Heyman On Sandoval, Mets, Dodgers, Rangers
Pablo Sandoval has catching experience, but the Giants won’t attempt to re-position him behind the plate when he returns from the disabled list, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com. Here’s Heyman’s latest from around the league:
- Mets minority owner David Einhorn is expected to have a say in major team decisions, though he won’t have the final call. If the Wilpons have to sell the team, Einhorn will have the first opportunity to buy it.
- The Dodgers have not explored possible trades for Andre Ethier or Matt Kemp and rival teams haven’t called to express interest in the outfielders, according to Heyman. The Dodgers would like to lock both up long-term instead of allowing them to hit the open market after next year.
- One Dodger who won’t be getting a long-term contract offer: James Loney. The first baseman is a likely non-tender after the season, according to executives around the league.
- The Rangers are looking for a reliever and would prefer a right-hander. Heyman hears they’ll consider Francisco Rodriguez of the Mets.
- The Cubs don’t plan to exercise Aramis Ramirez’s $16MM option for 2012, according to Heyman.
Blue Jays Notes: Lawrie, Super Two, Escobar
Shaun Marcum has been Milwaukee's best starter this year, but Brett Lawrie is doing his best to make Blue Jays fans forget about the pitcher he was traded for. The 21-year-old infield prospect has a .343/.403/.632 line at Triple-A with 12 home runs. GM Alex Anthopoulos and Jeff Blair of Sportsnet Radio FAN 590 discussed Lawrie's hot start and a number of other issues pertaining to the Blue Jays this morning. Here are the details:
- Lawrie has improved his strikeout to walk ratio in Triple-A this month, a development that’s encouraging for the Jays’ front office.
- Super two status is a moving target at the best of times and Anthopoulos points out that over 80% of players who become eligible for arbitration are optioned to the minor leagues at some point. Players like Travis Snider and Brett Cecil don’t have continuous Major League service, which means projecting whether minor leaguers are on track for super two status is mostly futile.
- The Blue Jays have a record of not manipulating service according to Anthopoulos. He points to J.P. Arencibia and Kyle Drabek, both of whom got the call late last year.
- Anthopoulos has been on the phone with a few GMs, but he doesn’t expect trades to kick into high gear until after the draft, which starts June 6th.
- Anthopoulos saw the rumor linking Jose Reyes to the Blue Jays and though the GM declined to comment on another team’s player, he praised the Jays’ current shortstop, Yunel Escobar. “He’s young, he’s everything we want,” Anthopoulos said of Escobar, who is under team control through 2013. “Shortstop is not an area we need to improve. We think it’s a strength.”
Jays Contacted Mets About Reyes, Others This Spring
In Spring Training, the Blue Jays contacted the Mets to find out their plans about several players, including Jose Reyes, according to David Waldstein of the New York Times. GM Alex Anthopoulos did not make any firm proposals in the discussions, but the Blue Jays are monitoring Reyes’ progress. Yunel Escobar is playing well and under team control through 2013, so the Blue Jays don't have a pressing need for a shortstop.
Giants GM Brian Sabean does not appear to have contacted the Mets about Reyes and other teams haven’t yet expressed substantial interest in the shortstop – hardly a surprise given that the trade deadline is over two months away. It’s equally unsurprising to hear that the Blue Jays are monitoring Reyes’ progress, since most mid and large market teams are presumably eyeing him to some degree.
Mets Notes: Rodriguez, Payroll, Reyes
Tonight the Mets will try to rebound from an ugly loss against the Cubs as Dillon Gee faces Casey Coleman. In the meantime, here are some off-field notes about New York's National League team…
- Francisco Rodriguez will consider any potential trade the Mets are interested in and is open to waiving his $17.5MM vesting option for 2012 if an acquiring team wants to negotiate a multiyear extension, according to Andy Martino of the New York Daily News.
- Mets GM Sandy Alderson said on WFAN that he expects his team's 2012 payroll to sit in the $100-145MM range, as Michael Baron notes at MetsBlog.
- Alderson also pointed out that the Mets could still make Jose Reyes an offer to stay in New York long-term.
- A selloff is coming for the Mets, Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports writes. Morosi predicts where Rodriguez, Reyes, David Wright and Mike Pelfrey will be after the trade deadline.
- Alderson told Andy McCullough of the Star-Ledger that people can “get caught up in the emotion from time to time and perhaps say some things that, on reflection, probably were not well-chosen.” This week Mets owner Fred Wilpon made comments that certainly fall into that category.
- A Mets executive told Murray Chass that people inside the organization wanted to get Wilpon's story out into the public because they felt he was being treated unfairly. As a result the owner agreed to the two interviews that created a mini-controversy.
- Alderson reiterated that the Mets are able to exceed the commissioner’s recommended bonuses in this year’s draft, according to McCullough (on Twitter).
