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The Mets are more seriously considering promoting from within (Fernando Martinez for the outfield, Jon Niese for the rotation, Bobby Parnell or Eddie Kunz if a bullpen arm is needed) then making a trade between now and the July 31 deadline, Omar Minaya told The Post yesterday. Minaya faces three major obstacles to reaching outside the organization for improvements: Continue
Now that the Mets know Moises Alou isn't coming around the corner, they can turn their attention to trading for a replacement before the July 31 non-waivers deadline. One name on the Mets' radar, according to a baseball official, is Seattle leftfielder Raul Ibañez. The lefthanded hitter can become a free agent after the season; the Mariners are looking to dump anyone they can in the middle of a miserable season, so the price tag for a rental could be to the Mets' liking.
Ibañez, 36, is hitting .273 with 10 homers and 53 RBIs. He's a Manhattan native and friend of Carlos Beltran, a teammate from their Kansas City days. Beltran sounded very much as if he would love to see Ibañez walk into the Mets' clubhouse before the end of the month. Continue
Barry Bonds isn't totally radioactive to the Mets. With no idea how long two of his starting outfielders - Ryan Church and Moises Alou - will be out because of medical issues, Mets GM Omar Minaya yesterday would not rule out bringing aboard the unsigned home-run king.
Although Minaya downplayed the possibility of adding Bonds, he refused to close the door completely on the 43-year-old slugger and alleged steroids user. Asked if there was ever a chance the Mets would sign Bonds, Minaya was evasive while never uttering the word "no." Continue
The Mets will have a new outfielder to Trot out tonight against the Rangers. General manager Omar Minaya's major transaction yesterday didn't involve firing a manager, but instead consisted of acquiring veteran Trot Nixon from the Diamondbacks for a player to be named later.
The 34-year-old Nixon has spent the entire 2008 season for Triple-A Tucson of the Pacific Coast League, where he was hitting .309 with 10 home runs and 31 RBIs in 58 games. With both Moises Alou and Ryan Church on the disabled list, the Mets have their option of using Nixon in left or right field. Continue
The Mets made a flurry of moves on Tuesday as the club readjusted its pitching staff while dealing with injuries. Pitchers Matt Wise and Claudio Vargas were added to the Mets roster, while hurlers Jorge Sosa and Nelson Figueroa were designated for assignment. Wise was activated from the disabled list and Vargas was added to the 40-man roster.
Club officials said that Vargas will start Wednesday's game against the Nationals. The club also put Angel Pagan on the 15-day disabled list and recalled infielder Fernando Tatis from the Triple-A New Orleans Zephyrs. Continue
The Mets have begun trying to fix their rotation shortage. The Post has learned they are on the verge of signing free-agent righty Claudio Vargas to a Triple-A contract. Agent Bean Stringfellow told The Post that Vargas will make his decision today, and four teams are in the hunt. But Stringfellow confirmed that the Mets are the frontrunners.
Vargas' signing becomes more important because the Mets' rotation is getting messy. Orlando Hernandez was already on the disabled list after having surgery on his right foot last October, and yesterday the Mets revealed that the 42-year-old has a strained tendon in the foot - a different tendon than the one that required surgery. Hernandez will wear a boot for at least two weeks, and the Mets could not dismiss any potential negative scenario after that. Continue
General manager Omar Minaya spoke yesterday with the agent for Claudio Vargas, but the Mets appear to be willing to wait before going outside the organization for rotation help in the wake of Pedro Martinez's hamstring injury.
Bean Stringfellow, the agent for Vargas, indicated that Minaya was not prepared to offer the righthander a starting job in the immediate future. The Mets won't need a fifth starter until April 12 and Orlando Hernandez is eligible to come off the disabled list the following day. Hernandez made the first of what he hopes will be three rehab starts for Class A St. Lucie last night, allowing two runs and three hits in five innings against Vero Beach. He struck out six, walked one and threw 64 pitches. Continue
Claudio Vargas could be a candidate for the Mets' No. 5 starter vacancy. The 29-year-old right hander was released yesterday by the Brewers in a salary dump, and Mets GM Omar Minaya said his club will have a strong interest now that Vargas reportedly has cleared waivers. "That's a good name," Minaya said. "We're going to take a close look at him."
The Mets are considering all fifth-starter options because Orlando Hernandez and Mike Pelfrey, who will split one more start this week, have been flops. Continue
Barry Bonds. Sammy Sosa. Xavier Nady. Marcus Thames. Kenny Lofton. Juan Rivera. Reed Johnson. Coco Crisp.
