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By Luke Adams [November 8, 2009 at 9:49am CST]
Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports has a new column up today, in which he discusses a variety of topics from around the league. Let's recap a few of the highlights....
- Although the Boston Red Sox have been the team most frequently linked to Adrian Gonzalez, it's unclear whether they have the pieces to work out a trade. Rosenthal suggests the Padres will want some major-league talent in return, and quotes one baseball executive who says he can't imagine how the Sox get a deal done.
- Rosenthal says the Padres should be more inclined to move closer Heath Bell than Gonzalez.
- When Josh Beckett discusses a contract extension with the Red Sox, Rosenthal advises him to point to the deal A.J. Burnett signed last winter as a starting point, since Beckett's track record is even stronger than Burnett's. He thinks if the Red Sox were to balk at a long-term commitment, plenty of other teams would be interested.
- A source indicates that when Jorge De La Rosa hits free agency in a year, he would like a contract similar to Oliver Perez's three-year, $36MM deal. It's hard to see him demanding that much unless he has a breakout year in 2010, but his impending raise could prompt the Rockies to field trade offers for the lefty.
- Ken Griffey Jr. will likely decide in a couple weeks whether he wants to keep playing.
- According to Rosenthal, "some who know [Matt] Holliday say he would prefer not to play in New York."
- We heard from Troy Renck yesterday that the Rockies were talking to Rafael Betancourt about an extension. Rosenthal reports that Betancourt apparently turned down a two-year deal worth up to about $7MM.
- Rosenthal opines that Garrett Atkins is unlikely to be traded because of his price tag, and will almost certainly be non-tendered.
That's a load of bull from Holliday. Boras will get him a monster contract from one of the New York teams, and then he'll love New York.
Posted by: diehardmets | November 08, 2009 at 10:05 AM
Oh no, I forsee a ton of Mets fanboy freakout and rationalization in this thread.
Posted by: bbxxj | November 08, 2009 at 10:07 AM
Can't say I blame him I dont think he could live up to the expectation of NYC.
Posted by: BoSox87 | November 08, 2009 at 10:09 AM
I kinda hate how pitchers/agents use bad contracts to justify their own worth. Using something like Perez, Silva, or Burnett (though Burnett actually semi performed but not on an $16.5MM level) is crap. It sucks that the flub of one GM makes its harder for other GMs next year.
Posted by: CitizenSnips | November 08, 2009 at 10:10 AM
"According to Rosenthal, "some who know [Matt] Holliday say he would prefer not to play in New York."
lol I'll believe it when I see it.
Posted by: Baseball Nut | November 08, 2009 at 10:17 AM
"•According to Rosenthal, "some who know [Matt] Holliday say he would prefer not to play in New York."
Anyone smell a Boras tactic?
I'm sure Boras knows the remedy for the Mets or Yankees. $5-6mill per year should get Holliday to like NY a lot better...
Posted by: notin | November 08, 2009 at 10:27 AM
"According to Rosenthal, "some who know [Matt] Holliday say he would prefer not to play in New York."
He is going to not want to play in NY till he sees the contract!
Posted by: grs238yankees | November 08, 2009 at 10:28 AM
"According to Rosenthal, "some who know [Matt] Holliday say he would prefer not to play in New York."
Just a FYI, some guy named Sabathia said the same thing last year...
Posted by: baseballfansortof | November 08, 2009 at 10:28 AM
Theo values defense, and I suspect Holliday is number one on his list for LF targets.
Oh and by the way, why would any player want to play for the Mets? The Yankees I could understand, but the Mets?
Posted by: soxcurse | November 08, 2009 at 10:33 AM
Maybe Holliday doesn't want to play in New York.
Maybe it is a Boras leak-job to convince STL to up the offer.
I'm sure if a New York team offers the most money, he's going to sign with a New York team.. unless it is the Mets. They are an awful team, poorly run from the top on down, with a manager and general manager who look weak.. a segregated clubhouse and nothing but question marks down on the farm.
I think the Metropolitans would have to seriously overpay to get him. Why else would anyone want to play there?