Heyman On Reyes, Rodriguez, A’s, Minaya
We know that Mets owner Fred Wilpon doesn’t think Jose Reyes is a $142MM player, but how do other insiders see it? Jon Heyman of SI.com hears from five MLB executives who estimate Reyes will sign for somewhere between $45-108MM after the season when he hits free agency. Here’s the latest from around the majors, with a focus on Reyes’ Mets:
- Francisco Rodriguez, who can veto trades to ten teams, told Heyman that he understands baseball is “a business” and deals happen.
- There’s no chance the Mariners trade Felix Hernandez now that they’re playing better, according to Heyman.
- If the White Sox make a starter available, Edwin Jackson could be the one to hit the trade market, as he’s eligible for free agency after the season.
- Over the weekend, MLBTR’s Mark Polishuk weighed in on what a “bad” season would mean for Albert Pujols. Heyman says Pujols will surely do well even if his off-year continues, since the Cardinals “aren't going to lower their offer of nine years and more than $200MM.”
- Ivan Rodriguez repeated that he wants to play three more years.
- Despite the recent controversy involving A’s manager Bob Geren and relievers Brian Fuentes and Huston Street, Heyman says the skipper “isn't going anywhere.”
- The Indians are one of a few teams that has shown interest in former Mets and Expos GM Omar Minaya.
Draft Notes: Gray, Bichette, Rendon, Mets
A year ago, the Nationals had already decided to select Bryce Harper first overall. If the Pirates have decided on this year's top selection, we haven't heard about it, but we can pass along these updates about the 2011 draft:
- An American League scouting director told Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic that he believes in Sonny Gray's ability to pitch well when it matters. "If you need to win a game," the scouting director said, "you want Sonny Gray pitching for you. He's that kind of guy."
- As Jonathan Mayo shows at MLB.com, relatives of well-known sports figures like Dante Bichette, Scott Boras and Wayne Gretzky are eligible for this year's draft.
- Anthony Rendon headlines Mayo's list of top corner infield prospects at MLB.com. Rendon has four plus tools and can run better than people give him credit for, according to Mayo. However, the third baseman has dealt with two injuries this year.
- As Mayo explains at MLB.com, the Cron family features a pair of prospects: Utah first baseman C.J. Cron and high school catcher Kevin Cron. Their father, Chris, made it to the Major Leagues with the 1991 Angels and the 1992 White Sox.
- Peter Gammons of MLB Network suggests the Mets may well select UNC shortstop Levo Michael with the 13th overall pick (Twitter link).
Mets Notes: Rodriguez, Beltran, Wheeler
Mets owner Fred Wilpon offered some revealing comments about his players and his finances in recent interviews with the New Yorker and Sports Illustrated. Here’s the latest on the Mets, including more fallout from Wilpon’s words:
- Carlos Beltran told Newsday’s David Lennon that he’s not an incomplete player, as Wilpon suggested (Twitter link). "I'm not 65 or 70 percent,” Beltran said. “I'm 100 percent."
- Mets ownership has chosen a preferred bidder to buy a minority stake in the team, according to Josh Kosman and Lenn Robbins of the New York Post. The Mets are in advanced talks with a group led by former commodities trader Ray Bartoszek and investor Anthony Lanza, according to the Post.
- The Mets' front office has not yet provided manager Terry Collins with guidelines for using Francisco Rodriguez, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post. If the closer finishes 55 games, a $17.5MM option vests for 2012, something the Mets would surely like to avoid.
- Sherman can only see a team trading for Rodriguez as a setup man or part-time closer.
- Giants prospect Zack Wheeler told Cam Inman of the Bay Area News Group that he’s happy in the Giants organization, but finds it flattering to hear himself mentioned as possible trade bait for players like Jose Reyes. "It is a compliment, but also you're with a really good franchise right now that treats pitchers really good and they're good at developing pitchers," Wheeler said.
Fred Wilpon On Payroll, Reyes, Beltran, Minaya
Fred Wilpon's media blitz was actually a two-part plan. Jeffrey Toobin's article in The New Yorker was the big story Monday morning, mainly because the Mets owner was so candid about his players and team. As informative as that article was, SI's Tom Verducci has more from an interview conducted with Wilpon last week.
- The Mets are "bleeding cash," possibly $70MM this year according to Wilpon.
- Wilpon talked about investing $100MM properly, an indication that the 2012 payroll may drop about 30% to that level. This isn't a surprise; I wrote on May 2nd that a $100MM payroll next year would still give GM Sandy Alderson around $20MM to play with before accounting for minimum salary players. So while Wilpon confirmed that the Mets are not likely to reinvest the money coming off the payroll after the season, it would have been nice if someone asked him how they'd handle a potential $10MM+ saved if veterans are traded during the season.
