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Mets Prioritize Pitching

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9:15pm: Michael Schmidt has a look at the amusing binder the Boras Corporation compiled to sell Oliver Perez.

6:31pm: Mets GM Omar Minaya commented on Manny Ramirez, indicating that he plans to invest in pitching instead.

2:34pm: The Mets expressed preliminary interest in Jon Garland and Ryan Dempster, according to Ken Davidoff.  Dempster’s agent made it clear that he won’t be re-signing with the Cubs soon.

1:23pm: ESPN’s Buster Olney wrote in his blog this morning that the Mets are probably not willing to go past three years for Francisco Rodriguez or any reliever.

10:03am: More Mets chatter from Joel Sherman of the New York Post. He says the Mets and Rays have had preliminary discussions about Edwin Jackson and Andy Sonnanstine.  The Rays have some interest in Aaron Heilman, though the Mets would need to give more.

Sherman believes the Mets’ interest in Ibanez is minor, and Carlos Delgado or Ryan Church would have to be dealt first.

9:45am: The Mets are prioritizing pitching this winter, based on articles by Mike Puma of the New York Post, Adam Rubin of the New York Daily News, and Ken Davidoff of Newsday.  Let’s dig in!

  • Puma says the Mets have Scott Boras clients Oliver Perez and Derek Lowe on the radar.  Perez offers the benefit of familiarity, though he’s not likely to sign quickly.  Ken Rosenthal says the Mets would probably do $12MM a year for Perez, but Boras will want more.  Rubin notes that Lowe is doubly attractive to the Mets for his closing experience.
  • Rubin lists the Rockies, Cardinals, Cubs, and D’Backs as potential trade destinations for Aaron Heilman.  The Rays have also been connected to Heilman.
  • Davidoff mentions Omar Minaya’s Javier Vazquez connection.  ESPN’s Keith Law says the Vazquez to the Mets rumor "appears to have originated in the Chicago camp, and the White Sox are keen to move him." 
  • ESPN’s Buster Olney says the Mets inquired on Rays pitcher Edwin Jackson.
  • Davidoff also points out the Mets’ interest in Raul Ibanez despite their emphasis on pitching.  The Royals and Cubs are also in on Ibanez so far.

Davidoff’s Latest: Sabathia, El Duque, Heilman

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A few notes from Newsday’s Ken Davidoff, who has blog posts here and here.

  • C.C. Sabathia’s agents met with the Yankees yesterday, among other teams.  As you know, teams can only talk contract with their own free agents currently.  Sabathia is certainly open to playing for the Yankees.
  • Orlando Hernandez not only wants to pitch in 2009; he wants to close.  He’s thinking big after missing all of 2008.
  • Davidoff gives a 10% chance of the Yankees re-signing Jason Giambi, and a 1% chance of re-signing Carl Pavano.
  • The Rays like Aaron Heilman, though not as much as they once did.

Mets Rumors: Wolf, Fuentes, K-Rod, Street, Pedro

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11:37am: SI.com’s Jon Heyman says the Mets are eyeing Randy Wolf, in addition to Derek Lowe and Oliver Perez.

Heyman adds that some Mets people are concerned about their catching, but others aren’t thrilled with the free agent options.

9:20am: All kinds of Mets rumors this morning.

  • Let’s begin with the closer situation.  The Mets are interested in Brian Fuentes, but Omar Minaya will not rule out Francisco Rodriguez. He makes a great point: contract numbers are tossed around early, but the player often fails to reach that amount. 
  • Joel Sherman says the Mets also want to speak to the A’s about Huston Street.  However, his sources say the A’s feel they match up better with the Indians, Rockies, and Brewers (all interested parties).  Rosenthal has Kerry Wood and Joe Beimel in the Mets’ sights as well.  Matthew Cerrone of MetsBlog believes J.J. Putz could be a trade target, with interest on the Mariners’ side. 
  • Ken Davidoff explains how the Mets could end up signing K-Rod – the Fuentes market blows up, while Rodriguez settles for less.  I’m on board with that.
  • The Javier Vazquez rumors were addressed in this post.  Elsewhere on the starting pitching front – Minaya will talk to Pedro Martinez’s agent, but he’s unlikely to return.  Aaron Heilman won’t be moving to the rotation.
  • We’ve heard about the Mets’ interest in Raul Ibanez, but Minaya does not seem to consider the offense a problem.  He even spoke optimistically about a Luis Castillo rebound (though he did not give Castillo a ringing endorsement).

