Fernando Martinez Rumors

Mets In Holding Pattern

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

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More From Stark: Mets, Dodgers, Indians

Jayson Stark brings us a few more tidbits from the Hot Stove... The price for Raul Ibanez may be too high for the Mets as Stark reiterates what we heard previously, that Fernando Martinez and Jon Niese are not available...Ken Rosenthal added Robert Parnell to that list of untouchables. The Mets may no longer be in the running for Brian Fuentes as they are not willing to part with Aaron Heilman. Stark says other relief pitchers the Mets have shown some interest in include Cla Meredith, Chad Bradford and Jeremy Affeldt. The Dodgers are said to be interested in several...   Continue Reading

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More From Rosenthal: Bay, A's, Mets, Rays

Now we have Ken Rosenthal's regular video contribution... In an interesting twist, Rosenthal says the A's have had regular conversations with the Pirates about Jason Bay. Rosenthal notes the A's are hoping that other teams will balk at the asking price. The Mets are making it clear they will not part with any of their top three prospects Fernando Martinez, Jon Niese and Robert Parnell. Now that Xavier Nady has been traded, the Rays are more interested in acquiring a relief pitcher rather than an outfielder. Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com and can be reached here.   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: Mets, Tigers, Rays, Nats

Tying up loose ends before lunch: The Mets are one of three teams that have inquired on the availability of Brian Giles. The Padres may be asking for Fernando Martinez in return. Larry Brooks of the NY Post, however, thinks the Mets shouldn't force a trade for an outfielder. The Tigers will intensify their hunt for relief help if Freddy Dolsi's shoulder keeps acting up. Dolsi was off since Monday, resting what the team deemed as a fatigued shoulder, and said he felt better after a side session on Friday. The Rays are still looking for a corner outfielder. MLB.com...   Continue Reading

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Mets Actively Looking For Corner Outfielder

Update 1:39 p.m.: Now that the Dodgers have acquired Blake, the Mets have turned their attention to Brian Giles. Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports the Mets are one of three teams that have inquired on the availability of Giles. He also notes that the Mets are often asked about Fernando Martinez, to whom the Padres offered $1MM as an amateur. The Cardinals and Brewers are the other two teams. -- Adam Rubin of the NY Daily News reports the Mets have narrowed their focus on obtaining a corner outfielder. A team insider told Rubin the team could...   Continue Reading

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Graziano's Latest: Sherrill, Arroyo, Rhodes, Zaun

Dan Graziano of the Newark Star-Ledger has a new Trade Winds column. Graziano notes how incredible the Erik Bedard trade could look for Baltimore if they spin George Sherrill for prospects. He names the Cardinals, Rays, Marlins, and Red Sox as suitors. The Mets fear Sherrill's price tag, while the Yankees don't expect a deal within the division. The Yankees haven't spoken to the Reds about Bronson Arroyo (although based on previous reports, they have scouted him). The Yanks aren't likely to sign Barry Bonds, and aren't terribly thrilled with the catching market. Fernando Martinez's possible injury could increase the...   Continue Reading

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Heyman's Latest: Holliday, Fuentes, Teixeira

Jon Heyman of SI.com posted a new column yesterday. Rockies GM Dan O'Dowd is quietly calling other teams about Matt Holliday scenarios. One that was "floated," perhaps by Colorado, involved Holliday, Willy Taveras, Fernando Martinez, and Carlos Beltran. The Mets don't want to trade Beltran, nor does the player want to waive his no-trade clause. The Holliday-Mets scenario is deemed a long shot. Meanwhile, Troy E. Renck says the Red Sox, Yankees, and Mets are "all panting after" Holliday. As you know, Brian Fuentes is likely to be traded. Heyman talked to a GM who expects Mark Teixeira to stay...   Continue Reading

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Sherman On The Mets

Joel Sherman of the New York Post talked to Mets GM Omar Minaya yesterday, gaining insight on the team's plans for the second half. If Ryan Church is able to return (the Mets are cautiously optimistic), the Mets will focus on a righty-hitting left fielder. Raul Ibanez is a lefty, while the prospect price on Matt Holliday and Xavier Nady seems prohibitive. I assume the same applies to Jason Bay. Sherman has mentioned Austin Kearns in the past; he could make sense. The price on Brian Fuentes and similar relievers is also apparently too high. Minaya might prefer not to...   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: Vizquel, Saito, Burnett, K-Rod

