Mets PO'd at Beltran - Let's send them GMJ!!!!

by Commander_Nate on Jan 15, 2010 8:56 AM PST

That other New York team (you know, the dysfunctional one) has decided to take issue with their CF for getting surgery on his knee. Apparently, the Mets' medical staff believes they have some secret ability to review and undo surgeries after the fact. Reality TV-esque drama aside, they will be without their starting CF for a good while. This presents an opportunity for a GM with a disciplined mind, rumored martial arts talent and a taste for quasi-Mexican fast food establishments...

The Real Housewives of Citi Field (ESPN Article)

All kidding aside, I do think there is a legitimate opportunity in the making here. The surgery guarantees that Beltran will miss at least a portion of the first half of the season. Complications could always crop up and extend his absence. More importantly, if you read the article, it mentions that the Mets agreed to pay for Beltran's operation but are now balking somewhat at paying his salary. They have since contacted the labor attorneys at MLB HQ and Beltran's agent in order to "affirm their rights". These rights DO include the possibility of not paying part of Beltran's salary, a legal case being made out of it, and Beltran possibly becoming a Free Agent if the Mets lose.

Enter Scott Boras (Beltran's agent) and the ingredients for stupidity are all present.

This is where the Angels and GMJ come in. The man can play CF and we need to move him. The Mets need a CF in the short term and may need one in the long term. We need a starter. Matthews is OK on defense, fast and actually has a fairly strong arm. He hit well with RISP last year and doesn't have a lot of wear and tear over the last two years. He is also a switch hitter.

The money would work in the Mets' favor as well. Beltran is owed something like $17 million per over the next two years if my math is right. GMJ is owed roughly $11 mil per over the next two. They could spend their savings on another starter. If we eat some of the money, the deal is even better for the Mets. If we can move a chunk of GMJ's contract and get a 5th starter, like Oliver Perez or Maine, I'd call it a good deal.

Will this happen? Who knows, but it's an idea.

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Comments

I'd be interested

to see what Butcher can do with Ollie. In fact, I’d be okay with a 4.60 ERA in the 5 slot. Hell, if SOS or Bell could do that, then we we’d be doing pretty damn good. But, SOS or Bell might not be a consistent 4.60—they might be more of the 1-2 runs allowed in one game, and 7 in the next… I think someone of Ollie’s capability will consistently allow 3-5 in most games…

I have faith in Willits’ ability as a 4th, but I’d prefer him as a 5th. I’d like to see Evans get 200 AB’s this year, but I just don’t think it’s going to happen. I don’t think Godzilla in RF all too great an idea, so he’s not really a 4th when someone needs a day off. Does this mean we NEED GMJ? What if Torii gets hurt and we have to turn to Willits again?

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by feNOMINAL on Jan 15, 2010 9:18 AM PST reply actions

We also have Bourjos (sp?)

He is a pretty speedy guy and plays a good CF from what I know. Him, Evans and Willits should be able to handle it. Plus I understand we re-acquired Gourneault (sp?) who got some time in ’07 or ’08. There must have been a reason for that.

My thoughts were the same as yours on Perez and Butcher.

"You gotta have nuts." - Torii Hunter / Part-Time Nemesis of the HH Reply Function

by Commander_Nate on Jan 15, 2010 9:26 AM PST up reply actions

Isn't Bourjos basically Willits3.0?

Because Tommy Murphy was Willits2.0.

They’re all just slap-hitting, really fast white dudes who play CF.

"Precious in the sight of the Lord, is the death of His Saints." - Psalm 116:15 Rest In Peace, Nick.

by angels4adam on Jan 15, 2010 11:30 AM PST up reply actions

Just curious

Where does all this faith in Butcher I keep reading on this site come from? I’m not saying he’s a bad pitching coach at all, but posters keep mentioning how he could fix one pitcher or another, like he’s Leo Mazzone or Dave Duncan. Technically, our pitching staff hasn’t quite performed as well since he took over, and for the life of me I can’t think of any examples in which he’s turned a guy around, except maybe Palmer for a short while last season. Not that any of that is his fault, necessarily, but at the same time we shouldn’t be building him up like some sort of miracle worker.

by dmhead on Jan 15, 2010 10:02 AM PST up reply actions

Agree, dm.

Butcher hasn’t done anything to warrant the faith some folks seem to have in him.

He is like most every pitching and hitting coach out there – he’s trying not to do harm. There are a small few – the guys you mentioned for sure – that actually have a track record of turning excrement into useful, above-average MLB arms.

