Wagner on Lidge
Jon Heyman has been talking to Mets’ closer Billy Wagner, who is apparently close friends with the down-and-out former Astros’ closer Brad Lidge. Who knew that Wagner was an expert insider in major league baseball– he refutes the Astros’ claim that they are not planning on moving the shell-shocked reliver.
According to Wagner, Philadelphia wouldn’t be a good fit, because, well, it wasn’t a good fit for him. From Heyman’s article: "He needs to be in a place where he can [exhale],” Wagner said. "Houston’s so laid back. Maybe I’m biased against [Philadelphia] … [But] all it takes is one bad game, and fans would kill him." Obviously the Phillies are part of the discussion because they need to improve their bullpen in order to compete in the NL East, but Heyman also mentions the Mets and Devil Rays. Of the Mets, Wagner says: "He’d be a good fit here. In this clubhouse, it isn’t ‘Who hit the home run?’ or "Who had the hit?’ It’s "Did we win?”’ Yea, when I think of a place to exhale, I think Shea Stadium, with its kind, gentle, forgiving Mets fans. Right.
Lidge is on a one-year, $5.35M contract, so despite all the Astros "connections" to the D-Rays, I don’t see it happening. Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times named some candidates yesterday nonetheless. In my opinion, any of those guys are too much to give up, especially for a team with no prayer of making the playoffs. Why are they in the market for a closer?
With so many teams in need of relief pitching, it is likely that Houston will be able to dump all of Lidge’s salary and still get some good value in return. But who, what, and when? It’s only speculation for now.
John Peterson is a Mets fan and writes for the blog Blastings Thrilledge.
Welcoming Two More Writers
I just added John Peterson to help with the Mets coverage – you can read his first post here. I would also like to welcome two additional writers to the team.
Dan LaToraca is an English major at the University of Scranton, writes for the school newspaper, and follows the Yankees religiously. He’s often seen in the press box at Scranton Wilkes-Barre Yankees games (Triple A). Dan already has a Phil Hughes interview to his credit (did you know Phil likes to listen to AFI and Rise Against?) Dan will write about the big club and the Triple A team. Maybe he’ll get to talk to Kei Igawa in Scranton in a few weeks (kidding).
Nik Kolidas is a recording artist from NYC and a die hard Mets fan since the late 70’s. He’s written political editorials for NY Newsday, been a guest blogger on many daily Mets boards and never misses a game. He has a vast knowledge of Mets history ranging from Roger Craig through Billy Wagner. His Mets claim to fame is standing by the third base dugout in Shea on October 25, 1986 as Mookie Wilson hit the dirt. Nik and John will work together to cover the Mets.
The Benitez/Julio/Burgos Connection
It’s all connected in beautiful symmetry: First Armando Benitez pitched for the Orioles, Mets and Marlins, and now hurls for the elderly Giants. When Jorge Julio came to New York by way of Baltimore, it seemed that Benitez had never left. Also a shaky, flame-throwing right-hander, Julio even looked like Benitez to Mets fans– many of them thought the two pitchers were the same man. Now Julio occupies Benitez’s former role as Marlins’ closer.
What does this have to do with the Mets now? According to DNL from Armchair GM, the trade last year of Kris Benson and his wife Anna to the Baltimore Orioles for John Maine and Jorge Julio had a deeper meaning. Perplexing on the surface– why trade away needed started pitching for an unnecessary, shaky reliever?– the trade was greatly redeemed when Julio was traded to the Diamondbacks for Orlando Hernández.
The armchair GM proposes that this was Omar Minaya’s plan all along- to showcase the young, high-upside fireman early in the year in order to trade him later for a good veteran pitcher. This is what the team is now doing with Ambiorix Burgos, or so this speculation goes. Acquired from Kansas City for Brian Bannister, Burgos seemed like an unlikely candidate for the Mets’ solid bullpen, and despite continuing his struggles during spring training, made the team and pitched with a one run lead yesterday afternoon against the Phillies. Perplexingly, he was left in the game to face the lefty slugger Ryan Howard with a base open and the tying and lead runs in scoring position. Why? Perhaps Omar Minaya told Willie Randolph to "give him some good spots," and the manager complied.
It’s possible that Burgos, the successor to the Benitez/Julio line (yes, he also looks like part), will be on the move some time this year for a starting pitcher.
John Peterson is a Mets fan and writes for the blog Blastings Thrilledge.
Mets Writer Found
MLBTR is proud to welcome John Peterson as our new Mets correspondent. Look for John’s first post sometime today or tomorrow, and expected increased Mets coverage on the site. As you know, I’m carefully selecting writers for each club.
Let’s Make A Deal: Jorge Cantu
Jorge Cantu DH’d for Triple A Durham last night, though his agent still refers to him as "an experienced second baseman with a power bat." Cantu, of course, would prefer to be traded to a team that would let him start in the big leagues again.
