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Mets To Unload Castillo?

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A common question in MLBTR chats: will the Mets attempt to unload Luis Castillo’s contract this winter? According to David Lennon of Newsday, the Mets and Castillo are "heading for a divorce when this season is over."  Castillo was upset to see rookie Argenis Reyes starting at second base.

Omar Minaya signed Castillo to a four-year, $25MM contract in November of last year.  The Mets flirted with David Eckstein that winter, but balked at his demands.  Eckstein eventually signed with the Blue Jays for one year and $4.5MM.

Castillo, 33, is hitting .252/.351/.316 in 335 plate appearances this year.  His production is about what the Mets should’ve expected.  Castillo has dealt with knee soreness, a strained quad, and a strained hip flexor this year, limiting his availability.

The Mets are willing to eat some of the $18MM Castillo has coming over the next three years.  Even if they eat half, though, the term remains a problem.  The free agent market includes comparable players in Ray Durham and Mark Grudzielanek, who will probably land one-year deals in the $3-4MM range.

Mets Likely To Pass On K-Rod?

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Newsday’s Ken Davidoff spoke to a "person informed of the Mets’ thinking," and learned that they will not be signing free agent closer Francisco Rodriguez.  This is not because of the $10.5MM owed to Billy Wagner next year – that’s a sunk cost.  It’s just that the Mets would rather try internal options than hand out another record-breaking contract.  Davidoff does not expect the Mets to pursue Brian Fuentes either.  He sees the Mets re-signing Luis Ayala and then focusing on starting pitching.

Davidoff examines the likelihood of the Angels, Cardinals, or Tigers signing Rodriguez.  He seems to consider the Cards the favorite.  The Cardinals may entertain re-signing Jason Isringhausen, but that wouldn’t take them out of the market for a closer. 

A closer vacancy and a ton of money…not many teams fit that description.  Will K-Rod have a disappointing winter?

Tazawa Ignites Controversy

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Japanese amateur pitcher Junichi Tazawa is shaking things up – last week he asked the 12 Nippon Professional Baseball teams not to draft him.  He wants to join an MLB team instead.  His decision, coupled with interest from multiple MLB teams, is putting a major strain on MLB-NPB relations.

Peter Abraham of The Journal News had an informative article on the Tazawa situation yesterday.  He says Tazawa’s decision is testing an informal agreement that MLB will not sign Japanese prospects.  Abraham says the Red Sox, Mets, Braves, and Dodgers have scouted Tazawa.  The Tigers, Pirates, Cubs, and Mariners may also be in the mix.  The Red Sox are said to be in the lead.  There’s no posting free for an unsigned player, though Tazawa may want a big league deal.

The Yankees will pass – GM Brian Cashman told Abraham he will honor the gentleman’s agreement between the two leagues.  When the Yanks sent Gene Michael to Japan last week, it was apparently to scout Yu Darvish.  Darvish’s availability this winter will hinge on the whims of the Nippon Ham Fighters.  No one knows whether the Fighters will cash the 22 year-old in now for a possible $60-80MM posting fee.

NPB directors convened to discuss the Tazawa situation last week, and they’re sending a delegation to the U.S. to meet with MLB. Abraham suggests NPB could strike back if Bud Selig doesn’t step in to stop the pursuit of Japanese players before they are drafted.  Abraham speculates Japan could pull out of the World Baseball Classic or even sign an American amateur player as retaliation.  Or, as Patrick Newman suggested to me recently, a team like Softbank could jump in and sign Pedro Alvarez or Aaron Crow.

Week in Review: 9/7 – 9/13

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Just a few weeks left in the regular season, but plenty of news here on MLBTR still. Let’s look back at the past week:

  • The Mets received terrible news when they learned that their All-Star closer, Billy Wagner, will need Tommy John surgery and miss all of 2009. Wagner does not expect to return to the Mets, and apparently the Mets have already told him his 2010 option will not be exercised. The Mets seem likely to be in the Francisco Rodriguez and Brian Fuentes mix. On that note, Fuentes will probably not return to Colorado next season.
  • I’m taking this one with a grain of salt, but it sure makes for a headline: Mark McGwire would consider playing again? Big Mac says he can still hit if someone wants him. However, it seems to me there’s another 40-something former slugger with steroid allegations who says the same thing, and no one’s biting on that front…
  • Adam Dunn hasn’t heard anything about a possible extension from the Diamondbacks, but he’s not worried about it. He doesn’t sound too pleased with former teammate Bronson Arroyo these days, however…
  • Speaking of Dunn, the Reds officially acquired Micah Owings as part of their trade of him this week.
  • Tim updated the Offseason Outlook series, with installments for the Nationals, Royals, and Pirates. He also took a look at some of the potential big-name free agents following the 2009 season.
  • The Elias Rankings for American League and National League relievers are out.
  • Two minor moves: The A’s released designated hitter Mike Sweeney, and the Brewers claimed pitcher Todd Coffey.

