Master Index of Archived Threads


GM Meetings Gossip Thread

John Cougar Lunchbucket Nov 06 2007 07:07 AM

The Snooze today got hold of a Magic Quote from Omar Minaya and parlayed it into a hysterical front page: MEET THE METS! with a photo of A-rod looking especially insane. Here's Omar's MQ: "...he's one of the free agents in the market and we're looking at all free agents." Also: *Anderson 2-year deal announcement expected today (that's about twice as long as I'd like to commit to him but whatev) *Castillo, Castro and Posada all have the same agent, so lots of talking to them *Juan Padilla (who missed 07 with TJ surgery) cleared for action w/ no restrictions *Torreabla's agent to arrive today and MEET THE METS! *Cubs looking at Kaz Matsui *Rumors that AZ may trade Orlando Hudson? Hmmm...

metirish Nov 06 2007 07:13 AM

Newsday has Minaya with only token interest in Rodriguez and instead looking to deal for Joe Blanton, Jose Contreras or John Garland, or maybe all three. Sox apparently not high on Milledge. Also speaking to the agent for Carlos Silva. Omar continues to chat with LoDuca's agent, when asked if he was optimistic about bringing him back he said "I want to say yeah. We're in discussions with the agent. I always like to think that we're optimistic." Posada told Newsday yesterday that he has heard from the Mets. ] "We don't need to fill third base," Minaya said. "I'm telling you today, we're very happy with David Wright at third base."

Edgy DC Nov 06 2007 07:19 AM

I'd like to see Padilla at least work out with a winter team, and maybe log a handful of innings. Sanchez and Padilla available last season could have made the Mets a different team. Cliff Floyd and the Cubs appear to be parting ways. Cliff is considering retirement, as his father is gone and he has to look after his sister's kids as well as his own family and his widowed mum. I think he moves them all to a Florida compound and plays one more year for a Florida team.

soupcan Nov 06 2007 07:25 AM

Joel Sherman of The Post says: Rockies think they will lose Torrealba and have targeted both LoDuca and Castro.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Nov 06 2007 07:34 AM

I love Castro and all but the guy has missed huge chunks of 2 straight seasons with back injuries. I mean, that's great if you're Mike DiFelice but it hasn't helped us at all.

Valadius Nov 06 2007 07:34 AM

Daily News says we're declining Valentin's and Lawrence's options.

Benjamin Grimm Nov 06 2007 07:45 AM

I'm going to miss Brian Lawrence. No, wait, that's not what I meant to say. What I really mean is, I'll always remember him for getting that start against Washington right after the second Phillies sweep and I'll forever associate him with the Collapse of 2007. Good riddance.

Rockin' Doc Nov 06 2007 07:58 AM

Valentin's departure was to be expected. I wish him well wherever he may ultimately end up. I won't shed any tears over the departure of Lawrence and his powder puff "fastball".

soupcan Nov 06 2007 08:02 AM

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: I love Castro and all but the guy has missed huge chunks of 2 straight seasons with back injuries. Yeah but doesn't it seem like whenever he does play he hits big homeruns?

Benjamin Grimm Nov 06 2007 08:08 AM

Yeah, I hope Castro comes back. I wouldn't feel secure making him a starting catcher, but as a backup he's worth keeping.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Nov 06 2007 08:11 AM

By the way, paul LoDuca's skanky teen x-girlfriend is nekkid in playboy

soupcan Nov 06 2007 08:16 AM

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: By the way, paul LoDuca's skanky teen x-girlfriend is nekkid in playboy Which one? There were several, no?

John Cougar Lunchbucket Nov 06 2007 08:17 AM

Do a search for "Krista Guterman" She was the leathery Long Islander who blabbed to the Post.

Edgy DC Nov 06 2007 08:23 AM

http://gawker.com/news/affairs/krista-guterman-sure-is-a-hot-piece-ofsomething-193057.php

metirish Nov 06 2007 08:27 AM

Damn her profile is private, we should set up a CPF "myspace". [url=http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=56035664]Krista[/url] She's on the right.

soupcan Nov 06 2007 08:28 AM

Pretty easy to find her topless pic too.

metsguyinmichigan Nov 06 2007 08:55 AM

Not saying I have proof or first-hand knowledge, but I think the one in yellow has had some, ahem, alterations -- and not especially good ones at that. Paulie seemed to have the pick of that litter!

Edgy DC Nov 06 2007 08:59 AM

The three not in the yellow could be the same person.

