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Jason Marquis

Olney On Halladay, Mets, White Sox

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As ESPN.com's Buster Olney notes, the Yankees and Red Sox are hesitant to give top prospects up for Roy Halladay, since they'd have to pay him like a free agent to keep him around long-term. But some scouts aren't sure Joba Chamberlain will be able to improve his control, so Olney wonders if the Yankees might consider including him in a potential Halladay trade. Here are the rest of Olney's rumors:

  • The Mets appear poised to sign two or three veterans for $5-7MM per season. We know they're interested in Bengie Molina and they're looking for pitchers, but they have other needs, too.
  • Olney expects the Mets to land a starter like Randy Wolf, Jason Marquis or Joel Pineiro.
  • The Mets have discussed Mike Cameron, who would consider playing left or right, and Xavier Nady.
  • Olney hears that the White Sox don't have much payroll flexibility this offseason.

Rockies Offer Arb To Betancourt, Marquis, Not Torrealba, Beimel

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The Rockies offered arbitration to reliever Rafael Betancourt (Type A) and starter Jason Marquis (Type B), according to Tracy Ringolsby of Inside The Rockies.  They did not offer to Yorvit Torrealba (B) or Joe Beimel (B).

The Marquis decision comes as a mild surprise.  Ringolsby says there are indications he will reject the offer in search of a multiyear deal, which would net the Rockies a supplemental pick. 

Betancourt rejected the Rockies' two-year, $7MM offer earlier in the offseason, so this arbitration offer gives them a chance to either keep him on a one-year deal or receive two draft picks for their loss.  The Rox already rejected Betancourt's $5.4MM club option, so they might be thinking he'd get less than that in arbitration.  From Betancourt's point of view, he'll be a lot less attractive to other teams if he turns down the Rockies' offer.

Mets Looking At Starters Besides Lackey

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The Mets are busy crafting a Plan B in the event that they do not win the John Lackey sweepstakes, according to Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports.  They would love to sign the market's top starter, but if they don't, they want to add from a group that includes Joel Pineiro, Randy Wolf, Ben Sheets, and Jason Marquis.  According to a source, that group does not include Rich Harden.

Rosenthal and Morosi were told that the Metropolitans believe that Sheets has more upside than other hurlers coming back from injury, such as Kelvim Escobar, Erik Bedard, Mark Mulder, and Brett Myers.

Like many other clubs, the Mets are still unsure who the best consolation prize would be.  Who in your estimation would be the next best thing for the Amazins?

Discussion: Is Marquis Perfect Fit On Mets?

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Jason Marquis, native of Staten Island, has made no secret of his desire to pitch for the Mets, describing himself as a "perfect fit" to Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post.

But is this the case? 

The Mets themselves aren't sure, ranking Marquis below both John Lackey and Joel Pineiro on their pitching wish list, according to Hubbuch.

Marquis' strengths are durability and his hitting. Both, particularly the former, would be something the Mets could use.

However, Marquis will likely command a sizable contract, particularly after making the 2009 All Star team. Is a big investment worth it for a pitcher whose strikeout rate over the past three years is just 4.9?

More to the point, if the Mets don't improve their defense, would Marquis or any pitcher that pitches to contact (such as Pineiro) be a good choice for New York?

Mets Notes: Adrian Gonzalez, Marquis, DeRosa

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The incomparable Marty Noble answers many of the fan inquiries with his usual mixture of information and wit. Among other ideas, he considers:

  • Just what would it take, hypothetically, to bring Adrian Gonzalez to Queens? Noble believes a package of John Maine, Fernando Martinez and Ike Davis "and perhaps more would be one to consider seriously."
  • Noble likes Joel Pineiro more than Jason Marquis, adding that "I know the Mets are interested in [Bengie] Molina."
  • He says that while Mark DeRosa wouldn't be a top priority, "If they can't bring back Alex Cora, DeRosa would an even better fit."
  • He counters a fan's proposal to trade "Jose Reyes, Luis Castillo, Oliver Perez and Omir Santos to the Angels for Erick Aybar, Gary Matthews Jr., Ervin Santana and Jeff Mathis" with one of his own: "How about Perez for the rights to Albie Pearson?" Pearson was the 1958 AL Rookie of the Year, of course.

