc]

Cliff Floyd also lacks speed. He reminds me of a snail.

As for the Mets' outfield, Carlos Lee, will be a free-agent this off-season. Do you think that Omar Minaya can get the job done and sign Carlos Lee? That would be an incredible line-up then with Carlos Delgado, Carlos Beltran , David Wright, Jose Reyes, Shawn Green, Paul Lo Duca and then Carlos Lee.

[EmpireWF]

Calm down Marc lol, Minaya isn't going to go out and sign every big name. I guess we could use another big bat but it will have to fit at either 2B or LF. And I'm not even sure the Mets will be interested in Alfonso Soriano.

One thing to look out for is the Japanese starting pitcher, I forget his name but it seems as though half of MLB will go after him. It will cost something like $60 Million in total to negotiate and sign him, probably more, but teams like the Cubs, Yankees, Mets, Angels, Mariners and others are interested.

[MJHMarc]

The question regarding this Japanese Pitcher is:

Will he be a Kazuo Matsui or a Hideki Matsui?

[firefrozen]

That is the question isnt it. And if history shows anything then if he is good the yankees will get him and if he is bad the mets will get him.

[alv127]

With Tom Glavin a possible Free agent, and Carlos Delgado in position to demand a trade, GM Omar Minaya had many issues to ponder over!

[EmpireWF]

Correct alv, about Delgado. Any person in the middle of a long-term deal after being traded can request a trade. However, I doubt Delgado does so. He's seemed to taken a liking towards NY and playing with guys like Beltran, Wright, Reyes and co.

At least I hope so.

[firefrozen]

i don't see Delgado leaving the mets. Not after the season that team had

[MJHMarc]

Like most Major League Baseball players, Carlos Delgado will follow the scent of money and not the team. To tell you the truth, I think that Carlos Delgado could care less about what team he grabs his mitt for as long as his wallet is filled with a few Millions.

EX)Johnny Damon *NY Yankees CF