Delgado may play as soon as Sunday

Carlos Delgado had about a two week set back but it now appears that he will return to baseball activities on Sunday by playing winter ball in Puerto Rico.

I'm torn on Gado, when he's healthy there isn't a better left handed power hitter available and in this line-up he would provide the perfect balance that would make it one of the most formidable offenses in the league.

But at 37 y/o can he come back and what will the Mets do if he struggles, will they actually DL or bench him or will he clog up the line-up even if he's hitting .200.

There's also the questions about his impact on the clubhouse and whether he's part of the old guard that needs to be changed.

I do know that he is an Omar favorite and I'm guessing that Omar is hoping he gives him a reason to sign him while playing winter ball...

Mets still plan to check out Carlos Delgado when the first baseman begins play in Puerto Rico's winter league. Delgado, who needs to prove his surgically repaired hip is sound, could begin play as early as Sunday...source Daily news

Nieve making his case for making the big club...

Fernando Nieve is a 26 y/o power pitcher who was the Astros #3 prospect in 2006. For a complete bio on Nieve go here.

In 2007 he had T.J. Surgery and after which he struggled with his control while the Astros couldn't figure out how to use him. In 2009 he was a closer in winter ball saving 7 of 9 opportunities but came to camp as a starter.

The Stros gave up on him and he went 3-3 with 7 starts with a 2.95 ERA after the Mets picked him up. He tore his hamstring in July and lost the rest of the season.

He's pitching this winter to prove he's healthy, hoping to land a spot on the pitching staff, there is still a debate over whether he belongs in the pen or the rotation but so far he's looking really good...

Fernando Nieve RHP - The Mets may have some openings in the starting rotation and after his 2.42 ERA in four starts (five appearances) in the Venezuelan League, Nieve shows he is ready. He had a 3/26 walk to K ratio and a .200 opponent average. source My world of baseball

Hat tip Macks Mets

Why I would lower the left & center field walls...

The other night I was discussing with other bloggers what Mike Francesca's "Major, Major Mets update" could possibly be. Since none of us could image keeping a signing or trade a secret for 24hrs., our discussion turned towards other areas the Mets could be making a move.

A discussion arose about moving the fences and many of us felt that they might be ready to move the fences in, since the park is taking such a beating, being called Death Valley East.

While several in the discussion felt that they may be considering it, they also felt that it was a mistake and I agree with their argument. You don't change the dimensions of the field for one free agent class.

Look, if players are currently leery of playing for the Mets once they re-establish themselves and prove that not only are they committed to winning but that this is a stable front office, pitchers, especially fly ball pitchers will be more then willing to come here.

But what I would like to see changed is that the left and center field wall be lowered to one panel, it has nothing to do with enticing hitters into the park but more to do with the two pictures above.

I think the most exciting play in baseball is the shoe string catch at the top of the fence, whether it was Endy Chavez, Shawn Green ( game 2 ugh) or Carlos Beltran, the entire crowd waits in bated breath to see whether it's out of the park or a miraculous catch.

Currently the stadium doesn't afford for those type of catches, outfielders track the ball only so far then turn to play the carom.

I love how unique right field is and wouldn't change it but I would lower the wall to one panel and watch Beltran or Pagan bring the ball back in the park..

Three positional spots left unless they get creative...

With the signing of of Jason Bay the Mets now have 10 positional spots locked-up of the 13 positional players a team carries.

Here is how the starting line-up looks as of today:

1B- Murphy- left

2B- Castillo- switch

SS- Reyes- switch

3B- Wright- right

LF- Bay- right

CF- Beltran- switch

RF- Francoeur- right

The one starting position not currently filled is catcher.

There are still two spots on the bench, of the five man bench, only Blanco, Pagan and Cora seem to be locks.

The easiest way to fill out the roster would be to sign a catcher, 1B/3B bench player and part-time corner outfielder. Now that's exactly what the Mets might do but there are other alternatives that they have.

The Mets could trade or cut Castillo or even bench him to sign Orlando Hudson to play 2B.

While I believe they will platoon Murphy with a right handed first baseman, they could sign a full time first baseman and use Murphy off the bench.

I also believe and this is pure speculation on my part, that the Mets could include Murphy or Francoeur in a trade for a starting pitcher, which would then leave the team with another hole to fill.

The Mets line-up is suddenly righty heavy with the power coming from Wright, Francoeur, Bay and switch hitter Beltran, it could mean that Delgado returns or Carter gets a bench spot in spring training.

Really, other then Carter as a left handed power hitter off the bench the only other position player that I see having a chance of making the team in spring training is Ahern if they choose to carry a pinch runner.

What would I do; sign Molina or Barajas as the starting catcher, sign Blalock or Garko whoever came cheaper, bring in several players on minor league invites to win the last spot and I would bring in Hudson regardless and figure out what to do with Castillo on the fly.

Nice job Omar...

I have been one to often criticize Omar Minaya and while I still feel the Mets have work to do. I am taking time out tonight to enjoy this signing and to praise the GM for his work so far this off-season.

In two weeks, under the intense pressure of the entire greater metropolitan area media and fan base, while being considered a maligned and lame duck GM, Omar has weaved quite a rebuilt roster.

With a healthy Carlos Beltran, David Wright, Jose Reyes, Jeff Francoeur, Johan Santana, Oliver Perez and John Maine the Mets have a solid core. But Omar has improved the bullpen with the additions of Clint Everts, Ryota Igaharshi, Kelvim Escobar and J.A. Dickey( maybe). Then today the big blows came when he added Jason Bay and probably Bengie Molina, not only will they both improve the offense but it is believed that Molina along with another solid signing Henry Blanco will improve the pitching staff.

More importantly all of this was done at the Mets price, without committing to a bad contract, leaving them with enough money to obtain at least one starter and without making a desperation trade that would have cost the team's farm.

Over this last year I have grown impatient and skeptical of Omar and his ability to build a Championship caliber team. While it will still take more then this to completely return me to the days of "In Omar we Trust", for tonight he has pleasantly surprised me and I offer him my sincere congratulations on a job well done.

I said I didn't believe Omar would be able to obtain one of the big three free agents and I am happy to say he proved me wrong...

Could Zambrano be next...

I posted last night that Jon Heyman was reporting that Victor (oops sorry force of habit) Carlos Zambrano was eminently available. In that report Heyman was referring to the Yanks inquiry prior to their trade for Vazquez, Heyman did not mention any other team.

As I usually do, this is my warning advisory since I've never heard of this source in the past nor have I used him before, it was interesting to me, so as a fan I'm passing it along to you, the readers, for you to form your own opinion.

I generally consider Bleacher Report ( and I don't mean this negatively) as a fan site, but the article I'm sourcing is written by John Fennelly, now I don't know John but his site profile is quite an extensive journalistic resume. According to the profile prior to Bleacher Report, John had a Mets site I vaguely rem. called Mr. Flushing.

For those reading, please don't consider my caution skepticism, I'm simply ensuring that the reader is aware that I am unfamiliar with this source and just passing along the information.

John starts his article "According to sources" and then goes on to report that Bay had reached an agreement and Molina is on the Mets radar ( this report hit twitter at about 3pm), at the very bottom of the article he discusses the possibility of Zambrano to the Mets. In all fairness to John he could be speculating but the inference from the way the article starts is that it's more then speculation.

Cubs' pitcher Carlos Zambrano could also be headed to the Mets. A trade, perhaps involving a third team, to bring Zambrano to Flushing remains a possibility.

The trade would involve the Mets parting with 2B Luis Castillo and another young player. source Bleacher Report

The Mets community on twitter has been discussing the possibilities since the article hit the feeder and Mark Healey of Baseball Digest had the following to say as well.

