The Mets badly need a closer, and that's not a great thing. But their timing is pretty good in that there are four closers on the free-agent market and four on the trade market, as well. They are weighing all the possibilities, but it appears now that the free-agent route is slightly more likely than the trade route.
The Mets are looking into trades for Chicago's Bobby Jenks, Seattle's J.J. Putz and Colorado's Huston Street, and there's no reason to think they wouldn't inquire about Houston's Jose Valverde, as well. However, teams with viable closers have targeted a combination of the Mets' four best prospects: outfielder Fernando Martinez (who's tearing it up in winter ball), plus pitchers Jon Niese, Bobby Parnell and Eddie Kunz, and the Mets are reluctant to trade their premium prospects after dealing four others to land superstar pitcher Johan Santana last winter.
Among the free agent closers, Francisco Rodriguez appears to be the top target (all prices being equal) followed by Brian Fuentes and Kerry Wood. While Wood is an extreme talent, the Mets have concerns about his past arm troubles. Trevor Hoffman is also available after the Padres' unceremoniously pulled their $4-million offer to him off the table.
Anne V
Sarah Brandner
Fantasy Baseball: Top 15 Starting Pitchers
NCAA Tournament: Day 1
Comments (13) Add A Comment
Just spend the money on K-Rod already...this is getting tiresome.
The Love Caribou
Total Comments (166)
Yo John, Arizona doesn't have a closer by the name of Valverde anymore....oops
Duner
Peoria , AZ
Total Comments (1)
2 things: 1. Valverde is an Astro. 2. I like Wood if they can get him on a 2 year deal for 20-25 million. By then they should know if Parnell or Kunz can close in the future. Also, Juan Cruz for the 8th inning, please.
Sully - LI
Levittown , NY
Total Comments (4)
Sloppy. Credibility is important, and you lost some with the Arizona - Valverde reference.
dano2815
Houston , TX
Total Comments (1)
This is a no-brainer Mets fans. Sign Trevor Hoffman if he's interested in coming to the NYC-Tri-State area market. Hoffman will not command the same price as a K-Rod, can still be just as reliable, and is a class-act human being. Plus, after being completely screwed the way he was by San Diego days ago, he won't be lacking the motivation to make the Padres front office look like morons.
EastCoastKeith
Total Comments (2161)
Valverde??? you lost me
Cornelius Olivernius
Auburn Hills, MI
Total Comments (152)
If the Mets go the cheap route and sign Trevor Hoffman, I will become a Rays fan. Hoffman can't hit 83mph anymore and has blown every big save of his life (see playoffs, all star game, last weekend of 2007). He wouldn't last a month as the Mets closer. If they don't want to go long term for K-Rod or Fuentes then Wood, Jenks, Putz are acceptable alternatives. Not Street (for the closer role at least) and definitely not Hoffman.
Sully - LI
Levittown , NY
Total Comments (4)
If you can sign K-rod for 3, do it... No closer out there is worth more than 3 years with the exception of papelbum... Wood's arm for 2 is too risky... Fuentes is good, hoffman would get eaten up in NY...
drew31177
Westchester, NY
Total Comments (54)
The Mets simply cannot afford to trade any of their remaining minor league talent for a closer. It is much easier to obtain a closer through free agency. That being said, I think the Mets should look to sign a pitcher to develop as a closer. If I were Omar, I would sign J. Cruz and attempt to make him a closer. He has the stuff and should come at a much more reasonable price than some of the currently available closers.
KenJr
Northfield , CT
Total Comments (6)
J. Cruz??? He hasn't proven anything as a closer... I agree with you about keeping the chips... go with K-rod or fuentes.
drew31177
Westchester, NY
Total Comments (54)
And who has until they are given the opportunity? I think if given the chance, he could be an excellent closer.
KenJr
Northfield , CT
Total Comments (6)
mets would never go with an unproven closer...
drew31177
Westchester, NY
Total Comments (54)
Shame on you people for attacking the credibility of one of the more established baseball writers in the country. The man made a mistake... something I'm sure you've done many times yourselves. Get over yourselves....
The Mets simply don't deserve to be in as great a shape as they are in the closer market right now. But you don't hear me complaining. The Mets need to take their time and let the right guy fall to them. They will be able to get an elite closer for no more than 4 and maybe even 3 years if they just let the chips fall where they may. Let's wait and see... and eventually put K-Rod in orange and blue.
King Jenrry
Total Comments (299)
Comment
Remember to keep your posts clean. Profanity will get filtered, and offensive comments will be removed.