Mets Rumors: K-Rod, Castillo, Pedro

K-Rod, I'd have no problem bringing him on, but not for the money he will be expecting. If the market is around 4 years/50 million total, I bite, if not, I'm looking at other options.

I don't know who will take Castillo on, but he can't come back to the Mets next season. They need to move Daniel Murphy to second base ASAP and have him learn how to field the position.

I can't see the Mets not involved in bringing back a starter, especially Oliver Perez. At the bear minimum, they need to bring one starter on, preferably two (Garcia could work for the 2nd starter) as I don't want to be counting on someone like Niese in the rotation just yet. Let him continue to develop in AAA.

I wouldn't want KRod. His arm can't maintain the work he's been giving. The thing is, what other options do they have for closer?

For the pen, I guess they should sign a boatload of arms and see what sticks. Heilman can't come back. Smith, Feliciano, Schoenweis, are back but they can only pitch to splits.

Castillo and Anderson must go now. There are no real impact players out there who the Mets will be in play for. So unless something drastic happens, they will bring back the same team.

"As for the rotation, Lennon doesn't see the Mets involved on C.C. Sabathia, Ben Sheets, A.J. Burnett, Oliver Perez, or Pedro Martinez."

What the hell kind of plan is that for New York? You're going to drop like $16M in starting pitching salary, and then go ahead and not sign another big name? I mean I understand leaving the #5 spot free for Niese or maybe a Garcia like signing, but are they honestly going to depend on Santana, Maine and Pelfrey to be a solid 1-2-3, with Garcia and Niese as their 4-5? With all that money freed up from Pedro and Ollie leaving, this team has got to at least consider offering Burnett or Sheets something like 4/70, rather than offer Rodriguez 5/75 to be closer. How about sign Burnett to that same contract, and then go after Kevin Gregg to close or something? The bullpen only matters if you have quality starting pitching, which New York got often this year. Pelfrey and Maine can be a solid 3-4 punch but I don't see either one of them turning into a top of the rotation starter in 2009. A rotation of Santana, Burnett, Pelfrey, Maine and Niese would be quite solid. It's not like the Mets have any other awesome pitching prospects coming up that should be ready by 2010. Their only in house hope for a top of the rotation starter within the next five years are Pelfrey and Niese, and with the kind of budget they'll have after Citifield opens, they might as well lock up a top of the rotation guy now.

they don't have an unlimited budget and spring training isn't long enough to have tryouts for bullpen.

k-rod is a must. omar can't screw around again. brian fuentes is a no-go. he only closed again because manny corpas wet the bed. huston street is injury-prone and the mets don't have the pieces to deal with billy beane and who knows if he even still wants heilman at this point.

that's also way too many guys as specialists. the mets need guys who can actually get guys out regardless of what side of the plate they hit from (imagine that!)

Well if not K-Rod, Fuentes is the next logical choice, after that the well is kinda dry. And a trade for someone like Huston Street will probably cost the Mets more in terms of prospects than the price of paying K-Rod or Fuentes. Billy Beane does not sell low. After that, I can't think of a young hotshot closer that would be available. Though I'm sill betting if K-Rod isn't an Angel, he'll be in blue and orange next year.

so 10-15 mil for Krod, another 10-15 for Oliver Perez, whatever it takes to get Castillo out of town and there is still a hole in the outfield.

I hope the Mets don't choke again after that kind of spending.

Burnett could be staying in Toronto. Riccardi already stated they hadn't tossed around numbers, so it's far from a done deal.

If the Mets are at all serious about winning you throw everything u got at CC & K-Rod, you bring back Ollie if the price is right.

Also, blow up the rest of the pen, bring back Smith, Stokes, Figgy and Sanchez (hoping he has the TJ Surgery-like 2nd year bounce back).

Sheets & Burnett want too much cash, Garcia can be a setup guy.

Also, we must sift the Rule V draft kids with a fine tooth comb.

maine and castillo to seattle for silva and ryan rowland-smith?

freddy sanchez?

I like the idea of signing Garland or someone. Pitchers typically don't get worse when they go to the national league.

Also, do the Mets really have a hole in LF? There's this kid named Daniel Murphy who begs to differ. He's had a hell of a season since he got called up and they'd be stupid not to plug him there. If they can get rid of Castillo they could keep going with Argenis Reyes, Martinez, and Easley at 2B.

I wouldn't say K-Rod is a must and for once (like others), I'll disagree on the K-Rod to Wagner comparison. Wagner was 7 or 8 years older when he signed his deal with the Mets. Fuentes says he wants to stay with the Rockies so who knows there. I think Heilman can be marketed as a starter and they could probably get something useful for him.

So, I'd say sign K-Rod and Garland (assuming both hit the market), use Murphy in LF, and platoon 2b with A. Reyes, Martinez, and Easley.

