Fernando Martinez Rumors
By Howard Megdal [November 16, 2009 at 8:00pm CST]
The incomparable Marty Noble answers many of the fan inquiries with his usual mixture of information and wit. Among other ideas, he considers: Just what would it take, hypothetically, to bring Adrian Gonzalez to Queens? Noble believes a package of John Maine, Fernando Martinez and Ike Davis "and perhaps more would be one to consider seriously." Noble likes Joel Pineiro more than Jason Marquis, adding that "I know the Mets are interested in [Bengie] Molina." He says that while Mark DeRosa wouldn't be a top priority, "If they can't bring back Alex Cora, DeRosa would an even better fit." He...
Continue Reading
By Zach Links [November 2, 2009 at 10:00pm CST]
Some links on this Monday evening... The Giants have hired Hensley "Bam Bam" Meulens as their hitting coach, writes Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle. Meulens - who previously held the same position with San Francisco's Triple-A affiliate - recorded an OPS of .641 in his Major League career. MLB.com's Chris Haft brings us a look at Bam Bam's resume. Meulens was the only candidate manager Bruce Bochy spoke to before he and GM Brian Sabean made their choice, writes Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News. In a radio interview this morning on WGN-AM 720, Cubs owner...
Continue Reading
By Ben Nicholson-Smith [July 24, 2009 at 9:34am CST]
9:34am: Heyman says the Yankees inquired about Cliff Lee and were told they'd have to give up Joba Chamberlain or Phil Hughes, plus other players. 8:34am: Jon Heyman of SI.com has the latest on the biggest stars available: The Phillies are the frontrunners to acquire Roy Halladay. Heyman says the Jays are expected to ask for one of J.A. Happ and Kyle Drabek, one of Dominic Brown and Michael Taylor, plus others. The Brewers may be the Phillies' biggest threat, but they'd probably have to part with Alcides Escobar, and maybe Mat Gamel, too. The Mets bowed out of the...
Continue Reading
By Ben Nicholson-Smith [July 16, 2009 at 2:47pm CST]
More links for the afternoon... The Red Sox had this deal set up before July 2nd and now it's finalized. They signed Dominican SS Jose Vinicio to a $1.95MM deal, according to WEEI.com's Alex Speier. Roy Halladay leads the league in pitcher abuse points, as Tim shows at RotoAuthority. Click on the link for the entire list of hard-working starters. ESPN.com's Jorge Arangure Jr. says Miguel Angel Sano wants to sign with the Pirates, but his agent wants him to take the biggest offer. Newsday's David Lennon reports that Fernando Martinez had surgery and will miss 6-8 weeks. In spite...
Continue Reading
By Ben Nicholson-Smith [June 3, 2009 at 1:21pm CST]
Jon Heyman of SI.com reports that the Dodgers would have to overpay for Jake Peavy, the Red Sox are going after bats and the Giants are "dangling" Jonathan Sanchez. Here are the details: It's unlikely the White Sox could pry Cliff Lee away from the Indians. The Brewers aren't sure whether they'll go after a hitter or a pitcher. Heyman cites a source who says the Dodgers believe they'd have to pay "insanely" more than anyone else if they want to acquire Peavy. That's not much of a problem for the Dodgers, who are looking strong as-is. The Red Sox...
Continue Reading
By Tim Dierkes [May 15, 2009 at 12:47pm CST]
A look at the latest from SI.com's Jon Heyman... Heyman addresses the issue of whether the Indians will trade staff ace Cliff Lee. GM Mark Shapiro isn't thinking about it (not under consideration, according to Ken Rosenthal), and rival execs are divided. Heyman says neither side made a contract extension proposal during the offseason. The Indians will have Lee through 2010 once they exercise his option. The Mets mulled calling up Fernando Martinez, but they'll stick to their plan of keeping him in Triple A until at least June. The Orioles are "seriously considering" drafting USC shortstop Grant Green with...
Continue Reading
By Tim Dierkes [December 8, 2008 at 11:56pm CST]
11:56pm: Rodriguez's agent Paul Kinzer on whether the rumored two-year, $25MM offer with a third-year option is true: "Absolutely not." It will require three guaranteed years at least to sign K-Rod. 8:43pm: K-Rod gave some quotes to the media, nothing interesting. 7:14pm: Stark says the Mets finished their meet with Fuentes; Hoffman is up next. Wood is not in Vegas. Stark adds that the Mets discussed concepts but did not make a formal offer to K-Rod. 6:45pm: Sherman now says the Mets' offer was for $25MM over two years plus a third year option. 6:03pm: Rodriguez's agent Paul Kinzer told...
Continue Reading
By Tim Dierkes [December 4, 2008 at 8:25am CST]
THURSDAY: David Lennon of Newsday talked to a source who said there's "nothing there" in regard to the rumor of a Dye and Jenks to the Mets blockbuster. Joel Sherman talked to a few Mets officials who called the rumor nonsense. Sherman says Martinez is "all but untouchable." WEDNESDAY: Let's dig into the latest column from John Perrotto of Baseball Prospectus. Perrotto speaks of whispers of a possible White Sox-Mets blockbuster. The Mets would receive Jermaine Dye and Bobby Jenks and the White Sox would receive Fernando Martinez among others. Regarding the Orioles' possible involvement in a trade that would...
Continue Reading
By Tim Dierkes [November 13, 2008 at 10:22am CST]
Let's try to decipher the Mets' strategy for acquiring a new closer. Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post says the Mets will pursue a free agent out of the gate, perhaps with Brian Fuentes ranked above Francisco Rodriguez on their list. Still, K-Rod's agent noted that they're not "wedded" to a five-year deal, and he didn't toss the reported $15MM demand out there. Hubbuch believes the Mets will move on to trade targets such as Bobby Jenks and Huston Street if they fail to sign Fuentes or Rodriguez. Ken Davidoff and David Lennon mention J.J. Putz as well, while...
Continue Reading
By Tim Dierkes [July 31, 2008 at 8:39am CST]
8:39am: SI.com's Jon Heyman says the Mets have "kicked around" the idea of acquiring Ian Snell from the Pirates and using him in relief for the rest of the year. Snell is signed through 2010 with club options for '11 and '12. It's tough to see the Bucs moving him, even in an off year. 8:13am: According to David Lennon of Newsday, the Mets are not finding a deal to their liking for a reliever or outfielder. They've put pretty much all of their good prospects off-limits - Fernando Martinez, Jon Niese, Eddie Kunz or Bobby Parnell. Players such as...
Continue Reading