Posted by: withpower | November 08, 2009 at 10:33 AM
@ withpower
It makes total sense why he would not want to play for that team. I wonder how much the Yankees are going to be involved in the bidding...
Posted by: soxcurse | November 08, 2009 at 10:37 AM
The Mets may lose out on Matt Holliday to the Yankees or Cardinals but they still have plenty of options left via trade a free agency. A name i've been petitioning for a long time is Brad Hawpe. His defense in the OF is in check but he is still young enough to play there 1 and two i'm sure he would be willing to move to 1B if necessary. If all else fails, just go with a youth movement. Fernando Martinez and Josh Thole both deserve to start if all else fails. I'd rather march young guns out there, then parade the old guys like Santos, Tatis, Cora, etc
Posted by: SouvenirCityBaby | November 08, 2009 at 10:41 AM
soxcurse,
I think it will depend on how much over this year's payroll the Yankees want to be.
It's not secret that while attendance was fantastic, it wasn't quite where it needed to be as far as the big ticket suites and field level seats.
If the payroll is kept where it was this season ($206 million? someone correct me if I'm wrong), or if it drops to the $190 million range (and the Yankees have hinted this is where they'd prefer to be over the last few seasons).. it might be tough.
I don't know if the Yankees are going to be willing to blow STL out of the water this go around, especially if the rumored 6-year $96 million offer from STL had any truth.
Posted by: withpower | November 08, 2009 at 10:44 AM
Why does everybody hate the Mets?
And I'll tell you why he'd wanna come play there. Because they have the ability to throw the most money at him. (That's if the Yankees don't get involved in the bidding).
And Yankee fans, just letting you know, your beloved Alex Rodriguez openly stated he wishes he had signed with the Mets.
Posted by: QueensKing | November 08, 2009 at 10:47 AM
@ withpower
I don't think the Yankees will make many *big* moves this winter, because they want to go load up next year. Why not go with Damon for a year with an option and sign Crawford next season? Same thing with Matsui, sign him for a year and then let Posada DH.
I think the Red Sox will sign Holliday for something over 100 million dollars. They were willing to fork out 70 million to JD Drew who has comparable skills to Holliday except for Holliday drives in a ton of more runs and has more power. Theo REALLY values defense and Holliday would be a huge upgrade over Bay in that department. Giving Jason Bay four or five year just isn't a good investment.
Posted by: soxcurse | November 08, 2009 at 10:49 AM
@ Queens King
If the Red Sox offer something close to what the Mets do, then I wouldn't be surprised--even with the Mets offering the most money out of the bidders--to see Holliday patrolling the Green Monster next year.
Posted by: soxcurse | November 08, 2009 at 10:51 AM
QueensKing,
That was like 7 years ago.
And everybody hates the Mets because your SS dances in the dugout. Your GM is a racist. Your owner was Bernie Madoff's pal. Your fans have this delusional notion that you are a premier franchise when you've only got 2 WS wins while playing in the best baseball market in the country.
The Mets have earned their dislike not through consistent domination like the Bombers, but through pissant behavior that leads to a Florida Marlins team gearing up like crazy to finish off your epic choke job instead of making plans to play golf.
Did I miss anything guys?
Posted by: withpower | November 08, 2009 at 10:54 AM
Lets blend the Mets and Yankees for the Ultimate NY Team:
C-Posada
1B-Teixeira
2B-Reyes
3B-Rodriguez
SS-Jeter
LF-Damon
CF-Beltran
RF-Swisher
DH-Wright
SP-Sabathia
SP-Santana
SP-Burnett
SP-Pettitte
SP-Pelfrey
SU-Hughes
SU-Joba
SU-Rodriguez
CP-Rivera
Bench
Cano
Francoeur
Hairston Jr
Castillo
Posted by: SouvenirCityBaby | November 08, 2009 at 10:55 AM
why is everyone hating on the mets? its not like we are the pirates?
we have one of the best core in the game in reyes, wright, beltran, santana and k-rod. we were just unlucky with the injuries last season. we will be back on top!!!
