Mike Pelfrey Rumors
Quick Hits: Hamilton, Axelrod, Abreu, Pelfrey, Mets
Saturday night linkage..
- Josh Hamilton told Richard Durrett of ESPN Dallas that he's open to talking to the Rangers about a contract extension during the season. “If they want to talk to my agent, we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it,” he said after previously indicating an unwillingness to negotiate during the season.
- Agent Barry Axelrod has been discussing employment opportunities with the Diamondbacks, reports Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic (Twitter links). Axelrod and GM Kevin Towers are close friends.
- Unlike agents Jeff Moorad and Arn Tellem, Scott Boras has no desire to own a major league team, writes Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports.com.
- The Angels' deal to trade Bobby Abreu to the Indians fell apart due to salary concerns, a source familiar with the talks told Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times. Cleveland wanted the veteran slugger but the two sides couldn't agree upon how much of his $9MM salary they would assume.
- Mets pitcher Mike Pelfrey was surprised to learn that his job was on the line during spring training, writes David Lennon of Newsday. The front office was kicking around the idea of releasing the 28-year-old before Opening Day to free up roughly $4MM, the non-guaranteed portion of his one-year, $5.7MM deal.
- Scouts covering the Giants say the club is getting nervous about rotation depth, tweets Jayson Stark of ESPN.com.
- The Orioles cut minor league pitcher Josh Banks, tweets Steve Melewski of MASNsports.com. The right-hander spent most of 2011 with the Giants' Triple-A affiliate and posted a 7.27 ERA with 5.8 K/9 and 2.5 BB/9 in twelve starts and seven relief appearances.
Mike Axisa contributed to this post.
Mets Notes: Dickey, Pelfrey, Baxter, Edgin
Three of the NL East teams generated considerable buzz with their offseason moves, but the Mets and Braves remained relatively quiet. Here's the latest on the Mets via Andy Martino of the New York Daily News...
- The Mets are considering numerous options regarding R.A. Dickey's contract, Martino reports. The club views the knuckleballer as someone who can contribute for years and they may preemptively guarantee his 2013 option at $5MM.
- I don't see the value in doing this from the team perspective unless Dickey agrees to add club options for later years. Otherwise there's minimal benefit to guaranteeing the option now in my view.
- The Mets considered releasing Mike Pelfrey in a recent meeting, but on-field staff didn't favor the idea and it was dismissed, Martino writes. Releasing the right-hander before Opening Day would save the Mets nearly $5MM, since his contract is non-guaranteed.
- Mike Baxter will make the Mets unless they acquire someone from outside of the organization, Martino writes.
- Left-handed reliever Josh Edgin "has opened a lot of eyes," a club official told Martino. Edgin won't make the Opening Day roster, but he could join the team at some point.
Mets Would Like To Trade Mike Pelfrey
11:34am: Adam Rubin of ESPN New York got the sense from a team official that Pelfrey's availability is more of a routine thing than serious consideration of moving him (Twitter link).
11:05am: Mike Pelfrey has struggled through Spring Training so far, and Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports that the Mets would like to trade the right-hander. A rival executive told Heyman that the "best thing for him might be to get out of New York."
Pelfrey, 28, has allowed 20 hits and 16 runs in 9 2/3 innings with more walks (six) than strikeouts (four) this spring, though the team doesn't appear to be considering releasing him. The Boras client will earn $5.675MM this season, though the Mets would only have to pay him a portion of his salary if they release him before Opening Day. Since becoming a full-time starter in 2008, Pelfrey has pitched to a 4.27 ERA with 5.0 K/9 and 3.0 BB/9 while throwing at least 180 innings in each season. He is under team control as an arbitration-eligible player in 2013 before qualifying for free agency.
NL East Notes: Pelfrey, Parra, Nats, Valdez, Phillies
On this date last year the Mets released Oliver Perez with one year and $12MM remaining on his contract. Perez, now a member of the Mariners organization, hasn't appeared in the Major Leagues since. Here are some links from his former division...