These are the outfielders that have been linked to the Mets ever since it was learned that Moises Alou would miss at least the first month of the season after last Thursday's hernia surgery. Most of these names have been ground up through the rumor mill, then spit back out again as unfounded or undesirable or unattainable (at the moment). Continue
The Mets have an immediate hole in left field, and a lineup currently devoid of power with multiple sluggers sidelined with nagging injuries.
But asked last night if there is any remote merit to stories suggesting a pursuit of controversial slugger Barry Bonds is possible, a high-ranking Mets official insisted there is no interest in taking on the monumental baggage - which includes charges of perjury and obstruction of justice - stemming from the out-of-work home run king's involvement in baseball's ongoing steroids mess. Continue
Pitcher Oliver Perez won his salary arbitration case against the Mets on Friday and will be paid $6.5 million this year rather than the team's offer of $4,725,000.
The left-hander went 15-10 with a 3.56 ERA last year, when he made $2,425,000. The decision was made by arbitrators Steven Wolf, Robert Bailey and Elizabeth Neumeier, who heard the case Thursday in St. Petersburg. On Thursday, Philadelphia first baseman Ryan Howard became the first player to win in arbitration this year when he was awarded $10 million instead of the team's figure of $7 million. Continue
Like Johan Santana, Oliver Perez won 15 games last season and is lefthanded. That's about where the similarities end. Perez has talent but lacks consistency, and with only a season standing between him and free agency, it looks as if he could be the first player to go to arbitration with the Mets since David Cone in 1992.
Cone beat the Mets for a record $4.25 million after they offered $3 million. Perez is looking for $6.5 million, and there's a sizable gap between his number and the Mets' $4.725-million offer. The arbitration hearing is scheduled for Feb. 21 in St. Petersburg, and it doesn't appear as if either side is blinking. Continue
Tony Armas Jr., one of the pitchers traded to the Expos for Pedro Martinez a decade ago, will join him in Port St. Lucie this week after the Mets announced yesterday they have signed him to a minor-league contract. General manager Omar Minaya, who had Armas during his tenure in Montreal, hopes the 29-year-old righthander can provide some insurance for the back end of the rotation, which was weakened by the four-player trade for Johan Santana last month.
Armas went 4-5 with a 6.03 ERA in 31 appearances, including 15 starts, for the Pirates last season. He spent the previous eight years with the Expos/Nationals; Armas is 52-65 with a 4.62 ERA in his career. Minaya was in the market for cheap alternatives to add depth to the rotation, and Armas provides experience at minimal cost. Continue
The Mets have acquired lefthanded ace Johan Santana from the Minnesota Twins for prospects Carlos Gomez, Phil Humber, Deolis Guerra and Kevin Mulvey, Newsday has confirmed. The deal, first reported on USA Today.com, depends on the Mets and Santana reaching an agreement on a six- or seven-year contract extension within the next three days. Santana presumably would waive his no-trade clause to allow the deal to go through once an agreement on a new contract had been reached.
Although the Mets sacrificed four key members of their farm system in the deal, they also managed to make the trade without giving up prized prospect Fernando Martinez.Rather than Martinez, who had been widely reported to be the key cog in any deal for Santana, the Mets included Gomez, 22, who played 58 games as a rookie with the Mets last year and batted .232. Continue
Baseball officials involved in the Johan Santana trade talks say the Mets have the best offer on the table, as the Twins looked to honor the pitcher's request to resolve the situation. If Minnesota opts to trade the two-time Cy Young Award winner rather than keep him and he works out a new contract extension, Santana could fill the hole at the front of the Mets' rotation.
The Red Sox also made offers, while the Yankees appeared to be out of the Santana talks altogether. But in the middle of the day Tuesday, Mets officials were hopeful they were the front-runners for the All-Star lefty, with an offer that included center fielder Carlos Gomez, pitcher Phil Humber and two other minor leaguers. It is not known yet whether the Mets have fashioned any offers around their best prospect, Fernando Martinez. Continue
The Johan Santana trade discussions finally might be entering their final lap, and the Mets still appear to be the favorites to land the two-time Cy Young Award winner. The St. Paul Pioneer Press reported Sunday that a trade of Santana, a Minnesota Twin since 2000, "is expected to occur within 10 days." That matches a widely held industry belief that the Twins have every intention of moving Santana before the start of spring training.
