Merry X-Mas to the Mets and Yankees

One of the few times I will congraduate the New York Yankee on their newest acquisition CC Sabatheia. Is he really worth 161 Million? Well, hes no Johan, but we will see. On the other side, the Mets have a problem solved which was their bullpen, thanks to the acquiring of K-Rod, and Pultz, though he missed most of the year with an injury. The Mets have done their best to reload themselves in a division that will be even more competitive if the Braves get Textiera. Minaya knows that he still has a couple of more things to do before he can make a run for the division, like sign Pedro Martinez, and get a few more hitters and starting pitchers.

It seems as though Minaya has earned his keep so far, but the season has not yet started yet.
Sidenote: Endy Chavez will be very missed especially when he comes to bat with his favorite Merengue song comes on.

Mets Closer Rumors

-MetsBlog reports that people connected to the Mets believe that they can sign Francisco Rodriguez to a three year deal by the end of the week, or a two year contract with a vesting option for a third.
-The Newark Star Ledger says that the Mets and Blue Jays discussed a BJ Ryan trade, but those talks ended when Toronto asked for Fernando Martinez.

Mets Asking For Too Much For Heilman

From Troy Renck's column in the Denver Post:
"Beleaguered Mets pitcher Aaron Heilman has been a trade target this winter by the Rockies, but they deemed the price too high, according to a source close to the talks."
-New York also rejected a deal for Heilman that would have brought the Mets Jason Marquis and salary relief.

Mets Rumors Winter Meetings Day I Morning Edition

-Newsday reports that the Mets talked with Francisco Rodriguez at a steakhouse for over four hours. Mets COO Jeff Wilpon was there and the negotiations could be in the critical stages. The Mets will meet with Trevor Hoffman and Brian Fuentes today.
-Ken Rosenthal reports that Jon Garland is on the Mets' radar, and that the Mets, Indians and Cardinals are interested in JJ Putz.

Minaya Unwilling To Deal Parnell For Jenks

The Chicago Tribune refutes a connection between the Mets and closer Bobby Jenks, citing Mets GM Omar Minaya's unwillingness to include minor league pitcher Bobby Parnell.

Mets To Make K-Rod Offer

SI.com's Jon Heyman says that the Mets will offer Francisco Rodriguez a three-year deal with a vesting option for a fourth year, and whichever closer takes their offer first will be their guy.

Mets To Meet With Hoffman, Fuentes During Meetings

The NY Daily News says that the Mets will also have face-to-face talks with Brian Fuentes and Trevor Hoffman this week.

Mets To Meet With K-Rod Tonight

-SI.com's Jon Heyman reports that the Mets and GM Omar Minaya will meet with Francisco Rodriguez tonight in Las Vegas and make an offer to the all-time single season saves leader.

Closers, Castillo

Milwaukee could spend big money on a closer, while the Indians are going to make a decision on a closer afer the Mets do. New York is also trying to trade Luis Castillo so they can sign Orlando Hudson, but the Rangers rejected a Castillo for Vicente Padilla trade.

Bring Back Pedro

So since the players filed for free agency in November, the Mets and Pedro Martinez have not met to talk about another run in 2009. Pedro says he wants to play and feels has alot to offer, he told a newspaper in the Dominican Republic. Martinez is not even concerned about money or being at the top of the rotation. Martinez knows that he is not a number 1 2 or 3 pitcher, but he knows he has some stuff left in the tank. Though the Mets are pursuing others pitchers, they should worry about what they have left in their backyard. I mean it was not to long ago that he helped a Red Sox team to the playoffs, and ultimately win a ring. Though lingered by injuries and the death of his father in July, Martinez will make a big comeback, if not with the Mets, possibly with the Red Sox. You never know!

Mets Reject Heilman For Marquis

The Newark Star Ledger reports that the Mets turned down a trade that would have sent Aaron Heilman to the Cubs for starter Jason Marquis, with the Cubs eating as much as $4 million of his $9.875 million dollar salary. New York is interested in starter Jon Garland.

Putz Available, Other Rumors

The NY Post reports that the Mariners have made JJ Putz available and the Mets will talk with them next week about a trade. Also, there's nothing to the blockbuster rumor of Bobby Jenks and Jermaine Dye, as Fernando Martinez has been deemed just about untouchable. The Rays offered reliever Chad Bradford to the Mets but no dice.

Dye & Jenks To Mets?

John Perrotto of Baseball Prospectus reports of a possible blockbuster deal involving the Mets and White Sox with Jermaine Dye, Bobby Jenks and Fernando Martinez switching teams.