- After talking to a Mets official, "it doesn't seem" like the team has talked about cutting Mike Pelfrey, reports Mike Puma of the New York Post (Twitter link). However, the Mets are "well aware of the fact" that Pelfrey's contract is non-guaranteed and, if the right-hander is cut, the Mets will only have to pay a portion of his $5.68MM salary. Pelfrey has had a very rough Spring Training, posting a 14.90 ERA in 9 2/3 innings of work.
- The Diamondbacks aren't going to trade Gerardo Parra to the Nationals, a D'Backs source tells Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic (via Twitter).
- The Phillies are looking for infield help but it's "doubtful" they would try to re-acquire Wilson Valdez, tweets Jon Heyman of CBS Sports. The Phils dealt Valdez to the Reds in January since the Phillies felt they were already set for utility infield options --- somewhat ironic given their current position.
- David Murphy of the Philadelphia Daily News argues that the Phillies need to add a veteran infielder give the questionable health of their projected starters. Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Placido Polanco and Michael Martinez are all currently dealing with injuries.
- ESPN.com’s Buster Olney gets the sense that the Braves’ on-field personnel prefer Andrelton Simmons for the starting shortstop job, while the front office favors Tyler Pastornicky. Such divergences of opinion are common and not necessarily problematic, as Olney notes.
- Olney hears from talent evaluators who say Jair Jurrjens has struggled to command his fastball and that Jason Heyward is "still thinking about his mechanics" at the plate.
MLBTR's Mark Polishuk also contributed to this post
Mets Avoid Arbitration With Mike Pelfrey
The Mets avoided arbitration with starter Mike Pelfrey, tweets Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com, agreeing to a one-year deal worth about $5.675MM. Matt Swartz had projected the Boras client at $5.8MM.
As our arbitration tracker shows, the Mets have Manny Acosta and Andres Torres remaining.
Mets Listening On Niese, Others In Trade Talks
The Mets are being aggressive at the Winter Meetings, tweets Joel Sherman of the New York Post, talking about everyone except David Wright. Among young players, the Mets are talking the most about Jonathon Niese rather than Davis, tweets Sherman. Niese, 25, is under team control through 2015 and could be an alternative for teams that find Oakland's asking price too high for Gio Gonzalez. Here are today's rumors on Niese and other Mets trade candidates, with the newest updates on top:
- Teams have been inquiring about Mike Pelfrey as well, but the Mets were underwhelmed by the offers, tweets Martino.
- The Mets would like a placeholder starter for their big league club in addition to a prospect for Niese, according to Mike Puma of the New York Post and Sherman (Twitter links). Sherman points to Jason Hammel as a possible match, though Troy Renck of the Denver Post (on Twitter) hears the Rockies haven't had discussions with the Mets.
- The Red Sox aren't a match for Niese, says Alex Speier of WEEI.
- The Padres aren't interested in Niese, a source tells Martino (Twitter link).
- Andy Martino hears the Mets would have to get a lot if they were to trade Niese, and aren't close to anything. Two team officials that spoke to Martino don't expect a trade today (Twitter links). Andy McCullough of the Star-Ledger adds, via Twitter, that the asking price for Daniel Murphy is also high.
- The Blue Jays are also talking to the Mets about Niese, tweets Sherman. The Yankees have also called, but Sherman isn't sure how serious they are (Twitter link).
- The Mets are hoping to get multiple pieces in return for Niese, tweets Jon Heyman of MLB Network. They're interested in adding a catcher, an infielder, and prospects.
- The Red Sox have talked to the Mets and have interest in Niese, says Sherman.
- The Padres and Rockies are among the teams interested in Niese, tweets Sherman. The Padres could get in on Niese but have not engaged yet, adds Andy Martino of the New York Daily News.
Luke Adams contributed to this post.
Mets Notes: Qualls, Pelfrey, Pagan, Wright
The latest on the Mets, as they prepare for the post-Jose Reyes era...
- Chad Qualls is one of many relievers the Mets have inquired on, tweets Joel Sherman of the New York Post.
- GM Sandy Alderson told reporters, including ESPN New York's Adam Rubin, that he expects the team's 2012 payroll to be about $100MM. If the team tenders contracts to Mike Pelfrey and Angel Pagan, that would leave about $10-15MM to spend.
- Alderson on Pelfrey and Pagan: "I've said over the last few weeks they may be very good investments for us given the other options and the fact they're players with upside going into the season and players who would probably be on one-year contracts."