So many links, so little time. Barry Bonds' agent, Jeff Borris, says the prospects of his client playing this year look bleak. The Tigers made their first Taiwan signing, adding outfielder Tang Chao-Ting. Aside from Jim Bowden's other problems, he's having a hard time finding common ground with the Nationals' top five draft picks. Interesting post at NPB Tracker contrasting Masa Kobayashi with Yasuhiko Yabuta and Kazuo Fukumori. The White Sox will have to choose between pitchers D.J. Carrasco and Adam Russell soon. Troy E. Renck heard "simmering buzz" that Omar Vizquel could retire right now, but Vizquel debunked it....   Continue Reading

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Odds & Ends: Bonds, Church, Myers, Teixeira

Some odds and some ends: Ozzie Guillen says "Barry [Bonds] can't play for my team," according to Joe Cowley from the Chicago Sun Times. The New York Daily News' Adam Rubin is reporting Ryan Church's diagnosis was positive and his ability to return may "lessen the pressure" on the Mets to find a replacement. They will also get Angel Pagan back next week and management's "not averse" to promoting 19-year old prospect Fernando Martinez in the second half. Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer says Brett Myers feels he's ready to return. The Atlanta Journal Constitution's David O'Brien notes the...   Continue Reading

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CC Sabathia Links

The CC Sabathia trade is complete, but there's still some good info floating about. Michael Silverman says the Brewers wanted players such as Michael Bowden, Lars Anderson, Jed Lowrie, and Josh Reddick from the Red Sox in various Sabathia scenarios. The Dodgers apparently talked about dealing Matt Kemp and one of Jonathan Meloan/James McDonald for Sabathia, Casey Blake, and Jamey Carroll. Baseball Prospectus' Joe Sheehan analyzes the trade. Turns out Sabathia prefers CC over C.C. The agent for Brewers prospects Michael Brantley and Taylor Green believes both are in play as the player to be named later in the Sabathia...   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: Signing Johnny Cueto

Cincinnati's top three prospects garnered so much attention this spring that Johnny Cueto's dominant debut on Thursday caught even some well-informed baseball watchers by surprise. The 22-year old Dominican, who began last year in Single A, seemed to explode upon the major leagues as Athena did from the head of Zeus: fully formed, and from a very unexpected place. If you're a GM, just how do you get your mitts on a talent like Cueto's? Courtesy of Reds Insider, we have a peek at the story of the scouting and signing of the Reds rookie (is it still too soon...   Continue Reading

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Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Pedro's Injury

Earlier this week Pedro Martinez pulled a hamstring in his first start of '08 and is expected to be out until mid-May. The loss of Martinez will likely only cost the Mets seven to eight starts, which might only be a difference in two to three wins over that span. Of course, two or three more wins in '07 and the Mets would have spent October in the playoffs. With the importance of every single start magnified this year for the Mets, it would not be surprising for Omar Minaya to seek outside help as a contingency plan for Martinez...   Continue Reading

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Video Mailbag: Capuano, Sabathia, Pierre

Time for another video mailbag. All sorts of topics are covered, including the Brewers' pitching surplus, C.C. Sabathia, and Juan Pierre. I'm looking into getting a wireless mic for these, in case you were wondering.   Continue Reading

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Clayton Kershaw Pulled After One Inning

Dodgers fans following phenom southpaw Clayton Kershaw's start tonight may have been disappointed. The 19 year-old was pulled after just one inning. Conspiracy theorists have already established that Kershaw must be involved in a trade. Usually I'm quick to contribute to any conspiracy, but I decided to take a few minutes to listen to the Great Lakes Loons broadcast instead. Turns out that the plan all along was to have Kershaw pitch just one inning - this plan was outlined before the game started. Apparently the Dodgers sent down this directive to keep Kershaw's innings count down this year. After...   Continue Reading

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