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="DocTee":1sbpeyme]Mark Prior allegedly ready to test the free agent waters after two years (0 IP) in Sandy Eggo.[/quote:1sbpeyme]
Man, Dusty Baker did a number on that kid. Remember when he was a rookie? He was mowing them down...
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HahnSolo
Oct 22 2008 02:20 PM
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="DocTee":1qq1c087]Mark Prior allegedly ready to test the free agent waters after two years (0 IP) in Sandy Eggo.[/quote:1qq1c087]
Better watch those free agent waters. He might hurt himself.
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Frayed Knot
Oct 28 2008 04:46 PM
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Angels pick up the option on John Lackey (duh!) & Vlad Guerrero, but decline to do so on Garrett Anderson
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Frayed Knot
Oct 29 2008 07:08 AM
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The ChiSox will not hold onto Ken Griffey Jr.
The end of the line?
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metirish
Oct 29 2008 07:17 AM
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It might well be the end of the line , no milestone home runs to hang around for , still I would not be surprised to see him play. Can he still play the field or is he now a DH ?
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Frayed Knot
Oct 29 2008 07:30 AM
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He can play the field - although the option of DH is probably best just so he doesn't have to do it full-time and he's really not a CF anymore.
I'm sure there'll be some teams to offer him a spot, but if it's not the right one I could see him walking away.
He only hit 3 HRs with Chicago but those were the ones which moved him past Sammy Sosa and into 5th place.
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DocTee
Oct 30 2008 11:05 AM
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Tiggers decline Edgar Renteria.
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Benjamin Grimm
Oct 30 2008 11:06 AM
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When can free agent negotiations begin? It's 15 days from yesterday, right?
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John Cougar Lunchbucket
Oct 30 2008 11:11 AM
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="DocTee":nfnu0vru]Tiggers decline Edgar Renteria.[/quote:nfnu0vru]
See now he'd be a terrific guy to back up SS & 2B and fill a high-profile reserve role with a good team, if he's willing to accept that.
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Vic Sage
Oct 30 2008 11:18 AM
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yeah, except his age & career numbers are relatively similar to a guy we're already overpaying for that role... Mr. Castillo.
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smg58
Oct 30 2008 11:25 AM
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Renteria is 33, and one year removed from hitting .332. I figure somebody will offer him a starting job. But if it's mid-January and he's still got no takers, then sure he's worth a look.
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Edgy DC
Oct 30 2008 11:28 AM
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I'd take Renteria in a heartbeat, three Silver Slugger Awards and two Gold Glove Awards, a career shortstop, and with no recent injury issues.
He never fully turned around his slow start for Detroit last year (like the rest of the team, and the city for that matter) and he may well not get an offer to start for someone else this season. It may be a good time for him to look at bench jobs that could lead to more.
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John Cougar Lunchbucket
Oct 30 2008 11:28 AM
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Yeah I'm gonna disagree wih you there. (You being Ralph).
Renteria's a shortstop whom we'd envision as a 1-year reserve; not a second baseman with a massive contract who'd become an invountary reserve. Plus Renteria's got actual power hitting ability that in the right role could easily overcome Castillo's edge in career OBP.
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Vic Sage
Oct 30 2008 11:44 AM
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i'm not saying i wouldn't prefer Renteria. I'm just saying we've got money sunk in a middle infielder who has similar career stats (with a higher ob% and sb% making up for Renteria's 10hr power), and he may be a reserve this year, so what would we do with 2 of them?
I'm all for moving/dumping castillo and signing renteria. I just don't think we can pursue him with the idea of actually starting Castillo at 2b for another season, or carrying both of them as reserves.
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Edgy DC
Oct 30 2008 11:48 AM
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The Mets usually have two reserve infielders, somettimes four, forcing them to play in the outfield on occasion.
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Vic Sage
Oct 30 2008 01:42 PM
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but they don't pay them $6M/yr.
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metirish
Oct 30 2008 02:37 PM
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I was just reading in Newsday about Texeria and 10 years $200 million was mentioned , will what's going on now with the economy mean anything for the FA market?
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Benjamin Grimm
Oct 30 2008 02:47 PM
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I don't think the economy will have a dramatic effect on salaries this winter.
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Frayed Knot
Oct 30 2008 03:05 PM
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It's happened before.
The contracts doled out from '01-'04 were considerably below what had gone on during the "dot-com era" boom of the late-90s into 2000 and really just re-reached that same point in the last 2-3 seasons. Not only were the per/year $ figures lower but the length of contracts shortened as well:
Think of Giambi getting ~ 7 x $21mil; Helton @ 11 years!; Jeter, Manny & ARod for 10 each all circa $20/per; Thome I think got 7 years; plus long-term pitching deals for the likes of Hampton, Mussina, Kevin Brown, etc.
Then a year or two later Vlad signed for "only" 4 x ~$14 while pitchers were pretty much held to 3 yrs or less.
The last few years have seen the pendulum swing back towards big deals (Beltran, Zito, Santana, plus mid-level hurlers getting 4-5 years) and baseball in general is in good shape at the moment -- but there's no saying things won't nudge the other way again and a credit crunch is just the sort of thing that can do it.
Also, attendence was down this past season. Only a shade, but that's the first non-gain in a number of years (maybe since the immediate post-strike seasons) and Bud has already warned teams about being overly optimistic when setting ticket prices.
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smg58
Oct 30 2008 04:03 PM
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The Nationals officially outrighted Chad Cordero. It would be an interesting irony if he winds up here on a minor-league deal. Of course, it remains to be seen if he can still pitch.
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duan
Oct 31 2008 09:33 AM
anyone ever
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put any meaning to someone waiting a few days to file for free agency being a nice bit of sentimental posturing by the player.
I'm talking specifically about Pedro who the Mets 'sources' have been at pains to poo-poo retaining, yet clearly you have to have some kind of interest in at the right price.
by not filing is Pedro sending the message "hey lets work out a deal"
i don't know I just think he's got another good season left in him. I don't want to pay him $15 million, but i'd happily pay 7/8 on the hope of the good bounce making him worth double that.
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Benjamin Grimm
Oct 31 2008 09:53 AM
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I wouldn't guarantee him anywhere near $7 or $8 million.
Any contract Pedro gets, from anyone, should have a low base and plenty of incentives.
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Frayed Knot
Nov 03 2008 09:47 AM
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Brewers pick up their option on Mike Cameron.
I like this move because I like Mile and think the Yanx were ready to pounce on him otherwise.
Also in Milwaukee, Dale Svuem continues his tour of the bench positions, going from bench coach, to interim manager in 2008 ... and now to hitting coach for '09.
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metirish
Nov 03 2008 09:56 AM
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Fans over at Brewers Net seem a little pissed about this , apparently Sveum asked for the hitting coach job.
http://brewersfandemonium.yuku.com/topi ... scher.html
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Ouch. Talk about your old boys' club. "We'll keep you on, we'll pay you some handsome salary, you can have the title of 'hitting coach' or something." If the position of Hitting Coach is so unskilled that just anyone can step in and do it, just eliminate the coaching spot and make it part of someone else's duties. Or give it to an intern or something. This smacks of favoritism and unprofessionalism. Very unimpressed. Very disappointed.
Just like that, all the strides we've taken to be more "mid-market" are turned about on us. This is small market, bush league, laughable, silly, embarassing.
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Actually like most fans they seem split on this.
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metirish
Nov 03 2008 10:01 AM
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From the same thread.
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Source: Maddux is pitching coach
9:55 PM Sun, Nov 02, 2008
The Rangers will name Mike Maddux pitching coach perhaps as early as Monday, a source with knowledge of the process said Sunday night.
GM Jon Daniels confirmed only that the Rangers had been in touch with Maddux this weekend. He did not confirm or deny the report. The Rangers were able to contact Maddux about the job officially on Saturday, a day after his contract with Milwaukee expired. Maddux, 47, has been the Brewers pitching coach the last six seasons. Milwaukee had extended him an offer to remain as new manager Ken Macha's pitching coach, but Maddux refrained from signing anything until talking to the Rangers.
Maddux, the oider brother of Greg Maddux, is likely to cite Nolan Ryan's presence as a reason for electing to leave for the Rangers. Maddux's first job as a coach was with the Ryan-owned Double-A Round Rock Express in 2000.
In Maddux's first year in Milwaukee, the Brewers posted a 5.02 ERA and ranked 13th in the NL, but by this season, they had improved to 3.85, which ranked second in the league.
UPDATE: Brewers GM Doug Melvin is confirming that Maddux is coming to the Rangers. Melvin told the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel that the Rangers "overwhelmed" Maddux with a multi-year deal. I have no details on the contract, but you can be pretty certain Maddux will receive at least three years.
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Dallas Morning News
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Frayed Knot
Nov 03 2008 06:06 PM
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Marlins pick up LHP Dan Meyer off waivers from Oakland.
He was the one-time hot-shot prospect out of the Braves org who was the main trade bait in the Tim Hudson deal but never panned out. I hope he doesn't suddenly find himself now.
Beane made out great in the Mulder deal with StL (Dan Haren & Daric Barton) but bombed out in dealing Hudson.
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Frayed Knot
Nov 04 2008 09:21 AM
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Rays will NOT pick up their option on Cliff Floyd
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seawolf17
Nov 04 2008 09:25 AM
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="Frayed Knot":21wuft3z]Rays will NOT pick up their option on Cliff Floyd[/quote:21wuft3z]
I wish he could pinch-hit, but he's worthless in that role.
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John Cougar Lunchbucket
Nov 04 2008 09:28 AM
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="seawolf17":dlhmxhud]="Frayed Knot":dlhmxhud]Rays will NOT pick up their option on Cliff Floyd[/quote:dlhmxhud]
I wish he could pinch-hit, but he's worthless in that role.[/quote:dlhmxhud]
Yah. His caught looking to me was somehow way worse than Beltran's.
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seawolf17
Nov 04 2008 09:34 AM
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="John Cougar Lunchbucket":2fo3jrac]="seawolf17":2fo3jrac]="Frayed Knot":2fo3jrac]Rays will NOT pick up their option on Cliff Floyd[/quote:2fo3jrac]
I wish he could pinch-hit, but he's worthless in that role.[/quote:2fo3jrac]
Yah. His caught looking to me was somehow way worse than Beltran's.[/quote:2fo3jrac]
Me too, because it could have been avoided. He shouldn't have been up in that spot.
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John Cougar Lunchbucket
Nov 04 2008 09:37 AM
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="seawolf17":n3xzl9sw]="John Cougar Lunchbucket":n3xzl9sw]="seawolf17":n3xzl9sw]="Frayed Knot":n3xzl9sw]Rays will NOT pick up their option on Cliff Floyd[/quote:n3xzl9sw]
I wish he could pinch-hit, but he's worthless in that role.[/quote:n3xzl9sw]
Yah. His caught looking to me was somehow way worse than Beltran's.[/quote:n3xzl9sw]
Me too, because it could have been avoided. He shouldn't have been up in that spot.[/quote:n3xzl9sw]
Stupid non-magical Mets.
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Frayed Knot
Nov 04 2008 09:40 AM
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So that one "failed" PH AB is somehow proof that he's useless in that role for ever and ever afterward?
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seawolf17
Nov 04 2008 09:43 AM
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="Frayed Knot":dx5gsmdf]So that one "failed" PH AB is somehow proof that he's useless in that role for ever and ever afterward?[/quote:dx5gsmdf]
No, I'm going by that 5-for-39 over the last four seasons.
I love Cliff, but I don't know if he fits right now.
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Benjamin Grimm
Nov 04 2008 09:53 AM
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No, he doesn't.
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Frayed Knot
Nov 04 2008 10:04 AM
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I'm not saying he fits here either - for a variety of reasons.
But what I wouldn't do is use a handful of ABs to pronounce him as a lousy PH and reject him solely on that basis.
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Edgy DC
Nov 04 2008 10:05 AM
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I agree.
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Benjamin Grimm
Nov 04 2008 10:08 AM
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Yeah, I think he'd be an OK pinch hitter.
I just think he'd be too one-dimensional, at his age, for the Mets roster. I'd rather have the spot taken by someone more versatile
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seawolf17
Nov 04 2008 10:09 AM
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="Benjamin Grimm":201pvy0l]Yeah, I think he'd be an OK pinch hitter.
I just think he'd be too one-dimensional, at his age, for the Mets roster. I'd rather have the spot taken by someone more versatile[/quote:201pvy0l]
That's my point, just more eloquently put.
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John Cougar Lunchbucket
Nov 04 2008 10:10 AM
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="Frayed Knot":23i4g8hz]I'm not saying he fits here either - for a variety of reasons.
But what I wouldn't do is use a handful of ABs to pronounce him as a lousy PH and reject him solely on that basis.[/quote:23i4g8hz]
I don't think anyone is. I just wanted to finmd a place to get in a thought I'd had.
Cliff's whiff = underrated. Beltran's whiff = overrated.
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Edgy DC
Nov 04 2008 10:44 AM
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Junichi Tawaza looks to be a potential big import. Here he is pitching for Nippon Oil, a coporate team that he's playing for after telling Japan teams not to draft him, because he wanted to play in the States. I guess that means there'll be no onerous posting fee.
<img src="http://multimedia.heraldinteractive.com/images/aba3405261_mlb11042008.jpg">
It doesn't mean he'll be any good, but the risk is lessened.
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Vic Sage
Nov 04 2008 11:18 AM
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omar vizquel has been non-tendered.
could/should we pursue him, as a UT IF? Is he ready for that transition?
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John Cougar Lunchbucket
Nov 04 2008 11:22 AM
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He's like... old.
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metirish
Nov 04 2008 11:23 AM
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If he was up for that I would take him on , he still has that glove.
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Vic Sage
Nov 04 2008 11:26 AM
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yes, he's old. So he may just retire rather than be anybody's UT. But if he was willing he'd be an ideal guy on the bench, working with our younger players, playing SS and 2b, pinch-hitting and pinch-running. I'd rather him than A.Reyes, at this point.
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Benjamin Grimm
Nov 04 2008 11:26 AM
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Me too.
Argenis should spend 2009 in Buffalo.
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Gwreck
Nov 04 2008 11:34 AM
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Not mentioned anywhere in the Cliff Floyd posts is that he didn't even play a single inning in the field in '08.
He'll remain one of my favorite Mets regardless -- but I don't think we need him. I suspect Cliff retires.
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John Cougar Lunchbucket
Nov 04 2008 11:46 AM
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="Vic Sage":33s8b7tk]yes, he's old. So he may just retire rather than be anybody's UT. But if he was willing he'd be an ideal guy on the bench, working with our younger players, playing SS and 2b, pinch-hitting and pinch-running. I'd rather him than A.Reyes, at this point.[/quote:33s8b7tk]
A Reyes is worthless until he learns three other positions and I doubt he will.
I can't see how Vizquel is any better a choice than Renteria for the same role, to bring up one guy we'd already discussed.
Alex Cora did a nice job in a reserve SS role for the Red Sox last year and is a free agent.
Jerry Hairston Jr. is a free agent and played all 3 OF, 2B, SS and 3B for the Reds last year and put up a (surprise) 125 OPS+. Bats right and is 6 years younger than Easley. Dude.
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Frayed Knot
Nov 04 2008 11:52 AM
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Vizquel's only real value is as a SS and ours plays about 159x9 innings.
Certainly not a PH, probably too old to be a PR.
I'm sure he could play 2B but might not outhit the guy everyone wants to get rid of.
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Vic Sage
Nov 04 2008 12:17 PM
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="John Cougar Lunchbucket":14x06nme]="Vic Sage":14x06nme]yes, he's old. So he may just retire rather than be anybody's UT. But if he was willing he'd be an ideal guy on the bench, working with our younger players, playing SS and 2b, pinch-hitting and pinch-running. I'd rather him than A.Reyes, at this point.[/quote:14x06nme]
A Reyes is worthless until he learns three other positions and I doubt he will.
I can't see how Vizquel is any better a choice than Renteria for the same role, to bring up one guy we'd already discussed.
Alex Cora did a nice job in a reserve SS role for the Red Sox last year and is a free agent.
Jerry Hairston Jr. is a free agent and played all 3 OF, 2B, SS and 3B for the Reds last year and put up a (surprise) 125 OPS+. Bats right and is 6 years younger than Easley. Dude.[/quote:14x06nme]
my problem with Renteria is only that he's likely to still get a starter's position somewhere, including St.L. Vizquel is not. But he's still a better player than Cora, or other career backups. Hairston is a risk because of his injury history, but i like him.
my point about Vizquel is only that we can't go into the season with A.Reyes as the UT/SS... until he learns to hit, as well as play other positions. While the bullpen, a 4th SPer, and maybe a LFer (if we don't trust Murphy) is obviously a higher off-season priority, the bench still has a hole in it worth mentioning.
