The Mets’ interest in re-signing Javier Baez reportedly didn’t end with the club’s agreement with Eduardo Escobar yesterday, yet Baez and the Mets are still “apart on price” in contract talks, according to SNY’s Andy Martino (Twitter link). With Starling Marte and Mark Canha also joining the roster, it would seem as though the Mets are already bolstering the lineup in the event that Baez doesn’t return, and their current focus on pitching upgrades could at least temporarily put an end to their efforts to land Baez or any other position players.
Timing could be an issue with Baez, as there has been speculation that he would prefer to get his next contract finalized before the Collective Bargaining Agreement expires on December 1. (Martino is among those who believes Baez will indeed sign prior to that date.) If the gap between Baez and the Mets is too large to overcome in the next few days, that could open the door for one of the other teams known to be interested in the shortstop’s services. The Tigers and Red Sox have been linked to Baez, with the Mariners, Rangers, and Yankees somewhat more speculatively attached to Baez via their interest in the shortstop market as a whole.
More on other free agent situations around baseball….
- Padres president of baseball operations A.J. Preller said earlier this month that his club had interest in re-signing Tommy Pham, and The Athletic’s Dennis Lin writes that the Padres are indeed still considering Pham for their left field vacancy. After subpar performance in his first two years in San Diego, Pham wouldn’t be too expensive, which Lin notes is still a consideration for a team trying to manage its payroll under the luxury tax threshold if possible. Today’s trade of Adam Frazier to the Mariners cleared some projected salary off the books, and if the Padres do succeed in unloading Wil Myers and/or Eric Hosmer’s contracts, that will ease an even more substantial amount of the financial burden from Preller’s maneuverings.
- Speaking of the Mariners, the Frazier trade represents Seattle’s first big strike of the offseason, though the club has been rumored in connection with multiple prominent free agents. Mariners GM Jerry Dipoto told MLB.com’s Daniel Kramer and other reporters that the Mariners currently offers on the table to two free agents, with Dipoto noting that one of the two players is “notable.” Reading between the lines, it would seem as if Dipoto was implying that one of the two offers was a significant multi-year pact, while the other offer may have been a shorter-term, less-expensive deal.
So do the Mets sign Baez before Gausman or vice versa?
being that its Billy Eppler, Baez
Didn’t Baez turn down a $180M offer from the Cubs because he thought he could get $300M? That seems like a huge mistake now.
Well, you always have to overpay. Reasonable rate is 5/125. With the overpay it goes up to 6/174
So yeah, probably less than 18o
Who on earth is going to overpay by another 1 year/$49mil? Come on man
The question should be whether they they will sign Baez, Gausman, and trade for Josh Hader before the Yankees sign Max Scherzer, Carlos Correa, and trade Luke Voit and a low level prospect for Matt Olson – and of course which team will sign Freddie Freeeman to DH.
Yanks aren’t signing Scherzer because he’ll likely stay in west coast. I totally see Olson or Chapman being traded to NYY but it’ll cost more than Voit and a low level prospect
Doubt the A’s have any interest in Voit in an Olson deal unless he’s a secondary piece. Three years from free agency, poor 2021, and projected to make over $5 million in arbitration.
Makes sense. I think Oakland would want Jasson Dominguez + Everson Pereira + Austin Wells for Matt Olson
Hopefully they sign a couple pitchers.
If it’s both, I’m not concerned with the order. lol. I just have a tough time getting my hopes up.
The Mets are not going to sign a player with a QO.
Probably true since the Mets would forfeit their second 1st round June pick (#14 overall) by signing a free agent with a qualifying offer attached to him. That would not include Javier Baez since he was ineligible for a QO from the Mets after they acquired him from the Cubs just ahead of last summer’s trade deadline.
And yet the Mets are connected to both Baez and Gausman…so why have any connection? Kicking the tires? I don’t buy it, I think they’re legitimately interested in signing one if not both
Not sure if I’m following. Neither Baez or Gausman have a QO attached.
It won’t include free agent SP Kevin Gausman either since he was also ineligible for a QO after somewhat surprisingly being tagged with one by the Giants following his 2020 season in San Francisco. Unsurprisingly, Gausman accepted the offer from the Giants last offseason, bet on himself and will now benefit with an even more lucrative contract without the QO stigma attached to it.
Well there ya go. Mets will easily sign them both, especially since they’ve been connected to both this offseason.
Guasman about to be a Mariner
Do the Mets need Baez any more? They have McNeil, Cano and Escobar who can play 2B. Plus Guillorme on the bench.
