Mets Rumors

Rockies Shopping Holliday, Atkins, Taveras

By Tim Dierkes | November 3, 2008 at 9:11pm CDT

9:11pm: According to David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Braves are not interested in Taveras after all.

10:47am: According to Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post and Tracy Ringolsby of the Rocky Mountain News, the Rockies are shopping Matt Holliday, Garrett Atkins, and Willy Taveras.

Holliday, a Scott Boras client, is set to earn $13.5MM in 2009 before reaching free agency. Ringolsby says the Yankees, Red Sox, Rays, Angels, Mets, and Phillies have shown interest. Renck has the Cardinals as a lurker. The Nats may also be interested. The Rockies will target young pitching in return.

Atkins is under team control for 2009 and 2010. Ringolsby has the Yankees, Red Sox, Rays, Angels, Mets, Phillies, White Sox, and Twins as interested parties. Renck sees the Indians as another possibility.

Taveras is also under team control through 2010. Ringolsby says the Royals, Yankees, White Sox, and Braves are in on him, while Renck adds the Nationals.

Rockies Won’t Re-Sign Fuentes

By Tim Dierkes | November 3, 2008 at 3:17pm CDT

According to Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post, the Rockies will not be re-signing free agent closer Brian Fuentes. Fuentes’ likely price tag – three years, $36MM+ – is just too high. Renck believes Fuentes may even be able to snag four years given the poor market for closers after Francisco Rodriguez.

Fuentes’ agent listed the Mets, Cardinals, and Angels as interested teams. A meeting with the Mets should come soon. The best case for the Rockies would be the Cardinals, as the Rockies would receive their #19 pick in next year’s draft.

Odds And Ends: Miller, Ngoepe, Moss, Perez, Phillies

By Coley Ward 2 | November 1, 2008 at 2:13pm CDT

Here are some crumbs from the trade rumor loaf:

Justin Miller, who spent the past two seasons working out of the Marlins bullpen, has reached agreement on a Minor League contract with the Giants.
The Pirates signed an 18-year-old shortstop from South Africa, Mpho Ngoepe, a switch-hitting shortstop who made a cameo appearance in the recent Instructional League in Bradenton, Fla.
The Mariners have signed center fielder Steve Moss to a minor league contact. Moss, 24, was a 2002 draft pick of the Milwaukee Brewers, taken right out of high school. Last year, he batted .299 for the Long Beach Armada and was, according to his manager, ex-Mariner Steve Yeager, the best center fielder in the league.
Umpbump’s Paul Moro says teams should be wary of Oliver Perez, whose ERA has benefitted from the Mets’ above average defense.
The team that wins the World Series always cashes in. Will the Phillies have more money to spend this offseason as a result of their championship? And if so, will they spend it on Japanese free-agent pitcher Junichi Tazawa, or on free agent Pat Burrell?

Coley Ward writes for Umpbump.com. He can be reached here.

Yankees Plan To Offer Abreu Arbitration

By Tim Dierkes | October 31, 2008 at 5:17pm CDT

George King and Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post reported today that the Yankees plan to offer arbitration to right fielder Bobby Abreu. It’s an obvious decision, since the Yankees either get him on a one-year deal or get two draft picks when he signs elsewhere. Abreu has said he’s looking for a three-year deal, but prefers the Yankees. The authors suggest the Mets could be a fit.

Odds and Ends: Jacobs, Howard, Renteria

By Tim Dierkes | October 31, 2008 at 2:25pm CDT

Links for Friday…

The A’s claimed infielder Joe Dillon off waivers from the Brewers.
Dave Cameron criticizes the Royals’ acquisition of Mike Jacobs. ESPN’s Keith Law also panned the move, suggesting Jacobs was a non-tender candidate for the Marlins.
Peter Abraham breaks down the different types of hot stove stories and sources.
Derrick Goold looks at Ryan Howard’s arbitration case.
MLB.com’s Chris Haft talked to various scouts about Matt Cain’s trade value.
Edgar Renteria hopes to remain in Detroit, saying "Next year, we are going to win everything."
ESPN’s Tim Kurkjian names his top ten offseason storylines.
Ken Davidoff says the Mets were interested in Brad Lidge last year, but the Astros’ asking price was too high.
Joel Sherman debates the merits of a Luis Castillo–Andruw Jones swap while stressing that no such deal is actually being discussed.
The 2008 Fielding Bible awards are out.

Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Ordonez, Yankees, Red Sox

By Cork Gaines | October 31, 2008 at 11:31am CDT

A look at what is being written around the Blogosphere…

MetsBlog says Magglio Ordonez may not be the best option but could be a good backup plan should other scenarios not play out (ie. Manny Ramirez).
Talking Chop thinks Ordonez is a good fit for the Braves noting that the team has significant money to spend this offseason.
River Ave. Blues is not excited about the possibility of Ordonez in the Yankees’ outfield, noting that it makes more sense to re-sign Bobby Abreu for less money.
Was Watching wonders if the Yankees would have to sign C.C. Sabathia in order to trade for Matt Holliday. They feel it would be strange for the Yankees to go after Holliday one year after bowing out of the Johan Santana sweepstakes.
Over The Monster takes a look at whether the Red Sox should re-sign Jason Varitek and what other options are available.

Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com and can be reached here.

Mets Pick Up Delgado’s Option

By Tim Dierkes | October 31, 2008 at 9:00am CDT

According to Matthew Cerrone of MetsBlog, the Mets picked up Carlos Delgado’s $12MM option for 2009 today. GM Omar Minaya announced this plan about a month ago.

It was an easy call on Delgado, given the $4MM buyout. The 36 year-old first baseman hit .271/.353/.518 in 686 plate appearances.

Mets Sign Fernando Tatis

By Tim Dierkes | October 30, 2008 at 8:00pm CDT

8:00pm: Tatis will earn $1.7MM, according to the AP.

6:54pm: According to a team press release, the Mets have signed outfielder Fernando Tatis to a one-year deal. Tatis, 33, hit .297/.369/.484 in 306 plate appearances in his award-winning comeback season.

Burnett Decision Due Monday Before GM Meetings

By Tim Dierkes | October 30, 2008 at 3:47pm CDT

ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick talked to A.J. Burnett’s agent Darek Braunecker, who says his client will make his opt-out decision prior to the start of Monday’s GM meetings. We all know Burnett is opting out, of course.

Crasnick believes Burnett and Derek Lowe will seek salaries of at least $16MM per year. He names the Yankees, Mets, Rangers, Red Sox, Orioles and Nationals as potential suitors for Burnett. The Blue Jays will remain in the mix as well.

Cubs Rumors: Fukudome, Dempster, Wood

By Tim Dierkes | October 30, 2008 at 8:51am CDT

Let’s check in on the Cubs’ offseason plans.

Cubs manager Lou Piniella says the Cubs will move Kosuke Fukudome to center field to platoon with Reed Johnson. This move implies Jim Edmonds won’t be back. Technically Edmonds could play right field, but he also needs a platoon partner.
The Cubs figure to be in the market for a lefthanded hitting right fielder. Piniella expects the team to fill their holes via trade. Brian Giles, Randy Winn, and Jeremy Hermida could fit the bill.
Bruce Miles of the Daily Herald reminds fans that Aramis Ramirez and Derrek Lee have no-trade clauses, and does not believe either will be traded.
Ken Rosenthal figures the Cubs will re-sign Ryan Dempster and Kerry Wood. However, he wonders if a three-year offer from another team could entice Wood. Rosenthal says the Mets like Wood but can’t take on that kind of risk.

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