Mets Make Moves

Over the past couple of days the Mets have been pretty busy. They signed Moises Alou to a one-year deal worth 7.5 million dollars with a 2008 team option worth $7.5 million with a $1 million buyout. They also traded Henry Owens and Matt Lindstrom for Jason Vargas and Adam Bostick from the Marlins, Vargas and Bostick are both 23 year old left handed starting pitchers. They also declined Tom Glavine's 2007 option, they paid him a $3 million buyout.

First, the Alou signing. This is a great signing in my eyes. I believe that Alou will be a great stop gap for one year, he is a very solid right handed bat who crushes left handed pitching, the guy can just rake, which is exactly what the Mets needed. He also will provide some protection for David Wright in the lineup, and will be given many opportunities for RBI. If he can get 400 ABs he could have a great year. As long as he stays healthy I see him having a very solid year, but as we found out with the 2006 Mets, that is an enormous IF.

The trade with the Marlins was a little surprising, but finding young starting lefties is hard to do, so it works out. There is really no room for Owens and Lindstrom in the bullpen, who are both getting into their upper 20's in the minors. We really won't know how this deal worked out for a few years, but I think a guy like Vargas can become a solid National League pitcher.

Everyone knew that they would decline Glavine's option. It seems as though they have a deal on the table that Glavine has agreed to, but is waiting to hear from the Braves. It seems as though proximity to his family might be the only reason he goes back to Atlanta, if he wants a chance at another ring, his best bet is to stay in Queens, which I think he will eventually do.

Milledge On The Way Out?

According to Ken Davidoff of Newsday the Mets are interested in shipping out Milledge for either a big bat or a big time pitcher. His named has been linked to deal around Manny Ramirez (will this one ever end), Vernon Wells, Jake Peavy, Dontrelle Willis, and many others, including some White Sox starters.

This is the same thing we've been hearing for the last 18 months, but with a new name inserted every few months. Like I've said all along, if you can find the right deal, there is no reason to keep Milledge. Lately, with his refusal to play winter ball, the Mets have been annoyed with him. It may be time to send him packing, especially if you can get a big time player in return. His stock may also have dropped a little with the Mets as Carlos Gomez and Fernando Martinez continue to turn into top OF prospects. Again, only time will tell, but ever since Minaya has come aboard, the offseasons have been just as eventful as the regular season.

Mets Acquire Ben Johnson and Jon Adkins from Padres

According to Ken Rosenthal the Mets have traded Royce Ring and Heath Bell to the Padres for RHP Jon Adkins and OF Ben Johnson.

This is a decent trade I guess, spare parts for spare parts, but you have to like Minaya in a deal like this, he always seems to get the guy he feels will excel in a deal like this. Sanchez and Mota last year are definitely guys who come to mind. We'll see how this trade works out next year, but these two guys were considered decent prospects and could be worth it, only time will tell though, like most prospects.

Mets Close to Resigning El Duque; Interested in Zito

According the Mark Hale's article in the New York Post the Mets are close to resigning Orlando Hernandez to a 2-year, $6 Million contract. Also, he notes that the Mets have interest in signing Barry Zito, although he's not sure if they want to sign him at 5-years, $73 million, which it looks like will be lowest amount he'd sign for. Hale also notes the Mets have interest in Vicente Padilla.

I like the El Duque contract, he loves to pitch, loves to win and is a great clubhouse guy, no reason not to bring him back. Although they will have to overpay, i feel like bringing Zito in would be a great signing. He has the stuff to truly dominate in the National League. Padilla is an interesting pitcher, i feel like he'd be nothing better than a number 3 starter, so he shouldn't be signed at anything more than type of money.

Mets Break Ground on CitiField

The Mets have just broken ground on the new stadium, which is sponsored by Citigroup. It is being named CitiField.

It could be worse than being sponsored by Citi. It's got a New York ring to it. It looks like the new park is going to be amazing and really makes me look forward to 2009.

Reports: Valentin and Mets Agree on 1-Year Deal

According to ESPN.com the Mets and Jose Valentin have agreed on a 1 year deal worth atleast $3 million.

This is surprising how fast they resigned him, especially since he said he doesn't want to be a role player, but a starter. I'm not sure that he can be guaranteed a starting position this early in the off season. Very interesting to resign this early.

Reyes and Beltran win Silver Slugger Award

Carlos Beltran and Jose Reyes each won the Silver Slugger award today, presented by Louisville Slugger. This was the first time either won the Award. ESPN.com has an entire list of everyone else who was given the award.

This goes to show that people obviously know that Beltran is a great hitter, but more importantly, they are recognizing Reyes as a great hitter. Congratulations to both Beltran and Reyes.

Notes

Well, back after a little Hiatus, haven't been able to post the last few days.

