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Mets Notes: Wright, Reyes, Finances

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Tonight, the Marlins reached agreement with Jose Reyes on a six-year, $106MM deal.  Shortly before that news broke, Mets GM Sandy Alderson spoke to the press and confirmed what was widely assumed: the Mets would not be able to compete with such a deal. Here's more on the Mets..

  • The Mets didn't get a final courtesy call before Reyes agreed to the deal with Miami, tweets Joel Sherman of the New York Post.
  • Alderson said that the Mets will not trade David Wright, tweets Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com.  Roughly three weeks ago, Alderson said that he would have to be blown away by an offer in order to move the third baseman.
  • Alderson remarked that the team lost $70MM, not counting any money they may have lost in the Bernie Madoff ponzi scheme, Rubin writes.  The GM declined to say if that figure was just for the 2011 season or for a longer period of time.
  • Alderson also stressed that he doesn't have a hard-and-fast rule for deals that are for five years or more. 

Mets Will Tender Contracts To Pagan, Pelfrey

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Their names showed up on our list of non-tender candidates yesterday, but Angel Pagan and Mike Pelfrey will be tendered contracts by the Mets, reports Jon Heyman of SI.com (via Twitter). The pair of Mets could earn more than $10MM between them in 2012, according to our projected arbitration salaries. Here are some other notes from the NL East:

  • The Phillies are indicating Cole Hamels would cost "three small countries and two oceans" in a trade, according to ESPN.com's Buster Olney (Twitter link). Considering what sort of package it would take to land Hamels, the southpaw likely isn't going anywhere.
  • The Mets have a similarly high asking price for David Wright. GM Sandy Alderson says he'll only considering moving Wright "if someone blows us away," tweets Heyman. Joel Sherman of the New York Post wrote earlier today that the Mets would definitely listen on Wright, but probably won't get an offer they like.
  • Mark Buehrle's representatives and the Marlins are meeting today at the GM meetings in Milwaukee, tweets Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com.
  • Yoenis Cespedes isn't the only Cuban outfielder to grab the Nationals' attention – Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post writes of the club's interest in 19-year-old Jorge Soler.
  • Speaking of Cespedes, the Phillies worked out the 26-year-old in the Dominican Republic, with Pat Gillick in attendance, tweets Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com.
  • Mark Zuckerman of CSNWashington.com takes a look at which players the Nationals may protect in this year's Rule 5 draft.

Mets Notes: Reyes, Wright, Payroll, Backman

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There's lots of chatter around the Mets regarding free agent Jose Reyes and the possibility of trading third baseman David Wright.  Here's more on that and other items concerning the Metropolitans..

  • ESPN.com's Buster Olney (via Twitter) doesn''t know where Reyes will land, but thinks that the Brewers would be an excellent fit for the shortstop.  The Brewers should have the money to spend on a big-ticket free agent such as Reyes this summer.  MLBTR's Tim Dierkes ranked Reyes third on his top 50 free agents list, predicting Milwaukee as his destination.  Make your picks for Reyes the other 49 top free agents in MLBTR's contest — less than three hours remain to enter!
  • Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com (via Twitter) makes an educated guess and sees the Mets with a $95MM payroll on Opening Day.  During the season, GM Sandy Alderson said that the payroll could grow into the $100-$110MM range, but that figure includes amateur signing bonuses.  Rubin (via Twitter) figures the Mets have about $18MM to spend this winter on a closer, set-up man, center fielder, a starting pitcher, and more bullpen arms.
  • Wright could be moved next summer under the right circumstances, but it's highly unlikely that he'll be traded this winter, Andy Martino of the New York Daily News (via Twitter) has been told.
  • Wally Backman will accept the Mets’ offer to manage their Triple-A affiliate in Buffalo, with the hope that he’s next in line after Terry Collins, writes Bob Klapisch of The Bergen Record.  Meanwhile, friends of Alderson say that he has no intention of a long-run as GM and eventually, Paul DePodesta will run the day-to-day operations of the franchise.  One NL talent evaluator told Klapisch that it would take four-to-five years to develop the talent to become competitive again in the division if the Mets do not retain Reyes.

Olney On Reyes, Wright, Cuddyer, Prado

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In his Sunday column, ESPN.com's Buster Olney weighs-in on David Wright and other stories from around baseball.  Here are some highlights..