The Yankees don't want to include Phil Hughes in a trade for Santana, as general manager Brian Cashman made clear Friday night in an event at William Paterson College in New Jersey. The Red Sox always seemed more interested in keeping the price high for the Yankees than actually acquiring Santana for themselves. Continue
The Mets, who have not gone to an arbitration hearing with one of their players since 1992, eliminated another candidate Tuesday when Endy Chavez agreed to a two-year contract worth $3.85 million.
Chavez, 29, will make $1.8 million in 2008 and $2.05 million in 2009. He can make $250,000 more this year and $375,000 more next year in bonuses based on games played and plate appearances, according to figures obtained by the Associated Press. Last season, Chavez strained his left hamstring and played in only 71 games, batting .287 with 20 runs, one homer and 17 RBI. He hurt his right hamstring and right ankle in a play at the plate during a winter league game in Venezuela but is expected to be ready for spring training. The Mets have four more players who have exchanged arbitration figures with the club - Oliver Perez, Pedro Feliciano, Ryan Church and Jorge Sosa. (Daily News)
More gadgets and toys probably will find their way into the Mets' clubhouse this year. Aaron Heilman, the electronics-obsessive pitcher called "Wall Street" by some of Mets teammates, has considerably more expendable income now. He agreed Friday to a one-year contract for $1.2 million and thereby avoided a salary arbitration confrontation with the club.
Heilman, who earned $453,000 last year, was one of six Mets players in position to exchange arbitration figures with the club Friday. He is the only one who agreed to a contract. Continue
Fernando Martinez hasn't played above the Double-A level, but the Mets' young outfield prospect could be the key to acquiring Johan Santana from the Twins. "I sense that [the Mets] have got a deal if Martinez is in it," an industry official familiar with Minnesota's trade discussions said. Of course, the Mets' package also would have to include some mix of outfielder Carlos Gomez and pitchers Deolis Guerra, Philip Humber and Kevin Mulvey. To date, the Mets have been reluctant to trade Martinez, since he is considered to have a high ceiling.
The Twins continue to hold discussions with the Yankees, Red Sox and Mets about Santana, but the Yankees appear set to move forward without the two-time Cy Young Award winner. Hank Steinbrenner has been convinced by his brother Hal and general manager Brian Cashman to not give up a package headed by Phil Hughes and Melky Cabrera. Continue
The Mets will be bringing back Jose Valentin, the player's agent told The Post last night, giving him a minor league deal with an invitation to major league spring training.
Valentin, 38, was a huge contributor for the Mets in 2006, hitting .271 with 18 homers as their second baseman. But last year he played in only 51 games due to a partially torn ACL and a broken tibia. According to agent David Elston, Valentin is currently rehabbing his ACL (he had left replacement surgery on Sept. 25) and is unlikely to be doing baseball activities until mid-March. Continue
Mets general manager Omar Minaya returned Friday from his goodwill visit to Israel and spent most of the day getting up to speed with the staff members who stayed behind. At the top of Minaya's to-do list in the five weeks that remain before spring training is acquiring a starting pitcher, and the first choice, obviously, is Johan Santana.
Not much had changed since Minaya left the country a week earlier. But in the process of continuing talks with the Twins, the Mets soon may have a better idea where they stand in the Santana derby. As of Thursday, team officials were not even convinced that Twins GM Bill Smith finally had backed off his demand for Jose Reyes. Continue
The door is open wide for the Mets New York Mets to land Johan Santana, but the Twins' asking price is still too high, industry sources told the Post yesterday. The superstar left-hander could be a perfect fit for the Mets and could land at Shea Stadium, but not for the reported five top prospects, including pitcher Deolis Guerra and outfielders Carlos Gomez and Fernando Martinez.
The two teams continue to talk and word out of Minnesota yesterday was that, yes, the Mets could snare Cy Young Santana for the right price, but as far as the Mets are concerned, that five-for-one deal is not the right price. Continue
Half a wolrd away from his office at Shea, in between visits to the old section of Jerusalem and a sports clinic to foster harmony between Israeli and Palestinian kids, Omar Minaya has still found time to conduct the Mets' offseason business.
"My phone works here," Minaya said with a chuckle yesterday in a telephone interview from a bus in the middle of a Jerusalem traffic jam. "God bless technology. I've checked in with some general managers and I've talked to my scouts and my assistant, John Ricco. Even though I'm here, I'll be on the phone, too, trying to improve our team." Continue
The Mets added outfield depth on Saturday by acquiring familiar face Angel Pagan from the Cubs in exchange for two minor-leaguers. The Mets gave up 22-year-old righty Ryan Meyers, who pitched mostly for Class A Savannah last season, and outfielder Corey Coles, who played at three levels. Meyers was 1-4 with 13 saves and a 2.14 ERA in 33 games with Savannah. In eight games with St. Lucie, Meyers had a 5.59ERA.
