Mets Rumors

Several Teams Interested In Pedro

By | March 15, 2009 at 1:50pm CDT

SUNDAY, 1:50pm: Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com writes that the Pirates won’t be signing Pedro unless his asking price comes down. They’ve shown interest, contacting his agent, but are unwilling to meet the $5MM-$8MM asking price.

Pittsburgh’s $51MM payroll gives them a bit of flexibility, and signing a veteran starter was one of their offseason priorities. However, Langosch writes that they’re very pleased with the depth of their starting pitching this Spring. Seems like they don’t consider adding Pedro a necessity.

SATURDAY, 8:07pm: The Chicago Tribune’s Phil Rogers writes that Pedro "insists he could have signed a contract long ago but wasn’t ready to commit." He cites a commitment to the World Baseball Classic as the reason he has waited to sign. (Scroll down to Miller’s first note after the main story.)

Pedro added the following: "The major leagues have, unfortunately, become more of a business than something to be proud of."

1:15pm:SI.com’s Jon Heyman reports that several teams have interest in free agent Pedro Martinez.

The Dodgers have already made it known that they’re "curious," and now the Indians, Pirates and Mets have joined the fun. Pedro is still seeking between $5MM and $8MM on a one-year deal, but will probably have to settle for an incentive-laden package with a low base salary. According to his agent, Fern Cuza, Martinez "feels better than his first year with the Mets."

Mets Claim Fernando Nieve

By | March 14, 2009 at 1:04pm CDT

According to Jose de Jesus Ortiz of the Houston Chronicle, the Mets have claimed right-hander Fernando Nieve off irrevocable waivers from the Astros.

Nieve squeezed in just 10 2/3 innings last season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2007. He could be used in middle relief in New York, but will need a really nice showing over the last few weeks of spring training to make the squad. Nieve posted a 4.20 ERA over 96 1/3 innings during the 2006 season.

Odds And Ends: Pedro, Crosby, Nationals

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | March 14, 2009 at 10:24am CDT

A few links for Saturday…

Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post reports that Omar Minaya says the Mets won’t sign Pedro Martinez. Buster Olney was on this one earlier in the week, but that was before the Mets had to shut Tim Redding down because of weakness in his pitching shoulder.
According to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle Bobby Crosby played third and first yesterday in a Spring Training game. He had never played first before and had to borrow a glove. Playing well at many positions couldn’t hurt his trade value.
We missed this one earlier in the week: Bill Shaikin of the LA Times asked Angels GM Tony Reagins if he has interest in Barry Bonds and heard he has "none."
Barry Svrluga of the Washington Post reports that acting GM Mike Rizzo signed Julian Tavarez to the Nats because he wants depth and doesn’t want his players feeling too comfortable about their jobs.

Odds & Ends: Manny, Papelbon, Pudge, Peavy

By Tim Dierkes | March 12, 2009 at 9:51am CDT

Links for Thursday…

The Nationals remain interested in Duaner Sanchez, says Barry Svrluga of the Washington Post.
Yahoo’s Jeff Passan talked to Mark Prior.
Joel Sherman of the New York Post heard Manny Ramirez and Scott Boras consider the contract with the Dodgers a one-year deal with a safety net. Sherman wonders if the Yankees and/or Mets could get involved depending on how Manny’s 2009 season plays out.
Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon commented about Manny to Chris Jones in the April issue of Esquire. It’s a good article and there’s a lot more to it than the Manny comments.
Free agent catcher Ivan Rodriguez is working out at first base, according to Will Gonzalez of MLB.com.
The Padres have the third pick in the June draft. Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune asks whether they’ll finally take a player with big upside.
Jake Peavy’s agent Barry Axelrod seems to be writing off the Padres, in comments to Fred Mitchell of the Chicago Tribune: "It’s tough with the Padres’ situation. They are not very good and it looks like it is going to be another long year for them."
Marlins shortstop Robert Andino is out of options, so Mike Phillips of the Miami Herald says this is his audition.
ESPN’s Buster Olney says Mark Mulder’s audition is drawing closer and he’s throwing well. Olney also says Luis Gonzalez is waiting by the phone. For a look at the other remaining free agents, click here.

Yanks Sign Joba, Mets Sign Murphy

By Tim Dierkes | March 12, 2009 at 8:23am CDT

Joel Sherman of the New York Post has more pre-arbitration signings for us today, including Joba Chamberlain ($432,575) and Daniel Murphy ($401,000).

