Mets fall, have eyes on trades
LET’S DO this once, to save us a winter of speculation: B.J. Upton? No. Michael Bourn? No. Shane Victorino? No. None of these players will be a Met in 2013, according to two high-ranking team insiders.
The Mets — who lost 10-6 to Pittsburgh on Tuesday, done in by the seven runs Collin McHugh allowed in 11/ innings — do not view this offseason as the time to commit significant money to outfielders, so they do not expect to pursue those high-profile players. Although the front office has not finalized its offseason strategy, one source said that it was unlikely the Mets will offer any outfielder even a two-year contract.
The reluctance to enter the free agent market does not preclude an offseason busy with trading.
Operating on a budget that, according to sources, has not been finalized — but will be only marginally higher than this year’s approximately $90 million — GM Sandy Alderson is ready to build an outfield via the trade market. It has long been clear that nearly every Met will be a trade candidate.
The outfield, along perhaps with catching, is the team’s greatest need. Neither Jason Bay nor Lucas Duda nor Mike Baxter has proven himself to be an everyday player. Andres Torres will likely be non-tendered. The Mets see Jordany Valdespin as a versatile utility player, and would like to retain free agent Scott Hairston.
In the minor leagues, the club hopes that Matt den Dekker, Juan Lagares and Cesar Puello will develop into major leaguers, but expects none of those players to be ready by the spring.
So the Mets will have to construct an outfield somehow this winter — but that project will require creativity, and will not include any of the hot stove’s biggest names.
PITCHING IN: Shannon Forde, a highly respected longtime Mets public relations staffer and mother of two, has been diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer.
The team announced a Nov. 1 benefit in Woodland Park, N.J. to raise money for Forde’s treatment. The benefit will include a dinner emceed by Ron Darling, and a meet-andgreet autograph session with Darryl Strawberry, Dwight Gooden, John Franco, Al Leiter, Ed Kranepool and Bob Ojeda, along with ex-Giants punter Sean Landeta. The autograph session requires a separate donation.
Tickets for the dinner are $100, and can be purchased by going to hopeshinesforshannon.com, or by contacting Debbie Durante at durantedebbie@gmail.com or Cindy Santos at tripletmomof3@hotmail.com.
BAY, CARSON AILING: Jason Bay sat Tuesday because of back stiffness. . . . Reliever Robert Carson left the game with a left elbow strain. X-rays were negative, and the lefty will receive an MRI Wednesday.