The 26-year-old Pagan, originally drafted by the Mets in the fourth round in 1999 and sold to the Cubs before the 2006 season, batted .264 with a .306 on-base percentage and a .439 slugging percentage in 71 games for the Cubs last season. His career numbers over 148 games in two seasons with the Cubs are .255, .306 and .415. Last season, he had four home runs and 21 RBI. Continue
With A's general manager Billy Beane in an all-out rebuilding mode, starting pitcher Joe Blanton could be the next to depart Oakland. A person with knowledge of the situation said Friday that the Mets remain "interested in doing something there" and recently asked Beane "to keep them in mind, just as it was with (ace Dan) Haren."
In the past month, Beane has extracted six prospects from Arizona for Haren and three more from the White Sox for switch-hitting outfielder Nick Swisher. The A's almost certainly would expect at least three more young players in return for Blanton, who is arbitration-eligible after making $380,000 last season. The 27-year-old righty has made at least 31 starts in each of his first three years. He went 14-10 with a 3.95 ERA in 230 innings in 2007. Continue
The Mets have touched base with representatives for several free-agent pitchers they consider fallback options if they are unable to land a marquee starter in a trade this winter. One of those contingency arms apparently belongs to former Yankee righty Jon Lieber, according to agent Rex Gary.
"We've been in contact with the Mets, but as we sit here today it'd be wrong to suggest something is imminent," Gary said last night. "There has been a lot of interest in (Lieber) from other teams. ... But he has absolutely no problem with the idea of pitching in New York. He liked pitching in New York with the Yankees and he likes to win." Continue
The Mets' primary competition for free-agent pitcher Kyle Lohse has dropped out of the bidding. According to Phillies assistant GM Ruben Amaro, Philadelphia's refusal to go beyond three years for the right-hander ended their pursuit of Lohse, who finished last season in Philly.
It's believed the Mets have made an offer to the 29-year-old for four years, but it's not known if it is for the $10 million Per he is seeking. "We talked to [agent Scott] Boras a few times and from all indications it looked like it would take four years," Amaro said. "We let him know that we wouldn't go higher than three. He indicated he could get four, and we bowed out gracefully" Continue
The Mets' signing of free-agent reliever Matt Wise to a one-year, $1.2 million deal yesterday could be viewed in a number of ways. Wise, a right-hander, might be used in the Guillermo Mota role or as insurance if the Mets decide to deal Aaron Heilman. Either way, Wise is expected to strengthen the pen. "Matt has had success in a variety of roles," GM Omar Minaya said. "He adds a versatile arm." Continue
Willie Randolph insisted Tuesday that he is not giving up on landing Johan Santana or Erik Bedard, even though Mets GM Omar Minaya continues to prepare fans for a ho-hum winter by talking up Oliver Perez and John Maine.
"I still think there's a possibility - there always is - to maybe grab a frontline guy, whether it's Bedard or Santana," Randolph said at Shea during the Mets' annual holiday party for local schoolchildren. "That's going to play out. I don't give up hope of that. But, realistically, what they're asking for with everyone is a lot because they know they can ask for that." Continue
The Winter Meetings concluded. The Mets' quest to find a backdoor entrance for Johan Santana did not. As momentum petered at least somewhat in negotiations between the Red Sox and Twins, and the Yankees continued to proclaim themselves bystanders in these negotiations, the Mets were emboldened to at least redouble their efforts and recalibrate their offers for the two-time Cy Young winner.
There was a sense among rival executives that the Mets had made themselves viable. This would be particularly so if Minnesota decides Santana must be traded before the season, leaving the Twins to accept the best package available. The Mets could have fewer prospects than the Red Sox or Yankees, for example, but a greater willingness to deal what they do have. Continue
The Shea faithful may be giving up on Omar Minaya's ability to land Johan Santana. But the Mets GM isn't giving up on landing the Twins' ace. And failing that, newly dealt lefty Dontrelle Willis may soon be available. "Am I more optimistic? I want to say that since 24 hours ago, we've had some positive dialogue," Omar Minaya said, without directly naming Santana as the topic of his reply. The Mets GM added: "It can go from positive to negative real quick. At least I feel we're still in play." Continue
The Mets are very much in the mix for Japanese righty Hiroki Kuroda, to the point they have moved past what was essentially an opening round of bidding, The Post has learned. The Mets have legitimate interest in Kuroda, and according to one person with knowledge of the team's thinking, the Mets advanced to Round 2 of the bidding process. The Mets didn't submit an official offer for Kuroda, but indicated what they would consider spending, a Round 1 semi-proposal that moved them into Round 2.