HahnSolo Nov 06 2007 09:09 AM

Polka-dot chick is kind of intriguing. The other three look skanky and unappealing.

metirish Nov 06 2007 09:29 AM

Kinda hope Minaya doesn't get distracted as easily as us here, so much for the GM meetings huh?

metsmarathon Nov 06 2007 09:34 AM

shush! there's boobies!

metsguyinmichigan Nov 06 2007 09:49 AM

="metsmarathon"]shush! there's boobies! Well, plastic ones...

Nymr83 Nov 06 2007 11:12 AM

metirish wrote: Kinda hope Minaya doesn't get distracted as easily as us here, so much for the GM meetings huh? what meeting? i'm still looking for naked pictures of loduca's whore

metirish Nov 06 2007 01:01 PM

Some news from the meetings, [url=http://www.newsday.com/sports/ny-spbasereplay1107,0,5766008.story]Baseball GMs recommend instant replay[/url] Probably wouldn't happen anytime soon with it having to go through Selig and get approval from the players union and the umpires. It's not clear to me if the owners must also approve it, do they?

smg58 Nov 06 2007 01:04 PM Re: GM Meetings Gossip Thread

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: *Rumors that AZ may trade Orlando Hudson? Hmmm... I've heard the Hudson rumors before. He's a very underrated hitter and arguably the best fielder at his position. You would have to ask about him.

smg58 Nov 06 2007 01:08 PM

metirish wrote: Newsday has Minaya with only token interest in Rodriguez and instead looking to deal for Joe Blanton, Jose Contreras or John Garland, or maybe all three. Sox apparently not high on Milledge. Also speaking to the agent for Carlos Silva. Dealing Milledge would create a need at this point anyway, and the Mets have other bargaining chips. Blanton really turned a corner last year; he's not an ace, but he'd certainly be beneficial.

metirish Nov 06 2007 01:13 PM

We need to gig up our Officer Joe Blanton thread from a few years back.

Edgy DC Nov 06 2007 01:14 PM

The Mets were in talks for him last year, came up empty, and missed the boat on his 07 blossoming.

Valadius Nov 06 2007 01:15 PM

Holy crap, if we could get Hudson - wow, that really solidifies the infield! And we need some upgraded infield defense anyway. Depends on the asking price.

smg58 Nov 06 2007 01:15 PM

Edgy DC wrote: I'd like to see Padilla at least work out with a winter team, and maybe log a handful of innings. Sanchez and Padilla available last season could have made the Mets a different team. They could make this year's team different, at least. I still think a #2 reliever is a top priority, but if you can put a solid #2 plus two of Smith/Sanchez/Padilla/Muniz in place of Mota/Sele/Sosa, that's got to be worth a bunch of wins relative to last year.

DocTee Nov 06 2007 09:46 PM

ESPN reporting that the Fish are shopping Miguel Cabrera, but not Dontrelle Willis.

Frayed Knot Nov 06 2007 10:15 PM

Latest rumor: Insiders are saying that ... [u:a9fe7636c9]each of the other 29 teams[/u:a9fe7636c9] are said to be willing to listen to offers on ... [u:a9fe7636c9]every single non-signed player on their roster[/u:a9fe7636c9] and that sources ... [u:a9fe7636c9]familiar with the Mets' thinking[/u:a9fe7636c9] indicate the Mets are interested. In order to land ... [u:a9fe7636c9]insert player here[/u:a9fe7636c9] it is thought Omar Minaya would need to include a package containing one or more of ... [u:a9fe7636c9]Milledge, Humber, Pelfrey, Gomez[/u:a9fe7636c9] although it is doubtful that they would agree to include ... [u:a9fe7636c9]Reyes/Wright[/u:a9fe7636c9] in any deal. Lather. Rinse. Repeat.

Edgy DC Nov 07 2007 06:40 AM

Holy crap! That would really solidify our [u:e6f1f0e49a]perceived weakness[/u:e6f1f0e49a]!

Nymr83 Nov 07 2007 06:58 AM

get ready to sue when they plagiaruze off of you tommorow FK

John Cougar Lunchbucket Nov 07 2007 07:52 AM

Today's Snooze updates that Boras and Arod have yet to MEET THE METS! but that the meeting is expected shortly. It speculates thaat the Mets, Angels, Dodgers and Giants are interested. * Mark Shapiro, Cleveland GM, MET THE METS! last night, having dinner with Omar. * The Glavinometer is pointing to Atlanta. Omar sez a top pitcher is a priority and would look to the trade markets though didn't seem enthused about avaoilability there either. * Lawrence rejects AAA assignment and becomes a FA; Newhan is expected to reject his AAA assignment and become a FA. * MFYs want Cabrera to play 3B, Marlins want top MFY pitching talent.

