Mets Notes: Reyes, Alderson, Reed Johnson
On the 26th anniversary of the trade that sent Hall-of-Famer Gary Carter from the Expos to the Mets, it's only appropriate that we look at some Mets-related news items….
- Carl Crawford's deal "virtually guarantees" that Jose Reyes won't pursue an extension with the Mets before hitting the free agent market, writes Newsday's David Lennon. Reyes would have to have a big 2011 season and stay healthy first, but even then, it's hard to see a team giving a Crawford-esque contract to a player with Reyes' injury history.
- From the same piece, Lennon thinks it's unlikely that Sandy Alderson would sign a free agent to a six- or seven-year mega-deal akin to those signed by Crawford or Jayson Werth. "Alderson just doesn’t believe in building a team that way, and really, what’s so wrong with that?", Lennon asks.
- Speaking of Alderson, he took part in a conference call today with several Mets bloggers. Matthew Cerrone of Metsblog.com has the recap, with Michael Baron providing the transcription.
- The Mets have some interest in Reed Johnson but "nothing is close" and Johnson is one of several options being considered, reports Andy Martino of the New York Daily News (both Twitter links).
International Links: Reyes, Molina, Anderson
Links in three very different-sounding accents of Spanish…
- Jose Reyes has heard the rumors, and he met with Mets GM Sandy Alderson last week to discuss them, the shortstop told Juan Mercado at the Dominican paper El Dia. "[Alderson] assured me that [a trade] wouldn't happen, however, I recognize that this is a business," Reyes said. He added that the Mets picking up his $11MM option for 2011 was a "good sign," but reiterated his hopes for the future, saying, "I've repeated many times that I don't want to leave the Mets, since I feel very comfortable here."
- Yadier Molina says the Cardinals have approached his elder brother Bengie about backing him up at catcher next season. "They want to get him, but they're waiting for his decision," Yadier told Lester Jimenez at the Puerto Rican daily Primera Hora. The younger Molina said he was confident Bengie could still handle a starting job at 36, and still might seek a contract as such, "but if he's thinking of retirement and wants to take it easy as a backup catcher, then I want him here with me."
- The Rays' options to replace Carlos Pena and Carl Crawford could extend beyond in-house options Dan Johnson and Desmond Jennings, or free agents such as Edwin Encarnacion. The agent for Leslie Anderson told El Nuevo Herald's Jorge Ebro that the versatile Cuban prospect will be in the mix for both the Ray's outfield and first base openings this spring. After signing a four-year, $3.75MM deal last March, Anderson put up a combined .302/.359/.442 line in 422 PAs across the Rays system, including a .328/.359/.418 showing at Triple-A Durham.
Mets Sign D.J. Carrasco
Reliever D.J. Carrasco finally has some job security after being non-tendered two years in a row. The Mets officially signed him to a two-year, $2.5MM deal today. Carrasco will earn $1.2MM in base salary in 2011 and 2012, plus an additional $50K each for 65 relief appearances, 75 relief appearances, and 15 starts.
The Diamondbacks cut Carrasco last week, and he had six to eight suitors as a free agent. He posted a 3.68 ERA, 7.5 K/9, 3.9 BB/9, 0.57 HR/9, and 47.5% groundball rate in 78 1/3 innings this year. He's durable, having led the AL in relief innings last year. Carrasco's agent Terry Bross at Gaylord Sports secured the first multiyear deal of his career. The righty turns 34 in April.
Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork, Andy Martino of the New York Daily News, and Ed Price of AOL FanHouse reported on the story.
Tim Dierkes contributed to this post.
Mets Sign Ronny Paulino
The Mets officially signed catcher Ronny Paulino to a one-year deal worth $1.3MM plus incentives today. He'll pair up with incumbent backstop Josh Thole. Paulino will can earn an additional $60K each for 85, 95, 105, 115, and 125 starts at catcher.
The Rockies were also negotiating with Paulino's agents at SFX before the catcher reached a deal with the Mets. The Marlins non-tendered the 29-year-old last week after he hit .259/.311/.354 in 316 plate appearances and caught 740 1/3 innings. He has eight games remaining on last year's 50-game PED suspension. Paulino has gunned down 31% of attempted thieves in the last few seasons.
Enrique Rojas of ESPNDeportes.com, Jon Heyman of SI, Joel Sherman of the New York Post, and Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork reported on the signing.
Tim Dierkes contributed to this post.
Odds & Ends: Young, Francis, Twins, Fielder, Nady
A handful of links to start the final day of the Winter Meetings….
- The Mets prefer Chris Young to Jeff Francis, and are still trying to sign one of the two veteran starters, says Mike Puma of the New York Post. However, both pitchers are looking for upwards of $4MM for 2011, which is more than the Mets are willing to pay.
- Joel Sherman of the New York Post tweets that the Twins are seeking front-end rotation help, such as Carl Pavano. They're also considering moving arms from their back-end surplus, such as Kevin Slowey.
- The amount of money being spent on free agents this offseason might be making it more obvious to the Brewers that they have little chance of retaining Prince Fielder past next year. As Danny Knobler of CBS Sports writes, that could make Milwaukee more inclined to deal Fielder sooner rather than later.
