Mets Rumors

Sheffield Doesn’t Expect To End Year With Mets

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | August 19, 2009 at 10:02am CDT

Gary Sheffield has already been claimed on waivers and pulled back by the Mets. If they put him on waivers again, they wouldn't be able to prevent teams from claiming him for nothing and clubs would presumably pick up the 40-year-old outfielder and his .856 OPS. Still, Sheffield told Larry Brooks of the New York Post that he doesn't expect to finish the season in New York.

"I do not think I will be here," Sheffield said. "But if I am sent to a team that I don't want to play for, I would go home."

Sheffield said he would prefer to join a lineup full of productive hitters and doesn't want to have to carry a team's offense. Brooks says the Marlins and Rangers have interest in adding a right-handed bat, but the Mets would have to put him on waivers first.

Rosenthal On Trembley, Yankees, Wagner

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | August 18, 2009 at 11:29am CDT

Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports believes the Orioles should stick with manager Dave Trembley next year because his teams haven't quit; they've just been overmatched. Rosenthal says it looks like Trembley's "a goner." Here are the rest of the rumors:

Rosenthal says Jim Riggleman and even Bobby Cox are among the managers with uncertain futures.
The Yankees inquired on Bronson Arroyo and Aaron Harang, but lost interest when the Reds refused to send money along.
The Yankees are looking for starting pitching, but aren't likely to add anyone before rosters expand at the beginning of September.
Billy Wagner could be a trade target, but the Mets would have to be prepared to take on salary in any deal.
Rosenthal says Grady Sizemore, Asdrubal Cabrera, Luis Valbuena, Carlos Santana and others should give the Indians strength up the middle for years.

More Draft Pick Signings

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | August 18, 2009 at 10:39am CDT

Some more signings came in late last night. Here they are, from Baseball America's Jim Callis:

The Yankees signed 44th rounder Evan DeLuca for $500k.
The Rangers signed 17th rounder Paul Strong for $300k.
The Nationals signed 12th rounder Nathan Karns for $225k.
The Padres signed 17th rounder Jorge Reyes for $200k.
The Mets signed ninth rounder Jeff Glenn for $150k.

Miscellaneous Draft Pick Signings

By Tim Dierkes | August 17, 2009 at 10:22pm CDT

With apologies to the players lumped into this post, I'm going to toss the notable non-first round signings here.

The Orioles signed second-rounder Mychal Givens, according to Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun. Givens is a high school shortstop. Baseball America's Jim Callis says he gets $800K (slot for the #54 overall pick is $663K according to BA).
The A's signed high school lefty and seventh-round pick Ian Krol, according to Kevin Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus (via Twitter). Krol missed the 2009 season due to an alcohol-related suspension, as reported by the Chicago Tribune's Matt Lynch. He'll get $925K, according to Jim Callis of Baseball America.
The Mets signed second-round lefty Steven Matz for $895K, according to ESPN's Keith Law. Slot: $507K.
The Blue Jays failed to sign lefty Boras client James Paxton, chosen 37th overall, reports BP's Kevin Goldstein. That was one of the compensation picks for A.J. Burnett.

Odds & Ends: Red Sox, Matzek, Mets, Helm

By Mike Axisa | August 17, 2009 at 7:57pm CDT

I think we're in the eye of the draft storm, because things suddenly got quiet…

Baseball America's Jim Callis reports that the Red Sox have signed ninth rounder Kendal Volz for $550K. Volz was considered a first round talent coming into the year, but a down season at Baylor dropped his stock.
Troy Renck of The Denver Post notes that Rockies first rounder Tyler Matzek didn't attend classes at Oregon today, an indication that he's interested in signing. Renck says it's hard to believe he'd sign for less than the $2.875MM Shelby Miller got from the Cardinals.
The Mets are "still haggling" with top pick Steven Matz, according to SI.com's Jon Heyman.
The Diamondbacks signed seventh rounder Matt Helm for $500,000, according to Callis.
Kevin Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus writes that there is "very little optimism right now coming out of clubs with unsigned picks." He estimates that we're looking at as many as six first rounders going unsigned by the midnight deadline.
Make sure you check out our list of the first round picks who have signed to stay up to date with all the goings on of the draft.
To get the fastest updates, follow MLBTR on Twitter and subscribe to our transactions-only feed.

