Mets Unlikely To Trade Reyes And Re-Sign Him
Dreaming up scenarios where the Mets cash in shortstop Jose Reyes for top prospects this summer and then re-sign him after the season? "I think that's unlikely," GM Sandy Alderson told Brian Costa of the Wall Street Journal. Alderson noted that such examples are rare, if not unprecedented.
Additionally, Alderson hammered home another important point: in general, trade talks don't get serious until June, and major trades are most likely to happen in July. Realistically, a Reyes trade would probably occur over two months from now, and a lot can happen during that time.
If the Mets decide to try to re-sign Reyes – a big if – Costa says waiting until after the season "is a risk they appear willing to take." Reyes, 27, is hitting .318/.365/.490 in 171 plate appearances this year. If that holds up, he figures to top $100MM on the open market.
New York Notes: Jeter, Berkman, Mets
The latest from New York includes reaction to Derek Jeter and a reminder that the Yankees could have had one of the NL's hottest hitters last offseason. Here are the details…
- Yankees GM Brian Cashman said this afternoon on ESPN 1050's "Ruocco and Lundberg" show that Jeter is an above-average MLB shortstop. "He's not the same player he used to be, and how many people are when they start to get older? But I think he's a championship-caliber contributor and an above-average shortstop, and that's more than enough,” Cashman said. Mike Mazzeo has quotes and audio at ESPNNewYork.com.
- After a strong weekend at the plate, Jeter ranks in the top 15 in OBP, wOBA and WAR among all qualified shortstops.
- As Joel Sherman of the New York Post points out, it’s easy to forget that the Yankees declined their 2011 option for Lance Berkman. The switch-hitter has been among the best hitters in baseball this year, but the Yankees couldn’t have known that in the fall. At the time, they had a DH of their own (Jorge Posada) and Berkman’s $15MM option seemed steep, even for the Yankees.
- Jon Heyman of SI.com reports that interest in a minority share of the Mets is surprisingly strong (Twitter link). Commissioner Bud Selig expressed confidence in the Mets organization and their financial issues yesterday.
Mets Notes: Young, Mejia, Selig
The Mets announced bad news for a key member of the current team (Chris Young), and an integral part of future Mets teams (Jenrry Mejia). Here are the details on the pitchers, plus a note on the club's financial issues:
- Young has an anterior capsule tear in his throwing shoulder – the same injury Johan Santana had – according to Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com (Twitter links). Young faces surgery or lots of rehab.
- As Rubin pointed out earlier today, Young won't reach any of the incentives in his contract if he doesn’t pitch again this season. In that case, the Mets will only be responsible for his $1.1MM base salary.
- Mejia will have Tommy John surgery, according to Rubin (on Twitter). The Mets announced last week that Mejia, their top prospect, has a complete MCL tear of the right elbow.
- Commissioner Bud Selig told The Mike Lupica Show that the Dodgers need to be tracked carefully and that the Mets are working toward a solution for their financial problems. Mike Mazzeo of ESPNNewYork.com has the details and audio from ESPN New York 1050.
Heyman On Wheeler, Reyes, Martin, Reds
Now that top prospects Eric Hosmer and Jose Iglesias are in the majors, Jon Heyman of SI.com examines the minors’ top prospects. Mariners infield prospect Dustin Ackley, the second overall pick behind Stephen Strasburg two years ago, is "over-rated'' and without a clear defensive position in the opinion on one NL executive. Here’s Heyman’s latest from around the league:
- The Giants and Mets don’t appear to be talking about Jose Reyes at the moment, but the rumors won’t stop until the calendar flips to August or another team acquires the shortstop. Heyman hears from one person who believes the Mets would “have to” send Reyes to San Francisco if they could get pitching prospect Zack Wheeler in return.
- MLBTR’s Tim Dierkes suggested Wheeler as a possible target for the Mets last week.
- In off-field news, Heyman reports that the Mets are getting more interest than expected from buyers interested in a minority stake in the team.
- The Rangers hope Cuban outfield prospect Leonys Martin, who signed last week, can help them in 2011.
