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Heyman On Fielder, Madson, Jurrjens, Capuano

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In addition to Albert Pujols, Jose Reyes, and Mark Buehrle, the Marlins made an offer to free agent closer Ryan Madson, reports SI's Jon Heyman.  Unlike the other three, the Madson offer has yet to inspire a visit to Miami.  Heyman notes that the proposals are preliminary, and the team is not concerned about all four accepting.  Marlins president David Samson explained Saturday on 790 The Ticket with Glenn Geffner that the team has a free agent flow chart in which they expect a playoff team with every outcome (transcript courtesy of Joe Capozzi of the Palm Beach Post).  More from Heyman…

  • The Mariners will make a run at Prince Fielder, tweets Heyman, but they're unsure if there's room in the budget.  Heyman suggests the Ms will not be in on Pujols.
  • Heyman explains the mess that was the Phillies' negotiations with Madson.  He says Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. proposed $44MM over four years, which Madson accepted an hour or two later.  Oddly, Amaro added at that point that he needed the approval of CEO David Montgomery, according to Heyman.  The next day Amaro told agent Scott Boras he'd been unable to get that approval.  However, Amaro told Heyman there was no agreement "either verbal or in writing," and also said, "I will stand by my history of integrity forever."  Amaro also said Montgomery was aware of the negotiations as they occurred and wasn't responsible for killing the deal.  It appears Amaro and Boras are not on the same page as to what constitutes an agreement.
  • The Braves seek a Zack Greinke-like deal for Jair Jurrjens, writes Heyman.  He later tweeted, "Jurrjens understandably popular on trade market. A star and only 25. You know Yankees, Red Sox, Rangers, others are in."
  • The Mets have crossed Chris Capuano off their list given his desire for a two-year deal.

Outrighted To Triple-A: Nick Evans

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The latest outrights from around MLB…

  • The Mets outrighted Nick Evans to Triple-A, according to Andy McCullough of the Star-Ledger (on Twitter). Evans, 25, posted a .256/.314/.403 line in 194 plate appearances, while playing all four corner positions. Evans cleared waivers along with Jason Pridie and both players can declare free agency, according to Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com (on Twitter).

Blue Jays, Others Interested In Broxton

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The Blue Jays and 4-6 other teams have shown interest in Jonathan Broxton and asked for his medical records, according to ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick (Twitter links). The Mets have not yet inquired on the 27-year-old free agent. Broxton had arthroscopic elbow surgery in September and plans to start throwing in two weeks.

It appears likely that Broxton will sign a one-year deal with performance incentives, as I explained in September when I examined his free agent stock. Broxton’s 2011 season ended in May after just 12 2/3 innings with a 5.68 ERA and nearly as many walks (9) as strikeouts (10).

East Notes: Sizemore, Mets, Phillies

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Some notes to pass along from the AL and NL East …

  • The Red Sox have contacted free agent outfielder Grady Sizemore, tweets Mike Silverman of the Boston Herald, and they are not thought to have spoken to free agent outfielder Carlos Beltran. Both players remain a long shot for Boston, according to Silverman, until the Red Sox figure out whether they want to re-sign David Ortiz.
  • The Mets will likely seek an affordable closer this offseason, according to Andy Martino of the New York Daily News, who spoke to three stoppers who might fit that bill: Jonathan Broxton, Brad Lidge and Joe Nathan. Broxton's agent told Martino that Brox is seeking an incentive-laden one-year deal with perhaps a vesting option, and he's willing to pitch as a setup man or a closer. Lidge's agent said Lidge, too, is flexible with respect to his role, and Nathan said he is receptive to either a short- or long-term contract.
  • Now that the Phillies' agreement on a four-year contract with Ryan Madson has either fallen through or never actually materialized in the first place, Scott Lauber of the Boston Herald opines that Jonathan Papelbon, like Madson, is unlikely to secure a contract of four or more years from Philly. Just reading the tea leaves, it looks like the fourth year will be the primary haggling point for Madson and Papelbon in their respective negotiations.

