Mets Rumors

Odds & Ends: Dickey, China, Draft

By Tim Dierkes | August 30, 2010 at 2:53pm CDT

Ten years ago today, the Mets traded 20-year-old outfield prospect Nelson Cruz to the Athletics for Jorge Velandia. Cruz had yet to make his pro debut. He was traded twice more before breaking out with the Rangers at age 27. Today's links, as Cruz returns from the disabled list…

R.A. Dickey told Mike Mazzeo of the Newark Star-Ledger that New York is a great place for him. The knuckleballer is under control through 2011 as an arbitration-eligible player.
William Wan of the Washington Post writes about MLB's efforts to grow interest in China.
Chone Figgins had the biggest drop this year compared to last in Wins Above Replacement (WAR), according to Pat Andriola of FanGraphs.
Baseball America's Jim Callis stacks this year's top 50 draft bonuses against MLB's top 50 slot recommendations.

Odds & Ends: Twins, K-Rod, Marlins, Soriano

By Luke Adams 2 | August 29, 2010 at 1:19pm CDT

Sunday links, as Charlie Morton hopes to avoid becoming the Pirates' fifth pitcher this season with double-digit losses….

Jon Paul Morosi tweets that he spoke with a source who believes that the Twins are done trading, following their acquisition of Brian Fuentes from the Angels, but notes that it's hard to be 100% certain. Morosi suggested they could be a fit for Troy Glaus earlier today.
While trading Francisco Rodriguez would be good for the Mets, it won't be easy, writes Joel Sherman of the New York Post. Sherman stops short of labeling K-Rod an "untradeable player," but says he's pretty close.
ESPN.com's Buster Olney (Insider-only link) praises the Twins' acquisition of Brian Fuentes and suggests the government ought to formally investigate whether the Marlins lied to taxpayers about their finances.
Alex Speier of WEEI.com details Rafael Soriano's unlikely path to Tampa last winter, noting how crucial the closer has been to the Rays' success.
In his weekly Baseball Notes piece, Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe discusses Manny Ramirez, Dusty Baker, and the Indians, among other topics.

Mets Rumors: Castillo, Perez, Reyes, Backman

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | August 26, 2010 at 7:05pm CDT

The 63-63 Mets don't seem to be in contention, but GM Omar Minaya told John Harper of the New York Daily News that his team is "still in the hunt." Regardless of what Minaya says, some of his players are already looking ahead to 2011. Here are the details on two of the team's potential trade candidates, a star who wants to stay, and an insight into the Mets' managerial hunt:

Luis Castillo was unhappy with his role on the Mets earlier in the month and not much has changed for the second baseman. He told the Daily News that he'll talk to his agents about finding a "different kind of situation," even if that means a trade.
Oliver Perez told Andrew Marchand of ESPNNewYork.com that he wants to return to the Mets in 2011. "I want to have a championship because I know the fans want it and I want it, too," Perez said.
Jose Reyes wants to keep playing for the Mets, reports Andy Martino of the New York Daily News. "I love it here. My family is here, I love (living) on Long Island, I want to stay," Reyes said. The Mets have an $11MM club option on Reyes for 2011 that they're likely to pick up, and it appears both sides are interested in working out a longer-term contract.
Rather than spend on a big-name manager like Joe Torre or Bobby Valentine, the Mets could install Wally Backman as the manager for 2011, writes Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com.

Mark Polishuk also contributed to this post.

Odds & Ends: Owings, Zaun, Rangers, Hawpe

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | August 26, 2010 at 4:45pm CDT

Links for Thursday, exactly seven years after the Padres traded Jason Bay and Oliver Perez to the Pirates for Brian Giles. Bay and Perez are teammates once again, though Perez barely pitches and Bay is on the disabled list with a concussion…

Micah Owings cleared waivers and accepted a minor league assignment, according to John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer. Owings asked to be traded after the Reds designated him for assignment last week.
Gregg Zaun told Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports that his injury rehab is going well and says he plans to play in 2011.
The Rangers have been "very active" recently, one executive told Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (Twitter link).
MLB.com's Corey Brock hears that the Padres will pass on Brad Hawpe (Twitter link). They had interest, but appear to be content with their current outfielders.
Jamey Newberg checks in on all the prospects the Rangers traded away this summer in an MLB.com article. Justin Smoak was the big name in the Cliff Lee trade, but Josh Lueke and Blake Beavan have played well for the Mariners since the deal.
In this video clip at the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Indians assistant GM Chris Antonetti explains that he'd like to see improved infield defense, since Cleveland pitchers induce lots of grounders.
Mets GM Omar Minaya tells Dan Martin of the New York Post that he knows his job isn't completely secure.
Juan Pierre explained to Scott Merkin of MLB.com that Manny Ramirez could help the White Sox this season. Pierre's reasoning is simple – he considers Manny "probably one of the top five hitters ever."