Hoffman Interested In Mets

"Trevor Hoffman's agent, Rick Thurman, told The Post yesterday there have been talks with the Mets about meeting with the free-agent closer in Las Vegas, in New York or perhaps both. The 41-year-old Hoffman, the all-time saves leader, had 30 saves and a 3.77 ERA last season with the Padres. The Mets may also meet with Fuentes, a Thurman client as well."

Stadium To Remain Citi Field

AP: "The New York Mets say the name Citi Field will remain on their new ballpark and believe the struggling bank will survive its current economic crisis following a government bailout."

Fernando Martinez Named 32nd Best Prospect

K-Rod, Fuentes Will Wait For Winter Meetings To Talk

MLB.com's Anthony DiComo says that talks with free agent closers Francisco Rodriguez and Brian Fuentes won't begin until the Winter Meetings next week in Las Vegas.

Mets Arbitration

MLB.com's Marty Noble reports that the Mets offered arbitration to Oliver Perez and declined to offer arbitration to Moises Alou and Luis Ayala.

No Arbitration For Beimel

The Mets could use a capable lefty in their bullpen, and Joe Beimel certainly fits the bill. Dodgers GM Ned Colletti declined arbitration for the Type A free agent, meaning New York won't have to surrender draft picks to sign him. Detroit is his likely destination, but Beimel would be a very good addition for the Mets, certainly better than what they currently have.

Springer and Isringhausen

According to Matthew Leach of MLB.com, the Cardinals have declined to offer arbitration to Russ Springer and Jason Isringhausen, and I think they are both pitchers that the Mets should consider to join their bullpen in 2009. Springer would have been a type A free agent, but since the Cards did not offer arbitration, he will not cost the two draft picks. Spring had an outstanding 2007 season, and a pretty good 2008 season posting a 1.13 whip. I think he would do well as a setup man. Isringhausen is a different situation, as he was injured and ineffective this past season. Izzy was on the Mets in the early 1990's, but injuries took a toll on him and the Mets shipped him to Oakland. I think the Mets could take a flier on him, as he has had success in the past, and if he is healthy he could return to form. These two players could be great additions to turn the bullpen into something opposing teams fear.

Heyman: No Manny For Mets

SI.com's Jon Heyman says that while the Yankees haven't ruled out going after Manny Ramirez, "the Mets have all but decided they will not pursue the slugging savant from Washington Heights."

Mets Scouting Fernando Cabrera

A Mets blogger told Matthew Cerrone of MetsBlog that the Mets are scouting free agent reliever Fernando Cabrera, who threw 22 innings for the Orioles last year, going 2-1 with a 5.40 ERA.

Monday Rundown: Arbitration, Rotation, Fuentes

-The Mets will offer arbitration to Oliver Perez, but not to Moises Alou or Luis Ayala, according to Newsday.
-The Mets would like to add one starter and make prospect Johnathan Niese the fifth starter for 2009, says the New York Post.
-The Denver Post reports that Fuentes has scheduled a visit with the Mets and is not in the picture to resign with Colorado.

Mets Notes From Baseball Prospectus

The Mets could become suitors for Manny Ramirez, and still have interest in Jermaine Dye, Javier Vazquez, Jon Garland, Edwin Jackson and Andy Sonnanstine. The Rays will want more than Aaron Heilman for either of the starters. The Brewers could become suitors for Francisco Rodriguez.

Breaking It Down
-After many reports last week saying New York may not want to add a player to their starting lineup, the allure of Manny may be too hard for Omar Minaya to pass up, or at least make an offer for.
-I doubt they would have enough for any of the White Sox players, because Chicago is asking for players New York doesn't want to give up.
-The Rays would want one of the Mets better prospects for these guys, Minaya needs to realize that Heilman isn't a very strong commodity. Huston Street should be a Met right now.
-Now that there's competition for K-Rod, maybe the Brian Fuentes demand of 10-11 million per season isn't looking too bad.

Mets Exploring Trades Before Signing Closer

The New York Times reports that the Mets will explore a trade for a free agent closer before beginning serious discussions with free agents Francisco Rodriguez and Brian Fuentes, whose asking price was deemed a bit high by GM Omar Minaya. The Mets have had discussions, according to the article, with Jose Valverde, JJ Putz, Huston Street and Bobby Jenks. They're also considering signing Kerry Wood or Trevor Hoffman. What closer do you think the Mets should get?

Mets Match Up With White Sox, But Unwilling To Unload Prospects

SI.com's Jon Heyman reports that the White Sox are looking to shake up their roster. They could deal closer Bobby Jenks, OF Jermaine Dye, and starter Javier Vazquez. The White Sox like Mets prospects Fernando Martinez, Bobby Parnell, Jon Niese and Eddie Kunz but "teams that have dealt with the Mets say the team from Queens is clutching tightly to them."

