Thanksgiving still hasn't come yet, and many of the top free agents have already fell off the board. The Mets came into the winter with interest in several of these players, but as usual the price fell out of their hands. The only real move that Sandy Alderson has made so far has been signing outfielder Chris Young to a one year, $7.25 million deal that is considered a massive overpay. Granted, these free agents have been getting overpaid left and right, but the organization promised that spending would go up. The Mets have missed out on some quality players that could have really made a difference in 2014.
Marlon Byrd is a good example. Byrd had a resurgent year in 2013, and did express interest in returning to the Mets. He clearly fell out of their price range and comfort zone, as he would go on to receive a two year, $16 million deal from Philadelphia a few weeks ago. Another former Met that was let go was 40 year old LaTroy Hawkins. Not only did the 19 year veteran serve as a solid veteran presence in the team's bullpen, but he also sported a fine 2.93 ERA in 72 relief appearances, and managed to notch 13 saves when Bobby Parnell was lost for the season. Hawkins signed a one year $2.25 million deal with Colorado not too long ago. Obviously $2.25 million is a lot of money for an older relief pitcher, but Hawkins intangibles alone would have been worth that price.
You can probably see a pattern here. The Mets should've also went after outfield David Murphy, but the former Ranger went on to sign a two year, $12 million deal with Cleveland. I'm not as upset over that one, since Murphy was coming off a down year, and did in fact get overpaid quite a bit. Tim Hudson was also linked to the team, but he went on to get a two year, $23 million contract from the Giants. Hudson is another aging player whose 2013 season ended in a scary way when he fractured his ankle.
Josh Johnson was another low-risk pickup, and although I didn't fully advocate bringing him in, the Mets could've made a harder push for him. He went on to sign a one year, $8 million deal with San Diego, which translates as yet another overpay.
Finally, Joe Smith, a former Met, took his talents to the Angels when he signed a three year deal worth a tad over $15 million last night. While I love Smith, that is a huge commitment to a relief pitcher. That is probably why I'm not as upset over the Mets missing out on him.
Sandy Alderson is a passive General Manager. He doesn't jump to the gun like most, but rather makes smaller, more underrated moves. Whether those moves pay off or not is a whole different story, but my point is this 2013 Free Agent class, given the players and funds available, is not exactly working in the Mets favor at this point. Hopefully they can turn it around with a few big trades and perhaps a few decent signings.