- The Reds were among the teams that bid on Martin, according to Heyman.
New York Notes: Reyes, Jeter, Logan, Pridie
Let's catch up on the latest links relating to the first-place Yankees and the last-place Mets….
- Mike Vaccaro of the New York Post argues that Jose Reyes is the kind of player the Mets should be building around, and that cutting ties with him via trade or free agency would be risky.
- John Harper of the New York Daily News takes a similar stance, pointing out that, given the lack of star shortstops around baseball, Reyes is "too valuable not to be part of the Mets' future."
- Within a piece about slow starters, Joel Sherman of the New York Post says he talked to 12 scouts or officials and not a single one believes Derek Jeter will "approach his old self."
- Despite his recent struggles, Boone Logan, the only lefty in the Yankees' bullpen, received a vote of confidence from manager Joe Girardi, writes Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News.
- Newsday's Ken Davidoff says Jason Pridie exemplifies the sort of roster depth the Mets will need if they're going to have any chance of contending.
Stark On Liriano, Hamels, Hosmer, Reyes
Here's the latest from Jayson Stark of ESPN.com …
- Twins lefty Francisco Liriano could be made available via trade in July if Minnesota continues to struggle, but teams will be hesitant to acquire him because of his inconsistencies. One scout told Stark that Liriano has great stuff, but the southpaw's mechanics are a mess. Liriano is under team control through next season.
- Phillies lefty Cole Hamels' three-year, $20.5MM deal expires after this season, leaving him with one year of arbitration eligibility before free agency. Stark wonders how the Phillies will approach a potential extension for Hamels, and Hamels' agent said that the sides haven't yet discussed such a deal. One point of reference to keep in mind, per Stark: Justin Verlander, whose five-year, $80MM pact with the Tigers bought out three years of arbitration eligibility.
- Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer made his Major League debut today amid much fanfare, but several teams told Stark that they would have waited a while longer so as to ensure that the blue-chipper wouldn't be a Super Two. Kansas City, however, has said all along that it would call up its players when they're ready, according to Stark. Earlier today, Ben Nicholson-Smith examined the financial implications of Hosmer's promotion.
- The Mets and Giants maintain that they haven't discussed a potential trade for shortstop Jose Reyes. However, Stark thinks the Giants will need to address the position, and Reyes is a perfect fit.
Mets Notes: Wright, Cohen, Valuation
Here are some Mets notes as the Amazin's open a three-game set against the Dodgers at Citi Field …
- The Tigers will most certainly be interested in acquiring third baseman David Wright, should he be made available on the trade market, writes Lynn Henning of The Detroit News. Wright is signed through 2012 and has a club option for 2013. Henning speculates that Wright would probably cost the Tigers a top-end pitching prospect, and they'd also have to figure out a plan for incumbent Brandon Inge. Last night, Mark Polishuk of MLBTR identified Wright as a trade candidate and included the Tigers as a potential fit.
- Steve Cohen, a billionaire "hedge-fund titan," is the frontrunner to purchase a minority stake in the Mets, according to Josh Kosman and Lenn Robbins of the New York Post. The candidates have been narrowed down to four, The Post reports, and the asking price is thought to be roughly $200MM for a 49-percent share of the team.
- The Wilpons have more interested suitors than you might think, tweets Jon Heyman of SI.com, and the team is being valued nearer to $1 billion than previous reports of roughly $750MM.
Trade Candidate: David Wright
It seems a foregone conclusion that the Mets will trade at least one of their high-priced stars this summer. Carlos Beltran, Jose Reyes and Francisco Rodriguez have been the most-rumored candidates to leave Queens, but all three players carry risk for any trade partner.
Beltran is under contract just through this year, he has a full no-trade clause and is coming off of two injury-plagued seasons. Reyes can also be a free agent this winter, so an interested team might not be willing to trade much of value for the shortstop unless it is given a negotiating window beforehand. Rodriguez has little value as a closer due to the vesting option that would guarantee him $17.5MM in 2012 if he finishes at least 55 games this year, and no team is desperate enough for a stopper at that price.