How To Fix The Mets

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I will offer my own opinions on how to improve the Mets in the Offseason Outlook, due within a few weeks.  Many journalists have already weighed in – let’s take a look.

  • Newly added bullet: John Harper of the New York Daily News.  He advises the Mets to decline Delgado’s option while signing Orlando Hudson, Raul Ibanez, and Derek Lowe and trading for J.J. Putz.  Say goodbye to Castillo, Perez, and Martinez in this plan.
  • Ken Davidoff of Newsday: Sign free agents Francisco Rodriguez, Darren Oliver, Juan Rivera, Fernando Tatis, and Wes Helms.  Also sign one of Jon Garland, Derek Lowe, or Oliver Perez.  Exercise Carlos Delgado’s $12MM option.  Trade/release Aaron Heilman, Duaner Sanchez, Scott Schoeneweis, and Luis Castillo.
  • Joel Sherman of the New York Post: Sign C.C. Sabathia, even if it takes $150MM over six years.  Sherman notes this would lessen the load on the bullpen (Sabathia averaged 7.23 innings per start in ’08).  I prefer this plan to spending $100MM on K-Rod and a mid-tier starter.
  • Matthew Cerrone of MetsBlog: Buy Delgado out for $4MM rather than exercise his $12MM option.  Interesting, unconventional thought by Cerrone.  Cerrone, like Davidoff, finds the idea of trading David Wright or Jose Reyes to be misguided.

Mets Rumors: K-Rod, Castillo, Pedro

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Let’s collect some a few postmortem Mets articles floating around this morning. 

  • Ken Davidoff suggests the Mets patch up their bullpen with Francisco Rodriguez.  It’d be an obvious overreaction, and would ignore past history of big money tossed at relievers.  The Mets had a firsthand look with their own Billy Wagner signing.  $43MM for 193.3 innings – was it worth it?
  • David Lennon believes Luis Castillo is as good as gone, though I’d be surprised if eating half of his contract is enough.  Would Castillo get a three-year, $9MM deal on the open market right now given numerous palatable one-year options?  Adam Rubin sees the Mets trading Castillo, Aaron Heilman, and Scott Schoeneweis (he suggests eating 90% of Castillo’s contract).
  • As for the rotation, Lennon doesn’t see the Mets involved on C.C. Sabathia, Ben Sheets, A.J. Burnett, Oliver Perez, or Pedro Martinez.  I imagine the Mets will add one starter to follow Johan Santana, Mike Pelfrey, and John Maine though.  Freddy Garcia could make sense.  Rubin says Derek Lowe and Brian Moehler are rumored possibilities, though Moehler already re-signed with Houston for ’09.
  • Bob Klapisch wonders if the Mets should consider trading Jose Reyes, David Wright, or Carlos Beltran to shake up the team.

Rockies Need Pitching

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A common theme: The Rockies need pitching.  Troy E. Renck discusses the offseason focus of the team as they look ahead to a rotation anchored by Jeff Francis, Aaron Cook, and Ubaldo Jimenez, and the loss of Brian Fuentes in the bullpen.

"Ownership needs to go beyond anticipating injuries. It needs to expect slumps from at least one key starter and critical reliever, and give general manager Dan O’Dowd money to address those areas. It makes a trade for a frontline starter imperative…"

Renck suggests a trade for Aaron Heilman and being ready to pounce on Chad Cordero if reports suggest he’s healthy. Both could be safety nets for Manny Corpas who will probably have first crack at closing provided he has a strong winter. Heilman, who made $1.2MM avoiding arbitration this year and might benefit from a change of scenery, could also start.

Heyman’s Latest: Sabathia, Steinbrenner, Heilman

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Let’s take a look at Jon Heyman’s latest column at SI.com.