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Edgy DC
Nov 04 2008 12:35 PM
Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Nov 05 2008 07:40 AM
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="Frayed Knot":20nngahg]Vizquel's only real value is as a SS and ours plays about 159x9 innings.[/quote:20nngahg]
Except when a sudden pop means he doesn't.
If Vizquel's main value would be that insurance that an injury to Reyes won't leave us without a capable experienced big-league shortshop, that's not to be discounted. Peripheral value can be found in backing up at second, lending to Reyes whatever wisdom his experience can offer, and giving Santana the Venezuelan brotherness he might lose if Endy gets dealt.
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John Cougar Lunchbucket
Nov 04 2008 12:39 PM
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Jerry.
Hairston.
Junior.
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Frayed Knot
Nov 04 2008 03:46 PM
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Not a big surprise:
AJ Burnett opts out of the final two years of his contract w/Toronto making himself a FA. The Jays got more medical bills than innings out of that deal
No surprise at all:
Yanx decline the final year option on Jason Giambi (to the tune of a $5mil buyout - heh, heh) and Carl Pavano making them both FAs
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smg58
Nov 04 2008 06:00 PM
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Hairston was a big asset to my fantasy team when he played, but he got hurt often. He also might want to go to a team that would guarantee him regular playing time and pay him accordingly. On the other hand, he might present good value as an everyday second baseman who could slide over if needed. I'm not sure I'd make him a top priority, but he's worth considering.
Vizquel does still have a strong glove, but his .550 OPS is not a selling point. He might not be any better than Argenis at this point, and I see no point in paying for the name.
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Edgy DC
Nov 05 2008 07:43 AM
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I'm remembering Giambi crying during an A-Rod slump that he was chasing pitches out of the strike zone to make up for A-Rod.
Now he's cut loose like a deuce and Rodriguez is signed through the duration of the next Yankee Stadium.
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John Cougar Lunchbucket
Nov 05 2008 08:47 AM
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The A's have hired Giambi's dealer, I mean, trainer in what's seen as an overture to bringing him back to Oakland.
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metirish
Nov 05 2008 08:51 AM
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Snooze has Minaya going high for Lowe
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Derek Lowe tops wish list for Omar Minaya and Mets
BY ADAM RUBIN
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER
Sipkin/News
Mets GM Omar Minaya has a lot on his to-do list this offseason, but Derek Lowe seems to be his top choice.
DANA POINT, Calif. - Mets GM Omar Minaya bowled an average of 150 while competing against his counterparts from other teams Tuesday afternoon. He insisted the two-hour event was productive with regard to discussing trades, and didn't just serve as a social gathering.
"You kind of check in with guys and say, 'Hey, what about this and that?'" Minaya said.
Late on Day 2 of the GM Meetings, Minaya said he had yet to hold any face-to-face meetings with agents, only phone conversations. Minaya acknowledged that chatting with Scott Boras was on tap before the four-day gathering closes Thursday. While Boras will make headlines this winter for his dealings concerning Manny Ramirez and Mark Teixeira, the Mets have prioritized pitching. And Boras client Derek Lowe appears atop the Mets' list, as does speaking with Boras about re-signing Oliver Perez.
Lowe is doubly attractive to the Mets because not only is he an accomplished starting pitcher, he also has been successful in a closing role.
Free agent Ryan Dempster, a 17-game winner with the Cubs this year, also fits that profile, having recorded 85 saves over the previous three seasons.
"You have to consider that. If a guy is a starter and has relieved in the past, you think about that," Minaya said. "But I couldn't tell you that we're looking at guys right now that are starters and are saying to ourselves, 'Let's get him as a reliever.' We're looking at him at him as a starter."
The Mets' major turnover this winter will occur in the bullpen, where only Joe Smith, Pedro Feliciano and Brian Stokes may return from the 2008 relief corps. The Mets figure to accommodate Aaron Heilman's desire to pitch elsewhere - potentially as a starter - with the Rockies, Cardinals, Cubs and Diamondbacks among the potential destinations. Scott Schoeneweis, owed $3.6 million in 2009, also appears to be a goner. The Mets and Tigers discussed a trade for Schoeneweis in spring training and Detroit still needs lefthanded relief pitching.
As for the rotation, Jon Niese should be the favorite to claim the No.5 spot next spring, but the Mets will need to bring in a bona fide starter to join Johan Santana, Mike Pelfrey and John Maine. While Lowe may be the priority, Minaya strongly suggested he'd feel good about bringing back Perez. No one expects the Lowe or Perez situations to be resolved before December, given Boras' track record.
"The history with Scott has been that once the player gets to free agency, he'd rather have him explore the market," Minaya said, downplaying any chance of signing Perez during the 15-day period following the World Series when teams can exclusively negotiate with their own free agents. "But we're definitely going to sit down and talk to him. You'd always rather sign your guy, if possible. You know him already, so you'd rather get your guy done, if possible. We know who he is. He knows who we are. There's not the effect of the first year in New York, where the first year in New York takes some adjustments. That being said, we have to see how that works out."
As for the other client who will interest the Mets, Boras said: "Derek Lowe became one of those rare pitchers in baseball where it's Bob Gibson-ish. You're having a guy throw the first, fourth and seventh game of a postseason series. The last two months of the season he was really a No.1 pitcher - that classic terminology of a 'rubber-arm' guy. Remember, he had 40 saves in a season. So he's one of those few guys, like a (Dennis) Eckersley, who can carry on a number of roles. Durability is big in the marketplace. Sometimes the performance level is not going to be there but you know you're going to get the innings and go forward."
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What is Boras smoking?
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John Cougar Lunchbucket
Nov 05 2008 08:54 AM
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I'd bring back Ollie.
It's also gotta be a given that we offer him arbitration, yes?
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Benjamin Grimm
Nov 05 2008 09:14 AM
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I would think so. What would the downside be? He's not going to accept unless NOBODY is interested in him, and that's pretty unlikely.
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Edgy DC
Nov 05 2008 09:26 AM
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Derek Lowe makes me feel sad.
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smg58
Nov 05 2008 10:06 AM
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A month or so ago I thought Derek Lowe would present the best value of the free agent pitchers. But I hear more rumors about teams being interested in him than in anybody else. I no longer think he'll come that cheap. He's more consistent and durable than any other pitcher on the market besides CC, but at his age I wouldn't want to be the team that offers him a fourth year at $15M+ per.
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HahnSolo
Nov 05 2008 10:32 AM
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Red Sox fans might disagree that Lowe was "successful" in a closing role.
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duan
Nov 05 2008 11:44 AM
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I'm not enthused about Derek Lowe.
Although yes Sal/Ira/whatever you now be called it would have been a good idea to have him instead of Tom Glavine whatever time you suggested it.
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Frayed Knot
Nov 05 2008 04:34 PM
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Brad Penny's option NOT picked up by Dodgers.
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Edgy DC
Nov 06 2008 07:20 AM
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Wow, the Dodgers are just shedding pitchers I dislike and distrust and don't want.
Brad Penny on May 8 was giving up a 10-spot to a Met squad led by offensive mainstays such as Luis Castillo, Marlon Anderson, and Raul Casanova.
http://www.ultimatemets.com/gamedetail.php?gameno=7426
He came back against us May 29 and this time got battered by Castillo again, but joined by more typical Met heroes.
http://ultimatemets.com/gamedetail.php?gameno=7446
Those would be two good final memories of Brad Penny. I ill-regard him.
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metirish
Nov 06 2008 07:27 AM
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From the LA Times.
| ]in their first major decisions of the off-season, the Dodgers on Wednesday disclosed a multi-year contract offer to Manny Ramirez and cut ties with two-time All-Star pitcher Brad Penny by declining his option for next season.
The deal that was proposed to Ramirez on Tuesday night would give the 36-year-old free-agent outfielder "the highest average annual value in the history of the franchise and the second-highest average annual value in baseball" -- somewhere between the $27.5 million per season earned by Alex Rodriguez of the New York Yankees and the $22.9 million earned by Johan Santana of the New York Mets -- according to General Manager Ned Colletti. |
So are they dumping pitchers to pay Manny?
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Vic Sage
Nov 06 2008 11:37 AM
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Manny turned them into a playoff team last year. If i was the Dodgers, I'd offer him 2yrs/$25m@yr, with an option for a 3rd year. I wouldn't go 4 years under any circumstances, nor would i give him A-Rod money (unless he suddenly became a GG-caliber IFer who stole 30+ bases, on top of his current hitting prowess).
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Nymr83
Nov 06 2008 01:59 PM
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| ]If i was the Dodgers, I'd offer him 2yrs/$25m@yr, with an option for a 3rd year. |
what was the offer he reportedly turned down?
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metirish
Nov 07 2008 08:45 AM
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Pat Burrell and Jamie Moyer filed for FA yesterday.
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Vic Sage
Nov 07 2008 09:40 AM
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="Nymr83"]| ]If i was the Dodgers, I'd offer him 2yrs/$25m@yr, with an option for a 3rd year. |
what was the offer he reportedly turned down? |
according to Craig Carton (always a dubious source), it was 3 years/$75m. So, it looks like it'll take at least a 4th year at around that price. I don't think i'd do that.
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Benjamin Grimm
Nov 07 2008 10:09 AM
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MLB.com is running a contest where you pick the destination of 15 free agents. The prize is Opening Day tickets.
I entered, but if I win it will be pure dumb luck. I don't know much about the needs of any of the other 29 teams, so I probably made some pretty uneducated guesses.
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Frayed Knot
Nov 07 2008 10:09 AM
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I'm not even sure the Dodgers are guaranteeing the 3rd year at this point.
Tim Kurkjian mentioned something about 2-for-$45 with an option for a 3rd year, not a whole lot more than he was due to get from Boston (2x$20).
Boras says he wants 6 years ... um yeah.
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DocTee
Nov 10 2008 01:00 PM
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Matt Holliday to Oakland for a package built around 16 game LOSER Greg Smith.
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HahnSolo
Nov 10 2008 07:22 PM
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All NL East trade!
Florida sends Willingham and Scot Olsen to the Nationals for Emilio Bonifacio and a pair of minor leaguers, P P.J. Dean and SS Jake Smolinski.
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Frayed Knot
Nov 10 2008 08:32 PM
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Mmmmm.
Bonifacio is the 2nd baseman they got from Arizona in the deal for that big reliever. Sounds like Florida plans to either move Uggla to 1B now that Jacobs is gone or move him out of town.
Losing Willingham makes room for OFer Cameron Maybin, the young OF they got from Detroit in the Cabrera/Willis deal.
Don't know anything about those Washington minor leaguers.
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Frayed Knot
Nov 11 2008 06:50 AM
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Padres and Trevor Hoffman are parting ways after 17 ML seasons.
The team offered him a contract he could refuse (approx half his previous $7+mil) and so he did.
Pads are doing some serious cost cutting.
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Vince Coleman Firecracker
Nov 11 2008 07:10 AM
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="HahnSolo":1heiqobk]All NL East trade!
Florida sends Willingham and Scot Olsen to the Nationals for Emilio Bonifacio and a pair of minor leaguers, P P.J. Dean and SS Jake Smolinski.[/quote:1heiqobk]
Real good trade for Washington. Bonifacio is, at best, the next Pokey Reese. Smolinski struggled to make the transition to A-ball and Dean is a 19-year-old seventh-round pick a long way from the majors. Willingham and Olsen are both above average major leaguers (Olsen's ERA+ is about league average, but he's only 24 and can throw 200 innings a year. He's a lot like Oliver Perez, but younger and cheaper and surlier).
This is a trade that the Mets could have made; and if they were willing to live with Olsen being kind of a jerk, it would have made them better.
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Edgy DC
Nov 11 2008 07:37 AM
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You think this means that Bonifaccio goes to second and Uggla to first?
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MFS62
Nov 11 2008 07:57 AM
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I had read that they were making room for their top prospect, who is a "can't miss" first baseman. (forget his name) IMO Uggla would be a backup plan if the kid isn't ready yet.
Later
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sharpie
Nov 11 2008 08:00 AM
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I'm guessing Uggla gets traded as well. He is arbitration-eligible.
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soupcan
Nov 11 2008 08:10 AM
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="sharpie":vn5i1y3v]I'm guessing Uggla gets traded as well. He is arbitration-eligible.[/quote:vn5i1y3v]
Uggla's a nice little hitter. The Mets have no place for him though, huh?
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MFS62
Nov 11 2008 08:18 AM
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="soupcan":t4z2e84m]="sharpie":t4z2e84m]I'm guessing Uggla gets traded as well. He is arbitration-eligible.[/quote:t4z2e84m]
Uggla's a nice little hitter. The Mets have no place for him though, huh?[/quote:t4z2e84m]
Not unless they decide to move to the AL. From what I've seen of him, Uggla's best position is at bat.
Later
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Vince Coleman Firecracker
Nov 11 2008 08:42 AM
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="Edgy DC":1f8m41c7]You think this means that Bonifaccio goes to second and Uggla to first?[/quote:1f8m41c7]
I think so. I think this was a salary dump to afford Uggla's arbitration.
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Farmer Ted
Nov 11 2008 02:43 PM
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NYPost gurgling over K-Rod. $15 million per season for 4 years?
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smg58
Nov 11 2008 05:54 PM
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The Marlins/Nats trade is a real headscratcher. I can't imagine the Marlins couldn't have gotten many better offers from around the league for those two players. Selling so low within your own division just doesn't make sense.
A good deal from the Mets perspective, as the Marlins take a step backwards and it will take a lot more than this to make the Nats any good.
In other news, Salomon Torres announced his retirement, Pat Neshek got the TJS he should have gotten in May and will miss the 2009 season, and former Met Henry Owens tested positive for PEDs.
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Edgy DC
Nov 12 2008 07:27 AM
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Wow. Torres could've pitched another five years easy.
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smg58
Nov 12 2008 12:36 PM
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I was surprised, too. You don't often see a guy quit while there appears to be plenty still in the tank.
In other ex-Pirate reliever news, the Yankees brought back Damaso Marte for 3 years and $12M. The possible good news from a Mets perspective is that it caps what other lefties like Jeremy Affeldt can ask for.
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Nymr83
Nov 12 2008 12:43 PM
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I think the Marlins REALLY want to call up McPherson to play 1st or 3rd, he hit like 40 homers in AAA last year.
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Edgy DC
Nov 12 2008 12:56 PM
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You wonder what's wrong with the system when a guy like McPherson gets buried like that. Yeah, he missed all of 2007 with back surgery, but there was a job waiting for Duaner Sanchez after missing a year and a half. The guy has done nothing but club.
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metirish
Nov 12 2008 01:54 PM
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| ]
Mets pursue Takahashi to add pitching depth
BY DAVID LENNON | david.lennon@newsday.com
November 12, 2008
In their search for more pitching depth, the Mets could be among a number of teams pursuing Ken Takahashi, a lefthander from the Hiroshima Toyo Carp. Takahashi is 40 years old, according to Japaneseballplayers.com
Takahashi, who filed for free agency this week, went 8-5 with a 3.50 ERA in 21 games for the Carp last season. He throws a fastball, slider and shuuto, which resembles a screwball.
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Benjamin Grimm
Nov 12 2008 01:56 PM
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Ken?
What kind of a Japanese name is Ken?
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Edgy DC
Nov 12 2008 02:02 PM
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We need somebody who throws a shuuto.
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Edgy DC
Nov 12 2008 02:06 PM
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I think Arnold's last name was Takahashi.
<img src="http://miyagi.sg/wp-content/_c_pictures_2005_11_26_mn_obit_morita_ny110.jpg">
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Benjamin Grimm
Nov 13 2008 07:15 AM
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Teams are free to negotiate with other teams' free agents after midnight tonight, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.
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DocTee
Nov 13 2008 12:27 PM
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Marlins trade closer Kevin Gregg (29 saves) to Cubs....Kerry Wood FA eligible at midnight.
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metirish
Nov 13 2008 12:36 PM
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Angels owner on K-Rod
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"I think as a whole, we're probably turning the page on this one," Moreno said on "The Sports Lodge," which is broadcast on KLAA in Southern California. "I think that we as an organization made this decision. And I'm not one of these 'never, never' people. I'm saying, I think as a whole, it's important to turn the page and move forward, and get prepared to do some of the other things we want to do." |
In the same David Lennon article he says the Mets have talked to the White Sox about Jenks but will try the FA route first, Lennon says that the White Sox are looking to trade someone form a group of Jermaine Dye, Paul Konerko and Jim Thome, with Jenks and Nick Swisher available at a higher price.