Mets want to rid themselves of the Cano deal ASAP. If they want to move that contract I think McNeil or Dom Smith will have to be in a package.
Baez > McNeil
Cano is not going anywhere. They owe him $24 million this year AND next year. Not sure how serious it is but he also just injured his back the other day. Mets are just going to eat that contract.
Do the Mets need Baez any more?
===================================
I thought the same thing. With today’s signing, they will have Cano, Davis and Smith on the bench. Plus a backup catcher. If they sign Baez, then McNeil goes to the bench.
But the funny part is, they still won’t have a backup SS. Strange doings out in Queens.
Guillorme is a back up for short or second if they sign Baez who would then slide over
Baez can be exciting and frustrating, all within the same game. Strikes out way too much for my taste. Plus he hardly ever walks, so his OBP doesn’t ever figure to be very good. Mets would be better served spending whatever cheese they have left on starting pitchers. If last year proved anything, a team can never have too many starting pitchers options. Injuries always occur.
Javier Baez gives the Mets signings and the fans of the Mets another thumbs down.
Neither !!!
Gausman will Go back to the Giants and Baez will either be a Jay or a Tiger.
I say a Tiger because maybe Detroit has plans to pair him up with Correa up the middle !
diputo is a poser!
How so?
Watch Dipoto trade Kyle Lewis+ for Byron Buxton
Kyle Lewis just had major knee surgery, and is questionable to when he’ll play again. Knee injuries are a real problem if they persist. If Dipoto was able to trade K-Lewis with that injury history it would be a miracle.
Buxton has had one season of 500 ABs…dude is constantly injured…this would be a roll of the dice trade on both players
Ya, seriously. Not trading Buxton because the OTHER guy has injury issues? Buxton is famous BECAUSE of his injury history.
Reports are the Twins are actually trying to sign Buxton to a long term extension. And I thought Preller makes stupid roster moves.
lol Martino. You might as well throw a dart blindfolded for information
And Stroman is saying on Twitter Mets have no interest at all…unlikely “things will change” when the player himself is saying the FO prefers Ray and Gausman
He deleted that tweet.
Doesn’t mean it’s not true
I feel like there is going to be a severe rush of free agents signing contracts over the next couple days. All to beat the lockout.
It really feels as though the Braves are going to let Freddie walk over the 6th year which would really be ridiculous. I have a real strong feeling that Olsen is going to be the Braves 1st Baseman with a contract extension coming shortly after the trade.
I just cannot fathom how one year can make such a difference for a player who is the face of the franchise and especially after winning the WS. Give it to him Braves.
He’s not leaving Atlanta. Dial down the dramatics.
Yeah Freddie Freeman will not leave Atlanta, book it!
I don’t see anyone taking Hosmers 4 years. Just too long. even for a team on a rebuild to net prospects.
Too easy a position to field cheaply for mid range teams and the spenders will simply want more production out of 1B for the money; even if they can eat it
Only possibility I can think of is a Aaron Hicks swap w NYY.
Yankees gain stability and a LH bat while Padres get the upside of a switch hitting Cf whoes a bit of a gamble (like Pham kinda was to a lesser extent ).
It would be a challenge trade.(and those rarely occur) but one I think both teams might see positive angles towards
Think I’d rather just hope Hicks stays healthy. If the Yankees would have gotten Marte, or if a trade can be had on Mullins, Ketel Marte etc. it’s an interesting idea. Hosmer is owed 8 million more than Hicks I think so it wouldn’t be an even up swap.
I definitely can understand that angle. I was a big Hicks fan once upon a time , not sure anybody has a clue what to think of him today
But boy its gotta be a terrible feeling owning guys like Hicks year to year for upper management .
Never know when to shove chips in the pot or fold when it comes to all the different alternatives that come along every year that could be had.
Agree Pads would have to kick a little extra in. It’s a tough contract to match around the league considering the length and he plays 1B. Pat Corbin was my 2nd thought w some side pieces involved as well and those weird deferments worked out by Wash
Part of the attraction of Hicks is his salary cap number, something like $10m/yr.
Hosmer is $18m/yr or somewhere in that ballpark.
Sadly enough, I can’t see Yankees taking on that much additional cap money for next several years … at least not until we see next CBA.
Yea Hosmer will be 3 x 13 after this year
Perhaps a trade for 365 more days from now.
I was trying to fit something into today but yea I don’t see them being able to offload him this year in the end
Will Meyers for sure, Cubs should be calling to net some prospects
Hosmer has a player option after this year… he makes 13 mil a year after that. He might think he can make more. He’s not worth 20 mil, but he’s worth more than 13, no? Gold glove defense, decent obp. NL gets the DH, you can rest him occasionally.
