Mets News and Rumors

[Baseball Guru]

I'll try and keep up with different Met news and rumors in this thread since I am sure there will be a lot this coming offseason... Please feel free to comment or add anything you hear to this thread...

Here's hoping to a productive and exciting offseason..:clapping


:gt

[Baseball Guru]

The Mets would like to use Kris Benson and Steve Trachsel to both create room in their rotation -- which could then be filled by outside free agents -- and to plug their more obvious holes like first base and second base. Should they find suitable trade partners for Trachsel and Benson, the Mets could fill the holes by pursuing free agents like A.J. Burnett, Esteban Loaiza and Kevin Millwood.
-- Newsday

[Baseball Guru]

Last winter, the Mets went after the best free-agent starter on the market and landed Pedro Martinez. This winter, they could be looking at making it a back-to-back with A.J. Burnett. The Mets met with Burnett's agent, Darek Braunecker, yesterday at the GM meetings, and Braunecker said he believed "there's significant interest on their part.''
-- New York Post

Although the Mets have also recently spoken with the Florida Marlins, those discussions have not centered on first baseman Carlos Delgado, who could be available as the Marlins try to shed payroll. Delgado, who signed a four-year, $52 million deal in January, wants to remain with the Marlins, but he could be one of the first casualties.
-- New York Times

Unconvinced about Mike Jacobs' ability over the long haul, the Mets are looking elsewhere to fill their need at first base. And it's possible the team could revisit the one marquee player that eluded its grasp last winter -- Carlos Delgado.
-- Newark Star-Ledger

Mets GM Omar Minaya covets 2B Jeff Kent, but the Dodgers were unwilling to deal him when Paul DePodesta was in charge.
-- MLB.com

[Mr. Met]

One thing about Omar, you sure hear alot of rumors.

Manny Ramirez
A.J. Burnett
Carlos Delgado
Billy Wagner
Alfonso Soriano

What time is the parade? :p

[DODGER DEB]

The NY Daily News is reporting that OMAR MINAYA will be meeting with BENGIE MOLINA today....

http://www.nydailynews.com/front/story/364652p-310397c.html

c.

[SiddFinch1]

Lots of rumors out there. Looks like either Molina or Hernandez for catcher. The japanese catcher appears to be going to seattle.

Hopefully Wagner.

Maybe Manny.

A platoon of Nady and Jacobs at first?

Still need someone to play 2B

[skeletor]

Lots of rumors out there. Looks like either Molina or Hernandez for catcher. The japanese catcher appears to be going to seattle.

Hopefully Wagner.

Maybe Manny.

A platoon of Nady and Jacobs at first?

Still need someone to play 2B

latest hot stove rumour..is Detroit dealing PUDGE to the Mets..as he
has wore out his welcome with the Tigers.. rumoured that he backstabbed
recently fired Mgr, Alan Trammel..one too may times...Jimmy Leyland
will eat his lunch, if Pudge is up to his olde tricks....Leyland might be the
type of field mgr, to settle him down...and he can focus on playing
and not whining....

[KingJ]

Still need someone to play 2B

Junior Spivey for prospects! Spivey for prospects!

[sakic_mets]

ummm, this trade happened today

To Mets
Carlos Delgado

To Marlins
Yusmeiro Petit
Mike Jacobs

[SiddFinch1]

I hope they dont bring in Pudge.

I'd rather go for Hernandez or Molina at this point of their careers.

Like the Delgado trade. Hope that Petit doesnt turn out to be the real deal. Hopefully Wagner will work out.

Still need a 2nd baseman. I guess I can live with some combo of matsui and cairo there if Hernandez or Keppinger arent ready to take it away from them. Should probably be hitting 8th anyway

[metsfan28]

the only thing i dont like about the mets giving up young pitching lke petit dont get me wrong i like delgado and the power he brings to the mets but look at what happen to scott kazmir

[metsfan28]

fox sports is reporting.... The Mets have landed coveted closer Billy Wagner in a four-year deal worth $43 million.

The deal could be worth as much as $50 million as it includes a fifth-year option for the Mets worth $10 million. But if the team declines the option, Wagner gets a $3 million buyout which is considered part of the original $43 million deal.
Two of the Mets' NL East rivals, the Phillies and Braves, also were trying to sign Wagner.

Wagner was 4-3 with 38 saves and a 1.51 ERA last season for Philadelphia, which wanted to re-sign him. After spending most of his career with Houston, his two seasons with the Phillies showed the left-hander he could handle pitching in a tough city.