  • Heyman talked to "several baseball people" who believe the Angels will be a player for C.C. Sabathia this winter.  Possibly, but I think re-signing Mark Teixeira will be their top priority.  Heyman spoke to a competing owner who can’t see the Angels doing two $100MM+ deals.
  • Heyman considers Hank Steinbrenner’s recent comments a slap at GM Brian Cashman, but notes that Hal is running the team.
  • The Rockies and D’Backs have inquired about Aaron Heilman in the past; they may view him as a starting candidate.

Odds and Ends: Delgado, Heilman, Teixeira, Alvarez

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Time for today’s linkage.

  • Geoff Baker tries to determine who "won" the Jose Vidro trade.
  • Ken Davidoff doesn’t expect anyone of value to clear waivers.  We didn’t have much August trade action last year either.  Some decent names were dealt in August of ’06 though – David Wells, Shawn Green, Jamie Moyer, Livan Hernandez, Ryan Franklin, Eric Hinske, and Scott Schoeweneis.
  • The Mets can retain Carlos Delgado for ’09 at essentially $8MM, since there’s a hefty $4MM buyout on his $12MM option.  Back in May Delgado’s agent said it was a $16MM option.  However, MetsBlog’s Matthew Cerrone told me that is only the case with a top five MVP finish.
  • Joel Sherman wonders whether Aaron Heilman will be a non-tender candidate this winter.  Seems unlikely; he won’t be that expensive.
  • Mark Teixeira’s three favorite places to play are New York, Seattle, and Anaheim, for what it’s worth.
  • Yahoo’s Kevin Kaduk considers "Dr. James Andrews" the worst three words in baseball.  He also lists some other three-word contenders.
  • The Pirates will not "grossly exceed" the market to sign Pedro Alvarez.  They seem to be hoping Scott Boras will come down to the $4-6MM net present value range on August 15th.
  • The Nationals are thinking around $2.15MM for Aaron Crow.
  • RotoAuthority discusses trading injured players in fantasy leagues.

Mets Rumors: Manny, Ibanez, Bullpen

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12:06pm: ESPN’s Buster Olney ranks the Mets’ priorities as reliever, corner outfielder, and starter, in that order.  They’re currently discussing Ibanez with the Mariners, but not much has come of it yet.

10:17am: Dan Graziano of the Newark Star-Ledger doesn’t buy the denials – he says Mets GM Omar Minaya remains interested in Manny Ramirez.  The Mets rank Ramirez above alternatives like Raul Ibanez, Adam Dunn, and Randy Winn, and might make certain prospects available just for Manny.  Is Jon Niese among them?  Niese is thought to be untouchable, and was promoted to Triple A today.

Meanwhile Mets manager Jerry Manuel endorsed Fernando Tatis at the everyday left fielder.  David Lennon doesn’t expect a trade unless the price comes down on Ibanez.  Can Tatis continue to channel his glory days, when he posted a .957 OPS with 34 home runs for the ’99 Cardinals?

Graziano also talked to an NL official familiar with the Mets’ plans.  That person said the Mets are considering a bullpen overhaul where they would ship out Aaron Heilman and Scott Schoeneweis and bring in different relievers.

More From Stark: Mets, Dodgers, Indians

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Jayson Stark brings us a few more tidbits from the Hot Stove…

  • The price for Raul Ibanez may be too high for the Mets as Stark reiterates what we heard previously, that Fernando Martinez and Jon Niese are not available…Ken Rosenthal added Robert Parnell to that list of untouchables.
  • The Mets may no longer be in the running for Brian Fuentes as they are not willing to part with Aaron Heilman.
  • Stark says other relief pitchers the Mets have shown some interest in include Cla Meredith, Chad Bradford and Jeremy Affeldt.
  • The Dodgers are said to be interested in several relief pitchers, including Fuentes, George Sherrill, David Weathers and Alan Embree, but they are not interested in Huston Street. The other possibility is Greg Maddux, who would allow the Dodgers to move another starter to the bullpen.
  • The Indians’ primary goal now is to deal Paul Byrd.

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

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