Not gold glove defense.
Not decent OBP
Hosmer may be the most overpaid hitter in all of baseball. Padres would probably have to eat 75% of what he’s owed to get any team to take him.
Surprised I haven’t read any Rizzo/Yankee reunion posts. Has it been determined that the Yankees are moving on from Rizzo?
He’s not worth 10 million. Terrible defense. Quit looking at fielding%
LOL
It depends on a few things … Probably if Baez is willing to take less money to play with his friend Lindor.. And how willing the Tigers are to outbid the Red Sox, even though the Tigers are probably wanting to sign both Correra and Baez. They’ll get Correra, once again, depends how bad the Tigers want Baez as well… If the Tigers are content with only Correra and not wanting to overpay for Baez, then I think he’ll definitely be a Red Sock. But yeah lol.
These guys have families. I doubt anyone takes less just to play with someone else
When you are deciding between 110 million and 120 million it should not effect your family unless you are bad with money, not even your extended family.
Yeah, depends how much. But if it’s 25 million more doubtful he takes less. Even at 10 it’s unlikely. Probably has to be 3 or less
The Mets, are not going to get outbid by $25/$10 mil. Also he’d make money in NYC for endorsements.
@ Camden453;
Agreed!
Hard to go home and say you’re only getting $120m over the next 6 years. Gads, their kids will have to continue to wear 2nd hand clothes given to the family by their cousins whose wealthy uncles have solid jobs making $55k each year.
Last year he had to support the fam on $11.6m. Slave wages!
Yeah, a lot of it is social pressure and reputation on the line. You look weak taking less. They need at least some sort of overpay on it
Also, they all have responsibility to the players union, agents, and the “future players getting more” thing
@ Camden453;
This is why so many people that used to, no longer follow professional sports. I used to follow the NFL and NBA. MLB is on probation with me. The CBA could close the iron door.
I’m old enough to remember when the tag line was that players should have FA so they could play where they want to, for whom they want to.
Samuel, thoughts like that go through my mind all the time.
Strange world.
Yeah, or the days before that when players like Yogi Berra had to get jobs in the off season.
I think Yogi sold appliances in a store.
Other, more suave guys, sold men’s suits and things like that.
Camden: Well said. back in the old days players were severely restricted. Heck, they really didn’t have another option but to take what ownership offered. That, or go back to the farm. However, as you alluded to, the pendulum has swung too far in the other direction.
how much do families cost?
I get your point, but I wonder how much of a factor it remains once you start approaching $100 million…….
They cost a lot. Trust me, I have a wife and four kids, all of whom are in college.
The point that others seem to be missing is, Lindor and Baez are friends, not family. If they were married, then yes, Baez probably would want to stay with the Mets. The fact that he has a good friend on the team, however, will have almost no bearing on where he decides to sign. Taking a job to be with your friend is something high schoolers do when deciding whether to work at Taco Bell or Arby’s.
The Mets, are not going to get outbid by $25/$10 mil. Also he’d make money in NYC for endorsements.
InherentVice so why is it other players recruit other players. And they’re childhood friends. It happens all the time.
And what about the high NYC tax rates? That negates millions of dollars on a big contract like this. Carlos Delgado signed with the Marlins over the Mets for $5 million because the taxes would have been more than the difference in the deal.
Didn’t the tigers already back out of Correa when they heard he wanted 330+?
The Tigers are definitely NOT signing both Correa and Baez. They’re doing their due diligence because they’re not wanting to pay $300+ for Correa. So they’re exploring the other SS options.
Curious about Dipoto’s “notable” offer. Hope we find out soon. Fingers crossed it’s Semien and he accepts.
I’m hoping for Semien & Bryant
Even after trading for Frazier and committing SS to JP?
That dude didn’t know what he’s talking about. They’ll target SP in FA (Gausman, Stroman) but not one of the SS FA. I think they’ll try and trade for Buxton though.
Absolutely. Frazier is a perfect utility guy if they can land Bryant and Semien. Frazier has one year left on his contract. Frazier can spell 2nd, SS, and all outfield spots if needed to give each player a day off, where Frazier still plays 85-90% of the games. Bryant and Semien would be set with the club for the next 3-6 years where Frazier would probably be offered a QO after the season.
