2:57pm: The Mets are close to a one-year deal with Cedeno that would be worth $1.1-1.2MM, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.
11:59am: The Mets and free agent shortstop Ronny Cedeno have reached a critical point in their negotiations, according to Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com. They haven't agreed to a deal yet, but there could be a verdict soon, Rubin reports. Andy McCullough of the Star Ledger tweets that the sides are nearing a deal and that Cedeno is still considering his options.
The Mets seek shortstop depth behind Ruben Tejada and have been linked to free agents such as Cedeno, Jack Wilson and Ryan Theriot. The Pirates declined Cedeno's option earlier this offseason, after he posted a .249/.297/.339 line in 454 plate appearances. The 28-year-old posted a strong 6.8 UZR/150 at shortstop this past season, though his career mark of -1.6 UZR/150 is slightly below average. The Red Sox and Pirates were also linked to Cedeno earlier this offseason. Peter E. Greenberg & Associates represents Cedeno.
This post was first published on January 6th, 2012.
oh boy, another 250 hitter with no power. don’t they already have too many of those?
Good luck Mets fans!!!!!!!!!
Who needs Reyes anyways?
Remember when everyone thought Alderson was going to improve the situation in NY?
Everyone? No I do not. Nor do I remember anyone thinking it would happen this quick.
I feel for you guys. You’re going after a guy whose team thought Clint Barmes was an appealing alternative to him. If he represents movement in the right direction, you guys are worse off than I thought.
Need someone to fill out the 25-man roster. I doubt signing Cedeno to be a utility player in 2012 will affect their prospects of winning in 2013 and beyond.
He’s being signed as a bench bat and backup for Tejada. Hardly an earth shattering signing or reflection on the team going forward.
I don’t think anyone can until the Wilpons are gone.
It’s a toxic situation, and Selig’s a lame duck (seriously, use that best interests of the game clause).
Most assuredly, but the good news is the Wilponzis just hired the same financial firm the Rangers used…you know…the one with expertise in bankruptcy cases…?!
But, see, it’s not because they’re giong bankrupt. No, really!! It’s for “services in connection with financial reporting and budgeting processes.” Yeah…that’s right!
For Mets fans, “the writing on the wall” never looked soooo good!
I just hope that if we get new ownership, the new ownership does a better job at building the farm as well as the main team.
How does a backup signing help the bankruptcy situation? How does it hurt?
They could get anyone to hit .250 and play marginal defense. How much would Theriot really of cost them to sign?
Theriot is way, way off “marginal” defense. Like, 8 runs off in 91 games last year kinda off.
He can still hit better than Cedeno and steal a few bases. I’m not saying Theriot is a stud but he would be a better pick up.
unfortunately, anything that is more than the major league minimum is too much for the Mets at this point, and I believe Theriot wants something in the $2MM+ range, which is more than the $1.5MM budget Alderson recently set for the rest of the offseason. There’s only so much Sandy can do with owners that can’t afford to spend money and three huge contracts eating up half of the payroll (Santana, Bay, Wright)
I would rather pick a random person from the street in North Korea to play for the Mets than be forced to watch Ronny Cedeno try to hit a baseball in July. Unless this is for veteran depth in AA. Then I’m all for it.
i like ryan theriot, good hitter
i think ryan theriot would be a good fit
Exciting!
Oh, wait….
I’d have no problem with this signing. Theriot’s a defensive liability and should not be brought in by a club as poor defensively as the Mets were last year. While Wilson’s a more desirable option, he’s out of the Mets’ budget range — or at least a misuse of available money which ought to be spent on depth for starting pitchers. Cedeno is youngish, servicable, and could back up both short and 2nd (Wilson’s got limited expereince at second). Is it a step in the right direction? Before you answer, please remember that last year at this time their backup infielder going into the season was Chin Lung-Hu.
Really, why shouldn’t Omar Quintanilla be the favorite to secure the backup SS sport for the Mets? Solid enough defense for a backup, and his entire MiLB track record suggest he’s at least competent at the plate.
Also, he’s a LH bat, which allows righties Turner & Satin to fight it out in ST for the RH backup IF spot.
Most importantly, unlike Wilson/Cedeno/Theriot, he’s at or close to minimum salary.
I don’t see any reason for the Mets to add another major league contract to their roster unless it’s a backup catcher superior to Nickeas.
They could sign any mediocre shortstop they want, but I think they should really hold on to Ruben Tejada. He’s only 22 but shows plenty of potential to become one of the best shortstops around. He’s got excellent defense (one of the best I’ve ever seen). Last year, in 328 at bats, he hit 93 hits good for a .284 avg, 15 doubles and an OBP of .360. Transform those numbers into a full season of 600+ at-bats and you got yourself an all-star caliber shortstop. Pretty good for a 21 year old. He has decent speed, but the only bad thing is his power, I think he only has 1 career home run, and with Citi Field’s dimensions, you could just forget about his power. But overall, if he matures properly, he could become one very good shortstop.
Tejada is the Mets’ SS. Cedeño, is just a backup/insurance in case Tejada gets injured or falters.
Tejada is slated to be the starting SS. A given.
There’s having Jose Reyes, then there’s having no shortstop, then there’s Cedeno. Ironic that the Mets’ shortstop situation has followed the same path as the value of them.