I think they are talking to Chicago, they'd be nuts not to. Zambrano is risky, no doubt, but having Johan makes for an interesting dynamic. source Baseballdigest9 twitter

Mets close on signing Molina

Matt Cerrone at Metsblog is posting that Rich Coutinho of 1050 ESPN radio is reporting that the Mets are close to a two year deal for catcher Bengie Molina.

As I've said before, there was no way I was willing to give Molina a three year deal but two years was the market value. When inferior catchers such as Jason Kendall and Pudge Rodriguez get two years there's no way Molina isn't, whether that's above their true value or not.

It's true Molina has weight issues and probably will break down at some point during his two years but you can't completely discount him. He's one of the only catchers in the league who is considered to be excellent with young pitchers and is a good hitter. Molina's lifetime BA is .276 and averages 18 HRs a year. He's not going to be clogging the bases as much as Giants fans complained about hitting somewhere near the bottom of the order.

Bay to the Mets pending physical...

Well it's not Beruit but it is Queens, according to Mike Francesca of WFAN the Mets have reached an agreement pending a physical and as long as the outcome of the physical is satisfactory a formal announcement will be made next week.

I believe this is an excellent move for this team on many different levels; us fans have to rem. this is a business and the Mets absolutely needed the positive press, as far as baseball Bay has the skills the Mets need and as far as intangibles, he proved moving from small market Pittsburgh to Boston to fill Manny's shoes in a pennant race that he has the mental make-up for NY.

The Mets may not have been his first choice but in the end they may have been his only choice if he wanted a respectable contract.

I personally like the old style of allowing the Mets flagship station and their #1 host announce the news with the entire fan base listening. I'm amazed that they were able to keep it quiet for over 18 Hrs while the entire media was searching for what the big news was.

Since Mike Francesca of WFAN announced Bay both Jon Heyman twitter and Joel Sherman twitter confirmed them and Sherman reported the specifics of the contract, reportedly four years for 66MM ( avg. 16.5MM per season) with an easily obtainable fifth year option..

D-Backs have incentive to move Snyder...

If the Mets decide to trade for a catcher, a name that has been bantered around a lot this off-season is Chris Snyder. The D-Backs almost traded Snyder to the Jays for Lyle Overbay before Toronto backed out over health concerns. Snyder is coming off back surgery and is expected to be 100% by spring training but it's hard to take a risk on a catcher with a bad back.

I've said all along that I'd rather sign a catcher and save the chips for a bigger trade but if the Mets aren't making a bigger trade and Snyder is available at next to nothing then you have to consider him an option depending on what his medical records look like.

The D-Backs may have added incentive to move Snyder and it has nothing to do with his back, Arizona may need to move him for financial reasons.

Not only do the Mets need a starting catcher but they have Blanco and Coste in case Snyder's back acts up.

The 28 y/o right hander is a lifetime .233 hitter, OBP .333 and Slg. .398. In 2006 he hit .277 in 61gms. and 2007 he hit .252 in 110gms...

Even though signing Johnson would put them at their budget, the D-backs could wind up with some wiggle room if they were able to trade Chris Snyder and the $4.75 million he is owed next season. The D-backs had agreed to trade Snyder to Toronto earlier during the offseason in exchange for first baseman Lyle Overbay, but the Blue Jays backed out of the deal due to concerns about Snyder's surgically repaired back. source Inside the D-Backs

Major, Major Mets Update ?

At the very end of Mike Francesca's show today he responded to a caller who made a comment about Omar hibernating by saying that he would have a Major, Major Mets update tomorrow.

Now for a fan base who has not had any news in weeks, to hear the words major, major news has created quite an Internet storm, any Mets site or forum is discussing what the possibilities could be.

Before I get started on what this news could possibly be, lets look at the choice of words Francesca used, Major and Update. I was reminded by Mark Healey of Baseball Digest that the former Mike and the Mad Dog show lambasted the Mets when they used the word major to exclusively announce the trade for Kenny Rodgers and update refers to something that is on going.

But what could possibly be considered major that couldn't be leaked in the next 24 hrs., could they really expect to keep a lid on a signing or trade, I don't think so...

However, even in this modern age it's not impossible to keep a secret, after all; the Phils have kept a lid on the reliever they are close to signing for over a week and the Mets and Molina don't seem that far apart.

WFAN is the Mets flagship station and Mike Francesca is the #1 host on the station, so if anybody should be getting an exclusive it should be him.

Although, for us player starved Mets fans I get the sinking feeling that the Mets who always seem to be fumbling public relations will have miss-gauged their fan base and we'll be disappointed by this news...

Here are some of the ideas being tossed around the Internet, again this is all speculation;

The Mets are close to a signing and have kept it under raps but believe they can announce it by 1pm tomorrow. I can't see how they could keep this quiet but if it was anyone I'd believe it was Molina.

The Mets are on the verge of a trade which would fall into the major category ( rem. Rodgers coming off a no hitter didn't fall into this group), I doubt this even more because it would involve two teams or more.

Anything below those two events is going to be a disappointment which probably means it shouldn't have been labeled as major, major update except for radio ratings, but here are some other ideas.

Someone already on the team is getting an new contract or extension ( Francoeur / Feliciano).

Someone on the team is being reassigned, i.e. Maine to the pen or Murphy to the bench or Parnell to start the year in the minors.

Maybe the Mets will give Molina and Bay deadlines or officially announce they are moving on and the deals are off the table.

They could announce that they are making an offer to Matt Holliday or a pitcher.

The Mets announce another restructuring of the front office.

Maybe plans for the Mets HOF are released among potential numbers to be retired.

The Mets have decided to lower the walls or even bring them in.

The most pessimistic prediction was that the Mets would decide nothing made sense and were going with who they had and pulling out of negotiations on any free agents.

Zambrano eminently available...

Yes, that Zambrano.

For years whenever the Scott Kazmir trade was discussed, the first thing Mets fans had to say to non-Mets fans was "No not that Zambrano".

But the Mets may actually have the chance to obtain that Zambrano...

My blue print heading into this off-season was obtain through free agency a LF, 1B, C, and reliever but save their pieces for one trade, a front line #2 starter ( or 1a starter if available).

But after watching the way the Mets are handling the off-season they'll probably sign a free agent pitcher before making a trade. However, if someone becomes available could Omar be enticed into making a trade.

It was reported earlier this off-season that the Cubs would listen to offers but would have to be bowled over. However, Jon Heyman in discussing the Yankees mentioned that they approached the Cubs about Zambrano and described the ace as eminently available...

The 28 y/o right hander is a three time All-star, two time silver slugger and placed fifth twice on the CYA while compiling a 105-68 record in 238 starts with a lifetime 3.51 ERA.

before getting javy, #yanks definitely talked to #cubs about zambrano, who appears eminently available. source Jon Heyman Twitter

Molina waivering ?

Jerry Crasnick of ESPN has an update on the Bengie Molina situation, it's an insider report so to respect their subscription rights I won't be quoting them.

The Mets have not improved their one year with an option original offer, while Molina is looking for a three year deal. According to Crasnick there are indications that the Molina camp might be willing to consider a guaranteed two year deal.

A two year deal would be his market value ( lesser catchers have received 2yr deals) but Crasnick is almost certain the Mets will not go three years.

Mets pursuing Holliday or sending Bay a message

Paging Mr. Bay, umm Mr. Jason Bay, please report to Mr. Urbon's office with a pen please...

Omar killed two birds with one stone, he let Bay know that the team was willing to spend but were also ready to move on if he continued to stall, while taking a polite little shot at Scott Boras, who took him to task at the winter meetings. Remember Boras arrived at the winter meetings talking about how much Holliday was worth and called the Mets out by name as a team who had the financial resources to sign Holliday.

