There was one blockbuster trade and a lot of non-news, backed by plenty of rumors, half-truths, and speculation. Click to the right for the full blow-by-blow
– the Yankees acquired Curtis Granderson in a three-team deal with the Tigers and Diamondbacks. The Yanks pulled this off without giving up an MLB regular — the most experienced player they parted with was LOOGY Phil Coke. The Diamondbacks wound up with Edwin Jackson and Ian Kennedy as part of the deal.
– the Mets signed a slugging, 31-year-old “four-A” outfielder named Mike Hessman
– the Mets hired Bob Melvin as a scout
– several sources reported a rumor that the Mets may trade John Maine to Milwaukee for Corey Hart. As of now the deal is dead, but many suggest it could become a reality before the non-tender date.
– the Mets are hell-bent on trading Luis Castillo and signing Orlando Hudson to change the clubhouse culture. However the Giants have emerged as a suitor for O-Hud’s services.
– very little chatter surrounding Roy Halladay at the moment — but the Phillies have been mentioned. Ouch.
– Randy Wolf is close to signing with the Brewers for 3 years at about $9M per. Milwaukee can have him at that rate as far as I’m concerned, but the Mets are supposedly still in the game.
– the Mets will be speaking with Ben Sheets’ agent Casey Close before the meetings conclude
– Bengie Molina is lukewarm on the Mets’ initial advances, so they are looking into Yorvit Torrealba, who has been offered a 2-year deal worth around $10-12M by the Rockies. Sounds to me like Torrealba is using the Mets to up Colorado’s ante. Regardless, let’s hope he stays in Denver.
– Rafael Soriano accepted arbitration from the Braves, then demanded a trade
– the Mets are not liking the asking prices on the second-tier free-agent starters (they are reportedly kicking the tires on Joel Pineiro, Jason Marquis, Jon Garland and Doug Davis), and thus are more seriously considering John Lackey — who wants “A.J. Burnett money”. I like Lackey, but hesitant to give anyone over 30 a 4- or 5-year contract in this post-PEDs age.
– the Mets are suddenly concerned with Mike Pelfrey’s makeup and mental toughness. Suddenly? It wasn’t exactly hidden the past three years.
– the Mets have interest in Darren Oliver. Where was that interest three winters ago?
– the Braves are interested in Xavier Nady. So far no interest from the Mets, as they are busy trying to trade Luis Castillo and looking for a few more backup catchers.
– Jerry Manuel stated that the Phillies are the team to beat, “until spring training. Then the Mets will take over.” Oy! Shush that mouth!
– those Phillies signed pinch-hitting specialist Ross Gload to a two-year deal. No grass growing below Ruben Amaro’s feet — though he’s starting to remind me of Omar Minaya with these aging-veteran signings.
– Peter Gammons left ESPN to join MLB.com and the MLB Network. However, as Ted Berg reports, his face will remain on the $20 bill.
