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Mets Rumors: Lackey, Figgins, Delgado, Francoeur

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The Mets plan to be serious bidders for the services of John Lackey, writes David Lennon of Newsday.  GM Omar Minaya reportedly "received a favorable first impression" from a meeting earlier this week with Lackey's agent, Steve Hilliard.  Lennon points out that the Mets successfully zeroed in on free agent closer Francisco Rodriguez last offseason and secured his services for $37MM over three years, short of what some expected.

Here's a look at some of the other tidbits Lennon brings us in this piece:

  • If the Mets sign the versatile Chone Figgins, he would be placed in left field.  Under that plan, Lennon says the Mets could be stuck with Luis Castillo.  As one might expect, the expensive addition of Figgins would rule out outfielders Jason Bay and Matt Holliday.
  • The Mets could be keeping tabs on Carlos Delgado as part of their plan to ink Figgins.  The 37-year-old, if deemed healthy, would be a reasonably priced solution at first base.
  • Although Minaya wouldn't rule out an extension for Jeff Francoeur, Lennon says it is not likely to happen. 

Olney On Lackey, Astros, Rangers, Doumit, Carroll

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In today's blog post at ESPN.com, Buster Olney writes about Michael Bourn, and how he went from hitting .218 with a .273 OBP in the first half of 2008 to hitting .285 with a .354 OBP in 2009 thanks to a suggestion from Astros' coach Dave Clark.

Here's a roundup of Olney's rumors…

  • The Angels last offer to John Lackey was a $72MM package, made earlier this year.
  • Olney's educated guess is that the Mariners are the best bet to sign Lackey, followed in order by the Angels, Brewers, Mets, Red Sox, and Yankees.
  • Olney hears that the Astros "are cutting payroll, and will have the flexibility to make only minor moves, such as getting a right-handed hitting third baseman, to platoon with Geoff Blum."
  • Tom Hicks is still trying to find a way to hold onto the Rangers, but bids from prospective buyers are due next week.
  • The Pirates "first made it clear" they were willing to deal Ryan Doumit before the trade deadline, while the Dodgers have been having "internal conversations" about bringing Jamey Carroll aboard as a utility infielder.

Mets Rumors: Delgado, Francoeur, Non-Tenders

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The New York Post's Bart Hubbuch has some good Mets info this afternoon, though it is unfortunately broken up into three tweets.

  • Hubbuch learned that Mets GM Omar Minaya intends to watch Carlos Delgado in winter ball next month.  Delgado could probably be re-signed cheaply after hip surgery limited the 37-year-old to 112 plate appearances this year.
  • Cross Jeff Francoeur off the list of non-tender candidates – Minaya said Francoeur will be back and also mentioned that an extension is a possibility.  Mets fans – do you believe Francoeur's 308 plate appearances with the club represent a reformed hitter?
  • Hubbuch says Mets officials "plan to look hard" at the group of non-tendered players.  Those additional free agents will be known on December 12th.  Here are our candidates.

Dodgers Javier Vazquez Rumor Shot Down

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1:24pm: MLB.com's Mark Bowman talked to a team source who said the Dodgers and Braves are not currently having trade discussions.  Bowman believes the Brewers do have interest in Vazquez. 

As for Derek Lowe, Bowman doesn't see the Yankees in the mix but does consider the Angels and Brewers possibilities.

9:16am: Former Reds and Nationals GM Jim Bowden is on Twitter, and last night he floated a couple of Dodgers rumors.  Bowden wrote that the Dodgers are talking with the Braves about pitcher Javier Vazquez and with the Mets about second baseman Luis Castillo.

Vazquez would be an excellent addition to the front of the Dodgers' rotation, and he won't break the bank at $11.5MM in 2010.  However, his no-trade clause specifically allows him to block trades to AL and NL West clubs.  Plus, do the Dodgers have the trade chips the Braves crave? 

At $12MM over the next two years, Castillo is still viewed as a salary dump candidate by most.  Juan Pierre has the Dodgers' obvious bad contract, at $18.5MM over the next two years.  ESPN's Buster Olney says Castillo no longer appears untradeable, and the Mets will probably go after Orlando Hudson if they move him.

Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Figgins, Halladay, Uggla

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On this date 31 years ago, Red Sox free agent pitcher Luis Tiant signed a two-year, $875K contract with the Yankees. After eight seasons and 122 wins with Boston, Tiant would go 21-17 with the Yankees before finishing his career with the Pirates and Angels. With this year's free agents looking for new homes, let's take a look at what is being written in the Blogosphere…

  • UmpBump attempts to determine how much Chone Figgins is worth.
  • The Phrontiersman warns that giving up Cole Hamels is too much for Roy Halladay.
  • We Should Be GMs analyzes the Phillies roster and suggests some names to fill the holes.
  • Camden Crazies looks at what Dan Uggla would mean for the O's and what he might cost.
  • Twins Overlook looks back at the Johan Santana trade and compares the pieces that are left and what the Twins could have gotten from the Red Sox or Yankees.
  • Nick's Twins Blog thinks Adrian Beltre is the missing piece to the Twins infield.
  • Dock of the Rays likes the idea of swapping Pat Burrell for Milton Bradley and wonders if throwing in Andy Sonnanstine can entice the Cubs to add more money.
  • Feeling Dodgers Blue says L.A. needs two pitchers and breaks down the pros and cons of the available talent.
  • Dodgers Rumors feels Brandon Phillips would fit nicely at second base for the Dodgers.
  • Blogging Mets breaks down the Mets' needs and is not very optimistic.
  • The Pinstriper projects the Yankees 25-man roster for next season.

Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com. If you have a suggestion for this feature, Cork can be reached here, and followed on Twitter here.

Red Sox, Mets Express Interest In John Lackey

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The Red Sox expressed preliminary interest in free agent starter John Lackey this week at the GM Meetings, according to Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald.  Additionally, David Lennon of Newsday says Mets GM Omar Minaya spoke to Lackey's agent on the phone.  There's no cost to express interest, so why not?

The Mariners, Rangers, Brewers, and Yankees have been linked to Lackey in various reports.  Earlier this week, ESPN's Jerry Crasnick polled 20 baseball people, and the Yankees, Mets, and Angels were seen as the most likely to sign him.  Lackey's agent told Brewers GM Doug Melvin that his client is open to any club.

Heyman On Damon, Lackey, Crede

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After working the lobby all week at the Chicago GM Meetings, SI's Jon Heyman has the latest hot stove chatter…

  • The Giants "appear to have emerged as one potential competitor" for the services of Johnny Damon.
  • The Rangers met with John Lackey's agent yesterday, though they're not expected to have that kind of money available.  Heyman adds that the Brewers and Mariners haven't ruled out signing the righty.
  • Joe Crede is among the third base candidates the Orioles will consider.  We heard about Adrian Beltre, Mark DeRosa, and Pedro Feliz earlier today.
  • Lefty reliever Mike Gonzalez "appears very popular in the free agent market."  If that's true, then the Braves figure to offer arbitration to Gonzalez, a Type A.
  • Mets GM Omar Minaya said some teams have shown interest in second baseman Luis Castillo, and Heyman says the Dodgers have spoken to the Mets.  Castillo has $12MM coming over the next two years and it might be time to sell relatively high.

Roy Halladay Rumors: Thursday

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The Blue Jays are not resigned to trading ace pitcher Roy Halladay, according to Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News.  However, Feinsand believes Halladay "wants out of Toronto," and would require an extension as part of waiving his no-trade clause.  As you know, Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos won't rule out trading within the division, opening up Yankees and Red Sox speculation.

SI's Jon Heyman says the Yankees will inquire on Halladay; why wouldn't they?  Heyman believes Halladay favors a deal to an East Coast team and was willing to go to the Yankees or Red Sox last summer.  Since then, the asking price has presumably come down.  Heyman also expects the Mets to check in on Doc, but sees them as a long shot.

Feinsand and Heyman also get into the Yankees' other options to add top-level pitching.  Feinsand says the Yankees "already have their sights set on signing either Halladay or Cliff Lee if both become free agents after next season," but fear Lee might sign an extension with the Phillies.  He says Yankees officials have mixed opinions on whether to pursue John Lackey this winter.

Hideki Matsui Reports

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There was a throng of Japanese media at the GM Meetings, seemingly in the hunt for Hideki Matsui news the majority of the time.  NPB Tracker's Patrick Newman has more today, after yesterday's Red Sox report was misinterpreted and repeated around the web…

  • One report has Theo Epstein talking about how David Ortiz is his DH, making Matsui an unlikely match.
  • There's word that the Rays could look into Matsui if they move Pat Burrell.
  • The Angels could make sense, while the Mets would only if they convince themselves Matsui can play the field.
  • Newman likes the White Sox and Orioles as possibilities if the Yankees don't re-sign Matsui.

Heyman On Figgins, Pineiro, Braves

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SI's Jon Heyman reports from Chicago, where the GM Meetings are wrapping up…

  • The Phillies are "intent on pursuing Chone Figgins hard," while the Mets are also fans of the Seth Levinson client.  The Angels still hope to re-sign Figgins.  Joel Sherman of the New York Post has more on the Mets' interest, explaining that moving Luis Castillo would make signing Figgins easier.  Sherman thought another reasonable addition for the Mets might be Carlos Lee, but his idea was shot down by Ed Wade and a Mets official.
  • Heyman senses mixed signals with the Mets and Matt Holliday – Omar Minaya loves the player, but the money required will be huge and the Mets might be better-served spreading it around.
  • The Mets are interested in Joel Pineiro, and Minaya met with his agent Arn Tellem.
  • On Page 2 of the article, Heyman quotes a couple new Scott Boras gems.
  • Braves GM Frank Wren admitted he'll field offers on his starting pitching excess.  It appears inevitable that the Braves will trade one starter, Derek Lowe or Javier Vazquez according to MLB.com's Mark Bowman.
  • My Billy Wagner-Cubs idea should probably be put to bed, as Jim Hendry said he wouldn't spend a lot of money on a closer given Carlos Marmol's talent.  Marmol himself is due a large arbitration raise.
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