Olney: Mets Will Not Sign Pedro
According to ESPN 1050 Radio (via MetsBlog), Buster Olney is reporting that the Mets have decided to fill the fifth spot in the rotation with an in-house candidate and will not pursue Pedro Martinez.
Buster Olney is reporting that there is "no chance" that Pedro Martinez will become a Met. Olney says the Mets will stay with what they have at the fifth spot and will not entertain the thought of bringing Pedro back.
According to MetsBlog, the Mets are clearly cutting costs as evidenced by the release of Duaner Sanchez and there was little chance they were going to offer $5MM to Pedro. They add that for the same reasons, they don’t see the Mets signing Ivan Rodriguez. MetsBlog would prefer Livan Hernandez as the fifth starter.
Earlier today we learned from Ken Rosenthal that Pedro is seeking a similar deal to John Smoltz. Other than the Mets, Rosenthal listed the Dodgers, Marlins and Indians as potential suitors.
Jon Heyman said that Pedro was possibly interested in reuniting with the Dodgers, but that the Dodgers have yet to show any interest.
Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com and can be reached here.
Rosenthal On Pedro, A-Rod, Beimel, Ohman
Here’s the latest from Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports…
- One executive tells Rosenthal Pedro Martinez seeks a contract similar to the one John Smoltz received (a $5.5MM base plus $5.5MM incentives). Rosenthal’s speculative candidates for Pedro include the Dodgers, Marlins, Indians, and Mets. He says the A’s, Orioles, Nationals, and Brewers are out.
- Rosenthal does not expect a major acquisition by the Yankees to cover for Alex Rodriguez. He adds that the Yanks will not collect insurance on A-Rod’s salary.
- In addition to Orlando Cabrera, Manny Ramirez has a clause in his contract prohibiting his team from offering arbitration if he’s a Type A free agent after the season. Orlando Hudson and Bobby Abreu do not have such clauses.
- Two GMs told Rosenthal Joe Beimel wants a one-year, $2.5MM deal, but the pitcher’s agent Joe Sroba says they have’t gotten that specific. Sroba says new teams are in the mix for Beimel and he’s waiting for one to be "aggressive and sincere in their pursuit."
- The White Sox and Dodgers are two teams in on free agent lefty Will Ohman.
Duaner Sanchez Released
According to David Lennon of Newsday, Mets GM Omar Minaya announced that reliever Duaner Sanchez has been released. The Mets did not feel Sanchez could be effective in the Majors. I believe the Mets only have to pay him about $281K now since his contract was not guaranteed. Sanchez, 29, posted a 4.32 ERA in 58.1 innings last year. His fastball was down about 3.5 mph from 2005-06 levels.
Barry Svrluga of the Washington Post says the Nationals may have interest in Sanchez.
Pedro Martinez Won’t Chase Mets
Christian Red of the New York Daily News talked to free agent starter Pedro Martinez, who spoke about the Mets:
"You know what? My phone is off. And I won’t (call Minaya) unless he calls my agent (Fernando Cuza) or he calls me. I have a lot of respect for Omar and the Mets, but I’m not going to go chasing the Mets. I’m not in that bad of shape. I’m okay and they know I am okay. Yeah, I would like to be back (with the Mets). But I’m not just gonna follow the Mets. They have their own plans and they have their own thought process. Yes, I would love to go (to Citi Field) and hopefully have the same success I had at Shea. Shea was a great stadium for me. I hope the new Shea pretty much follows up on the old one. But I have my goals and I have my things that I want to achieve in life. If it’s not with the Mets, it will be with someone else. But if they want a fifth starter who’s been there – I don’t know how much they want me – I’m available."
There’s been a decent amount of hand-wringing in New York over the fifth starter job, as no one is running away with the gig. The candidates: Freddy Garcia, Tim Redding, Livan Hernandez, and Jon Niese. ESPN’s Rob Neyer says the Mets don’t need Pedro and should just choose between Niese and Redding. Joel Sherman of the New York Post would also pass.
Odds & Ends: Strasburg, Lester, Pudge
Links for Monday…
- Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel talked to Brewers GM Doug Melvin, who said the Yankees have yet to contact him regarding their possible third base need.
- ESPN’s Rob Neyer says the Mets don’t need Pedro Martinez.
- The scouts Buster Olney talked to absolutely adore Stephen Strasburg. One of them said, "Right now, he’s better than A.J. Burnett." There’s no way the Nationals can pass on a talent like this.
