The Mets should NOT sign Arroyo this winter

Mike Puma of the New York Post recently said that pitcher Bronson Arroyo could be targeted by the Mets this winter. Arroyo, 36, is 14-11 with a 3.60 ERA in 31 starts in his eighth season with the Reds. He expressed interest in coming to New York.

"I definitely think the Mets are a team that I would look at," Arroyo told Puma. "There's going to be some ballclubs, maybe like the Mets, that have a nice mix of young arms, but need somebody to kind of anchor a rotation with 200 innings, so it's going to be a very interesting off-season for me."

I've liked Arroyo, and I always have. Normally I would advocate signing him, but to my understanding he will likely demand a big deal, perhaps a three year deal, and at age 36 I don't know if he'll continue to pitch at the level he is right now. There is no question that Arroyo is a work-house, and he would be an ideal fit for the Mets rotation, but they need to concentrate their money spending on big hitters. Their pitching depth is fine right now, so obtaining Arroyo isn't a must.

The Mets need to prioritize everything this winter. Pitching, with or without Harvey, is pretty much under control. However, the offense is going to need to get going. That said, I'd rather have the team go out, sign a Hunter Pence or Shin-Soo Choo, and give Terry Collins another weapon in his lineup. No disrespect for Arroyo, I just think he'll be too expensive, and not worth all of the money that he'll wind up getting. 

Off-season outlook: Sign Infante, and move Murphy to first?

The Mets have big decisions to make this winter, one of them being first base. At this point, most Mets fans would love to see the team non-tender Ike Davis, stick Lucas Duda on the bench, and sign a big name bat like Cuban defector Jose Dariel Abreu. Sandy Alderson seems determined to spend this off-season, but what if he misses out on Abreu? Would the Mets settle with a veteran like Justin Morneau or Kendrys Morales, or perhaps stay-in house by moving Daniel Murphy back to his original position.

Understandably so, Murphy doesn't possess the big time power that most first baseman in the league currently have. However, he is easily the team's best hitter not named David Wright, and as a first baseman he plays good enough defense to get by unscathed.

Of-course, moving Murphy to first base would just create a different problem -- who plays second base? Assuming he doesn't get traded, young Wilmer Flores could be ready to take the job. However, after a so-so stint with the Mets late this season, where he hit .211 in 27 games, the Mets may want to consider proven talent.

In comes Omar Infante, who will likely be let go by Detroit after this season through the free agent process. Infante, a career .279 in 12 seasons with the Marlins, Braves, and Tigers, has been relatively consistent throughout his career. At age 31, he may demand a deal along the lines of 3 years, $25-30 million, but the Mets could afford to overpay. With most buyers looking at the big target, Robinson Cano, Infante will probably fly under the radar this winter, which easily gives Sandy Alderson and Co. the opportunity to swoop in and snag him. 

Infante would be an ideal number 2 hitter for the Mets lineup, and should have someone like Daniel Murphy as his protection. The Mets are an up and coming team that won't be afraid to break the bank so Infante should strongly consider coming to Queens. 

Wheeler shut down with shoulder stiffness

The Mets have announced that pitcher Zack Wheeler has been shut down for the final week or so of the season due to shoulder stiffness. 

"With what's happen with Matt, it's not time to take chances," Terry Collins explained.

Wheeler will not undergo any tests at this time because it is assumed that it is just shoulder fatigue. In his rookie season, the 23 year old went 7-5 with a 3.42 ERA in 17 starts after being recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas in June. 

This move is very cautious and I like it. Why risk running him out there when he would only be making one more start on the season anyway. I'm not too worried about the stiffness itself, as I expected he would fatigue a bit down the stretch. Wheeler threw a total of 168 2/3 innings with Triple-A Las Vegas and the Mets in 2013, and he threw 149 innings in the minors during the 2012 season, so he did increase his workload. 

Overall, it was a very promising season for the young hurler. Despite his slight control problems, he showed the fans what he was capable of, and he certainly has the pitching arsenal to be a top-notch pitcher in this league for years to come.

I've trade possibilities regarding Wheeler, but I'm confident that they will not be dealing him this winter. I can see a lower grade prospect like Rafael Montero being dealt instead. The Mets do, after all, have a significant amount of pitching depth with or without Matt Harvey in 2014.