I think going after Garland rather than Burnett would be a mistake. Garland will likely cost something like 5/60, an he would simply give them another solid mid rotation pitcher like Pelfrey and Maine. This team would be in far better position if they offered Burnett 4/70 than adding Garland at 5/60. This is a team that needs another dominant arm in the rotation, the kind of guy who strikes out a lot of guys and doesn't put pressure on the defense. It would make far more sense to put there money into an investment with good upside, not a guy who best case scenario has a 4.00ish ERA. Burnett may cost more per year, but the Mets are going to be making big money with CitiField opening, and need to solidify the rotation. Filling key holes in the bullpen is far easier than the rotation.

"And a trade for someone like Huston Street will probably cost the Mets more in terms of prospects than the price of paying K-Rod or Fuentes. Billy Beane does not sell low."

Street for Daniel Murphy, straight up. OK. I wasn't being serious.

Seriously, if the Mets were to target someone long-term at 1B(Teixeira), would one of Nick Evans/Mike Carp become expendable?

I wish people actually looked at the numbers before they start spouting out nonsense.

K-Rod has not been heavily used. You are confusing saves with IP. Here's K-Rod's annual IP:

2003: 86
2004: 84
2005: 67
2006: 73
2007: 67
2008: 68

His workload has been extremely average. He has averaged less than an inning per appearance in 2008.

As far as injuries go please review your history. Ever since 2002 prognosticators have claimed that K-Rod will be a major injury risk due to his motion. Please. It's been SIX YEARS. He has had no arm/shoulder injuries at all. His probability for injury is no greater than any other pitcher. His motion will not increase the likelihood of injury.

Now, if you want to talk about his decreased velocity that's fair. He has definitely lost some zip off his fastball. However, he is making up for it by adjusting his pitching strategy. While I'm not thrilled about his WHIP, the ERA has continued to be extremely solid.

argenis reyes stinks. ramon martinez is a bench player and easley will be 40. the mets have a hole at second and they're sending murphy to the afl to work at second. in the meantime, o-dog would be nice but might be out of their price range given their more pressing concerns.

fuentes can stay in colorado. heilman stinks and his value took a huge hit this year. left field needs to be addressed. if the mets believe church is a stud in right then they could live with a stopgap in left until f-mart steps in midseason (provided he's tearing it up in aaa).

the pitching is the issue: get k-rod, get dempster (if he bails), get garland, have parnell and neise get shots in st and in the meantime, shore up the pen.

brad holt is the truth. he was mowing them down in the bk.

so we're going to replace a 36 year old pitcher in pedro with a soon to be 36 year old in derek lowe?

this is interesting, would the mets be willing to deal for matt cain? the giants would have to add but if we could land jose reyes that would be very very intriguing

no thanks to cain. will people stop talking about tradinf reyes, wright or beltran! it's not happening.

Wright, Reyes, and Beltran aren't going anywhere....

FF:

2008:

Pedro- ERA: 5.61 WHIP- 1.57
Lowe- ERA: 3.23 WHIP- 1.13

Lowe was also good the last 3 years, so there's really no comparison.

Sign K-Rod, Lowe, Juan Cruz, other bullpen arms, get rid of everyone in the bullpen, dump Gimpy and move Murphy to 2nd, and the Mets should be much better next year.

barroid, please stop.

i've a feeling those calling for the mets to trade reyes, wright and beltran are fans of other teams who want them on theirs.

it's not happening. why would the mets create more holes to patch up one? robbing peter to pay paul is not a sound strategy especially when they really one have major flaw and that's the bullpen. they have options for starters in-house and in free agency for a 4-5 starter.

"so we're going to replace a 36 year old pitcher in pedro with a soon to be 36 year old in derek lowe?"

Franz Ferdinand, Pedro relies on a power game whereas Lowe is a groundball(sinker) pitcher. I shouldnt have to tell you that power pitchers tend to wear out much quicker in their careers. Lowe is a winner(Boston) and has played in this NY pressure cooker during crunch time. Also, Lowe's numbers show no signs of decline because he doesnt have to throw 96mph to get people out(unlike Pedro). I would offer Lowe a 2 or 3 year contract and feel much safer than giving 4-6 years to Burnett or Sheets.

derman1984, IMO i am not totally sold on Pelfrey and especially Maine. You cant go into '09 thinking of them as locks in the rotation when they havent done it long enough. Maine lacks an out pitch and that is why you see so many pitches fouled off and his pitch count is so high in the 5th inning every start. I think we need to sign 2 solid starters and rework the pen. There wont be many changes in the batting lineup

Wow the Mets suck. now that I got out that out of my system i have to say this. Dont expect the Mets to get a frontline starter this year. They'll probably resign Ollie this year, he was big game pitcher and that's what you need. Hes hardworking, and I know that. My dad works at Shea so I helped him out in the summer and almost everyday, he would be the first to arrive and would jog around the field. Anyway, they need to get bullpen help. My best bet is maybe a Will Ohman or Brian Fuentes. They'll probably go hard for Lowe, it'll be stupid for anyone to offer Burnett 4 years. He gets injured way too often.

i think that with the last two years and the way they ended you should look towards the future, signing players is what got the yankees into the trouble they are in now. when you sign these players you get draft picks taking away. the mets should start to consider taking it apart and building around reyes/wright/johan and the other starting pitchers they have. they should find out if their propsects are legit or not. its unfortunate that beltran does have a full no trade clause.