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A Boy Named Seo
Nov 13 2008 01:04 PM
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| ="DocTee"]Marlins trade closer Kevin Gregg (29 saves) to Cubs....Kerry Wood FA eligible at midnight. |
Their entire team payroll in '08 was [url=http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?page=winterforecast/081111/marlins]$22.65M[/url] and they've gotten rid of these dudes, all arbitration eligible:
DUDE, '08 SALARY
Gregg, $2.5M
Olsen, $405,000
Willingham, $405,000
Jacobs, $395,000
Wonder if they could end up with a payroll under $20M?
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smg58
Nov 13 2008 01:43 PM
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="DocTee":3usa9hkd]Marlins trade closer Kevin Gregg (29 saves) to Cubs....Kerry Wood FA eligible at midnight.[/quote:3usa9hkd]
Gregg's OK, but he's a setup guy on a team with a good pen. Even if Wood doesn't come back, I can't see Gregg closing ahead of Marmol. The prospect the Marlins got in return is Jose Ceda, who has a very live arm and seems to have taken to pitching in relief.
It's not a bad pickup for the Marlins, but geez they don't want to pay ANYBODY. It must really suck to be a fan of that team. Oh wait, they've somehow won the World Series twice...
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Nymr83
Nov 13 2008 03:33 PM
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Gregg is nothing special. Take away the "closer" label and he's a middle of the road reliever. The Marlins are smart to not want to pay a guy like that and instead get a prospect for him.
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metirish
Nov 14 2008 07:57 AM
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Just saw this , looking to 2009 in this Hot stove preview. The last paragraph is what caught my eye.
Caleb Peiffer, Baseball Prospectus
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New York Mets
What Do They Have?
Like the Phillies, they have a phenomenal core, consisting of the best left side of the infield in baseball (third baseman David Wright and shortstop Jose Reyes), as well as the best center fielder in the NL (Carlos Beltran), all of whom are signed through at least 2011. At first base, Carlos Delgado showed he can still be a powerful force with a .308/.392/.626 line in 372 plate appearances from June 27 onward, making the decision to pick up his $12 million option an easy one for GM Omar Minaya. In the rotation Johan Santana retains the title of best pitcher in baseball, coming off of career highs in both innings and ERA, and Mike Pelfrey has emerged as a young workhorse to complement the ace after harnessing his nasty sinker.
What Do They Need?
New York lost a major league-high seven games when leading at the start of the ninth in 2008, and the bullpen was a major contributor to the team's second straight September collapse, going 3-5 with a 6.65 ERA in the final 16 games. The Mets made more pitching changes than any other team in the majors (719) because almost all of their relievers were helpless against one side of the plate or the other (or just plain helpless). They need a couple of arms who can retire both lefties and righties, especially with closer Billy Wagner out for 2009 after Tommy John surgery. Beyond the bullpen New York could go several different ways in left field. The Mets would also love to unload Luis Castillo's albatross contract, but that's a pipe dream unless Minaya can swap it for some other bad deal. Then there are questions about the rotation -- if Oliver Perez and Pedro Martinez depart, New York will need at least one and possibly two starters, depending on whether they see Jonathon Niese as ready for primetime.
What Are They Likely To Do?
They will probably let Martinez and Perez walk, while bringing in another Scott Boras client, Derek Lowe. They'll sign a lower-profile starter to compete for the fifth spot (perhaps Bartolo Colon), package Aaron Heilman to Colorado for relief help, and sign Brian Fuentes to close, while bringing in several other lower-profile arms to compete for bullpen jobs. Expect them to stick with Ryan Church in right, a Dan Murphy/Fernando Tatis platoon in left, and Castillo at second base, while bringing in a known quantity to back up at the keystone, such as Felipe Lopez, Alex Cora, Jerry Hairston Jr. or David Eckstein.
What Should They Do?
It might be wise to re-sign Perez, who will come cheaper than Lowe or Ryan Dempster. Bringing in another starter who won't cost the team draft picks -- like Colon, Odalis Perez, Freddy Garcia or Randy Wolf -- would also have the benefit of giving Niese more time at Triple-A. Biting the bullet and selling low on Heilman for a reliever or fifth starter couldn't hurt, as he has wanted out of New York for several years and badly needs a change of scenery. They could offer Type B free agent Luis Ayala arbitration so that if he decides to depart they'll receive a draft pick in return. Inking Fuentes to a three-year deal if he'll come will bolster the pen, as would pursuing a trade for J.J. Putz or Huston Street. Using some creativity to fill out the bullpen could shift their focus to a number of intriguing minor league free agents, such as 24-year-old lefty R.J. Swindle (1.53 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, 67 K in 53 innings between Double- and Triple-A last year), Kiko Calero (coming back from a rotator cuff injury), Fernando Cabrera and former Met Scott Strickland. New York should also try to keep its 40-man roster below capacity in order to add other potentially promising arms in the Rule 5 draft. |
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smg58
Nov 14 2008 09:50 AM
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Swindle's intriguing. You look at his numbers ([url:3vaofvwh]http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/S/R.J.-Swindle.shtml[/url:3vaofvwh]), and you wonder why he hasn't moved through the minors any faster than he has.
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Nymr83
Nov 15 2008 04:12 PM
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FireJoeMorgan.com is shutting down, a big loss for anyone who appreciates criticism of shitty journalism/anouncing.
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Benjamin Grimm
Nov 15 2008 06:17 PM
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Ken Davidoff in Newsday is predicting the Mets will sign Oliver Perez, Francisco Rodriguez, Kevin Millar, and Raul Ibanez this winter.
| ="Ken Davidoff":160k5uj4]
Starting Pitchers
Platinum
CC Sabathia. Yankees, six years, $160 million
Gold
A.J. Burnett. Blue Jays, four years, $60 million
Silver
Ryan Dempster. Cubs, four years, $48 million
Derek Lowe. Yankees, four years, $56 million
Oliver Perez. Mets, four years, $55 million
Bronze
Jon Garland. Dodgers, three years, $36 million
Mike Mussina. Retire.
Brad Penny. Rangers, two years, $20 million
Ben Sheets. Astros, two years, $24 million
Randy Wolf. Giants, two years, $21 million
Value
Randy Johnson. Diamondbacks, one year, $6.5 million.
Jamie Moyer. Phillies, one year, $10 million
Andy Pettitte. Yankees, one year, $11 million
Relief pitchers
Platinum
Francisco Rodriguez. Mets, four years, $54 million
Gold
Brian Fuentes. Cardinals, three years, $38 million
Bronze
Joe Beimel. Dodgers, three years, $9 million
Juan Cruz. Cardinals, three years, $15 million
Trevor Hoffman. Indians, one year, $7 million
Value
Russ Springer. Cardinals, one year, $4 million
Chan Ho Park. Dodgers, one year, $3.5 million
Catchers
Value
Ivan Rodriguez. Marlins, one year, $4 million
Jason Varitek. Red Sox, two years, $10 million
First basemen
Platinum
Mark Teixeira. Angels, seven years, $145 million
Silver
Jason Giambi. A's, two years, $15 million
Value
Kevin Millar. Mets, one year, $4 million
Second basemen
Gold
Orlando Hudson. Giants, four years, $36 million
Value
Ray Durham. Astros, one year, $3 million
Shortstops
Gold
Rafael Furcal. Tigers, three years, $30 million
Value
Edgar Renteria. Braves, two years, $12 million.
Third basemen
Bronze
Casey Blake. Dodgers, two years, $15 million
Value
Joe Crede. Indians, one year, $5 million
Outfielders
Platinum
Manny Ramirez. Dodgers, three years with a vesting option for a fourth year, $70 million
Gold
Adam Dunn. Nationals, five years, $70 million
Silver
Bobby Abreu. Cubs, three years, $38 million
Pat Burrell. Blue Jays, three years, $35 million
Bronze
Milton Bradley. Rangers, three years, $26 million
Raul Ibanez. Mets, two years, $19 million
Value
Garret Anderson. Angels, one year, $6 million Rocco Baldelli. Red Sox, two years, $10 million[/quote:160k5uj4]
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metirish
Nov 17 2008 01:45 PM
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From Buster Olney
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Mets looking for strikeouts in bullpen
Monday, November 17, 2008
There are no perfect stats, but in an era when 100 pitches has become a threshold for starting pitchers, and when bullpens are often left to for account for the last nine to 12 outs even when they assume leads, here's a number which carries some meaning: the strikeout ratio for bullpens.
You can find the eight teams that made the playoffs among the top 10 ranked teams in strikeout ratio in 2008. The year before, five playoff teams ranked among the top 10 in bullpen strikeout ratio. Some years the number has been lower, but in general, it's a quality that leads to quality, because of the impact of a strikeout -- fewer balls are put into play and this reduces the chance for mistakes, fewer inherited runners score, and the strikeouts are indicative of dominance.
All of this is why the Mets are focusing on relievers who generate missed swings, who get strikeouts, as they reshape their bullpen. They don't intend to settle on a high-wire closer; they want a couple of relievers who come in and control innings.
The Mets' relievers finished the 2008 season ranked 17th in the ratio of strikeouts-per-nine-innings, at 7.48, but that standing dipped after Billy Wagner was hurt at midseason.
Wagner had whiffed 52 in 47 innings before he was hurt, and if you take him out of the equation -- and he is not expected to pitch in 2009 -- then the Mets' K-per-9 ratio for the rest of the relievers was 7.22, a ratio that would've placed them 23rd among 30 teams in 2008.
With that in mind:
• In 2008, Francisco Rodriguez struck out 77 hitters in 68.1 innings, and in his career, his strikeout ratio has been staggering -- 587 punchouts in 451.2 innings. But there is a concern among scouts, generally, that K-Rod's growing reliance on his breaking ball might eventually lead to a breakdown, and they wonder if we're already seeing signs of wear: His WHIP of 1.288 was the highest in his career.
• Brian Fuentes racked up a whopping 82 strikeouts in 62.2 innings, confounding hitters with his unusual delivery. In his career, he has averaged more than a punchout per inning (480 in 422 innings). He is naturally more potent against left-handed hitters (20 strikeouts in 53 at-bats in '08), but he gets a lot of missed swings against righties, as well (62 in 203 at-bats). Each time a player from a small market comes under consideration from a Boston, Philly or New York team, there are the inevitable questions about whether the player can survive in that atmosphere -- but sources say that the Mets are confident that Fuentes would thrive pitching in New York.
• Kerry Wood did what Kerry Wood usually does when he pitches: He struck out a lot of guys, and compiled 84 in 66.1 innings. The concern with Wood, as always, is about his durability.
• Trevor Hoffman had 30 saves in 34 chances for the Padres in 2008. But given the Mets' preference for power relievers this winter, Hoffman -- whose fastball is now in the low-80s -- would not seem to be a fit.
• Brandon Lyon is going to get some play as a possible closer in the market, after picking up 26 saves in 2008, but he allowed 75 hits and struck out 44 in 59.1 innings; he's not really a match for New York.
• The Mets won't consider Juan Cruz for closer, but they will undoubtedly be attracted to him as a possible middle reliever, after a season in which he struck out 71 in 51.2 innings, while allowing just 34 hits and holding opposing hitters to a .192 batting average. |
I hadn't read that before about Minaya and his staff looking for swing and miss pitchers.
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Edgy DC
Nov 17 2008 01:52 PM
Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Nov 17 2008 02:01 PM
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Heilman, though, got lots of strikeouts. I'd like a few not-walking-guys relievers.
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smg58
Nov 17 2008 01:58 PM
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And the first domino falls. Jeremy Affeldt goes to the Giants for two years and $8M. Affeldt would have fit nicely here, and I don't think the Giants overpaid.
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metirish
Nov 18 2008 07:44 AM
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From David Lennon
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The Mets had no interest in Jeremy Affeldt, who signed yesterday with the Giants for a reported two-year, $8-million deal, and they have not yet focused much attention on upgrading the rest of the their bullpen. As for Affeldt, one team official explained that the Mets already have two lefthanders in the pen, which suggests that Pedro Feliciano and Scott Schoeneweis are still considered part of that mix. |
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smg58
Nov 18 2008 08:07 AM
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Sigh.
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seawolf17
Nov 18 2008 09:12 AM
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Well, the fact is, they do. And if you sign him, and you can't deal either of the other two, then you're stuck with three guys, and someone you really need doesn't get a spot.
That'sa baseball, as Zvon would say.
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John Cougar Lunchbucket
Nov 18 2008 09:25 AM
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I gotta believe the Mets for whatever reason prefer Joe Beimel, the big dumb alcoholic lefty of the Dodgers who missed the '06 playoffs with a cut hand he tried to fake was a broken water glass in a hotel room and of course was actually sustained in a bar brawl.
Joe Beimel. E before I, yeah.
Anyway, later bloomer, nice ERA but I don't like the smell of his periferals. About equally effective vs. LH & RH, so an upgrade over Show in a setup role but not exactly reaching for the stars.
Dodger fans love him for his personaility and shit. Wears No. 97.
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Edgy DC
Nov 18 2008 10:15 AM
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Dodgers collect pitchers with active ids, I tell you what.
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Vic Sage
Nov 18 2008 10:18 AM
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It's not what arm you throw with, it's who you can get out. Affeldt is better than Beimel, even against righties. Show and Feliciano are specialists. I say "boo, Omar".
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Frayed Knot
Nov 18 2008 10:43 AM
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Affeldt was a 'Type B' FA too meaning no loss of draft pick (Cincy will pick up a supplemental).
Virtually all of the other relievers being looked (including many of the non-closers) at would cost a Mets a 1st rounder -- assuming arb were offered and all that.
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sharpie
Nov 18 2008 01:32 PM
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Ryan Dempster re-ups with Cubs, 4-years/52 million smackaroonies.
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Frayed Knot
Nov 18 2008 01:52 PM
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Now we know where the floor is on Ollie Perez negotiations.
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Vic Sage
Nov 18 2008 03:44 PM
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i think Ollie will get a 5th year, but not necessarily more $$/yr.
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smg58
Nov 18 2008 05:21 PM
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="seawolf17":2s3iqik6]Well, the fact is, they do. And if you sign him, and you can't deal either of the other two, then you're stuck with three guys, and someone you really need doesn't get a spot.[/quote:2s3iqik6]
Neither was so bad last year as to be undealable (although we'd probably have to eat a portion of Schoeneweis' salary). The problem is that the Mets really don't need two lefthanded relievers who can't be trusted against righthanded batters. They could use a lefty who can be left in against a righthanded batter in a meaningful situation, and they sorely need a reliever who can give them 70+ quality innings. Affeldt was both of those things.
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Edgy DC
Nov 18 2008 07:23 PM
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When I was living with my grandmother in the early nineties, I came home to find her concerned that she'd heard a major league team was being sold to Japanese ownership. "Are they going to replace the players with Japs? The manager?"
"Nah, they're just the owners, Nanny. They'll field an American team with American and Latin American players."
She knew more than I gave her credit for.
Interesting Wakamatsu factamatsu: Each of his major league starts came with Charlie Hough on the mound.
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Farmer Ted
Nov 19 2008 09:27 AM
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CoCo Beware.
The Boston Red Sox have traded outfielder Coco Crisp to the Kansas City Royals for relief pitcher Ramon Ramirez, SI.com has confirmed.
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smg58
Nov 19 2008 10:06 AM
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With seemingly everybody in the market for relievers, the Royals should have done much better than two sub-.800 OPS hitters for a pair of young relievers who had ERA's below 3 last year.
I also wonder how much more than Chavez it would have taken for us to match the Sox' offer.
On edit: Jacobs had an OPS of .812. But I still think the Royals are doing themselves more harm than good.
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MFS62
Nov 19 2008 10:30 AM
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="Farmer Ted":eyakn20f] CoCo Beware.
The Boston Red Sox have traded outfielder Coco Crisp to the Kansas City Royals for relief pitcher Ramon Ramirez, SI.com has confirmed.[/quote:eyakn20f]
Kansas City is already famous for its barbeque. Why would they need to bring in some crispy critter?
Later
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Ashie62
Nov 22 2008 02:27 PM
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The winter of discontent possibly...Methinks the Met post season moves will be limited.