  • This morning we learned that the Mets will listen on offers for David Wright.  With a $15MM salary next year and a $16MM option (which Wright can void if dealt) for 2013, Olney writes that the club's best chance to get value in return for him is to deal him now.  Wright will turn 30 next year and while he has been a good solider, he could eventually ask to be sent to a contending team.  Instead, the Mets can deal him now and get players to help them win in 2014 or 2015. 
  • There is sentiment within the Mets' organization that the timing isn't right to build around Jose Reyes, tweets Buster Olney of ESPN.com.  There are concerns that he's not a fit between his leg injuries and their own timetable for contending.
  • One official told Olney that the Phillies' interest in Michael Cuddyer is so ardent that if wants to play with the Phillies, the deal is inevitable as the club will make it happen.  The expectation within the industry is that the veteran will get at least a three-year deal.
  • The Braves are open to trading Martin Prado this winter and given the attention currently being lavished on Michael Cuddyer in the free agent market, Prado figures to be quite popular.  An AL official told Olney that Prado is like a younger version of Cuddyer and might be a better hitter.
  • The Diamondbacks continue to negotiate with second baseman Aaron Hill, and there appears to be some momentum toward getting a deal done.
  • Dan Duquette is on the verge of becoming the Orioles' next GM but as recently as five days ago, the club had no plans to interview him.

Sherman On Wright, Reyes

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The latest from Joel Sherman of the New York Post…

  • "We will listen on [David] Wright for sure," a Mets official told Sherman last week.  The official added, "We know we are not going to win it all in 2012. We have to hope the Phillies get old and we are in position to take advantage of that in 2013-14, and we have to figure out ways to speed the process to get there."  Sherman says the Mets crave a "young, defensive-oriented center fielder plus an arm or two" for Wright.  He says they are focusing most on the Angels, and Peter Bourjos is a possibility.
  • Sherman was hearing similar thoughts about Wright from a Mets official back on October 21st.  Around then, an official told him, "We'll explore Wright's market.  I think considering where we are as an organization, it would be foolish not to at least look at it. However, I expect actually pulling the trigger is a long shot."  GM Sandy Alderson said on on October 31st that he thinks Wright will be a Met in 2012.  Andy Martino of the New York Daily News heard a few days later that Alderson will be "strongly disinclined to deal" Wright.  Though some of these reports have different themes, I don't consider them conflicting.  I think the Mets are being careful not to be seen as "shopping" Wright, as that's considered a dirty word in terms of leverage.  Wright seems far from off-limits, but with his value at a low point the Mets might prefer to wait.
  • Sherman questions why the Mets weren't more proactive in trading Jose Reyes in July, a theme of my offseason outlook a few weeks ago.  But I did note, "In Alderson's defense, Reyes spent half of July on the disabled list, perhaps cutting down his trade value to the point that two draft picks wasn't much worse."
  • Sherman spoke to one American League talent evaluator who thinks the Phillies will be in on Reyes.  It's true that they'll have the need and the money if Jimmy Rollins signs elsewhere.  

NL East Links: Wright, Phillies, Braves

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The Nationals are close to bringing back Chien-Ming Wang. Let's now round up some other links from the NL East…

  • “[Mets GM Sandy Alderson] would have to totally be bowled over [to trade David Wright this offseason],” a source told Andy Martino if The New York Daily News. Martino also hears that Wright's representatives have not reached out to the team about a contract extension.
  • ESPN New York's Adam Rubin wonders why the Mets would consider trading Wright this summer rather than wait until 2013 (Twitter links). Wright can opt out of his contract after next season if traded, and keeping him until the following year gives the team another season of their homegrown star while still dealing only a half-season of him.
  • The Phillies believe they need a closer more than they need a shortstop, according to Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com. Philadelphia has interest in re-signing free agents Ryan Madson and Jimmy Rollins.
  • MLB.com's Mark Bowman looks back at the 2008-2009 offseason, when Braves GM Frank Wren added Derek Lowe and Javier Vazquez rather than Jake Peavy and A.J. Burnett.
  • A second lawsuit against Mets owner Fred Wilpon and family related to Bernie Madoff is nearing a settlement, reports Rubin.