The Mets do have one asset that carries no baggage — David Wright. The third baseman is just 28 and signed to a contract that would pay him roughly $27MM between now and the end of the 2012 season, plus a $16MM club option for 2013 (with a $1MM buyout). Wright has indicated he wants to stay in New York and wouldn't ask for a trade.
Losing a homegrown star like Wright would be an unpopular move amongst Mets fans, but if Sandy Alderson is committed to a complete rebuild, moving Wright would be the last step, but also the most lucrative in terms of what the Mets could demand in return. Here are a few of the teams that would likely get in on the bidding if Wright became available…
- Angels. Alberto Callaspo has been the bulk of playing time at third for the Halos, with the hot-hitting Maicer Izturis seeing a few starts at third and at shortstop. Wright would certainly be an upgrade, the Angels could afford him, and they probably have the prospect depth to get the New York's attention. (Though Mike Trout is untouchable.)
- Athletics. It isn't Billy Beane's style to make a big deadline move, but with the AL West as tight as it is and Kevin Kouzmanoff having seemingly lost his starting job at third, the A's could decide their time is now and make an offer for Wright. If the quest for the playoffs came up short, Oakland might also try to flip Wright this winter.
- Cardinals. David Freese got off to a great start but he will be out for at least the next two months with a fractured hand. With the Albert Pujols negotiations looming this winter, St. Louis is pretty unlikely to pick up another big contract, though the argument could be made that Pujols would be more eager to stay if Wright was also in the lineup.
- Marlins. Florida is right behind the Phillies in the NL East despite a revolving door at third base. The Fish aren't known for adding big contracts, but with their new ballpark opening next season and a real shot at the playoffs, an exception could be made. That said, it's hard enough to imagine the Mets trading Wright at all, and almost impossible to see them moving their franchise player to a divisional rival.
- Rockies. Ian Stewart was sent to Triple-A after a 2-for-26 (.077) start to the season and was recalled on Tuesday after hitting well in the minors. It's possible Colorado could look for outside help if Stewart continues to struggle, since their veteran infield depth (Jose Lopez and Ty Wigginton) has also been ineffective.
- Tigers. Brandon Inge has started 29 of Detroit's 32 games this season and while his defense at the hot corner remains above average according to UZR/150, he has managed just a .551 OPS at the plate. Inge has been an underrated source of power for the last few seasons but he has just one home run in 2011. He signed a two-year extension last October so the Tigers would have to eat some money if they acquired another third baseman, but if Detroit gets back into the pennant race and still needs hitting help, Wright could look awfully tempting.
Russ Adams Retires
Infielder Russ Adams has decided to retire, reports Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com. Adams has played the last two seasons for the Mets' Triple-A affiliate in Buffalo, beginning this season hitting just .180/.296/.246 in 72 plate appearances.
Adams was Toronto's first-round pick (14th overall) in the 2002 amateur draft, J.P. Ricciardi's first as the Blue Jays' GM. Originally drafted as a shortstop, Adams was moved to second and then third base in the majors, but the bigger issue was his bat. In 993 Major League plate appearances, all with the Jays, Adams managed just a .247/.313/.372 line. Adams' struggles were magnified by the success of Scott Kazmir, Nick Swisher and Cole Hamels — the three players taken directly after him in the draft, a fact that Ricciardi was criticized about for the rest of his Jays tenure.
Mets Sign Brian Sweeney
The Mets have signed right-hander Brian Sweeney to a minor league contract, according to a release from Sweeney's most recent team, the Somerset Patriots of the independent Atlantic League. Sweeney posted a 3.16 ERA and 2.33 K/BB ratio in 24 relief appearances for the Mariners last season, then was claimed off waivers by the Diamondbacks over the winter and released by the Snakes during Spring Training.
Sweeney, a 36-year-old Yonkers native, has a career 3.38 ERA in 73 Major League games with the Mariners and Padres. He also pitched in Japan for the Nippon Ham Fighters from 2007-09 before returning to the majors last year.