Posted by: metsfan08 | November 08, 2009 at 10:55 AM
@ withpower
I personally hate the Mets because in the Johan Santana negotiations, they offered a bunch of mediocre players and in return received the best pitcher in baseball. The Mets had no buisness being in trade negotiations--like they shouldn't be right now-- because their farm system is a crock.
Posted by: soxcurse | November 08, 2009 at 10:57 AM
1986, as well.
Posted by: soxcurse | November 08, 2009 at 10:58 AM
Remember when Carlos Beltran offered to play for the Yankees for less money?
Posted by: withpower | November 08, 2009 at 10:59 AM
@ withpower
Still don't know why the Yankees backed away from Beltran.
Posted by: soxcurse | November 08, 2009 at 11:01 AM
soxcurse,
Holliday and the Red Sox and Yankees is a tough read.
I think both clubs like him but are sort of unsure of how to go about it.
It's like people want to believe he's a good hitter and don't want to put too much stock in his Colorado road numbers (after all, the NL West outside of Coors are the most pitcher friendly parks in the bigs) or whatever happened in Oakland.
But there remains uncertainty of giving a guy $100 million + if he could turn out to be a .480 SLG hitter. My gut tells me either Boston or New York would be happy with him in the long run, but I'm glad it's not my money.
Posted by: withpower | November 08, 2009 at 11:03 AM
soxcurse,
Tell me about it. Worst decision the team made in a while. But pitching had been the problem the last few years and the budget was approaching it's max.. and the call was made to get Randy Johnson instead. If Randy's back hadn't imploded while he was here, maybe we could have snagged a title.. but I still think the decisions to go with Johnson and Sheffield over Beltran and Guerrero were mistakes.
Posted by: withpower | November 08, 2009 at 11:06 AM
soxcurse:
so, you are a sore loser, I get it now..
Posted by: metsfan08 | November 08, 2009 at 11:08 AM
And Yankee fans, just letting you know, your beloved Alex Rodriguez openly stated he wishes he had signed with the Mets.
Posted by: QueensKing | November 08, 2009 at 10:47 AM
Yeah -- instead of the signing with the Rangers in 2000.
If Arod had played for the Mets, where would David Wright play?
Posted by: strikethree | November 08, 2009 at 11:09 AM
@ withpower
I personally hate the Mets because in the Johan Santana negotiations, they offered a bunch of mediocre players and in return received the best pitcher in baseball. The Mets had no buisness being in trade negotiations--like they shouldn't be right now-- because their farm system is a crock.
I was thinking the same the same thing. The Red Sox offered Buchholz, Ellsburry, and Lester and they turned that down. Which Met prospect worked out for Minnesota again?
Posted by: twitter.com/bomberj11 | November 08, 2009 at 11:10 AM
I'm not sure if the Red Sox actually offered that exact package, or if that's what the Twins asked for.
I know there were all kinds of things going around that Minnesota wanted Wang, Cano, and a prospect. Or Chamberlain and Hughes, but I'm not sure if those offers were tabled from the New York side.
I was under the impression both the Sox and Yanks were just like.. eh, he's not really that much better than the guys we have going forward.
And they are right. Santana has been injured as a Met, his fastball has lost bite, he's openly complained about his run support, and he's on the wrong side of 30.
Posted by: withpower | November 08, 2009 at 11:14 AM
I personally hate the Mets because in the Johan Santana negotiations, they offered a bunch of mediocre players and in return received the best pitcher in baseball. The Mets had no buisness being in trade negotiations--like they shouldn't be right now-- because their farm system is a crock."
Aaaahahahahaha. Bitter much? How is it the Mets fault in the slightest that the Twins picked their package even though the Yanks and Sox had better ones?
Posted by: CitizenSnips | November 08, 2009 at 11:21 AM
Aaaahahahahaha. Bitter much? How is it the Mets fault in the slightest that the Twins picked their package even though the Yanks and Sox had better ones?
Posted by: CitizenSnips | November 08, 2009 at 11:21 AM
The Yankees and Red Sox pulled their offers and Minnesota didn't have a choice. Santana had a no-trade clause and refused to go anywhere other than NYY, BOS, or NYM.
It really didn't matter though, did it? I mean, the Mets are the team in the CELLAR, while the Twins, Yanks, and Red Sox all made the playoffs.
