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Posted By	Discussion Topic: What's next for the Mets?
TeenWeek what's a status?	posted on 10-04-2001 @ 12:18 PM
O&A Board Regular Registered: Oct. 00	Yes, I am a yankee fan and no I am not antagonizing the Mets fans of the board. Just saw this in the Post today and thought it would be a good topic for all of you, especially being that Francine a Mets fan is the best poster in the sports forum. Enjoy. See ya next year. WHAT NEXT FOR METS? By ANDREW MARCHAND -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- October 4, 2001 -- The Mets' main question this coming offseason could have been answered last year - but they didn't even try to sign Alex Rodriguez. No slight to shortstop Rey Ordonez, who's hit well in the second half, but if the Mets had A-Rod's bat this year, they would've won the division. With their elimination on Tuesday, it's time to figure out how Mets make up for the mistakes of last winter that cost them this year. GM Steve Phillips already has stated that upgrading the offense is his top priority. Here are five questions that must be answered this winter, and next season. 1 WILL the Mets bring in a big-buck free agent or make a major trade? The Mets will be in on Jason Giambi and Barry Bonds, but nobody expects them to come to Shea. Johnny Damon, a Scott Boras client, might be a nice fit, but everything will come down to how much money ownership wants to spend. There seems to be a better chance of a trade. Depending on whom the new Blue Jays GM is, then perhaps the arbitration-eligible Shannon Stewart can be had. The Angels' Mo Vaughn is an intriguing possibility, but a source said the Mets probably would have to wait until the spring to complete a deal for Vaughn, wanting to see how he responds to missing the entire season following biceps tendon surgery. Vaughn will start next year at age 34. He is due at least $50 million and as much as $62 million, depending on buyouts through 2004. He'd be a risky solution. The Mets must also figure out what they have in Glendon Rusch, Bruce Chen and Steve Trachsel. One of them could very well be traded to bring in offense. 2 HOW can the Mets' upgrade on the corners? Bringing in Vaughn or Giambi would do that. To pay for new players, Phillips wants to rid himself of Robin Ventura's $8 million-plus and/or Todd Zeile's $6 million-plus. Both have limited value because of age and their poor seasons. Interestingly, some Met decision-makers think Zeile owns a better chance of rebounding next year than Ventura, who has now had two straight bad years. 3 HOW will the Mets' upgrade their outfield? Nobody is assured of coming back. Matt Lawton is the most likely, but next year is the final year of his deal. It would be surprising if Jay Payton and Benny Agbayani were both back. If neither is back, it also wouldn't be shocking. Tsuyoshi Shinjo and Timo Perez could possibly share center field with the Mets adding their big bat in left. Top prospect Alex Escobar isn't in the club's plans to begin next year. 4 WHAT can the Mets expect from Edgardo Alfonzo? It can be argued that if Alfonzo had his usually solid year, then the Mets would be in the playoffs this season. Alfonzo says his back feels better. He is expected to come to spring training in tremendous shape after spending most of the winter in Flushing working with a personal trainer. After next season, Alfonzo is a free agent, giving him even more incentive. 5 WILL Armando Benitez be the same reliever? Phillips made it clear that Benitez is his guy. The questions that Benitez will enter the spring with are similar to the ones he confronted this year. After the Game 1 World Series meltdown, people wanted to know how he'd react this season. Benitez will most likely be fine until, at least, he has to answer the big game pressure again.
PeterDragon	posted on 10-04-2001 @ 1:56 PM
O&A Board Regular Registered: Jan. 01	Mets had better make big push for Giambi. If he chooses to stay in the AL, so be it; but they better not dick around about it. Damon no longer makes sense after acquisition of Matt Lawton. 2 other names for outfield: Moises Alou - free agent who doesn't particularly like NY, and latest rumor is Mets trying to get Larry Walker in a trade. Both are injury prone with great numbers. Other question is whether Mets try for Chan Ho Park, although Boris numbers might scare them off. Scott Rolen would be great, but there is no way he gets traded here from Phillies. Like it or not, it would be a shock to me if Benitez isn't the closer to start off 2002.
HummerLovin I hope people forgot that I went home with Sandy Kane one night	posted on 10-04-2001 @ 2:23 PM
O&A Board Regular Registered: Oct. 00	I think a minimal shakeup is in order.. Not much has been made of this, but it seems that the Met players celebrated their appearance in the world series last year by bumming around all winter and not being prepared to start the season. With the exception of Ventura and Benitez, each player made drastic improvements after the halfway point of the season. This is a great team, with a lot of talent and if they will keep themselves in shape in the off-season there's no reason that they can't pick up right where they left off... "Where the HELL have I been?" [Insert witty/profound sig line here]

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