"I think if I had an opportunity to play in New York four or five years ago, I probably wouldn't have been as receptive to it," Wagner said last week. "After the trade of going to Philadelphia and playing there, I believe that's made it that much easier to handle the media, the pressures."

In recent days, the Phillies have become the most aggressive suitor for free-agent right-hander Tom Gordon, whom they now could target as their closer

[Mikeyflex]

Now that Pat Gillick has taken over the reigns of Phillyland, perhaps we can dump Mr.Met on him for the Phinaic???

Just a thought!!

[Baseball Guru]

The Mets might have a shot at Barry Zito. The A's are very interested in Lastings Milledge, but Zito is a free agent after this season, and the Mets' first choice is to use their top position prospect to acquire Ramirez.
-- Newsday

[metsfan28]

i heard on mike and the madd dog that there are rumors that the mets may trade lastings trachsal and floyd to get manny

[DODGER DEB]

Has anyone heard anything about the "catching" situation? I know the Mets are interested in both Molina and Hernandez. Anything happening on that front?

c.

[moebarguy]

I think that the Mets should really keep Milledge. They've already hurt their farm system enough in the Delgado deal, so what's the point in trading our best prospect for a guy whose making $20 million a year, and the Red Sox are desperatley trying to get rid of. The problem with Minaya is that he gets obsessed with certain players (all of which are hispanic), and he's willing to give up anything and more to get them. He too would have made the Kazmir/Zambrano deal. As nice as it would be to get Manny's bat in the middle of our lineup, he comes with too much baggage. If he's not happy winning the world series in Boston, he'll be pretty unhappy not making the playoffs or getting knocked out early with the Mets. Instead of trading Milledge, the Mets can sign or trade for a Brian Giles type of player.

SS Jose Reyes
RF Brian Giles
3B David Wright
1B Carlos Delgado
CF Carlos Beltran
LF Cliff Floyd
C Ramon Hernandez
2B Mark Grudzielanek

Sign Giles, Hernandez, and Grudzielanek.

or

SS Jose Reyes
CF Carlos Beltran
3B David Wright
1B Carlos Delgado
RF Kevin Mench
LF Cliff Floyd
C Ramon Hernandez
2B Mark Grudzielanek

Sign Hernandez and Grudzielanek, and trade Trachsel for Mench.

Those are very well-balanced lineups right there, and we didn't even need to give up any prospects. The second lineup would even free up a spot for us to sign a guy like Kevin Millwood...Being a GM is pretty simple, you just have to have a brain.

[Mr. Met]

ummm... when did Mark Grudzielanek join the team? ;)

[KingJ]

ummm... when did Mark Grudzielanek join the team? ;)

Rumors are that the Mets have offered him a decent contract.

[moebarguy]

ummm... when did Mark Grudzielanek join the team? ;)

I said sign him...

[KingJ]

You guys want Brad Wilkerson? He can play all 3 outfield spots and with the right settings (not here) could be a big player.

[Mr. Met]

Hmmm... :)

The Cardinals have a vacancy at second base as free agent Mark Grudzielanek ponders proposals from several clubs. The New York Mets are a leading contender.
-- St. Louis Post-Dispatch

[SeaverGooden]

It appears the Mest and Orioles have a preliminary agreement in place for the Mets to deal Kris Benson and his contract to Baltimore for 26 year old reliever Jorge Julio.

Julios Scouting Report from ESPN.com

Julio throws an above-average four-seem fastball that regularly is clocked at 96-98 MPH. He struggles controlling the movement and location of the pitch, which is when he gets into trouble. The coaching staff has tried to get him to back off a few MPH to gain better control, but Julio reverts to throwing his hardest when he struggles. His slider usually is clocked in the high 80s. Sometimes Julio battles to maintain a consistent release point, and that plagues his slider more than the fastball. Despite being a power pitcher, he doesn't pitch inside enough. This allows hitters to lean out over the plate and cover the outside corner. Julio has improved his approach against lefthanded hitters and no longer struggles against them.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unless the is a pure salary dump to afford getting another quality starter or taking on Mannys salary, I don't really understand the trade. Benson is 31, and eats a considerable amount of innings.