A few things that happened since i posted last time.

According the AP, Tom Glavine has officially filed for Free Agency

This is not a surprise, he wanted to explore his options either way, so the chances he resigns with the Mets are the same they have always been.

The Seibu Lions have recieved the highest bid for Daisuke Matsuzaka, but the public won't know who put in the highest bid until the Lions formally accept.

Buzz from around the league is that the Lions will accept before the end of the day. So hopefully we will know one way or another by tonight. This should give us a better idea of which direction the Mets will go for starting pitching.

Reyes and Wright had a solid week in Japan, Reyes hit a walk off home run in the last game of the series, which was followed by the entire starting starting the "Jose, Jose" chant.

Pretty Crazy, sounds like this kid is becoming an international star.

Delgado Staying in Shea

According to Mets.com Carlos Delgado will not be exercising his right to demand a trade this offseason. Delgado batted .265 with 38 home runs and 114 RBIs in 144 games for the Mets last season. He also won the Roberto Clemente Award this year for outstanding community service

"[Delgado] wants to be a Met for the rest of his career," Minaya said.

"I've enjoyed myself here," Delgado said last month. "I can't wait until next season because I want to make it to the playoffs again. We came up a little short, but it gives you something to look forward to for next year."

This is great news for the Mets, knowing that they have their rock at first base for atleast two more seasons is very comforting news for Met fan. He is a huge force on the field, but just as importantly in the clubhouse. He is truly an all around player.

Mets fans now have a reason to dance because Delgado is coming back:

Mets Interested in Loretta

According to the New York Post the Mets and Mark Loretta have a mutual interest.

"Playing for a contender is Loretta's top priority. The 35-year-old Loretta hit .285 with five homers, 59 RBIs and a .345 on-base percentage this past season with the Red Sox. He is a career .299 hitter, with his best year coming in 2004 with the Padres when he hit .335 with 16 homers. Defensively, Loretta only committed four errors this past year, tying for second-best among AL second basemen."

This would be a decent move by the Mets, although i see Loretta as a 2 hitter, which is where LoDuca hits. He would be a solid 8 hitter as well, but his numbers may drop a little bit because of the lack of pitches he'd see compared to the 2 hole, where last year he hit in front of David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez. Loretta's defense is incredible and would be a huge lift, although Valentin was very solid. Loretta would be a good fit for the Mets, but I don't expect his numbers to be equal to what he hit last year.

Here's Loretta with a Walkoff Hit against the Indians last year:

Trade Rumors

Joel Sherman's article in the New York Post talks of potential trades that he thinks teams should make. He proposes the idea of Lastings Milledge, Aaron Heilman and Henry Owens (74 Ks in 40 IP, .137 BAA in AA last year), for the Padres Jake Peavy.

If this deal were ever on the table i don't see why Minaya would not take it. He feels Heilman is a reliever, Owens is 28 and he has always said that he'd be willing to deal Milledge for an ace. Peavy is a power pitcher who has only trailed Johan Santana in strikeouts the past 2 seasons. This would be a good deal for both teams, but I imagine it is far from happening.

Here is Peavy striking out 13 Brewers last year.

Beltran Wins Gold Glove

Carlos Beltran has won his first career Rawlings Gold Glove award today for his position in the outfield. Beltran made countless great defensive plays throughout the season. Beltran started 136 games in center field for New York in 2006, notching a career-best .995 fielding percentage over 1,184 innings. Beltran made just two errors in 372 total chances, recording 357 putouts while contributing 13 outfield assists and six double plays. He was the only Met to win the award this year. Others who won the award were Andruw Jones (9th), Greg Maddux (16th), Ex-Met Mike Cameron (3rd), Albert Pujols (1st), Orlando Hudson (2nd), Scott Rolen (7th), Brad Ausmus (3rd), and Omar Vizquel (11th).

Congratulations to Carlos on this great award. It makes you remember all the great plays he made this year, robbing multiple home runs, saving the game with the incredible catch against Houston, and many more. This is the first of many Gold Gloves for Carlos Beltran if he keeps playing like this.

Moose the Met?

Apparently Mike Mussina would be interested in joining the Mets if he does not return to the Yankees. He has a $17 Million option that the Yankees will likely not pick up, though he may resign with the Yankees anyway. "Pitching for the Mets would offer Mussina a chance to stay in his Westchester home during the season and Mussina, a creature of habit, isn't wild about radical changes in his life. As for what the Mets would be willing to pay Mussina, they figure to be in the $10 million to $12 million range per year with Tom Glavine, and Mussina is two years younger." Says Mark Hale of the New York Post.

This would be a great signing for the Mets. Mussina is a very strong pitcher who can eat up innings and doesn't take attitude from anyone. He has no problem pitching inside and would be a huge help to the Mets if he were signed.