Which teams could use a second baseman? There’s the Braves, if you don’t believe in Kelly Johnson. Personally, I do. Ditto for the Mets and Jose Valentin, who I also think is at least as good as Cantu. There really aren’t any perfect fits for the guy. The Rockies seem reasonable, though they have guys they want to try first. And would they really want to pair their rookie shortstop with a defender like Cantu?
Given that Valentin is on a one-year deal, I have to lean towards the Mets. Minaya would only go for it if it was a bargain. Just guessing, but maybe a Jason Vargas or a Joe Smith would be sufficient?
It looks like B.J. Upton might be here to stay, so Cantu is going to have to regain some of his value at Triple A. The market for him should be fairly weak.
A Little Help: Mets
More rumors, news, and analysis is always a good thing. Today I’m looking for someone to represent the New York Mets.
What am I looking for in this person?
- Solid writing skills and a style that fits with MLBTradeRumors. Basically, I’ll know it when I see it. I’m looking for the same type of analysis you see here every day.
- Someone who can post up-to-the-minute Mets rumors as they surface. I want a person who follows the team religiously and will have every source (traditional newspapers, high quality blogs, radio) covered. It would make sense to have all the pertinent websites on an RSS reader. You should be near a computer most times and able to hop on and write a post if something happens.
- While this person is probably an Mets fan, objective analysis is preferred. Additionally it would be nice to provide the local vibe/sentiment that people might otherwise not know about. That might sound contradictory but I don’t think it is.
- The benefit to you: a decent-sized audience and a chance to do a little sportswriting. It could be a nice resume-builder and I would be happy to serve as a reference for you. And I will give you some insight on how I do what I do, for what that’s worth.
- Build your audience: within reason, you can link to your own blog or website and gain some new readers.
- Email me at mlbtraderumors@gmail.com if this interests you and explain why you’re the best candidate. I’ll choose one person and unfortunately won’t be able to reply to all. A sample post of a rumor/signing (whether fake or true) might help make your case. Note: long-winded posts are not my style! Brevity is a plus – I like 3-4 paragraph posts.
Mets Interested In Todd Williams
Excitement! The Mets have "mild interest" in 36 year-old Orioles reliever Todd Williams.
Williams has been around the block – the Orioles are his ninth organization. He doesn’t miss bats at all, but he can come in and get you a groundball in a pinch. He’s making $775K, and would likely see a diminshed role in 2007 with all the relievers the O’s imported.
The Mets’ need was brought about by the discovery that Duaner Sanchez will likely miss most of the season. The bullpen was supposed to be a strength; the expectation was that it could compensate if the back of the rotation is lackluster.
Carlos Zambrano a Met In ’08?
Ah, Big Z, always good for a quote. SI.com’s John Donovan got Carlos Zambrano talking yesterday and has an interesting column up.
Donovan describes a fan yelling "See you next year with the Yankees" to Zambrano, to which he pointed and smiled. Later asked about the Yankees, Zambrano said he didn’t see it because they have "too many rules." He seems to want to remain in the NL because of his love for hitting, and mentioned the Mets. Of course, for the right price, I’m sure the Yankees could lure him to the AL. Maybe they’d let him pinch-hit once in a while. Also, Paul Sullivan’s source said Zambrano wouldn’t mind playing for Ozzie Guillen and the White Sox after this year.
Zambrano’s next pact could approach a $16MM AAV. Donovan seems to believe he’d exceed seven years on the open market, though the Cubs and Zambrano are set at five seasons. It’s unclear whether those five seasons would include 2007.
Donovan writes that the Cubs and Zambrano are making progress on a deal for five years worth around $75-78MM. And last Sunday, BP’s John Perrotto said to look for Z to sign a deal in the $80-90MM range this week.
I think the Cubs will retain their ace; they’ve got about six days left to hammer it out. Jay Mariotti feels that a lack of a Zambrano contract would be a counterproductive distraction, yet that Zambrano would win a Cy Young. I see.
Mondesi To The Mets?
You know I love following the unlikely comeback stories of the spring. Our subject today is 36 year-old outfielder Raul Mondesi, last seen in the Majors with the Braves in 2005.
My Spanish is a little rusty, but here’s the El Nuevo Dia article announcing his possible comeback. According to the article, Mondesi is in negotiations with the Mets and an unknown Japanese club. He should probably opt for Door #2.
It sounds like he is physically at 85% and plans to play in the Pan-American Games. Once he’s 100% by summer he’d like to join a big league team. Correct me if I am wrong on that translation.
I expect a denial by the Mets by lunchtime Wednesday.
Alay Soler, Javy Lopez Released
A couple of guys were released recently, but one should find work shortly.
The Mets released Cuban defector Alay Soler, who did not fit into their rotation plans but was making decent money. Soler, apparently 28, has only made 12 pro starts in this country. It was a cost-cutting move, as Soler would’ve made $620K at Triple A. Seems odd for the Mets to be cutting costs. He looked strong at Double A and below and would be a fine fit with the Nationals.
Javy Lopez was released yesterday by the Rockies. He seems likely to retire unless the Braves will have him. This should open the door for Chris Iannetta to get 400+ ABs.