MetsCitiBlog

Rockies close to a deal with Olivo, could the Mets turn to Torrealba?

In a post for FoxSports, Tracy Ringolsby writes that the Rockies are trying to finalize some details on a deal to bring in Miguel Olivo to back up for Chris Iannetta.  This would effectively end the Rockies tenure for Yorvit Torrealba. 

Torrealba is at a stand still for quite some time with the Rockies over about $400K in a 2 year deal that is worth $5.6 million.  Yorvit wants $6 million and Colorado seems unwilling to budge anymore.  While the details are yet to come out, Olivo's deal would certainly be less than the $5.6 million and possibly under $5 million as well.

This deal could help the Mets in multiple ways.  First, Torrealba is available still and although I am not sure he is a fit for the Mets after having a grievance filed and decided recently, money can always make things better.  It would cost the Mets half the money that Bengie Molina wants andwould free up money that could be used for a starter or a platoon mate for Daniel Murphy at 1st base.

Secondly, this could simply act as leverage for the Mets if they really only want Molina.  Molina knows that there is another catcher available now and there aren't a lot of teams, if any, looking for catchers at this point.  This is also why the Mets have stood their ground with their current offer.  There is no one else bidding.

Simply put, Torrealba being available is good for the Mets.  He is a much better receiver than Olivo and would be held in higher regard.  He is only 31 years old and up until last season, had a better than 30% chance of throwing out base runners.  This is something to watch in the next few days, to see if the Mets strike up some new talks. 

Mets Hot Stove Heating up; Carlos Zambrano possibly headed to Flushing?

The Bleacher Report, authored by John Fennelly, seems to think that there is a possible three team deal in the works with the Mets getting Zambrano, giving up Luis Castillo and others.  However, Matt Cerrone at MetsBlog and Tim Dierkes from MLBTR are both skeptical.  Cerrone believes talks have occurred in the past, but nothing is "on" right now.  Also, Dierkes says that some in the industry think Zambrano is definitely available, while others say absolutely not. 

From my point of view, this is probably a topic that was discussed at some point, maybe the first or second GM meetings earlier in the off season, but never really went anywhere.  I think Omar has kicked every tire and lifted every stone in regards to available pitchers because he is not enamored with the free agents.  Between Zambrano's salary the next 3 years ( over $50 million), his lack of desire to leave Chicago, and the magnitude of such a deal, I think there is no chance at all. 

I will say that Santana, followed by Zambrano, would make for an interesting set up and wouold certainly have them competing against each other, probably resulting in a formidable 1-2 punch.

Mets appear close to deal with Bengie Molina

In a story first appearing on 1050 ESPN radio, the Mets are close to a deal with Bengie Molina.  The deal, which is most likely for 2 years, is probably in the $12-$13 million range and is exactly $9-$10 million too much to spend on this guy.  It has been said here, there, and everywhere. 

Bengie Molina is old, slow, and only average at best offensively.  The difference between his numbers, and that of any of the other free agent catchers that were/are available, will be negligible next season.  However, the Mets are paying him a considerably higher salary, about $6 million per season, as opposed to the roughly $2 million per season that was given in other contracts this off season.

Miguel Olivo could probably be signed for a year with an option at about $1-$2 million per season.  That would save about $9-$10 million that could be used in other areas.  Perhaps the money could go towards another free agent starter like Ben Sheets or Erik Bedard.

What would you rather have?  Ben Sheets AND Miguel Olivo or Bengie Molina?  Think about it this way, Mark DeRosa just signed a 2 year deal for $12 million.  I would take DeRosa, his offense, and his versatility in a heartbeat over Bengie Molina.

Let's hope the deal falls through.

News Update!! Pending his physical, Jason Bay will be a Met early next week

According to Mike Francesa, the Mets will have Jason Bay signed by early next week, maybe Monday.  He reports that the two sides have a deal in place, they are just finalizing medical info.  He says, "It looks like Jason Bay will be in Left Field for the Mets next season."

Also in the report, Francesa says that the Mets and Bengie Molina remain far apart on a contract.  Thank god.

DeRosa close to signing with the Giants, Mets safe

At FoxSports, Ken Rosenthal writes that the Giants are close to signing Mark DeRosa.  The deal is believed to be for two years at $6 million per.  That is a good bit of money for DeRosa.  He has shown the ability to play many positions and hits for a little power.  He has been linked with a lot of teams this off season, Mets included, but did not get the long term deal he was originally looking for.

All off season, I have been sweating this guy.  I thought he was exactly the type of ballplayer that Minaya would overpay simply to get another hitter.  He is decent, but I do not think he would have been an upgrade for the Mets and I do not see him worth multiple years.  If you had told me he would have taken a one year deal, I would have been interested, but next year's crop being what it is, why get hamstrung with multiple years this off season.

Side note, I coach baseball at Bergen Catholic High School in NJ, where DeRosa went to school and starred if baseball and as quarterback of the football team.

Mets need to flip a coin, Sheets or Pineiro?

I am going to bypass the Jason Bay stuff.  I have nothing left to say.  We will just wait.  Today, I want to focus on  a decision that I am awaiting from the Mets.  How will the rotation be solidified?   Will it be a one year guy, like Ben Sheets, Eric Bedard, or a 2-3 year guy like Joel Pineiro, Jon Garland?