This Date In Transaction History: Wagner, Bautista

By Tim Dierkes | August 25, 2010 at 12:59pm CDT

A pair of interesting trades went down on August 25th in years past. One year ago, the Red Sox acquired reliever Billy Wagner from the Mets for a pair of players to be named later (Chris Carter and Eddie Lora). And two years ago today, the Blue Jays completed their earlier Jose Bautista trade by sending catcher Robinzon Diaz to the Pirates.

Last year Wagner was coming back from Tommy John surgery with the Mets; he'd tossed nine pro innings on the season before Boston made the deal. The Red Sox picked up the remainder of Wagner's $10.5MM salary, so the Mets saved more than $2.2MM. Wagner waived his no-trade clause, but only if the Red Sox agreed not to pick up his 2010 club option. They did, however, offer arbitration to the Type A free agent. The Sox drafted Kolbrin Vitek and Bryce Brentz with the #20 and 36 picks this year as compensation when Wagner signed with the Braves. Wagner pitched well in 13.6 regular season innings for the Red Sox. Beyond the cost savings with Wagner, the Mets have gotten some use out of Carter.

When the Jays acquired Bautista from the Pirates two years ago, it wasn't a deal of much consequence. He wasn't particularly good that year, and was widely considered a non-tender candidate after the '08 and '09 seasons. The Pirates seemingly were clearing third base for new acquisition Andy LaRoche. This year, Bautista posted one of the most surprising 40 home run seasons in recent memory and could hit 50 by year's end. There will be no non-tender rumors this winter. Diaz seemed like a decent return for Bautista at the time, but the Pirates cut him loose in November of last year. Former GM J.P. Ricciardi deserves credit; check out this passage from a CBC Sports article from September of 2008:

Following the Blue Jays' thrilling come-from-behind 8-7 win over Baltimore on Wednesday night, a fan phoned a Toronto sports radio station and criticized J.P. Ricciardi for dealing catching prospect Robinson Diaz to Pittsburgh. The general manager, who was taking calls, defended the move, saying there were players in the team's minor-league system who had developed quicker than Diaz. He also said infielder/outfielder Jose Bautista, the player Toronto received in the trade, would be a valuable part of the team in 2009 and 2010.

Heyman On Minaya, White Sox, D’Backs

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | August 24, 2010 at 9:25pm CDT

The 63-62 Mets likely need a “big finish” for GM Omar Minaya to return in the same role next year, people familiar with the team tell Jon Heyman of SI.com. Minaya’s contract guarantees him about $1MM in 2011 and the same amount in 2012, but the Mets would still consider firing or reassigning Minaya. Here are the details on the Mets, plus the rest of Heyman’s rumors:

Disappointing and expensive Minaya additions like Jason Bay and Francisco Rodriguez aren’t doing their GM any favors. Mets execs haven’t been impressed with all of Minaya’s major signings.
Heyman lists Kevin Towers, Pat Gillick and in-house candidates John Ricco and Wayne Krivsky as potential replacements for Minaya.
A person connected to the White Sox says the team offered the Dodgers two proposals for Manny Ramirez at the end of July, but received no counter-offers. Ken Rosenthal reported today that the White Sox will claim Manny if he reaches them on waivers.
Heyman says it would be “a surprise if Kirk Gibson isn't retained” as D’Backs manager next year. Interim GM Jerry Dipoto also has a “decent chance” of keeping his job.

Odds & Ends: Weeks, Cliff Lee, Cody Ross

By Tim Dierkes | August 24, 2010 at 2:37pm CDT

Four years ago today, the Devil Rays traded Russell Branyan to the Padres for Evan Meek and a player to be named later (Dale Thayer). Meek would be taken from the Rays by the Pirates in the '07 Rule 5 draft but was designated for assignment the following May. Meek cleared waivers and the Rays rejected his return, taking cash considerations from the Bucs. This year, Meek represented the Pirates at the All-Star game. Today's links:

Rickie Weeks chose Greg Genske of Legacy Sports as his new agent after his previous representative, Lon Babby, became president of the Phoenix Suns, reports Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.
A Mets official told ESPN's Adam Rubin the team won't be pursuing Cliff Lee in the offseason.
Giants assistant GM Bobby Evans confirmed to Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle that they claimed Cody Ross in part to block him from going to the Padres.
Kevin Youkilis and Dustin Pedroia talked to WEEI's Rob Bradford about why they signed long-term extensions. Youkilis knows he could've made more as a free agent after this season, but he points out that he's making more money than he ever thought he would. Youk believes players should go through arbitration at least once, as he did. For more on players who would've been eligible for free agency after this season had they not signed extensions, check out our August 16th article.
Bradford's colleague Alex Speier looks at Boston's recent history of acquiring players despite being included in their no-trade clauses.
Joe Posnanski explains that pitchers with Hall of Fame stuff getting beaten by injuries is the rule, not the exception.

Odds & Ends: Brazoban, White Sox, Baker

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | August 23, 2010 at 9:40pm CDT

More links for Monday, as Jose Bautista becomes the first major leaguer to hit 40 home runs this season…

The Mets signed former big league reliever Yhency Brazoban out of the Mexican League, according to Matt Eddy of Baseball America. The 30-year-old right-hander enjoyed some success out of the Dodgers' 'pen in 2004-05, but hasn't pitched in the majors since 2008.
Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune breaks down the choices the White Sox face this offseason. A.J. Pierzynski and Paul Konerko are among the White Sox who will hit free agency after the season.
Dusty Baker told the AP (on ESPN) that he hasn't decided whether to accept the one-year extension the Reds offered last week.

Odds & Ends: Barajas, Piniella, Nats, Ramirez, Jackson

By Zachary Links | August 22, 2010 at 6:28pm CDT

From the South Bay to the Valley, from the West Side to the East Side, everybody is very happy because Vin Scully will return in 2011. Let's check out some links from around the web..

A member of the Mets watching Rod Barajas say goodbye to his teammates quipped "Can I go with him?", tweets Andy Martino of the New York Daily News.
Ken Rosenthal pays tribute to Lou Piniella, and opines that Joe Girardi would be a perfect managerial replacement, though he has doubts that the Cubs could pry him away from New York.
The Nationals have extended their affiliation with the Syracuse Chiefs for an additional two seasons, according to the team's official Twitter page.
Josh Thole is excited about having the opportunity to start every day now that Rod Barajas has been claimed off waivers by the Dodgers, writes Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com.
The Rays might be willing to take a chance on Manny Ramirez, writes Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times.
With the way Austin Jackson is playing, it looks like the Tigers got the better end of the Curtis Granderson deal, writes Marc Carig of the Newark Star-Ledger.
Pittsburgh's signing of Mexican hurler Luis Heredia was years in the making, writes Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Paul Hoynes of the Plain Dealer writes that the Indians weren't afraid to spend on the draft this year. Cleveland's top ten picks all signed for more than their recommended slot.
Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated (via Twitter) jokes that Buck Showalter has done too well with the Orioles as the club might now lose out on the first overall pick in the draft. Baltimore is now 44-80 while the Pirates are 40-83.

Dodgers Claim Barajas On Waivers

By Zachary Links | August 22, 2010 at 10:26am CDT

10:37am: The Dodgers have claimed Rod Barajas on waivers, according to Andy Martino of the New York Daily News. The Mets will receive cash considerations in return, according to the Dodgers (via Twitter).

Barajas, who turns 35-years-old in September, has hit .225/.263/.414 with 12 homers in 267 plate appearances this season. In late July it was reported that the Red Sox offered reliever Ramon Ramirez in exchange for the veteran. The Mets have summoned Jesus Feliciano to take his place on the roster.

Starting catcher Russell Martin has not played since August 3rd due to a hip injury and will likely be out for the remainder of the year. Brad Ausmus and A.J. Ellis have been splitting time behind the plate but have struggled offensively.

10:26am: The Mets may trade outfielder Jesus Feliciano to the Pirates, according to Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com.

Feliciano, 31, has a .688 OPS for the Mets in 27 big league games this season. He began the year with the Mets' Triple-A affiliate where he posted a .342/.389/.418 slash line with one homer in 322 plate appearances. This season marked his fourth straight in Triple-A and was his strongest at that level.

Mets skipper Jerry Manuel has summoned catcher Rod Barajas and Rubin wonders (via Twitter) if he could be involved in the deal.

« Previous Page

Load More Posts

Show all

Headlines

Mets Rumors

Navigation

MLBTR INFO

Connect