[Mr. Met]

Am I hearing Paul LoDuca rumors now? :atthepc

[SiddFinch1]

LoDuca for Gaby Hernandez and an unnnamed prospect

As long as Gaby doesnt develop into a good picther this should work out well. :clapping

If he does.....:grouchy

[Baseball Guru]

The Mets are expected to sign second baseman Mark Grudzielanek.
-- St. Petersburg Times


Honestly, I would love to have Grudzielanek on this team.. I think a good scrappy player like him will certainly help us:)

[SiddFinch1]

Alfonso Soriano was sent to the Nationals last night so I guess he is out of the mix for the Mets

[Mr. Met]

Although Washington now has two 2Ber's.

[moebarguy]

I heard Minaya wants to trade David Wright for Vinny Castilla

[moebarguy]

Maybe a Vidro for Matsui swap...That'd be a solid trade for us

[KingJ]

Maybe a Vidro for Matsui swap...That'd be a solid trade for us

We have seven players at 2B at right now. Why would we trade the best of the seven for an inept one with a larger salary?

Vidro for Kris Benson, Jae Seo, or Steve Traschel maybe. We'll take Xavier Nady, too, now that you guys have Julio Franco!

[moebarguy]

Matsui is a "natural" SS -- Guzman is starting for you guys, right?

[KingJ]

Matsui is a "natural" SS -- Guzman is starting for you guys, right?

Guzman is getting better. He hit over .300 with over half of his RBIs in his final 100 ABs plus he can play defense, something Matsui struggled to do at both positions.

[Baseball Guru]

I think a trade involving Vidro for Benson would benefit both teams.. Both fill needs and they make close to the same amount of money dont they?

[Mr. Met]

Can Vidro even play anymore?

[Baseball Guru]

The latest on him is that he is rehabbing his knee and they arent 100% sure he will start the season...

He would be risky IMO...

[Mattingly]

Doesn't seem worthy of its own thread, but I'm wondering what Omar is thinking right now.

Mets will take a peek at Oliver (http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/story/375433p-319060c.html)
Omar Minaya, who indicated he may add to the bullpen solely through signing veterans to minor-league contracts, has started to follow through on that prediction.

Lefty Darren Oliver, who retired last year, intends to report to spring training with the Mets and will try to latch on in the bullpen, agent Jeff Frye said.

The 35-year-old Oliver, who spent the bulk of his career with the Rangers, went 3-3 with a 5.94 ERA in 2004 with the Marlins and Astros. He pitched well in spring training last year with the Rockies as a starter, posting a 2.45 ERA while striking out seven and walking two in 14-2/3 innings, but did not make the rotation when the club opted for Jamey Wright. Oliver preferred free agency to pitching in Colorado's bullpen. But he posted a 9.38 ERA while making seven Triple-A starts with the Diamondbacks and Cubs last season before heading home.
I have no idea why you'd pick up a guy who did 72 innings in 2004, but I remember his name as some so-called "Yankee killer", since his only redeeming quality was that he had a winning record against the Yanks, when Boston traded the much-maligned Carl Everett for him ("unwanted player for same" kind of trade).