Odds & Ends: Strasburg, Pedro, A’s, Padres

By Tim Dierkes | March 11, 2009 at 8:03pm CDT

Links for Wednesday…

Orioles president Andy MacPhail doesn’t seem interested, but Peter Schmuck of the Baltimore Sun quizzed various players on the team about the possibility of signing Pedro Martinez.
MetsBlog’s Matthew Cerrone says Pedro was hitting 92 yesterday and his fastball had the old-school tail on it.
The AP reports that MLB is investigating the ages of 42 Dominican prospects.
RotoAuthority names 20 undervalued hitters for 2009 fantasy drafts.
Nationals acting GM Mike Rizzo spoke highly of Stephen Strasburg, talking to Ben Goessling of the Washington Times.
ESPN’s Buster Olney learned that the A’s are open-minded to Brett Anderson, Trevor Cahill, and/or Vin Mazzaro cracking the Opening Day rotation. Jerry Crasnick has more on Oakland’s next Big Three.
Olney also says the Padres will be "scouring the earth for pitching" over the next few weeks. This jives with Tom Krasovic’s recent article.

Schneider, Castro Halting Pudge Pursuit

By Tim Dierkes | March 11, 2009 at 9:03am CDT

According to Jim Baumbach of Newsday, Mets assistant GM Tony Bernazard told El Nuevo Dia that having two catchers under contract is keeping the team from pursuing Ivan Rodriguez. This does not come as a surprise. The Mets owe Brian Schneider $4.9MM and Ramon Castro $2.5MM, and would reportedly like to move Castro.

Olney: Mets Will Not Sign Pedro

By Cork Gaines | March 10, 2009 at 5:58pm CDT

According to ESPN 1050 Radio (via MetsBlog), Buster Olney is reporting that the Mets have decided to fill the fifth spot in the rotation with an in-house candidate and will not pursue Pedro Martinez.

Buster Olney is reporting that there is "no chance" that Pedro Martinez will become a Met. Olney says the Mets will stay with what they have at the fifth spot and will not entertain the thought of bringing Pedro back.

According to MetsBlog, the Mets are clearly cutting costs as evidenced by the release of Duaner Sanchez and there was little chance they were going to offer $5MM to Pedro. They add that for the same reasons, they don’t see the Mets signing Ivan Rodriguez. MetsBlog would prefer Livan Hernandez as the fifth starter.

Earlier today we learned from Ken Rosenthal that Pedro is seeking a similar deal to John Smoltz. Other than the Mets, Rosenthal listed the Dodgers, Marlins and Indians as potential suitors.

Jon Heyman said that Pedro was possibly interested in reuniting with the Dodgers, but that the Dodgers have yet to show any interest.

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

Rosenthal On Pedro, A-Rod, Beimel, Ohman

By Tim Dierkes | March 10, 2009 at 9:12am CDT

Here’s the latest from Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports…

One executive tells Rosenthal Pedro Martinez seeks a contract similar to the one John Smoltz received (a $5.5MM base plus $5.5MM incentives). Rosenthal’s speculative candidates for Pedro include the Dodgers, Marlins, Indians, and Mets. He says the A’s, Orioles, Nationals, and Brewers are out.
Rosenthal does not expect a major acquisition by the Yankees to cover for Alex Rodriguez. He adds that the Yanks will not collect insurance on A-Rod’s salary.
In addition to Orlando Cabrera, Manny Ramirez has a clause in his contract prohibiting his team from offering arbitration if he’s a Type A free agent after the season. Orlando Hudson and Bobby Abreu do not have such clauses.
Two GMs told Rosenthal Joe Beimel wants a one-year, $2.5MM deal, but the pitcher’s agent Joe Sroba says they have’t gotten that specific. Sroba says new teams are in the mix for Beimel and he’s waiting for one to be "aggressive and sincere in their pursuit."
The White Sox and Dodgers are two teams in on free agent lefty Will Ohman.

Duaner Sanchez Released

By Tim Dierkes | March 10, 2009 at 8:30am CDT

According to David Lennon of Newsday, Mets GM Omar Minaya announced that reliever Duaner Sanchez has been released. The Mets did not feel Sanchez could be effective in the Majors. I believe the Mets only have to pay him about $281K now since his contract was not guaranteed. Sanchez, 29, posted a 4.32 ERA in 58.1 innings last year. His fastball was down about 3.5 mph from 2005-06 levels.

Barry Svrluga of the Washington Post says the Nationals may have interest in Sanchez.

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