As the Winter Meetings begin this week in Nashville, the hot stove is heating up. Top free agents David Price, Zach Greinke and Jeff Samardzija have signed with their new respective teams. The pitching market seems to be the first to fall before the rest of the top position players find new homes. The one remaining free agent ace is Johnny Cueto. The Mets enter the Winter Meetings looking to add a middle infielder, lefty platoon center fielder and bullpen help. The Mets have spoken with several free agents, but nothing is imminent. Will the team be able to make any moves this week?
By Friday, I see the Mets signing two players and completing a minor trade. The two free agents will be Ben Zobrist and Denard Span. I think the Mets brass has targeted Zobrist and will over spend to land him. The four years will not be an issue and the money will be spent here. This will cause the team to be bargain hunters for the bullpen. I believe the bullpen should be the top priority, but Zobrist is a player with many talents. Denard Span is coming off an injury riddled season and will be looking to regain form with a new team. I believe Span gives the team a platoon option with Lagares in centerfield. I have my concerns about his health and the fact that he could force the move of Granderson from the leadoff spot. Granderson has found a home at the top of the lineup and was the MVP last year. It would be detrimental to the club to mess with Granderson and the top of the lineup.
Finally, the Mets will be able to dump some salary this week by trading Jon Niese. Niese is coming off a stellar playoff performance out of the bullpen. Niese possesses a team friendly salary for the last year of his deal. The Mets will look to shed some salary for infield prospects. The team needs to replenish the farm system with infield bats. Niese will be a solid 3 or 4 starter on another team, but his role with the Mets will continue to be dimished. The trade market will have its highest demand for Niese in quite a while.
Looking forward to all the rumors and moves this week!
