nysports

 So the word on the street (according to the LA Times) is that the Dodgers and Jones’ agent Scott Boras are working on restructuring his contract to make him more tradeable.  Jones is owe $15 million dollars next season, and is in the dog house in LA after performing WAY below expectations in his first season as a Dodger.  Could this all be done to make Jones a Met?

There have been talks of a Castillo for Jones swap, as the Dodgers now have an opening at 2B, since they did not sign Free Agent 2B, Jeff Kent.  They also have an over crowded OF that includes: Jones, Ether, Kemp, Pierre and potentially Manny.

Jones presents a great potential upside for the Mets.  He gives them a right hand bat who they can put 5th or 6th in the order, and a Gold Glove OF. Jones performed HORRIBLY last season hitting under .200 with only 3 HR in 75 games, however he is only 2 seasons removed from being an MVP canidate who hit 92 HRs combined in the 2005 and 2006 seasons.  Defensively he has won the GG 10 times in his career.

There are some downsides to this trade.  What if they trade for Jones and he performs just as badly as he did with LA, and his last season with ATL?  The Mets would be up the creek if that happened, and they would be catching a lot of heat for it.  However, they wouldn’t be up the creek without a paddle.  If Jones fails to peform, the Mets have Evans and Murphy waiting in the wings to take over in LF… and let’s not forget potential super sub Fernando Tatis.  (I personally like Tatis more as a sub for OF, 1B, 3B). Oh, and did someone mention Fernando Martinez???

Also, could Jones in NY be worse than Castillo in NY?  No way I say.  The Mets fans hate Luis.  They want him gone, even it if means a “you take my trash I take yours” swap.  The only question here would be how to fill in 2B if they make this trade.  Argenis Reyes is an option, Murphy is another.  Orlando Hudson is even more appealing.  Or maybe they will bring back Jeff Kent (laughs to myself).

The bottom line is Mets fans are burning after the past 2 September collapses, and they want to make the post season this year.  They NEED IT!  So althought Omar and the Mets brass have made some big acquistions already, it’s not enough.  They need to go for the gusto.  They need to win this year.  They need to take a risk like this, and hope it pays off, but have some backup options which they surely do.  

 Get it done Omar, make the deal!

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