Mets Sign Chan Ho Park
According to Adam Rubin of the New York Daily News, the Mets will add righty Chan Ho Park soon. A Korean newspaper mentions that the deal is for $3MM with an option. Park also had an offer from the Padres. Hat tip to MetsBlog for originally finding this one.
Back in December, Scott Boras was reportedly trying to sell the Red Sox on the idea of using Park as a closer. Park will be helpful for the Mets as a swingman. I like the way Omar Minaya is building his pitching staff backwards. I think it’ll work.
PECOTA says to expect a 4.70 ERA from Park in 115 innings.
Mets And Johan Santana?
Charley Walters of the St. Paul Pioneer Press throws it down:
"Don’t be surprised if the New York Mets, and not the Yankees, end up with Johan Santana for $20 million a year after the Twins’ Cy Young Award winner becomes a free agent after the 2008 season."
Who knows what Santana could do pitching half his games in Shea Stadium (one season there, at least). I think it’s impossibly early to call any kind of Santana derby, but maybe Walters just wants to send half of New York into a frenzy. If Santana does reach free agency, I’m sure all the major big-budget teams will have interest. He’s only the best pitcher in baseball.
Just for fun: PECOTA says Santana will be worth $21,800,000 for the 2009 season.
Of course, this story from January 29th should not be ignored. The Twins will approach Santana about a contract extension, and Santana is willing to work something out.
Mets And Johan Santana?
Charley Walters of the St. Paul Pioneer Press throws it down:
"Don’t be surprised if the New York Mets, and not the Yankees, end up with Johan Santana for $20 million a year after the Twins’ Cy Young Award winner becomes a free agent after the 2008 season."
Who knows what Santana could do pitching half his games in Shea Stadium (one season there, at least). I think it’s impossibly early to call any kind of Santana derby, but maybe Walters just wants to send half of New York into a frenzy. If Santana does reach free agency, I’m sure all the major big-budget teams will have interest. He’s only the best pitcher in baseball.
Just for fun: PECOTA says Santana will be worth $21,800,000 for the 2009 season.
Of course, this story from January 29th should not be ignored. The Twins will approach Santana about a contract extension, and Santana is willing to work something out.
Blue Jays Sign Tomo Ohka
UPDATE: The Blue Jays signed Ohka to a one-year deal with incentives. He’s guaranteed $1.5MM and can double it by reaching incentives.
The Washington Post reports that Tomo Ohka will likely decide on a team today or tomorrow. The Nats are unlikely, and he’s leaning towards Toronto. Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that Ohka now only wants a one-year deal. Looks like he couldn’t get three years so he’d rather re-enter the market in ’08 after a hopefully solid year. The Pirates are definitely out of the running. The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review mentions that the Mets are still in on Ohka.
The Bucs, however, have turned their focus to Tony Armas Jr. Several teams are interested in him, with the Pirates in the lead. Though he’s not particularly good, he is relatively healthy and on the right side of 30. Beggars can’t be choosy.
Mets Still Discussing Joe Blanton
John Delcos of the Journal News mentions in his blog that the Mets are still talking to Oakland about Joe Blanton. Would it require Lastings Milledge? Ray Ratto seemed to think so back at the end of December.
Blanton would probably fare well in the NL, though not significantly better than John Maine. The Mets are still lacking a front-rotation type pitcher.
Mets Still Trying For Dan Haren?
UPDATE: Spoke to my Mets source, and he indicated that the below trade possibility could be expanded to include Michael Devaney and Santiago Castilla.
According to a Bay Area official speaking to Gotham Baseball, the Mets and A’s "are finally discussing a deal that could send right-hander Danny Haren to the Mets in return for Aaron Heilman, Lastings Milledge and a minor league pitcher."
Gotham’s source goes on to say that the A’s would prefer to put Joe Blanton in that deal instead but the Mets are holding out for Haren. Can Omar Minaya and Billy Beane find common ground here?
Schoeneweis Signs With Mets
UPDATE: $10.8MM over three years, or $3.6MM annually. Score another one for Boras. Jamie Walker should’ve held out for more.
ESPN reports that the Mets are close to a three-year deal with 33 year-old southpaw Scott Schoeneweis. That’s a lot of years for a lefty specialist with a 1.47 K/BB over the past couple of seasons. His main skill is keeping the ball on the ground; he’s not going to impress in strikeouts, walks, or hits allowed.
The Blue Jays essentially gave Schoeneweis to the Reds in August, but I guess 14 dynamite innings for Cincinnati has the Mets convinced.
Thomson Had Some Words
John Thomson had some interesting things to say in his press conference today.
On Paul Lo Duca:
"As far as just looking at Paul Lo Duca across the field, I’m not really into how he acts behind the plate."
Unfortunately, the Mets and Blue Jays won’t meet in interleague this year to create a showdown.
On the Mets’ and Jays’ outfields:
"And then with Vernon Wells in center field, I’m not really concerned about the outfield with him out there. … Just watching the Mets’ outfield, if Cliff Floyd is still there it’s not a real good fit for him out there. He can hit the ball, but as far as defense, he’s a little shaky."
The thing is, the Mets have a guy in center field, goes by the name of Beltran…he’s not too shabby with the glove. Other thing is, Floyd is a free agent and won’t be back with the Mets. Still, in general, the Jays do have a better defensive outfield than the Mets. Mostly because of Shawn Green.
Thomson says his shoulder is OK now, and can earn $4MM with incentives.
Mets Consider Remaining Free Agent Starters
According to the New York Times, the Mets are interested in Tomo Ohka or Tony Armas Jr. to fill in the middle of their rotation. Both pitchers played under Minaya when he was GM of the Expos. Ohka would likely require a two-year deal, while Armas might be had for one year and $5MM or so.
Meanwhile, the New York Post adds that the Mets could give Jeff Weaver a second chance in New York. They’d be unlikely to exceed a two-year deal, and I have a hunch someone could offer three. Once again, Scott Boras and Weaver are signing a contract late in the free agent season.
Mets Could Add Tomo Ohka
According to Ken Davidoff of Newsday, the Mets are likely negotiating with free agent righty Tomo Ohka. Omar Minaya is familiar with Ohka from his time in Montreal.
Three teams have looked at Ohka’s medical records, and one NL East team besides the Mets is in the mix. The Marlins and Phillies don’t make sense, leaving the Braves or Nats as possibilities. Washington made Ohka an offer a month ago but it wasn’t enough.
UPDATE: The Washington Post confirms that the Nationals are still in the mix.
Click here to view my full profile on Ohka.