Castillo will go into camp with the 2B to lose...Heilman & The Show will be back. Murphy in left..Church in right
I'm thinking Raul Ibanez, Kevin Millar, Ollie or Pedro and Fuentes or KRod come on board
Personally I would rather take a cheap flyer on Pedro than overspend on a Derek Lowe type for example.
The Mets are close...I will contradict myself in that if Texeira got into the mix I love the idea of Wright at third and Tex at first..
It's all good..
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Edgy DC
Nov 22 2008 04:39 PM
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I think the Mets will make a lot of changes.
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attgig
Nov 23 2008 04:08 PM
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rocco baldelli's contract got bought out by the rays, making him a free agent.
he's had the mysterious illness which makes him a risk, but I would love to see him become the player he can be on the mets.
perhaps games played incentive contract?
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Ashie62
Nov 23 2008 10:20 PM
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I see in Newsday Bobby Abreu is on the radar..Funny..I never thought of him as a possibility
I have a friend in Florida who has Multiple Sclerosis and he told me the Rocco Baldelli mitochondrial disorder was feared to be MS..Hope the kid is OK...Great talent
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Nymr83
Nov 23 2008 10:40 PM
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Abreu's OBP numbers make me salivate, he does have a reputation as being scared of the wall though, he's 34 so i'm not sure how long a potential deal would be and those great OBP's have been in decline (though they are still good.)
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smg58
Nov 24 2008 02:45 PM
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The Giants remain aggressive in the free agent market, signing Edgar Renteria for two years and $18M (according to WFAN). Even the mediocre Renteria from last year would be a significant offensive upgrade for the Giants, but at that price they're optimistic about getting more than that.
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smg58
Nov 24 2008 05:37 PM
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And now the FAN report concerning Renteria is being disputed. Fun!
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Frayed Knot
Nov 26 2008 06:36 AM
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Still no confirmation on Renteria to SF. Two demerits for WFAN's Sweeny Murti (source of the scoop)
Overnight scuttlebutt from various sources (ESPN & SI.com)
- Angels diving in on Sabathia, either instead of Teixeira or at least as a signal to him that they're not going to wait around at the altar forever with flowers in their hands. No word on how close it might get to the NYY offer.
- Pettitte has talked to Torre several times about a possible spot on the LAD staff
- Cubs still interested in a Peavy trade but probably need a 3rd team to get involved.
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metirish
Nov 26 2008 10:50 AM
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Reports have the Mets "reaching out" to the agents for Rodriguez and Fuentes , Paul Kinzer the agent for Rodriguez confirmed those talks.
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We talked for a little while, but nothing significant, We'll probably get together at the winter meetings, Dec. 8-11 in Las Vegas. |
reports have the Mets wanting Huston Street as the primary setup man to the closer and would send Heilman to Colorado to get him , the Rockies said they would like Feliciano with Heilman, the Mets said no.
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Centerfield
Nov 26 2008 01:06 PM
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="metirish":31blscn8]
reports have the Mets wanting Huston Street as the primary setup man to the closer and would send Heilman to Colorado to get him , the Rockies said they would like Feliciano with Heilman, the Mets said no.[/quote:31blscn8]
Are the Mets idiotic? I will drive Feliciano to Colorado to make that deal happen.
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Nymr83
Nov 26 2008 02:30 PM
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="Centerfield":1ybilf22]="metirish":1ybilf22]
reports have the Mets wanting Huston Street as the primary setup man to the closer and would send Heilman to Colorado to get him , the Rockies said they would like Feliciano with Heilman, the Mets said no.[/quote:1ybilf22]
Are the Mets idiotic? I will drive Feliciano to Colorado to make that deal happen.[/quote:1ybilf22]
I'll chip in for gas & tolls. Feliciano is nice to have around but he is redundant with Schoenweis.
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OlerudOwned
Nov 26 2008 03:34 PM
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Jesus Christ, I'll pull the damned rickshaw I have to.
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smg58
Nov 26 2008 04:25 PM
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The Mets can't seriously be equating Heilman with Huston Street. Can they?
Honestly, the Rockies' counter-offer looks perfectly fair to me, if not still generous to us. I hope either that the report got a detail or two wrong (possible), or that the Mets know they can get more for Heilman and Feliciano than Street (I'd be very pleasantly surprised).
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Ashie62
Nov 26 2008 06:44 PM
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I s it possible the Mets ae the "Mystery" team in the Rafael Furcal negotiations.
I don't see any fit whatsoever...
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metirish
Dec 01 2008 09:37 AM
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Davidoff over at Newsday has the Mets talking recently with the Rangers about Gerald Laird, although according to Davidoff not much talk lately.
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Edgy DC
Dec 01 2008 09:53 AM
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="Ashie62":2ltxwl1v]I s it possible the Mets ae the "Mystery" team in the Rafael Furcal negotiations.
I don't see any fit whatsoever...[/quote:2ltxwl1v]
Well, it's certainly not an ideal fit (I came out against it in another thread), but it is a viable one.
In these days of short benches, there's something to be said for a secondbaseman who could slide over to short (and handle the leadoff slot) in the event of a long-term injury to Jose Reyes.
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duan
Dec 02 2008 03:21 AM
lots of fun at the arbitration deadline
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ok free agents who just go more attractive to the mets cause they won't cost a first round pick (remember though, if we sign ONE type A free agent who was offered arbitration we lose the first round pick, so if we're signing one we might as well sign plenty as the value on the subsequent picks is substantially lower).
Bobby Abreu (the yankees scared of him accepting and getting $16 million)
Kerry Wood
Pat Burrell
Adam Dunn.
Jamie Moyer
Trevor Hoffman
Guys who we've been linked to who now definitely would cost us our first round pick
Derek Lowe
Manny Ramirez
Mark Texiera
Francisco Roderiguez
Brian Fuentes
Orlando Hudson
Raul Ibanez
*****
In the front offices head, they SHOULD be aware of a domino effect here, If you're going to sign Derek Lowe go ahead and sign Ibanez and Fuentes. We'll still get the pics from Oliver Perez, so the 2nd/3rd type A free agents will just be sandwich picks and our later picks.
******
Kerry Wood and Bobby Abreu are now quite a bit higher up my list.
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Nymr83
Dec 02 2008 04:47 AM
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Dunn isn't type A??? who invented these rules?
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Benjamin Grimm
Dec 02 2008 04:52 AM
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I think you're misreading that.
Dunn won't cost a draft pick because he wasn't offered arbitration.
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Nymr83
Dec 02 2008 04:56 AM
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yes i am, never mind.
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smg58
Dec 02 2008 07:17 AM
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Mike Hampton appears to be headed back to Houston, for $2M plus incentives. Perhaps he concluded that Houston had the best school system all along.
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Nymr83
Dec 02 2008 07:39 AM
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Why Mike Hampton didn't just say "I've got a family, a career-ending injury can occur at any moment so I should grab all the $$ I can while I'm healthy, I'm taking the Rockies' offer and I'm sorry the Mets couldn't beat it" is beyond me. I'd have respected that over some BS about school systems.
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Edgy DC
Dec 02 2008 08:13 AM
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Nobody ever says that.
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Benjamin Grimm
Dec 02 2008 08:17 AM
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Well, sometimes they do, but they phrase it differently. The new team "showed that they wanted me" or "showed their commitment to winning" or something like that.
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Frayed Knot
Dec 02 2008 08:17 AM
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The whole 'school systems' stuff belongs in the ranks of the most over-emphasized comments ever.
Of course he signed for the money. Almost all do and most get no closer to admitting so other than to say they were interested in "security for my family".
All Hampton did in giving his reasons was to add that because his entire family was going to relocate there: wife, kids, parents, in-laws, they considered the entire life-style of the area including stuff like where the kids would attend school.
Met fans - pissed off because he didn't re-up here - latched onto the schools comment like he was citing it as his sole reason for ditching NYC.
NYers (and others) have to get over this, particularly since it was the best (non) move of the decade for us.
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seawolf17
Dec 02 2008 08:29 AM
Re: lots of fun at the arbitration deadline
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="duan":3gjg99s0]ok free agents who just go more attractive to the mets cause they won't cost a first round pick (remember though, if we sign ONE type A free agent who was offered arbitration we lose the first round pick, so if we're signing one we might as well sign plenty as the value on the subsequent picks is substantially lower).
Bobby Abreu (the yankees scared of him accepting and getting $16 million)
Kerry Wood
Pat Burrell
Adam Dunn
Jamie Moyer
Trevor Hoffman[/quote:3gjg99s0]
Hell, I'd sign all six of those guys and trade Delgado for a bag of balls.
edit: I guess we don't need both closers, unless Hoffman's willing to set up.
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Edgy DC
Dec 02 2008 08:32 AM
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I want more than the bag.
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Benjamin Grimm
Dec 02 2008 08:54 AM
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Yeah, really.
Are we already back to saying Delgado is worthless, just because he hasn't homered in two months?
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seawolf17
Dec 02 2008 09:11 AM
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I was exaggerating.
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Nymr83
Dec 02 2008 09:36 AM
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If the Mets signed Dunn to play 1B I wouldn't care what they got for Delgado (I'd assume they'd have to move his contract before they be willing to commit $$ to Dunn.) Otherwise I have no problem with Delgado returning, he earned it despite everything I (and others) said about him early in the year.
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Gwreck
Dec 02 2008 11:27 AM
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="Frayed Knot":2s8gnkll]NYers (and others) have to get over this, particularly since it was the best (non) move of the decade for us.[/quote:2s8gnkll]
Because of Wright and Heilman, or because Hampton bombed out in Colorado?
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Edgy DC
Dec 02 2008 11:30 AM
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You don't have to choose. Throw in also that Hampton's failures and injuries came at a very dear price.
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Gwreck
Dec 02 2008 11:43 AM
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Avoiding Hampton's failures and injuries certainly turned out well but I don't think it can be said with any certainty that those same failures (or even injuries) would have happened had he remained with the Mets.
As for Wright and Heilman -- given that those two draft picks are the most successful the Mets have had in the past 15 (25?) years, I think it's safe to say that the two Hampton-compensation picks turned out so well was mostly a function of luck.
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Edgy DC
Dec 02 2008 11:52 AM
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="Gwreck":3mh1lucm]As for Wright and Heilman -- given that those two draft picks are the most successful the Mets have had in the past 15 (25?) years, I think it's safe to say that the two Hampton-compensation picks turned out so well was mostly a function of luck.[/quote:3mh1lucm]
Preston Wilson? Jason Isringhausen? Scott Bloody Kazmir? These guys haven't outpaced Aaron Heilman?
Really, whether you consider the actual outcome or the average of all the hosts of possible outcomes, the Mets made the right move there every time.
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Frayed Knot
Dec 02 2008 12:13 PM
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| ="Gwreck"]Avoiding Hampton's failures and injuries certainly turned out well but I don't think it can be said with any certainty that those same failures (or even injuries) would have happened had he remained with the Mets. |
Certainly couldn't have been predicted his troubles to the degree that they occured; Hampton was still young, athletic and without any kind of unreasonable injury history. But he was also a guy with only 2 or 3 good years getting a lengthy contract at superstar money during a bubble market all of which made it an almost impossible standard to live up to. One of the best lessons from 'Moneyball' was that it's usually easier to recover from the player you fail to sign than it is to recover from the one you sign at the wrong price.
| ]As for Wright and Heilman -- given that those two draft picks are the most successful the Mets have had in the past 15 (25?) years, I think it's safe to say that the two Hampton-compensation picks turned out so well was mostly a function of luck. |
I was strictly thinking about not being stuck with his contract when I talked about 'best non-move' even though that part involved more "luck" than the picks IMO. Even though high picks are no guarantee, the more good ones you have the better your chances and eventually you'll find gold under one of those rocks you overturn.
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Edgy DC
Dec 04 2008 07:25 AM
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Joel Shoiman sez:
1) Mets "officials" are denying a hot rumor about a blockbuster deal bringing both Bobby Jenks and Jermaine Dye from the White Sox, with Fernando Martinez going to Chicago. He describes Martinez as "all but untouchable." I think he's about as untouchable as Lastings Milledge, that is, he's untouchable up until the point where describing him as untouchable won't increase his value.
<i>Newsday</i> pretty much sums it up the same way.
2) Mets like Putz as much as if not more than Rodriguez or Fuentes, but other teams want a little Putz of their own.
3) They won't go over three years guaranteed for either of the big ticket closers. (Nothing new there, I think.)
4) They're willing to go for Kerry Wood for two years (first I heard about Wood).
5) They turned away Tampa who tried to deal them Chad Bradford, because, like Tampa, they don't want to pay a ROOGy $3.5 mils.
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Benjamin Grimm
Dec 04 2008 08:00 AM
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That Jenks/Dye for Fernando Martinez deal, if there's any truth to it, must involve additional players from the Mets, right?
If it's a straight two-for-one I can't see the Mets not doing it.
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metirish
Dec 04 2008 08:07 AM
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Omar would be a putz to do that deal.
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Gwreck
Dec 04 2008 08:23 AM
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="Edgy DC":1qe4vw0z]5) They turned away Tampa who tried to deal them Chad Bradford, because, like Tampa, they don't want to pay a ROOGy $3.5 mils.[/quote:1qe4vw0z]
In 2009, Bradford would be in year 3 of that contract (the 3 year deal that the Mets refused to give him but gave to Schoeneweis). I'd have to believe that not getting Bradford would be more of a function of his potential role already filled by Joe Smith than just a few million bucks.
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Gwreck
Dec 04 2008 08:34 AM
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="Edgy DC":1kf4rwd2]Preston Wilson? Jason Isringhausen? Scott Bloody Kazmir?[/quote:1kf4rwd2]
All of their success was elsewhere, but I suppose that doesn't really matter when evaluating the quality of the pick. Those ones weren't too bad.
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HahnSolo
Dec 04 2008 10:20 AM
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Boston Globe reporting that the Phillies have made an offer to Derek Lowe. No details of the offer, but apparently another team has also made an offer.
[url:27icv0p0]http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2008/12/04/teams_starting_to_make_pitches/?rss_id=Boston.com+--+Red+Sox+news[/url:27icv0p0]
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Edgy DC
Dec 04 2008 10:24 AM
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Lowe may be the free agent I unwant the most this offseason.
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metirish
Dec 04 2008 10:31 AM
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I read today that the Giants are mulling an offer to C.C. in the $100 million plus for five years range , he is from an area close to San Francisco.
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smg58
Dec 04 2008 10:33 AM
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I see no point in dealing for a closer if the market is so glutted with options that won't cost players. Keep in mind that Putz is on the wrong side of 30 and coming off a significant injury and an off year.
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Edgy DC
Dec 04 2008 10:37 AM
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I hear you. But, as a trade-hater myself, I'm sure the Mets see the advantages of dealing as (a) not giving up draft picks, (b) getting a guy at yesterday's salary rather than tomorrow's, and (c) getting a guy who is closer to the expiration of his deal, protecting them from having to pay for nothing in year four, like they are with Wagner.
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metirish
Dec 04 2008 10:39 AM
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Numbers from Newsday regarding Fernando Martinez
| ]
Martinez, who turned 20 in October, is looking impressive again in the Dominican Winter League after another injury-plagued season at Double-A Binghamton.
Martinez was batting .323 with four home runs, 19 RBIs and a .382 on-base percentage in 28 games for Leones del Escogido. Compared with his .282 average for the B-Mets, along with eight homers in 86 games, Martinez appears ready for a breakthrough season |
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DocTee
Dec 04 2008 02:04 PM
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SF finally gets their man: Edgar Renteria, 2 years, $18.5 million
Busy off-season for the G-men: Renteria, Howry and Affeldt and now, apparently, maybe Sabathia
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Frayed Knot
Dec 04 2008 02:23 PM
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House-cleaning Pads deal rapidly-declining Khalil Green to the Cards
Russel Branyan signs with Seattle
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John Cougar Lunchbucket
Dec 04 2008 02:27 PM
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Jack Wilson reportedly traded to Detroit
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Edgy DC
Dec 04 2008 02:28 PM
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Tough couple of minutes for talented but enigmatic white shortstops.
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smg58
Dec 04 2008 02:28 PM
Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Dec 04 2008 02:29 PM
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You can't fault the Giants for being aggressive when everybody else is cautious. Affeldt is a very nice pickup for two years. Howry I'm not so sure about; they already have a deeper pen than people realize, and Sergio Romo is a guy to watch. (PS I wonder what the Giants would want for Romo.)
As for Renteria, it depends on which version shows up. But even the 2008 version is an upgrade at the position, so they don't have a whole lot to lose.
