Some Mets’ Notes
The Mets have resigned relief pitcher Guillermo Mota to a 2-year/$5MM contract, according to MLB.com. Mota was acquired from the Indians back in August and went 3-0 with a 1.00 ERA in 18 games for the Mets in 2006. He’ll be in New York for his 34 and 35 year seasons.
The Mets also lost top catching prospect Jesus Flores in the Rule V Draft today to the Washington Nationals. Though Jesus was still in the St. Lucie (A-advanced), he was considered to be the heir to the backstop once Paul Lo Duca was ready to move on. Flores will now be forced to play in the same stadium where he broke his thumb in an exhibition game at the start of the 2005 season.
""We’re disappointed, because we like Jesus a lot, but we’ll see how the process plays out," said Mets director of Minor League operations Adam Wogan."
The Mets are also still slated to meet with Barry Zito soon.
Bonds: The Real San Fransisco Treat
Joe Hamrahl reports that Barry Bonds has agreed to a $16MM contract with the San Francisco Giants to patrol left field in 2007, pending a physical. This coming after San Fransisco failed to land Alfonso Soriano, Carlos Lee, Manny Ramirez, Gary Mathews Jr, and Juan Pierre this off-season.
So they get Barry Bonds as a "consolation prize"? At least he gave them a discount from the 2-years/$40MM he reportedly was looking for originally. I’m not too sure anyone is really all that surprised at this point that this is where Barry ended up. I wonder if this is actually more or less than he would have gotten if the Giants had just offered Bonds arbitration.
By Adam Howe
Mets Covet Dan Haren
It’s just one letter, after all. Ken Rosenthal reports that the Mets hope to acquire Dan Haren from the Mets, not Rich Harden. That makes sense.
However, Haren is incredibly valuable as a young stud pitcher signed for cheap. He could be a Cy Young candidate in the NL. I can’t see what the Mets would give the A’s for Haren that would make Oakland better in 2007.
If Haren is truly available, I would imagine all sorts of teams to come knocking. The Angels and Dodgers would be best suited to acquire him because of their top-notch prospects, but neither club needs starting pitching. How ’bout a three-way?
Astros/White Sox Jon Garland Confusion
UPDATES AT BOTTOM.
Now this is a shocker. The Houston Chronicle reports that the Astros are set to announce a trade for Jon Garland. The righty turned 27 in September. He makes $10MM in ’07 and $12MM in ’08.
Jose De Jesus Ortiz mentions that the buzz is that Willy Taveras and Taylor Buchholz may be involved.
Can you believe it? In two days Kenny Williams has sent away 40% of his rotation. While I find the Garcia bounty reasonable, it doesn’t seem to be the best possible return. Same here, if it’s really Buchholz/Taveras.
There will be all sorts of competition in spring as the Sox try to get younger in the rotation with Gavin Floyd, Brandon McCarthy, Taylor Buchholz, and Charlie Haeger.
UPDATES: Ken Rosenthal reports that Jason Hirsh is in the deal too. Ahhhh, MUCH better. Kenny Williams says no deal is close, however.
Ken Davidoff of Newsday reports that the teams are leaving Orlando without a deal in place yet.
Jayson Stark notes that a Taveras/Buchholz package wouldn’t cut it.
Jon Heyman at SI.com says the deal has fallen through because Buchholz failed his physical.
Buchholz himself says he did not fail a physical, though. He didn’t even take one. Jose de Jesus Ortiz of the Houston Chronicle says the talks have stalled or even died nonetheless.
Scott Miller of CBS Sportsline reports that the deal appears "more dead than alive." Kenny Williams is disturbed by the way the media has handled this. Williams tells MLB.com, "we’ve got nothing going on."
What Happened With LaRoche/Gonzalez?
Did Braves GM John Schuerholz use the Pirates and Dave Littlefield as a pawn to create a sense of urgency for Bill Bavasi? Bucco Blog unravels the complicated story.
Also, RotoAuthority sizes up the AL Central closers.
Southside Sox sizes up the Freddy Garcia deal, comparing Kenny Williams’s plan to that of Billy Beane when he broke up the Big 3.
Aaron Gleeman interviewed Twins manager Ron Gardenhire at the winter meetings.
Here’s Baseball America’s quick hits on today’s Rule 5 draft selections.
Cubs Minor Dealings
Today the Cubs selected busted prospect Josh Hamilton in the Rule 5 draft and shipped him to the Reds for cash.
A deal with Daryle Ward to bolster the bench is close.
The Cubs are still talking to Cliff Floyd‘s agent. Last night it was said that they had requested medical records.
Bruce Levine of ESPN Radio 1000 reports that a signing of pitcher Jason Marquis may be near.
Offers Made To Dotel
The Boston Herald reports that two or three offers have been made to Octavio Dotel, including one from the Red Sox. You can add the Yanks, Royals, and Indians as other possibilities. The Mets, Cards, and Indians were interested in him last year before he signed with New York.
Dotel’s agent says he will decide tonight. No word on Dotel’s merengue album.
Royals Sign Gil Meche
Steve Phillips reports for ESPN that the deal is done, and it is for five years. I can see how that fifth year would seal the deal for Meche quickly. RotoWorld says it’s for $55MM with $9MM paid out in ’07.
The move may be shocking to some, but KC had roughly $15MM to burn this winter.
Meche turned 28 this year. He posted a career best 7.5 per nine strikeout rate. The team now has some starting pitching depth (2007 salaries estimated):
SP – Gil Meche – $9MM
SP – Odalis Perez – $1.7MM
SP – Brian Bannister – $0.38MM
SP – Luke Hudson – $0.38MM
SP – Jorge de la Rosa – $0.38MM
SP – Zack Greinke – $0.38MM
Note: Runelvys Hernandez was released this morning. Thanks to Royals Authority for the tip.
Did Cards Meet With Bonds?
The Mercury News reports that Tony La Russa met with Barry Bonds‘s agent, Jeff Borris, and requested a meeting yesterday. Walt Jocketty and Borris didn’t exactly deny interest when asked, either.
While pitching is rightfully Jocketty’s top priority, he could have a bargain on his hands here. The fact is that Bonds would add wins to the 2007 Cardinals. He’s also a low-risk signing if it can be done for one year. Plus there’s that little home run record thing to bring increased revenue.
Can you imagine it? Two .400+ OBP sluggers hitting back-to-back? That’s Manny/Papi-like.
UPDATE: Walt Jocketty got fed up with this stuff and told MLB.com, "There’s nothing on Bonds." In addition, the slugger did not meet with La Russa.
The Market For Jason Jennings
The Denver Post has the latest on hot trade commodity Jason Jennings.
The Phils are now out of the running after acquiring Freddy Garcia. This leaves the Astros as the top candidate. Troy Renck says "the Rockies are eyeing 24-year-old starter Jason Hirsh, reliever Dan Wheeler and center fielder Willy Tavares." Renck notes that Houston’s interest will heighten if Andy Pettitte signs with New York. The three-player haul mentioned here certainly seems to top what the White Sox got for Garcia, a fairly comparable pitcher for 2007.
The Blue Jays and Mets remain plenty interested if other options don’t work out.
Ted Lilly, Gil Meche, and Vicente Padilla are all off the market. Left in Tier 2:
Jason Jennings
Jeff Weaver
Jeff Suppan
Miguel Batista
Batista may be the next to go.
UPDATE: Should Houston acquire Jon Garland, they’d obviously no longer be the frontrunner for Jennings.