soupcan Nov 07 2007 08:30 AM

RE: ARod - excerpts from Murray Chass' column in today's NYTimes. ]Arte Moreno, the Angels’ owner, has said privately that he would not use such a large percentage of the team’s payroll for one player. ]Brian Sabean, the Giants’ general manager, isn’t at the meetings. Dick Tidrow, the assistant general manager, answered the question. “I think we would obviously kick the tires,” he said. “But it’s a long shot.” Although the Giants could use a superstar to keep AT&T Park filled and help pay off the bank debt, a major league official has said that they couldn’t afford A-Rod. The person did not want to comment publicly about another team’s finances. ]Ned Colletti of the Dodgers said: “We’ll have to wait and see. I haven’t heard from Scott. I don’t know if they have interest in being there or not. If they have interest we’ll see where we go. It’ll take a long time to play out, I’m sure.” ]Jim Hendry of the Cubs said: “He’s a great, great player. I know he has a longstanding relationship with Lou Piniella. Anybody would love to have him. In our situation we’re very happy with Aramis Ramírez at third. In the overall scheme of things, for the dollars it would take, we have other needs — in the outfield, speed-wise, maybe a little more pitching. “For that kind of volume of dollars, I don’t see a way that would make any sense because we’re very happy with our guy at third. To commit that much more to one player and not address the other needs we have when we already have an All-Star caliber third baseman is really tough to do.” ]Theo Epstein of the Red Sox said, “We’re attempting to sign Mike Lowell and we’re not going to figure out any other alternatives until we see how that process plays out.” ]Dave Dombrowski of the Tigers said, “We do not have interest.” ]Larry Beinfest of the Marlins said: “We have no plans to pursue A-Rod or engage in any negotiations for him. It makes no sense to have a player who takes up most, if not all, of our on-field payroll.” ]Bill Bavasi of the Mariners said, “We’re not a player.” Bavasi added that he continued to believe that the Yankees would be the best fit for Rodriguez. “The Yankees need a third baseman,” he said. ]Two of the three executives questioned at random — Andy MacPhail of Baltimore and J. P. Ricciardi of Toronto — said they had no interest. The third, Kevin Towers of San Diego, said: “Do I have interest in him? Absolutely. Do I think we’ve got a legitimate chance to sign him? No. I’d have a hard time paying one guy a third of our payroll. We wouldn’t be able to compete.” ]Omar Minaya of the Mets didn’t mention Rodriguez yesterday. The day before, he said he would look at Rodriguez like he looks at all free agents. Some people inferred from that comment that the Mets were interested. They are not.

Benjamin Grimm Nov 07 2007 08:44 AM

He'll be a huge sensation in Japan next year.

Edgy DC Nov 07 2007 09:36 AM

Beinfest is funny. Funnier even than seeing Dick Tidrow representing the Giants. Who hires a guy nicknamed "Dirt" as an assistant GM, much less sends him to represent the team at to the GM meetings?

metirish Nov 07 2007 12:58 PM

Found this in a Dallas paper, ] Teams talking trade with Texas Rangers GM By EVAN GRANT / The Dallas Morning News egrant@dallasnews.com ORLANDO, Fla. – Jon Daniels is starting to become one of the popular kids. In less than 24 hours worth of hobnobbing with his fellow baseball general managers, Daniels has received multiple inquiries about the Texas Rangers' depth at catcher and about the availability of third baseman Hank Blalock. While Daniels isn't motivated to talk about trading Blalock, especially since he is coming off an injury-plagued season that has likely driven his value down, the catching situation might be a little different. "I'm not looking to move any of our catchers," Daniels said. "But there is a pretty good demand for catching out there." The Rangers have two potential starting catchers in Gerald Laird and Jarrod Saltalamacchia. Laird, who is eligible for arbitration this winter, is coming off a disappointing offensive season. However, he is still only 27 and led the American League in throwing out base-runners. His time at catcher was diminished after the Rangers acquired Saltalamacchia from Atlanta at the trade deadline. Saltalamacchia split his time between catcher and first base. If the Rangers hold on to Laird, they could have the two share time behind the plate again or have Saltalamacchia play first base full-time. The Rangers, however, believe Saltalamacchia's skills are better suited for being a catcher. Boston, which has center fielder Coco Crisp available, has inquired about the Rangers' catching situation. While Daniels did not discuss potential trade targets, he did say the Rangers have spent time at these meetings looking at potential center fielders available via trade. The club can't discuss money with free-agent center fielders for another week. No nothing much about Laird but if he's available he might not be a terrible option.

metirish Nov 07 2007 02:07 PM

From the Olney blog. ] Superlatives from the lobby at the general managers meetings: The most interesting development is the evolving Johan Santana market. The Twins have told other teams their intention is to attempt to sign the left-hander, but for the first time on Tuesday, some rival executives began to get a serious vibe that if the Twins don't sign Santana, they will definitely put him on the market. To repeat: Plan A for the Twins is to make a contract offer to Santana, and Plan B seems to be to trade him.

