Warming Up To Weaver: Part II

From ESPN Rumor Mill:

Weaver beyond Reds' means
Feb 1 - Reds interim GM Brad Kullman and agent Scott Boras were discussing the contract status of Cincinnati shortstop Felipe Lopez earlier this week when the conversation briefly turned to another Boras client, free-agent pitcher Jeff Weaver.

Although the Reds could have interest in Weaver on a reasonably-priced one-year deal, they've been given indications that Weaver is well beyond their price range. "I don't see it happening at this point," Kullman told ESPN.com Insider Jerry Crasnick.

The Reds have been mentioned as a potential Weaver suitor under the theory that new owner Robert Castellini might want to make a splash with a quick high-profile signing. But Weaver gave up 35 homers for the Dodgers in 2005, and the Reds have their doubts that his repertoire will translate well to the Great American Ball Park.

Weaver's destination remains a mystery to major-league executives. He declined the Dodgers' offer of salary arbitration, which would have allowed him to return to Los Angeles on a one-year deal in 2006.

Ok, so let's review.

Cleveland is mostly likely out since that idea was predicated in the idea that Austin Kearns would be brought in for Jake Westbrook.

Cincinnati is out simply due to price tag, but who knows if that will change if nothing else materializes.

LA Angels are a possible fit since they lost Byrd and Washburn and will have to rely on some guys. A one year deal for them will make sense to buy their young guns some more time.

Philadelphia needs pitching and would make sense, but they have not been vocal about pursuing him or any high priced free agent pitcher really.

Washington might be interested and would be a fit, but Washington has not been connected to Weaver.

San Francisco could be a fit too, but have not been connected in any way to Weaver.

What we really have here is nothing. Weaver has lukewarm interest and only four possible fits as I see it. The more I think about it, the more I think Omar should move and where else for Weaver to have a big year in a pitcher's park? There are plenty of people that want to see how this team comes together, but that means if it doesn't work out, then it costs the Mets more talent than they have to give up. Re: Lastings Milledge. Who else could they get someone of value for? Carlos Gomez? Let's look at their top ten.

1. Lastings Milledge
2. Mike Pelfrey (not going anywhere)
3. Phil Humber (obviously has no value)
4. Carlos Gomez (as much as I like him, he does not carry much weight yet and he'll only be in high A-ball and at least three years away)
5. Fernando Martinez (not going anywhere and does not have any value at this point)
6. Anderson Hernandez (might have some value, but not enough to bring back a difference maker)
7. Brian Bannister (not much value, he can be a addition to a deal, but not a centerpiece)
8. Alay Soler (will not be commanding much value)
9. Deolis Guerra (does not have any value at this point)
10. Jon Niese (does not have any value at this point)

The best I can see that does not include Lastings a is a Brian Bannister and Anderson Hernandez package. Realistically, that will not bring back something much better than Bannister or Soler will be able to reasonably replicate. They are not bringing back and ace and might bring back someone of Weaver's stature. Take care of any potential problems now or it might seriously cost later. For those who want to wait to see how this rotation shakes out and upgrade as the year progresses if needed must have faith in Nady or Diaz being able fetch something of value because I only see Milledge as anything that will help this team get something back of value that will help them win. We know that Victor Zambrano is not an answer to any potential problems and the Mets are running dangerously thin should Glavine or Pedro not be around. Two words. Get Weaver. If he truly will be looking to settle for a one year deal and try his luck next year, there is no reason not to.

Add into the equation this rumor pointed out by John in the comment section:

Mets Interested In Wells?

Spoke with my Mets guy this morning. He had plenty of info to pass along.

First, he said that any recent rumors going around are "bogus." Plenty of other websites have added to that sentiment.

He also mentioned that Minaya wants to add a starter. That's fairly well known, but he also said that the Mets may try to make a move on David Wells if nothing better comes along before spring training. It's the first I'd heard of that.

He said the Mets are convinced that Anderson Hernandez is the answer at second base for 2006, and that Jeff Keppinger could be moved for pitching if he has a good spring. No doubt the Mets would love to dump Kaz Matsui if someone would take even half his salary.

As baseless as this sounds simply because the Mets manage to get older and more brittle, it underlies the idea that Omar is not satisfied with this rotation. Given the present options and we are talking about Weaver, Josh Fogg, Wells, and whoever else is on the block, Weaver is the best option. Of course Jake Westbrook has been bandied around and Jose Contreras has been too, but the Mets don't have the prospect to pull a trade for a top starter. Cleveland would part with Westbrook for Kearns, but presumably not a chance for Diaz or Nady alone.

This could be a simple solution.

* * *

Poor, poor Kaz.

Faithful New York Yankee Hideki Matsui is skipping the World Baseball Classic. Ditto Tadahito Iguchi, the second baseman who says he can't afford the time off, not with the White Sox intent on getting back to the World Series.

Yet the greatest Japanese star of them all, Ichiro Suzuki, has told Sadaharu Oh -- Japan's manager -- to count him in.

Huh, no mention of Kaz? I guess no one cares. He is not on their 54 player roster and apparently it's not even worth mentioning despite the fact he was supposed to be right up there with the other Matsui and a notch down from Ichiro. How about he comes out of the box showing people he can actually play the game?

Dan can rant with the best of them. Go check him out.

It's no secret that us here at The Metropolitans thinks that Anderson Hernandez needs another year in the minors. Of course, that is based on eighteen possibly meaningless at-bats, but nevertheless, his swing did not look like big league quality. When you see players like Mike Jacobs come up and take some you hacks, you just see it. You just see that this kid has some skillzzzz and is adept with the bat. That being said, I'm not a baseball scout and talk out of my ass most of the time. Despite what I think Anderson Hernandez is lighting up his winter league. Last night in his first game playing for Licey in the Caribbean World Series, he went 4 for 6 with a single and a run scored, a triple and a run scored, a bunt single, and the go ahead run on a single in the top of the 11th. In the 11th, he also stole a heads up base and caught the Puerto Rican team sleeping and no one was on the bag or even near it. I'm not against him, but have Victor Diaz, Jose Reyes, and Anderson Hernandez in the same lineup is potentially devastating to the offense. It is not impossible for them all to have a .300 OBP or below. All of their OBP are products of their batting average and though Diaz walked a lot last year, that was largely because he was being pitched around. His walk total in 2005 was nice, but his 30 walks in 89 games seems like an anomaly when compared with his 31 walks in 141 games at AAA in 2004. He could have turned a corner, but he would need to prove it batting higher in the lineup. As with Hernandez, his walk totals weren't putrid, but as with Reyes, if you have marginal plate discipline and head into the bigs, you will not walk much. At leasta not at first. You just do not get handed a free pass like you would in the minors. It's a problem for the Mets because they all have talent, but three of them in the same lineup could be detrimental. On base percentage is not god, but it sure is tied into scoring runs pretty heavily.

So if you want to watch the games on TV for the Caribbean World Series, you can check them out on YES. Normally I wouldn't condone tuning into YES for any reason, but you get to see some Met players and other interesting players. Thanks to CWebb for pointing that out.