A blog dedicated to the New York Mets with some other baseball thrown in.

Tuesday, October 31, 2006

The Rumor Mill Is Churning

The Red Sox like Milledge and Heilman.

Mark Healey of Gotham Baseball has a new but familiar trade rumor for us: it appears that the Red Sox would like to acquire Aaron Heilman to be their closer next year. In addition, Theo Epstein and Co. may have their eye on Lastings Milledge. It could be the makings of a Manny Ramirez trade, if the Mets want to pay Ramirez's $39MM salary over the next two seasons.

I think we all know the Mets do not want Manny Ramirez. The only way I could even see this as a remote possibility would be if Red Sox eat half of the money owed to Manny. The Mets would not pick up every dime. Aside from that huge issue of Manny taking up Omar's entire off-season budget, he is not the type of character guy that Omar targets. When talking about 24 + 1 players, Manny could be accused of that. Sure, he is an affable guy, but there is an endless list of things that can be attributed to Manny being Manny.

Manny does not need the Mets and Mets do not need Manny. Good for the Red Sox. They like two very young and very bright players. I'm sure there are 28 other teams that like them too.

On the pitching front, we have seen predictions that say the Mets will get Zito...

Prediction: Seattle strikes again to sign Matsuzaka, a move that will convince Suzuki not to go looking for greener pastures when his deal expires after next season. The Mets outbid the Dodgers for Zito and Schmidt winds up with the Cubs. At least two other Japanese starters accompany Matsuzaka to the United States, including Hiroki Kuroda, an unrestricted free agent.

...and some that predict he stays out West.

Prediction: Signs with the Dodgers for 6-years, $85 or with the Padres for 5-years, $70M

Me? Depends. Depends on whether the Mets actually bring back Glavine and/or lost out on Daisuke. The bottom line is the Mets need to get stronger in the rotation. If Glavine walks (and no one knows much about that situation) and Daisuke is off the table, the best pitcher left is Barry Zito. Sure, the Mets and Yankees say that they have no interest, but that is hard to believe. Omar might try and go the low risk/high reward avenue, but if Glavine leaves and frees up more money, the Mets would have no choice but to go after Zito. Would singing Zito if Glavine leaves wreak of desperation? Possibly, but the Mets need to take steps forward, not backwards.

Speaking of Glavine, MLB4U.com has him heading back to the Mets.

Prediction: Sides split the difference and agree to 1-year, $10.25M deal for 2007

Glavine wants a story book ending and really, it is grinding on me more and more by the day. The Mets have been vocal about wanting him back. The Mets are light years ahead of the Braves in terms of talent. The Mets are a team on the verge of making big things happen. The Braves? Not so much. I appreciate all that Glavine has done for the Mets as an organization in helping bring some professionalism and some players to New York, but enough. He is playing both sides of the fence here and has to decide if being a winner is more important than making one more run with the good 'ole boys. This ain't no fucking high school reunion. It is professional baseball.

Update: Scott said in the comments section last night that the rumor is Glavine is getting a 2 year extension @ $10 million a year. If this is true, I really do not have a big problem with this. You ideally only wanted him for one year, but I do think he is an important part of this team in '07.

I think that Jose Valenin is a great guy. His moustache is second to none. The likelihood of him doing that again? Not very good. There is plenty of talk of the Mets needing to bring him back with a right handed bat to play second base in a platoon with him, but I would just as soon as get someone more valuable. Valentin was horrific off the bench and I do not envision him repeating 2006 so I would rather the Mets look elsewhere.

Rich Aurilia isn't sure he'll exercise his part of a $2 million mutual option with the Reds and may opt for free agency, The New York Post reports. Cincinnati will still be a player for him, but the Staten Island native could be of interest to both New York teams.

"Rich wants to play for a contender and wants to, if possible, play just one position," his agent, Barry Axelrod, told the newspaper. "Both New York teams qualify for what he is looking for."

The Mets need a second baseman, and GM Omar Minaya signed Aurilia to his first pro contract. The Yankees need a first baseman to make Jason Giambi a full-time DH.