Mets Notes: Reyes, Harris, Hairston, Wright

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The Mets announced that they're lowering their outfield fences and moving them in for the 2012 season. The wall will be as much as 12 feet closer to home plate in some places, which should make Citi Field — currently the 28th hardest park to homer in — more hitter-friendly. Here are some more updates on the club…

  • MetsBlog has graphics of the new look for Citi Field.
  • Andy Martino of the New York Daily News reports that the Mets don't expect Jose Reyes to sign in November. The Mets will decide whether to make a competitive offer for Reyes once other teams set the market for him. Martino reports that the Mets won't sign free agents Willie Harris or Scott Hairston until much later in the offseason, if at all.
  • Mets GM Sandy Alderson asked Reyes' representatives how much it would take to lock him up, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (Twitter links). When Reyes didn't respond, the Mets decided to wait and see how the market develops.
  • Alderson told reporters, including Anthony DiComo of MLB.com, that he expects David Wright to return to the Mets in 2012.
  • Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com gets the impression that the Mets' payroll could dip below $100MM on Opening Day (Twitter link). The Mets have had a payroll of at least $100MM every season since 2004.

Mets Notes: Reyes, Wright, Rockies

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The Mets' offseason will revolve, in large part, around their pursuit of Jose Reyes. The latest Mets-related links: 

  • Five Mets executives gave Joel Sherman of the New York Post the impression that Reyes will sign elsewhere and one of them said "I don't think it is happening with the shortstop." Reyes' injuries and the Mets' financial problems may prevent them from winning the bidding on the free agent-to-be. Sherman gets the sense that the Mets don't want to offer more than four years with an option, though they would like Reyes back.
  • The Mets will be open-minded when teams inquire about David Wright.
  • One team official acknowledged that it would be foolish not to explore the market for the third baseman. "However, I expect actually pulling the trigger is a long shot," the person said. If traded, Wright can void a 2013 option for $16MM, so the acquiring team would be getting him for one year.
  • The Rockies, who inquired on Wright this summer, will call if the Mets are willing to listen, according to Troy Renck of the Denver Post (all Twitter links). The Rockies wouldn't move Dexter Fowler or be willing to trade multiple prospects for one year of Wright, so Renck suggests the Rockies will want to extend Wright if they acquire him.

Rockies Rumors: Stewart, Wright, Headley, Alvarez

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The Rockies pick tenth in next year's draft, a pick that will be protected if they sign a Type A free agent who turned down arbitration this offseason.  The latest on the team, from Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post:

  • Kevin Kouzmanoff is unlikely to return to the Rockies next year.  MLBTR reported yesterday that the team is in the process of outrighting the third baseman.  Ian Stewart will get another shot at the third base job if he "makes baseball his first priority from the start of the winter until the end of it," GM Dan O'Dowd told Renck.  The Rockies will need to make a decision on Stewart by the December 12th non-tender deadline though.  Tendering him a contract probably means paying him around $2.2MM again.
  • Opposing executives expect O'Dowd to aggressively pursue Mets third baseman David Wright.  Otherwise Renck expects the Rockies to cast a wide net, including the Padres' Chase Headley and the Pirates' Pedro Alvarez but not free agent Aramis Ramirez.  I have a hard time imagining the Padres sending Headley to their division rival; the two teams haven't matched up for an offseason trade since the Rockies' inaugural season.
  • The Rockies are looking to trade Ty Wigginton even it means eating some of the $4.5MM owed to him.
  • Renck reiterates that the Rockies seek an innings eater this offseason.

Rockies Rumors: Street, Ellis, Wright, Cuddyer

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The Rockies conclude their season this afternoon in San Francisco, with Drew Pomeranz opposing Eric Surkamp.  The latest on the team from Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post:

  • Rafael Betancourt would be fine with closing next year for the Rockies, and the team likes what he's done recently in the role.  Renck reiterates that opposing executives expect the Rockies to shop Huston Street this winter.  Street has $8MM left on his contract for next year, assuming his club declines a 2013 option.  The free agent market offers closers such as Heath Bell, Jonathan Papelbon, and Ryan Madson, but those three will require multiyear deals.
  • The Rockies would like to retain second baseman Mark Ellis on a one-year deal in the $3MM range, writes Renck.  However, Omar Infante's new two-year, $8MM contract could decrease Colorado's chances of pulling off such a deal.
  • David Wright will be a Rockies target this winter if the Mets show an inclination to move him.  Wright is owed $15MM in 2012, and can void a '13 club option if dealt.  Wright, 28, has a .253/.344/.426 line heading into today's action.  He missed two months this year due to a back injury.
  • Michael Cuddyer is a potential outfield target for Colorado, writes Renck, and signing him might mean trading Seth Smith.
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