First Base 2014

[yoshii8]

With Corey Hart a FA, and Gamel gone, first base is our biggest position of need. We have Hunter Morris, Jason Rogers and Sean Halton in the minors, but I'm not sure any of them are going to be everyday players. What would you do?

 

Some of the FA's available are:

Paul Konerko (38)

James Loney (30)

Kendrys Morales (30)

Justin Morneau (33)

Mike Napoli (32)

Mark Reynolds (30)

Kevin Youkilis (35)

[JackNicholson1974]

Call Tampa and see if they are interested in Ike Davis, if they say yes, call the Mets to see if you can get him.

[Oldcity]

Ha. That was awesome.

 

Don't care much who it is, as long as any FA is on a two-year deal at most.

 

Better yet, find a third baseman and move Ramirez to first. Maybe it will help keep him healthy.

[markedman5]

http://www.rotoworld.com/player/mlb/3875/corey-hart?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

[craigharmann]

Anyone but Hart, Yuni and Francisco. I'd like to see Morris get a shot, but it seems the team doesn't see things from the same perspective as I do.

[markedman5]

I hope it's Hart.

 

http://brewernation.mlblogs.com/2013/11/05/hot-stove-report-brewers-prepare-extend-free-agent-offer/

[DHonks]

I hope it's Hart. I'd hate to have Morris become Barker 2.0

[JohnBriggs12]

With Corey Hart a FA, and Gamel gone, first base is our biggest position of need. We have Hunter Morris, Jason Rogers and Sean Halton in the minors, but I'm not sure any of them are going to be everyday players. What would you do?

 

Some of the FA's available are:

Paul Konerko (38)

James Loney (30)

Kendrys Morales (30)

Justin Morneau (33)

Mike Napoli (32)

Mark Reynolds (30)

Kevin Youkilis (35)

 

 

In case you missed it or were on a safari, Halton isn't in the minors, though with options he could end up back there. He did have over 100 PA in the majors and is on the 40 man.

 

One name missing from your list is Michael Morse. Morse is kind of intriguing because in a small sample (40PA) he's really raked in Miller Park (.432/.475/.973). He had an injury plagued year in 2013, but if he's healthy, a return to the NL where he's put up good numbers, might be the ticket. He also figures to be a buy low guy.

 

My guess is the Brewers would prefer a lefty bat there though and they haven't given up on Francisco. That's sort of where Halton comes in as his platoon partner. They may look into Loney and Morneau too.

 

If Hart were going to return, I think they'd have done a deal by now and not let him get to the open market. There appears to be quite a bit of interest in him.

[Warning Track Power]

Hart should be the choice assuming he passes a physical.

 

If he doesn't pass the physical or is overwhelmed by a contract, I think they should pursue Morse or a LH bat like Morneau or Loney to attempt to balance the lineup. Like others have stated, I just don't believe Morris is ready quite yet to take over 1B on a full time or even part time basis. Let's let the kid develop and not hinder his progression.

[fondybrewfan]

Even if you want to keep Morris at AAA for another year; could you really get any of those guys on a one year deal? If Morris isn't get to be at MLB and you sign a FA for 2-3 years you might as well just trade Morris and keep someone like Francisco or Halton as a back up. I am guessing they could get Hart, Morneau, or Loney on a one year deal but you never know. Early indications are that Hart has received quite a bit of interest; it might take a 2-3 year deal to sign him.

[JohnBriggs12]

They had exclusive rights to negotiate with Hart before FA started. I think if they really wanted him, they would have got it done then. My guess is they wanted him only with a substantial discount and Hart and his people declined.

 

Davis figures in here. They may be thinking a Braun move to RF, then Davis in left and Aoki gets dealt, quite possibly bringing a first baseman in return. Fall back is the Francisco/Halton platoon, with Morris still in the wings to take over if Francisco falters, assuming Morris takes a step forward in Nashville.

[Roderick]

Aoki gets dealt, quite possibly bringing a first baseman in return.

