Shopping Advice for Sandy Alderson

The 2012 Mets season is so yesterday, literally — that’s when the season ended. Now the hard part comes of figuring out how to go shopping to make this team better in 2013. I’ll add my two cents into the mix.

Those of you betting on Mets GM Sandy Alderson to actually do something might be disappointed — we were hoping for something last year, and all he did was build a flawed bullpen.

We could expect more of the same this winter, based on what Alderson told reporters, “I’m not prepared to blow up the team and start over again. I don’t think we need to do that.”

Alderson said his first order of business would be to re-sign David Wright and R.A. Dickey. I agree about locking up Wright, but I am not so sure about Dickey.

I know Dickey is a knuckleballer and they can allegedly throw forever, but he is still 37 years old. I would be wary of signing anyone over 35, let alone give a multi-year deal to a someone older. Alderson should absolutely pick up Dickey’s bargain $5 million option and then see what kind of trade offers he gets for him. If nothing is to his liking, fine; let Dickey start the season on a one-year deal. If he picks up where he left off, then make a deal during the season. But nothing more than two or three years.

I would definitely not trade Ike Davis and I would trade Lucas Duda. Let’s stop pretending Duda is an outfielder. He was awful out there and he only got worse as the season progressed. Duda is also the sensitive type that lets things get to him and effect his hitting. The Mets don’t need someone like that. Duda definitely has 30+home run potential, but only as a first baseman or a DH. The Mets just don’t have room for him.

As much as I like him, I would trade Daniel Murphy. He made strides this season, but Murphy is just not a second baseman. He also has value and could bring back a couple of solid players. Jordany Valdespin can slide right into second.

I wouldn’t necessarily go shopping him around, but I would listen to offers for Jonthon Niese. I like Niese, but the Mets have a lot of young pitching coming through the system. If dealing Niese can plug a couple of holes in the team, it should be done. However if no good offers are made, I would be very happy to see Niese on the team in 2013.

On the same note, I would trade either Jenrry Mejia or Jeurys Familia if the right offer were made. Again, the Mets can deal from strength.

Then there is Jason Bay. I would just release him and end the misery, but Alderson apparently has no intention of doing that. How about a swap of bad contracts — Bay for Chone Figgins? Figgins said on Thursday that he wants out of Seattle. He has one year at $8 million on his contract. Figgins is as done as a ballplayer, but I would make this deal as long as the Mariners take on all of Bay’s $18 million plus $3 million buyout. Yes, the Mets would be carrying a crummy backup utility player, but they would save $13 million and could put that towards other areas of need. I doubt it would happen, but maybe a change of scenery could help both players.

In addition to an entirely new outfield, the Mets need catching and bullpen help. I think Alderson will go shopping and swing a couple of deals for outfielders, but I have a feeling he will scrape the bottom of the barrel to fill the latter needs, just like he did with the bullpen last year. It didn’t work then, it won’t work now.

I don’t think Sandy Alderson is facing an impossible task rebuilding this team. I would have a lot more confidence in him if he had demonstrated any ability to do such a  thing. So far, I am not impressed with his acumen.