Kuroda now could become an interesting option for the Mets, who view him as a middle-of-the-rotation innings-eater. He would slot in behind Pedro Martinez, Oliver Perez, John Maine and perhaps even Orlando Hernandez. But they are not the only team who is interested. Continue
Five years ago, when Omar Minaya was running the Expos, he traded for Bartolo Colon. Minaya gave up some talented young players, including Grady Sizemore, but Colon delivered for an Expos team that was in contention, going 10-4 in 17 starts. Minaya has a chance to repeat history if he decides Colon is worth bringing to the Mets. The former Cy Young Award winner reportedly is not going to be offered salary arbitration by the Angels, which would make him a free agent.
He no longer is the pitcher Minaya landed in the 2002 deal with the Indians, missing significant parts of the last two seasons with arm injuries. But Colon could be a high-risk/high-reward acquisition. And the Mets could get him without having to make a trade, which has been a stumbling block for them given their lack of top prospects. Continue
The Mets have traded Lastings Milledge to the Nationals for catcher Brian Schneider and outfielder Ryan Church, a baseball official confirmed this afternoon. Milledge was believed to be a major chip in the Mets' pursuit of an elite starting pitcher this offseason, but that apparently was not the case.
Schneider, 31, will now take over in the catching tandem with Ramon Castro, only a week after the Mets traded for Johnny Estrada. Schneider is expected to be a defensive upgrade to Estrada, who is now almost certain to be released. Schneider hit .235 with six homers and 54 RBI last season. Church, 29, will be added to the mix in rightfield. He batted .272 with 15 home runs and 70 RBI in 144 games for the Nationals. Continue
One of the Mets' most important issues could be what the A's do with Dan Haren and Joe Blanton, and ultimately what Oakland does may be based on what the Mets or somebody else offer.The A's, according to assistant GM David Forst, are still determining whether to trade the right-handers. The verdict will depend on both the health of several Oakland players and what teams might offer for Haren or Blanton.
“We honestly have not made that decision," Forst said over the phone yesterday. “We're certainly open to discussion, but every day that goes by we hope to get more information about our own team and the status of our players health-wise and I hope to get more info about what other teams are willing to do if we do decide to trade one or both of these pitchers." Continue
Three teams have emerged as frontrunners for Johan Santana, The Post has learned. The Yankees are among that group. The Mets are not. The Red Sox are almost certainly among the clubs the Twins are currently talking with most seriously about Santana. The Dodgers likely are the other team, though the Cubs, Mariners and Angels have been linked to these discussions, as well.
According to a person familiar with negotiations, the Twins' last request from the Mets still included Jose Reyes. The Mets do not believe they could come close to adequately replacing the Gold Glove-caliber shortstop and sparkplug offense that Reyes, just 24, provides at a reasonable price, so they are unwilling to consider dealing him, even for the No. 1 starter they so badly need. “I like going after the big fish, but I can't rob Peter to pay Paul," Omar Minaya said by phone. “I'm not getting rid of Jose Reyes." Continue
Over the years they have managed to stay out of each other's way in the pursuit of high-priced free agents, but not this time. The Johan Santana sweepstakes has put the Mets and Yankees on a collision course that is likely to leave one or the other bloodied and bowed, if not bitter as well. This is not just so much hot-stove talk any longer. More and more it seems the Twins are becoming resigned to the reality of trading their ace after Santana made it clear that their recent four-year, $80 million offer wasn't even in the neighborhood.
So now the Twins and their new GM, Bill Smith, are beginning to field offers for one of the best pitchers in baseball, but it is not as simple as merely making the best possible deal out there. They are limited by Santana's no-trade clause, his impending free agency, and the $120 million-$140 million it is likely to cost some team to sign him. All of which figures to narrow the field considerably, giving either the Yankees or Mets as good a chance as anyone to make a deal. Continue
The Mets' primary goal heading into next week's winter meetings in Nashville was to clear the way for the pursuit of a top-flight starting pitcher, and it looks as if general manager Omar Minaya has done that.