Let The Bidding War Begin

MLB.com is reporting that the bidding has begun today at 5:00 pm. All bids are due by Wednesday November 8th at 5pm. Matsuzaka's team, the Seibu Lions, will then learn the amount of the bid, but not the team who submitted it. They will then have until November 14th to accept it. If Seibu accepts, the team with the highest bid will be able to negotiate with Matsuzaka and his agent, Scott Boras. MLB says, "Even before the official posting, the Mariners, Angels, Orioles and Giants have reportedly removed themselves from the picture, according to various published reports."

This could get extremely interesting. Reports are saying that the Mets, Yankees and Red Sox are all interested and the bid could get upwards of $30 Million. For a better look at the guy take a look at Matsuzaka Watch and Jeff Sackmann's Article at the Hardball Times, both should give you a better idea of the pitcher before jumping to conclusions and terrible thoughts of Kaz Matsui run through your head.

Wright Blasts off in Japan

According to Adam Rubin, who's following the USA team in Japan, David Wright hit a 2 run home run with 2 outs in the ninth inning this morning to tie the game at 7 against the Yomiuri Giants in the Tokyo Dome. And in the true all-star game fashion, the game ended in a 7-7 tie. Wright said following the game:

"We take pride in representing Major League Baseball. We take pride in representing our individual teams," "We’re going to come over here and try to win. There’s no doubt about that. It’s competitive. You get in these international competitions, you’re representing not only yourself. You’re representing a lot of different teams and countries and Major League Baseball. It was very exciting. I watched the replay and saw the reaction of the bench and how excited the bench got. That makes it a lot of fun."

Wright really loves making a name for himself all over the globe. He really makes the most of the "All-Star" events, the home run derby, a homer in the All-star game, and now this...he really knows how to make the most of a situation.

Milledge Helps Old High School Club

Lastings Milledge is donating $5000 to the Bradenton Mustangs High School Baseball Team says the Bradenton Herald. The team's uniforms dated back to the beginning of the program.

Hopefully this will start to show people that Lastings in more than just a bad club house guy. Also, hopefully this shows that Milledge is maturing a little bit and that he can prove to his team that he isn't a bad guy. I feel like he was more of oblivious rookie this season, as opposed to a bad guy, I guess that we will see how this helps Minaya decide whether or not he wants to trade him.

Mota Suspended 50 games for Steroids

According to ESPN Guillermo Mota has been suspended for 50 for violating the leagues substance abuse policy. Mota said he took "full responsibility" and also said:

"I used extremely poor judgment and deserve to be held accountable,"

"To my teammates and the entire Mets organization, I am sorry. I truly regret what I did and hope that you can forgive me."

"To baseball fans everywhere, I understand that you are disappointed in me, and I don't blame you," he added. "I feel terrible and I promise this is the first and last time that this will happen."

This could change a lot of things for the Mets in the offseason, knowing if they re-sign Mota he won't be able to pitch until June the Mets may have to go in another direction. They might have to keep Aaron Heilman and not let him start. Or they could sign a free agent 7th inning setup man to hand the ball off to Sanchez in the 8th. This may handcuff Minaya a little bit when figuring out whether he wants to deal Heilman or put him in the rotation or whether he wants to re-sign Mota and wait it out for him. I guess only time will tell where this takes us this offseason.

Cubs Like Heilman

According to Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune the cubs are interested in acquiring Aaron Heilman in a deal with the Mets this winter. No names have been discussed in who would be returned in any deals.

This would be an interesting deal, because i really have no idea who the Mets would want in return. Would it be an infielder like Cesar Izturis or a prospect. MLBTradeRumors.com suggests that maybe the Mets would like Eric Patterson, the prospect 2nd baseman who was drafted in the 8th round of the 2004 draft, he hit .358 in a short stint at double A last year, he was also an all star at the single A level.

Big News On Glavine

The New York Daily News is reporting that the Mets and Tom Glavine and close to coming to terms on a Two Year, $25 Million contract. Glavine is 48-48 with a 3.85 ERA in four seasons with the team. He was 15-7 with a 3.82 ERA in 198 innings in 2006 and threw 13 scoreless innings over his first two postseason starts. Glavine also has 290 Wins, just 10 short of 300, this deal would all but guarantee Glavine would get number 300 with the Mets.

This is a pretty surprising story. I didn't expect Glavine to pitch past 2007, but i'm not surprised. He throws so easy that he is not really wearing himself out. This will also help with all the young pitchers on the Mets that are coming up, to have such an accomplished veteran pitcher as a mentor. I would not mind at all if Glavine were to come back for 2 more years. He is a great guy to have around the clubhouse and he showed how well he can pitch in October.