Now, Martinez is heading to Houston while the Mets are moving forward without him. Their farm system is entering a new era, with three talented pitchers -- Matt Harvey, Zack Wheeler and Jeurys Familia -- leading what the organization hopes to be a long pipeline of talent heading to New York.The spare part reliever that the Mets got as part of the K-Rod trade/salary disposal last summer got through waivers, opening up two spots on the forty man roster. The two spots were spare parts line-up moves -- Scott Hairston was re-signed as the vet/back-up OF/bat and Ronny Cedeno (reasonably so, especially if you don't use it merely to cry about management) as a back-up infielder. He's no Reyes, and is not supposed to be. And, even the article there, critical as it might be, suggests he is fairly "average" as middle infielders go. Boring but safe.
The Mets' minor league roster in both respects are a bit thin -- F-Mart just the most injured OF and the infield, even Ruben Tejeda who is the assumed Reyes replacement, are all pretty green. A few months of Beltran gave the team Zack Wheeler. A few months of K-Rod gave the team salary relief and a couple toss-in relievers. Reyes saved money, partially used to pay for a new closer (Frank Francisco), a set-up man some think is a pretty good pick-up (Ramon Ramirez) and a more questionable pick-up (especially at the salary) that might have some punch (Jon Rauch).
The off-season was not a total bust, though losing Reyes put a big pall on things, basically due to ownership money issues. The relievers, including a low priced but reasonable for the time being closer, help the team. Andres Torres provides a good presence on the team, possibly some speed and defense and helps move Pagan, a change of scenery in his cards. Torres doesn't give you much bat and along with a fifth starter, that would have been something helpful. I personally want mental case "inning eater" Pelfrey gone too, but that seems not to be. And, there still is time to find some garbage heap fifth starter type to serve as a safety valve now that Capauno is gone and Santana is a question mark. Old man Miguel Batista (el poet) also can give you some starts.
The team is clearly in "wait and see" mode with various prospects waiting to be seasoned, some young players (Davis, Niese, Duda etc.) on the major league roster now. Instead of getting a vet back-up for catcher, the team for now is going with defensive catcher Mike Nickeas and hoping the hardworking young main catcher will thrive given another year. Money problems and bad ownership is a problem, though some want to use Sandy Alderson as a target. The worst that can be said there is that maybe they could have found a bat or pitcher to take a risk on. They still can. It is only January and will they keep Bobby Parnell when they signed a new closer for two years and two other relievers? I don't know.
The honest fan would say that even the best moves would make the Mets longshots given the leaders of the division and the up and coming studs on the third place Nats and Miami's current penchant to spend money. Did the Mets do much more any time in the last few years? Spending over 50M on a four year contract for Jason Bay was risky, another misuse of money and without doing enough other things too. The best moves were internal (Murphy etc.) and surprises (Dickey). Both might still occur. They apparently stopped digging the hole. I like that.
They still are in the hole though. Particularly without Reyes or Beltran (Torres has potential there and hopefully Santana will return with something), '12 will be tough. I'll be watching. For now, go NYG! And, Houston, SF and Denver.