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• Chris McShane from the SB Nation's Mets site Amazin' Avenue and I exchanged Q&A's this afternoon in anticipation of the start the Mets and Nats three-game series this weekend. The Nationals haven't played the Mets since May 19th, so take a moment to catch up on what's going on with Washington's NL East rivals from New York. Thanks, Chris.
• LINK: Here's the Q&A I did over at Amazin' Avenue.
1. What do you think of the return the Mets got for Carlos Beltran? Are you happy with Zack Wheeler? Did you expect more?
I expected less than Wheeler, and I'm definitely happy with the return. I think most Mets fans would agree that getting a prospect of Wheeler's caliber is a great deal for the Mets since Beltran's contract includes a provision that he can't be offered arbirtration - thus eliminating draft pick compensation for the team - at the end of the season. I think it's great that the Mets basically got a prospect who would have been deemed untouchable by many organizations for a player who clearly made sense to move.
2. Does the Beltran trade free up enough cash for the Mets to make a serious attempt at keeping Jose Reyes or do you think he's gone? Do you want them to invest in Reyes long-term? Afraid of the injuries?
Trading Francisco Rodriguez and Beltran really only freed up a marginal amount of cash by the standards of major league budgets, but I suppose every little bit helps. I want the Mets to retain Reyes, and I have confidence that the front office will be able to keep him with the team for the long run. As for injuries, it would be foolish to say they are not a concern, but I think the "injury-prone" label slapped on Reyes is a big of an exaggeration.
3. I know I wasn't happy when I heard Sandy Alderson was named NY's GM, thinking that he was just what the Mets need to straighten things out in New York. Have you liked what he's been able to do thus far? Too early to judge?
It may be too early to judge, but I can't remember the last time the Mets had desirable pieces at the trade deadline and actually moved them. What Alderson has done well so far is fill in the major league roster with players who are capable of keeping this team interesting without burdening the team in the future. He'll still have to dig out from the back end of some awful contracts signed by Omar Minaya, but so far, it appears that he's making the right moves to make the Mets serious contenders in the future and an interesting team in the present.
4. Nats fans were/are convinced Danny Espinosa has a serious shot at the 2011 ROY title, what about Mets fans and Dillon Gee? Or will Freddie Freeman (or someone else?) take the title?
I honestly haven't even though about Gee as a Rookie of the Year candidate until you just asked the question. If it were up to me, I'd give the award to Craig Kimbrel, but I suppose Gee might have some appeal based to voters based on traditional stats, especially Wins. I wouldn't have any problem with Espinosa winning it, but the batting average probably hurts his chances immensely when it comes to this type of thing.