- The Diamondbacks are talking to Xavier Nady, according to SI.com's Jon Heyman (on Twitter). Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports initially linked the D'Backs to Nady on Tuesday.
- With Jason Varitek and Jarrod Saltalamacchia under contract, the Red Sox are still pursuing another catcher, according to GordonEdes of ESPNBoston.
- Astros GM Ed Wade says he doesn't intend to acquire a left fielder, according to MLB.com's Brian McTaggart. If the Astros added an outfielder, it would move Carlos Lee to first base and leave Brett Wallace out of the picture, and the club wants to give Wallace a chance to earn the first base job.
Mets Notes: Elvin Ramirez, Ohman, Rhodes, Okajima
The latest on the Mets as the third day of the Winter Meetings wraps up…
- Mets right-hander Elvin Ramirez is widely expected to be the first pick in the Rule 5 draft, reports ESPN.com's Buster Olney (on Twitter). The 23-year-old posted a 4.16 ERA with 8.1 K/9 and 5.5 BB/9 in 80 innings at Double-A and Single-A. He has been clocked at 94-98 mph this winter.
- The Mets met with agent Dan Horwits of Beverly Hills Sports Council today, since he represents lefties Will Ohman, Arthur Rhodes and Brian Fuentes, according to Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com. Rhodes is talking with the Reds, but the sides aren't particularly close to an agreement.
- The Mets are interested in Hideki Okajima, according to comments made by Kevin Burkhardt of SNY and passed along by Michael Baron of MetsBlog.
- Mets GM Sandy Alderson told Andy McCullough of the Star-Ledger that the team will likely leave the meetings without having added a starting pitcher. The Mets have been linked to Chris Young, Jeff Francis and others.
Mets Sign Boof Bonser
The Mets signed Boof Bonser to a minor league contract, according to Newsday's Ken Davidoff (on Twitter). The 29-year-old right-hander logged 25 innings with the A's and Red Sox this year, posting a 6.12 ERA with acceptable strikeout (6.1 K/9) and walk (2.9 BB/9) rates.
Bonser has not re-established himself since missing the 2009 season with shoulder surgery. To his credit, the former first rounder posted standout strikeout (7.3 K/9) and walk (2.9 BB/9) ratios in his three-year stint with the Twins.
The Mets will be able to retain Bonser through arbitration after 2011. Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork says Bonser will earn $15K per month in the minors or $700K in the majors.
Scott Boras Holds Court
Agent Scott Boras is holding court at the Winter Meetings; here's the latest.
- Boras has not met with the Indians about a Shin-Soo Choo extension and doesn't expect to at the Winter Meetings. He says the Indians being a "developmental team" might stand in the way.
- Boras says Carlos Beltran plans to be a Met this season. Beltran has full no-trade rights.
- Magglio Ordonez is working out for teams today. The Tigers were set to attend, says MLB.com's Jason Beck. The market for Ordonez is said by Boras to be aggressive, with a multiyear deal expected. More specifically, Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports reports that Ordonez wants at least two years at $10MM or more per.
- Adrian Beltre hasn't closed the door on signing with the Athletics.
- Prince Fielder is open to extension talks with the Brewers, but Boras did plenty of qualifying.
Carlos Beltran Rumors: Wednesday
On Tuesday at the Winter Meetings, the idea of the Red Sox acquiring Carlos Beltran surfaced. For the remainder of the day, we heard a few pieces, culminating with a reported meeting between Boston and the Mets to discuss the idea. Here's your early edition of Wednesday's Beltran rumors:
- A source involved in the discussions told Joel Sherman of the New York Post that nothing was close with Boston and Beltran (Twitter link). Sherman was told yesterday that the Red Sox see Beltran as a fallback.
- SI.com's Jon Heyman spoke to one NL executive who estimated the Mets would have to eat about half of Beltran's salary in order to move him (Twitter link).
- Newsday's David Lennon says a deal between the Red Sox and Mets has gained some traction. While a trade is still a long shot, Mets GM Sandy Alderson is not averse to eating salary to move him. Lennon also speculates on a Daisuke Matsuzaka-Beltran swap, as the two are owed nearly the same amount of money ($20MM vs. $18.5MM, respectively). Matsuzaka would need to waive his no-trade clause to facilitate such a deal.
Heyman’s Latest: Vlad, Thome, Molina, Mets
SI.com's Jon Heyman brings us some updates from around the league, via Twitter:
- Vladimir Guerrero's main suitors appear to be the Rangers, Orioles, and Athletics. Only the Orioles have a set option at designated hitter of that bunch, in Luke Scott. He can man first base, however, and his name has popped up in trade rumors from time to time.
- Heyman lists the same suitors for another DH candidate — Jim Thome. In a separate tweet, Heyman agrees with this report that the Twins are a possible landing spot as well.
- Bengie Molina is now "on the fence" about playing in 2011. Heyman says the veteran backstop could sit out for a year and then return in 2012.
- The Mets prefer Chris Young to Jeff Francis, as Young is said to be willing to accept a guaranteed salary of around $2MM. Francis, according to Heyman, is looking for a guarantee between $4MM and $5MM.