Since Thursday of the winter meetings the only name we've heard in reference to left field is Jason Bay's but after two weeks of futility, there have been grumblings that the Mets are ready to move on and now the name of Bay's biggest competition has been dropped by the Mets.

We'll soon find out if Bay is truly opposed to playing for the Mets, if we drop out of contention for his services he may be facing a significantly smaller deal, then even what Boston offered over the summer. Bay might not want to play for us but is he so opposed that he'd be willing to give another team a discount, I don't think he's the type of player who will risk a one year deal. Not only is next year's free agent pool deeper, he would be risking his shoulder or knee acting up which could drop his value significantly.

I do believe Bay has some reservations about playing in Citi Field or he would have had his agent dispute the Gammons comments, generally players dispute those types of comments immediately when they're a free agent and its a large market team. For example; last year several of Lowe's former teammates stated he wanted to stay on the west coast, within 24 hrs his agent was disputing those reports.

I'd love to have Holliday but I dismissed those chances long ago, not believing the Mets would be willing to pay what Boras will get for him.

Howard Goldin of NY Sports Day covered an event Minaya spoke at, "21 Days of Clemente" and reported the following comments in regards to the Mets pursuit of a left fielder...

"We are pursuing Matt Holliday. It seems to be easier to make a deal
for Jason Bay." source NY Sports Day

How about a Bard/Blanco platoon...

Joe Sheehan of Baseball Prospectus takes a look at the Mets off-season so far, Sheehan is another expert telling us fans to have patience and while my head says that all these experts can't be wrong my heart says lets go Omar get somebody.

Sheehan is extremely against Bengie Molina ad even suggests a name I had not heard of before nor had I given any consideration. He suggests a platoon of Henry Blanco and Josh Bard.

Bard is a 31 y/o switch hitting catcher from Ithaca. NY. The free agent catcher is a lifetime .259 and OBP .326. Last season was his first in the NL east, he hit .230 in 90 games with 6 HRs, 18 doubles and 31 RBIs.

Additionally Bard was Wakefield's knuckleball catcher when he was in Boston and could catch Dickey if he makes the club...

What they need is a lefty bat to pair with Blanco; I'm open to the idea that Josh Thole can be that player, but Thole has to hit .290 to play and it's an open question whether his Mike LaValliere act will carry forward to the majors. Josh Bard, who can't throw and might hit, could serve as a stopgap while Thole spends two months at Buffalo, but the real key here is to avoid signing Bengie Molina. It would be wasted money. source Baseball Persecptus

More on R.A. Dickey..

On Christmas Eve the Mets signed 35 y/o knuckleballer R.A. Dickey to a minor league deal. Of course, the signing was met with complaints and skepticism because Mets fans have become so frustrated with this front office that anything short of a front line player on a decent contract, is reason to heckle them.

While I too am frustrated with the approach the organization has taken, I view the signing in a different way. On a minor league contract there's no harm in bringing him in, either he enjoys the summer in Buffalo or his knuckleball is on and he's a different look, rubber armed reliever.

Today there are too very good articles on Dickey, the first is from the Tennesean ( his home town) on his personality and the other comes from Mike Silva at NYBD on why he could be a good signing...

"I've never been the hardest thrower or the fastest pitcher. It's been more like I willed it to happen to have a career in baseball," Dickey said.

"And as long as someone will keep give me the chance, I will probably keep doing it. A former teammate of mine, Rusty Greer, told me one time to make them rip the uniform off my back. That's the passion I have for the game, and that's probably the only way I'll walk away from it. It's all I've ever known." source Tennessean

In 2006 the Mets had Darren Oliver to come in when their starters faltered early. I don’t expect Dickey to put up the numbers of Oliver, but if the move to the NL shaves off a half a run I can live with a 4.00 ERA and eating 60+ relief innings. If you break down his 09′ season, a terrible July, where he was eating innings in blowout games, contributed to about 15 earned runs. His final tally is far more respectable 3.45. If you believe in the half run rule of the NL that puts him below 3 earned runs a game. source NYBD

How serious is Cora's back injury...

Just after signing a 1yr., 2MM contract as the Mets utility player/on-field coach Alex Cora left a winter league game with what was roughly translated as an aggravated back. Since that game on Dec. 9th, Cora has not returned ball. Now it's common practice for veteran players to play in a few winter games and then take the rest of the winter off, but if Cora's back was just a tweak type of injury you would think he would return just to test the back out. The could have shut him down for the winter, but for me, without further word from the club it's concerning that he never returned...

Here's Cora's winter league bio page.

Wright a better fit in Boston...

Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe does an excellent job on Sunday's, in fact, during the off-season many Sunday's Cafardo provides the only information. With that said, I find the articles extremely Boston centric.

In his etc. section of today's article, without elaboration Cafardo takes a shot at the Mets. Saying that Wright isn't a great fit for the Mets because of Citi Field and that Boston's ball park would be better. After last year I'm sure there are many places where he would look better, but I don't believe Wright will struggle again next year nor do I believe he will be going anywhere soon...

Seems like David Wright is no longer a great fit for the Mets (because of Citi Field), but he would be for the Red Sox (because of Fenway); 2. The Yankees stole Javier Vazquez; 3. Brian Cashman is up to something; 4. Whoever gets Xavier Nady gets the best value of the offseason; 5. Are the Pirates still in the league? source Boston Globe

Maybe the issue with Bay is the contract...

Look as far as I'm concerned the Mets need to move on from Jason Bay, it might be the best way to get negotiations moving but they also don't have infinite time to obtain the pieces they need during the off-season. If Bay hears they are moving on and decides to sign, great; but if he decides to hold out the Mets still need to fill out their roster with or without him.

Many question the Mets motives when they directed their focus onto Jason Bay at the winter meetings believing that they were simply choosing the cheaper player and not going after the best player regardless of the price.

It was clear that the Bay offer was for positive press, I've never seen just an offer met with so much hoopla. But was the contract simply window dressing just to give the appearance that they are attempting to sign the slugger with no true intention of actually signing him unless he falls in their lap.

I've heard that the deal was backloaded, but could it be so backloaded that they knew he would never accept the deal.

I was looking through the WEEI transcript to see where Petter Gammons was getting his information from about Bay's dislike for NY. Was it Gammons speculating because Bay hasn't signed, or has Gammons heard from his Boston sources that Bay isn't interested in NY ( Boston front office, former teammate or the agent).

I will say this, when something so strongly comes out about one of the major market teams regarding a free agent, usually the agent or the player are immediately disputing it even if it's just to keep the big markets involved in the bidding war, the Bay camp has not said a word about the Gammons comments.

I could not find a reference point for Gammon's remarks but I did find something very interesting. The article on the Gammons interviews references several questions that the host expands upon, one of the answers states that they have a Mets source who says the Mets offer, while adding up to more then the Boston deal, is extremely backloaded, it sounds like to the point that a one year deal might be an alternative and he could test the market next off-season.

The thing is, that unless somehow the Mets offer is revealed they have successfully won the public relations war. Fans are clamouring ( including myself) to walk away from Bay and move on, they can actually get away with not signing a big name free agent after last year without looking cheap. Bay will either look like a greedy player who wouldn't accept a reasonable offer despite no real competition or a guy who was never coming to NY. Even if he signs for less money or years, the Mets will be able to say he misread the market and scrambled in the end or that they tried everything for over two weeks and he was never coming here. In fact if he does sign this deal it might be due to the negative PR he's receiving, or that he had no other choice but the Mets.

One of their biggest off-season successes they might have is in relations to business, where they won a PR war with a window dressing offer...