By re-signing Moises Alou, Luis Castillo and Ramon Castro and trading for Johnny Estrada, Minaya filled his club's only vacant positions on the field. At least that's the prevailing wisdom. But Minaya already has explored other options at catcher, inquiring about the Rangers' Gerald Laird, the Orioles' Ramon Hernandez and the Nationals' Brian Schneider. Even the Giants' Bengie Molina reportedly could be available. Continue
The Johan Santana sweepstakes are about to start burning up the Hot Stove League, and the Yankees and Mets are expected to go all-out in attempting to acquire the ace lefthander.
The Twins recently offered Santana a four-year, $80-million contract extension that would have kept him in Minnesota through the 2012 season, a person familiar with discussions said Friday. The Minneapolis Star-Tribune first reported that talks had broken down. When Santana turned down the offer, the Twins indicated they would begin looking at trading the two-time Cy Young Award winner, although Santana has a full no-trade clause. Continue
The Mets tried to trade for Freddy Garcia last December, but the Phillies made a better offer and got the hulking righty from the White Sox. The Mets, though, remained interested, and now that Garcia is a free agent, they've called his representative several times to discuss signing him. Garcia, 32, is rehabbing from shoulder surgery on his labrum and rotator cuff and should be ready to pitch by midseason, perhaps as early as June.
"The Mets have shown considerable interest in him, and some other teams, too," said Peter Greenberg, Garcia's agent. "Omar (Minaya, the Mets' GM) has called several times. Omar likes him. The Mets were one of the top contenders when the Phillies got him." Continue
The Mets found a solution to their catching problem today, and they unloaded one of their least successful players from their 2007 club, as well. The Mets acquired Johnny Estrada from the Brewers in return for reliever Guillermo Mota.
Estrada, 31, played in 120 games for the Brewers in 2007. He hit 10 homers with a .296 on-base percentage and .403 slugging percentage. Throughout all of his stops -- from Philadelphia to Atlanta, to Arizona, to Milwukaee -- he has earned praise for his handling of pitchers. Estrada will share time behind the plate with Ramon Castro, whom the Mets brought back last week. Continue
The field of free-agent starting pitchers is mediocre at best, and the available catchers aren't even that good. The Mets, therefore, are prepared to trade to fill both needs, even if it means draining their core of enticing players.
"I think so, yes," general manager Omar Minaya said yesterday when asked if he could trade for a catcher and a top-flight starting pitcher. "It all depends on how much the trade is going to cost. It doesn't have to be the farm system. It could be major-leaguers for major-leaguers." The most prominent major-leaguer to be traded could be reliever Aaron Heilman, who still has value among opposing teams. The Mets have long held Heilman out of trade discussions, but Minaya clearly wants to pull off a big deal. Continue
Still mourning the abrupt breakup with catcher Yorvit Torrealba? Well, at least the Mets have responded by addressing second base. The Mets Sunday night reached a preliminary agreement on a four-year, $25 million contract with incumbent second baseman Luis Castillo, according to The Associated Press.
Castillo still must pass a physical for the deal to be completed, a person with knowledge of the talks said. Castillo, 32, arrived in Flushing in a July 30 trade with Minnesota for minor leaguers Drew Butera and Dustin Martin. Plugged into the second slot in the lineup during the season's second half, Castillo hit .296 with one homer and 20 RBI in 199 at-bats as a Met. He also quickly became an effective double-play partner with Jose Reyes despite their previous unfamiliarity. Continue
Somewhere, Paul Lo Duca must be smiling, knowing that his Mets career isn't necessarily finished, and that his price tag just increased. This comes after yesterday's acknowledgement from the Mets that the deal for free-agent catcher Yorvit Torrealba is dead.
"We didn't reach an agreement with Torrealba and there will be no ongoing negotiations," Mets spokesman Jay Horwitz said last night, declining to provide further details. Thursday the sides had reached agreement on a three-year, $14.4 million contract, contingent on the 29-year-old passing his physical. Melvin Roman, who represents Torrealba, had no comment on the situation. Continue
Mets officials dined with free-agent infielder David Eckstein in Greenwich, Conn., this week in the hopes he'll fill the second base vacancy in Flushing. By employing the same kind of treatment that wooed Billy Wagner and Tom Glavine during previous offseasons, Mets officials are illustrating how serious they are about signing the sparkplug to play second.
Eckstein, the 2006 World Series MVP at shortstop, apparently is looking for a contract comparable to the four-year, $36 million deal Julio Lugo signed with the Red Sox last December, which might prove a stumbling block. That's a larger price tag than fellow free agent Luis Castillo is expected to command. Castillo has several other suitors, including the Astros. Continue
With the Mets still awaiting a physical before formally announcing the signing of free-agent catcher Yorvit Torrealba, manager Willie Randolph played it coy last night as he walked the red carpet outside David Wright's fund-raising gala at the Hard Rock Café in Times Square.