 

If they can trade Aoki+ to get a 3B, that would be even better. Move ARam over and it gives Morris his year to do something in AAA. You would have quite a few of the positions taken care of, short and long term.

[Warning Track Power]

http://nypost.com/2013/11/07/how-an-improved-mets-lineup-could-look-in-2014/

 

Aoki for Ike Davis...Would you do it?

 

At first glance, I am not sure Aoki would bring a larger return than Davis. Aoki is unlikely to be here past 2014 so I am tempted. Not sold on the idea though.

[brewmann04]

Reports the Mets think Hart can play the Outfield for them, Might be intredting to see what Happens .

[Kelbysdaddy]

Call the angels and see what it'll take to get cj cron. That dude is a beast and BURIED by a couple hundred million bucks.

[Kelbysdaddy]

http://nypost.com/2013/11/07/how-an-improved-mets-lineup-could-look-in-2014/

 

Aoki for Ike Davis...Would you do it?

 

At first glance, I am not sure Aoki would bring a larger return than Davis. Aoki is unlikely to be here past 2014 so I am tempted. Not sold on the idea though.

Maybe if the mets include a pitcher (Steve Matz maybe) . How will that effect aoki bobblehead day? The front office kinda handcuffed most trade possibilities by releasing promotion list for next year already.

[trwi7]

If the front office is afraid of making trades because of bobbleheads, I don't want them in the front office. You make trades that make sense for your team, if that means trading a player who is supposed to have a bobblehead later in the year, oh well, too bad, you do it.

[Kelbysdaddy]

I know, I was making a joke. I guess I should have put that in blur.

[sheetskout]

http://nypost.com/2013/11/07/how-an-improved-mets-lineup-could-look-in-2014/

 

Aoki for Ike Davis...Would you do it?

 

At first glance, I am not sure Aoki would bring a larger return than Davis. Aoki is unlikely to be here past 2014 so I am tempted. Not sold on the idea though.

 

Two years ago I would have. But Davis is now hitting arbitration while he's regressing. This isn't a good mix. We can find other players who can contribute at 1B. At this point, I would rather have Juan Francisco man the position than Ike Davis (or Hunter Morris - he wouldn't have to do much to match Davis' current level)

[WV Brew]

Ike Davis? No. Doesn't look any better than Hunter Morris in his Minor league days. Weeks type player in the majors. Pass.

[yoshii8]

In case you missed it or were on a safari, Halton isn't in the minors, though with options he could end up back there. He did have over 100 PA in the majors and is on the 40 man.

 

 

Thanks JB, you're always so helpful.

 

I realize he was in the majors for part of last season, but he did also have 400 minor league PA last season. This is what I was referring to.

[igor67]

Gammons new article highlighting the dearth of power bats out there in general makes Hart look a fair bit more attractive. Sure the health is an issue, but he does have a pretty solid track record wen it comes to knocking it out of the park.

[Kelbysdaddy]

I kinda like the idea of signing James loney for a year. He lacks power but he gets on base and we have plenty of power everywhere else. He's a fairly good defensive 1b as well.

[endaround]

I kinda like the idea of signing James loney for a year. He lacks power but he gets on base and we have plenty of power everywhere else. He's a fairly good defensive 1b as well.

 

Loney has had one good full season in his career (last year). He doesn't project well and will likely be looking for multiple years.

[MNBrew]

I kinda like the idea of signing James loney for a year. He lacks power but he gets on base and we have plenty of power everywhere else. He's a fairly good defensive 1b as well.

 

Loney has had one good full season in his career (last year). He doesn't project well and will likely be looking for multiple years.

Doesn't that make him like a better version of Ishikawa? If a Hart deal doesn't work out, even a career-average Loney year -- while nothing special -- would still be quite an overall improvement over last year's 1B offensive black hole.

 

I'm not suggesting we go for Loney right away. I still wonder if potential trade scenarios end up netting a better return -- though no idea what those scenarios might be (this, again, under the pretense that Corey Hart signs elsewhere either due to lukewarm MIL interest or a price tag that doesn't work in MIL's favor).