I think he’d rather be playing in Beirut than Queens. The sad part of this is that sometimes there’s so much competition between agents that the players become pawns. I think in Jason’s case, it would have been really easy to take 4 x 15 [million dollars] in July, which I thought, actually, at the time was a little bit high as an offer. It was clear that the Red Sox just wanted to get him signed and get him out of the way. While the Mets offer is four [years] for 65 [million], it’s so backloaded that I’ve been told by Mets people that it’s far less than what the Red Sox were offering in present-day value. And he obviously doesn’t want to play there. And they’re scared of having him play left field there for four years. It’s really a shame it’s worked out this way. I don’t see any way they’re going to add anybody else here. They’re not going to go above the luxury tax. They’re going to hold some money back to acquire a contract in July for whatever they need. It’s too bad. I know he wanted to go the free-agent route. But at the same time, he really found a home here. It’s really too bad. source WEEI

Marquis health concerns - sights on Pineiro...

According to Tracy Ringolsby a Fox Sports contributor the Mets were close to a three year deal with Jason Marquis but backed off due to health concerns. Not only is it the first time I've heard that the Mets were serious about Marquis but it's also the first time I heard of durability issues, in fact he was marketed as a workhorse. But I don't doubt Ringolsby's information, he is a Hall of Fame writer and works FSN Rocky Mountain covering the Rockies, Marquis last team.

Ringolsby goes on to say that the Mets are now focused on Joel Pineiro, unfortunately were back to the Ted Lilly/ Gil Meche contract days where these second tier pitchers are getting over paid. If Marquis got two years then Pineiro is almost certain to get two years.

There is nothing new here, I recall the Mets being interested in Pineiro in 2006 when he was approaching free agency while still a member of the Mariners.

In 2003 a 24 y/o Pineiro went 16-11 with a 3.78 ERA in 32 starts, which included two complete game shutouts. But for five more seasons between Seattle, Boston and St. Louis he struggled, never reaching double digits in wins and being demoted to the pen in his last year in Seattle while being used strictly out of the pen in Boston. Even in his first year in St. Louis he struggled going 7-7 with a 5.15 ERA in 25 starts.

Last year he seemed to put it altogether again making 32 starts and going 15-12 with a 3.49 ERA. Here's the thing, while he's the best pitcher left who isn't an injury risk, he's a ground ball pitcher which is a waste in Citi Field and the right side of our infield isn't very good. I get more upset when a routine ground ball gets through the infield then I do when a fly ball pitcher lets a bomb go out the yard. I'd rather see them take advantage of that big outfield by taking a one year deal on a mediocre fly ball pitcher that the park helps keep the ball in the yard, Doug Davis or Jon Garland type.

You can't underestimate the impact of pitching coach Dave Duncan on Pineiro, while he's always had the potential to put up the numbers he did last year, it was Duncan who was able to bring it out of him after a five year hiatus. I could see Pineiro having a very good year next season but over a two year contract I could also see him going into a steady decline as he forgot what he was taught by Duncan....

They were close to a three-year deal on right-handed pitcher Jason Marquis, but health concerns led them to rethink that pursuit and now the most likely target is Joel Pineiro. source Fox Sports

Should the Mets look at Winn...

Buster Olney brings up a name that used to be mentioned in reference to the Mets every trade deadline and that's Randy Winn. The only team even remotely mentioned in regards to Winn is Arizona but his market has been essentially non-existent.

If the Mets have decided to move on from Jason Bay, which I totally support at this point, they can sign several players for what they were willing to spend on him. My biggest concern is that most of the starting quality players left on the market are #2 hitters and the team already has Luis Castillo.

Johnny Damon, Orlando Hudson, Mark DeRosa and Randy Winn all seem best suited for hitting second, high BA and contact along with good OBP and little power ( for Damon outside the New Yankee Stadium).

But if the Mets obtained one of these fielders they would reduce the runs allowed by the improved defense and could sign a part-time power hitter for the bench such Johnny Gomes, Rick Ankiel or one of the Duncans.

As far as the line-up, they could either move Castillo down to #9 hitter with the pitcher hitting #8, so that they used Louie as a second lead-off hitter or split Francoeur and the catcher ( #7 spot) with a high OBP guy so that there were no easy innings.

Randy Winn is a 36 y/o one time All-star who was primarily a center fielder but has now moved over to the corners. The switch hitter is a lifetime .286 hitter but six of the last ten seasons he has hit between .295-.359 and his lowest BA was .262. He has a lifetime OBP of .344 and averages around 12 HRs a season.

If you don't believe in Damon hitting 22 homeruns again outside Yankee Stadium then Winn is an identical player ( defense/age/BA/OBP) to Damon at half the contract along with a better arm.

By adding three or four players on short-term deals, such as Orlando Hudson and Randy Winn, they can create more depth for 2010 while maintaining more flexibility for next winter's market and beyond. source ESPN

Mets have too many relievers, is a trade in the works..

The Mets have signed three relievers to major league contracts in the last two weeks and still don't have an established second lefty.

The numbers just don't add up and it appears someone will have to go; will they use someone in a trade, cut a poor performer in spring training or send someone with options down.

Here's a look at how things are stacking up...

These are the guys out of options who already have pretty secure spots or signed major league contracts.

Francisco Rodriguez- Closer

Kelvim Escobar- Set-up man

Ryota Igarashi- 7th inning

Pedro Feliciano- Primary LOOGY

Sean Green- Groundball specialist/ROOGY

Brian Stokes- Long man

Clint Everts- Early inning reliever

Igarashi and Everts should have options but both signed major league deals, so I'm not sure how that works. As it appears right now the Mets have seven relievers in place without a second lefty and several players with major league experience on the outside looking in.

Elmer Dessens, Bobby Parnell, Fernando Nieve, Arturo Lopez and Pat Misch are all on the 40 man and have varied success in the majors. Luckily all of these guys can be tucked away in AAA but could also have trade value.

Brian Stokes, Sean Green and Bobby Parnell seem to have the most value while being the most expendable. Parnell was a failure as a starter and was inconsistent as a reliever but he's young with a lot of up side potential, the same reason I'd keep him is what gives him value (youth/potential). If someone saw Stokes as their late inning guy and were actually going to make him part of a package for someone of value I'd move him in a minute. The Tigers wanted Green last year, after an inconsistent year I'm not sure if he has any value....

Will the Mets take a risk on Ben Sheets..

The Best available pitcher is also the biggest risk, in Ben Sheets.

Sheets is a solid #2 quality pitcher, the problem is whether he can remain healthy or not. Sheets is reportedly looking for near the same amount he receive his last healthy year ( 2008- 13MM), I'm not sure anyone will give him anything near that and I even question whether the Mets would take a risk on him at all.

Citi Field would be the perfect place for him to re-establish himself, the big ball park would give him great numbers to get a multi-year deal in 2011.

He missed all of last year due to a shoulder injury but prior to that many of his injuries were no related and the year off could result in a strong showing this year. In 2008 he made 31 starts ( 198 innings) going 13-9 with a 3.09 ERA.

ESPN took a look at Sheets and put the Mets at the top of the list, I would sign Sheets as fast as I could his potential definitely out weighs the risk...

The New York Mets and Chicago Cubs stick out in the NL, as do the Los Angele Dodgers if they can find the money. The Cardinals are always attractive for pitchers, too, and the Milwaukee Brewers and Sheets don't appear to have burned bridges between them, though such a return appears unlikely.

In the American League Tampa, Seattle and the L.A. Angels seem like good fits, particularly the two AL West clubs who are both seeking starting pitching. source ESPN

The Pen is Escobar's choice...

Many including myself were surprised that the Mets signed Kelvim Escobar to a one year major league contract to be their set-up man.

As I said last night this is an excellent move, Escobar when healthy has solid #2 stuff and at the cost of the deal he is a low risk / high reward option. Even with Escobar on the 40 man roster the team only has 37 players so the major league deal is really no big deal, after all they were outbidding 3-4 teams for his services.

