Mets Not In On Manny, Abreu
3:41pm: MetsBlog’s Matthew Cerrone has info from Omar Minaya, obtained at the Oliver Perez press conference:
Minaya told reporters there will be no big moves after this, saying all of his big priorities have been met, while noting offense was not the team’s problem last season.
TUESDAY, 10:51am: SI.com’s Jon Heyman basically agrees with Sherman:
According to one person familiar with their thinking, the Mets’ chances to acquire those two ultra-accomplished hitters are slim (Abreu) and practically none (Ramirez).
MONDAY: According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the Mets "definitely are not in for Manny Ramirez or even Bobby Abreu despite his falling dollar requests." The Mets are only seeking cheap bench bats and maybe a lefty reliever, says Sherman.
Many readers have been pressing me to post something about these Tony Paige WFAN comments, but all signs are pointing to the Mets passing on Manny.
Latest On Ken Griffey Jr.
Jon Heyman of SI.com and Buster Olney of ESPN write about free agent outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. this morning.
Heyman says Junior is well set financially: "His 16-year payout at $5MM per year just happens to begin this year." Griffey’s agent Brian Goldberg has been shopping his client with no luck so far. Griffey is said to be "completely healthy" after knee surgery, and is open to playing anywhere.
Olney talked to Reds doctor Tim Kremcheck, who said Griffey’s in the best shape he’s been in in years. Kremcheck believes last year’s knee injuries limited Griffey’s power and he’ll bounce back.
We’ve heard the loose Mariners connection, but not much beyond that. The Braves are looking for an outfielder or two, but haven’t been linked to Griffey recently. The Padres seek a veteran left-handed hitter but Griffey’s name hasn’t come up in reports. Olney adds:
Heard this: The Mets will continue to bottom-feed for guys on the free agent market, at the $600K-$1MM level, and if that nets them someone like Griffey, well, then so be it.
Manny Turns Down Dodgers’ One-Year Offer
1:33am: Ramirez has turned down the Dodgers’ one-year offer, Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times reports. The Dodgers have confirmed it.
Hernandez lists the Mets, Giants and Nationals as teams that are monitoring Ramirez’ market.
The Dodgers could find themselves in a bind if Ramirez receives a multi-year offer from another club. If Ramirez is offered what he considers a fair deal, sources close to him say that he wouldn’t grant the Dodgers a chance to match it, forcing the Dodgers to go into Spring Training without their only star attraction and reliable run producer.
Hernandez believes the Dodgers could possibly pursue free agent outfielders Adam Dunn or Bobby Abreu if they don’t re-sign Ramirez.
9:11pm Monday: ESPN.com’s Jayson Stark reports that Ramirez and agent Scott Boras were given a 48-hour deadline to either accept or reject the offer.
7:40pm Monday: According to Tony Jackson of the Los Angeles Daily News, the Dodgers have made another offer to Manny Ramirez. This time it’s a one-year deal worth $25MM.
Dodgers GM Ned Colletti confirmed that the offer was made last night. "We are still trying to sign Manny, and we hope that this will make him happy,” Colletti said. The team’s first offer was two years, $45 million with a club option for 2011. As Jackson notes, these are the only known offers extended to Ramirez since he filed for free agency last fall.
Orlando Hudson On MLB Network
Free agent second baseman Orlando Hudson appeared on the MLB Network today. Barry Larkin asked which teams he’s talking to, and he named the Dodgers, Mets, Yankees, and Nationals. None of the teams have said anything to Hudson’s agent about changing positions. Hudson says right now he sees himself as a second baseman. Ken Rosenthal says Hudson "seems to be banking on [the Mets or Yankees] pursuing a creative solution."
Hudson, 31, hit .305/.367/.450 in 455 plate appearances for Arizona last year while earning $6.25MM. Based on the plus/minus system, Hudson did not flash his typical stellar glovework in ’08. The market for Hudson has been held down partially because he is a Type A free agent who turned down the D’Backs offer of arbitration. That means whoever signs him will give up a draft pick. Another factor may be the broken wrist he suffered in August.
Mets, Oliver Perez Agree To Terms
2:50pm: Sherman says the Mets floated various packages that could total $44MM over four years, but Boras and Perez preferred the shorter term at the higher salary.
1:18pm: Joel Sherman of the New York Post says the Mets and Perez have agreed to terms on a three-year, $36MM deal (no fourth-year option). Sherman says the signing "all but assures" Pedro Martinez will not be re-signed. You have to figure Ben Sheets is also out.
You know the story with Perez: only 27 years old, with a strong strikeout rate but plenty of walks and home runs allowed.
12:44pm: Matthew Cerrone’s sources say the Mets are "close to finalizing" a deal with Perez, perhaps for three years at no more than $12MM per. Jon Heyman terms it as "on the verge."
