Odds & Ends: Valuations, Figueroa, Thome
Links for Thursday…
- Forbes' MLB team valuations are out. The Yankees top the list at $1.5 billion, while the Marlins are 30th at $277 million.
- Adam Rubin of the New York Daily News says Nelson Figueroa will refuse the Mets' assignment to Triple A and become a free agent.
- Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports talked to Jim Thome about many topics, including his future and the Cleveland discussion with Manny.
- Peter Gammons spoke to Yankees GM Brian Cashman yesterday at Southern Connecticut State University. This AP article has a few tidbits, but let me know if you find a transcript. Dom Amore of the Hartford Courant has a few quotes.
- MLB.com's David Singh has the story of Darren O'Day's interesting day.
Rangers Claim Darren O’Day
According to Ken Davidoff of Newsday, the Rangers claimed reliever Darren O'Day off waivers from the Mets. O'Day's Rule 5 situation remains – the Rangers have to keep him in the Majors or offer him back to the Angels.
O'Day, 26, posted fine numbers at Triple A last year with a 3.27 ERA, 8.2 K/9, and 1.9 BB/9.
On the Mets front, Adam Rubin of the New York Daily News notes that pitcher Nelson Figueroa cleared waivers.
Odds & Ends: Nady, Doumit, Boyer
Links for Tuesday…
- SI.com's Jon Heyman says Xavier Nady will not require elbow surgery and may return within a month.
- Bad news for the Pirates: Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette says catcher Ryan Doumit will likely miss 8-10 weeks due to wrist surgery.
- Dave Cameron of FanGraphs says Matt Murton belongs in the Majors.
- Wallace Matthews and Ken Davidoff of Newsday each write about Jason Giambi's time in New York.
- With news that Demetri Martin will play Paul DePodesta in the Moneyball movie, Jon Weisman says not to judge the film before watching it. Personally I am looking forward to the movie. Martin is hilarious and Brad Pitt can be very good (12 Monkeys being the best example).
- Joel Sherman of the New York Post wonders why the Mets paid Fernando Tatis $1.7MM if they weren't committed to using him.
- Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch has quotes from Cardinals GM John Mozeliak about the Brian Barton–Blaine Boyer swap.
- Via NPB Tracker, a comeback for Hideki Irabu?
- RotoAuthority looks at Geovany Soto's slow start.
Mets Sign Wily Mo Pena
According to Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post, the Mets signed outfielder Wily Mo Pena to a minor league deal and assigned him to extended spring training. Mario Rojas of Candela Deportiva deserves credit for breaking this story two days ago.
Pena was productive for the Nationals in '07 after they acquired him from Boston for Chris Carter and cash in August. He signed a two-year, $7MM extension in December but lost his '08 season due to a strained oblique and shoulder surgery. Perhaps with good health Pena can rediscover the power that led to 26 home runs in 364 plate appearances for the '04 Reds.
Mets DFA Nelson Figueroa
Brendan Prunty of the the Star-Ledger reports that less than an hour after Nelson Figueroa threw six innings for the Mets in a spot start for Mike Pelfrey, he was designated for assignment. The Mets purchased the contract of veteran Casey Fossum to replace Figueroa.
Figueroa threw six frames, allowing three earned runs on five hits and two walks, while striking out three.
Figueroa Recalled, O’Day Designated For Assignment
Due to Mike Pelfrey's right forearm tendinitis, the Mets recalled Nelson Figueroa on April 18 and designated relief pitcher Darren O'Day for assignment, according to Brittany Ghiroli of MLB.com. Because O'Day was a Rule 5 Draft Pick, he has to be offered back to his original team, the Angels.
Heyman On Eckstein, Peavy, Pedro
SI.com's Jon Heyman has a new column up…
- The Mets apparently had interest last winter in signing David Eckstein as a backup for $1-2MM, but he preferred to take $850K to start at second base for the Padres.
- Heyman looks at the Jake Peavy situation. He learned that new CEO Jeff Moorad "didn't believe the economic downturn and slumping late-winter market would inhibit suitors for Peavy, who has $63 million and four years left on his contract." That said, we know Moorad is willing to keep Peavy this year. And Peavy may be happiest in San Diego, according to Heyman.
- Pedro Martinez has fielded calls from several teams since the season began. Heyman speculates on the Dodgers, Indians, Phillies, Brewers, Pirates, D'Backs, and Mets as possibilities. And what about the Cardinals, who just lost Chris Carpenter for a while?
Mets Have Payroll Flexibility
Mark Hale of the New York Post talked to Mets GM Omar Minaya, who said he has permission from ownership to increase payroll if necessary. According to Minaya:
"We've been told that whatever we need to do to get to help us win, we're going to try to do it. [The payroll is] not unlimited. But there is the ability to increase if we need areas that need to be addressed."
Hale tosses out trade suggestions for starting pitchers and corner outfielders, two possible areas of need later this summer.
Heyman On Bonifacio, Lincecum, Garcia
A look at Jon Heyman's new column at SI.com…
- Heyman writes in praise of the Marlins for acquiring Emilio Bonifacio as part of the Josh Willingham–Scott Olsen deal last November. Contrast that with Ken Rosenthal, who spoke to a scout a week ago who was not impressed with Bonifacio.
- Heyman hasn't found any evidence that the Giants are close to signing Tim Lincecum to an extension.
- Heyman says that Freddy Garcia's contract doesn't have an out clause, but "it's generally understood that if another big-league team is ready to give him a shot, the Mets would either try to find room for him or let him go." Garcia has apparently looked good in extended spring training.
Mets DFA Marlon Anderson
Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post reports that the Mets have designated infielder-outfielder Marlon Anderson for assignment. The move was neccessary in order to clear roster space for fifth starter Livan Hernandez, who will start Saturday night against the Marlins.
Anderson, 35, was hitless in four at-bats for the Mets this season. He hit .208/.236/.245 during spring training.