Aurilla is certainly a good fit for the Mets and they need a guy that could play 2B and 3B because Wright needs a few days off every once in a while. Rich can take a walk and hit lefties to the tune of .347/.406/.680 in '06. From 2003 to 2005, he hit .294 /362/.505 against lefties. I would not mind seeing Anderson Hernandez make the team in the last rost spot and see some time at second while Aurilla is resting or while Aurilla is resting Wright. Overall, Rich would stand to get plenty of playing time and would certainly fit right in with LoDuca as a player returing back to his home to play. He made only $1,300,000 in 2006 and figures to get a raise, but he will still be a relative bargain.

Heilman still wants to start.

Aaron Heilman's stance remains the same: He wants to be a starting pitcher, either for the Mets or another team in 2007, according to a person familiar with the right-handed reliever's thinking.

Heilman has reiterated his desire to start to management already, the person said.


If Mota comes back, I fully expect him to be traded.

Adam Kennedy is interested in the Mets, but the Mets should not be interested in Adam Kennedy.

This past year Kennedy hit .273 with four homers, 55 RBIs, 16 steals and a .334 on-base percentage for the Angels. Kennedy, who turns 31 in January, has fared well in the playoffs (he was the ALCS MVP in 2002 and has hit .308 in 25 career postseason games) and although he committed nine errors this year (tied for seventh among AL second basemen), he had the fewest among regular AL second basemen in 2005 (five).

He is a lefty who was under the Mendoza line against lefties in 2006 and does not hit lefties all that well overall. If the Mets were looking to platoon someone, they could just bring back Valentin. At any rate, Rich Aurillia is a far superior choice over Adam Kennedy.

Overall, the Mets are leading the bigs with players that filed for free agency. They really need to bring back Bradford and Mota with The Duque looking like a possible vital piece for 2007 if he would accept a one year deal. However, I'm sure there will be some team willing to dish up two years which the Mets should stay away from.

* * *

  • The line of the day:

    "A lot of players are somewhat nervous or apprehensive about becoming free agents because of all the uncertainty," Borris told the Associated Press last weekend. "Barry has nerves of steel. That's also evident in the way he plays baseball."

    Of course he has to interject that last part in his little quote. He is always jockeying for mo' money.

  • Carlos Delgado should be like new for opening day 2007.

    Mets first baseman Carlos Delgado had surgery to repair a torn tendon in his left elbow yesterday at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan. The team called the surgery a success and said Delgado's rehab schedule put him on course to be ready for spring training workouts.

    "All indications are that he's doing great," one official said.

    Delgado's elbow had hindered him at times this season, his first with the Mets. Delgado often was seen wearing a large ice pack on it around the clubhouse. But the elbow was an issue before he ever got to Queens.


    I have no idea if his wrist and elbow played a part in his .268 batting average, but I'm willing to bet they did. I expect a more dangerous Delgado in '07.

  • Cammy's option was picked up as Mike Piazza's $8 million option was predictably turned down.

  • Marty Noble gets some mail.

  • Alfonso Soriano is looking to get paid.

    According to the source, Soriano is seeking a deal similar to the seven-year, $119 million deal given to center fielder Carlos Beltran by the New York Mets before the 2005 season. It's unlikely the Orioles will be in the running for Soriano if he doesn't back off those demands. Teams can start bidding on free agents on Nov. 12.

    Um, no. Not happening bub. Beltran was three years younger than you were when he signed his contract. Yours would expire when you are 38 and Beltran is one of the more adept fielders in the league. It can't hurt to ask though, right?

    The Phillies are prepared to go hard after Soriano with a $15 million per year offer.

    A team source says the Phils are prepared to dish out at least $75 million over five seasons for Soriano, who hit .277 with a career-high 46 homers, 95 RBIs and 41 steals last season for the Washington Nationals, most out of the leadoff position.

    Yikes. That is some lineup they would be putting together in Philly.

  • Mesa wins big as Fernando Martinez went 2 for 4 with a run scored and a strikeout. He is batting .218 so far in fifteen games. Bobby Malek and Michel Abreu were a combined 4 for 9 with four runs scored, three homers, and nine RBIs.
  • 27 Comments:

    Anonymous Anonymous said...

    The Red Sox may like Milledge and Heilman but for who?
    I don't like any of the players the Red Sox could possibly be willing to trade.

