Figueroa Recalled, O’Day Designated For Assignment
Due to Mike Pelfrey's right forearm tendinitis, the Mets recalled Nelson Figueroa on April 18 and designated relief pitcher Darren O'Day for assignment, according to Brittany Ghiroli of MLB.com. Because O'Day was a Rule 5 Draft Pick, he has to be offered back to his original team, the Angels.
Heyman On Eckstein, Peavy, Pedro
SI.com's Jon Heyman has a new column up…
- The Mets apparently had interest last winter in signing David Eckstein as a backup for $1-2MM, but he preferred to take $850K to start at second base for the Padres.
- Heyman looks at the Jake Peavy situation. He learned that new CEO Jeff Moorad "didn't believe the economic downturn and slumping late-winter market would inhibit suitors for Peavy, who has $63 million and four years left on his contract." That said, we know Moorad is willing to keep Peavy this year. And Peavy may be happiest in San Diego, according to Heyman.
- Pedro Martinez has fielded calls from several teams since the season began. Heyman speculates on the Dodgers, Indians, Phillies, Brewers, Pirates, D'Backs, and Mets as possibilities. And what about the Cardinals, who just lost Chris Carpenter for a while?
Mets Have Payroll Flexibility
Mark Hale of the New York Post talked to Mets GM Omar Minaya, who said he has permission from ownership to increase payroll if necessary. According to Minaya:
"We've been told that whatever we need to do to get to help us win, we're going to try to do it. [The payroll is] not unlimited. But there is the ability to increase if we need areas that need to be addressed."
Hale tosses out trade suggestions for starting pitchers and corner outfielders, two possible areas of need later this summer.
Heyman On Bonifacio, Lincecum, Garcia
A look at Jon Heyman's new column at SI.com…
- Heyman writes in praise of the Marlins for acquiring Emilio Bonifacio as part of the Josh Willingham–Scott Olsen deal last November. Contrast that with Ken Rosenthal, who spoke to a scout a week ago who was not impressed with Bonifacio.
- Heyman hasn't found any evidence that the Giants are close to signing Tim Lincecum to an extension.
- Heyman says that Freddy Garcia's contract doesn't have an out clause, but "it's generally understood that if another big-league team is ready to give him a shot, the Mets would either try to find room for him or let him go." Garcia has apparently looked good in extended spring training.
Mets DFA Marlon Anderson
Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post reports that the Mets have designated infielder-outfielder Marlon Anderson for assignment. The move was neccessary in order to clear roster space for fifth starter Livan Hernandez, who will start Saturday night against the Marlins.
Anderson, 35, was hitless in four at-bats for the Mets this season. He hit .208/.236/.245 during spring training.
Pedro Still Plans To Play In ’09
According to Mike Puma of the New York Post a "longtime friend" of Pedro Martinez says the righthander "fully expects" to play in 2009. Pedro is apparently sticking to his $5MM asking price and incentive-based deals do not appeal to him. His agent says he's already attracted interest from a number of teams and he's expecting more calls when holes appear in rotations around the league.
Odds And Ends: Hudson, Alvarez, Anderson
Links for Saturday…
- The Astros claimed 25-year-old pitcher Wilton Lopez off waivers from the Padres and assigned him to Double-A, according to this AP article.
- Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic relays some recent Orlando Hudson comments. O-Dog said the D'Backs made him an offer this offseason, it just didn't appeal to him.
- Matthew Cerrone of MetsBlog suggests that we could see the Mets release Marlon Anderson today to make room for Livan Hernandez.
- Richard Justice of the Houston Chronicle sounds confident about the Astros' chances this year.
- John Perrotto of Pirates Report anticipates a 2009 MLB debut for Pedro Alvarez.
- Sean McAdam of the Boston Herald discusses Scott Boras in light of the Nick Adenhart tragedy.
- MLB.com's Scott Merkin reports that the White Sox still haven't found a fit for their leadoff spot.
Marlon Anderson May Be Released
According to Adam Rubin of the New York Daily News, Marlon Anderson's final game with the Mets may be tonight. The team will need the roster spot for Livan Hernandez, who makes his Mets debut tomorrow. If the Mets release Anderson, they'll have to assume his $1.15MM salary for '09 (minus $400K if he signs elsewhere).
Anderson, 35, hit just .210/.255/.275 in 151 plate appearances last year while appearing at left field and first base. 60 of those PAs came as a pinch-hitter, but Anderson did not fare well. He did well in a very limited sample in '07, but it's unclear why Omar Minaya gave him a two-year contract that winter.
Odds & Ends: Lackey, Sheffield, Luis Gonzalez
Links for Thursday…
- Scot Gregor of the Daily Herald learned that while White Sox GM Ken Williams seeks a leadoff hitter, he does not have interest in Juan Pierre or Gary Matthews Jr.
- In an article yesterday, MLB.com's Lyle Spencer said all is quiet on the John Lackey extension front. Angels GM Tony Reagins said Lackey's initial Opening Day deadline was never a factor for the team.
- Murray Chass says Gary Sheffield's clubhouse presence is a positive.
- Luis Gonzalez, a free agent, hopes to play in 2009. But when he retires, he'll do so as a Diamondback according to MLB.com's Steve Gilbert.
- MLB.com's Joe Frisaro wrote in praise of Florida starter Josh Johnson.
- MLB.com's Corey Brock says the Padres introduced Tom Garfinkel as the new president and chief operating officer in charge of non-baseball operations.
- I wrote about Blue Jays starter David Purcey over at RotoAuthority.
Sheffield, Mets Agree To Deal
SUNDAY, 2:40pm: Matthew Cerrone from MetsBlog tells us that Nick Evans was optioned to AAA in order to make room for Sheffield.
4:32pm: Mets GM Omar Minaya announced the signing, which is pending a physical. Will he help? A few projections:
Sheffield came up as a 20 year-old Brewers shortstop; he's now hanging on as a 40 year-old Mets platoon outfielder. Sheffield was willing to waive his no-trade clause for the Mets way back in November of '97, when the Marlins had their fire sale (according to a Jon Heyman Newsday article). He was eventually dealt to the Dodgers in May of '98.
2:33pm: SI.com's Jon Heyman says Sheffield agreed to sign with the Mets. An announcement is expected this afternoon.
12:08pm: Sherman adds that Mets GM Omar Minaya spoke to Sheffield directly recently to explain how he'd fit with the team. Meanwhile, several Phillies players have contacted Sheffield to lobby him to sign.
11:23am: According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the Mets are close to signing Gary Sheffield. The Mets plan to give him significant playing time. They'd only have to pay $400K and would consider Sheffield an option in both outfield corners. Sherman's source said:
"Unless something drastic happens, he is a Met. Someone would have to offer him a second year, and I just don't see that happening."
David Lennon of Newsday believes Sheffield could sign with the Mets as soon as tonight.