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Oliver Perez

Mets Rotation Plans

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12:20pm: MLB.com’s Marty Noble writes:

The possibility of the Mets signing a lesser alternative isn’t precluded, but the club is unlikely to act on picking up another starter until it’s satisfied it has done all that is possible — and financially feasible — to bring in Lowe.

Noble says the Mets sense Lowe’s price tag is $16-17MM per year.

8:37am: Ken Davidoff of Newsday lays out the Mets’ plans for their starting rotation.

For Oliver Perez’s slot, the Mets want to either re-sign Perez or sign Derek Lowe.  Randy Wolf, Jon Garland, and possibly Tim Redding are the backup plans to these two.

The fifth starter job has sparked an internal debate – it could be given to Jon Niese, or the Mets could bring in competition with pitchers like Bartolo Colon, Freddy Garcia, or Eric Milton.  This decision will not be made this month.

Mets Interested In Tim Redding

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Add another pitcher to the Mets’ list.  According to Anthony McCarron of the New York Daily News, the Mets have expressed interest in new free agent Tim Redding.  Redding was non-tendered by the Nationals on Friday after they failed to work out a deal with the Rockies.

Ken Davidoff says Oliver Perez and Derek Lowe continue to top the Mets’ list; they’re less enthused with Ben Sheets, Jon Garland, or Randy Wolf.  As for Pedro Martinez’s replacement, Davidoff suggests names like Freddy Garcia or Eric Milton.  As for Andy Pettitte, Mark Feinsand says the Mets are not involved.

Mets Considering Randy Wolf, Oliver Perez

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10:14pm: Wolf told MLB.com’s Marty Noble tonight that the Mets have shown "some interest."  Noble says the Yankees, Orioles, Dodgers, Braves, and Giants are also "thought to have interest."

7:58am: According to Anthony McCarron of the New York Daily News, the Mets have checked the bullpen off their list and will now look to upgrade the rotation.  It seems that Oliver Perez and Randy Wolf are the top targets, with the pricey Derek Lowe a less likely possibility.  McCarron notes that the Mets have a strong relationship with Wolf’s agent Arn Tellem, who brokered the Francisco Rodriguez contract. 

With A.J. Burnett off the board, perhaps the market for Lowe will heat up this week.  The free agent starting pitching options remain strong – look at what was available on this date a year ago.

Offensively, McCarron doesn’t see much more than an Alex Cora addition on the horizon for the Mets.

Odds and Ends: Sheets, Moeller, Yankees

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Links for Saturday…

  • As more teams lock up lefty relievers, Jon Paul Morosi sees the Tigers as more likely to land Joe Beimel.
  • Tom Haudricourt has heard that Ben Sheets is more likely to sign with the Rangers, who have Mike Maddux campaigning for them, than the Yankees.
  • Peter Schmuck hears that the Orioles have signed catcher Chad Moeller to a minor league deal.
  • Ken Davidoff writes that the Yankees shouldn’t concern themselves with Andy Pettitte just yet.
  • Dave Perkins of the Toronto Star doesn’t like the Yankees’ aggressive spending.
  • Jack Curry of the New York Times writes that the Yankees are instant favorites for the World Series.
  • Another New York Times writer, Ben Shpigel, writes that the Mets especially need Oliver Perez now that the Phillies have signed Raul Ibanez.
  • RotoAuthority breaks down the re-vamped San Francisco bullpen for fantasy baseball purposes.
  • Matt Clement’s optimistic about his fresh start with the Jays.
  • Two players re-signed with their clubs after being non-tendered: Norris Hopper of the Reds and Scott Mathieson of the Phils.
  • Hideki Okajima will run a marathon Sunday, and the Red Sox aren’t thrilled.

Cardinals Reliever Rumors

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5:57pm: K-Rod’s agent Paul Kinzer said the Cardinals did not offer his client a similar contract.

9:08am: According to Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the Cardinals made a bid for Francisco Rodriguez in the neighborhood of the Mets’ successful three-year, $37MM bid.  The search continues.  Strauss says the Cards plan to explore trades before escalating talks with Brian Fuentes.  Potential trade targets: J.J. Putz, Matt Capps, and Jon Rauch.  Talks for Jose Valverde "stalled abruptly earlier in the week."  The trade bait will probably be on of the Cardinals’ outfielders.

Strauss adds that GM John Mozeliak met with Scott Boras yesterday, possibly to discuss Oliver Perez.

Mets Looking At Starters

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4:15pm: Jayson Stark says the Mets will meet with Scott Boras today to discuss Perez and Derek Lowe.  They’ll also meet with the agents for Jon Garland and Randy Wolf.

3:10pm: In a radio appearance on WFAN, via MetsBlog, Jon Heyman said that the Mets are interested in bringing back lefty Oliver Perez, but the two sides are "still far apart on the dollars." He went on to say that Perez and agent Scott Boras are seeking five years and around $70MM.

Cardinals Rumors: Downs, Gonzalez, Boyer

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12:41pm: Marc Topkin heard chatter that the Rays and Cardinals are talking.  Perhaps Ankiel or Ludwick could interest Tampa Bay.

Meanwhile Scott Lauber says the Cards may be interested in Madson as a potential closer.

8:36am: Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says the Cardinals remain focused on short-term deals for starters.  Possible names include Oliver Perez, Andy Pettitte, Brad Penny, and Randy Wolf.  They’ll meet with Wolf’s agent by tomorrow afternoon.

John Mozeliak now seems open to a two or three-year deal for a reliever.  He could trade an outfielder like Ryan Ludwick for a top guy, but shot down the idea of Ryan Madson.  Makes no sense, Madson is only under team control for one more year.  Schumaker and Chris Duncan are trade bait for Mozeliak.

8:28am: Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun says the Cards have interest in Blue Jays lefty Scott Downs.  Downs is owed $7.75MM over the next two seasons.

8:01am: We know the Cardinals chatted with the Braves about Mike Gonzalez and Blaine Boyer. Gerry Fraley says they also had trade talks with the Phillies, hoping to trade an outfielder for a reliever.  Rick Ankiel and Skip Schumaker are apparently popular with other teams.

Cards Switch Focus To Free Agency

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According to Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Cardinals GM John Mozeliak recently shifted his focus from trades to free agency in regards to his pitching staff.  They briefly mulled the idea of jumping in on Jake Peavy but decided against it.

Strauss suggests four free agent starters the Cardinals might consider signing for the short-term: Oliver Perez, Andy Pettitte, Randy Wolf, and Brad Penny.  The Cards have about $15-17MM to work with, but they won’t be chasing the big fish free agent starters.

Straus adds that it now looks like the Cardinals will retain second baseman Adam Kennedy.

Arbitration Decision Rumors

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As you know, 24 free agents were offered arbitration – 15 Type As and 9 Type Bs.  Their decisions will roll in throughout the day, but SI.com’s Jon Heyman spoils the ending – aside from perhaps a couple of middle relievers (Darren Oliver comes to mind), almost everyone will decline.  Nonetheless, let’s gather up some rumors on the topic.

  • Heyman analyzes six players: Jon Garland, Oliver Perez, Paul Byrd, Orlando Cabrera, Jason Varitek, and Ben Sheets.  He doesn’t really see these guys accepting, but their names have at least been raised in baseball circles.
  • Ken Rosenthal has sources saying Francisco Rodriguez, Brian Fuentes, Sheets, and Garland will decline.  Tracy Ringolsby agrees on Fuentes.
  • Brandon Lyon’s agent Barry Meister admitted that he’ll consider accepting.
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