Draft Updates: D-Backs, Twins, Yankees, Mets

By Mike Axisa | August 17, 2009 at 7:02pm CDT

A few more loose draft links…

Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Repubic reports that the Diamondbacks have made a new offer to seventh round pick Matt Helm, but it will only be the table for another two hours. Piecoro notes that Helm said he was looking for third round money last month.
Joe Christensen of the Star Tribune notes that the Twins are stil in talks with first rounder Kyle Gibson. Over the weekend we learned that the two sides were about $1MM apart. Christensen also mentions that 44th rounder Tyler Herr has agreed to terms.
Peter Abraham of The Journal News says the Yankees have come to an agreement with 21st rounder Joe Talerico.
ESPN's Keith Law confirms that righty David Buchanan will not be signing with the Mets. He was their sixth rounder.

Odds And Ends: Tate, Draft, Tejada, Jays

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | August 12, 2009 at 4:19pm CDT

Some afternoon links…

Jason Jennings of 99.9 The Fan reports that Donavan Tate left the UNC football program and appears likely to sign with the Padres.
The Orioles expect to know within two days whether they'll sign second rounder Michal Givens, according to Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun.
The Mets expect to sign their top pick, Steven Matz, according to Adam Rubin of the New York Daily News. The lefty could command a seven figure bonus.
Richard Justice of the Houston Chronicle says the Astros could bring Miguel Tejada back next year, though they haven't decided what they'll do.
MLB.com's Jordan Bastian reports that Jays manager Cito Gaston isn't sure he wants to manage after his contract expires at the end of next season.
Joe Posnanski says Alex Rios has the seventh worst contract in the game. Rob Neyer's take: Ricciardi has signed players to lousy contracts, but he may be the right guy in the wrong place at this point. My take: Posnanski's too hard on the deal.

Sheffield And Feliciano Claimed, Pulled Back

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | August 12, 2009 at 2:24pm CDT

ESPN.com's Buster Olney reports that Gary Sheffield and Pedro Feliciano were claimed on waivers by unknown teams, only to be pulled back by the Mets. Neither player can now be traded, but it's unknown whether the Mets were seriously considering moving either one.

Heyman On White Sox, Mets, Bay, Holliday

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | August 12, 2009 at 12:36pm CDT

Jon Heyman of SI.com says the Blue Jays asked for a player currently on the White Sox in exchange for Alex Rios before asking for a prospect and eventually settling for salary relief. Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi didn't get MLB talent back for his right fielder, but executives around the league say they understand the thought process behind the trade. Here are the rest of Heyman's rumors:

One GM says Rios would be a good gamble at $30-35MM, but the $60MM remaining on his deal is too much.
White Sox GM Kenny WIlliams says he's fully confident that Jake Peavy will transition into the American League and help the White Sox down the stretch.
It's uncertain whether Gary Sheffield and Pedro Feliciano were claimed off waivers. Two AL teams were interested in Sheffield before his hamstring injuries popped up.
Teams are claiming more cheap, young players than ever.
The Red Sox would love Marco Scutaro, but aren't likely to get the chance to acquire him since teams with worse records would presumably claim him.
Heyman hears that Matt Holliday could press for a no-trade clause and may not take the biggest deal he sees as a free agent this offseason.
Some estimate that Jason Bay could make about $60MM over four years when he hits free agency after the season.
The Nats could name a new GM by the end of the month. Acting GM Mike Rizzo is receiving praise around the league for acquiring Nyjer Morgan.
Most execs believe John Smoltz is more likely to land in the NL.

Sheffield Doesn’t Want To Be Traded

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | August 11, 2009 at 10:56am CDT

Gary Sheffield told the Associated Press that he would prefer not to be traded, but suggested that could change, depending on where the Mets try to deal him.

"It might be a team that I would be happy about it," Sheffield said. "Another team, I might not be happy about it."

Sheffield can block trades to ten teams under his contract, which expires after the season. The Mets are paying Sheffield $400k of his salary this year, while the Tigers are responsible for the remaining $13.6MM.

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