- Verducci says the Mets "have studied the success of the Boston Red Sox in letting top veterans play out their contracts and taking the compensatory draft picks," and would only trade Jose Reyes if they receive a first-round type talent who is close to the Majors, similar to when the Athletics acquired Brett Wallace for Matt Holliday. Does this mean the Mets won't consider trades built around top prospects who are not big league ready, such as the Giants' Zack Wheeler?
- On the Reyes topic, Wilpon said, "I know there's a great question about whether we can keep the shortstop, so we're preparing for that if that should happen." He admitted that Carlos Beltran "will be elsewhere" and the Mets hope Fernando Martinez could fill his shoes. Of Martinez, Wilpon said, "He's fragile, but he can hit."
- The Mets' new investor will be treated as a partner and will have some say, even though Fred Wilpon will remain the team's designated "control person" and Jeff Wilpon will remain the COO.
- On former GM Omar Minaya, Wilpon said, "It was painful to see what Omar did to himself. Why did he do that?" I'm not sure what Wilpon is referring to specifically here.
Olney On Reyes, Crisp, Braves
The latest from ESPN's Buster Olney…
- The Mets must avoid diminishing or marginalizing GM Sandy Alderson, writes Olney. A source told the ESPN scribe, "If he gets some space, there is a lot of potential for great things to happen."
- The Mets have not engaged Jose Reyes' agent Peter Greenberg in contract talks, reports Olney. Mets owner Fred Wilpon told Jeffrey Toobin of The New Yorker on April 20th that Reyes "thinks he's going to get Carl Crawford money," but Olney's source says Wilpon isn't in a position to know what Reyes wants. Perhaps Wilpon simply heard the Crawford comparison via the rumor mill.
- Olney feels that center fielder Coco Crisp "would be in the shop window" if the Athletics look to move pieces. Crisp, 31, is hitting .278/.308/.420 in 170 plate appearances on the season and earns $5.75MM. Still, even after dropping six in a row the A's are only three games back in their division.
- Olney speculates that Crisp would be a natural fit for the Braves, who will employ Jordan Schafer in center field while Nate McLouth is on the DL. Right fielder Jason Heyward is also on the DL. Olney says the Braves would love to add a leadoff hitter, something Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports wrote about on May 16th.
What Wilpon’s Comments Mean For The Mets
Mets owner Fred Wilpon offered some not-so-constructive criticism for his star shortstop, his highest-paid position player and his franchise third baseman in Jeffrey Toobin’s recent New Yorker article. Soon after the Mets comment publicly on what Wilpon (pictured) said about Jose Reyes, Carlos Beltran and David Wright, the reaction will subside and the focus will return to the field. But before long the 22-24 Mets may have to consider trading players, including Reyes, Beltran and Wright. Here’s what – if anything – Wilpon’s comments mean for the trio of Mets stars going forward.
Jose Reyes
"He thinks he’s going to get Carl Crawford money. He’s had everything wrong with him. He won’t get it." – Wilpon.
Wilpon's comments suggest the Mets are shying away from Reyes' apparent asking price of $142MM. The Mets owner sounds hesitant about paying top dollar for Reyes when the shortstop hits free agency after the season. That would eliminate one bidder for Reyes' services after the season, but won't necessarily prevent the 27-year-old from floating an exorbitant price tag.
As for Reyes' trade value, rival executives tell ESPN.com's Buster Olney that Wilpon's comments reduced the Mets' leverage (Twitter links). GM Sandy Alderson faces the perception held by some general managers that the Mets must trade him because they won't be signing him after the season.
Carlos Beltran
"We had some schmuck in New York [Wilpon himself] who paid him based on that one [2004 postseason] series. He’s sixty-five to seventy per cent of what he was." - Wilpon.
Beltran had trade value before the article came out and Wilpon’s comments haven’t changed that. Speculation has already begun regarding possible suitors for the outfielder.
Agent Scott Boras is well aware that Beltran is having a resurgent season and that figures to boost his asking price in free agency after the season. Wilpon’s comments about Beltran’s current contract won’t prevent Boras from obtaining a shiny new deal for his client. But at age 34, Beltran is almost certainly not going to sign another $119MM deal, even if he matches his historic 2004 postseason performance.
David Wright
“A really good kid. A very good player. Not a superstar." - Wilpon.
Alderson knows full well that Wright has had some superstar caliber seasons, and so do the rival GMs who might try to trade for him. If anything is limiting Wright's trade value, it's his pedestrian .226/.337/.404 line and the lower back stress fracture that has him on the disabled list.
Wright’s free agency is a long way off, as he’s under team control through 2013. He said this spring that he “can't imagine ever asking out" of New York and stated today that Wilpon is a “good man.” Could the owner’s comments change Wright’s stance on sticking it out with the Mets? It’s certainly possible, but we can’t assume that will happen.
Photo courtesy Icon SMI.