I certainly wouldn't fault them for going after Sabathia, either. You get the sense he's waiting for somebody to at least try and compete with the Yankees.
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John Cougar Lunchbucket
Dec 04 2008 02:29 PM
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You're really into Jack Wilson, aren't you.
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metirish
Dec 04 2008 02:29 PM
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="John Cougar Lunchbucket":30uw5ppo]Jack Wilson reportedly traded to Detroit[/quote:30uw5ppo]
Don't go posting "Jackie Wilson Said " now.
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Valadius
Dec 04 2008 02:49 PM
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Jack Wilson is the single ugliest player in professional baseball.
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soupcan
Dec 04 2008 02:58 PM
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'What you talkin' 'bout, Vlad?'
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Valadius
Dec 04 2008 03:59 PM
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seawolf17
Dec 04 2008 05:15 PM
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Currently, yes. All-time, he's not even in the Top Ten.
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Nymr83
Dec 04 2008 05:30 PM
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Aren't you forgetting someone?
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Edgy DC
Dec 04 2008 05:58 PM
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Johnny Dickshot is the only guy in the BB-r.com database with the nickname "Ugly."
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seawolf17
Dec 04 2008 06:42 PM
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| ="Nymr83"]Aren't you forgetting someone?
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Nymr83
Dec 04 2008 08:06 PM
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theres no need to post a second picture of the guy...
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metirish
Dec 05 2008 06:58 AM
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From the Snooze
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The Braves made their first proposal to Burnett Thursday, according to sources, offering him a four-year deal worth roughly $64 million with a vesting option for a fifth year based on the number of innings pitched. The Yankees, Blue Jays and Orioles are still interested in Burnett, but the fifth-year option may be enough to put the Braves over the top. |
Good luck to them with that.
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Benjamin Grimm
Dec 05 2008 07:19 AM
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How far away are the Braves from being a contender? From what I recall of last year, they have some doin' to do before I'm going to start worrying about them.
In other Hot Stove news, SNY's Mets Hot Stove Report is going to air four (count 'em, four!) live shows next week from the winter meetings. Apparently they're expecting a lot of fast-breaking news, but it's possible that this might be Geraldo Rivera and Al Capone's vault all over again.
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Valadius
Dec 05 2008 07:28 AM
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="Benjamin Grimm":e413zzsl]This might be Geraldo Rivera and Al Capone's vault all over again.[/quote:e413zzsl]
I think I missed that one. What happened there?
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Valadius
Dec 05 2008 07:35 AM
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Wow. How did Geraldo Rivera maintain any credibility whatsoever after that? Not like Fox News has any credibility, but still.
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Edgy DC
Dec 05 2008 07:37 AM
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"The Mystery of Al Capone's Vault was a one-time live American television special broadcast in syndication in April 1986 hosted by Geraldo Rivera."
One time? Somebody's forgetting Rivera's opening of the Andrea Doria vault.
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soupcan
Dec 05 2008 08:01 AM
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I remember that - all the hype about the vault. Then, the vault is opened and Geraldo's looking inside and......
There's nothing there!
Too funny.
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Benjamin Grimm
Dec 05 2008 08:07 AM
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I remember a quote from Geraldo, years later, that went something like, "If only there was SOMETHING in that damn vault!" I was hoping the Wiki article would include that quote, but it didn't.
He had major egg on his face for quite a while after that. It was, as soupcan said, very funny.
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metirish
Dec 06 2008 05:54 PM
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Olney reports that Furcal turned down a take it or leave four year deal from Oakland worth $35 million-$40 million.
What market does he think is out there for him?
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Valadius
Dec 06 2008 09:23 PM
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Last year's economy?
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seawolf17
Dec 09 2008 07:16 PM
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One of my favorite players on the move, as Ryan Freel and two prospects go to Baltimore for catcher Ramon Hernandez.
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metirish
Dec 09 2008 07:18 PM
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My sources are telling me that the MFY's will better the Braves money for Burrnett and go the extra year.
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Vince Coleman Firecracker
Dec 10 2008 08:03 AM
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This, from [url=http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3758177]esspin[/url]:
| ]Minaya: Mets interested in re-signing Pedro, plan to meet with agent
The New York Mets are interested in retaining Pedro Martinez and plan to meet with the Dominican pitcher's agent, GM Omar Minaya informed ESPNdeportes.com.
"We have interest in him. We're going to talk to his agent when we have the opportunity," Minaya said Tuesday, the second day of the winter meetings.
Minaya said that he has not yet scheduled a formal meeting with Fernando Cuza, Martinez's agent, or Martinez.
Martinez, however, said he isn't ready to start thinking about where he wants to play next season.
"I've said it previously and I have said to my agents that they do not speak to me of contracts until January," Martinez said Tuesday.
Martinez, 37, also likely won't decide whether to pitch for the Dominican Republic in next year's World Baseball Classic until he reaches a contract agreement with a major league team.
The three-time Cy Young winner endured the worst season of his 16-year career in 2008. Martinez went 5-6 and 5.61 ERA in 20 outings and was affected by various injuries and personal problems. |
Why?
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Benjamin Grimm
Dec 10 2008 08:08 AM
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Because if you can get him cheap, he's a veteran pitcher you can have in the mix as a fallback if Niese isn't ready.
It would be a mistake to sign him, at any price, and pencil him in to the rotation. But having him hanging out there as an option isn't a bad idea. He does have an upside; if he has a bounceback year then you really have something. But you can't count on that happening and hopefully the Mets won't.
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Vince Coleman Firecracker
Dec 10 2008 08:10 AM
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| ="Benjamin Grimm"]Because if you can get him cheap, he's a veteran pitcher you can have in the mix as a fallback if Niese isn't ready.
It would be a mistake to sign him, at any price, and pencil him in to the rotation. But having him hanging out there as an option isn't a bad idea. He does have an upside; if he has a bounceback year then you really have something. But you can't count on that happening and hopefully the Mets won't. |
If he's cheap (which I doubt) and if you could bench him if he stunk (which would be tricky), it's not a bad insurance plan. I don't think the answer to either of those ifs will work in the team's interest, though.
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DocTee
Dec 10 2008 11:23 AM
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Alan Embree to Colorado, lessening their need for a LOOGY and kiboshing the proposed Heiman/Feliciano for Street swap.
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John Cougar Lunchbucket
Dec 10 2008 11:44 AM
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Well that's good for us in the sense that Omah was holding back on including Feliciano in the first place.
Now he can throw in Duaner Sanchez instead and call it a dealeeeo.
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Benjamin Grimm
Dec 10 2008 12:56 PM
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Rumor has it that the Mets and Dodgers are discussing Juan Pierre. (Seems to be coming from Fox Sports.)
Word is that the Dodgers would have to eat a big chunk of Pierre's contract in order to move him.
The Mets have a guy like that... Would the Dodgers have any use at all for Castillo? If so, then maybe the two teams could trade headaches.
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Frayed Knot
Dec 10 2008 12:58 PM
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I'd rather have Castillo than Pierre
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sharpie
Dec 10 2008 01:04 PM
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Agreed. I'd hate to waste an outfield spot on a speed-only guy.
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Valadius
Dec 10 2008 01:10 PM
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What the hell do we need Pierre for? We have a center fielder.
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HahnSolo
Dec 10 2008 01:10 PM
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Good lord, Juan Pierre and Pedro? Haven't they already met their quota of guys who suck?
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Edgy DC
Dec 10 2008 01:14 PM
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Pierre is useful if Endy is already ticketed as part of another package.
Other than that, he can revitatlize our long-since-interrupted Outfielders from Mobile, tradition, and maybe cancel some of the kharmic dept for trading Amos Otis.
He puts the bat on the ball witout GiDPing. But he's looking a lot like a pinch-runner on the wrong side of 30.
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HahnSolo
Dec 10 2008 01:16 PM
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="Edgy DC":1vw8dz0f]Pierre is useful if Endy is already ticketed as part of another package.[/quote:1vw8dz0f]
But if reports are true that the Mets don't want to venture too far over last year's payroll, I wouldn't want to add on his contract.
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Edgy DC
Dec 10 2008 01:17 PM
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| ="Benjamin Grimm":g0bx2ilm]Word is that the Dodgers would have to eat a big chunk of Pierre's contract in order to move him.[/quote:g0bx2ilm]
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HahnSolo
Dec 10 2008 02:36 PM
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I'm still on the negative side of meh with him.
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Edgy DC
Dec 10 2008 02:55 PM
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Well, you sure don't see me tossing my pom-poms in the air.
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John Cougar Lunchbucket
Dec 10 2008 02:58 PM
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Me neither. Pierre and Castillo made a nice pair on the 2002 Marlins, but that was a long time ago.
Remember how they used to abuse Piazza? Almost unfair.
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Benjamin Grimm
Dec 10 2008 03:00 PM
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What I wonder, though, is if trading Castillo for Pierre would make the Mets more willing to spend to upgrade at second base.
It doesn't really make any sense, but it's possible that they might see it that way. (They'd still be increasing the payroll, but at least they wouldn't be paying Castillo to sit on the bench. And maybe they'd get something out of Pierre. Or at least, more than they expect from Castillo.)
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Vince Coleman Firecracker
Dec 10 2008 03:40 PM
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Luis Castillo is a useful major leaguer who happens to be overpaid. Juan Pierre is a useless major leaguer who happens to be overpaid. Castillo is a below average second baseman who can't slug. Pierre's a terrible center fielder (or an average left fielder) who can't hit. Endy Chavez is a better player than Juan Pierre. Almost all major leaguers are better players than Juan Pierre. The one thing he can do is steal bases, and he's not very good at that. Here are his CS% numbers, per year, for his career:
01 27%
02 20%
03 24%
04 38%
05 23%
06 26%
07 19%
08 23%
For is career, that's 25%, the break-even point. If he's even a little bit off his career average, he's a liability on the base paths.
Pierre is exactly the kind of player you can't hand to a manager. He has a reputation as a good defender, a leadoff type hitter and, perhaps, a "winner." Managers give these kind of players way too many plate appearances and innings in the field based on reputation while the team's performance suffers.
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bmfc1
Dec 10 2008 07:37 PM
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From Ken Rosenthal, tonight:
8:46 p.m. — Mets trying to land M's Putz
The Mets are working to acquire a setup man for new closer Francisco Rodriguez — and that setup man would be another closer from the American League West.
J.J. Putz could be headed to the Mets in a three-team trade with the Mariners and Indians, according to major-league sources.
Mets right-hander Aaron Heilman, outfielder Endy Chavez and first-base prospect Mike Carp would be in the deal, as would Indians outfielder Franklin Gutierrez.
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metirish
Dec 10 2008 07:38 PM
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Can I get a WOW?
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metirish
Dec 10 2008 07:42 PM
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From KR
9:32 p.m. — Source: Tigers to aqcuire Edwin Jackson
The Detroit Tigers are set to acquire right-hander Edwin Jackson from the Tampa Bay Rays for outfielder Matt Joyce, according to a major-league source.
Tampa Bay, with David Price on the way, had a surplus of starting pitching. Jackson, 25, was 14-11 this year with a 4.25 ERA.
In exchange the Rays get a 24-year-old, left-handed-hitting corner outfielder who hit 12 homers in 242 at-bats. -- Ed Price
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metirish
Dec 10 2008 07:42 PM
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="bmfc1":3tnm13me]From Ken Rosenthal, tonight:
8:46 p.m. — Mets trying to land M's Putz
The Mets are working to acquire a setup man for new closer Francisco Rodriguez — and that setup man would be another closer from the American League West.
J.J. Putz could be headed to the Mets in a three-team trade with the Mariners and Indians, according to major-league sources.
Mets right-hander Aaron Heilman, outfielder Endy Chavez and first-base prospect Mike Carp would be in the deal, as would Indians outfielder Franklin Gutierrez.[/quote:3tnm13me]
Just so this is not lost on the last page.
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Gwreck
Dec 10 2008 07:55 PM
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Putz is extremely valuable but won't come cheap: $5 million for '09 and $8.6 million club option for '10 (with a $1M buyout). The other 3 players combined make less than $4 million.
I think we'd miss Chavez a lot.
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HahnSolo
Dec 10 2008 07:56 PM
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I'd love to know how he would feel about going from a closer to a setup guy. Would hate to bring him in only to have him griping about his role.
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John Cougar Lunchbucket
Dec 10 2008 08:00 PM
Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Dec 10 2008 08:12 PM
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Chavez isn't going to help us if he hits like he did last year. I love him and all.
Meantime I think three guys are all you wanna surrender for a single reliever, especially one coming off a poor season like Putz (edit - poor for him).
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seawolf17
Dec 10 2008 08:09 PM
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Heilman, Chavez, Carp for Putz? Yes.
Heilman, Chavez, Carp and Joe Smith for Putz? No.
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smg58
Dec 10 2008 08:36 PM
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I'd be worried about trusting workhorse innings to a guy coming off a serious injury, but when he's healthy Putz is as good a reliever as anybody. And the Mets do not appear to be giving up anybody they might miss. The Mets need a righthanded reserve outfielder more than they'd need Chavez. I'd make sure JJ gets a thorough physical, but if he passes, I'm for it.
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metirish
Dec 11 2008 07:30 PM
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davidoff
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The Mets reopened trade discussions with the Cubs Thursday about acquiring Staten Island native Jason Marquis, according to SI.com. Marquis has a hefty salary -- he will earn $9.5 million this season -- but Minaya could dump Scott Schoeneweis ($3.6M) on Chicago to accomplish another one of Minaya's goals of addition by subtraction. It worked with Heilman.
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One thing about these meetings I find interesting is that every year various baseball types go there looking for a gig , from prominent free agents to former players, I read that Bobby Meacham is there selling himself as is Lee Mazzilli.
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metirish
Dec 11 2008 07:57 PM
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Minaya on getting more offense.
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"Before I start moving my dollars to offense, I have to move my dollars to pitching," the GM said."Last year was very simple guys. We had 20 blown saves. We scored the runs."
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smg58
Dec 12 2008 04:49 AM
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="metirish"]davidoff
| ]
The Mets reopened trade discussions with the Cubs Thursday about acquiring Staten Island native Jason Marquis, according to SI.com. Marquis has a hefty salary -- he will earn $9.5 million this season -- but Minaya could dump Scott Schoeneweis ($3.6M) on Chicago to accomplish another one of Minaya's goals of addition by subtraction. It worked with Heilman.
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Marquis' ERA+ last year (99) was comparable with those of Perez (100) and Maine (101). I might try to be ambitious here, offering Anderson, Feliciano, and a second-tier prospect for Marquis and Mike Fontenot. We'd take on more money, but we'd fill two needs and keep the Cubs from revisting sending DeRosa to the Phillies if the Peavy deal gets resurrected. But Schoeneweis for Marquis would be a perfectly acceptable fallback.
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John Cougar Lunchbucket
Dec 12 2008 05:07 AM
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I'm not that enamored with Marquis. MFY fan, you know.
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Edgy DC
Dec 12 2008 06:26 AM
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All this talk about Marquis and Pierre makes me think Omar loves Frenchies.
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bmfc1
Dec 12 2008 07:06 AM
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Marquis is a fine #5 pitcher, perhaps a 4, but nothing more than that. He's a SOB which might be good at stretch time. We (sadly) know that he can hit. (For what it's worth, he's also a NYker and a M.O.T.) I hope this gets done.
Phillies got Ibanez which means that Burrell goes elsewhere.
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John Cougar Lunchbucket
Dec 12 2008 07:33 AM
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="bmfc1":2vohih50]Marquis is a fine #5 pitcher, perhaps a 4, but nothing more than that. He's a SOB which might be good at stretch time. We (sadly) know that he can hit. (For what it's worth, he's also a NYker and a M.O.T.) I hope this gets done.
Phillies got Ibanez which means that Burrell goes elsewhere.[/quote:2vohih50]
See now right there's a reason to not part with Shoeneweis, if you needed one. Phils are going to be even more loaded with LH hitting than last year.
I think maybe the Mets go get Burrell, what do you say? He's streaky and a bit of a dumb jock but he hits, he's righty and it sticks it the Phils (he's definitely better than Ibanez).
I suppose Marquis would be alright near the end of the rotation but I'd hate for them to be fighting to get their money's worth with him.
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Benjamin Grimm
Dec 12 2008 07:45 AM
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I don't have a problem with Marquis being a four or five pitcher; that's pretty much what the Mets are looking for anyway. It would be nice to get someone who would be number 2, and bump Maine and Pelfrey each down a slot, but that's not all that realistic.