Sheets and Bedard are both looking for lucrative one year deals (Sheets wants $12 million MASN says) apparently.  They want to make some quick cash, prove they are healthy, and get back on the market next off season.  However, guys like Jon Garland and Joel Pineiro, with considerably less upside, are simply looking for the longest, most lucrative deal they can squeak out.  Rumors at the beginning of the off season had Pineiro looking for a 4 year deal for around $45 million.  Get real.  

So what do the Mets do?  Well, as my loyal reader Mike will tell you, I am in favor of Ben Sheets.  I would much rather roll the dice on him and not owe him a cent next season unless it is on my terms.  We are currently on the hook for two more seasons of a great Oliver Perez deal, so this should seem logical to most.  Side note, I do think Ollie will bounce back this season and win 12-15 games.  While I do not think he is a great pitcher, I don't think he sucks either.  

Erik Bedard talk has been pretty quiet this off season.  The former Oriole never did much consistently after being sent to Seattle (Orioles got Adam Jones & others, nice pull) and was hurt often.  The Orioles seem to have some interest in bringing him back. 

Joel Pineiro has always had the promise, I remember back from his Mariner days because I was/still am a big Griffey guy and my brother in law was a sports editor for the Seattle newspaper.  He just never put it all together.  One season is one season.  As they say, "Even a broken clock is right twice a day." 

Jon Garland is what he is.  A mediocre, innings-eater that gives up a ton of hits, base runners, and does his best to win games when his team scores one more than the opponent.  Not a lot of pitcher's duels with this guy.  He is only 30 years old though, so he could fill the back end for a couple years.  It would probably take a 2-3 year deal for between $5-$8 million per season.  

There are a number of other pitchers, I just thought I would profile 4 of the most interesting.  John Smoltz, Pedro, Vicente Padilla, Doug Davis, Chien-Ming Wang, and others, but all come with even more baggage than those above.  My first, and most prominent thought, stay to a one year deal.  If the staff comes back from injury and inconsistency, it is rather young.  We'll see. 

What are your thoughts on the subject?

Time for the Mets/Jason Bay to decide or move on

As reports are surfacing that the Mets may move on from Jason Bay if he does not make a decision, it is in both parties best interests to have some sort of resolution sooner than later.  It is clear that for one reason or another, Jason Bay does not see himself playing at Citi Field next year as anything more than a visiting ball player.  That being said, everyone knows that the team with the best offer usually signs the available player.  I did say usually.  I think he hasn't rejected the offer simply because if he does, he may not get anything like that from another team.  He really has no leverage in this situation. 

Jason Bay needs to find a home and I do not care if its with the Mets or not.  Sure, it is hard to ignore how those numbers from last year could have really helped (and would help in the future), but not as the solitary off season move by the Mets.  

The Mets need to end this round of negotiations with a press conference, or by withdrawing the offer and becoming aggressive with other free agents that are still available.  It is unlikely, but Matt Holliday is available.  So are pitchers Ben Sheets, Jon Garland, Joel Pineiro, Vicente Padilla, Chien-Ming Wang, Doug Davis, and others.  

I need to write a post finalizing something about this situation soon. 

Mets sign Kelvim Escobar to Minor League deal

According to Rotoworld, the Mets have signed Kelvim Escobar to a minor league deal.  Prior to 2008, Escobar was a decent pitcher.  He was durable, tenacious, and was an 18 game winner.  Then, all hell broke loose.  He has pitched only 5 innings since 2007. 

Sounds like a great deal for the Mets.  It is a minor league deal so there is less pressure on the team.  Escobar could start in the minors and get himself going if needed and give Perez a chance to blow it.  Also, it is not a big money deal so there is a lot of upside here.

Finally, a deal to be happy with.  Even though it isn't a big splash, I consider this a good signing for Minaya.

Justin Duchscherer leaning towards the NL, Mets maybe?

This is just wishful thinking I think but we'll see.  Rosenthal is tweeting that Justin Duchscherer is leaning to an NL team, although he doesn't know which.  Personally, if it was me, I would definitely go with an NL team.  Why deal with a DH if you don't have to. 

Duchscherer is 32 years old and right-handed.  He doesn't walk a lot of guys and had some decent numbers with the A's before an injury and he was diagnosed with depression.  The Mets would be wise to take a shot at this guy.  He has to give you what Marquis would if he is healthy.  Also, it should be at less money.  Duchscherer made $3.9 million last year.  I say offer the guy $3-$4 million and give him some incentives like a vesting option, number of starts made, etc. 

By the way, I still want Ben Sheets.   

Building up the Mets farm system

In light of the Yankees, Phillies and others making trades from their farm system depth this off season, I am left wishing the Mets had some depth.  Thankfully, we do have the seventh pick in the upcoming draft.  I have read across several different blog sites the idea of signing Aroldis Chapman, thereby buying another strong arm in the system. 

Chapman is widely considered a great commodity as he throws gas, is left handed, and young with upside galore.  As has been stated at all levels in baseball, "You can teach secondary pitchers, mechanics, and mound intelligence, but not sheer velocity." 

I like the idea of signing Chapman and having the seventh pick as you can immediately add two good pieces to your system.  Is this the answer to saving the team depth?  No, but its a start.  Omar seems inclined to save the prospects this winter and I think it is a smart choice.  It also seems that with some of these minor deals, Minaya is trying to build up the minors unconventionally as well. 

I don't think we will pay Chapman what he will get, but I think it would be wise to investigate and take a stab.  He seems to have offers from Boston and the Marlins in the $15 million range.  I do not see this as breaking the bank and top draft picks are asking for similar money.  See what you can do Omar.