In NY you cant wait and develop young players and worry about losing draft picks. Its all about winning now. Look at the Yanks this year?? Cashman pinned his hopes on too many young prospect pitchers and it came back and bit him severely. The Mets have to sign free agents because they dont have much of a farm system and free agency is great as long as you sign the right guys.

The Mets are not trading Wright, Reyes, or Beltran!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh so wait. Who has ruined the Mets chances of making the playoffs 2 years in a row? And obviously franz someone does if you actually read what Tim wrote "Bob Klapisch wonders if the Mets should consider trading Jose Reyes, David Wright, or Carlos Beltran to shake up the team."

I mean but no. This guy lives in a "bizarro reality" too doesn't he? It can't just be you Franz its everyone else.

And plus the Marlins don't want any of Reyes, Beltran, or Wright. We already have younger players that can do exactly what they do they just get more publicized cuz they play in the oh great town of New York. And when was the last time the Mets won a World Series????? 1986..... The Marlins have won 2 World Series since then and havent even existed half as long as the Mets.

WrightReyes1, how are you not sold on Pelfrey for the 09 rotation? His maturation as a pitcher this year was incredible. As a Mets fan who watches probably 115-120 games per year, the Pelfrey of this season was so far above and beyond the Pelfrey of 2007, it's not even close. He always had the stuff, and I think he got the mental aspect nailed down this season.

Maine you can make a fair point on. I'll admit, I have somewhat of a bias because I LOVE the heart that guy has. He's making jack for a guy of his skill level (500K I believe) and was still itching, kicking, and scratching to jeopardize his future payday by pitching through pain.

All to help the team win. THAT is the kind of guy the Mets need more of.

To fix the bullpen the mets need to sign Affeldt, Cruz, and Lyon.
Smith ROOGY
Feliciano strict LOOGY
Schowenweis LOOGY
Affeldt
Stokes
Sanchez
Cruz
Ayala
Lyon

These relievers should battle it out for the bullpen spots with only smith garunteed a spot.

Trade Heilman for anything with value. Try and dump Schowenweis' contract for a prospect.

Here the Mets' offseason imperatives as I see them:

1) Get rid of Heilman, Schowenweis, and Castillo at all costs. Operate with the understanding that the team is doomed so long as these three players are on it.

2) Go full speed ahead with the plan of making Murphy a 2nd baseman. He's young, hungry, eager to learn and bursting with the heart this team choked for lack of.

3) Get John Maine healthy and ready for spring training. He's got tremendous stuff when he's on, and as much heart as anyone in the game. Ron Darling once said he's never seen anyone - during Darling's playing years or now - work harder between starts than Maine.

4) Make David Wright understand that this is his team. Make him the captain. Yes, I know his play in September didn't exactly warrant it, but he's not a slug, I think he just needs that slight push to become the leader this team needs.

5) Resign Perez. He's proven himself as a big-game pitcher time and time again (even yesterday, he only gave up a run over 5 sparkling innings.) I'd rather gamble on him over 4-5 years than Burnett, or God forbid, Sheets.

6) Still undecided on K-Rod. Emotionally, I want him because this bullpen *cannot* steal another season from us. He's not cheap, though.

Rearden Tech, oops i realized i said Pelfrey isnt a lock for the rotation. I meant to say he will definitely be in the rotation but its a crapshoot on what you can realistically expect from him next year. What do you think he will do next year??

Hye trudru sorry I'm not Cuban, I'm white american. So why don't you leave your racial jokes out of this, especially cuz if your gonna try and hate on a race make sure your hating on the right one. And why does tampa want Delgado when they have Pena and other that can fill the DH slot and you make me laugh. Expecting the Rays to trade BJ Upton? Ha thats a good joke. Where would BJ play I mean you have the almighty Carlos Beltran in CF and we cannot trade him he is part of this great core that the Mets have. And how many times do you see a team re sign someone then just flip him quickly in a trade? Sorry it isn't happening with Delgado.

TruDru,

Love the idea of getting Floyd back and/or surrounding David with guys like him. Sadly I don't think Tampa Bay is going to let him loose this off season. He's been a huge presence for that team.