I too have been thinking about Burrell as a Met. (I've always seen him as a future Met; they tend to get guys who've hurt them, even if it's not until they've passed their prime.)
If they do sign him, I suppose their five-man outfield is Beltran, Church, Burrell, Tatis, and Murphy. (Evans and Reed to Buffalo.) I'd be a little concerned with Murphy not getting enough playing time, but I imagine he'd find his spots.
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Edgy DC
Dec 12 2008 07:47 AM
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Ryan Howard, who Marty Noble insists was the MVP last year, went a m odest .219 / .313 / .479 // .792 vs the Mets last year.
If you've got to decide which lefty to keep, consider that he didn't reach base once against Feliciano in seven plate appearances (four Ks), while Schoeneweis was perfect against him in five confrontations, with two Ks.
Wait, that doesn't help at all.
Um, Schoenewess came out on top in his one matchup with Ibanez last year, while Feliciano didn't see and Raul action. But that only makes them more even.
Eeny, meeny, miny, mo.
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seawolf17
Dec 12 2008 07:56 AM
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="Benjamin Grimm":11ubw6yw]I too have been thinking about Burrell as a Met. (I've always seen him as a future Met; they tend to get guys who've hurt them, even if it's not until they've passed their prime.)
If they do sign him, I suppose their five-man outfield is Beltran, Church, Burrell, Tatis, and Murphy. (Evans and Reed to Buffalo.) I'd be a little concerned with Murphy not getting enough playing time, but I imagine he'd find his spots.[/quote:11ubw6yw]
I'd still rather have Dunn than Burrell, but I'd take Burrell in a second. I'm concerned about Murphy getting overexposed; give him 250 ABs in a part-time role and let him earn his stripes again.
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Edgy DC
Dec 12 2008 08:07 AM
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Head, slammed through wall.
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Rockin' Doc
Dec 12 2008 08:28 AM
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If the Mets could pick up Pat Burrell for reasonable termsd, I would be okay with that. The Mets need a corner outfielder and some right handed power to help balance the line up. Burrell would accomplish both.
Murphy could still get reps as the fourth outfielder, possible spot starter at second base and the top lefty bat off the bench. Tatis would be the top righty bat off the bench while serving as a back up in LF and the corner infield spots. The only problem I see with that plan is with Endy gone, there is no one to serve as a late inning defensive substitute in LF unless Jeremy fills that role. That, however would be too many outfielders and someone (likely Murphy or Reed) would have to go elsewhere (Buffalo).
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Edgy DC
Dec 12 2008 08:32 AM
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Marlon, I think, is not long for this town.
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Benjamin Grimm
Dec 12 2008 08:33 AM
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="Rockin' Doc":2d4wl6of]If the Mets could pick up Pat Burrell for reasonable termsd, I would be okay with that. The Mets need a corner outfielder and some right handed power to help balance the line up. Burrell would accomplish both.
Murphy could still get reps as the fourth outfielder, possible spot starter at second base and the top lefty bat off the bench. Tatis would be the top righty bat off the bench while serving as a back up in LF and the corner infield spots. The only problem I see with that plan is with Endy gone, there is no one to serve as a late inning defensive substitute in LF unless Jeremy fills that role. That, however would be too many outfielders and someone (likely Murphy or Reed) would have to go elsewhere (Buffalo).[/quote:2d4wl6of]
Yes. Right now the fifth outfielder spot appears to be a competition between Evans and Reed. If a Burrell or Dunn were signed, the competition would be over and both of those outfielders would end up in Buffalo.
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Edgy DC
Dec 12 2008 08:37 AM
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Evans is going to Buffalo. Marlon is going to Arizona. The Mets have a big fat slot waiting for a big fat outfielder to fill it.
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MFS62
Dec 12 2008 08:44 AM
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="Edgy DC":3pbxjx7s]Evans is going to Buffalo. Marlon is going to Arizona. The Mets have a big fat slot waiting for a big fat outfielder to fill it.[/quote:3pbxjx7s]
Well, Dmitri Young wasn't tendered and is a free agent.
He certainly fills the "big fat" parts of that slot.
Later
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Gwreck
Dec 12 2008 09:40 AM
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="Edgy DC":1wn8w6gz]Head, slammed through wall.[/quote:1wn8w6gz]
Rollins
Ibanez
Utley
Howard
Werth
Victorino
Dobbs/Feliz
Ruiz
Ouch. Only consolation is that it's a left-heavy lineup.
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Centerfield
Dec 12 2008 09:45 AM
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Ibanez basically replaces Burrell's production. Meaning the Phils will return a very similar lineup to last year's.
Mark Texiera still available.
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Edgy DC
Dec 12 2008 09:45 AM
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I'm slamming my head through a wall because of the proliferation of posting without reading.
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smg58
Dec 12 2008 09:45 AM
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Evans belongs at Buffalo playing first base. With Carp gone and Delgado in his walk year, he should be getting full-time AB's at his best position.
The Mets need more lefthanded pitching.
Burrell might not be better than Ibanez when you factor in ballparks. But both might hurt (might have hurt, in Ibanez' case) the Mets defensively more than they'd help offensively. The Mets absolutely need another righthanded bat in the outfield, but not at a cost that's disproportionate to the benefit.
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sharpie
Dec 12 2008 10:24 AM
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Ibanez is a pretty good fielder, certainly not a guy you have to take out in the late innings.
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TransMonk
Dec 12 2008 03:13 PM
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Looks like the Yanks will [url=http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3765754:3vyw4v5q]overpay for Burnett[/url:3vyw4v5q] rather than overpay for Lowe.
Holy wallets.
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Valadius
Dec 12 2008 03:47 PM
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Good. Burnett breaks down virtually every year.
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metirish
Dec 12 2008 04:33 PM
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Of all the crazy things , I guess they won the bidding war again.
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Frayed Knot
Dec 13 2008 06:50 AM
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So the Yanx had themselves a 1/4 Billion dollar week.
Or, as they say in the Bronx, a good starting point.
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John Cougar Lunchbucket
Dec 13 2008 06:58 AM
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Here's hoping Burnett is even a bigger bust than Pavano. He's apparently a bigger idiot, and already a bigger injury risk.
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smg58
Dec 13 2008 08:27 AM
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The non-tenders are headed rather shockingly by ex-Met Ty Wigginton, after a very strong year with the bat. He's not that good defensively in the infield, but I have to think it had more to do with money. I also can't imagine that none of the teams in the market for a third baseman (the Twins, the Indians, the Giants) wouldn't have given him a look. I've always thought Ty could be the 10th man on a good team, and the Mets have room for him (as primarily an outfielder), but somebody might still pay him a starter's salary.
Other noteworthy non-tenders include Chris Capuano (still recovering from TJS but might be worth a long-term look) and Takaishi Saito (his worth depends entirely on the status of his elbow).
The only Met I saw was Argenis Reyes. If that's it, that would mean that Stokes (a good move) and Robinson Cancel (a bit surprising, unless they know they can move one of the other catchers) are staying on the 40.
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Nymr83
Dec 13 2008 12:59 PM
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i would LOVE to bring Wiggy back as a bench player, he has the pop that this bench needs and can play 2B/3B when needed (though not necessarily well)
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Valadius
Dec 13 2008 01:20 PM
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I'd plug Wiggy into Easley's spot in a heartbeat.
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OlerudOwned
Dec 13 2008 02:47 PM
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I'm a lot happier with Ibanez in Philly than as a Met, especially at 3 years.
Keith Law calls it "[url=http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=3765688&name=law_keith:20pumd9t]absurd[/url:20pumd9t]."
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Ashie62
Dec 14 2008 06:30 PM
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What about Burrell for an everyday LF and Jon Garland as an SP?
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Edgy DC
Dec 14 2008 07:37 PM
Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Dec 14 2008 07:48 PM
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="Valadius":2u4mpb0q]I'd plug Wiggy into Easley's spot in a heartbeat.[/quote:2u4mpb0q]
We'll be competing to buy him as a super-sub against teams looking for a starting thirdbaseman. You'd probably have to be thinking of him as your starting secondbaseman when you sign him.
Aaron Miles, meanwhile got non-tendered.
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John Cougar Lunchbucket
Dec 14 2008 07:47 PM
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Besides Easley's role also included backing up Reyes at SS and Wiggy is an unrealistic option there.
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Edgy DC
Dec 14 2008 07:56 PM
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Miles plays everywhere, shortstop (and mopup pitcher) included. He's pretty similar from both sides of the plate. He can take lefties away from Castillo (against whom Luis is historically weaker), pressing him for the full-time job, backup at shortstop, and fill in elsewhere as needed.
He's pretty analogous to Super Joe, with a little more average and a little less power, but has more starting experience and is less likely to be over-exposed by over-use.
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Ashie62
Dec 15 2008 04:19 AM
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Miles would come cheap and would be a rich mans superjoe
I'd prefer Wiggy cause he can play anything..maybe even left or RF when Murphy or Church have problems
Don't we need to focus on a full-time outfielder? Relying on Church & Murphy for 150 games seems a stretch.
I'd love Burrell..surly as he is and as far as a SP goes..wait til Most of The A pitchers go and go after Sheets or Garland.
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metirish
Dec 15 2008 06:55 AM
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Alex Cora was again mentioned in a report today.
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smg58
Dec 15 2008 07:24 AM
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Miles is another player who would be an upgrade over Castillo. He has similar hitting numbers to Castillo from a few years ago. He's also at least average with the glove, which Castillo can no longer say. He'd be worth bringing in for something like two years and $5M, although I might go higher than that if there are no other viable 2B options. He's not Orlando Hudson, but he could present significant value.
I'd be willing to go 2 years and $6M for Wigginton's services, even if I could only guarantee him starts against lefties (in the outfield). Somebody like him or Juan Rivera would boost our bench, enable us to platoon Ryan Church, and provide cover if something goes wrong with Murphy, Church, or Delgado. I'm not sure that would be enough, but nobody jumped at the chance to trade for him.
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Edgy DC
Dec 15 2008 07:35 AM
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Unless and until Castillo and/or Delgado are dealt, we've got to be thinking shortstopability in our next infielder.
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MFS62
Dec 15 2008 07:45 AM
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="Edgy DC":1omuczeq]Unless and until Castillo and/or Delgado are dealt, we've got to be thinking shortstopability in our next infielder.[/quote:1omuczeq]
I agree.
B'sides, if the Mets sign Cora, we might be subjected to pictures of him with his brother.
I'd get flashbacks of images of Joe Torre and his sister.
Hide the eyes of the chill'uns.
Miles gets my vote.
Later
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MFS62
Dec 15 2008 08:54 AM
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Righthander Chan Ho Park said in a press conference in Seoul today that he has agreed to a 1-year contract with the Phillies.
According to the Korea Times, Park, 35, will have a base salary of $2.5 million with incentives that could push the total package to $5 million.
There had been reports that the Phillies were close to coming to terms with Park to improve their bullpen. However, the pitcher said he opted for the Phillies in part because they viewed him as a starter.
“I was a little worried about the Citizens Bank Park, the home of the Phillies, which is hitter-friendly,” he said. "But as they considered me a starter, I signed with Philadelphia.”
http://www.philly.com/philly/b...l_for_Park.html
Later
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Frayed Knot
Dec 15 2008 05:29 PM
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The Pettitte camp (acc to WFAN) says it has a 3-year/$36mil offer from ...
well, they're not saying, but I don't think it's the Yanx who are supposedly sticking w/1 year.
I hope it's not us either.
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Centerfield
Dec 15 2008 07:32 PM
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It was me. I had some extra money lying around and I figured, "Oh what the hell."
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themetfairy
Dec 15 2008 07:37 PM
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="Centerfield":38yhgguz]It was me. I had some extra money lying around and I figured, "Oh what the hell."[/quote:38yhgguz]
I love you, Man. Your posts always make me laugh.
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John Cougar Lunchbucket
Dec 15 2008 08:19 PM
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="Frayed Knot":uz2je510]The Pettitte camp (acc to WFAN) says it has a 3-year/$36mil offer from ...
well, they're not saying, but I don't think it's the Yanx who are supposedly sticking w/1 year.
I hope it's not us either.[/quote:uz2je510]
Go, Theo, go.
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Frayed Knot
Dec 16 2008 06:36 AM
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Phils re-up 95 y/o Jamie Moyer for 2 years.
OK, he's really only 46.
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Fman99
Dec 16 2008 06:40 AM
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="John Cougar Lunchbucket":2wijd3xl]="Frayed Knot":2wijd3xl]The Pettitte camp (acc to WFAN) says it has a 3-year/$36mil offer from ...
well, they're not saying, but I don't think it's the Yanx who are supposedly sticking w/1 year.
I hope it's not us either.[/quote:2wijd3xl]
Go, Theo, go.[/quote:2wijd3xl]
I would not be surprised if Houston was the team not being mentioned. He pitched well down there for them and they don't have a whole lot of starting pitching depth after Oswalt.
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Edgy DC
Dec 16 2008 06:46 AM
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I'm OK with Pedro. I said it.
Just, you know, sign a bunch of other guys also.
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Farmer Ted
Dec 16 2008 08:51 AM
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I have no problem with Petey in the #5 slot to start the season. I'm more worried with the durability of Maine and whether the other teams catch up with Pelfry's stuff.
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metsguyinmichigan
Dec 16 2008 09:28 AM
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Any day the Phils resign Jamie Moyer and add Chan Ho Park is a good day for us!
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Edgy DC
Dec 16 2008 09:31 AM
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The Phils trying to get two more years out of an ancient lefty strikes me as one more good reason for us to Burrell up.
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John Cougar Lunchbucket
Dec 19 2008 09:31 AM
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Never made any sense to me that Lance Neikro wasn't a knuckleballer to begin with. IIRC, he had a big hit vs. the Mets (was it a game-winning HR or something?) when he first came up with the Giants and I naturally assumed he was on his way to major stardom.
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Fman99
Dec 21 2008 10:55 AM
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Fireballer Daniel Cabrera goes to the Nats, 1 year, 2.6 million.
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Valadius
Dec 21 2008 10:55 AM
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Ha, good luck with that. Guy's a head case.
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Fman99
Dec 21 2008 10:57 AM
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="Valadius":2pz740g9]Ha, good luck with that. Guy's a head case.[/quote:2pz740g9]
I think people were saying that about Ollie Perez before the Pirates sent him to us. Talented, strikeout pitcher, control issues, high ERA, etc.
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metsguyinmichigan
Dec 21 2008 10:29 PM
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OK, now both the Angels and the Red Sox say they're not going after Texiera anymore. Has Boras finall pushed people over the edge, or is this all just negotiating ploys?
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Frayed Knot
Dec 22 2008 07:05 AM
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The Angels are claiming that their offer is "off the table" and that there'll be no further negotiating - which at least doesn't sound like a ploy.
Boston, for its part, isn't claiming that, only that they think they're not going to be his choice due to other teams raising their offers beyond where they're willing to go.
That leaves Teixeira in the position of either taking Boston's "low" offer or going the Baltimore/Washington route which kind of flies in the face of his 'I wanna be a contendah' pledge.
Supposedly this was going to be wrapped up by Xmas but it wouldn't be the first time Boras has over-played his hand.
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Benjamin Grimm
Dec 22 2008 07:07 AM
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There's still Baltimore and Washington. Boras isn't quite out of options yet.
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metsguyinmichigan
Dec 22 2008 07:19 AM
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Speaking of Boras...
Murray Chass
MurrayChass.com
Now that CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett have signed, other pitchers on the
free-agent list are expected to follow. Derek Lowe is probably next on the
list in terms of interest, but the interest has been all talk and no offers.
His agent's asking price is said to be the reason.
Scott Boras has told clubs he wants Barry Zito money for the 35-year-old
Lowe, which means $18 million a year. Clubs interested in Lowe have not
rushed forward with such offers. The slow-moving market may be just what the Mets want.
...Barry Zito isn't worth Barry Zito money. But Derek Lowe? Is he nuts?
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Edgy DC
Dec 22 2008 01:44 PM
Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Dec 22 2008 02:20 PM
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I'm not sure I'd support the Mets spending $18 million a year for two Derek Lowes.
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Valadius
Dec 22 2008 02:04 PM
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The MOST I'd spend on Derek Lowe is $8 million a year. $18 million is beyond rationality.
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Willets Point
Dec 22 2008 03:01 PM
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Oh man, Lowe needs $10 million just for booze alone.
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MFS62
Dec 23 2008 07:36 AM
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="Willets Point":2bf2t6s1]Oh man, Lowe needs $10 million just for booze alone.[/quote:2bf2t6s1]
Are you saying this because he associates with Scott Boras?
