Gotham on Zito, Glavine, and More
Check out Mark Healey’s latest Rumor Mill over at Gotham Baseball. Some highlights:
Currently Healey’s sources don’t have any indications that Barry Zito will end up in New York. San Diego remains a possibility.
Healey mentions a Bill Shanks report for Scout.com that indicated Tom Glavine is close to returning to Atlanta for $7-8MM with an option.
Juan Pierre: $45M/5
Insanity. $9M for Pierre is a stretch: he’s not a great defender, he hasn’t posted an OBP above .330 in two years, and he isn’t even a particularly high-percentage basestealer. As I mentioned earlier, Kenny Lofton had a better 2006. But, in this market, $9M a year for a leadoff hitter isn’t too crazy–Pierre might well be better than, say, Gary Matthews Jr.
But…five years? It would certainly appear that Matthews is going to get the money he’s after. Dave Roberts‘s agent probably just upped his demands, too. Even Lofton ought to get either a two-year deal or a rich one-year contract.
In other news this evening:
The Marlins swapped Chris Resop to the Angels for Kevin Gregg.
The Mets officially declined Tom Glavine‘s option.
Starting Pitching in NYC
Here’s the latest on the Tom Glavine front: the man says he’s 50-50 between the Mets and the Braves. The Braves would have a hard time matching the Mets probable $24M/2y offer unless they dropped some salary in a trade (like some of these possibilities), so it may come down to how much of a hometown discount Glavine is willing to give Atlanta.
Across town, there’s the possibility that Scott Proctor will enter camp as a starter. Proctor was great in his first full year out of the pen, but the Yankees starting corps still has plenty of holes. No one–including Brian Cashman–could possibly think that the Yankees won’t make every effort to add at least one more starter, but as Cashman points out, the move is mostly insurance: it’s easier to prepare to start and end up relieving than to go the other way around. If nothing else, if might make Cashman seem a little less desperate in trade talks.
And back to the Mets for a second: if you’re interested in the next wave of Mets players, like Anderson Hernandez, Carlos Gomez, and Fernando Martinez, you may enjoy this article of mine over at MetsGeek.com, which takes a statistically-minded look at their defense. If Gomez ends up as part of a trade, whoever gets him could do very, very well.
By Jeff Sackmann
Gotham Baseball: Mets and Yankees Rumors
Check out the latest from Mark Healey of Gotham Baseball. A summary is below.
Healey’s Cubs source indicates Mark Prior and Alex Rodriguez could be the main pieces of a trade. That’d be a tough sell for Brian Cashman so I’m sure the Cubs would have to spice up such an offer. Healey’s source mentions Mark DeRosa as a possible A-Rod replacement in New York.
A couple of names associated with the Mets include Ray Durham and Mark Mulder. Durham is a new one for me, though the Mulder info jives with what I heard last week. I also have strong indications from another source that a return to Oakland is "very likely" for Mulder, however. It’ll come down to the dollars: if Mulder takes injury/incentive type money, he goes to Oakland. Otherwise, the Mets should be the top suitor.
Healey and I are also in agreement on the Mets’ minimal interest in Julio Lugo and their intent to hang onto Lastings Milledge.
Finally, Healey’s sources call for a Tom Glavine/Greg Maddux reunion in Atlanta. I had heard the same about Glavine, though this weekend’s New York Post mentioned that Glavine doesn’t want to give the Braves a huge discount and Atlanta’s payroll is pretty tight as long as it includes Andruw Jones.
The Hot Stove hasn’t officially begun, but it’s going to be another exciting winter.
UPDATE: Today’s AJC indicates that the Braves would hesitate to pay Glavine even $10MM.
Latest Mets Buzz
I spoke to my Mets source recently, so here’s the latest buzz around the team.
As has been reported in several places, Tom Glavine plans on returning to the Braves. I’m told a "handshake agreement" is in place. If the playoff excitement can’t change his mind, the Mets will take a look at Barry Zito and Mark Mulder. Orlando Hernandez may be re-signed and of course Steve Trachsel is a goner. Beyond that, the Mets have many in-house starting pitching options.
The Mets still like outfielder Lastings Milledge even with the problems he’s had in the clubhouse. The only way he’d be dealt is if Dontrelle Willis comes in return. Should Willis become available, the Mets will be all over it. If Milledge is traded to Florida, to team is high on David Dellucci for left field. Alfonso Soriano is not on the radar.
My source also tells me that there is a lot of consideration for Aaron Heilman to return to starting for 2007. They hope to re-sign Guillermo Mota but expect Darren Oliver to command too much money.
The Mets will probably pursue a trade for second base, as Valentin is not expected back. In-house options Ruben Gotay and Anderson Hernandez do not impress. Interest in Julio Lugo is minimal.
The team will take the payroll to the $105MM range. If Glavine leaves that could mean $20MM to play with.
Minor Trades and Rumors
The Cubs unloaded Neifi Perez on the Tigers today, and it was no surprise Neifi got through waivers. What team would want to be on the hook for $2.5MM for him next year? Ditching Neifi at this point at least partially rights the wrong of signing him to an extension in the first place for Jim Hendry. The Cubs’ "everything man" will be making outs atop of Detroit’s lineup now. Even more impressive is that Hendry snagged a 22 year-old catching prospect, Chris Robinson, in the deal.
The Mets added righty reliever Guillermo Mota today. Along with Oliver Perez, this is another project with plenty of upside. Mota was one of the game’s top setup men a few years ago.
Tom Glavine‘s got a possible blood clot, which could mean season or career-ending surgery. At least his life is not in danger. The news first appeared on an ESPN message board from a man said to be Glavine’s brother-in-law. Back when Glavine appeared healthy, the same source indicated that the southpaw would finish his career with the Braves, at any salary.
Reggie Sanders may have cleared waivers. Who wants a 38 year-old right fielder with a .248/.304/.424 line? Don’t forget the $5MM he’s owed next year.
From Yankees announcer Jim Kaat: the Rangers may be talking to the Orioles about Mark Teixeira. Tex is from Maryland, for what it’s worth.
Plenty of buzz going around in various forms of media that the Red Sox may acquire reliever LaTroy Hawkins. We’ll know soon enough. The 33 year-old has, at least, kept the ball in the yard and exhibited good control with the Orioles this year.