Where Do New York Mets Go After Signing Michael Cuddyer?
By Bryan Zarpentine
@BZarp
The Star-Ledger – USATODAY Sports
The New York Mets didn’t waste any time getting their offseason started, as they moved quickly to sign Michael Cuddyer, a near perfect move as it opens up great possibilities for the rest of their offseason. With the signing of Cuddyer solving the Mets’ outfield problems, what’s their next move?
The Mets’ biggest priority this offseason other than the outfield is shortstop, where they can’t depend on Wilmer Flores to be the answer. With the Mets not using any of their trade chips to address their issues in the outfield and the contingent of free agent shortstops rather lackluster this offseason, the Mets have the freedom to explore a trade for a shortstop, knowing they possess an abundance of quality pitchers to help them pull off a deal.
There have already been rumors linking the Mets to the Chicago White Sox in a possible trade for Alexei Ramirez. There has also been endless speculation about the Mets’ matchup with the Chicago Cubs for either Starlin Castro, Javier Baez or Addison Russell, in addition to several other teams that may be ready to trade away a shortstop. The advantage the Mets have is that with Cuddyer signed, they know that shortstop is their top priority, giving them the rest of the offseason to explore the shortstop market and find the best deal possible without having to rush into anything.
Once the Mets figure out their situation at shortstop and know what they have to give up to acquire one, they can entertain the possibility of trading players like Daniel Murphy or Bartolo Colon, either to cut payroll or because they’ll be able to survive without them based on the other acquisitions. Other than that, all the Mets have to do this offseason is round out their bench and bullpen.
Bryan Zarpentine is a New York Mets writer at www.RantSports.com. Like him on Facebook, follow him on twitter @BZarp and add him on Google.
Related links:
Michael Cuddyer is A Perfect Signing for New York Mets
Wilmer Flores Can’t Be The Answer At Shortstop for New York Mets
New York Mets Rumors: Trading for Alexei Ramirez Could Make Sense
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