- WEEI’s Alex Speier compares Jon Lester‘s record-breaking contract to others given to young pitchers.
- Jim Baumbach of Newsday talked to Mets first baseman Carlos Delgado, who promoted Ivan Rodriguez and noted that assistant GM Tony Bernazard observed the catcher’s four-hit, two home run performance in Puerto Rico Saturday.
- ESPN’s Peter Gammons notes the affordability of Boston’s pitching staff.
Reliever Matt Wise Retires
More retirement news. According to Adam McCalvy of MLB.com, Matt Wise, who pitched last season for the Mets, has also decided to end his baseball career.
The 33-year-old threw for several clubs this winter, but none offered a contract. He played in the majors for eight seasons and will finish with a 4.23 career ERA.
Ivan Rodriguez Rumors: Thursday
10:54am: WEEI’s Alex Speier spoke to Rodriguez, who said:
"My agent and I, the conversation we had is (regarding) Houston and Florida. There have been rumors about the Mets, also. But as of right now, there’s nothing firm. Nothing has happened. We’re still waiting."
Pudge spoke highly of the Mets and didn’t rule out the idea of being a backup on a one-year deal.
9:23am: In a column last night, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports weighed in on free agent catcher Ivan Rodriguez.
Rosenthal says the Marlins and Mets remain interested in Rodriguez, but in either case he’d have to earn his playing time. Pudge wants to enter a situation where he’ll get to play five days a week. The Marlins and Mets aren’t ready to push aside John Baker or Brian Schneider to guarantee that. Also, the Mets would have to move backup Ramon Castro to be able to sign Rodriguez. Rodriguez seems more concerned with playing time than money. He’ll attempt to raise his stock in the WBC.
Rosenthal says the Astros will pass over "concern that Rodriguez would be a poor teammate."
Pedro Martinez Discusses Future
TUESDAY: Adam Rubin of the New York Daily News has more info after talking with Pedro. According to Rubin, Martinez "prefers retiring to his fishing boat if the alternative is accepting a Tom Glavine-like contract."
MONDAY: New York Mets beat writer David Lennon of Newsday sat down with free agent right-hander Pedro Martinez to discuss the starting pitcher’s plans.
In addition to saying he’d like to pitch this season in the Major Leagues, Martinez said he’d like to stay in the National League, given he already has a World Series ring with an AL squad.
He also said he doesn’t think the door is closed on a reunion with the Mets.
"I don’t know really," Martinez said. "The season hasn’t started. I’m not really worried about what they do. I’m just getting ready. For sure I’ll be ready. If I’m healthy, anybody would have a bargain – if I’m healthy. If I’m not, well, I’ll go home fishing. My boat is waiting for me."
Martinez, 37, went 5-6 with a 5.61 ERA in 20 starts for the Mets in 2008.
Mets Interested In Ivan Rodriguez?
According to David Lennon of Newsday, the Mets "remain very interested" in free agent catcher Ivan Rodriguez. The Mets are unsure about Ramon Castro as a complement to Brian Schneider. MetsBlog’s Matthew Cerrone notes Bart Hubbuch’s report from February 16th, indicating the Mets are not interested in Pudge.
Lennon says a strong showing by Rodriguez in the WBC could cause their pursuit to "heat up quickly." Many believe the Marlins are still a strong possibility for him.
No Elbow Tests For Santana
3:06pm: Marty Noble of MLB.com reports that Santana won’t have his elbow tested. He felt fine after a bullpen session and told the Mets there is no need for tests.
1:44pm: Lennon reports that Santana’s elbow tests have been delayed because winter storms are expected in New York.
10:29am: An encouraging update from Lennon at Newsday. Johan Santana completed a bullpen session this morning without pause, and did not report any elbow discomfort. Santana will still go to New York for tests.
10:01am: Marty Noble of MLB.com confirms that the exam of Johan Santana‘s elbow will take place, but says that Minaya did not specify that an MRI would be part of the procedure.
Noble also puts the potential injury into perspective: "Though the tightness is not considered serious, it has delayed Santana’s conditioning and made it unlikely he will be the Mets’ Opening day starter April 6."
9:42am: We don’t always report every injury here at MLBTR, but sometimes the news is so big that it can’t really be ignored.
According to David Lennon of Newsday.com, Johan Santana is expected to be sent to New York for some precautionary tests, including an MRI, and an examination by team physician David Altchek.
Lennon quotes Mets GM Omar Minaya himself as referring to these tests as "precautionary." But this is certainly something to keep an eye on.