Mets fans. LOL.
Posted by: withpower | November 08, 2009 at 11:26 AM
why is everyone hating on the mets? its not like we are the pirates?
we have one of the best core in the game in reyes, wright, beltran, santana and k-rod. we were just unlucky with the injuries last season. we will be back on top!!!
Posted by: metsfan08 | November 08, 2009 at 10:55 AM
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Why do people hate the Mets? It is because of statements like that. People don't hate the Pirates because they don't have zillions of obnoxious fans who think their team is the best in baseball when they clearly are not. NO, you do not have the best "core" in baseball....not even close.
Posted by: BravesAllTheWay | November 08, 2009 at 11:28 AM
Nothing unites Yankees, Braves, Red Sox, Phillies, and Marlins fans like the Mets.
LMAO at the train wreck that is the New York Metropolitans.
Posted by: withpower | November 08, 2009 at 11:32 AM
if arod played for the mets he would be the shortstop im assuming and reyes at second, but i hope the yanks just resign matsui AND damon in stead of holliday/ bay but it would be intresting for them to sign vlad lol
Posted by: kwhizz2011 | November 08, 2009 at 11:33 AM
LMAO i find it hilarious watching the two buttbuddies withpower and soxcurse talk...haha u 2 need to hop off each others dicks...the mets had an injury plagued season if they get healthy and make a few good moves this offseason they will be right back up at the top..and I will say this now...Matt Holliday will be a met come 2010...u 2 are pathetic...
Posted by: metsfan(sigh) | November 08, 2009 at 11:48 AM
LMAO i find it hilarious watching the two buttbuddies withpower and soxcurse talk...haha u 2 need to hop off each others dicks...the mets had an injury plagued season if they get healthy and make a few good moves this offseason they will be right back up at the top..and I will say this now...Matt Holliday will be a met come 2010...u 2 are pathetic...
Posted by: metsfan(sigh) | November 08, 2009 at 11:48 AM
It's like you Mets fans think that your guys just need to get healthy and everybody else in your division is just existing in a vacuum.
Even with Matt Holliday, I don't see how the Mets are better than Philadelphia (who you couldn't beat even when healthy...) or even Atlanta.
I understand keeping hope alive and fighting the good fight, but it is very hard to take Mets fans seriously. A dreadful team with no direction, but they are going to be the class of baseball.
You can't make this **** up.
Posted by: withpower | November 08, 2009 at 11:58 AM
The Mets are the Oakland Raiders of the MLB...the funny part is both teams have a fan base that thinks they are always contenders. For the record, EVERYONE laughed when K-Rod got that deal, he isn't a piece to brag about, he is literally untradable at that contract number.
Posted by: brian91388 | November 08, 2009 at 12:04 PM
It's like you Mets fans think that your guys just need to get healthy and everybody else in your division is just existing in a vacuum.
that is not what I said..I said if we get healthy and make a few good moves then we should be back to contenders next year..such as signing Holliday and Lackey and then trading for a first baseman such as konerko or lee or Gonzo..If we did that then yes we would compete next year..and kid what team R u a fan of anyways?
Posted by: metsfan(sigh) | November 08, 2009 at 12:06 PM
be back to contenders next year
meant to say..back to being contenders next year*
Posted by: metsfan(sigh) | November 08, 2009 at 12:07 PM
And this Rosenthal part about Gonzalez doesn't really make much sense. He is saying the Red Sox probably need to trade someone from the MLB roster...well Buchholz and Bard are both on the MLB roster, and most people think that one of them would be in a deal. So...what is his point? The only "prospects" he named were Lars Anderson and Michael Bowden, I don't think even Red Sox fan boys think Gonzalez could be had for that.
Posted by: brian91388 | November 08, 2009 at 12:08 PM
metsfan(sigh),
New York Yankees. Know your place, son.
Posted by: withpower | November 08, 2009 at 12:08 PM
New York Yankees. Know your place, son.
LOL another dumbass proud yankee fan..even though they bought themselves a world series...and u now want them to also go out and buy holliday..haha wow yankee fans are something else...
