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Luis Castillo

Mets Agree To Terms With Alex Cora

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According to Ben Shpigel of the New York Times, the Mets have agreed to terms on a one-year, $2MM deal with veteran infielder Alex Cora.

Cora, 33, hit .270/.371/.349 in 152 at-bats for the Red Sox last season.  He’ll provide some insurance at second base in case Luis Castillo continues to struggle.  Cora has also played shortstop and third base in the past.

Rosenthal On Dunn, Angels, Garland, Roberts

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Let’s take a look at the latest from Ken Rosenthal.

  • The Dodgers won’t go after Adam Dunn until they exhaust their options with Manny Ramirez.  Rosenthal likes the Dunn-L.A. match.  Should Dunn opt for a one-year deal so he can try his hand at a weaker free agent market?
  • Rosenthal wonders if Tony La Russa and/or Albert Pujols will depart if the Cardinals do not contend in coming seasons.
  • The Angels are not in on any hitter currently, but could engage in trade talks this summer if necessary.
  • Rosenthal drives home just how difficult it would be for the Mets to move Luis Castillo.  He says the team wants to bring in a capable backup infielder such as Alex Cora, David Eckstein, or Craig Counsell.
  • The D’Backs made offers for Jon Garland and Brad Penny, but Penny signed with Boston and they’re out on Garland.  Rosenthal says the D’Backs still aren’t necessarily in the market for a starter.
  • A Brian Roberts trade is said to be a "growing possibility."

No Andruw Jones Trade In The Works

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TUESDAY, 9:02am: ESPN’s Buster Olney says the Dodgers and Mets "have kept the porch light on" in case some version of a Jones-Castillo swap can be made.  He talked to a source who believes the Mets’ chances of trading Castillo before the season are 50-50.

MONDAY, 8:12pm: MLB.com’s Marty Noble heard from a person familiar with the discussions between the Mets and Dodgers that "nothing is ongoing and nothing is going to happen." The clubs had preliminary discussions about trading Jones for Castillo during the Winter Meetings, but nothing is in the works now.

3:50pm: According to ESPN’s Buster Olney, the Dodgers and Mets have discussed an Andruw Jones trade.  Jones is still owed $22.1MM, and the Dodgers are "highly motivated" to move him.  Olney says it’s unlikely the Dodgers would have interest in Luis Castillo, however.  If the Mets wouldn’t be sending a bad contract back, I’d imagine they’d want the Dodgers to pay approximately $20MM.  Olney says the Mets would use Jones in right field – Ryan Church’s position this year.

Olney’s Latest: Lowe, Castillo, Hudson

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Buster Olney focuses his new column on reluctant-to-spend teams and how they’ve changed the market. He turns up some interesting rumors…

  • The Rays and A’s are in a "bidding war" of sorts over the likes of Jason Giambi, Pat Burrell, Garret Anderson and Bobby Abreu. Both teams are willing to spend, but neither wants to go first since prices are higher now with both teams interested than they will be once the first team signs a player.
  • The Mets are in a great position since the Cards and Brewers aren’t likely to compete for Oliver Perez, Derek Lowe and Randy Wolf. This means they can wait, knowing that bargains will likely surface.
  • The Mets have "quietly continued to gauge" the Luis Castillo market and are interested in moving him and some of his salary.
  • If they find a taker, they could pursue Orlando Hudson.
  • As Joel Sherman predicted, the Nationals are now courting O-Dog.
  • Olney asks whether aging stars like Ken Griffey Jr. and Pedro Martinez will choose to play for the offers they’re likely to get.
  • Brad Penny may soon decide where he wants to pitch next year. He’s weighing "an overture from the Cardinals" against other options.

Olney’s Latest: Lyon, Cabrera, Castillo

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The latest from ESPN’s Buster Olney.

  • Olney says the Brewers "might take a look at" free agent reliever Brandon Lyon, who’s been linked in other reports to the Twins and Red Sox.  It’s been reported that Lyon seeks a multiyear deal and may wait until Brian Fuentes signs.  Nick Piecoro suggested that one unknown Lyon suitor views him as a starter.
  • Olney says the Brewers will probably reach out to Trevor Hoffman, and the Dodgers will also take a look.  He adds that the Dodgers will not attempt to re-sign Derek Lowe despite his sinking price tag.
  • The Dodgers turned back to Rafael Furcal after realizing Orlando Cabrera had an asking price close to the amount Furcal signed for.  The market for Cabrera seems weak, perhaps since he will cost a draft pick.  Cabrera signing with the Dodgers would’ve been ideal for the White Sox, who would’ve swiped L.A.’s #17 draft pick in June.
  • Olney says the Mets continue to attempt to unload Luis Castillo, who has $18MM left on his deal.
  • Interesting note: "For the first time in recent memory, the Yankees’ offices will be closed in the week between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day — one of the signs of the more measured leadership of Hal Steinbrenner."