    Jose Valentin it was a fun story but I woudn't want him for more than 1 year and wouldn't want him as the starting 2nd baseman.

    Rich Aurillia, another one that I woudn't want for more than 1 year and starting. I would like him in the Chris Woodward role. Play 3rd, 2nd, SS, 1st, and come off the bench and start if something happens to anyone in the infield.

    All I'm reading is that Bradford would really like to test the FA waters. Thats bad, he has to come back. If both Bradford and Mota leave, it will make trading Aaron REEAL hard and it will fuck up any potential trades involving him.
    But at the same time, I think that Henry Owens could be ready. He's continuing to do what he did all season long in the DWL.
    And I know this is crazy but how about Juan Padilla?
    I think the Mets would not skip a beat if they trade Heilman.

    Is it at all possible that Carlos Delgado can be EVEN better next season?
    I really do feel bad for the rest of Major league baseball because the mets are gonna be soo much better in 2007.

    THey could sign Soriano but it would be the same problem as before. No pitching and shitty defense.

    And Aramis Ramirez opts out and becomes a FA, dun dun dun.

    12:01 PM

     
    Blogger michael o. said...

    Well, you can give Aurilla an option or something. Him on the bench in '08 is not the worst thing. Spelling 1b, 2b, and 3b. No more Franco, he steps into a nice role and gets substantial playing time.

    If Mota and Bradford leave, Heilman gets one more year in the bullpen and it would not suprise me to see Humber pull a Wainwright in '07 if bullpen arms are needed. HE WOULD BE NASTY OUT OF THE PEN!

    Owens is gravy. I expect nothing out of him.

    Padilla was a nice story, but I'm not exactly sold he was all that good. Again, gravy. Cannot be planned on.

    Delgado will be better. That is a Metropolitan guarentee.

    Ramirez will be a cub. They are desperate. He's getting a huge deal for about 5 years from the cubbies.

    12:10 PM

     
    Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Count me in as a 'yes' vote on Manny.

    The man can flat out mash like no other and he will go down as one of the greatest right handed batters ever. Adding Manny makes everything in our lineup right again.

    Reyes
    Beltran
    Manny
    Delgado
    Wright
    Green
    Lo Duca
    2nd Base
    Pitcher

    Are you kidding me? We could throw Anthony Young out there and still win. If the Sox are willing to pick up 1/3 of the money that puts Manny at $14 million a year. It's a no brainer if we get one of Omar's patented 'throw in' pitchers. We are not locked into a long term deal on Soriano or Lee.

    And I'm not convinced about the "Manny Being Manny" talk. Remember how much we heard out of the Boston media about Pedro? How he was a diva/cancer in the clubhouse? Well that wasn't quite the case. I'm sure some people are going to take offense at this, but Boston (the team and the city) has an amazingly awful history of racism. From an outsider's prospective, the white guys get a pass, but black and latino guys get railroaded. You can take that for what it's worth.

    Glavine is trying to get Schuerholz to eat the difference between the Mets buy-out and his 2007 salary. He can take less money to play in Atlanta because no matter what happens, we're writing a check for $3 million. I think Glavine comes back next year, but if Omar does give him a 2 year deal, it's a dumb move.

    Julio Franco was a nice story and a great clubhouse presence, but if he is on the roster next year heads need to roll. He can't hit a major league fastball. Hell he couldn't even catch up to a 85MPH meatball down the heart of the plate. If Omar/Willie wants to bring him back as a coach, I'm fine with that, but he cannot have a roster spot.

    Again, I'm not convinced that Zito is the answer. I'm also not convinced that our payroll is going to stay relatively flat. There was a lot of post season money that came in (I'm responsible for at least $600 of it). Also the new CBA increased the luxury tax threshold a lot this year. With all the money we're clearing with free agents leaving we could conceivably add $40 million without triggering the tax. Do I think we're going to add that much? No, but if Omar goes to Freddy Coupon and asks for an extra $10 million, Omar will get the $10 million.

    12:29 PM

     
    Blogger michael o. said...

    I like Loretta. Not a bad idea for a stop gap. Solid OBP guy. The kind of guys that help you win and get on base. Fits into what the Mets need.