WrightReyes,

I think with the season he had this year, his maturation and a full season of watching Johan Santana pitch...how's 16 wins sound? He'd probably have 16-17 this year if not for the bullpen.

AA, you obviously dont get a few of my points i am trying to make!! (1) did i say Lowe was a finesse pitcher???no, but throwing 91 or 92 consistently, does not make him a power pitcher either!! he pitches to contact and he isnt a strikeout machine unlike Pedro pre surgery!

(2) Most power pitchers do wear out faster than finesse type pitchers!! What i was trying to say here is that Lowe at 36 is much more effective than a 36 year old Pedro without his velocity! Pedro is done and the Mets need to move on from here and get pitchers who are locks to get 200 plus innings every year!that was the point and i was in no way trying to compare Derek Lowe to Pedro! Pedro was, when healthy in his prime, the best of his generation.

(3)You are right when you say Pedro's game WAS about his insane command and fearless style but, without his velocity, he is now a #4 or #5 starter. Pedro's first year was great but batters tee off on him now and have figured out his game plan and he can no longer stay healthy. His ship has sailed and Lowe/Ollie or Garland are now upgrades over Pedro.

Barroid, the marlins have won two worl series and should have been able to afford to keep the teams together to win several more. The bottom line is that the marlins fanbase is the worst in professional sports. They average less attendance than the mets short season class a team, and they have lower nielsen ratings than the mets spring training games. If anybody in miami gave a damn about that team, they wouldn't have to have firesales every 2 years. Mets fans get to look at the players performance and say what the f***, you guys suck at life. Marlins fans on the other hand only get to look in the mirror to say the same thing. Make all the payroll excuses you want, the reason the marlins payroll is the smallest in baseball has nothing to do with their market, but it has everything to do with its pathetic fanbase.

3 holes needed to be filled in my opinion are a solid left fielder, 2nd baseman, and a closer. Bullpen is another story that we all know too much about...

2 names to look at for these spots that intertwine with the likes of Daniel Murphy are Milton Bradley and Orlando Hudson...

All depending how Murphy progresses at 2b in winter ball, how about taking a serious look at Milton Bradley to fill the everday spot in LF ?!?!?! We all know the guys a headcase who may not fit with the NY media, and the cost may be very high, but he may be the fiery/in your face type player the Mets need!

Then on the contrary if Murphy needs to stay in the OF, much thought should be going into Orlando Hudson..at 31 yrs old the vet would be a perfect fit for the 2 hole, and make one hell of a dp combo with Reyes.

I dont think if the Mets are taking a serious look at Krod they can afford 2 high end position players, So the future of Daniel Murphy will be a pivotol factor to this offseason.

And on another note.. trading any part of the left side to this infield is absurd...once Wright gets his head checked and learns how to relax under pressure- he will be top 3 in myp voting yr to yr.

I'm a definite for picking Delgado's option. However, if we're to trade Delgado afterward, I'd want a KILLER hitter i.e. Texeira or Holiday somehow, both of which will be tough to get. Otherwise, no dice. Just for the sake of my own amusement, here's a sample roster:

Rotation:
My opinion on Ollie will depend on how much $ he asks for
1) duh
2) C.C. Sabathia or Ollie
3) duh #2
4) John Maine
5) Pedro Martinez (if he's cheap enough)

No brainer=Curb Castillo
1B) Carlos Delgado or Mark Texeira
2B Daniel Murphy
3B Wright
SS Reyes
C Brian Schneider (or someone that can hit for god's sake)
OF: Carlos Beltran or Matt Holiday
OF: Fernando Tatis
OF: Ryan Church (mainly because his decline has diminished his trade value, and he'll definitely get better next year)

Bullpen:
Toss Heilman. I just KNOW He's going to be good again, but not until he gets shaken up by getting tossed. Getting rid of Shoenweiss just seems like a no-brainer to me. The problem with this bullpen is that it's seems like it's going to be difficult to replace 'em all. I think we should replace the biggest chokers and continue pulling up guys from AAA

1) K-Rod (I'm sick of hearing about the shoulder danger. He's young and he's not getting worked as hard as people are saying. There's no reason why the Mets can't have a phenom closer)

2) Joe Smith (RHS)

3) Luis Ayala (setup)

4) Brandon Knight (setup/backupstarter)

5) Brian Stokes (setup)

6) Nelson Figueroa (middle reliever)

6) Duaner Sanchez? (if he gets his head on straight)

7) Feliciano? (LHS)

8) Jonathan Neise (backup starter/middle reliever)

Bench:
Ramon Castro
Damion Easley
Robinson Cancel (got a few clutchies recently. might consider as a starter)
Argenes Reyes (great glove)
Nick Evans
Endy Chavez (I'm sorry! I just love this guy!)

I know I'm forgetting something, but I'm getting tired of typing.

bank on it. the mets are going after k-rod. those who say they won't, people though they weren't going after santana either.