Earlier, Newsday first reported that Torrealba had accepted the Mets' three-year offer of $14.4 million, according to a person familiar with the situation, but Randolph behaved as if the position remains open. Despite that front, Randolph did provide some insight into why Paul Lo Duca will not be retained, and it seemed to involve the contract demands of the 35-year-old. Continue
The Mets might know as soon as today whether Yorvit Torrealba will be their new catcher. According to a report last night, Torrealba was weighing an offer from the Mets that could be worth as much as $15 million over three seasons - roughly double the guaranteed money the Rockies were offering to retain him - and he will make a decision today.
All Mets GM Omar Minaya would say yesterday is he's comfortable with the team's options after Jorge Posada elected to re-sign with the Yankees. "We knew we had Plan A, Plan B, Plan C, all these plans," Minaya said, without using Torrealba's name. "We have different options available and hopefully we're closing in on those options." Continue
Having lost out on Jorge Posada, the Mets are wasting no time in trying to close a deal with Yorvit Torrealba, and it looks like an agreement could be struck by the end of this week. General manager Omar Minaya, spurned by Posada's decision to return to the Yankees late Monday, contacted Torrealba's agent yesterday with the intent of moving ahead quickly, according to a National League official familiar with the situation.
Torrealba, the former catcher of the NL champion Rockies, earned $1.075 million last season and Colorado reportedly has tried to retain him with a two-year offer in the $7-million range. The Marlins also have shown interest, but the Mets may be willing to go to a third year (or option) in order to fill the only position they do not have an in-house replacement for. Continue
The Mets began their first night of unfettered free agency by talking strategy late into the evening, and at the top of their wish list was Jorge Posada, but the Yankees catcher apparently meant what he said Sunday afternoon about returning to the Bronx.
General manager Omar Minaya finally met with Posada yesterday - a matter of hours before becoming an unrestricted free agent at midnight. But team officials soon found out that Posada was in fact going back to the Yankees after agreeing on a four-year, $52-million contract. Continue
Jorge Posada's preference is to remain with the Yankees, but he wasn't ready to say last night that he's definitely returning to The Bronx.
With the Yanks' exclusive negotiation period with their free agents set to expire today, Posada, speaking to reporters at halftime of last night's Knicks-Heat game at the Garden, indicated there's still a chance he could be playing for the Mets next season. He said the Yankees and Mets are the only teams in the running. "We're working on it, we're working on it with the Yankees," Posada said, noting that the two sides are close to reaching an agreement. "We're going to hear from the Mets [tomorrow]." Continue
IF the Mets really wanted to make a splash and a statement in this city they would turn around and sign Alex Rodriguez, put him at shortstop and then use Jose Reyes in a trade to acquire the Twins' Johan Santana. Adding Rodriguez and Santana would make the Mets kings of New York and the National League. You would have the best hitter in baseball, the man who is going to own all the big records in the middle of your infield and in the middle of your lineup.
Your pitching staff would be anchored by the best pitcher not named Josh Beckett. You would be set going into your new ballpark with the kind of powerhouse team that would make SNY must-see TV. The World Series would be at your doorstep and Rodriguez could exorcise his Yankee October demons. Continue
Just because the Mets have been playing this whole Alex Rodriguez flirtation very coyly, refusing to confirm whether they're in or out, no one should think for a moment that Fred Wilpon is going to become Scott (Avenging Agent) Boras' latest "one dumb owner."
That was always White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf's depiction of the grotesque inflation of baseball salaries through free agency: All it takes is one dumb owner. Or as Reinsdorf put it: "As owners, we are constantly at the mercy of the worst decisions by our dumbest competitors." Continue
The Mets departed the general managers' meetings yesterday cautiously optimistic that they'll have a chance to pursue their greatest offseason desire. No, not Alex Rodriguez. A frontline starting pitcher. "I think there's potential out there," general manager Omar Minaya said of the availability of top starting pitchers.
Minnesota's Johan Santana heads the list of quality starting pitchers whose names likely will be floated by their clubs in trade talks. New Twins general manager Bill Smith said this week that he wants to try to re-sign Santana, who is eligible for free agency a year from now, but that doesn't appear likely. Continue
Paul Lo Duca's career with the Mets isn't necessarily finished yet. The catcher's agent indicated yesterday discussions are ongoing that would put Lo Duca back behind the plate for the Mets next season.