The surprise is that he will be a reliever and not a starter, this was Ecobar's decision he was negotiating with clubs as a reliever because he feels it will put less stress on his repaired shoulder.

DRaysbay passed along to their readers tweets from Jorge Arangure that quotes Escobar's desire to be a reliever, hat tip to Mack's Mets. For those complaining about the signing the Rays fans were very excited at the potential of signing him, as they thought they were the front runner for his services.

Venezuelan journalist Efrain Zavarce reports that Mets have offered Kelvim Escobar a minor league deal.Rays are also interested

Also, Escobar tells Zavarce that he will pitch as reliever to avoid taxing his injured shoulder, which has kept him on DL past 2 yrs

Escobar:"Tampa would be a good place.They have a need for relief pitching.Last year they lost several games because of the bullpen." source DRaysbay

I'm done with Bay move on...

Patience is a virtue that I do not possess; I like the 2006 version of Omar, the decisive, very aggressive type. The guy who put two identical contracts out to two catchers, told them the first to take it wins, and in a few days when neither took it, traded for LoDuca.

So when I hear these comments about nothing making sense, it's a slow market and it's time to be patient it has the same effect on me as Art Howe saying "We battled"....

I admit this about myself and while this has made me successful at what I do for a living, I do appreciate the other side of the argument when they are right.

If Omar waits Bay out and gets him at his price he is going to make me look like an impatient neurotic Mets fan, while making himself look like a matured savvy GM who has out grown his gun slinging days.

But at this point I'm ready to move on from Jason Bay, in my aggressively viewed opinion, either the Mets look like desperate chumps who are begging Bay to play here while he holds our entire off-season at ransom by holding out for every nickel he can extort from us or the GM looks like he didn't do his homework by going all in on a guy who has no interest in being here.

Depending on what you read today, you will find a variety of opinions on what is believed to be the reason for Jason Bay's delay in accepting a contract when there does not appear to be any other significant bidders in the market. Joel Sherman of the NY Post quotes Omar Minaya as saying basically that this is strictly business, while Peter Gammons is quoted as saying Bay would rather play in Beirut then Queens....

"It's no different than what you're seeing with a lot of guys," Minaya told The Post yesterday. "You're seeing a lot of guys that believe the market is different than what it really is." source NY Post

Gammons quips that Bay would "rather play in Beirut than Queens" and adds that he should have taken Boston's offer of $60MM over four years back in July. source MLBTR

Either way it's time for the Mets to take back the upper hand, if bay is only holding out for money then the minute he hears we've turned the page and are negotiating with another left fielder he'll take the contract.

But the Mets can get Bay's production from acquiring a decent left fielder and 1B. With Delgado more then likely no longer an option and Atlanta signing Glaus the Mets could pick-up Adam LaRoche a guy they almost traded for at the trade deadline, LaRoche averages 25 HRs and a .270 BA which is only 10 HRs less then Bay. With Murphy on the bench he would be perfect to send up as a pinch hitter when a starter was tiring, a long at bat could take a starter on the ropes out of the game.

They could then sign a more defense oriented left fielder who could make up the 10 homeruns while reducing the runs allowed with the improved defense, Marlon Byrd, Rick Ankiel or Rocco Baldelli. With the extra money they could sign a Matt Stairs type, all or nothing pinch hitter such as Johnny Gomes, Jack Cust or one of the Duncan brothers...

Escobar signs a one year deal....

The Mets have signed Kelvim Escobar to a one year major league deal and expect him to become the club's set-up man.

I like this move a lot, not only have the Mets brought in a low risk, high reward arm with a huge ceiling but they also have found a innovative way to use him to minimize the potential for further injury.

The 33 y/o right handed pitcher was an a solid #2 starter with 18 wins the last time he was healthy ( 2007) but has lost the last two years to injuries. If the Mets are bringing him in as a set-up man, I'm sure preventing injury is part of the reasoning, one inning is a lot less stress on an arm then six innings.

The Mets had originally offered a minor league deal in mid December but after that, the pitcher held an audition that was attended by multiple teams and it's been reported that he had offers from three other teams. The Mets upped the offer to a major league deal and he accepted, the surprise of the two sides reaching a deal was that he's going to be the set-up man. Escobar had expressed interest in joining the Mets because he wanted to play with his country mates, Johan Santana and Francisco Rodriguez...

Escobar has 5 MLB IP since '07, yet #Mets are going to give him major league deal to try become set-up man to fellow Vz. K-Rod source Joel Sherman Twitter

More on DeRosa...

I just don't see Mark DeRosa being a fit for the Mets, I know there will be an out cry when he signs elsewhere and I understand why but I still don't see a match. I'm as frustrated as every other Mets fan and each time I see a player sign while the Mets remain inactive, I feel like my head is going to explode but I can also see that not every player makes sense for the Mets.

Mark DeRosa is a versatile player who can play starting quality defense at several different positions, he's also hailed as one of those winning attitude/ good clubhouse figures and being from NJ understands the pressure of playing here. But that's where the match ends; DeRosa doesn't have the power we need for left field and if we go in the opposite direction he isn't a speedster/ above average fielder. I also think he will be too expensive even at his reported discounted rate as a utility player or platoon 1B.

The Giants were said to have offered DeRosa two years at 12MM ( source Metsblog) which like I said is more then the Mets will want to pay for Murphy's platoon partner. Those fans of DeRosa I think have to hold out hope that the Juan Uribe signing takes the Giants out of the running and he ends up falling to the Mets at the end of the winter for Tatis type money...

Kiss of Death - Dotel wants to be a Met

Over the past few years it seems like Octavio Dotel's name has pop-up several times for the Mets bullpen but the fit has never been right. Most of those years that he was available Dotel wanted a multi-year deal which Omar, for the most part, smartly doesn't give to relievers.

I do disagree with Omar, if only slightly in that I wouldn't paint such a broad stroke over all relievers, while most are inconsistent from year to year, some have proven track records to justify 2-3 year deals.

However, after allowing relievers like Bradford and Oliver sign elsewhere for multi-year deals when Omar finally caved and gave more then one year to a non-closing reliever it was a disaster with a lefty who I think needs a break so I don't name.

Dotel is once again a free agent, for years he has been an excellent set-up man when healthy. I'm not sure what is worse being viewed as an injury risk or wanting to play for the Mets both of which seem to be the kiss of death with this team.

The market for Dotel has been quiet until this week when the Pirates were rumored to be interested in him, a rumor they have already disputed ( source MLBTR).

This is what Dotel said in Sept. about the Mets, he probably should have spoken to Orlando Hudson or Jason Marquis before saying it...

Octavio Dotel said he approached the club about his immediate future and a contract extension last month and was told he wasn't in the plans. The reliever at least appreciated the Sox being upfront with him. As he turns his attention to free agency, New York is atop his wish list. The Mets are his first choice and the Yankees second. source Chicago Sun-Times

Mets made a late push for Capps ?

It's believed that the Mets had expressed interest in Matt Capps last week ( source Daily News).

When the part-time closer was surprisingly non-tendered Pirates there were reportedly at least 12 teams interested in bringing him aboard, for the Mets he would have competed with Iggy for the Set-up role.

Over the last 72 hrs Capps had narrowed it down to two teams the Cubs and Nats and an answer had been expected on Monday. It appears the delay might have been a late bid by the Mets to swoop in and steal the reliever.

While it would have been nice to have a 26 y/o potential closer in the pen for the 8th inning, he wanted to close and it would have been quite the coupe for Omar to pull this one off.

Capps signed a one year deal worth approx. 3.5MM from the Nats who have now significantly improved their ballclub while we've done NOTHING.....

