Ten years ago today, the Braves signed 16-year-old right-hander Jose Ascanio out of Venezuela. Six years later they traded him to the Cubs for Omar Infante and Will Ohman, and two years after that he was part of a package for Tom Gorzelanny and John Grabow. Here are some links from the NL East…
- "We haven't ruled anything out," said a Mets official to ESPN New York's Andrew Marchand when asked if a reunion with impending free agent Francisco Rodriguez was a possibility. "We need a closer. It is a long way down the road. We haven't had those meetings yet. But, for us, I wouldn't rule anything out."
- The Mets will interview Jim Riggleman and Bob Geren for their bench coach job, reports Andy McCullough of The Star Ledger (on Twitter) and MLB.com's Adam Berry. Back in June, Riggleman resigned as Nationals manager and Geren was fired as Athletics manager.
- The Braves will interview former White Sox hitting coach Greg Walker for the same role, reports Bruce Levine of ESPN Chicago. The Padres will also interview Walker, says to Levine.
- In a mailbag, MLB.com's Joe Frisaro answered a series of questions about players the Marlins could target in free agency. Here's Tim Dierkes' offseason outlook for the club.
Mets officials havent ruled out bringing John Maine back either. But its just not happening. They arent in a position to spend a lot of money on a veteran closer.
They can lose anyway they want.
Now I feel sad too
I’m sorry.
With the position the Mets are in and trying to build for the future, I would look to trade for a young, live arm with that “closer potential” rather than spend on a proven closer on a rebuilding team. Given, they have that “closer potential” with Parnell, but clearly he can’t pitch in a pressure situation. I would like to see them take a shot on Justin De Fratus, but trades between inter-division rivals aren’t too common.
Why would the Mets with all the issues they have, (no disrespect intended) pay a closer 10 million $$$$?
Perhaps with an eye toward flipping him mid season? Relief help is always in demand at the deadline. It would essentially allow the Mets to turn 10-ish million dollars into a prospect. They don’t have a closer-in-waiting so it doesn’t block anybody, and if they really are rebuilding there aren’t a lot of ways to spend the money other than perhaps bringing Reyes back, and I think they could make the money up someplace else anyway.
The trick would be keeping the years down on a deal, preferably to one. It’s a strong relief market this offseason so that may be possible, especially if they pick up a closer who isn’t a closer.
That said, the solution probably would not be to bring K-Rod back. Just a thought, in any event.
Atlanta/Padres if you thought your offense was bad wait till Greg Walker gets a hold of your hitters.
Greg Walker left Chicago for a reason. The White Sox were almost were of the worst hitting teams in the AL under his tenure. Take our time and make sure we find the right guy. I would like to bring someone in who is familiar with our system and has already seen a lot of these guys in Spring Training. I’m surprised Javy Lopez isn’t getting consideration.
When have they ever taken their time with coaching decisions?
i love the javy lopez idea i was thinking he would b a good option. what about the Crime dogg?
I think Javy has been traveling with us at ST’s. That why I brought him up. Not sure about McGriff, I bet he would like to prefer to take a position with CHC. Maddux did, that jerk!
Jim Riggleman will go into the interview and halfway through, demand to have the job and when they do not give him that guarantee, he will end the interview and walk out.
check your sources….infante came from the tigers to atlanta
No he didn’t. He was traded from the Tigers to the Cubs for Jacque Jones then about a month later was traded to Atlanta along with Ohman.