Or is there something else you know about him?
Later
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smg58
Dec 23 2008 11:23 AM
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Guys who can consistently give you 200+ IP with 15 wins and a sub-4 ERA are worth plenty more than 8 million.
I wouldn't go four years with Lowe, on account of his age, but I'd much rather have him than Ollie.
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Willets Point
Dec 23 2008 03:04 PM
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="MFS62":3rvs0psj]="Willets Point":3rvs0psj]Oh man, Lowe needs $10 million just for booze alone.[/quote:3rvs0psj]
Are you saying this because he associates with Scott Boras?
Or is there something else you know about him?
Later[/quote:3rvs0psj]
Just a joke about Lowe's rumored love of the drink.
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Valadius
Dec 26 2008 09:01 PM
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Randy Johnson will pursue his 300th win as a San Francisco Giant.
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Nymr83
Dec 27 2008 01:15 AM
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he could it be cutting it close with the type of run support the giants give their starters. he needs 5 wins, it took Matt Cain all year to get 8 wins for the Giants with an ERA+ the same as Johnson's last year.
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Frayed Knot
Dec 27 2008 05:08 AM
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'Randy Johnson is a Giant' is somewhat of a redundant headline. He's probably been called that since he was in the 4th grade.
On the other hand, there must have been plenty in in the Castro district of SF who were excited to hear that someone called 'The Big Unit' was coming to their city.
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DocTee
Dec 27 2008 09:16 AM
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FK with a late entry for post o' the year.
The Giants have had a nice offseason (Renteria, Affeldt, Howry, Johnson) and if local rumors of them adding Adam Dunn are correct, they could be players in a weak West.
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John Cougar Lunchbucket
Dec 27 2008 09:19 AM
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I agree. You can definitely quibble with the wisdom of a team's particular moves but I like to see franchises who've had bad years making a bunch of moves in the offseason, whether they are effective or not.
Like the Giants... and the MFYs...
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Frayed Knot
Dec 27 2008 03:49 PM
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X-Rockie, X-Astro OFer Wily Tavarez signs a two-year deal with Cincy.
He's good at stealing bases and also .... ummmm, I'll think of something.
And Kevin Mensch heads for Japan.
The Japanese just might get a look at his monsterously huge head and add a second rising sun to their flag.
I think that thing has its own gravitational pull.
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Frayed Knot
Dec 29 2008 07:20 AM
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Penny for your Sox ...
Brad Penny to Boston for 1 yr/$5mil -- pending a physical which could yet throw a wrench into the works.
As mentioned elsewhere, this could keep them from chasing the likes of Lowe, Wolf, Ollie, etc. thus reducing the demand pool by one more team.
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Benjamin Grimm
Dec 31 2008 11:20 AM
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This just in: Brian Fuentes to sign a two-year deal with the Angels.
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smg58
Dec 31 2008 12:29 PM
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The Cubs sign Aaron Miles for two years, then trade DeRosa to the Indians for three low level (not even top 20) prospects. At least it's not the Phillies, but that's one mild upgrade over Castillo and one significant upgrade who found takers at prices we could have afforded.
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Frayed Knot
Dec 31 2008 12:30 PM
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Cubs 2B Mark DeRosa - long rumored as part of a Jake Peavy trade - dealt to Cleveland for a trio of minor league pitchers.
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smg58
Dec 31 2008 12:36 PM
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Fuentes got two years at $17.5M, plus a club option. Rotoworld says "Fuentes almost certainly took less money to play close to home," but I'm not sure who was competing with the Angels.
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Frayed Knot
Jan 02 2009 05:47 AM
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Good news folks, Barry Bonds says that he should be fully recovered from the hip surgery he needs in time for opening day!
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Nymr83
Jan 02 2009 06:41 AM
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="Frayed Knot":1xejc7ja]Good news folks, Barry Bonds says that he should be fully recovered from the hip surgery he needs in time for opening day![/quote:1xejc7ja]
Better news- nobody really cares about him anymore, including it seems the GMs of all 30 teams.
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DocTee
Jan 02 2009 04:46 PM
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Tony Clark returns to D-Baggs: 1 year, 800K.
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metirish
Jan 02 2009 05:34 PM
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Watching MLB Network Hot Stove and they are reporting that San Francisco have offered Manny Ramirez a four year deal.
Dodgers and A Jones have agreed to defer most of his money owed likely leading to him playing elsewhere.
Scott Proctor to the Marlins for one year.
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Ashie62
Jan 03 2009 12:33 PM
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="Benjamin Grimm":2ytj1poh]This just in: Brian Fuentes to sign a two-year deal with the Angels.[/quote:2ytj1poh]
This just in: Mets do nothing
Although the Metsies may be sewing Andruw Jones a jersey and importing steroids for his locker
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metsmarathon
Jan 03 2009 12:40 PM
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="Ashie62":hblnrkgs]Although the Metsies may be sewing Andruw Jones a jersey and importing steroids for his locker[/quote:hblnrkgs]
i don't believe that for a second.
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Edgy DC
Jan 03 2009 12:58 PM
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="Ashie62"]| ="Benjamin Grimm"]This just in: Brian Fuentes to sign a two-year deal with the Angels. |
This just in: Mets do nothing
Although the Metsies may be sewing Andruw Jones a jersey and importing steroids for his locker |
Yeah, the Mets by not getting a third closer, are doing nothing.
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Kong76
Jan 03 2009 01:36 PM
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Maybe the three closer thing is the way to go after the last two seasons.
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Ashie62
Jan 05 2009 02:37 PM
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="Edgy DC"]="Ashie62"]| ="Benjamin Grimm"]This just in: Brian Fuentes to sign a two-year deal with the Angels. |
This just in: Mets do nothing
Although the Metsies may be sewing Andruw Jones a jersey and importing steroids for his locker |
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Yeah, the Mets by not getting a third closer, are doing nothing.
True..my impatience caused me to jump over Krod & Putz KP DOOTY...I'm just frustrated that the odds of landing a power corner and a decent SP , Sheets, Garland, Lowe..are diminishing and pray the Mets are not newly cash short
Burrell has a rep for being a prick but if the Rays can land him at 16 million for 2 years I then wonder why the Mets wouldn't top that and not have to expect 150 games from Murphy and even let Murphy learn 2B at AAA as an experiment.
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smg58
Jan 05 2009 03:15 PM
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The Cubs apparently are giving 3 years and $30M to Milton Bradley. They expect him to play right field full time, even though he has had trouble staying in the lineup when he's been the DH. Given Burrell's deal and the fact that Abreu would have made much more sense for them, I really don't get this one.
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MFS62
Jan 05 2009 04:20 PM
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="smg58":1gnuo0ct]The Cubs apparently are giving 3 years and $30M to Milton Bradley. They expect him to play right field full time, even though he has had trouble staying in the lineup when he's been the DH. Given Burrell's deal and the fact that Abreu would have made much more sense for them, I really don't get this one.[/quote:1gnuo0ct]
Can't wait to see him go head-to-head with Pinella.
Later
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smg58
Jan 07 2009 05:51 AM
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And the bargains continue. Jason Giambi returns to Oakland for a year and an option, and Jerry Hairston stays in Cincinnatti for a year and $2M. I don't get the Mets' lack of interest in Hairston at that price.
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John Cougar Lunchbucket
Jan 07 2009 06:20 AM
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="smg58":162h2ehz]And the bargains continue. Jason Giambi returns to Oakland for a year and an option, and Jerry Hairston stays in Cincinnatti for a year and $2M. I don't get the Mets' lack of interest in Hairston at that price.[/quote:162h2ehz]
Makes ya crazy. Geez. I mean, about Hairston.
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Frayed Knot
Jan 07 2009 07:18 AM
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Maybe Hairston gets a chance to start in Cincy and couldn't be sure of that here.
Never did even hear a rumor of them looking at him though.
Also:
- Pavano to Cleveland for a year at a low base with lotsa IP incentives
- Cubs deal Jason Marquis (de Sade) to Colorado for LH reliever Luis Vizcaino
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Edgy DC
Jan 07 2009 07:42 AM
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Andy Pettitte turns down one year and $10 million from the Yanks in a declining market.
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Edgy DC
Jan 07 2009 10:10 AM
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Yomiuri Giant Koji Uehara signs with Bal'more for two years.
Reports say that he's the team's first Japanese player, but they forget Nippo-Hawaiian Len Sakata.
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Centerfield
Jan 07 2009 10:41 AM
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Len was American.
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smg58
Jan 07 2009 10:58 AM
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="Frayed Knot":2gsb44fr]- Pavano to Cleveland for a year at a low base with lotsa IP incentives
- Cubs deal Jason Marquis (de Sade) to Colorado for LH reliever Luis Vizcaino[/quote:2gsb44fr]
I'll laugh if Pavano gives the Indians 27 starts (i.e., more starts than he gave the MFY's in four years).
The Marquis deal appears to leave Jorge de la Rosa out of the rotation in Colorado. I'd see what the asking price for him is; he finished very strongly last year, and he's at least as good as Tim Redding.
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Edgy DC
Jan 07 2009 11:01 AM
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="Centerfield":biqnwx39]Len was American.[/quote:biqnwx39]
As I said.
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Frayed Knot
Jan 07 2009 12:00 PM
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From the; 'How the (somewhat) mighty have fallen' department:
2B Marcus Giles signs a minor league deal with Philly
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MFS62
Jan 07 2009 12:14 PM
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="Frayed Knot":3hnipcdi]From the; 'How the (somewhat) mighty have fallen' department:
2B Marcus Giles signs a minor league deal with Philly[/quote:3hnipcdi]
Pure insurance with Utley out for the early part of the year due to surgery.
Later
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metirish
Jan 07 2009 08:04 PM
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From MetsBlog
Mike Fitzpatrick of the Associated Press believes the Mets have made an offer to free-agent RHP Tim Redding, who was 3-1 with a 3.41 ERA in five starts against the Phillies last season
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Edgy DC
Jan 07 2009 08:56 PM
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I'll give Redding this: with one inning and six runs, he may be the worst performing Yankee ever.
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John Cougar Lunchbucket
Jan 07 2009 09:06 PM
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Bocco Radelli to the Sed Rox.
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Rockin' Doc
Jan 07 2009 10:03 PM
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If Rocco Baldelli can be reasonably healthy, he could be a great pick up for the Red Sox. I hope he is healthy and has a great season for the Sox.
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Frayed Knot
Jan 08 2009 07:39 AM
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="John Cougar Lunchbucket":3gx2svou]Bocco Radelli to the Sed Rox.[/quote:3gx2svou]
And quite possibly Smoltz too!
Not official yet but several outlets are reporting it's 'bout a done deal.
I guess they're promising him a starting job - don't think he would have jumped otherwise.
Other reports have Trevor Hoffman going to the Brews ... although this is only one day after others had him headed to the Dodgers.
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Benjamin Grimm
Jan 08 2009 07:46 AM
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Sort of a homecoming for Smoltz. Didn't he start his career with the Braves when they were still playing in Boston?
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John Cougar Lunchbucket
Jan 08 2009 07:50 AM
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No, the Tigers. Anywhoo, oughta soitenly remove Boston from the list of potential Lowe suitors (and cause me some concern too: Why don't any of Lowe's former employers want him back?)
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smg58
Jan 08 2009 07:50 AM
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The additions of Smoltz and Brad Penny probably take the Sox out of the discussions for Derek Lowe.
Assuming Baldelli gets something like what Hairston got, I'd be a little annoyed that we didn't give him a look. We do need another righthanded bat.
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Frayed Knot
Jan 08 2009 07:57 AM
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Yeah, I was half-hoping for Baldelli too.
He's not a great player and has played fewer games in the last two seasons than Alou had in the two before we got him. But if this problem of his has finally been diagnosed correctly he could be a useful guy to have around.
But Omar seems to be on this 'one problem at a time' schedule where nothing can even be talked about until the starter question is answered.
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metirish
Jan 08 2009 08:01 AM
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Did bucket mis-read Ben's post?
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John Cougar Lunchbucket
Jan 08 2009 08:02 AM
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Yes. Yes I did.
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Frayed Knot
Jan 08 2009 08:14 AM
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I almost did too because I sometimes confuse the Smoltz trade with the Bagwell one from Boston. The Smoltz from Detroit for Denny Alexander trade happened around the same era as Bagwell for Larry Anderson.
Both were done for pennant push help and in each case the minor leaguers were home-town guys (Smoltz is from Mich, Bags from Conn) who turned into HoF possibilities.
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Edgy DC
Jan 08 2009 08:17 AM
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Doyle Alexander.
Now Denny McLain or somebody is getting into the conflation.
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metirish
Jan 08 2009 10:25 AM
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Looking at a potential nightmare with outfield defense the MFY's are apparently looking to trade Swisher and Nady.
Yankees fielding offers for Nady, Swisher
Posted by: Jon Heyman
The Yankees are fielding trade offers for corner outfielders Xavier Nady and Nick Swisher. There's been some speculation they might consider trading Hideki Matsui, too, but he has a full no-trade clause and is coming off knee surgery, so there's really no way to trade him.
A logjam at the corners was created when the Yankees surprised a lot of folks and signed Mark Teixeira to an eight-year, $180 million contract. Swisher previously had been penciled in as the Yankees' first baseman but now becomes part of a crowded mix of accomplished corner outfielders. Swisher is a versatile player and can play some center field, as well. Some National League teams may be interested. However, Nady's trade value is higher after a better offensive season, so he may be just as likely to be dealt. Nady, acquired by the Yankees in a midseason trade with the Pirates, combined to hit .305 with 25 home runs and 97 RBIs for the year, while Swisher finished at .219 with 24 home runs and 69 RBIs for the White Sox before being dealt to the Yankees after the season
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Vic Sage
Jan 08 2009 02:09 PM
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i'd sure take Nady back, to split time with Church, Murphy and Delgado. But no way the Yanx trade him cross town.
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Edgy DC
Jan 08 2009 02:30 PM
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You leave Tatis out of that mix.
Nady gives you what Tatis gives you, only more and probably better and definitely younger. Tatis' only advantage is playing third.
I'd love a Nady around because I think the best way to get something like last year's productivity out of Tatis is to make him earn every at-bat.
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Benjamin Grimm
Jan 08 2009 02:43 PM
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Maybe Murphy will do that, but I'm not counting on it.
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Edgy DC
Jan 08 2009 02:46 PM
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What's going down, and I think a lot of us feel it, is that a lot of things went kind of right in Omar's offense that could have easily gone wronger, and he's kind of seeming to kind of be counting on a lot of those same thingies to go right again.
Fans be pessemistic creatures, of course.
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Vic Sage
Jan 08 2009 03:21 PM
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Last year, i think we got about as much as we can reasonably expect this year from 1b, ss, 3b and CF. We got nothing from 2b and C, and RF was a mixed bag. But Murphy/Tatis in LF certainly outperformed all expectations and i do not believe for a minute we'll get similar production from that combo again this year.
So, we either upgrade at 2b, c, and/or Rf to compensate, or replace the LF combo before it blows up in our faces. Or we go into the season with 1/2 the lineup very well likely to suck, to one degree or another, even as Omar whistles past the graveyard.
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attgig
Jan 08 2009 03:29 PM
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="Vic Sage":37m9y64n]Last year, i think we got about as much as we can reasonably expect this year from 1b, ss, 3b and CF. We got nothing from 2b and C, and RF was a mixed bag. But Murphy/Tatis in LF certainly outperformed all expectations and i do not believe for a minute we'll get similar production from that combo again this year.
So, we either upgrade at 2b, c, and/or Rf to compensate, or replace the LF combo before it blows up in our faces. Or we go into the season with 1/2 the lineup very well likely to suck, to one degree or another, even as Omar whistles past the graveyard.[/quote:37m9y64n]
and you have a wild card at 1b, so it's not even half a lineup.
nobody has faith in schnied to produce offensively, and while castro COULD provide some pop, he just gets hurt too often (he must be the worst backup catcher in the league).
2b, nobody has faith in castillo, except he's saying all the right things.
and Church... will his head be screwed on straight?
it'll be an interesting few more weeks before spring training.
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Benjamin Grimm
Jan 08 2009 03:35 PM
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I agree with Vic, including about left field, but I'd be okay with giving Murphy/Tatis a chance to shine again. But in doing that, you have to protect yourself by beefing up some of the other positions. And as yet, the Mets haven't done anything towards that end.
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Edgy DC
Jan 08 2009 07:12 PM
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Ramon Castro, not the worst backup catcher in the league.
