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Pedro, Easley likely gone

metsguyinmichigan Sep 29 2008 07:48 PM

An article on Mets.com quotes the old "people familiar with the team's thinking" mystery person saying Pedro won't be back, and it's unlikely Easley, too. I wish Pedro had gotten a better ovation when he walked off the mound last week. I bet a lot of people there didn't realize it would be his final appearance in a Mets uniform.

Vince Coleman Firecracker Sep 30 2008 04:03 AM

I was up in the mezzanine and thought the ovation for him was pretty loud, about the same level as his 200th win. Can't say I'm happy that the team can find room for Marlon Anderson but not Damien Easley.

Benjamin Grimm Sep 30 2008 07:26 AM

This is the text excerpted from Marty Noble's column: Marty Noble wrote: But he (Omar) offered few specifics. Other people, though -- those equally familiar with the Mets' thinking -- indicated Monday that: • Pedro Martinez is unlikely to return • No steps will be taken toward finding a more suitable -- read productive and reliable -- second baseman until the club has a sense it can deal expensive quasi-incumbent Luis Castillo. Also, Damion Easley, despite the production he provided at second base, is not likely to return. • Despite his strong showing this season and the plan to have him play second base in the Arizona Fall League, Daniel Murphy is most likely to be a platoon left fielder. • The club is quite aware the contract demands of Scott Boras client Oliver Perez are likely to be exorbitant. The Mets are interested in re-signing the potential free agent, but they already are asking, "At what price?" • The Mets still need at least one more starting pitcher -- and two if Perez bolts. And one will have to be a 200-innings guy. And none of that addresses the bullpen or the need for a closer. The Mets know Francisco Rodriguez is eligible for free agency. But, given all the other areas that need to be addressed, Brian Fuentes is a more likely target for them.

smg58 Sep 30 2008 08:46 AM

Pedro should do the honorable thing and retire. I'm guessing the Mets are thinking with Easley that one reserve middle infielder is enough and Argenis Reyes can cut it. Regarding reserve middle infielders, Murphy and (hopefully) Tatis could handle third and first if needed, so one might indeed be enough. But I'm really not sure Argenis hits well enough to justify not paying Easley.

AG/DC Sep 30 2008 08:50 AM

What's dishonorable about continuing to play baseball? I'd do it if I could.

Benjamin Grimm Sep 30 2008 08:51 AM

We don't know what deals there may yet be, but at this point I'd bring Ramon Martinez back as a reserve infielder at the big league level and let Argenis Reyes go to Buffalo.

G-Fafif Sep 30 2008 12:58 PM

Pedro got a great ovation Thursday night considering the general angst permeating the ballpark at that moment (two on, tie game, bullpen called on). There was always a chemical connection between the Shea crowd and Martinez. I contend it was unlike that between us and any Met pitcher, even Seaver and Gooden. Pedro played to it and we lapped it up. Nobody else would have had the presence of mind to turn and make sure at the moment he was coming out of a game that he acknowledged the entire stadium. He's a larger than life figure, a beautiful man and I will always treasure his time in a Mets uniform. But he's got to go.

metsmarathon Sep 30 2008 01:08 PM

i'd be sure interested in bringing him back as a 6th starter/long man/assistant pitching coach/mascot, if the price is relatively low.

G-Fafif Sep 30 2008 01:19 PM

And since Easley's name is in this thread's title, hats off to him, too. The guy began both of his Met seasons as an afterthought and both years he stepped up and filled a perilous void for the Mets. There was no player I rooted harder for to be the star of the game because it meant I could hear him interviewed and I loved listening to him. The epitome of veteran wisdom and class and he could still play. The only thing he couldn't do was beat back age and injuries. I wish he could magically appear on one of the playoff team's rosters (well, maybe not the Phillies') so he could taste a little October. I don't know if he'll be back or should be back at age 39, but as with Pedro, I feel richer as a fan for having had Damion on my team.

Benjamin Grimm Sep 30 2008 01:25 PM

metsmarathon wrote: i'd be sure interested in bringing him back as a 6th starter/long man/assistant pitching coach/mascot, if the price is relatively low. AND if he's willing to bide his time in Buffalo waiting for a spot to open up.

HahnSolo Sep 30 2008 01:45 PM

You know what, I'm tired of the waiting and hoping that has become common with the Pedros and El Duques of the world. I want something more tangible than what might be.

Benjamin Grimm Sep 30 2008 01:46 PM

I know what you mean, but there's a difference between waiting and hoping for someone and parking them in Triple A in case you need them.

metsguyinmichigan Sep 30 2008 02:21 PM

I don't think you're going to get a first-ballot Hall of Famer to hang around Buffalo waiting for Jon Niese or someone to go on the DL. I like Pedro. I just don't know what he's got left in the tank.

seawolf17 Sep 30 2008 02:30 PM

Same with Easley; ultimately, he's in his late 30s and isn't going to get any better at this point. Thanks for the memories from both of them, but it's time to move on.