    I'm on board with Daisuke man. I'm loving the idea more and more every day.

    YES for Manny! You are alone man. I don't want him here, for that money, and giving up your two best trading chips.

    Good point on the Pedro stuff, but still. I just don't know.

    Julio will be there. So I guess heads should start rolling. They should buy him out and give him a coaching job, I'm with you there and let Aurilla get the majority of 2nd, backup 1st, and backup 3rd. Lets him get a shitload of games.

    Yes, money came in, but Wilpon is still paying off the team and buying a new stadium. He does not have limitless resources. $110 is as high as could see it going. Besides, they like to maintain some sort of payroll flexibility.

    12:52 PM

     
    Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Wow...four days after the WS ends, and the Manny-to-Mets for Milledge and Heilman rumors surface? Wow, I thought it would take at least a week!

    Just say NO to Manny. We are not going to trade a kid with a ton of upside and our key BP guy for Manny. Just...no.

    I think I'm the only person who believes Mets need a key 2nd baseman. To me, that's the component missing. Jose Valentin was good, but call me a cynic, with this whole lightning in a bottle crap, I don't think he's gonna repeat it this year. Am I the only one who thought trading Kepp was a bad move? Although I hear the dude we got from KC isn't bad. But he's a few years from being major league ready, no? (I'm too lazy to go and look) I'm with Benny - give Aurilla a 1-yr contract. See how it pans out.

    We need Chadwick and Mota...we just do.

    I also don't see Sori going to Phils. He thinks he's like Ty Cobb caliber when he's more Cobb Salad. I don't think they cough up that much unless they use the Abreu pay-day money on him. But I feel like Gillick passed around the extra bucks to paint his office.

    1:02 PM

     
    Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Well the bright side about Franco is that theres only one more year of him.
    He doesn't cost the team any losses but at the same time he won't win you anything either.

    I love Manny but there's a reason why the Red Sox have him in LF, its tiny. Him in LF at Shea would just be horrible. He not only messes up in LF but he really stresses out the other fielders and puts more pressure on them.

    The Mets should deffinitly start using the bullpen to transition minor leaguers into the majors.
    Pelfrey or Humber in the pen would be good.

    Speaking about 2nd baseman and how Omar picks up sucky players for cheap and they become good, how about Tony Womack?
    He has "potential" to be "productive", too bad the asshole, in his career has been incredibly inconsistant in his career as far as his OBP goes, meh.
    Just throwing it out there...

    1:04 PM

     
    Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Jamie Moyer just set the standard for older than dirt lefties getting 2 year contracts, so I say go for the 2 year, maybe second year is an option year with Glavine

    I agree with Benny, Padilla doesn't look that impressive, he just gets guys out. What's wrong with that?

    Regarding Manny, I quote Big Papi:

    'Manny ain't going to no Mets'

    1:11 PM

     
    Anonymous Anonymous said...

    "A lack of healthy pitching doomed the Yankees and the Mets..." -Guess i wasn't watching the same NLCS he was! We ended up losing 3-1, not 12-1. Our hitters went MIA the pitching was awesome.

    "Why haven't the Mets given Randolph a new contract? What does he have to do?
    -- Lawrence B., Brick, N.J." - Just found out Willie's screen name "Lawrence B."!!!

    Philly are trying the Rockies route to the bottom by signing multi-year, multi-million dollar deals. They will have great hitting but lose games 10-8 or 12-10. "All hitting and no pitching makes Philly look silly."

    I realy think Omar is waiting with baited breath to get Sorian for LF. He has wanted him for years and now just has to give bucks and a draft pick instead of talent. I wouldn't be surprised if he signed him before he signed Zito.

    1:21 PM

     
    Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Scott, you really think that about Sori? Omar has never been one to hide his feelings towards a certain player (remember his man crush on Sammy before the NY media ripped him apart about the *thought* of trading Floyd for him?)...I've never believed him to be a Sori backer. Although, Willie has worked with him before...come to think of it, that would fill the hole in at 2B and get a pinch starter for LF, or vice versa. Don't know - if I'm omar, I don't touch him with a 10 foot pole. Just a female intuition thing for me...Just say no to Sori.

    1:31 PM

     
    Anonymous Anonymous said...