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DocTee
Jan 09 2009 09:42 AM
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John Smoltz, Red Sock.
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metirish
Jan 09 2009 12:35 PM
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Swisher the Yanks' preferred candidate over Nady
BY KEN DAVIDOFF | ken.davidoff@newsday.com
January 9, 2009
In their current roster logjam, the Yankees would strongly prefer to trade Xavier Nady and retain Nick Swisher, a person familiar with the club's thinking said yesterday.
General manager Brian Cashman has received more requests for Swisher than for Nady. With spring training more than a month away and the season opener just about three months away, however, there is no imperative to execute a quick trade.
The Mets enjoyed having Nady on their club for the first four months of the 2006 season, and they inquired about him last July, when the Yankees wound up getting him from Pittsburgh. For now, however, the Mets are focused on their starting rotation and are not looking to acquire a bat either through free agency or through a trade.
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Frayed Knot
Jan 09 2009 01:54 PM
Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Jan 09 2009 02:02 PM
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Swisher switch-hits, and is better and more versatile defensively.
He's also signed for the next few years which could be either good or bad depending on whether he regains his hitting from last season's off year.
Nady is more likely to hit better (though walk less) and would only be for one year at a price to be determined by arbitration then would be a FA after that.
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John Cougar Lunchbucket
Jan 09 2009 01:59 PM
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If we weren't already loaded with lefthanded hitting outfielders, I'd take Godzilla as a LH bench masher in the Franco/Staub mold.
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Frayed Knot
Jan 09 2009 02:04 PM
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As long as the Cranks would pay 90% of the freight and expect nothing back in return, sure.
(OK, maybe 70% with a throw-in going the other way would do)
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Ashie62
Jan 09 2009 05:10 PM
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I feel safe to say Tatis has had his middle aged career year..I wouldn't put too high a ceiling there.
Daniel Murphy needs more seasoning and I still advocate a year at AAA to learn 2B
Mr. Nady..wasn't he a Met who know has Yankee cooties?
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metirish
Jan 11 2009 03:46 PM
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Source: Martinez talking to Marlins
By Enrique Rojas
ESPNdeportes.com
SANTO DOMINGO, Domican Republic -- Pedro Martinez and the Florida Marlins are believed to be in the beginning stages of negotiating a contract and could meet next week, a source told ESPNdeportes.com Saturday night.
The Marlins have spoken with Martinez's agent.
Martinez, 37, has won three Cy Young awards and has a career record of 214-99, with a 2.91 ERA and 3,117 strikeouts in 17 seasons with Los Angeles, Montreal, Boston and the New York Mets.
Martinez struggled last season to a 5-6 record with a 5.61 ERA with the Mets, after battling injuries and dealing with the death of his father. In his first year with the Mets, Martinez won 15 games and struck out 208 batters in 217 innings. But he has been 17-15 in the last three seasons.
Martinez owns a house in Miami.
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Fman99
Jan 11 2009 07:52 PM
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| ="metirish"]Source: Martinez talking to Marlins
By Enrique Rojas
ESPNdeportes.com
SANTO DOMINGO, Domican Republic -- Pedro Martinez and the Florida Marlins are believed to be in the beginning stages of negotiating a contract and could meet next week, a source told ESPNdeportes.com Saturday night.
The Marlins have spoken with Martinez's agent.
Martinez, 37, has won three Cy Young awards and has a career record of 214-99, with a 2.91 ERA and 3,117 strikeouts in 17 seasons with Los Angeles, Montreal, Boston and the New York Mets.
Martinez struggled last season to a 5-6 record with a 5.61 ERA with the Mets, after battling injuries and dealing with the death of his father. In his first year with the Mets, Martinez won 15 games and struck out 208 batters in 217 innings. But he has been 17-15 in the last three seasons.
Martinez owns a house in Miami. |
Pedro really looked spent in 2008, after having a respectable September prior. I don't think he has much in the tank and I would not miss all the drama.
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Rockin' Doc
Jan 11 2009 09:29 PM
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Marlins not interested in signing Pedro
By Joe Frisaro / MLB.com
MIAMI -- Don't look for Pedro Martinez to wind up with the Marlins.
A day after a report stated the Marlins were in the mix for the 37-year-old right-hander, a league source confirmed to MLB.com on Sunday that Florida has zero interest. Reports in the Miami Herald, Palm Beach Post and SunSentinel also ruled out the possibility of Martinez joining the club.
On Saturday night, a report on ESPNdeportes.com stated the Marlins had discussions with agent Fernando Cuza regarding Martinez. The report added Florida may have begun preliminary contract talks, and that the two sides were expected to continue talking this week.
As of late Sunday afternoon, the Marlins were not considered a possible fit.
Martinez has a home in Miami, and he has expressed privately a desire to pitch for the Marlins. On Monday, Cuza is expected to have discussions with the Mets about a possible return to New York. The right-hander also is expected to test the free-agent market.
Hampered by injuries last year, Martinez was 5-6 with a 5.61 ERA in 20 starts. He threw 109 innings.
Working with minimal financial resources, the Marlins are looking for affordable free agents. The team did explore adding veteran Carl Pavano, who signed with the Indians.
The Marlins are prepared to head into Spring Training with a rotation that includes Josh Johnson, Ricky Nolasco, Chris Volstad, Andrew Miller and Anibal Sanchez. Nolasco, eliglbe for arbitration, still has not signed.
Florida continues to explore depth at catcher. The team is looking for low-priced options there. A free agent that could be a fit is Ivan Rodriguez, but only if his price tag continues to drop this month.
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Frayed Knot
Jan 12 2009 07:01 AM
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IOW, the earlier story was an agent plant.
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Edgy DC
Jan 12 2009 08:20 AM
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Yeah, use the threat of the Daddy Warbucks Marlins to trigger a false bidding war. That's the ticket.
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Rockin' Doc
Jan 12 2009 11:09 AM
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I think that Pedro had far more interest in the Marlins than they had in him. I believe that Pedro is desperate to play another season, but I don't think teams throughout the league are very interested in signing him.
Pedro was once a dominant, HOF caliber pitcher, but he seems to be the one person that doesn't see how far removed from his former greatness he now is.
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metirish
Jan 12 2009 11:17 AM
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If Pedro Martinez retired tomorrow he would surely be in the HOF at first ballot , wouldn't he?
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Rockin' Doc
Jan 12 2009 11:21 AM
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I was not inferring that Pedro Martinez was not worthy of enshrinement in Coopperstown. He has had a tremendous career and was arguably one of the top 2 or 3 pitchers in MLB for several seasons. I would vote for him (if I had a vote) when his name comes up on the HOF ballot. I was simply stating that he is not nearly the dominant pitcher he once was.
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Edgy DC
Jan 12 2009 11:22 AM
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I think he's pretty aware of what happened last year.
If he didn't still believe he could turn it around, he wouldn't be the great pitcher he is. What's more, I believe he could turn it around. In his prime, he had an unprecedented four killer pitches, so it's not like he was fastball-reliant. It's a matter of finding what he can do with what's left of his fastball and using it to complement the rest of his arsenal.
That's a far ways from saying he will return to a productive level, but I'm certain he can. Glavine continued to pitch effectively with a powder puff fastball and a change. While his control was still very good, Pedro's has always been even better.
And if I'm the Mets, I'm willing to spend some change to find out. Giving him Redding's money with an automatically vesting bonus year of $9 million if he gets 180 innings? Yeah, go for it. I'm certain he can do as well as Redding in 2009, and a damn fine bet to do better. The only thing Redding has over him is a better doctor's report.
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metirish
Jan 12 2009 05:05 PM
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Michael Young wants out of Texas , can play 2nd base.
I should add that Heyman just said on the Hot stove that he has %62 million left on his big contract.
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smg58
Jan 12 2009 05:22 PM
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Young's expensive, and the dropoff in his numbers over the past three years has been precipitous. Even if they took Castillo it would still be a $10M payroll hit, and he's just not that good anymore.
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Frayed Knot
Jan 15 2009 01:14 PM
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Dodgers reportedly to release Andruw before today is out
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Benjamin Grimm
Jan 15 2009 01:52 PM
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Wow. He's horrendously overpaid, but they're going to have to eat that contract anyway. Is there no hope of him having a bounceback year?
Someone will be able to pick him up for minimum wage, and they may get a hell of a bargain at the Dodgers expense.
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metirish
Jan 15 2009 01:56 PM
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Jones was on MLB Network the other night talking about how he would love to go back to the Braves.
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Edgy DC
Jan 15 2009 02:01 PM
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No doubt.
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metsmarathon
Jan 15 2009 02:28 PM
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i'd give andruw a shot, for minimum wage...
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Frayed Knot
Jan 15 2009 05:45 PM
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="Benjamin Grimm":2v9kwf3v]Wow. He's horrendously overpaid, but they're going to have to eat that contract anyway. Is there no hope of him having a bounceback year?[/quote:2v9kwf3v]
I guess not enough of a chance in their minds to make carrying him all year worth it.
They restructured his deal last week with a release in mind so I assume they're going to do similar thing to what we did with Bonilla (only on a much bigger scale): pay out the remainder over a long period to avoid getting hit with it all at once.
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Benjamin Grimm
Jan 23 2009 08:34 AM
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The Philadelphia Inquirer is reporting today that the Phillies are aggressively trying to sign Moises Alou.
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metirish
Jan 23 2009 08:36 AM
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Would Alou be a starter there or would he be in a limited role , who's in the outfield there along with Ibanez?...Dobbs?....Victorino?
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John Cougar Lunchbucket
Jan 23 2009 08:37 AM
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Watch him hit .500 and stay healthy all year. Bastard.
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Frayed Knot
Jan 23 2009 08:44 AM
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He wouldn't start there - but he'd be a potentially good RH bat off the bench for a predominately lefty hitting squad.
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Benjamin Grimm
Jan 23 2009 08:51 AM
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The three options (Perez, Wolf, and Sheets) may be soon reduced to two:
| ="MLB.com":2t16pb69]The deep freeze that's been the Major League free-agent market this winter has shown indications a thaw is coming -- at least for starting pitchers.
On the heels of the Mets reaching an apparent agreement on a Minor League deal with right-hander Freddy Garcia, it looks like the Dodgers have taken the inside track in the competition for lefty starter Randy Wolf's services.
According to sources for FoxSports.com, Wolf could most likely be signed to a one or two-year deal. Wolf previously pitched for Los Angeles in 2007 and was 12-12 with a 4.30 ERA in a combined 33 starts last season for the Padres and Astros.
FoxSports.com said Wolf would get less than the three-year, $28 million offer the pitcher turned down from Houston earlier this winter. [/quote:2t16pb69]
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metsguyinmichigan
Jan 23 2009 08:57 AM
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Supposedly, Sheets is meeting with the Rangers.
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metirish
Jan 23 2009 08:58 AM
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Wolf turned down an offer for that much? , and I was thinking he could be had for a song on a one year deal.
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sharpie
Jan 23 2009 08:58 AM
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Fine. I actually saw Wolf pitch twice last year, at the only game I attended at MFY Stadium and at the game I attended at Petco. Both time he got shellacked.
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smg58
Jan 23 2009 09:34 AM
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There are a number of available starters who can give you at least a league average ERA, several of whom have the upside to do significantly better. Randy Wolf is not one of them. I see no point in pursuing a demonstrably inferior pitcher just because he's a lefty.
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Edgy DC
Jan 23 2009 09:59 AM
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I don't think anybody but Wally Matthews is arguing that his leftiness is important, and Wally is only throwing that pitch to drum up "Mets Gotta Steal Pettitte" angles. Who do you have your eye on?
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metirish
Jan 23 2009 08:11 PM
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Just turned over to MLB Network after watching "What Not To Wear" and heard Tom Verducci say that Perez is moving closer to signing with the Mets.
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John Cougar Lunchbucket
Jan 23 2009 08:59 PM
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Here's the source: Jon "Boras Boy" Heyman
| ]Mets extend offer to Perez, their top target
The Mets have placed an offer on the table for free-agent lefthander Oliver Perez, SI.com has learned, and are hopeful to have an answer in coming days regarding their prime pitching target.
The Mets are believed to have improved their original thought, which was for about $30 million over three years. But it isn't certain what their latest offer is.
Perez remains the Mets' top choice for the final spot in their rotation, though the team has remained in contact with three other free-agent pitchers -- Randy Wolf, Jon Garland and Ben Sheets. They know they'd have competition for Wolf (Dodgers), Garland (Diamondbacks) and Sheets (Rangers, possibly Yankees) but aren't sure what other teams are competing for Perez.
The Mets had been hopeful to land free agent Derek Lowe earlier but were surprised when the rival Braves outbid them by $24 million, landing Lowe with a $60-million, four-year contract. Perez, 27, is eight years younger than Lowe, though not quite as consistent.
Mets GM Omar Minaya would love to import Perez, so the Mets are not likely to take one of the other pitchers unless he feels his chances for Perez are gone. |
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Nymr83
Jan 24 2009 12:14 PM
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I hope "the mystery team" comes and raises perez's price too high so we can sign Sheets. Then Boras and Perez can admit there was no mystery team and we get both at a reduced rate!
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MFS62
Jan 24 2009 01:21 PM
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If money is the issue, I'd like to see the Mets sign Sheets and with any Ollie Perez money left over, go out and sign Odalis Perez. His ERA was only .10 worse than Ollie's last year, is still only 32 years old, and probably be signed for far less money than any of the other names that have been in the press lately.
Later
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MFS62
Jan 24 2009 01:21 PM
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Oops.
Dupe
Sorry
Later
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seawolf17
Jan 30 2009 01:00 PM
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Varitek back to Boston for one year, $5 million.
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Frayed Knot
Jan 30 2009 02:36 PM
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Varitek's (read: Boras's) threat to sit out the season and/or retire didn't get the Sox to budge I see.
Tek is one of several who turned down arbitration offers this winter only to wind up not only with a much smaller deal than arb would have snagged him but didn't get the multi-year deal either.
Now it's hope you play well and the economy improves when you can do the same dance next year.
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Ashie62
Feb 02 2009 03:56 PM
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Anyone for Varitek via trade and a pay raise?
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Fman99
Feb 02 2009 07:27 PM
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="Ashie62":2t5ssjz6]Anyone for Varitek via trade and a pay raise?[/quote:2t5ssjz6]
.220
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metirish
Feb 02 2009 07:43 PM
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Is that his weight or his average? , sucks either way though.
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metirish
Feb 04 2009 11:35 AM
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| ]Left-hander Chase Wright was traded by the New York Yankees to the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday for outfielder-catcher Eric Fryer. |
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metirish
Feb 07 2009 02:23 PM
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Andruw Jones turns down non-roster spring training invite from the MFY's.
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Rockin' Doc
Feb 07 2009 05:10 PM
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metirish - <i>"Andruw Jones turns down non-roster spring training invite from the MFY's."</i>
Good to see that Jones has his pride. Better to go unsigned than sell one's soul by possibly donning a Yankee uniform. I suddenly have a new sense of respect for Jones.
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MFS62
Feb 08 2009 07:35 AM
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="Rockin' Doc":2e2xwbch]metirish - <i>"Andruw Jones turns down non-roster spring training invite from the MFY's."</i>
Good to see that Jones has his pride. Better to go unsigned than sell one's soul by possibly donning a Yankee uniform. I suddenly have a new sense of respect for Jones.[/quote:2e2xwbch]
B'sides, they couldn't have the signing photo op soon anyhow.
They'd first have to send out Cecil Fielder's uni to have the seams let out to fit Jones.
Later
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Frayed Knot
Feb 08 2009 08:45 PM
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Andruw to the Rangers - apparently gets a ML deal for low-end money (500K) plus incentives.
15mil to practically minimum wage in one year is tough to do.
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Fman99
Feb 09 2009 06:44 AM
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="Frayed Knot":1zv55w66]Andruw to the Rangers - apparently gets a ML deal for low-end money (500K) plus incentives.
15mil to practically minimum wage in one year is tough to do.[/quote:1zv55w66]
Yeah, poor guy. My heart breaks for him.
/sarcasm
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Edgy DC
Feb 09 2009 07:07 AM
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It's not like he doesn't get to keep the 15 miills.
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Vic Sage
Feb 09 2009 09:08 AM
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yeah, i mean basically he just got a raise!
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Frayed Knot
Feb 09 2009 09:26 AM
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Sure, it just shows a helluva difference between what someone thought he was worth last year vs what they think he's worth barely a year later.
How the mighty (and fat) have fallen.
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