@Pkindaclub I think that ship has sailed. The M’s got their middle infielder. Adam Frazier is better defensively than JP Crawford or Semien. He fills the outfield versatility role that makes Kris Bryant attractive. And he is a lefthanded bat. He comes cheap. He controls the zone and hits for average which is what the M’s are looking for. You don’t put a guy like that on the bench just because you would like more power, too.
The M’s have a ton of guys that have not yet learned to hit at the MLB level. Kelenic, White, Raleigh, Moore, Rodriquez and Fraley all come to mind. You cannot buy enough free agent RBI’s to fix that. The ones they have need to hit as they did in the minors.
I think what we learned today is that Dipoto does not need a 5/$125M contract to fill the open position at 2B. He just bought himself a ton of financial flexibility going forward. When you have payroll space bargains fall into your lap.
My guess is there is a long term deal on the table for gausman, and a 4 year high AAV deal for Bryant. If you go by cues with dipoto is easier to try to predict where he’s going. They went after Frazier pretty hard and lost out. He got him anyway. They went after Bryant hard, he’ll get him too.
I like your thinkin’ bigdaddy.
Bryant is a definite I’m hoping he snatches Gausman as well n maybe Miller if the price is right
I think Gausman in New York is a disaster waiting to happen
But he did pretty well with all that pressure in Baltimore.
Are we getting any idea yet whether the December 1 deadline is impacting the monetary/length of contracts, or is it just speeding things up?
The Mets, are not going to get outbid by $25/$10 mil. Also he’d make money in NYC for endorsements.
1 more year of Myers. 4 more years of Hosmer, luckily he drops down to 13 million a season after 2022.
Trade Hosmer and pay half of his salary.
I hope it s a huge offer for seiya. Throw the book at him mariners. He is exactly the potential we need
Nah, Seattle will trade Lewis for Buxton and then extend Buxton.
Hell nah. Buxton is worth more than just lewis and Lewis is not going anywhere.
I’m sure the “other” player DiPoto has an offer out to will be pleased to learn that he’s not “notable.”
Players aren’t idiots. If the Mariners had a deal for Semien at 5-150 (as an example) and a deal for some other lower SP for 3-45, would the SP be shocked that they were not “notable”? No. I can guarantee it. They understand the game. They’re not living in a fantasy world. Most know their value. Being compared to a bigger target when you’re not a big target isn’t going to hurt their feelings. Their not high school girls.
I think Semien priced himself out of Dipoto’s market. I expect him to go after Seiya Suzuki and SP. He may work a lesser trade for a middle infielder that is almost MLB ready. Cleveland has several and needs outfielders which Seattle has. Bryant could still be an option.
My guess for the less noteworthy one is getting Tyler Anderson back.
Can the Padres please trade Hosmer to a club that doesn’t have a right field fence a mile away!!??
Jorge78: Your query is twofold. No problem finding a home park with a more friendly right field fence. Big problem is, who the heck even wants Hosmer?
When Boras calls, don’t answer.
Wonder if Baez would sign if the Mets can trade a few players. Easier to get more value if you don’t shoot yourself in the foot.
Pham?
Nnnnnnnnnooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!
SD shouldn’t even be thinking about bringing him back. Affordable? Yes. Consistently productive? No.
If the Friars do indeed succeed in trading Hosmer…who replaces him? Myers? If myers goes? So they can overspend on someone else? because lets face it their top of the chart prospects status is long long gone i fail to see the logic other than “they are underperforming” when that can be said about so so many
SD should be focused on offloading Myers simply because his contract is far more digestible for other teams opposed to Hosmer. Padres will end up having to eat the vast majority of Hosmer’s contract to get rid of him, but it’s not realistic to think even that will have for another couple years. They’re stuck with him for a while.
With all the money baseball generates isn’t there enough to make sure the owners and players don’t end up on the street? I would think a work stoppage was a tactic underpaid over worked people could use. Maybe both are really destitute and we didn’t know it.
Last year’s divisional races, postseason and WS were all exciting. Sure hope MLB and its players don’t screw it up with a lengthy lockout and/or a player’s strike.
At 76, I no longer have the time or interest to follow all four major sports teams in my town. Pretty much relegated to the Phillies and Eagles and an occasional trip to Franklin Field to watch a Penn football game.
But if the coconuts on both sides start pleading poor mouth, I’m gonna throw up my hands in disgust with baseball.
Yeah, I know I don’t have a whole lot of sympathy for either side.
Meanwhile, is reds fans are all breathlessly awaiting the news that the Reds have signed Todd Hollandsworth and Dustin Hermanson to minor league deals..
Preller wants to resign Pham? That’s just crazy. But … it’s Preller.