It is beginning to heat up for the Mets and some free agents. Hot Stove is hitting around Thanksgiving as it has in years past for Omar Minaya. He has made famous Turkey Day visits before, will he do it again?
Minaya was in contact with the agents for several players yesterday, laying the groundwork for future meeting, contacts, and offers. The Post, along with several publications, is reporting that Minaya was in contact with Brian Fuentes and Francisco Rodriguez yesterday to begin the talks towards offers. It is not expected that offers will be submitted before Thanksgiving, but who knows. The Mets are also showing interest in Kerry Wood and the old man, Trevor Hoffman, albeit for a shorter deal.
For the course of action I see in the future, Minaya seems to be after a couple closers, one for the job and one that can be the eighth inning guy and step in if the closer gets hurt or is ineffective for a stretch. In that sense I say bring on Kerry Wood. He should be relatively cheaper that Rodriguez and has the guts. If his injured past comes back, you have someone in the eighth that has closed (Huston Street,...?). I like Brian Fuentes but I am not sure about him in NY. K-Rod has concerns about velocity, arm strength, etc. How much of that eases up if he comes to the NL and what is the real risk? We won't know unless he comes to the Mets and we get to see it unfold. Ultimately, I think K-Rod ends up here but, we will see if Minaya even wants him.
Some reports suggest the Mets may need to look to the Rays for Edwin Jackson or Andy Sonnanstine via trade. I am in on either of these guys for the right price. However, the Rays are difficult to trade with, especially regarding pitching. Sonnanstine is an up and comer though with guts and a give me the ball attitude. Both are young as well.
Heilman is certainly gone and Castillo could be close behind. I get the feeling that Minaya will not simply give up Castillo, but if he thinks he is getting a good deal, he won't hesitate. The White Sox will not happen I don't think. They want to much for Dye and I don't sense the Mets like Vazquez that much.
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