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The list of players not offered contracts for 2010 became clear today after last night’s deadline. The list is highlighted by Chien-Ming Wang, Garrett Atkins, and Jack Cust. Also closers Mike MacDougal and Matt Capps were let go. Ryan Garko was let go by the Giants as well after not fulfilling his potential in both Cleveland and San Francisco.
I wrote about the list of players that the Mets non-tendered today as well. There weren’t any major surprises there. But I do think that the Mets will be talking to some of the players that the other MLB teams cut loose.
Wang has a huge upside. He won 19 games in both 2006 and 2007 but has been beset by injuries for the last two seasons. So has John Maine and the Mets are holding onto him. And he has nowhere near the potential that Wang has.
Cust is a low-average, power-hitting RF/DH. I’m not sure where he would fit in with the Mets considering he’s an adventure in the outfield. But we all know that the Mets are in desperate need of some power. He could be a Matt Stairs-type of player for the Mets.
Atkins has played 105 games at first base in his career, although he’s primarily been a third baseman. He’s also played 3 games in left field. He had big offensive seasons from 2006-2008. As a right-handed hitter, I could see him being a nice compliment to Daniel Murphy at first base. Maybe he could even take over the role that Fernando Tatis played coming off the bench.
Garko is another right-handed hitting first baseman that had good offensive season in the American League in 2007 and 2008. He never quite fulfilled the potential that Cleveland had for him but he could be a nice platoon player at first base for the Mets.
Don’t be surprised if the Mets give look to two former Nationals that weren’t offered contracts for 2010. MacDougal will be 33 years-old next season. He definitely has better stuff than his record shows. Maybe Dan Warthen could get something out of him that the Nationals, White Sox, and Royals couldn’t. Also Scott Olsen wasn’t offered a contract by the Nats. Olsen had surgery on his left shoulder this year but he’s already fully recovered. The Mets have such big question marks in the rotation, that Olsen could be a viable option to help solidify a need. He’s another player that has never fully realized his potential but has a good upside that could be worth giving a shot at the rotation.
The Mets Report 