The First “Big” Hot Stove Day & Thoughts on Arroyo

Today was a relatively big hot stove day.  Carlos Ruiz signed a three year deal with the Phillies and everyone laughed at Ruben Amaro, Jr.  Tim Hudson signed a two year deal with the Giants (with the Athletics coming in second in the bidding), and it was reported that the Yankees are interested in Jhonny Peralta.  Shortly after 8 PM, it was reported that LaTroy Hawkins had signed with the Rockies – and that he’d become their closer in 2014.

Jun 14, 2013; New York, NY, USA; New York Mets general manager Sandy Alderson (left) talks with chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon before the start of a game against the Chicago Cubs at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The Ruiz signing was amusing, the Hudson signing was tough to swallow (even though the Mets probably didn’t have a chance to land him), and the Yankees’ reported interest in Peralta was a bit of a head-scratcher.  The Yankees already have Derek Jeter and Brendan Ryan.  Adding Peralta would give them three shortstops.  Unless Robinson Cano departs, signing Peralta makes very little sense for them.  Hawkins signing with the Rockies elicited a shoulder shrug from me but lots in the fan base acted like it was Seaver to the Reds Part 2.

The news that seemed to bother lots of Mets fans (and shouldn’t have), had to do with what Bronson Arroyo said earlier today.

According to Arroyo, the Angels, Dodgers, Giants, Orioles, Phillies, and Twins have all expressed interest in him.  Using deductive reasoning, that means that the Mets have not expressed interest in Arroyo.

Adding fuel to the fire, are Mets beat writers who are tweeting stuff such as:

Above, DiComo notes that it’s “interesting” that Arroyo didn’t mention the Mets.  I don’t get what’s so interesting about it.  The Mets haven’t contacted him, probably because they have no interest in signing him.  And they shouldn’t have interest in signing him.

Here’s the long version of why the Mets should pass on Arroyo, and here’s a quick version…

Arroyo is 37 years old, and is looking for a three year deal worth between $35 million and $40 million.  The Mets aren’t pitching starved, and there’s no reason for them to make a three year commitment to a pitcher who is reliable but unspectacular.

Although Matt Harvey is out for most if not all of 2014, the club still has Jonathon Niese, Zack Wheeler, and Dillon Gee in line to begin the year in the rotation.  They also have Jenrry Mejia who could open the year in the rotation, and three minor leaguers – Rafael Montero, Noah Syndergaard, and Jacob deGrom, who are all on the cusp.

Even if the Mets deal one of their current rotation members and one of their top pitching prospects (something that’s unlikely), they’d still have six pitchers for five spots heading into 2015 – and that’s before any external signings.

The Mets should be looking for pitchers who will command no more than two guaranteed years, and/or offer upside.  Arroyo doesn’t fit either criteria

Still, some Mets fans are complaining about the Mets’ lack of interest in Arroyo – seemingly for the sake of it.  This will almost certainly happen again if/when Arroyo signs elsewhere.

The last three offseasons have been incredibly frustrating, and the Mets (like pretty much every other team) have yet to make a big move this offseason.  That doesn’t mean they won’t make moves.

It’s understandable that fans are antsy, and that they’ll believe the Mets will make impact moves when the Mets make impact moves.  And that’s fine.  However, complaining about every little thing (relevant or otherwise) on November 18th makes no sense.

If it’s January 18th and the Mets have still done nothing to significantly improve the club, the fans will likely call for a mutiny (and I wouldn’t blame them).  I just don’t see that happening.  There are too many promises that have been made, too many spots to fill, and too much money available to spend for the Mets to sit on their hands.

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