I liked Buddy Black, and think he was above average at getting guys to perform, but Butcher hasn’t done squat in that regard.

RIP Nick...

Jim Scully
Jim Scully Home

by jimmuscomp on Jan 15, 2010 10:26 AM PST up reply actions

I don't think

he’s a miracle worker, but more an acknowledgement that he’s another mind with another approach. the same could be said of just about any pitching coach, except that Butcher seems to be well respected.

but, I think Butcher had a great deal to do with Ervin and Saundo’s ‘08 and WTY’s ’09. Seems to me that Kazmir pitched well in his regular season time with the Halos.

www.13stoploss.com

by feNOMINAL on Jan 15, 2010 12:05 PM PST up reply actions

I heard he is only missing most of April

Play Wood already. Willits sucks.

by hauldog on Jan 15, 2010 9:25 AM PST reply actions

now that's something.

I’d be down.

Happy Birthday to the ground!

by Monkeyspanked on Jan 15, 2010 9:29 AM PST reply actions

The only problem with the 5th rotation spot is

Mr. Reagins said the 5th spot in the rotation is Matt Palmer to lose.

RIP Nick Adenhart 4/9/09

I blog about the Angels at The Diamond Aces

by Jay Cal on Jan 15, 2010 9:58 AM PST reply actions

Bingo.

Just read that myself. Can’t say I’m very excited about it.

by dmhead on Jan 15, 2010 10:03 AM PST up reply actions

Where did he say that?

I know he’s 5th on the depth chart, but I never heard it was basically his now.

Either way it doesn’t change the fact the moving GMJ is something that needs to happen. He has desired to be traded for over a year now and spending $11 mil+ on a reserve outfielder is a horrible use of money. He was quiet last year but don’t be surprised if that changes in ’10 and ’11. If an opportunity to move him for something decent in return arises, we should take it.

"You gotta have nuts." - Torii Hunter / Part-Time Nemesis of the HH Reply Function

by Commander_Nate on Jan 15, 2010 10:19 AM PST up reply actions

At this point

I think it would be wise for the Angels to move Matthews, if it makes sense. Like for some younger infield depth. We have a young outfield core, developing down on the farm. Most of our infield is young and I’m not sure who we have to replace these guys in 4-5 years.

I think a couple of prospects for Matthews might work out. Which would allow us to bring up Willis or another prospect who plays the outfield.

RIP Nick Adenhart 4/9/09

I blog about the Angels at The Diamond Aces

by Jay Cal on Jan 15, 2010 12:38 PM PST up reply actions

Totally Agree

Not sure if the Angels would be interested in trading for someone like Bronson Arroyo or Aaron Harang. Both have contracts that the Reds have been trying to unload for some time. Only problem is that I wonder if they would be that much of an upgrade. Another problem is tha the Reds would probably want some major league ready starter in return. If we had one to give up, then we wouldn’t need to trade for one.

by righteous halo on Jan 15, 2010 1:15 PM PST up reply actions

Reagins said it to Bill Plunkett

http://www.ocregister.com/sports/angels-229108-season-think.html

He also mentions Maicer among their young nucleus, but not Wood.

by dmhead on Jan 15, 2010 2:48 PM PST up reply actions

Thanks for the link,

I don’t read anything negative into Wood not being in this statement:

“We have a year with more experience, more maturity for Kendry Morales, Erick Aybar, Maicer Izturis, Howie Kendrick. … I think it’s a very good club with a lineup that is very deep and that can pitch with anyone in the league.”

Wood has to be excluded from that group. He did not gain big league/playoff experience in the way the four mentioned did.

"Sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast."

by LAASurfin on Jan 15, 2010 3:19 PM PST up reply actions

Still...if Wood isn't given his shot this year...

I’m gonna shit a brick.

Why have we been holding this guy out of trades, preventing us from getting guys like Lee and Halladay if all we’re gonna do is have him ride the pine?

"You gotta have nuts." - Torii Hunter / Part-Time Nemesis of the HH Reply Function

by Commander_Nate on Jan 15, 2010 4:09 PM PST up reply actions

I'll add a brick

Play him or trade him.

"Sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast."

by LAASurfin on Jan 15, 2010 4:33 PM PST up reply actions

Okay with me but doubtful to happen.

They need help to replace Beltran’s bat, not his center fielding.

And the Angels don’t need a 5th starter. Who was the 5th for the two WS teams?

"Sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast."

by LAASurfin on Jan 15, 2010 10:03 AM PST reply actions

5th starters certainly help you get to the playoffs

Sheets and or Bedard are the type of starters I want the Angels to look at

Play Wood already. Willits sucks.

by hauldog on Jan 15, 2010 10:06 AM PST up reply actions

I'll keep GMJ

If the return on the deal is Oliver Perez. Pass.

Perez has a contract every bit as bad as Matthews’. Perez is owed $1M more over the next two seasons than Matthews. We can use GMJ as a fill in for off days and injuries, but we really don’t have the luxury of paying Perez $12M a season to figure out why he sucks so badly, and for so long.

I don’t see the Mets trading Maine since the team clearly is deficient in starting pitching to begin with.

"He's not a Rhodes Scholar to begin with''~Theo Epstein, talking about Papelbon

by George Kaplan on Jan 15, 2010 10:04 AM PST reply actions

It doesn't have to be one of those two

If we get the chance to move GMJ for anything even half-decent, we should do it. See my reasoning above.

"You gotta have nuts." - Torii Hunter / Part-Time Nemesis of the HH Reply Function

by Commander_Nate on Jan 15, 2010 10:22 AM PST up reply actions

I guess I don't follow your reasoning then

The Mets aren’t going to do anything legally against Beltran, especially since Beltran claims he told Minaya of the surgery the day before and Minaya only wished him well and didn’t ask to delay it. Further, the Beltran camp claims the Mets team doctor was in the loop as well.

So this seems to be one more gaffe from the Mets front office, and they don’t figure to be making it worse by bringing dead-end legal action against Beltran.

So, that said: The Mets have no use for GMJ. The need will be short-term and they will find the player (most likely Pagan) from within the organization.

"He's not a Rhodes Scholar to begin with''~Theo Epstein, talking about Papelbon

by George Kaplan on Jan 15, 2010 1:00 PM PST up reply actions

I was referring more to the reasoning of trading GMJ in general; he needs to go

I agree with you that if Beltran rehabs properly and there are no further issues, then there’s no way anything like this happens. However, if something goes wrong in his rehab or the Mets FO does something else stupid, then this may be an opportunity worth pursuing.

The Mets wouldn’t have contacted MLB’s labor attorneys and Boras if somebody over there wasn’t at least thinking about something. Nobody should underestimate the ineptitude of Omar Minaya or that of the Mets in general or thei ability to undermine themselves.

If the Mets provide a way for us to stop paying $11+ million per year for a 4th outfielder, we should take it.

"You gotta have nuts." - Torii Hunter / Part-Time Nemesis of the HH Reply Function

by Commander_Nate on Jan 15, 2010 1:29 PM PST up reply actions

OK, I'll concede one point

It is highly likely the Mets front office will do “something else stupid”, so it makes sense to prepare for all contingencies.

I predict that when a few days have gone by, the Mets will be backing down and trying to placate their star.

"He's not a Rhodes Scholar to begin with''~Theo Epstein, talking about Papelbon

by George Kaplan on Jan 15, 2010 10:20 PM PST up reply actions

They have a younger, cheaper version of GMJ on hand

Named Angel Pagan. Don’t see why’d they do this.

by rghan on Jan 15, 2010 10:43 AM PST reply actions

Although he's a LF

They could also run Fernando Martinez out there too if necessary.

by mustard_man on Jan 15, 2010 12:58 PM PST up reply actions

I heard about this other guy they signed...

His name was Jason. Jason May. No, that’s not right. Jason Jay…
Damn! Who am I thinking of? :-)

by rghan on Jan 15, 2010 3:08 PM PST up reply actions

Jason Gay?

by LosAngel on Jan 15, 2010 6:12 PM PST up reply actions 2 recs

Face it

We’re stuck with HGH for the duration of his contract.

by mustard_man on Jan 15, 2010 12:58 PM PST reply actions

He wants to be traded but not that much

GMJ certainly wants to be traded, but not that much.

If he really wanted to get traded, he could just pull a Milton Bradley or Gary Sheffield and say a bunch of stupid things in the press about Anaheim fans, about his managers, about Arte Moreno. This would almost certainly earn him a ticket out of town.

But, up to now GMJ has complained, but has not been such a distraction as to result in his immediate get out of town card. Maybe he doesn’t want to get traded that badly.

by righteous halo on Jan 15, 2010 1:18 PM PST reply actions