Posted by: metsfan(sigh) | November 08, 2009 at 12:23 PM
It must be tough rooting for the Kansas City Mets.
Posted by: withpower | November 08, 2009 at 12:28 PM
metsfan(sigh),, At least we buy championships !.. . You guys buy 2nd to last place in a horrible divison. have fun rotting again next year .
Go Yanks number 28
Posted by: Mike | November 08, 2009 at 12:58 PM
"it's unclear whether they have the pieces to work out a trade."
Its not unclear, they don't.
Posted by: A | November 08, 2009 at 01:01 PM
@ A
Um. Pretty sure we do.
Posted by: soxcurse | November 08, 2009 at 01:52 PM
"New York Yankees. Know your place, son."
You know we just won the world series right? Meaning our place is at the top?
Posted by: Thee4stringking | November 08, 2009 at 02:00 PM
"Which Met prospect worked out for Minnesota again?"
Twins fans have high hopes for J.J. Hardy.
Posted by: jwb | November 08, 2009 at 02:02 PM
"New York Yankees. Know your place, son."
You know we just won the world series right? Meaning our place is at the top?
Posted by: Thee4stringking | November 08, 2009 at 02:00 PM
Reading comprehension.. for the loss?
Posted by: withpower | November 08, 2009 at 02:17 PM
"
Why does everybody hate the Mets?
And I'll tell you why he'd wanna come play there. Because they have the ability to throw the most money at him. (That's if the Yankees don't get involved in the bidding).
And Yankee fans, just letting you know, your beloved Alex Rodriguez openly stated he wishes he had signed with the Mets."
Don't you have to be on top first to be "back on top"? Mets haven't been on top since 2006 and they choked even then in the NLCS when they were heavily favored and had homefield advantage.
Posted by: Mike | November 08, 2009 at 02:33 PM
"
why is everyone hating on the mets? its not like we are the pirates?
we have one of the best core in the game in reyes, wright, beltran, santana and k-rod. we were just unlucky with the injuries last season. we will be back on top!!!"
That's the one I meant to quote lol.
Posted by: Mike | November 08, 2009 at 02:53 PM
People are going to disagree when it comes to their favorite sports teams... get over it. As for Holliday not wanting to come to New York? Thank God, he would choke worse than A-rod's former self in the playoffs on this stage. But as for all this stuff about dissension in the Mets clubhouse and the such... do not speak of that which you know nothing about. After all, the press are the most upstanding citizens in our country and are just oozing with class.
Posted by: MetsvilleSlugger | November 08, 2009 at 03:16 PM
Thank God, he would choke worse than A-rod's former self in the playoffs on this stage
Posted by: MetsvilleSlugger | November 08, 2009 at 03:16 PM
2009 New York Yankees, World Series Champions.
Alex Rodriguez 2009 postseason stats: .365/.500/.808/1.308, with a .442 ISO and a .532 wOBA.
Stop introducing the irrelevant, Mets fans.
It won't make your team less terrible. Or less racist.
Posted by: withpower | November 08, 2009 at 03:34 PM
Hey, moron, "FORMER SELF"! As in NOT IN 2009! And how is the 2009 World Series Champions relevant to the argument at hand? Stop telling me to decease introducing irrelevancies when you are the one who is perpetuating it, you just look ignorant.
A-rod was just an example, so good job jumping down my throat on something that wasn't even the point of my argument.
Posted by: MetsvilleSlugger | November 08, 2009 at 05:12 PM
Go root for the Mets.
Posted by: withpower | November 08, 2009 at 05:21 PM
Go watch some gymnastics.
Posted by: MetsvilleSlugger | November 08, 2009 at 06:58 PM
Grrr
Posted by: RealisticMetFan | November 08, 2009 at 09:18 PM
Boston could trade for Gonzalez tomorrow if they wanted to, it's a question of what they're willing to give up.
Posted by: zsberenyi | November 08, 2009 at 09:39 PM
Go watch some gymnastics.
Posted by: MetsvilleSlugger | November 08, 2009 at 06:58 PM
I just did. The girl from Queens came in last.
Posted by: withpower | November 08, 2009 at 09:40 PM