Outrighted: Jason Pridie

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The latest players to be removed from their teams' rosters…

  • The Mets removed outfielder Jason Pridie from their 40-man roster, according to ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick (on Twitter). Pridie, 28, is expected to clear waivers. He hit .231/.309/.370 in 236 plate appearances while playing all three outfield positions in 2011. The Mets now have 33 players on their 40-man roster.

Mets Notes: Reyes, Wright, Alderson

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Let's round up some links from Flushing. Here's the latest on the Mets…

  • In today's Insider-only blog post, ESPN's Buster Olney reports that the Mets will not engage in a bidding war for free agent shortstop Jose Reyes. They will make him an offer they feel comfortable with, then move on if he rejects it.
  • Within the same piece, Olney says that David Wright will be gone by the time the Mets are ready to compete for a championship, so trading him now could produce players that lead to contention sooner.
  • MetsBlog.com's Matt Cerrone spoke to GM Sandy Alderson last week about the team's spending and overall strategy. "Considering where we are now with respect to revenues, in order for us to approach a break-even proposition, we have to keep our payroll at a lower range than it has been in the last few years," said Alderson. "Now, as the team performs better and the revenues increase, there will be the opportunity to increase payroll."
  • Alderson also spoke about the need to "rebalance" the organization after years of spending big on free agents while receiving little impact. "You can only have so many players on your team making $15 to $20 million," he added. "And so the farm system becomes important to the success of any team, including teams in big markets as evidence of the Yankees, Red Sox and Phillies."

Heyman On Pagan, Braves, Pujols, Madson

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Terry Ryan is officially the interim general manager of the Twins, but Jon Heyman of SI.com hears that the longtime GM is recharged and may stay a while (Twitter link). Here are the rest of Heyman’s rumors from SI.com:

  • The Mets have discussed Angel Pagan as a non-tender candidate, but they intend to offer him arbitration, according to Heyman (on Twitter). MLBTR projects a $4.7MM salary for the center fielder in 2012.
  • Meanwhile, Chris Capuano is looking for a two-year deal, but the Mets prefer one-year bargains (Twitter link).
  • The Braves are looking for a Zack Greinke-like return in a deal for Jair Jurrjens, according to Heyman (on Twitter). The Royals obtained Jake Odorizzi, Lorenzo Cain, Alcides Escobar and Jeremy Jeffress for Greinke and Yuniesky Betancourt last offseason.
  • Twins executive Mike Radcliff and Yankees scouting director Damon Oppenheimer weren’t that interested in the Orioles’ GM job, according to Heyman. The Orioles requested permission to interview them both, but the Twins denied the request and the Orioles hired Dan Duquette before setting anything up with Oppenheimer.
  • It's believed that Blue Jays assistant GM Tony LaCava got a raise to stay in Toronto, according to Heyman.
  • It’s hard to tell Boston’s list of managerial candidates apart from the one the Cubs have, as Heyman explains.
  • It doesn’t appear that the Cardinals will be able to boost their nine-year, $200MM offer to Albert Pujols by much.
  • Ryan Madson is drawing lots of interest and the Red Sox, Phillies, Nationals, Rangers and Marlins are believed to be interested.
  • C.J. Wilson, Edwin Jackson, Mark Buehrle and Roy Oswalt are drawing lots of interest, as expected.
  • Heyman hears that Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen is pushing for Prince Fielder or Pujols. The Marlins have also expressed early interest in Jose Reyes.

Mets Notes: Reyes, Wright, Payroll, Backman

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There's lots of chatter around the Mets regarding free agent Jose Reyes and the possibility of trading third baseman David Wright.  Here's more on that and other items concerning the Metropolitans..

