Metropolitan Market: Next moves for the Mets
By Matt Fisher
In his ESPN Blog, Adam Rubin of ESPN New York (@AdamRubinESPN), states that the Mets aren’t quite done yet this off season.
The Mets’ current needs include middle infield depth, a veteran bullpen arm, and some back-of-the-rotation competition. General Manager Sandy Alderson is hesitant to make any more signings, however, until the roles of current shortstop Ruben Tejada and projected current first baseman Ike Davis become clear. Tejada currently projects to be the starting man at the 5-hole, but the Mets have been heavily rumored to be in the mix for free agent Stephen Drew. Ike Davis has also been the subject of several trade rumblings, specifically in being flipped to the Brewers.
As far as the bullpen goes, the end-of-year closer LaTroy Hawkins left as a Free Agent to be the Colorado Rockies’ ninth-inning man, and his predecessor Bobby Parnell is on the mend after surgery to repair a herniated disk. In the rotation, Jenrry Mejia looks to have the fifth-starter job locked, but Alderson would love to see him earn the job.
Backup infielder free agents still available as options for the Mets include Jamey Carroll, Alexi Casilla, Jayson Nix, and Omar Quintanilla. Remaining back-of-the-rotation starters include Chris Capuano, Bruce Chen, Erik Bedard, Jon Garland, Aaron Harang, and others, and relief pitchers Chad Gaudin, Kevin Gregg, Octavio Dotel, and several others remain on the market.