But with the Yankees' Jorge Posada and Colorado's Yorvit Torrealba among the catchers who have filed for free agency, the Mets also don't seem in any hurry to extend an offer to Lo Duca. "Honestly, I believe the Mets are considering all of their options at this point," Lo Duca's agent, Andrew Mongelluzi, wrote in an e-mail to The Post. Continue
The Mets won't let Marlon Anderson get away this time. Anderson, who left to sign with the Nationals two winters ago when the Mets wouldn't offer a two-year contract, is expected to return to Flushing next season, the Daily News has learned. Terms weren't available, but it seems reasonable to expect some provision for 2009 is included. The deal won't be announced until Anderson completes a physical. Continue
Pedro Martinez, if you're reading this, please don't throw a fit just yet. Give me a chance to explain. I know Curt Schilling is far from your best friend - surely you're not having sleepovers, as Alex Rodriguez would say - but let's put aside your personal issues for a second.
Truthfully, honestly, don't you think the Mets would be better off with Curt Schilling in their rotation next year as opposed to every other free-agent pitcher who's out there? And you know he's better than any pitcher in the system.So why shouldn't the Mets go for Schilling? To me, it's almost a no-brainer, for these reasons: Continue
Moises Alou was among the few bright spots for the Mets as their season was collapsing, and the organization is betting he can stay healthy enough to make significant contributions in 2008. Yesterday, the Mets exercised their option on Alou for next season, leaving one less question mark concerning the outfield. The 41-year-old left fielder, who batted .341 with 13 homers and 49 RBIs in 87 games last season, was retained for $7.5 million. Continue
One intriguing player - and current free agent - the Mets have targeted this offseason is Jorge Posada. The Mets have interest in Posada, the longtime Yankee catcher who filed for free agency on Monday and who would fill a position of uncertainty for the club. Paul Lo Duca has filed for free agency as well. Though Lo Duca's agent, Andrew Mongelluzzi, said yesterday the Mets have an interest in re-signing him, he is no lock to return. Either way, Posada is a more accomplished option. Continue
Exactly one month after their season stunningly collapsed, the Mets will hold organizational meetings today, and Alex Rodriguez surely will be one of the topics of discussion. In addition to Rodriguez and what stance they should take with other free agents, there are a number of issues to address, including how to handle their own free agents and whether to eventually consider a role change for Orlando Hernandez.
Here's a closer look at what the discussions could entail: * The Mets are long shots to pursue Rodriguez, but that doesn't mean they won't at least discuss ohim. There are multiple obstacles, however - the Mets would have to be willing to pay Rodriguez an exorbitant contract sum for an exorbitant contract length, move either third baseman David Wright or shortstop Jose Reyes to another position/team or potentially deal Carlos Delgado if Wright were moved to first base. "He is still property of the Yankees, so technically I can't comment," GM Omar Minaya said last night. Continue
Six Mets filed for free agency Monday, on the first day players were eligible: Marlon Anderson, Luis Castillo, Ramon Castro, Damion Easley, Shawn Green and Paul Lo Duca. The Mets figure to make re-signing Castillo a priority after trading for the second baseman at the July 31 deadline.
Lo Duca wants to return, but Mets brass, while not ruling out a return, hopes to instead acquire a catcher via trade. Castro is not viewed as Lo Duca's successor, though he could return in a No.2 role. Easley, who suffered major ankle damage that required surgery, wants to continue playing and should be healthy by spring training, although it's not likely he'd be back in Flushing.- Adam Rubin (Daily News)
Steve Phillips regrets one thing about the Mets' short-lived but highly publicized flirtation with Alex Rodriguez seven years ago. The former Mets GM is sorry the "24-plus-one" label assigned to A-Rod because of his agent's demands - such as a personal merchandise tent at spring training and an office for a marketing rep at Shea - stuck with the superstar. After all, Phillips never had anything personally against A-Rod, only the contract provisions Scott Boras sought for his client.
"To this day I feel badly about that," says Phillips, now an ESPN analyst. "He's got a lot more character than that label entails."Phillips, who didn't think devoting more than 25% of the Mets' payroll to one player made sense, doesn't think it's any smarter for the organization now. Not with Twins ace Johan Santana an impending free agent after next season, and the Mets having a far greater need for starting pitching. Not with Jose Reyes and David Wright already the faces of the organization, which makes paying a premium just to market the team around A-Rod unnecessary. And not with a position change required for one of the team's stars - even if Wright reiterated to the Daily News last week that he'd be willing to move to accommodate the megastar. Continue