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Mets Hunting For Reliever, Second Baseman

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Pretty much the same old story with the Mets, though Joel Sherman and Mark Hale of the New York Post do have some new tidbits.

  • The authors name Chad Cordero, Jon Rauch, Octavio Dotel, and Eric Gagne as relievers on the radar.  However it seems the asking price is too high for Gagne and the Indians have become the frontrunner for Dotel (they may have passed the Dodgers).  Shawn Chacon doesn’t catch the Mets’ eye, and they don’t want Chad Bradford’s three-year commitment.  They had that option with Bradford this winter.  I think that logic is silly – Bradford’s pitched well this year, and acquiring him now would be akin to a two-year contract.  Sometimes it seems GMs pass over certain players because they simply want to add a fresh name.
  • You can add Al Reyes to the mix for the Mets, according to the St. Petersburg Times.
  • The Mets think many of the available starting pitchers could be traded in August – Jose Contreras, Kyle Lohse, and Steve Trachsel for example.  I don’t agree on Lohse – he’ll be traded today or tomorrow.  But Contreras’s contract would probably get through waivers without a claim.
  • The Post reports no substantive talks to the Royals about Mark Grudzielanek.  An inquiry has been made on Mark Loretta. 
  • Meanwhile, Newsday says the Twins are open to trading Luis Castillo but don’t want any of the current Major League Mets.  Dan Graziano of the Newark Star-Ledger seems to disagree, citing a Twins scout at Shea yesterday.  Graziano does not believe Castillo would get through waivers unclaimed.  He believes the Twins want Double A starter Kevin Mulvey and then some (perhaps Ruben Gotay).
  • Graziano says a deal for Castillo could be expanded to include 28 year-old righty reliever Juan Rincon.  Rincon had been consistently solid for three years (perhaps aided by steroids) but has seen his strikeout rate and overall performance plummet in 2007.  Rincon is under control next year and will make at least $2MM again.
  • Graziano notes that the Mets have talked to the A’s about Joe Blanton, but Billy Beane wants Lastings Milledge.  The Mets can’t do that without damaging the current team.  The Mets could actually add an outfielder in Jay Payton; the Cubs’ interest has waned.  The Sammy Sosa rumor also has some legs, as the Mets could bring him in to platoon with Shawn Green if they decide they can tolerate the sideshow.

Rosenthal’s Latest: Dye, Lamb, Jennings

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Ken Rosenthal has a new article up.  Let’s see what’s in there beyond the Teixeira stuff.

  • The Angels have a few alternatives to Mark Teixeira in Jermaine Dye and Mike Piazza.  However, the team isn’t exactly bursting with open outfield/DH spots, especially once Juan Rivera returns.  Troy Glaus still makes a ton of sense, but the Blue Jays would want a lot.  Probably 2/3 of the Teixeira package.
  • Aside from Mark Loretta, the Padres would also like to acquire Mike Lamb from the Astros.  Even tossing aside his awful April, Kevin Kouzmanoff has been about average for his position offensively (.271/.328/.476 since May 1).  If the Padres instead used Lamb against southpaws and Kouzmanoff against lefties, they’d have a nifty platoon.
  • The Mets have inquired on Joe Blanton and Jon Garland but have found the price prohibitive.  It’s easy to lose sight of the fact that both are just innings eaters.  They’re just elevated by a terrible market for starters.
  • The Phillies also asked about Blanton, but are more likely to settle for Kyle Lohse or Jason Jennings.  Phil Garner decided to offer Jennings’ ERA up for sacrifice today, leaving him in to allow 11 earned runs in two-thirds of an inning.  That was a several million-dollar decision, as Jennings is a free agent after the season.
  • The Mets seem to have only mild interest in Luis Castillo and Mark Grudzielanek due to salary and injury concerns.    

Latest Mets Rumors: Luis Castillo, Chad Cordero

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Let’s have a look at the latest rumors swirling around the Mets.

Rosenthal’s Latest: Dunn, Wheeler, Izzy

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Ken Rosenthal posted a new column last night, and has updated it very recently.  I’ve already spoken about the Teixeira stuff, but there’s other good material in there too.

