The Mets are weighing which top free-agent closer to pursue -- Francisco Rodriguez or Brian Fuentes -- and while no offer to either appears imminent, indications are strong that Mets people are leaning toward Rodriguez over Fuentes now.
Mets decisionmakers worried earlier about the suggestion that K-Rod would demand Mariano Rivera money($15 million a year) on a five-year contract. But with those fears allayed, the momentum seems to be moving toward K-Rod, who saved a record 62 games last year for the Angels while going 2-3 with a 2.24 ERA. The Mets would love to sign Rodriguez to a three-year deal, but with intense competition expected, may have to go to four years.
Mets people have concerns about K-Rod's drop in velocity but are encouraged that he was able to reinvent himself with a changeup as his pivotal pitch. K-Rod is also seen as a pitcher with the type of flair and personality who could thrive in New York. The Mets are aided by a glut of available top bullpen arms, including free-agent closers Kerry Wood and Trevor Hoffman plus trade possibilities Bobby Jenks, J.J. Putz and Huston Street.
For now, though, K-Rod appears likely the Mets' top target.
Tatiana Golovin
Alison Preston
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Back in Time: July 3
Comments (17) Add A Comment
I would actually go after a cheaper option such as a kerry wood or a trevor hoffman.....you can get either cheap because injury problems and age respectively.... why would you trade anybod when you dont have much to begin with..theres always prospects but im sure the white sox and the A's are done getting prospects and its time to get actual NAMES in their lineups...
Meteora16
Villa Park , IL
Total Comments (423)
Ohh boy...Omar is gonna open up the wallet again. He's very good at spending money on free agents, yet seems to never be able to pull off any significant trades. That being said, the Mets desperately need bullpen help, and hopefully they can get K-Rod for a 3 year deal, but more realistically, 4 years.
Giuseppe Franco
Beverly Hills , CA
Total Comments (114)
Liaten metrora16 as much as i hate the mets there getting K-ROD!Because they are the new york mets and money is not a problem. hoffman bout 20 saves 10 blown as a met.kerry wood injury prone 23saves 4 blown misses 30 games as a met , K-ROD 45 saves bout 3 blown saves low era everyones happy.
mike1196
Staten Island , NY
Total Comments (60)
Liaten metrora16 as much as i hate the mets there getting K-ROD!Because they are the new york mets and money is not a problem. hoffman bout 20 saves 10 blown as a met.kerry wood injury prone 23saves 4 blown misses 30 games as a met , K-ROD 45 saves bout 3 blown saves low era everyones happy.
mike1196
Staten Island , NY
Total Comments (60)
"Omar never seems to be able to pull off any significant trades." Very astute point Giuseppe, considering he dealt for Johan Santana last year. Is that not significant?
tkirks21
Hoboken , NJ
Total Comments (1)
Every hear of a pitcher that goes by the name of Santana? Omar acquired him by T-R-A-DE, not through free agency!
NY State of Mind
Total Comments (14)
Ever hear of a Mets pitcher that goes by the name of Santana? He was acquired through trade and not free agency.
Get your facts straight.
NY State of Mind
Total Comments (14)
I think if they can afford K-Rod then they should go for it. It all depends on how many blown saves cost them on the road to the playoffs this year. I say go K-Rod and Wood in the 8th if you got the cash. If not, then Fuentes closing, Wood in the 8th and try and pick up Looper for a song to get 2 outs when you need them (honeslty have not seen much of him since he days with the Mets). I'm not so sure heilman is finished as some reporters suggest. I think overworked would be a better term. Why not move to your 5th starter and look for more help in bullpen? It can;t be much worse then the 5/6 innings were were gettting last year from that spot in the rotation.
Jamie G
Total Comments (1)
Why pay cheaper for a closer who is older (hoffman and fuentes) or injury prone (wood)? Doesn't anyone remember that the Mets downfall started when their previous closer (Wagner) was injured with 2 months left in the season? If K-Rod can be got, then get him...
jfinltown
Davenport, FL
Total Comments (2)
Unfortunately, It does not matter.... Mets need MIDDLE RELIEF, and you can go out an buy that
ATLJAMES
Roswell , GA
Total Comments (78)
WOW still all wronggg hoffman is washed up. and i cant trust wood after 1 good year. hailmen is not finished he trashed and just cant pitch he signs with a japaneese league 2 year 6million.obviosly not worth a penny in the bigs.havent you learned 2 years could be done (wagner) you could get that in wood,glavine old and couldnt get an out (hoffman).blown saves is wat is pulling the mets apart (fuentes). im sorry no k-rod no playoffs
mike1196
Staten Island , NY
Total Comments (60)
Hey Omar makes really bad trades eh? What about John Maine and Ollie Perez as "throw ins". I love it when people post stuff when they don't know anything! What an idiot!
ck1head
Kerhonkson , NY
Total Comments (3)
Giuseppe Franco is right, Omar really hasn't done anything through trades.
Santana, yes, but he was basically a FA and he fell right into our lap.
If you still want to give him mucho credit for that, then I give you Luis Castillo. Horrible trade: considering he re-signed him to one of the Top 5 Worst Contracts currently in MLB.
I'm not hating on Omar, but he hasn't produced any outstanding trades as far as I'm concerned.
Toke
Total Comments (1)
yes Omar is good at spending the money but lets not forget, Maine, Perez, Delgado, Santana,
real2will
Seaford , NY
Total Comments (2)
yes Omar is good at spending the money but lets not forget, Perez, Maine, Delgado, Santana.
real2will
Seaford , NY
Total Comments (2)
GET JENKS, NEED SOME AMERICANS ON THAT TEAM
USA BASEBALL #22
Davenport , FL
Total Comments (1)
Im not sure if the Mets would be able to get a closer through trade. Who would they give up, there not gonna give up Fernando Martinez, and Krod is a beast. Either way minaya is gonna get a top line closer. its New York, no one cares about payrolls like kansas city.
Diezler14
Cranbury , NJ
Total Comments (18)
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