Here are a few links Mets links as the Amazin's open an important three-game set against the NL East-leading Nationals tonight in Washington. …
- The Mets are "paying close attention" to Royals closer Jonathan Broxton, a source tells Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com. Broxton has put together a nice rebound campaign as Kansas City's stopper after his stock had tumbled due to injuries in 2010-11. Meanwhile, the Mets could use reinforcements for a spotty relief corps that is without closer Frank Francisco, who has been sidelined by an oblique injury since June.
- To that end, the Mets are seeking bullpen help, according to Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com, although they're finding most relievers to be too pricey in terms of trade compensation or too insignificant of an upgrade. The Brewers, for one, are telling teams that former Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez is available but they are unwilling to eat any of the remaining $4MM owed to him. K-Rod, incidentally, was named Milwaukee's closer today.
- The Mets are also looking for a veteran catcher, according to Heyman, and have talked to the Rockies about Ramon Hernandez, but New York is not willing to pay the $3.2MM owed to Hernandez through next season.
- GM Sandy Alderson said all of the organization's scouts have been deployed to the Major League, adding "we are buyers," according to Rubin. Alderson also said pitching prospect Zack Wheeler will not pitch in the big leagues this season and will soon be promoted to Triple-A (Twitter links).
H. Street for the Mets, what’ your offer?
Any team that faces the Mets with Broxton should sign Matt Stairs and just have him sit in the dugout and stare at him. Stairs ripped his heart out in 08 and he’s never been the same.
So the Mets want dependable veterans but not if they have to pay their salary or give up prospects. Yeah, don’t we all. There is a tweeted rumor about Brandon Lyon of the Astros going to the Mets this morning. May just be nothing but Lyon has around $2.5 million left on his contract to eat and has some closer/late experience.
Hey Mets, don’t pay toooo close attention to Broxton. Just check out his ERA and saves and send us an offer. Thanks.