While the Mets don't appear to have extended any offers yet, free agents who interest them include relievers Francisco Rodriguez, Brian Fuentes and Kerry Wood (and to a lesser degree, Trevor Hoffman), starters Derek Lowe and Oliver Perez (or if they can't get Lowe or Perez, Jon Garland and Randy Wolf), second baseman Orlando Hudson and outfielder Raul Ibanez.
If you'll notice, there's no Manny Ramirez on the list. So it appears for the second time in six months GM Omar Minaya isn't going to get a chance to bring his favorite non-Met to Queens.
The pitchers are considered the Mets' prime targets for now. It appears that one reason they have yet to bid on the relievers is that they believe they are the richest team in need of a closer (others include the Indians, Rangers and Brewers), and assume that any of the top closers will check with them before signing elsewhere. As for the Mets' thinking, K-Rod appears to have a slight edge over Fuentes and Wood.
Lowe is their dream starter. But since they weren't thinking anywhere close to the $80-million, five-year asking price, they may have to consider second-tier guys like Garland and Wolf. They also see Carlos Silva's $48-million, four-year Mariners deal as a stumbling block on Perez; Perez's agent, Scott Boras, argues Perez is much better than Silva, while Mets people want to keep the talented yet inconsistent Perez to a three-year deal.
The Mets also have investigated the trade market for relievers and starters. There appears to be little or no progress with the White Sox. The Mets would like closer Bobby Jenks but put a high value on their top prospects, like Fernando Martinez, Jon Niese, Bobby Parnell and Eddie Kunz, and don't seem to be very high on starter Javier Vazquez, who's drawing interest from other NL clubs.
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Comments (15) Add A Comment
I don't think that the Mets should surrender prospects. Remember what happened with the Kazmir-Zambrano deal? That could easily happen again. Also, their farm system's still thin because of the Johan Santana deal.
Stick to in-house and free agent fixes this year, make trades when your farm system reloads.
thehemogoblin
The University Of, OR
Total Comments (29306)
I really don't understand Minaya thinking. Not only should the Mets be targeting the addition of at least three new relief pitchers, and the subtraction of two or more, they need to be adding two starters to the mix. Minaya should sign Oliver Perez, and then try to sign Derek Lowe, and Jon Garland. Why not even try to sign a rehabbing Brad Penney.
Pitching is the name of the game, and it would serve the Mets well to add as many quality pitchers as they can. After all, the Mets need to redeem themselves from back to back failed endings to once promising seasons. What better way to serve deserving Met fans, and start a new era in Met history with the opening of Citi field stadium.
ganster al
Bay Shore, NY
Total Comments (9)
Blast from the Mets past: Remember this poem from 1969. "Oldie but goodie".
The Cubs have Kessinger, to Beckett, to Banks, their ability gathers no shame.
But for general purposes, I would just as well prefer Weis, to Boswell, to Krane.
ganster al
Bay Shore, NY
Total Comments (9)
Look at the mets payroll. High priced palyers that have for the most part out lived there playing days untill they go elsewhere. that is the Mets .Big ticket players that have failed to produce. That is why the mets will not spend any more money on high priced free agent tallent.Because once they do the players don't care to perform to their tallent level.
Management is so concerned about the bottom line that they continue to give up top prospects for washed up players and low ball contracts.
Owner greed at its best
samsworld
Stroudsburg , PA
Total Comments (60)
hemgoblin dont know what the crap hes talking about. The mets have a wide array of young talent in their system. In addition to that, the of all the prospects we traded for Santana, Gomez, is the only one who is going to be worth it. FURTHERMORE, the Kazmir-Zambrano deal? That was a panic move by an interim GM. I have an idea, how about you comment on items that you are actually qualified to comment on.
manghangson
New York , NY
Total Comments (3)
The Mets should sign a proven releaver but yet young. The only one there with somewhat those qualities is Jenks and he throws hard!!! I will like to see someone like him in the Mets uniform without rendering the prospects. Also, they should bring the players via free agency and not waste young talent. If trades are necessary, throw all the relievers in the package!!! (Heilman, Schoenweis, Smith, Stokes, etc...)
MichaelPR
Cabo Rojo , PR
Total Comments (4)
Sign Wood & Juan Cruz instead of K-Rod, re-sign Oli, take a chance on Penny. Let the young guys fill out the bullpen and find a right handed bat to platoon with murphy, leaving tatis to pinch hitting.
Sully - LI
Levittown , NY
Total Comments (4)
hemgoblin dont know what the crap hes talking about. The mets have a wide array of young talent in their system. In addition to that, the of all the prospects we traded for Santana, Gomez, is the only one who is going to be worth it. FURTHERMORE, the Kazmir-Zambrano deal? That was a panic move by an interim GM. I have an idea, how about you comment on items that you are actually qualified to comment on.
manghangson
New York , NY
Total Comments (3)
hemgoblin dont know what the crap hes talking about. The mets have a wide array of young talent in their system. In addition to that, the of all the prospects we traded for Santana, Gomez, is the only one who is going to be worth it. FURTHERMORE, the Kazmir-Zambrano deal? That was a panic move by an interim GM. I have an idea, how about you comment on items that you are actually qualified to comment on.
manghangson
New York , NY
Total Comments (3)
C.C. to the Angels, Texeira to the Red Sox, Burnett to Baltimore, Lowe to the Phillies.... Manny to the Yankees
Yankee27
Castaic , CA
Total Comments (1121)
I think there is a log jam with free agents, in large part due to the silly asking price Borass has put on his clients. I would love to see baseball owners just walk away from his clients. Signing a top dollar free agent has not helped any team win a World Series.
mishagothe
Littleton, CO
Total Comments (433)
Teams made an agreement to not sign Barry Bonds last year... they should do the same to Boras this year. THAT WOULD BE AMAZING!!!
Yankee27
Castaic , CA
Total Comments (1121)
manghangson, I have an idea...how about you only make the same comment ONCE, instead of THREE times like someone who doesn't have a clue how to leave comments on message boards.
Capt. Obvious
Elizabethtown , PA
Total Comments (14)
Obviously Mets need to change their bullpen. I hope they don't do it by going after K-Rod. K-Rod only had 1 inning outings last year and the Mets desperately need a reliever that could come in the 8th if need be. Also, K-Rod's velocity was down towards the end of last year. K-Rod hit a pinnacle last year and can only come down from there, why waste money and pay at the top of the market. Go after Fuentes.
I am happy to see them pursuing Orlando Hudson, but this just kills me. I remember last year reading in a column that Hudson said he would take less money to play for a New York team. So what do the Mets do? Throw money away on a four year deal for Luis Castillo. Ugh!?!?!?!
MetsFan42Long
Total Comments (1)
sources told The Post's Joel Sherman yesterday that the Mets nearly acquired set-up man Huston Street from the Rockies for reliever Aaron HeilmanAaron Heilman but backed off when Colorado wanted fellow reliever Pedro Feliciano added to the deal.
Feliciano holds this up??!! Are the Mets kidding??!! They should be including a fruit basket with a thank you note as well!!!
JoltinJoeM
Port Chester , NY
Total Comments (2)
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