Four Teams Inquire On Michael Young

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12:51pm: Joel Sherman agrees that the Mets inquired on Young.  He says the Rangers are under no pressure to move big contracts though.

12:38pm: Young is not as pricey as we thought – Ken Rosenthal says he’s already been paid $20MM in bonus money from his new deal, leaving $60MM or so over five years (Heyman said something similar).  But, Rosenthal says the Rangers are unlikely to seriously consider trading him.

11:16am: SI.com’s Jon Heyman says the Mets, Angels, Dodgers, and Royals inquired on Young.  He says the Rangers are not shopping Young but will listen.  The Mets might have to move Luis Castillo before they could slot Young in at second base.

12:00am: Yahoo’s Tim Brown talked to an AL exec whose team is in the market for a shortstop, and learned that the Rangers are quietly shopping Michael Young.  Young’s five-year, $80MM extension will begin next year.  He’s got no-trade protection to deal with.  The Rangers would want young pitching back for Young.  It will be hard to find a team willing to take on that contract.

Rosenthal’s Latest: Teixeira, Closers, Castillo, Cantu

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Ken Rosenthal has a new column up, let’s take a look at the highlights:

  • Rosenthal doesn’t see Mark Teixeira signing with the Nationals, even for the rumored ten-year, $200MM contract. He’s got better options in the Angels, Red Sox, and Yankees. Scott Boras managed to get Alex Rodriguez a ten-year deal with a losing team in 2000 when he signed with the Rangers, but Rosenthal doesn’t forsee a repeat.
  • The Indians are waiting on the Mets’ closer decision to make a decision of their own. Once New York signs or trades for a closer, the market will likely collapse. The Mets are preparing simultaneous offers to Francisco Rodriguez, Brian Fuentes, and Kerry Wood.
  • The Brewers could spend big money on a closer once they hear from Ben Sheets and C.C. Sabathia. If the Brewers can somehow retain both, they won’t have money to spend on a closer and would likely have to trade Prince Fielder.
  • The Mets are desperately trying to unload Luis Castillo so they can make a run at Orlando Hudson. They’re having no luck though, even in trying to swap him for another bad contract. The Rangers rejected a swap of Castillo for Vicente Padilla.
  • Nationals GM Jim Bowden is interested in Willy Taveras. Doesn’t make any sense to me. The Nats already have Lastings Milledge, Josh Willingham, Elijah Dukes, and Austin Kearns.
  • The Rockies prefer to keep Garrett Atkins, but the Twins, Dodgers, Giants, and Phillies are all interested. Chase Utley has been a long-time supporter of bringing his former UCLA teammate to the Phils for a reunion.
  • The Marlins are getting several inquiries on Jorge Cantu and Dan Uggla. They don’t plan to trade either, though if the Giants were to offer Jonathan Sanchez for Cantu, the Marlins would jump at the chance.
  • Jermaine Dye, Mike Cameron, Marcus Thames, and Marlon Byrd are all available via the trade market, for teams needing a right-handed hitting outfielder. Rosenthal still feels Cameron could still end up in pinstripes.

Mets Rumors: Castillo, K-Rod, Abreu

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A few Mets rumors have surfaced today…

Mets Rumors: Castillo, Heilman, Putz

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The latest on the Mets…

  • Joel Sherman of the New York Post says Luis Castillo met with the Mets and implored them to keep him.  Castillo said he’ll get into shape this winter.  The Mets will still consider trade possibilities, but a deal doesn’t seem likely.
  • David Lennon of Newsday reports that Aaron Heilman called Omar Minaya yesterday to request a move to the rotation.  The Mets are still opposed to it.  Lennon adds that the Mets have received Francisco Rodriguez’s medical records.  Sherman says the Mets don’t even want to do four years for K-Rod though.
  • Tracy Ringolsby says the Mets have targeted J.J. Putz as their priority.  ESPN’s Jayson Stark said the same yesterday.  With Putz set to earn just $5MM next year, the move would give the Mets the flexibility to fill other needs or add a free agent closer anyway.  Similarly, Shermans says the Mets "remain very interested in Huston Street."

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).
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