Anyway, here's Darren Oliver (http://www.baseball-reference.com/o/oliveda02.shtml)'s career stats:
Year Ag Tm Lg W L G GS CG SHO GF SV IP H R ER HR BB SO HBP WP BFP IBB BK ERA *lgERA *ERA+ WHIP
+--------------+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+--+------+----+----+----+---+----+----+---+---+-----+---+---+-----+-----+----+-----+
1993 22 TEX AL 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 3.3 2 1 1 1 1 4 0 0 14 1 0 2.70 4.16 154 0.900
1994 23 TEX AL 4 0 43 0 0 0 10 2 50.0 40 24 19 4 35 50 6 2 226 4 2 3.42 4.81 141 1.500
1995 24 TEX AL 4 2 17 7 0 0 2 0 49.0 47 25 23 3 32 39 1 4 222 1 0 4.22 4.67 111 1.612
1996 25 TEX AL 14 6 30 30 1 1 0 0 173.7 190 97 90 20 76 112 10 5 777 3 1 4.66 5.05 108 1.532
1997 26 TEX AL 13 12 32 32 3 1 0 0 201.3 213 111 94 29 82 104 11 7 887 3 0 4.20 4.80 114 1.465
1998 27 TOT 10 11 29 29 2 0 0 0 160.3 204 115 102 18 66 87 10 7 749 2 4 5.73 4.61 81 1.684
TEX AL 6 7 19 19 2 0 0 0 103.3 140 84 75 11 43 58 10 6 493 1 1 6.53 4.84 74 1.771
STL NL 4 4 10 10 0 0 0 0 57.0 64 31 27 7 23 29 0 1 256 1 3 4.26 4.19 98 1.526
1999 28 STL NL 9 9 30 30 2 1 0 0 196.3 197 96 93 16 74 119 11 6 842 4 2 4.26 4.57 107 1.380
2000 29 TEX AL 2 9 21 21 0 0 0 0 108.0 151 95 89 16 42 49 4 4 501 3 1 7.42 5.12 69 1.787
2001 30 TEX AL 11 11 28 28 1 0 0 0 154.0 189 109 103 23 65 104 6 8 696 0 2 6.02 4.48 74 1.649
2002 31 BOS AL 4 5 14 9 1 1 0 0 58.0 70 30 30 7 27 32 6 1 258 0 0 4.66 4.42 95 1.672
2003 32 COL NL 13 11 33 32 1 0 0 0 180.3 201 108 101 21 61 88 8 0 786 3 0 5.04 4.76 94 1.453
2004 33 TOT NL 3 3 27 10 0 0 5 0 72.7 87 50 48 14 21 46 1 1 314 1 0 5.94 4.14 70 1.486
FLA NL 2 3 18 8 0 0 3 0 58.7 75 44 42 13 17 33 1 1 260 1 0 6.44 4.10 64 1.568
HOU NL 1 0 9 2 0 0 2 0 14.0 12 6 6 1 4 13 0 0 54 0 0 3.86 4.31 112 1.143
+--------------+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+--+------+----+----+----+---+----+----+---+---+-----+---+---+-----+-----+----+-----+
12 Yr WL% .524 87 79 306 228 11 4 17 2 1407.0 1591 861 793 172 582 834 74 45 6272 25 12 5.07 4.71 93 1.544
+--------------+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+--+------+----+----+----+---+----+----+---+---+-----+---+---+-----+-----+----+-----+
162 Game Avg 11 10 38 29 1 0 2 0 179.0 202 109 100 21 74 106 9 5 798 3 1 5.07 4.71 93 1.544
Career High 14 12 43 32 3 1 10 2 201.3 213 115 103 29 82 119 11 8 887 4 4 3.42 5.12 141 1.380

[Baseball Guru]

It is a weird signing for the Mets.. I think they are just desperate for lefties..

They gave up on Ishii, as they released him the other day...

[digglahhh]

I think signing guys for cheap contracts in bunches isn't really that bad of an idea. Middle relievers are so inconsistent season to season you might go with a quantity over (alleged) quality and see who pans out. It spreads the risk.

BTW, If you don't want Matsui, what makes you think that somebody else does. You can't just pile up all our scrubs and cash them in for a star.

5 Buicks don't equal one Porsche.

[Mr. Met]

Those middle relief guys are so random anyway. I have no problem throwing a bunch of minor league contracts out there. You never know who's gonna show up.

[nyboricua021]

December 28

New York Post (registration required): "The Mets have all but completed a one-year contract with Chad Bradford in hopes the sidewinder can rediscover his health and ability to dominate righty hitters in 2006... The Yanks have moved closer to finalizing a contract with Miguel Cairo to serve as the team's utilityman."

[nyboricua021]

mets signed chad bradford

[Mattingly]

Mets looking strongly to sign D-Rays' Danys Baez to set up:

http://www.nypost.com/sports/mets/59677.htm
METS ON BRINK OF BAEZ TRADE

[DODGER DEB]

NBC Sports and The Newark Star-Ledger are reporting this afternoon that the METS are also looking to get in on the MANNY-TEJADA deal, and make it a 3-way trade.....

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10641752/

c.

[Baseball Guru]

I am hearing on XM (Kevin Kennedy) and from a friend that has Sirius (Steve Phillips) that there is a deal in place that the Mets are going to get Báez..
I have no details on what the Mets are giving up for him but that it is pretty close to a done deal.. Anyone hear anything else on this?

[metsfan28]

hey guru i heard they may send seo or heilman to the rays

[Mattingly]

If they can spare Heilman and Seo, then I think this would be one of the best 1-2 punches around now.

Which other trades would be needed? I'm wondering how strong the rest of the pen is also.

