Beltran Takes The ‘7’ Train (sorry, that’s the best I can do)
The Mets have come to contract terms with Carlos Beltran. Beltran will take a physical today and is expected to be intorduced at a press conference tomorrow (Tuesday). This is fantastic news and finally shows a commitment on the part of the Wilpons.
The developments that led to the signing were interesting. Beltran turned down the Astros offer based strictly on the fact that they would not give him a no trade clause. Aparently he felt that if Houston gave Andy Pettitte a no trade clause last year when Pettitte signed with an iffy elbow then he (Beltran) should certainly get one. Rumor has it that Beltran then went to the Yankees and offered his services at a “discount” of just under $100 million for 7 years. George Steinbrenner turned him down citing the luxury tax on that would ammount to $40 million over the life of the contract. I guess the Boss does have limits. Anyway, the Mets were the next stop and they were willing to give $119 million and a no trade clause.
The addition of Beltran gives the Mets a solid bat on the way up in his career. This is a great thing but this is also the company line. I’m always one who looks back while looking forward and I see something that alarms me. If you compare Beltran’s stats from last year to those of Bobby Bonilla the year before he joined the Mets you’ll see some similarities. Does that mean that he’ll go south like Bonilla did after joining the Mets? No. It’s just something to keep in mind.
The other thing that bothers me is that the last few years the Mets have turned away Alex Rodriguez and Vladimir Guerrero. Regardless of money ARod and Vlad were sure things where, as good as Beltran is, I can’t help but that those guys were much better equiped and even more talented than Beltran hence making them more ideal players to help bring the franchise to back to respectability. The Wilpon’s clearly should have opened up to them the way they opened up to Beltran. Beltran’s got a great agent and PR machine around him. I just hope he lives up to the hype and can take the heat in New York when he hits his first slump.
Anyway, Omar Minaya has said that the signing of Beltran does not preclude the possibility of signing Carlos Delgado as well. How deep the Wilpons pockets really are this winter will determine what happens there.
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Goodbye Vance Wilson
I didn’t get a chance to post yesterday after I heard the news that Vance Wilson was traded to the Tigers for minor league shortstop Anderson Hernandez. Considering Hernandez is not major league ready yet this deal confirms the Mets intentions of using Mike Piazza as the regular catcher with Jason Phillips as his backup. Add the recent signing of Andres Galarraga to the mix and it’s obvious that they don’t plan on playing either Piazza or Phillips at first base regularly.
No news on the Carlos Beltran front today. A decision is expected in the next 48 hours.
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New Webhost
I finally got myself a new webhost. As such I will be moving the blog as soon as I can finish up some development on the new site. Stay tuned for more information.
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On Time
It looks like my warning about not celebrating the Carlos Beltran signing before it’s a done deal came at the right time. Various media outlets are reporting that Beltran’s agent, Scott Boras, is claiming that 5 teams have put in offers that meet his opening criteria. Is Boras bluffing? Probably. But if he’s saying 5 then there’s probably 3. And if he’s saying they all made $110 million offers then probably only one of them have done that and the others have come in within the ballpark of that figure. By all accounts the Mets seem to be the frontrunner right now as far as contract goes. But this deal is not done yet.
In other new, there was a story out yesterday that said Pedro Martinez plans on reporting to camp when it opens. Maybe it’s just me but isn’t that what he’s paid to do? Why exactly is a story like that newsworthy? If you have an explanation please leave a comment.
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Perez Signs With Dodgers
For all those who were wishing the Mets would sign Odalis Perez it’s time to stop wishing. The AP is reporting that Perez signed with the Dodgers.
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It Aint’ Over ‘Til It’s Over
Everyone is making a big deal over the Mets offer to Carlos Beltran. While I agree that it’s very encouraging to see the Wilpons take such an aggressive step I believe it’s way too early to celebrate (as many fans are doing already). Even if the offer is as good as people say and makes the Mets the highest bidder you can’t get too happy until his signature is on the contract.
Houston has until midnight Saturday to negotiate with Beltran and you know that Astros owner Drayton McLane will use every minute of negotiating time he has. McLane is a businessman and knows how to negotiate. You make an offer or two to your free agent. The free agent shops around and sees what else he can get from other teams. If the free agent likes your team then he’ll bring those offers back to you and give you a chance to beat them before making a final decision. This is the script and it is being followed to the T in this scenario. McLane, Beltran and Beltran’s agent, Scott Boras, will have many conversations over the next few days and you can bet that Houston’s offer will get better. Will it be good enough to make Beltran turn down the Mets’ offer? We won’t know until Saturday night.
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Good News for Mets Fans!
Various sources are reporting that the Yankees have pulled out of the Carlos Beltran sweepstakes. Apparently the acquisition of Randy Johnson (reportedly approved by Bud Selig last night) has tapped out boss Steinbrenner. That leaves the Mets and Houston as the current contenders. With the Yankees out of the picture I expect other possible suitors to appear but this still helps the Mets chances. As for Carlos Delgado, don’t expect any news until after Beltran is signed. Once Beltran goes Delgado becomes the premier available free agent and his asking price can be adjusted accordingly.
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The Return of the Orb and the Loss of Alou
The Mets re-signed righty reliever Orber Moreno. They gave him a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training. They had previously non-tendered him making him a free agent but had all intentions of signing him. The move was apparently done to avoid arbitration. Moreno had arthroscopic surgery on his pitching shoulder on October 21 which probably scared other teams. He was mostly good coming out of the bullpen in 2004 posting a 3.38 ERA with 29 hits, 29 Ks and 11 BBs in 34.2 innings. He expects to be ready for spring training.
In other news, it looks like Moises Alou has signed with the San Francisco Giants. The deal is pending Alou passing a physical. If he passes he will be working under his father, Felipe Alou, who is currently the Giants’ manager.
Now that Alou is out of the picture maybe Omar Minaya will focus on other players. Today’s Daily News reports that the Mets have already turned their attention to signing Carlos Degado in the wake of the Alou signing. Carlos Beltran is another big name the Mets have their eyes on. With the Astros having reportedly offered Beltran a six-year, $96 million deal and George Steinbrenner trying to get the outfielder in pinstripes Minaya surely has his work cut out for him and will have to be a bit more aggressive in trying to recruit Beltran.
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Mets Interested in A’s Byrnes
Bob Klapisch reports today on NorthJersey.com that the Mets have shown interest in acquiring A’s outfielder Eric Byrnes to patrol centerfield until Mike Cameron is ready to return from arthroscopic surgery on his left wrist. Klapisch says this will not impact the Mets pursuit of big name free agents such as Moises Alou, Carlos Beltran or Carlos Delgado and would likely cost the Mets a prospect.
Byrnes could be a good fit for the Mets. A natural leftfielder, Byrnes can play all three outfield positions and could be a great addition even if all the outfield positions were secured (which they obviously aren’t right now). He has some pop in his bat and is a good baserunner as is evidenced by his 20 HRs and 91 Rs in 2004. He’d provide some depth and flexibility in the outfield and could compete for a starting job depending on what happens between now and whenever Cameron will be ready to return (expected to be some time in May).
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Mets Close to Signing Galarraga?
Here’s one I didn’t see coming. There are reports this morning that the Mets are close to signing Andres Galarraga to a minor legue contract and inviting him to spring training. I think this is a good move by Omar Minaya. Galarraga adds experience and depth to a position where the Mets need it and also provides a backup plan in case they miss out on Carlos Delgado, who is not a sure thing.
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