Benjamin Grimm Sep 30 2008 02:37 PM

metsguyinmichigan wrote: I don't think you're going to get a first-ballot Hall of Famer to hang around Buffalo waiting for Jon Niese or someone to go on the DL. I like Pedro. I just don't know what he's got left in the tank. I don't think so either. I'm just agreeing with marathon and saying that if Pedro was interested in that, then I would be too. But I doubt he would be.

batmagadanleadoff Sep 30 2008 02:58 PM

So how do the Mets get rid of both Castillo and his guaranteed $25M in remaining salary? Which team's gonna wanna pick up that tab?

Gwreck Sep 30 2008 03:05 PM

="batmagadanleadoff"]So how do the Mets get rid of both Castillo and his guaranteed $25M in remaining salary? Which team's gonna wanna pick up that tab? They won't, and nobody. Castillo either gets traded with the Mets eating a ton of money, and *possibly* getting something useful back; or the Mets eating less money and definitely not getting anything useful back.

Vic Sage Sep 30 2008 03:21 PM

]Castillo either gets traded with the Mets eating a ton of money, and *possibly* getting something useful back; or the Mets eating less money and definitely not getting anything useful back. not quite. the Mets will have to eat most of the contract, just to dump him for next to nothing. If they don't eat the contract, they WILL NOT MOVE HIM AT ALL. all they can do is hope to reduce some of the cost of his contract, and just move on. They can't ALSO expect to get any kind of return in terms of talent. the worst thing Omah can do now is to hold onto Castillo just because he can't get back any decent talent. It would be adding insult to injury. They must cut ties with him and move on. Whatever they can save on his salary, they can put into the bullpen.

duan Oct 01 2008 07:25 AM i'd do this swap

[url]http://www.rotoworld.com/Content/playerpages/player_main.aspx?sport=MLB&line=250905&id=3105[/url] "The Arizona Republic speculates that the Diamondbacks may try to trade Eric Byrnes during the offseason. The newspaper notes that Byrnes may be tough to deal because he's owed $22 million over the next two seasons, but suggests that "the club could look to match up his contract with another team's bad contract, like that of Mets second baseman Luis Castillo." Cause 4th outfielders who can play all 3 positions adequately with a bit of pop are more useful then clunky 2nd basemen who can only slap singles or walk.

Vic Sage Oct 01 2008 08:19 AM

i'd make that deal in a heartbeat

AG/DC Oct 01 2008 08:32 AM

He would join Royce Ring and Eli Marrero as Mets acquired for secondbasemen underperforming their contracts.

AG/DC Oct 01 2008 08:32 AM

Three bad secondbaseman contracts in a row. (Three different GMs responsible also.) One more and they'll start writing about the Curse of Alfonzo.

themetfairy Oct 01 2008 08:43 AM

I like Eric Byrnes. I've liked him since his Oakland days. He's McEwing-like in his scrappiness, but with more natural talent.

HahnSolo Oct 01 2008 08:47 AM

Yes, but for all that scrappiness, wouldn't this now be his fourth team in 9 years that is looking to get rid of him? I am quite shocked by the notion, however, that we could get him for Castillo. And if it is true, I give a wholehearted yes.

metirish Oct 01 2008 08:52 AM

AG/DC wrote: Three bad secondbaseman contracts in a row. (Three different GMs responsible also.) One more and they'll start writing about the Curse of Alfonzo. Hadn't thought about it like that , and the failed attempt to put Reyes there. On the plus side was Jose Valentin in 2006.

Benjamin Grimm Oct 01 2008 09:01 AM

The Daily News today presented its "cure" for the Mets and Yankees and both projected 2009 starting lineups had Orlando Hudson at second base. (John Harper did the Mets side and it looks like he has them aiming for third place, but that's another story.) I like Hudson. I think he'd be a good 2B for the Mets. I have no idea, though, how much he'll cost and how much competition there will be for his services. (The two questions are connected, of course.) Having him split playing time with the Mets and Yankees, as the News suggests, is interesting. He could arrange it so that he only plays home games and he'd never have to leave New York City.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Oct 01 2008 09:05 AM

The Snooze has both the Mets and MFYs going after Derek Lowe too. And the MFYs get Oliver Perez which I think is a strong possibility. I like Hudson too, obviously -- I was willing to trade Maine for him (along with a young catcher) last season. He fits the Mets much better as Omar likes to configure them -- he wants a vacuum cleaner at 2B which is why I don't think Murphy winds up there unless he's better than we hope he will be.

Rockin' Doc Oct 01 2008 10:44 AM

Duan - "The Arizona Republic speculates that the Diamondbacks may try to trade Eric Byrnes during the offseason. The newspaper notes that Byrnes may be tough to deal because he's owed $22 million over the next two seasons, but suggests that "the club could look to match up his contract with another team's bad contract, like that of Mets second baseman Luis Castillo." Sold!! To the Arizona man suffering from apparent heat stroke. Somehow, I doubt the likelihood of such a deal, but I wouldn't hesitate if it were offered to me.

AG/DC Oct 01 2008 10:55 AM

Derek Lowe is a big fat jerk and he'd make a great Yankee. They're also welcome to overpay him for having once pitched for their rivals.