It's $3.5 million. He can make another $425K in incentives. Capps had an offer from the Cubs and a late one from the Mets, but he'll almost certainly get to close in D.C., however, so it may be a better situation for him even if those offers were better or equal. source Circling the bases

Glaus close with the Braves...

It's being reported that the Braves are close to signing Troy Glaus. He will receive a one year deal worth approx. 2MM to be their first baseman ( source David O'Brien).

The Mets have had interested in Glaus and it seemed like he might be a good fit to platoon at first base.

While I'm not overly concerned Glaus signing with the Braves does have some warning signs. He's a player that the Mets were interested in, at a position they have a need, who they allowed to sign with a competitor at a reasonable contract.

The implications are that the Mets are still fixated on left field and are allowing players to slip past them to sign elsewhere or players are going elsewhere because their not interested in playing with the Mets.

Of course, Glaus could have signed with the Braves because they gave him the best opportunity to start and the Mets could have passed because he's a healthy risk. But still it is a troubling sin to see all these free agents signing an players being trade while the Mets remain stagnant.

Here's an available OF not named Bay/Holliday

Ken Rosenthal reports that the Royals may look to trade David DeJesus after signing Brian Anderson. Kansas City is pursuing veteran center fielder and lead-off man Scott Podsednik ( source Rotoworld) but even before they obtain him with the addition of Anderson they now have four outfielders.

Maier and Anderson are inexpensive and Guillen is unmovable, so it appears that DeJesus is the odd man out.

David DeJesus is a 29 y/o left hander who is owed 4.7MM in 2010 with a club option for 2011 worth 6MM ( 0.5MM buyout) (source Cots Contract).

I will admit I'm partial to DeJesus who grew up in Manalapan, NJ which is a few towns over from me and if my memory serves me correctly he use to show up in the Asbury Park Press ( local paper owed by Star Ledger) before moving on to Rutgers University.

DeJesus is baseballs equivalent of a tweener, he doesn't have the range for center field which is the position he came up at and lacks the power of a traditional corner outfielder. Which makes him an above average defensive corner outfielder but a non-slugger at the plate.

He has a lifetime BA of .286 with OBP .358, Slg. pct. .425 and .728 OPS. The best power he ever produced was last year hitting 13 HRs with 71 RBIs. He would be the type of defensive player the Mets want for left field, along with being a gap hitter averaging 30 doubles a season since becoming a starter and his high BA would compliment the move-the-line-along mentality they talked about all of last year.

Not a perfect fit to say the least but at least another option since Bay seems to be holding their off-season for ransom...

Before the addition of Anderson, David DeJesus, Jose Guillen and Mitch Maier were the only three outfielders on the Royals’ roster -- and the team is open to trading DeJesus. Thus, Podsednik could still fit, with Anderson becoming a fourth outfielder. Podsednik bats left-handed, Anderson right-handed. source Fox Sports

Will Delgado's delay remove him from Mets plans...

Marty Noble is reporting that Carlos Delgado's return to action has been delayed until the middle of January. The Mets were said to be interested in having the slugger return depending upon his performance during winter ball, his possible set back could have significant ramifications on their decisions in regards to 1B. I had actually been leaning towards having him return but the Mets aren't going near any players who are injury risks, Delgado's set back or whatever it is probably sealed his fate with the Mets...

Minaya said on Monday that Delgado had not resumed playing and probably wouldn't until January. Another person reiterated that on Tuesday and added that the delay -- and the reason for it -- might diminish the Mets' interest in re-signing the 37-year-old veteran of 15-plus seasons. source MLB.com

Are the Mets burying negative stories...

I was looking for a story Marty Noble at Mets.com had wrote about the pitching market in which he discussed the signings of Lackey, Wolf and Marquis while discussing the Pedro situation but I couldn't find it.

I know I read it in the last 48 hrs, because I had considered posting about Pedro but decided against since it was disputed before I got to it.

It's no longer on the front page, where I first saw it and the third story listed under headlines dates back to 12/17.

Initially on the Mets News page under more headlines I still didn't see the article, then I found it 12 articles down. Curiously the article was written by Noble on 12/21 but was tucked in under articles written between 12/15-12/19. All the articles appear to be in chronological order except the article in question, they top one is 12/19 and go in order down to 12/15 before the 12/21 article.

Maybe there's a method to the posting of the articles but it certainly seems like they're trying to bury a negative article about their approach to the off-season by their own beat writer.

The Mets' options in the pitching department of the free-agent market evidently have diminished once more. Not only can they not sign one starting pitcher they had coveted, they won't sign another starter they hadn't. Only in the twisted worlds of the Mets and today's "listen to what I heard" sports journalism can that sentence make sense. source Mets.com

Did you really think we were alone in bidding on Bay...

I have said this for two weeks now, Jason Bay is not K-Rod who wanted to play here and quickly signed at a lower then expected rate.

You are not getting Jason Bay at four years, Bay will linger until another teams situation changes and they will jump in to steal the player who is holding up our entire off-season.

Just yesterday we were hearing that on one hand the Mets were reluctant to bid against themselves and then on the other they can't engage in the pitching market until they find out how much they have to spend on a big bat.

Well surprise, surprise now its being reported that there are at least three teams in on bay other then the Mets. Did they really think they were getting Bay at a steal on his last big contract of his career, when he is only one of two big bats available, of course, there are teams waiting in the weeds.

Here are three ways this team could get beat to Bay this off-season...

Rem. this, a four year deal in Citi Field would reduce his numbers and end at 35 y/o, killing his next contract.

1. A team could simply out bid the Mets, the Mets haven't had the stomach for bidding wars in recent years.

2. A team that's more appealing could match the Mets and he could easily go to them, Citi Field has a horrible reputation with hitters right now.

3. Nobody else could offer better then the Mets and Bay could take a one year deal in a location he prefers and try again next year.

As I've said before, this is Lowe all over again the Mets are set-up to wait all off-season for Bay only to be left scrambling in the end....

But an official of one interested club believes that four teams remain involved in the bidding: the Mets, Mariners, Giants and Angels. source Fox Sports

Mets close to a MiLB on R.A. Dickey..

Please Mets fans don't complain about the team signing R.A. Dickey to a minor league deal with an Invite to Spring training ( source Yahoo). I'm extremely critical and frustrated with the Mets approach to this off-season but when they do sign a player we can't complain about the player after complaining for weeks about them not signing anyone.

On a minor league deal, who cares whether they sign him or not. He comes to spring training if he pitches well great he makes the team, if not, he enjoys a summer in Buffalo.

Dickey is a 35 y/o right handed knuckleballer who has started and worked out of the pen. If he's effective Blanco is more then equipped to handle the knuckleball and he provides versatility along with a different look pitch.

Jon Harper confirms my concerns

In case my tea leaves weren't enough, Jon Harper confirmed through his sources that basically the Mets off-season is being held hostage by Jason Bay. Harper reports that his sources are telling him that the Mets need to see how much they spend on a big bat before they address the rotation. This is why patience shouldn't continue to be the mantra of the organization and that time does have a value...

Another baseball source said that some members of the Mets' hierarchy had pushed for the club to pursue Marquis, believing that his durability and consistent 14-win, 200-innings type seasons would be a good fit at the back of the starting rotation. Last season Marquis pitched 216 innings for the Rockies, going 15-13 with a 4.04 ERA.

The explanation coming from the Mets last night, via a club source, is that they are focused on offense first, as they continue negotiations with Molina and outfielder Jason Bay. As such they aren't ready to negotiate with pitchers until they know how much it costs to add bats. source Daily News

Rob Neyer of ESPN has a plan that sounds appealing to me but I've been calling for a deadline since Buster Olney's 48 hr projection window closed...