11:42am: According to Ken Rosenthal, the Mets are "moving closer" to signing free agent lefty Oliver Perez. The Mets hope for a three-year deal but a fourth-year vesting option "remains possible." Rosenthal says the Mets are "cautiously optimistic" about re-signing Perez. If Perez has another serious suitor, it hasn’t been leaked to the public.
Olney’s Latest: Abreu, Manny, Torre
Buster Olney has a new video up, discussing some of the bigger issues in the MLB world right now:
- One GM thinks Bobby Abreu may have to settle for a one-year, $7MM deal. Quite the dropoff from the initial three years, $48MM he was asking for to begin the season.
- If the Mets sign a cheaper alternative to Oliver Perez, they may consider making an offer to Abreu.
- Olney isn’t sure if the Giants are in on Manny Ramirez, or just trying to drive up the price for the Dodgers. He says that the Giants won’t bring on Manny unless he "fits" offensively, defensively, and contractually. It’s hard to imagine Manny’s bat not fitting in any MLB lineup, but his glove and contract could be another story.
- Olney wonders if the recent controversy surrounding Joe Torre’s book will affect his relationship with Dodger players.
Odds and Ends: Mets Payroll, Reds, Rangers
Happy Super Bowl Sunday everyone. Some Odds & Ends:
- Sam Mellinger of the Kansas City Star thinks the Royals should trade for Rich Hill.
- Adam Rubin of the New York Daily News estimates the Mets payroll to be $135MM this season, before Freddy Garcia or the $2.25MM owed to Willy Randolph.
- River Ave. Blues has a nice write up on the non-guaranteed nature of arbitration and the process of declining arbitration to free agents.
- The Dallas Morning News’ Anthony Andro peers into the future of the Rangers, ranked atop Baseball America’s organizational rankings. Writes Andro, "Since the magazine began rankings in 1984, a playoff appearance has followed within six years all but twice for the No. 1 club."
- Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald lists some of the quirkier signing bonuses and perks in the MLB, including Roy Oswalt’s bulldozer.
Cafardo’s Latest: Players Out Of Options
Lots of stuff in Nick Cafardo’s column in the Boston Globe to go over.
With around 100 free agents vying for less than 20 remaining roster spots, things become more interesting with 227 players on big-league rosters who are out of options. If a player is out of options and is not rostered, he has to either be traded or designated for assignment. If designated, that player has to clear waivers. This could affect remaining free agent signings. Cafardo makes note of a few who are out of options and may wind up as trade fodder or designated for assignment before the season begins:
Red Sox: George Kottaras
Yankees: Melky Cabrera
Cubs: Chad Gaudin, Rich Hill (possibly heading to Baltimore?)
Brewers: Tony Gwynn Jr.
Indians: Anthony Reyes, Andy Marte
Twins: Boof Bonser, Philip Humber
Rays: Jeff Niemann
Orioles: David Pauley
- With Jason Varitek re-signed, the Red Sox will either have to trade catcher Kottaras or designate him for assignment.
- Cafardo notes Niemann is a former No. 1 pick and the righthander should garner some attention.
- Bonser or Humber could be traded to land a reliever. Cafardo also mentions Delmon Young as a possible trading chip.
A few more bullets from Cafardo’s notebook:
- Scott Boras thinks the World Baseball Classic will showcase Ivan Rodriguez and generate "even more" interest for the 14-time All-Star catcher.
- Cafardo mentioned Manny Ramirez to Omar Minaya and Minaya laughed it off saying, "We’ll look into adding some offense, but only if it makes sense."
- All quiet on the Jake Peavy front.
- Cafardo calls Randy Johnson‘s $8MM deal from the Giants as "a stroke of genius" by his agents.
- In case you missed it, Bobby Kielty signed a minor-league deal with the Mets last week.
Pedro Martinez Rumors: Friday
10:52pm: According to MLB.com’s Marty Noble, or perhaps the AP, Pedro said he’s received offers but not from the Mets.
9:13am: According to Mark Hale of the New York Post, Pedro Martinez plans to use the World Baseball Classic as an audition for MLB teams. Hale notes that Omar Minaya’s presence in the Dominican Republic was for a prearranged scouting trip but a meeting with Pedro was planned for yesterday. Arthur Staple of Newsday said that meeting was "more of a courtesy," and Minaya himself said he was "just keeping in touch."
On Wednesday, Jon Heyman wrote that Minaya loves Pedro and some baseball people expect a Mets reunion after the Oliver Perez situation is resolved.
Odds and Ends: Boras, Manny, Heilman
Links for Friday…
- ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick examines Scott Boras’ work so far this winter, as well as his remaining clients.
- RotoAuthority has first baseman rankings for fantasy leagues.
- Matthew Cerrone suggests the Mets might want to publicly rule out Manny Ramirez.
- Interesting WHIFF profile on Aaron Heilman.
- Patrick Newman introduces us to Norichika Aoki, perhaps the best hitter in Japan. Aoki may end up in MLB, but it probably won’t be anytime soon.
- The Orioles agreed to a split contract with pitcher Brian Burres, says Troy Renck.