[Baseball Guru]

hey guru i heard they may send seo or heilman to the rays

Thanks for that info:)

Sure would be sweet to have him on the team..:gt

[Baseball Guru]

Being reported this morning that the Mets and Rays are close to a deal that would involve Jay Seo and Matsui for Baez and possibly Lugo being involved in the deal...

I like it!:gt

Screw the 4 team trade rumor and lets get Baez and Lugo!

[metsfan28]

Being reported this morning that the Mets and Rays are close to a deal that would involve Jay Seo and Matsui for Baez and possibly Lugo being involved in the deal...

I like it!:gt

Screw the 4 team trade rumor and lets get Baez and Lugo!

i heard the seo matsui for beaz but nothin about lugo??

[moebarguy]

I'm happy with any trade that doesn't involve the Mets giving up Floyd, Wright, Reyes, Delgado, Pedro, Wagner, Heilman, and Milledge...

[Baseball Guru]

Eddie Coleman just broke the story on wfan/the yes network that the Mets have sent Seo to the Dodgers along with minor leaguer Tim Hamulack for Duaner Sanchez and another pitcher...

They have also apparently signed Bret Boone to a minor league contract...

[Mattingly]

Omar may be trying to tell Kaz Matsui something here:

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/story/379860p-322558c.html
Mets eyeing Bret Boone

Seek infield, bullpen help
While the Mets explore options for addressing their primary remaining need - setup men in the bullpen - they are investigating choices at second base, too, and they are one of three teams interested in former All-Star Bret Boone, according to a baseball source.

The Rangers and Padres are also involved, and it's likely that Boone will sign a minor-league deal with one of the three clubs and get an invitation to spring training, the source said. If Boone signs with the Mets, he could push Kaz Matsui at second, or perhaps take over the position if Matsui is unloaded via trade, which the Mets hope to accomplish.

[metsfan28]

LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Dodgers, in search of starting pitching, acquired right-hander Jae Seo and left-handed reliever Tim Hamulack from the New York Mets on Wednesday for right-handed relievers Duaner Sanchez and Steve Schmoll.

Seo, a 28-year-old South Korean, made 14 starts for the Mets last season, going 8-2 with a 2.59 ERA. He walked 16 and struck out 59 in 90 1/3 innings. He also spent time with Triple-A Norfolk.

Seo went 5-10 with a 4.90 ERA for the Mets in 2004.

"The thought process behind this was Seo's going to get a chance to start," Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti said. "He had a real good year with the Mets and in Triple-A, pitched close to 200 innings.

"This gives us a little more depth in the starting rotation. I don't think this will prohibit us from getting another starter in either free agency or in a trade. One more would be good. I think we have a rotation now that's capable of throwing 180 innings, 200, 210 through all five starters."

Los Angeles signed free-agent right-hander Brett Tomko last month. Other returning starters are right-handers Brad Penny and Derek Lowe and left-hander Odalis Perez. Jeff Weaver, a 14-game winner last season, is a free agent.

The 29-year-old Hamulack pitched mostly in the minors last season. He appeared in six games for the Mets, allowing seven hits and six earned runs in 2 1/3 innings.

The 26-year-old Sanchez was 4-7 with a 3.73 ERA and eight saves in 79 games last season, serving as the Dodgers' closer late in the year. He was a setup man in 2004, going 3-1 with a 3.38 ERA in 67 games.

Sanchez made his big league debut in 2002 with the Arizona Diamondbacks. He also pitched for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2002-03 before the Dodgers claimed him on waivers after the 2003 season.

The 25-year-old Schmoll, signed by Los Angeles in May 2003, was 2-2 with a 5.01 ERA and three saves for the Dodgers and 0-3 with a 4.78 ERA in 22 games for Triple-A Las Vegas last season.



ive heard nothing about the mets signing boone ive heard that the mets are interested in em but thats it

[Joltin Joe Giradio]

I hope there's no truth to the rumor that Omar is still looking to acquire Baez with Heilman going the other way. Baez is ok, but Heilman is just as capable in short relief. Plus, Heilman can be kept for little money, while Baez not only makes more but is slated for FA after '06. He is not going to stay when he can be a closer elsewhere.

Then again, Baez is "proven." That counts for everything in the Mets org. LOL. Let's trade Wright to MIN for Tony Batista cuz Batista is proven. Wright only played well for a season and a half. There's no way he's proven.

Duane Sanchez is good vs. righties, but he sucks vs. lefties. Maybe Petersen can teach him an out pitch to get lefties.

[MetsFan15]

hi...............