But the best thing Omar Minaya could do now is tell Bay's and Molina's agents that they've got until sundown to make a decision. Because the best outcome is that they decline. The second-best outcome is that they accept now, so Minaya can get on with things. And everything else falls under the heading of "worst outcomes."source ESPN

Will the Angels be the Mystery team...

If I had to guess, I would guess that the Angels become the mystery team in the Jason Bay sweepstakes. As many of you have read, I believe the Mets should consider their time and security as part of the premium they pay for a player. If the Mets are willing to go five years, then instead of viewing it as bidding against themselves they should view paying that extra year now, to get the deal done. Not only does getting the deal done ensure they get the player they want but it also allows them to move onto other positions they need to fill.

I've also said before that markets change and the longer you wait, the bigger the risk that an unforeseen variable effects your plans. I think it's rarer for the market to come back to you, then it is, for the market to change against you.

While I don't believe the Mets are competing against a mystery team, I do believe that if things break right the Angels, they could easily jump in to steal Bay. The Angels already look like a team that needs another bat but they are currently trying to trade one of their outfielders. If they can find a taker on Matthews Jr. they will free up a lot of money but they've also talked about trading Rivera for a starter. If they move either player it would make sense for them to go after Bay and the Angels are a team who will over spend on a player they want.

Perhaps the Mets see a lack of media reports on competition for Bay and/or Holliday and figure they need to let the players come to them. But that would be a miscalculation.

Besides the Cardinals, who figure to be the favorite for Holliday, a number of contenders need offense. The Giants were thought to have interest in Bay when the offseason began. The Red Sox and Mariners have been so aggressive this winter that it wouldn't be out of the question that they jump back in the chase for a leftfielder.

And if the Angels trade outfielder Juan Rivera for pitching or the Braves trade Derek Lowe and don't get an outfielder back, those teams will join in.

All those teams can make a stronger case than the Mets that they are playoff contenders. source Ed Price AOL Fanhouse

Implications of Marquis signing...

Most Mets fans have heard that Jason Marquis has signed with the Washington Nationals, reportedly for two years 15MM. At the beginning of the off-season Marquis had made it clear that he wanted to be a Met and have even been given an endorsement by his former teammate in Atlanta Jeff Francoeur. But after two months of free agency Marquis started leaning towards the Nats and has now signed with them.

I would have preferred to sign Marquis to a one year deal with an option but the second year would not be a deal breaker. If Marquis had found a team to give him the third year he was asking for I could understand passing but at two years I don't get it. The Mets need a consistent pitcher who can eat up innings...

While I'm not going to lose sleep over missing out on Marquis, what I do find troubling is that they never engaged in serious negotiations with a starting pitcher who wanted to play for us. just as Lowe held their off-season hostage last year, it appears Bay is doing the same thing this year.

The Mets are believed have a fixed budget for spending at somewhere near 30MM, they need to know how much they are spending on left field before they can sign any other significant pieces this year. Bay could cost anywhere from 10MM to 18MM next year depending on if he allows them to back load the contract or not. Omar isn't asleep at the wheel I believe he's stuck in neutral, thanks to Bay....

Are the Mets running out of patience

Bart Hubbuch of the NY Post has a great article on the Jason Bay and Bengie Molina situation. While I don't believe the questions will ever go away until a marquee positional player signs here at a reasonable contract, there are those that believe both players have a reluctance to play at Citi Field. It seems more likely that both players are holding out for one more year and while there's no clear cut competitions for their services they don't appear to be budging from their demands. While the Mets don't want to bid against themselves, they also don't want to wait until the market changes and their left out in the cold. At this point they should have already moved on from Molina and his three year demand, sign any of the three remaining catchers before you give him the third year. Bay is another story, I have no problem giving him a fifth year and would have already signed him if that's whats holding up the process. It doesn't appear the Mets are budging on their offers and might even be getting ready or at least creating the appearance of getting ready to look elsewhere...

But a team source said yesterday that Minaya might soon consider other options in left field and at catcher if Bay and Molina continue to leave the Mets dangling despite appearing to have no serious offers anywhere close to what Minaya has tendered. source NY Post

When will this Bay saga end...

We're well past that 48hr window Buster Olney believed that Jason Bay would be a Met and there's still not a peep from the outfielder.

The lack of news has resulted in speculation in numerous directions, some believe that Bay maybe reluctant to play in what is being called cavernous Citi Field while others are worried that there might be a mystery team lurking in the weeds.

Of course, this could all be a tactical ploy by the agent in an attempt to gain any leverage possible in a weak market for elite players with big price tags. After all, his only leverage at this point appears to be the neurotic Mets fans ( don't take this wrong I'm included) who are clamouring for a signing.

Sometimes, due to the circumstances a team needs extend their offer to get a deal done, while some call it bidding against themselves, it can also be viewed as paying a premium for the timing of the signing.

Maybe the Mets due need to sweeten the pot for Bay to come to Citi Field and there might be a mystery team that is willing to match their deal which is a more appealing destination. But even if neither of these variables are true the Mets would pay a premium for time and security.

In regards to their time, Bay is holding up their entire off-season they need to know how much he is going to cost before they can move on to the rotation, pen and platoon at 1B. They also need to sign him for ticket plan sales and ad space revenues.

As far as security, I said the other day this is way too reminiscent of the Lowe situation where their offer sat for too long and as the market changed they were out bid for a player most had already written off as a Met. Many of the praising comments about Omar this year regarding his patience are eerily similar to the praise he received last year over Lowe.

This time the Mets can't afford to lose their prized off-season target, if somehow a team steps in and out bids the Mets, it will have disastrous ramifications. Not only does security mean having left field and the middle of the order sured-up but it also means sending a message to other free agents that its safe to sign here ( both on and off the field).

Look I don't believe Bay is a bad investment at five years, but I also don't think the Mets have a choice in the matter and even if that last year is lost to injuries; over five years, one year of that contract to a multi billion dollar corporation is a mere pittance.

What would I do; I'd give him the fifth year as an easily obtainable vesting option and then give him a deadline of 48 hrs from Monday morning to sign. If he completely walked away, I'd know he was using us to make his market and never planned to sign here. If he wanted to negotiate I would include the fifth year only if it was a deal breaker. At least we'd know sooner then later what we needed to do and weren't stuck going six years in Feb. because there are no moves left to make....

Two reasons to be interested in DeRosa

Reports surfaced today that indicated, Mark DeRosa's has dropped his asking price. The super utility player had been asking for 10MM per year for three years.

DeRosa is the type of player who puts up starters offensive numbers and is serviceable at multiple positions. The 34 y/o right handed hitter is a native of NJ with a lifetime BA of .275, OBP .343 and Slg. pct. .424. He can play 3B, 2B, 1B, SS ( not in a long time) and corner outfield.

The Mets would probably use him as a platoon with Murphy at first but could also use him as leverage with Bay. By engaging in negotiations with DeRosa maybe they can convince Bay to move the process along while getting a solid 1B....

DeRosa has drawn a lot of interest, but no team has been willing to get up into DeRosa’s asking price, which has been in the $10 million per range. The feeling is the price has come down recently. The Mets could pull the trigger and use him at first base. He could be a very good fit for the Red Sox. source Boston Globe

Mets may have competition for Molina

The Mets and Bengie Molina have been in a stand off for two weeks now, if reports are accurate that the Mets have offered two years at 12MM, then it's more then a fair offer.

Molina is holding out for a three year deal because he's seen lesser catchers like Jason Kendall and Pudge Rodriguez get two year deals. It's cray what mediocre catchers received around the Winter meetings but what Molina would get from us in one year is more that their entire contract.

As I've said before I think Molina would be the perfect fit between offense and game calling but there is no way I'm willing to give a three year deal to a 35 y/o catcher with bad knees.

It seemed like the Mets were the only team interested in making such an investment in Molina so it was curious as to why he was holding out this long.