    "With all the money we're clearing with free agents leaving we could conceivably add $40 million without triggering the tax."-We could have a 500million payroll next season and not pay one cent of luxury tax. The CBA (new and old) allows teams who are building new stadiums to take a big pass on the tax.

    Think of how much mre Steinbrenner can spend.

    1:42 PM

     
    Blogger michael o. said...

    I'm not too concerned about Mota and Bradford leaving though they were vital. There are a few good relievers out there already and the Mets will still be returning plenty. Omar will not get bent over, but it would be advised they stay with the Mets and professor Rick. Anyone notice how much luck Rick has with relievers? Koche, Foulke, Roberto Hernandez, Feliciano, etc. I'm not worried at all.

    Womack is nice. There are a ton of affordable 2b options. Omar knows how to build a team not centered around All-Stars. I do get the warm and fuzzies on second.

    Padilla wants a three or four year deal. No fucking way.

    Right on Scott. Pitching was not the problem. It was the offense, but as Detroit showed us, the Cards were actually pitching well more than the Mets were not hitting. Shit happens.

    "Why haven't the Mets given Randolph a new contract? What does he have to do?
    -- Lawrence B., Brick, N.J." - Just found out Willie's screen name "Lawrence B."!!!


    Fucking funny man. Awesome.

    Interesting take on Sori. Not sure if they can really budget a starter and a Sori unless they make a trade for Garcia or something.

    1:43 PM

     
    Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Coop, i'm not sure about Soriano. He seems to hav great years when he is pissed off. Omar and Willie have man love for him and he might just produce huge for that love or he might turn into a lazy SOB like he was in Texas. But in thei lineup he could hit 50hr and 140 rbi. 41/95 with no one around him in that cavernous stadium is impressive.

    1:45 PM

     
    Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Off-topic of rumors and everything...but the new payroll structure...sure, teams can theoretically have a $500mm payroll like Scott said...but keep in mind one thing - where does this sweet moolah come from? From season tickets holders like me to people who try to take their kids to a baseball game. The game of baseball is not going to price their own fans out just to have the "best team." The Yankees did that, sure in NY where people have $$ but at the same time they are the most hates team, so go figure.

    People say that the reason teams like KC, Pitt and T-Bay play the poor card although they get the revenue sharing $$, yet I wonder how much of it is because of the economies in those places. For example, has anyone ever been to The Trop in TB? It's a dive. Well, the stadium is nice ($4 GIANT beers and clean bathrooms), the area around it is divey (good sports bar across the street though). OK I went off on a tangent. Keep prices low, more people come. Then again, it backfires because the teams are horrible and no one wants to see them anyway.

    I hope that made sense. I'm a little tired today.

    2:17 PM

     
    Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Scott good point about Sori - it was interesting to note that it was his walk year and produced a lot. Still don't trust the dude.

    2:18 PM

     
    Anonymous Anonymous said...

    I don't trust Soriano for shit. He has Adrian Beltre written all over him.
    And to me, i know I sound like a broken record, its all about the commitment SOriano wants. He basically wants a Beltran type of deal. Fuck that. He's 2 eyars older than Beltran and isn't even close to the type of player Beltran is.
    I think that Omar does like Soriano but... Willie has had experience with him and spilled the beans on how he is and I'm assuming they weren't positive reports. Because if Omar wanted him, he would have had him.

    Winning will cure all things concerning attendence, its that simple. Heck, just compare 2003 to 2006.
    Or the Tigers in 2006.
    The Pirates are a franchise with history. If they win, people will come.

    And besides ticket sales are about the lowest percantage of what teams rake in. Its all about radio and tv deals they make teams alot of money. Then there's also that corporate sponsorship that makes teams alot of money. The ticket sales are at the bottom of the pyramid as far as bringing in revenue for the teams/owners.

    2:33 PM

     
    Anonymous Anonymous said...

    True about ticket sales, Benny, but I do declare (I sound like Scarlet OHara or someone from Gone with the Wind) that everything in the park gets expensive when big dollar players and high payrolls need to get paid...it's more noticeable to the little guy (i.e. you and me, who go for fun) than to TV and radio, advertising and media stuff, because they are the guys with all the moolah. But still, the consumer still eats the cost of this stuff, plain and simple.