Benjamin Grimm Nov 07 2007 02:15 PM

metirish wrote: From the Olney blog. ] Plan A for the Twins is to make a contract offer to Santana, and Plan B seems to be to trade him. Nothing really surprising there. I would expect that they'd attempt to sign him. That's the only reasonable Plan A. There are two possible Plan B's: Trade him or keep him for his walk year.

DocTee Nov 07 2007 08:37 PM

Phils get Brad Lidge from Houston for OF Michael Bourn, et al.

Valadius Nov 08 2007 06:58 AM

Clemens looks like he might actually finally retire and stay retired: [url]http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=AihiFMQy09PwKgudzXufVMsRvLYF?slug=ap-clemens-retirement&prov=ap&type=lgns[/url]

Fman99 Nov 08 2007 07:52 AM

Valadius wrote: Clemens looks like he might actually finally retire and stay retired: [url]http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=AihiFMQy09PwKgudzXufVMsRvLYF?slug=ap-clemens-retirement&prov=ap&type=lgns[/url] Ugh when will the stupid Clemens press just go away. I was sick of this guy and his ME ME ME retirement-non-retirement nonsense five years ago. He sucked ass in 2007 and made $18 mil to do it. Who gives a flying fig what he's doing in November or February? OK I'm agitated now. I think I need to go find some herbal tea or something.

Edgy DC Nov 08 2007 07:56 AM

He's more than welcome to suck another $20 million plus out of the Yankees.

duan Nov 08 2007 08:05 AM rotoworld

were reporting that someone else was reporting that the TWINS were interested in Carlos Gomez. Now, I'd be giving up Gomez and/or one of Humber & Pelfrey to get Santana even if there was no extension window. Can't imagine it being enough, so how far WOULD you go...

soupcan Nov 08 2007 08:07 AM

I'd ask them what they want. I wouldn't deal Wright, everybody else is in the discussion.

Edgy DC Nov 08 2007 08:10 AM

Hey, we have a thread for that sort of thing: http://cranepoolforum.net/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=7699

Rockin' Doc Nov 08 2007 08:56 AM

Edgy - "He's more than welcome to suck another $20 million plus out of the Yankees." That would be the perfect scenario in my mind. I would love for Clemens to soak the Yankees for another expensive season of poor pitching. Go Asshead, go, you can do it!

Valadius Nov 08 2007 11:04 AM

The GMs decided that 1st-base and 3rd-base coaches will wear helmets next season: [url]http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=AtM3y5cgn9KNmx8FUxgdR5YRvLYF?slug=ap-coaches-helmets&prov=ap&type=lgns[/url]

Edgy DC Nov 08 2007 11:10 AM

That'll seem jarring at first and, by 2010, seem like it was always that way. Don Zimmer apparently should wear one whenever he's within 500 yards of a ballfield.

Fman99 Nov 08 2007 11:41 AM

Valadius wrote: The GMs decided that 1st-base and 3rd-base coaches will wear helmets next season: [url]http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=AtM3y5cgn9KNmx8FUxgdR5YRvLYF?slug=ap-coaches-helmets&prov=ap&type=lgns[/url] How Olerudian of them.

