Tom Seaver Fan Club

MLB.com beat writer Marty Noble recently answered readers questions.  In the column he talks about the Mets rotation and the chances of Cliff Floyd returning to the Mets.  Good stuff as always from Mr. Noble.

The Mets replaced their oft injured left fielder, Cliff Floyd, with another oft injured left fielder, al beit one with more pop.  The Mets signed Moises Alou to a one year, deal worth either $8 or $9 million and there’s probably an option in there for 2008.  Alou had a pretty good season for the Giants last year, at least when he was in the lineup.  He hit 22 homeruns in only 98 games and he had an impresive .923 OPS.

This could really work out as long as we get at least around 120 games out of Alou.  We can’t expect him to play 155 games so I’m willing to settle.  And of course he has to produce like he has of late (.900+ OPS).  Alou’s last great year was 2004, which was his last season with the Cubs.

El Duque was pretty good when the Mets finally got him in May.  He’s got a proven track record and while he’s now pushing 41, he seems to still have his stuff.  The Mets will give him $1 million as a signing bonus, $4.5 million in 2007 and $6.5 million in 2008.

There’s no doubt the Mets need arms.  This gives the Mets a low cost, back of the rotation starter who should give the team a chance to win just as many times as not.

The Mets shored up their infield by inking Jose Valentin to a one year, $3 million deal.  Valentin really helped out when Kaz Matsui flopped at second base, and the 37 year old clubbed 17 homeruns and drove in 62.  The Mets are already stacked on offense and I think this is a solid move.  Valentin had his best defensive season of his career with 16 runs saved above average and 15 of those were at second base.  He also gives Willie Randolph some versatility because Valentin can play just about anywhere.

Tom Glavine turned down his option with the Mets, forgoing $7.5 million to play for the team next year.  It sounds like he could still come back to the Mets, but the Braves are also a possiblity.  I have mixed feelings about this because Glavine threw pretty well last year.  Although the chances of him topping are pretty low so it’s probably just as well.

Jose Reyes and Carlos Beltran won Silver Sluggers at their respective positions.  Both are pretty well deserved and the last time a Met won a Silver Slugger was when Mike Piazza ran off five straight between 1998 and 2002.

Finally, here’s an update on how all of the Met’s prospects are doing in their respective winter leagues.  Michael Abreu appears to be doing particularly well.

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Well, this is a big kick in the you know what.  Pedro Martinez has shoulder surgery last month and now he’s saying that it could potentially be the end.  We probably won’t know much until the spring season starts in March.  I guess for now, the Mets have to proceed with the fact that they might not have their ace and then plan accordingly.

In other news, Carlos Beltran won his first gold glove. 

In 2006, the Mets had probably the best relief corp in the National League.  What was a liability in 2005 was one of the team’s strengths.  Now the Mets might have to rebuild their pen because four different relievers filed for free agency.  Chad Bradford, Guillermo Mota, Roberto Hernandez and Yusaka Iriki will all test the market this year   Granted, Mota and Hernandez were trade deadline pick ups but the good thing is that a pen is one of the least expensive areas to build.