  • ESPN.com's Buster Olney (via Twitter) doesn''t know where Reyes will land, but thinks that the Brewers would be an excellent fit for the shortstop.  The Brewers should have the money to spend on a big-ticket free agent such as Reyes this summer.  MLBTR's Tim Dierkes ranked Reyes third on his top 50 free agents list, predicting Milwaukee as his destination.  Make your picks for Reyes the other 49 top free agents in MLBTR's contest — less than three hours remain to enter!
  • Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com (via Twitter) makes an educated guess and sees the Mets with a $95MM payroll on Opening Day.  During the season, GM Sandy Alderson said that the payroll could grow into the $100-$110MM range, but that figure includes amateur signing bonuses.  Rubin (via Twitter) figures the Mets have about $18MM to spend this winter on a closer, set-up man, center fielder, a starting pitcher, and more bullpen arms.
  • Wright could be moved next summer under the right circumstances, but it's highly unlikely that he'll be traded this winter, Andy Martino of the New York Daily News (via Twitter) has been told.
  • Wally Backman will accept the Mets’ offer to manage their Triple-A affiliate in Buffalo, with the hope that he’s next in line after Terry Collins, writes Bob Klapisch of The Bergen Record.  Meanwhile, friends of Alderson say that he has no intention of a long-run as GM and eventually, Paul DePodesta will run the day-to-day operations of the franchise.  One NL talent evaluator told Klapisch that it would take four-to-five years to develop the talent to become competitive again in the division if the Mets do not retain Reyes.

Olney On Reyes, Wright, Cuddyer, Prado

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In his Sunday column, ESPN.com's Buster Olney weighs-in on David Wright and other stories from around baseball.  Here are some highlights..

  • This morning we learned that the Mets will listen on offers for David Wright.  With a $15MM salary next year and a $16MM option (which Wright can void if dealt) for 2013, Olney writes that the club's best chance to get value in return for him is to deal him now.  Wright will turn 30 next year and while he has been a good solider, he could eventually ask to be sent to a contending team.  Instead, the Mets can deal him now and get players to help them win in 2014 or 2015. 
  • There is sentiment within the Mets' organization that the timing isn't right to build around Jose Reyes, tweets Buster Olney of ESPN.com.  There are concerns that he's not a fit between his leg injuries and their own timetable for contending.
  • One official told Olney that the Phillies' interest in Michael Cuddyer is so ardent that if wants to play with the Phillies, the deal is inevitable as the club will make it happen.  The expectation within the industry is that the veteran will get at least a three-year deal.
  • The Braves are open to trading Martin Prado this winter and given the attention currently being lavished on Michael Cuddyer in the free agent market, Prado figures to be quite popular.  An AL official told Olney that Prado is like a younger version of Cuddyer and might be a better hitter.
  • The Diamondbacks continue to negotiate with second baseman Aaron Hill, and there appears to be some momentum toward getting a deal done.
  • Dan Duquette is on the verge of becoming the Orioles' next GM but as recently as five days ago, the club had no plans to interview him.

Sherman On Wright, Reyes

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The latest from Joel Sherman of the New York Post…

  • "We will listen on [David] Wright for sure," a Mets official told Sherman last week.  The official added, "We know we are not going to win it all in 2012. We have to hope the Phillies get old and we are in position to take advantage of that in 2013-14, and we have to figure out ways to speed the process to get there."  Sherman says the Mets crave a "young, defensive-oriented center fielder plus an arm or two" for Wright.  He says they are focusing most on the Angels, and Peter Bourjos is a possibility.
  • Sherman was hearing similar thoughts about Wright from a Mets official back on October 21st.  Around then, an official told him, "We'll explore Wright's market.  I think considering where we are as an organization, it would be foolish not to at least look at it. However, I expect actually pulling the trigger is a long shot."  GM Sandy Alderson said on on October 31st that he thinks Wright will be a Met in 2012.  Andy Martino of the New York Daily News heard a few days later that Alderson will be "strongly disinclined to deal" Wright.  Though some of these reports have different themes, I don't consider them conflicting.  I think the Mets are being careful not to be seen as "shopping" Wright, as that's considered a dirty word in terms of leverage.  Wright seems far from off-limits, but with his value at a low point the Mets might prefer to wait.
  • Sherman questions why the Mets weren't more proactive in trading Jose Reyes in July, a theme of my offseason outlook a few weeks ago.  But I did note, "In Alderson's defense, Reyes spent half of July on the disabled list, perhaps cutting down his trade value to the point that two draft picks wasn't much worse."
  • Sherman spoke to one American League talent evaluator who thinks the Phillies will be in on Reyes.  It's true that they'll have the need and the money if Jimmy Rollins signs elsewhere.  
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