soupcan Nov 09 2007 08:22 AM

On page two of this thread I posted excerpts from Murray Chass' article in the Times the other day which consisted of various GM's thoughts regarding their interest in ARod. Today Chass has a column about the GMs being accused of some form of collusion as a result of a closed door meeting they had where they all spoke about who was available and what they were looking for. Chass himself was then accused of colluding as a result of his article the other day. Strange stuff. New York Times November 9, 2007 On Baseball Is It Collusion or Friendly Chats? By MURRAY CHASS ORLANDO, Fla. Theo Epstein was in elementary school when the owners engaged in collusion against free agents in 1985, and maybe he never read the history. But Epstein, the Red Sox general manager, and Larry Beinfest, the Marlins’ president of baseball operations, came up with a new idea for the general managers’ meetings that concluded here yesterday, and that idea could easily have crossed the line of collusion. At the Tuesday session, each general manager was asked to tell the group his plans for the off-season, his team’s needs, what players might be available in trades. The general managers were not expected to give away any secrets or disclose anything they did not want to, but Epstein and Beinfest, co-chairmen of the meetings, thought the format would save everyone lots of time rather than have general managers contacting each other and exchanging such information in separate meetings. The Players Association found the idea of sharing information so repugnant that Donald Fehr, the union leader, issued a statement last night saying the union would investigate the general managers’ action. Calling the sharing of information on free agents improper, Fehr said, “We expect to look into the situation, and are prepared to take the appropriate action to respond to any collusive behavior, and to make sure that the rights of free-agent players under the Basic Agreement are fully protected.” Much of what the executives said was already obvious. Epstein, for example, was quoted as telling the group he was trying to re-sign Mike Lowell, the Red Sox free-agent third baseman. Brian Cashman of the Yankees said: “I don’t have a third baseman. I need a third baseman.” No one revealed any secrets, but the general managers pronounced the session a success nevertheless. “It’s increased our efficiency tremendously and has saved us a lot of time,” Epstein told USA Today. “Some teams are specific; others are more guarded. Everyone I’ve talked to thought the idea was beneficial.” In 1985, ’86 and ’87, the owners thought what they did was beneficial. They set out to drive down salaries and figured they could accomplish that by forcing free agents to stay with their teams. No one who lived through that collusive, corrosive period and is still working in baseball has acknowledged the violation of the clause that stipulates clubs shall not act in concert with other clubs and players shall not act in concert with other players. I recall how, before any arbitrator found the owners guilty, any time I mentioned collusion the clubs’ chief labor executive, Barry Rona, would laugh and scoff at the idea. He wasn’t laughing when Commissioner Fay Vincent, shedding collusion’s remnants, relieved Rona of his duties before the start of negotiations for a new labor agreement in 1990. If those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it, I give you baseball’s general managers, 2007 style. “We asked before we did it,” Epstein said. “We had two different officials from Major League Baseball there — one from baseball operations, one from labor relations. They felt that would meet all the requirements for a proper meeting.” Epstein didn’t want to identify the officials who monitored the meeting, but they were Joe Garagiola Jr., senior vice president for baseball operations, and Dan Halem, general counsel for labor. “My understanding is there were lawyers in the room to make sure nothing improper happened,” Rob Manfred, baseball’s No. 1 labor executive. “Furthermore, it’s hardly shocking that general managers would have a feel for what other teams wanted to do. It’s no state secret and there’s nothing illegal about clubs knowing about other clubs.” What if a general manager had said Player X was a free agent and made it clear to his colleagues that signing that free agent was his No. 1 priority? “Conversations about specific players, given the history of the industry, would be more problematic,” Manfred said, “but that didn’t happen. I know for a fact that there was no discussion about specific players.” Did Manfred know about the Epstein-Beinfest plan before they exercised it? “I was not aware of it before it happened,” he said. Would he like to have been aware of it? “I’m not going to go any further,” Manfred said. In the interest of full disclosure, I will report that the union’s No. 2 official, Gene Orza, accused me yesterday of being an enabler of collusion. I’ve been called lots of things in my professional life, but this was a new one. The reason for Orza’s charge was a column I wrote earlier this week about Alex Rodriguez for which I asked about a dozen general managers if they had interest in the highly talented but highly expensive free agent. “You did the general managers’ work for them,” Orza said angrily. “You did what they could not do in a room together.” Taken aback by the charge, I told Orza I never signed the labor agreement. I, therefore, was not a party to it and I did not think I was obliged to keep readers uninformed, that is, not tell them which teams, if any, might be interested in signing Rodriguez. Given this episode, maybe I’ll be invited to join the negotiations for the next agreement.

Valadius Nov 09 2007 11:21 AM

It's not collusion, it's saving time. Instead of sending aides and scouts running around and doing things indirectly, it's all presented up-front and direct.

Frayed Knot Nov 09 2007 11:29 AM

Well the question is how "up front" are most clubs supposed to be with their supposed competition? Not that I believe anything is going to come out of all this - and without a transcript of specifically what was said there's not going to be enough to prove either way - but I understand the PA wondering out loud exactly how far the clubs are willing to take this spirit of 'cooperation'.

attgig Nov 12 2007 08:42 AM

posada and yanks close....

DocTee Nov 12 2007 11:23 AM

Cubs send Jacque Jones to Detroit for Omar Infante

metirish Nov 15 2007 09:25 PM

Mets have interest in Octavio Dotel the Times says.