As usual, Noble is must-reading.

D’Backs Search For Pitching

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Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic brings home a bunch of Diamondbacks hot stove buzz from the GM Meetings…

  • The Diamondbacks would have to give up their second-round pick if they sign a Type A free agent who turned down arbitration.  GM Josh Byrnes told Piecoro he'd consider it if the player came at a discount.  You can check our free agent list to see all the types.
  • Piecoro wouldn't be surprised to see Livan Hernandez return as the D'Backs' fifth starter.  He wouldn't be the main rotation pickup; the bigger targets are probably Randy Wolf, Jason Marquis, and Brad Penny.
  • Piecoro can't find a team that would be able to send the D'Backs a pitcher for catcher Chris Snyder.  The Royals, Mets, Reds, Brewers, and Astros don't fit, in Piecoro's opinion, while the Blue Jays already nixed a deal.  The Rays, Nationals, Mariners, and Giants may also be looking for a catcher, but they might not match up either.
  • The D'Backs would like to bring back arbitration-eligible infielder Augie Ojeda.

Diamondbacks Will Consider Multi-Year Pitching Options

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The Arizona Diamondbacks will consider making multi-year offers when they look at this year's pitching free agent class, according to Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic.

Although Piecoro notes that GM Josh Byrnes has previously been reluctant to pursue free agent pitching, he writes that Byrnes could go that route this year. The free agent market looks particularly appealing given the Diamondbacks' relative lack of trade chips. Chris Snyder, who they've already discussed in at least one potential trade, has health questions and an unfavorable contract.

As for who the Diamondbacks might pursue, John Lackey is likely out of the question. Piecoro, however, suggests that a pitcher like Randy Wolf, Joel Pineiro, Jason Marquis, or perhaps a strong bullpen arm could be a possibility.

"Just looking at our payroll, we do have some flexibility going into 2011 and 2012," says Byrnes. "I don't think we'd do it just to do it, but if we felt like it was the right guy, we'd do a multiyear."

Mets Meet With Boras

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Mets GM Omar Minaya met with agent Scott Boras last night at the GM Meetings for 45 minutes, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post.  Sherman says Matt Holliday, Alex Cora, Jarrod Washburn, and Rick Ankiel were discussed.

Of course, the Mets' plans extend beyond Boras clients, and Sherman says Bengie Molina sits atop their list of catching targets.  The Mets made a play for Molina four years ago.  Another target might be Chone Figgins, as suggested by SI's Jon Heyman.

Sherman sums up the Mets' offseason situation:

The Mets' priority list in order is a slugging left fielder, a high-end starting pitcher and a regular catcher. But a Mets executive said that if the club cannot land a significant left fielder they could spend more on a starter such as free agent John Lackey. For now, the Mets more are contemplating a mid-rotation type starter such as Randy Wolf, Joel Pineiro, Jason Marquis and Washburn.

In our recent Top 50 Free Agents list, we predicted the Mets will sign Holliday, Wolf, and Brad Penny.  All speculation at the time, and there hasn't been any actual connection to Penny so far.

Odds & Ends: Chapman, Felix, Jays, Valentine

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Some links for Tuesday morning…

Rockies Notes: Marquis, Betancourt, Giambi

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Tracy Ringolsby of Inside The Rockies examines Colorado's commitments for 2010, and the decisions they'll face regarding potential free agents and arbitration cases. Here are a few of his thoughts:

  • Jason Marquis has said he wants to sign with the Mets and likely won't be back in Colorado.
  • There's a good chance that lefty Alan Embree will retire.
  • Jose Contreras is interested in returning in a middle relief capacity, but Matt Belisle is a younger option for the team in that role.
  • The club would like to retain Rafael Betancourt, but his contract would have to be reworked. Betancourt has a $5.4MM club option for 2010.
  • Behind the plate, Chris Iannetta will be back as the starter. Yorvit Torrealba could return as Ianetta's backup, but probably not for more than $1MM.
  • The team may not have room for Jason Giambi, instead opting to use his roster spot on a right-handed hitter who can play both infield corners.
  • Righty relievers Juan Rincon and Matt Herges could receive minor-league invites.
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