Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Pedro’s Injury
Earlier this week Pedro Martinez pulled a hamstring in his first start of ’08 and is expected to be out until mid-May. The loss of Martinez will likely only cost the Mets seven to eight starts, which might only be a difference in two to three wins over that span. Of course, two or three more wins in ’07 and the Mets would have spent October in the playoffs. With the importance of every single start magnified this year for the Mets, it would not be surprising for Omar Minaya to seek outside help as a contingency plan for Martinez (who at this point in his career cannot be counted on to stay healthy for any length of time). One long shot is Rich Harden, whom the A’s may be auditioning for possible suitors. Let’s take a look at what is being said in the Blogophere…
- The ‘Ropolitans don’t see the Mets trading any more players in the near future, especially for an injury-riddled player such as Harden.
- Mets Fever doesn’t think the Mets have the pieces to land Harden and would rather see the money go to Oliver Perez after the season.
- Mets Merized thinks that Claudio Vargas would provide the Mets with some stability but if he isn’t willing to accept a minor league deal they feel the Mets have plenty of in-house options…Mets Merized also feels that the loss of Martinez will not have an effect on the Mets’ championship hopes.
- MetsBlog comments on the Vargas rumors and says that a backup plan for Martinez should be Minaya’s number one priority…MetsBlog also notes that the Mets should stay away from Harden as he will certainly cost Fernando Martinez.
- Faith and Fear in Flushing is reminded of Mets injuries from years past and won’t be expecting any contribution from Martinez in the near future.
Cork Gaines writes for Rays Index and can be reached here.
Pedro Injury May Lead To Acquisition
Pedro Martinez will have an MRI on his strained hamstring today, so the team should get an idea of how long their #2 starter will be out. We were already talking about the Mets possibly adding a starter before the injury; now the need is pressing.
MetsBlog’s Matthew Cerrone suggests free agents Claudio Vargas or Woody Williams. Vargas is the most talented free agent pitcher; the group also includes Jeff Weaver and David Wells. Other random available starters I tossed out in my Kelvim Escobar post: Jason Marquis, Matt Morris, Matt Belisle, Byung-Hyun Kim, Horacio Ramirez, Anthony Reyes, and Cliff Lee. The Mets aren’t overflowing with trade chips, so signing Vargas makes the most sense.
Odds and Ends: Papelbon, Darvish, Crisp
Let’s round up some morning links.
- McCovey Chronicles feels that the Jose Castillo signing reduces the Joe Crede threat level for the Giants.
- Jonathan Papelbon wants to drive the market for closers upward.
- Keith Law discusses J.P. Ricciardi’s decision to overrule scouting advisers and draft Ricky Romero over Troy Tulowitzki for the Blue Jays back in ’05.
- If Yu Darvish is posted after this season, will it cost $75MM just to negotiate with him?
- From Buster Olney on Sunday: "Rival teams are not entirely sure if the Red Sox are devoted to the idea of trading Coco Crisp."
- Pedro Martinez will not worry about his next contract until after the season.
Pedro Looking For Three Years?
Pedro Martinez commented yesterday that he’ll look for three years maximum on his next (and last) contract. The 36 year-old is a complete unknown for ’08, but hopes are high.
Martinez could seek $40MM or more over three years if he comes up with 180+ strong inning for the Mets this year. Of course, that would once again be a risky contract for a team.
Odds and Ends: Hughes, Nathan, Pedro
Here’s today’s collection.
- Interesting article about Phil Hughes‘ blog. We should see more and more player blogs as the Internet generation reaches the Majors.
- Jonathan Mayo’s book Facing Clemens has hit shelves. The MLB.com writer attempts to put you in the batter’s box against the Rocket.
- Nothin’ doin’ on the Joe Nathan talks. I thought they’d hammer this one out to restore some Johan goodwill. Guess not.
- Like reading about injuries? Take a look at Baseball Injury Report, by my friend Rick Wilton. Especially good for fantasy junkies.
- Pedro isn’t going to approach the Mets about an extension, but he’d listen if they came to him. The Mets want to see at least part of this season play out before considering it.
Latest Mets Rumors: A-Rod, Silva, Blanton
Plenty of action around the Mets lately; Omar Minaya has his work cut out for him. Hat tip to MetsBlog for several of the links.
- The sensational storyline here is that Minaya will meet with Scott Boras to discuss Alex Rodriguez. However, Boras and Minaya might spend more time discussing Kyle Lohse and Eric Gagne than A-Rod – the Mets’ focus is pitching.
- Newsday’s Ken Davidoff reminds us of past trade talks regarding Joe Blanton, Jose Contreras, and Jon Garland. Those talks may be re-opened, though Davidoff notes that the White Sox aren’t enamored of Lastings Milledge. Additionally, the Mets will meet with Carlos Silva‘s people this week.
- Buster Olney discusses the Mets’ pursuit for pitching today in his blog. They need a horse, somebody who can chew up innings. Aside from the aforementioned Silva and Blanton, Olney names Roy Oswalt, Dan Haren, Scott Kazmir, and Dontrelle Willis as possible targets (though Marc Lancaster considers the declaration of Kazmir’s availability to be "dubious at best." Meanwhile one exec thinks the Rays would only make him available if "his arm is about to blow.") Olney’s guess is that the Mets will acquire Blanton. The Mets have some combination of Mike Pelfrey, Philip Humber, Lastings Milledge, Carlos Gomez, and Aaron Heilman to offer. There are pros and cons to dealing each.
- There are other concerns besides pitching: second base and catcher. Besides the forthcoming monster offer to Jorge Posada, the Mets are considering Paul Lo Duca and Yorvit Torrealba as fallbacks. Ramon Castro is looking for a two-year deal, and hopes it’s with the Mets. However, the Rockies have their eye on him.
- Pedro Martinez expects to pitch beyond 2008. Whether that will be for the Mets or someone else, who knows.
- Marlon Anderson‘s two-year deal will be announced today, according to Adam Rubin. The Mets will pass on Jose Valentin and Brian Lawrence‘s options.
Could Pedro Retire?
All the New York papers this morning had Pedro Martinez‘s quote to the AP:
"To go back, I have to recover. I have to be healthy. But if God doesn’t want that, then I would have to think about giving it all up."
Pedro also says the pain in his shoulder is the worst of his career. Whether he’s just talking out of frustration right now with the long recovery road ahead of him, it’s hard to say.
But what we know for sure is that the Mets won’t be entering 2007 relying on Pedro for much. While the Mets have put in a call to Mark Mulder‘s people, I doubt Omar Minaya would see Mulder as compensation for Martinez.
The Mets hope to retain Tom Glavine on a two-year deal and would still figure to make a significant bid for Daisuke Matsuzaka. In recent days Mike Mussina‘s name has come up as well. Right now the depth chart looks something like this without Pedro:
Tom Glavine
John Maine
Oliver Perez
Brian Bannister
Mike Pelfrey
Victor Zambrano
Dave Williams
Philip Humber
Alay Soler
That team can win, but it seems a lock that the Mets will bring in another guy at at least Glavine’s level. Maine’s not your #2 starter. The Mets have to end up with Matsuzaka, Mussina, Barry Zito, Jason Schmidt, or Vicente Padilla. I think the second tier begins at Pettitte/Meche/Lilly. Honestly I’d put trade target Dontrelle Willis in that second tier.