  • Some of the wilder speculation out there has been that the Twins might trade Torii Hunter or Johan Santana if they decide they’re out of it.  Various Baseball Prospectus reports put the Twins’ playoff chances between 5-10%.  Rosenthal debunks the idea that Minnesota would shop Hunter without first making him an offer, and keeping Santana for at least 2008 makes sense.  Plus, Santana has a no-trade clause. 
  • Rosenthal does have some Twins for us who might be traded: Luis Castillo and Carlos Silva.  Castillo has already been connected to the Mets in rumors, though Silva is a new one.  One could definitely envision Silva’s style working in the National League (I know, I say that a lot).  There was a recent Silva to Atlanta rumor, though Silva’s agent seems to have debunked it.
  • Rosenthal says Dontrelle Willis is not available.  Perhaps he and Tim Brown will engage in fisticuffs over this disagreement. 
  • The Diamondbacks have kicked the tires on Adam Dunn.  He might make sense as a rental – the D’Backs playoff changes sit between 16-27%, worth fighting for.  No doubt they’ve got a stable of young players to offer.
  • Rosenthal says the Astros have yet to receive interest on the Lidge/Wheeler/Qualls troika, while Jayson Stark said yesterday that the Astros hadn’t opened shop on them.  Thunderdome match #2, Rosenthal vs. Stark.  Assuming Ken survives Tim Brown.  Anyway, word is that the Rockies have their eye on Wheeler. 
  • Parties interested in Zack Greinke: Diamondbacks, Dodgers, Braves, and Cubs.  This gels with Dan Graziano’s findings.  Of course, trading a player like Greinke requires an equally talented youngster in return.
  • The Royals may not be able to do better than Cleveland’s Ben Francisco as a bounty for Octavio Dotel.  More on him in a separate post.
  • Trades of Joe Blanton and Huston Street are "highly unlikely."  So you’re saying there’s a chance?
  • The chances of the Cardinals trading Jason Isringhausen are described as "remote."  The Cards would have a hard time replacing him next year; he’s got a reasonable $8MM option.  He also has no-trade protection, so he’d probably want a better extension if he was to accept a trade.

Healey’s Latest

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Mark Healey of Gotham Baseball has some new rumors for us this morning.

  • There’s talk that if the Twins are more than five games out at the trading deadline, they’ll start dealing veterans.  An obvious one is Luis Castillo, earning $5.75MM this season.  He has long been connected to the Mets.  He almost signed with New York as a free agent and the team has tried trading for him before.  Healey believes Lastings Milledge is too much to give up, so don’t look for a straight up swap of those two.  Though I imagine the Twins would love having Milledge to man center field in 2008.
  • The Reds are ten games under .500 and ten out in the NL Central.  Healey speculates that Adam Dunn, Ryan Freel, and Dave Weathers are the Reds’ most tradeable commodities.  The Reds recently extended Freel through 2009, though – I think they want him around as a fan favorite.  Dunn I can see being moved.  He earns $10.5MM this year with a $13MM club option for ’08.  He’s got an unsurprising line of .263/.366/.538; that’s worth $13 mil these days.  The Dodgers or White Sox seem like good fits.   

Luis Castillo A Met In ’08?

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The Mets and second baseman Luis Castillo have seemed like a good match for a while now.  The South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported today that Castillo nearly signed with the Mets three years ago before the Marlins improved their offer.  Additionally, the Mets almost traded for him in November of ’05.

Today I added Castillo to my list of 2008 Free Agents; he ranked 29th.  Should Jeff Kent retire, Castillo will compete with Marcus Giles as the best available 2B after this season.  Castillo won’t return to the Twins; they have a younger version of him in Alexi Casilla.  Actually, Casilla should probably be used at shortstop, but I doubt Castillo returns.  I should add that Casilla is going to make a phenomenal fantasy sleeper once he starts – .300+ average, 40+ steals.  Just like the Luis Castillo of the late 90s.  Put him on reserve in AL-only this year.

Since Jose Valentin’s 2006 season looks just a tad out of line with his recent performances, the Mets may be compelled to trade for Castillo this summer instead of waiting for him to hit the open market.