Mets Interested In Ibanez

ESPN's Tim Kurkjian reports that the Mets, Cubs, Phillies and Diamondbacks are interested in Raul Ibanez. This conflicts with other reports that say the Mets don't want a lefty in their regular order. Do you think the Mets should sign Ibanez?

Fuentes' Price High, Omar's Other Interests

-The NY Daily News reports that Mets GM Omar Minaya finds the 10-11 million per year price tag on Brian Fuentes "a bit high." Right now they'd be content to sign either Fuentes or Francisco Rodriguez as their closer. Which one would you prefer? "Right now we're talking with the agents," Minaya said. "But we are getting a pretty good idea as far as what terms they're looking for. Once we get an idea of the terms they're looking for, we have a better idea what we think it's going to take to get these guys done, understanding that markets do change, and they fluctuate."
Minaya also said he is interested in Raul Ibanez and will contact Oliver Perez's agent at the Winter Meetings.

Not a Bad Idea

Responding to the talk of having both Fuentes and Hoffman is not a bad idea. I mean think about Fuentes in the 8th and Hoffman in the 9th. I'm pretty sure Fuentes would not mind seating in the back seat while Hoffman pitches the 9th, because he should know by now that Hoffman is more dominant, and more intimidating to hitters. Besides, Hoffman is about what 41, so Fuentes would have to ride shotgun for about maybe 2 years max. Maybe they should consider that.

Another Subject, K-Rod's agent is a fool. He thinks that Rodriguez will get whatever he wants, maybe the Yankees will but that's not their priority, but not the Mets. Yes granted, he does represent one of the best closers out there, (not Mariano level, but still good) but the Mets don't really want to spend 75 Million for five years. Maybe 50 Million for four, and an option for fifth year sounds better. So hopefully the Mets' X-Mas tree will be full of all their desired gifts.

Mets Thinking About Inking Hoffman And Fuentes?

Yahoo! Sports' Tim Brown reports that the Mets internally thought about signing both Brian Fuentes and Trevor Hoffman.
"Internally, they’ve kicked around the idea of Trevor Hoffman along with Brian Fuentes, though surely neither would lower themselves to pitch the eighth inning. The idea likely died at the conversation stage."
Let's have some conversation, what are your thoughts?

No K-Rod Talks Until Winter Meetings

Free agent closer Francisco Rodriguez's agent Paul Kinzer told the Associated Press that his client would not start discussions with other teams until the Las Vegas Winter Meetings begin on December 8th, one week from this coming Monday.
"I'll probably see the Mets at the winter meetings. I don't have anything else planned," Kinzer said.
This clearly means the Mets are the front-runners, considering no other potential suitors were named. I'm sure other teams like Milwaukee will jump in, but New York appears to be in the driver's seat for K-Rod.

Mets Should Get Rivera

Juan Rivera may not be the huge free agent splash the Mets fans would want, but if they want someone to platoon with Ryan Church and Daniel Murphy in the outfield, Rivera could be the perfect fit. ESPN's Jerry Crasnick lists him among the best free agent bargains, and he could be had for around two years at six to eight million total. If I were Omar Minaya, and based on what he rejected for Huston Street I'm surely not him, I'd go hard after the outfielder so the Mets could have a Rivera to call their own. MLB.com's Marty Noble reported today that the Mets are reluctant to add a lefty to their regular lineup, which means they probably won't go after Raul Ibanez because of all the lefty starters in the division. This makes Rivera an even better fit for New York.

Mets Reach Out To K-Rod, Fuentes

-SI.com's Jon Heyman reports that the Mets have finally reached out to free agent closers Francisco Rodriguez and Brian Fuentes. Show us what you've got, Omar Minaya. New York really needs a shutdown option for 2009, and Minaya needs to get one of these two guys to really justify his absurd four year contract extension.

Mets On Dye's No-Trade List

-MLB.com's Scott Merkin says that the Mets and Phillies are two of the six teams on Jermaine Dye's no-trade list. The Reds aren't one of those teams, so maybe a trade could be facilitated. The Mets balked at the White Sox's original offer for him, but knowing Omar, he wouldn't know a good deal if it hit him right in the head.

Omar Rejects Trading Worst Relievers For Street

-The NY Post reports (thanks to Jake for the tip) that the Mets offered Aaron Heilman to Colorado for Huston Street, the Rockies asked for reliever Pedro Feliciano as well and Mets GM Omar Minaya rejected that. Sounds pretty dumb to me. Add that to the list of reasons as to why Minaya should not for any reason have a job right now. "The Mets think that's too high of a price to pay for a guy in Street who might not even be their closer by the time the season starts." Said the Post.