Wagner Not Expecting Mets Return

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5:38pm: Mets reliever Scott Schoeneweis recently visited Wagner.  Schoeneweis says Wagner has already been told by the Mets that his 2010 option will not be exercised.  Seems an odd thing for the Mets to do at this point.

12:39pm: Mike Puma of the New York Post talked to closer Billy Wagner, who figures he’s played his last game as a Met.  The Mets will pay Wagner $10.5MM next year as he recovers from Tommy John surgery.  There’s a small chance he could make it back in September ’09.

Wagner doesn’t see his $8MM option being exercised for 2010.  The Mets should give it some thought, though.  With a $1MM buyout, they’d be looking at essentially a one-year, $7MM deal for Wagner.  Even with the risk involved, that could compare favorably to other free agent relievers.  Some team would’ve paid that for B.J. Ryan last winter.

Delgado Option Details

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ESPN’s Jayson Stark has the details on Carlos Delgado’s 2009 option.

Delgado needs to amass 30 "awards points" over 2005-08 for the option to change from $12MM to $16MM.  He has five points in the bank from ’05.  To get the other 25, Delgado will need to finish in the top six in MVP voting and win World Series MVP.  If Delgado reaches the 30 points, the $16MM is not an option – it vests.  Under those circumstances, the Mets probably would not mind.

Still, most likely the Mets will be faced with a $12MM option or a $4MM buyout, an easy call to exercise.

Rosenthal’s Latest: Hudson, Ordonez, Fielder, Howard

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Let’s swing through Ken Rosenthal’s latest column.

  • Rosenthal names the Mets, Yankees, Rangers, White Sox, Indians, Rockies, and Cardinals as speculative fits for free agent second baseman Orlando Hudson.  Obviously several of those scenarios would involve shuffling players to other positions or trades.  The Yankees’ infield defense could certainly use the boost.
  • Rosenthal considers Frank Wren’s midseason trip to Japan a sign that he might be active in that market.
  • The Tigers may shop Magglio Ordonez for pitching this winter.  Maggs will need fewer than 500 plate appearances next year to cause his 2010 and 2011 options to vest.  So he’s essentially owed $48MM over three years.
  • Don’t forget two other sluggers who may be available this winter: Prince Fielder and Ryan Howard.  It works well for the Brewers and Phillies, as the free agent market is weak at first base.

Heyman’s Latest: Sabathia, Steinbrenner, Heilman

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Let’s take a look at Jon Heyman’s latest column at SI.com.

  • Heyman talked to "several baseball people" who believe the Angels will be a player for C.C. Sabathia this winter.  Possibly, but I think re-signing Mark Teixeira will be their top priority.  Heyman spoke to a competing owner who can’t see the Angels doing two $100MM+ deals.
  • Heyman considers Hank Steinbrenner’s recent comments a slap at GM Brian Cashman, but notes that Hal is running the team.
  • The Rockies and D’Backs have inquired about Aaron Heilman in the past; they may view him as a starting candidate.

Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Rasmus, Tazawa, Manny

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Let’s take a look at what is being written in the Blogosphere…

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

Odds and Ends: Sabathia, Pavano, Penny, Burnett

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Random links to start the morning…

  • Ben Shpigel says Billy Wagner’s $10.5MM for ’09 is not covered by insurance, making the Mets unlikely suitors for K-Rod (hat tip to MetsBlog).
  • The Padres claimed knuckleballer Charlie Haeger.  You have to like the move; he’s only 24.
  • Ken Davidoff writes about Nationals pitcher Tim Redding, who dreams about returning to the Yankees one day.
  • Davidoff also says that contrary to popular belief, C.C. Sabathia did not buy a home in Southern California.
  • In another post, Davidoff lists the worst trades of ’08.
  • Nats GM Jim Bowden will probably bring in a veteran first baseman next year due to health concerns with Nick Johnson and Dmitri Young.
  • Not much cooking on the Pedro Alvarez front…Bud Selig testified yesterday, and the next part of the hearing isn’t until September 23rd.
  • Andrew Baggarly explains Bengie Molina’s contentious relationship with the Giants.
  • From Saturday: Carl Pavano’s side of the story.  Can Pavano be a useful pitcher next year?
  • Larry Borowsky would like to see the Cardinals enterain an extension for Todd Wellemeyer.  He’s eligible for free agency after the ’09 season.
  • Joel Sherman isn’t sure the Yankees will invite Andy Pettitte back next year.
  • Brad Penny says he pitched through a shoulder injury because of uncertainty around his ’09 option.
  • Interesting fact…A.J. Burnett is second in MLB with 3286 pitches thrown (Sabathia jumped into the lead last night).  Many of the ’07 leaders in pitches thrown came down with injuries this year.
  • Michael O’Keefe sits down with agent Scott Boras.
  • ESPN’s Buster Olney notes that the Blue Jays will pursue a shortstop this winter.
  • All you ever wanted to know about Dr. James Andrews.
  • Jed Hoyer explains where Curt Schilling learned his negotiating tactics.
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