Twins Buzz: Mueller, Marte, Lowell

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It’s well known that the Twins lineup at present is woefully devoid of power hitters.  While noted Twins blogger Aaron Gleeman seems very receptive to a second baseman who can actually get on base, he acknowledges Luis Castillo’s complete lack of punch.

So who’s on the radar?  Well, you can cross Bill Mueller off the list.  He’s planning on signing with either the Dodgers or Pirates.  Mueller is a nice player, but he’s exactly what the Twins don’t need at third.  Mueller is a fragile on-base machine.  Sure, the team could use more players who take walks, but A)they don’t have the depth to back up Mueller if/when he gets hurt and B)he doesn’t produce the power they need.  The average AL third baseman slugged .428 this season, and Mueller’s career SLG is .430.  The Twins need above average power at the hot corner.

The Twins have long been interested in Mike Lowell, but he no longer has the power they’re looking for.  There’s no use acquiring him on the off chance he recaptures his swing in Minnesota.  The Twins already tried that with Bret Boone, and it was a waste of 53 at-bats.  (Of course, "many insiders believe the three-time All-Star Lowell will bounce back."  Curious that all of these insiders chose to remain anonymous.)

Hank Blalock could be had, and he’s still good for 20 HR without Ameriquest Field.  Given that it could take a Francisco Liriano or Scott Baker to convince Jon Daniels to part with Blalock, the deal is better left alone.  A lot of third basemen can hit .260 with 20 HR.

For example, Andy Marte would probably hit .260 with 20 HR (or better) if he was given 550 at-bats at third base for the Twins.  As mentioned yesterday, the Braves might part with Marte for Jesse Crain, Kyle Lohse, and prospects.   Crain was the author of a bizarre plumetting strikeout rate once he reached the Majors, but he still posted a 2.53 ERA in 106 career innings.  In that Hardball Times article, Gleeman mentions how Crain’s success is likely not sustainable.  Wonder if John Schuerholz learned his lesson with Dan Kolb?  Lohse is the definition of average, and his ERA could top 5 next season. 

While Marte is the perfect fit for Minnesota, it seems they’d have to pony up a lot more than Crain and Lohse.  If they really want Marte, it will probably require Francisco Liriano or Scott Baker.   

Thoughts on Farnsworth and Castillo

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Many of you have emailed me concerning the Kyle Farnsworth signing and Luis Castillo trade.  I appreciate the tips; rest assured that I’m aware of these rumors and signings and I’ll post if I have anything to add.

Farnsworth has officially signed with the Yankees, although the Rangers’ offer was superior.  The Farnz can be a little homer and walk prone at times, but his strikeout rate has never failed to impress.  His track record off the field leaves a bit to be desired.

The Twins were the clear victors in the Luis Castillo trade.  Minnesota held on to Scott Baker, surrendering only pitchers Travis Bowyer and Scott Tyler.  Bowyer is a young closer-in-waiting who has yet to refine his control problems.  He’s walked nearly five men per nine at every level.  He’ll close for the Marlins by default.  Scott Tyler is a starter with a little promise and shaky control.  He’ll likely be converted to relief one day.  Castillo was the 9th best 2B in baseball in 2005 and is sorely needed by the Twins. 

Luis Castillo To The Mets

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Our suspicions from yesterday have been confirmed: Luis Castillo is definitely on the trading block.  Many sources mention the Mets’ interest in the second baseman.

The names we’re hearing coming back from the Mets are shortstop Anderson Hernandez and/or second baseman Jeff Keppinger (via the Palm Beach Post).  Alex Gonzalez won’t be returning to play shortstop in Florida, and the Marlins are less than confident in their top prospect at the position, Robert Andino.  If the Mets would give up Hernandez, the Marlins would probably pull the trigger.

While Yusmeiro Petit is probably out of the question, the Mets could part with young righthander Gaby Hernandez.  Hernandez looked fantastic in A ball in 2005 while still a teenager.

Luis Castillo is a top ten second baseman and perfect top-of-the-order hitter.  His defense is superb and he’s due $5MM in 2006.  The Mets aren’t the only team interested in his services – the Red Sox, Cardinals, and Twins are all in the running.

Thanks to Ben K.

 

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