- David Wright's status was never linked to Reyes' status, according to the GM, meaning that even though Reyes is signing elsewhere, the team doesn't intend to trade Wright and launch an all-out rebuild.
Murphy Available; Mets Considered Street & Chavez
Mets GM Sandy Alderson says the team isn’t close to completing any deals, according to Andy Martino of the New York Daily News (Twitter link). Here are updates on some potential moves for the team...
- Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com hears the Mets informed other teams that Daniel Murphy is available. While many players are available in the right move at this time of year, this indicates that the Mets are willing to listen on the versatile 26-year-old.
- The Mets and Rockies briefly discussed a deal involving Huston Street and Mike Pelfrey, but the Mets don’t seem too excited about the possibility of acquiring Street, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post (on Twitter). Street and current Mets bench coach Bob Geren had trouble getting along when they were both with the Athletics.
- The Mets are open to bringing Endy Chavez back to New York and they have had preliminary discussions about a deal with agent Peter Greenberg, according to Martino.
Mets Will Tender Contracts To Pagan, Pelfrey
Their names showed up on our list of non-tender candidates yesterday, but Angel Pagan and Mike Pelfrey will be tendered contracts by the Mets, reports Jon Heyman of SI.com (via Twitter). The pair of Mets could earn more than $10MM between them in 2012, according to our projected arbitration salaries. Here are some other notes from the NL East:
- The Phillies are indicating Cole Hamels would cost "three small countries and two oceans" in a trade, according to ESPN.com's Buster Olney (Twitter link). Considering what sort of package it would take to land Hamels, the southpaw likely isn't going anywhere.
- The Mets have a similarly high asking price for David Wright. GM Sandy Alderson says he'll only considering moving Wright "if someone blows us away," tweets Heyman. Joel Sherman of the New York Post wrote earlier today that the Mets would definitely listen on Wright, but probably won't get an offer they like.
- Mark Buehrle's representatives and the Marlins are meeting today at the GM meetings in Milwaukee, tweets Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com.
- Yoenis Cespedes isn't the only Cuban outfielder to grab the Nationals' attention - Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post writes of the club's interest in 19-year-old Jorge Soler.
- Speaking of Cespedes, the Phillies worked out the 26-year-old in the Dominican Republic, with Pat Gillick in attendance, tweets Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com.
- Mark Zuckerman of CSNWashington.com takes a look at which players the Nationals may protect in this year's Rule 5 draft.
Mets Rumors: Reyes, Closer, Murphy, Duda
The Mets were far from the favorite for Jose Reyes entering the offseason. But if the Marlins offered Reyes six years and $90MM as a starting bid, Mets fans can forget about him coming back in the opinion of ESPN New York's Adam Rubin. For months now, the impression has been that the Mets don't want to exceed four years for the shortstop. They'll have to hope for a couple of decent draft picks, depending on what happens with the new collective bargaining agreement.
- Two executives tell Joel Sherman of the New York Post that the Mets have been assured of Type A draft pick compensation for Reyes this offseason, even if the new CBA eliminates it going forward. GM Sandy Alderson presumes as much, tweets Rubin. Sherman says the expectation is that Type B compensation will be eliminated, and maybe a few non-star Type As will have that status removed. This is the first I've heard of eliminating Type B compensation. All links go to Twitter.
- Alderson described his talks with Reyes' agent Peter Greenberg to Ken Davidoff of Newsday: "I wouldn't classify them as substantive. More than phone tag."
- Mets officials refer to Mike Pelfrey and Angel Pagan as "bridge pieces," reports Sherman, in that they feel no long-term allegiance to either player. Pelfrey and Pagan are arbitration eligible this winter.
- Mets executives tell Sherman closer is the only position at which the team is willing to exceed a one-year contract, and Sherman feels they may top out at two years with an option. The Mets consider themselves two years away from contention, writes Sherman, so Alderson intends to avoid big multiyear commitments. Sherman guesses the Mets will spend $8-10MM for two relievers with late inning experience, letting them battle for the ninth inning.
- The Mets won't trade Ike Davis, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, but maybe Daniel Murphy or Lucas Duda.
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