Jon Paul Morosi of Fox Sports reports that Molina is the key to the catching market and that once he signs, the rest of the catching market will quickly fall in line. In that report Morosi speculates that the Mariners could be interested in Molina.

If the Mariners are willing to go three or he'll accept a similar contract from them to stay on the west coast then he's all there's.

Seattle is now better able to address its catching needs, after acquiring Cliff Lee and Milton Bradley in trades earlier this week. The Mariners may benefit from having a veteran catcher on the roster, given that Rob Johnson is recovering from multiple surgeries. source Fox Sports

So if Molina stays on the west coast then the Mets would have to choose between Rod Barajas, Miguel Olivo and Yorvit Torrealba.

I would be concerned with making Barajas my starting catcher even though he caught 129 games last year and hit 19 homeruns. The 33 y/o Barajas is know as a defensive catcher ( Fld. Pct .991), his lifetime BA is only .239 and in his one year in the NL he only played in 48 games while hitting .220 for the Phillies.

With Torrealba just finishing up the grievance process against the Mets who he claims lost him money by making him look like damaged goods, I just don't get how that fence can be mended unless the two sides only have each other left.

I think if we pass on Molina because he won't budge on his three year demand except for a west coast team then Miguel Olivo is our best option, but he isn't what the Mets are looking for and I believe they will end up signing Barajas. Olivo had an issue with past balls last year and for a team that believes an improved catching corp, improves their rotation Olivo's defense will be a big consideration. I can see the Mets saying to themselves if Ollie or Pelfrey are on and Olivo misses a ball they think he should have caught the game is over. The 30 y/o Olivo is a fiery competitor ( as we saw in 2007 when he tried to fight his freind Reyes) who hits .243 and averages 15 homeruns a year....

Everts deal was a major league contract...

Look basically they treated Everts as their rule five selection, so it's not that big a deal. Still in a bit of a surprise move, Reynolds mgt. ( I'm guessing his agent) announced that the deal was official between the Mets and Clint Everts, but that it was a major league deal. The sides reached an agreement on the same day as the rule five draft and it was said that up to 12 teams were interested in the 25 y/o right handed pitcher. The Mets made a selection and then immediately traded it for cash consideration to the Dodgers, either they wanted the cash for the signing or maybe the deal was worked out so they would bow out of the Everts sweepstakes.

Omar Minaya signed Everts in the first round ( #5) of the 2002 draft as the Expos GM. The pitcher has never played in the majors and lost time to T.J. surgery. Last year he had a 1.65 ERA with an 8-1 record in 44 games as a reliever but a 3.38 ERA in 11 games in AAA.

The New York Mets today announced that they signed righthanded pitcher Clint Everts to a major league contract source RSMupdates

Cross Zaun off the catchers list...

There had been a quiet rumbling to sign Gregg Zaun to catch for us, to be honest the idea was never very appealing to me. Zaun is best described as a career journeyman back-up catcher who is 38 y/o. If the Mets had decided they wanted Zaun instead of Blanco, I'd have no problem but as the starter too much of a risk.

He's a .250 hitter with a .388 Slg. pct., .344 OBP and is said to be an exceptional defensive catcher who works well with young staffs. Zaun signed a one year deal with the Brewers, according to Jayson Stark at his twitter account.

While we play a game of chicken with Molina I wonder what will happen first, we'll run out of options and give the third year or he'll run out of options and surrender to a two year deal.

Bay is Lowe all over again...

Let me make this clear, Derek Lowe signed a bloated contract and the Mets were right to walk away. My point of contention, isn't with losing out on Lowe it's how they handled the negotiations.

The Mets could afford to lose Lowe, they were coming off two years in which they were contenders but after a 70 win season they now look like nothing more then a three time loser with one playoff appearance this decade.

If they fumble this off-season not only will 2010 be a losing season but they won't be able to afford minor league contracts in 2011. It's already being reported that ticket plan sales are dramatically down and SNY is losing advertising fees.

The Mets have a foreboding blue print to how the Bay negotiations could play out because the exact same thing happened with Lowe last year.

All of last year, after they found a closer the Mets were focused on starting pitching and had targeted Derek Lowe. I rem. distinctly there offered leaked on Christmas Eve and with nobody else in the market it appeared Lowe was destine for NY.

But while I wouldn't call the Lowe offer a low-ball it was a starting point and clearly Lowe wasn't going to accept it. Here's where I believe they made their mistake, the Mets choose to sit on the offer arrogantly believing they were the highest bidder and there was no need to bid against themselves.

By not negotiating and paying slightly higher then their original offer, they failed to secure the pitcher when the window was open for exclusivity. They just put the offer out there and walked away, despite it being clear that Lowe wasn't going to accept the offer. Instead of looking at increasing their offer for the purpose of securing the player they wanted, which would be an aggressive approach to the negotiations they choose to be patient and view it as not bidding against themselves, which ultimately cost them.

I could be absolutely wrong, maybe Lowe was never going to take an offer below what he received which I agree was too much, but we will never know. The Mets offer sat on the table, as is, for almost a month, they went from sitting in the cat bird seat to scrambling for an alternative. If they had aggressively negotiated with Lowe and still couldn't come up with an agreement then my argument would be moot.

There is an argument to be made, that value can be placed on the timing of a signing, while the Mets choose to see it as over paying by bidding against themselves some of the more aggressive GMs are very successful with this approach. In Philly Amaro over paid by one year on all three of his signings but he filled all his holes, knew what his budget was and could then sit back and make a trade without hesitation. Now a two time World Series appearing team has improved and is pretty much ready for spring training in December...

Markets fluctuate and change, the longer you wait the longer the chances thing change. A team could have an injury, lose a player they thought they were re-signing, make a trade and have a new hole, get desperate over ticket sales, finish up a bigger hole and focus on another (that's the Angels IMO) or finish up and realize they have extra money. We're even hearing now that there could be a mystery team involved, is it the agent or is there a team lurking in the shadows hoping the Mets make the same mistake they made last year. I believe there is probably a team gauging our seriousness, not wanting to get into a bidding war with a large market team but if we're tentative about making a stronger offer, knowing in the past we didn't have the stomach to over pay in a bidding war, waiting to jump in to steal the player....

Timing is finite and does have value especially when you have such a glaring need and have multiple holes to fill. If the Mets don't aggressively negotiate with Bay and maybe even over pay by a year and another team swoops in to sign him, what is our alternative Johnny Damon.

Just as we looked like we were in the cat bird seat last year with Lowe we look the same way with Bay this year, but markets change and there is a value for securing the player you need. When I heard the Mets had upped their offer, I thought they learned from their mistakes but now that report is disputed and I hear a lot of the mantra I heard last year, about not bidding against themselves and patience. That resulted in Ollie getting 3 yrs at 36MM kinda sounds like what Damon wants......

Mets not budging on Molina

The offer stands at two....

Look I'm one of the more flexible fans, I'll even give Molina a third year that vests on obtainable goals, because that means for two years he contributed to the club. In 2011 Thole would be his back-up and 2012 he would back-up Thole, no better catcher to break in the youngster then Molina.

But there is no way I'm guaranteeing three years to a 35 y/o catcher with weight issues and bad knees. While I feel the Mets are fumbling the Bay negotiations, I think there doing the right thing with Molina.

I wouldn't be surprised if we don't start hearing rumors about Barajas, Olivio, Torrealba and maybe even trade rumors for Snyder or Navarro.

In what could be considered a shrewd move, the Mets have apparently told Bengie Molina that the only offer the Mets will present to the veteran catcher s a two-year deal. They’re also prepared to move forward if that offer is rejected.

“We’re not going three years, that’s it,” said a member of the Mets front office. “That’s what I have been told.” source Baseball Digest