    2:41 PM

     
    Anonymous Anonymous said...

    I guess it just doesn't bother me as much because I don't buy food at the stadium. I don't pay for parking.
    And since I have no bills to pay an increase in ticket prices just don't hurt me too much.
    And again, this is a man that spent over $300 in October for playoff tickets.

    2:50 PM

     
    Anonymous Anonymous said...

    $300 Benny, that's is - fwah, you're looking at someone who spent $2600 (but is getting something like $1300 back LOL)

    3:01 PM

     
    Anonymous Anonymous said...

    OOps - didn't mean to hit submit there, but remember in like 2002 there was the threat of a strike, all stemming from money or some crapola (don't remember what it was about exactly)...well, there was a threat that baseball would be shut down for the weekend. Well lo and behold it wasn't, but i had gone to the stadium the week before...then i had gone the day after the strike was called off, and prices were significantly higher. I remember being really pissed off about it, it was like - we're gonna go on strike to get more money, yet we will get more money, by fleecing our fans. Not to mention, these were the days of Robbie Alomar and Mo Vaughn, so it was adding insult to injury. Just sayin...

    3:03 PM

     
    Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Garcia is a good back up option if we miss Zito and Mulder.

    Dice is going to be a tricky situation and after the Kaz debacle I dont know that i want him.

    3:08 PM

     
    Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Which Garcia are you talking about Freddy Garcia? Meh, I dunno anymore. I'd rather not.

    Kaz Matsui's performance should have no bearing on Dice-K. And nither should the other pitcher that have come to the mets. Since these pitchers were 35 year old mediocre pitchers even in Japan.
    Matsuzaka is dominant. And will be no matter where he is.

    3:24 PM

     
    Blogger michael o. said...

    here does this sweet moolah come from?

    There is a max they can charge before they start seeing a decline. Boston's prices are on the moon. They are trying to create more a 'demand' with the smaller stadium in Queens, but there is certainly plenty of room to go up for a team that will be good for a few years. I paid $1000 for my Sunday package this year. By the time the new stadium opens, I think comperable tickets will go up to $1400.

    Soriano is not needed. Pitching first. Then hitting. If there is magically $15 million extra, so be it. His contract expires when Wright, Reyes, Milledge, Humber, etc. need to get paid. I do not think he fits though.

    DiceK! Bring him in! He is nasty.

    Garcia is good for a few reasons. I'll expound tomorrow.

    4:11 PM

     
    Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Re: seating demand, that's right on. Fenway is OBSCENE. The place is sold out every day (even for a 1pm game on a Wed) and you can only get tix on StubHub for way over face. It makes sense what the Coupons and the new stadium are trying to achieve - make it a shiny new stadium, get people interested in it, have a good team, and more demand for less seats.

    A season ticket plan is around $6K and that's not including diamond club access or preferred parking. I can't even imagine what it would be when the new stadium opens. Yikes.

    4:35 PM

     
    Blogger michael o. said...

    Yikes is right. I guess we all just need to make more money!

    4:52 PM

     
    Anonymous Anonymous said...

    I just worry that the people with the weekend plans or the Tuesday-Thursday plans will get shut out of playoff and WS tickets. The reality is that we were far from our normal seats during the season, and that's with a 56,000 seat stadium. Subtract 11,000 from that, and where does it leave the lowly mini-package people?

    7:31 PM

     
    Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Sidd Finch - luckily for us paeons, there are plans to have more "luxury sky boxes" which means corporate subsidies. So maybe we can get season packages for around the same...hey, it can happen. I get preferential seating in the new stadium providing I keep getting seasons thru till 08. Yeah baby!

    9:45 PM

     
    Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Enough about Aurillia. What about Mark DeRosa. He is a New York Boy would can play 2nd, 3rd and SS, as wellas the outfield and is younger than Aurilla.

    Minaya also needs to get Mota, Bradford and Oliver back for the pen, sign El Duque to start as well as get Mark Mulder (at a discount because he is coming off an injury.

    Lastly, not a bad idea to sign Edgardo Alfonzo (minor leauge free agent) another minor leauge deal and see if he has anything left.

    10:42 AM

     

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