Garland, Sheets Off the Table
Remove the garland from the Christmas tree, and get Lazy Mary to pull the sheets from her bed.
A little late on this, but reporting it so you can post your comments — Ben Sheets agreed to a one-year, $10M deal with the Oakland Athletics, and Jon Garland signed a one-year, $4.7M deal with the San Diego Padres.
As mentioned in the previous post, Sheets + Oakland makes a lot of sense for both parties.
Garland, I imagine, preferred to be on the Left Coast, so it’s possible the Mets were never a possibility considering their Right Coast locale. Additionally, he has a nice opportunity to hurl a stress-free year in a huge pitcher’s park — a good formula for boosting his value when he becomes a free agent again next winter.
Additionally, former Cub prospect Rich Hill signed a minor-league deal with the Cardinals. The lefthander had a breakout season in 2007, then forgot how to throw strikes. This is a very under-the-radar move that could very well turn out wonderful for St. Louis. Can’t you just see Hill suddenly finding himself under the tutelage of Dave Duncan?
In other belated reporting, you may or may not have heard that the Phillies signed Jose Contreras to a cheap one-year deal. I don’t think the Mets were ever a player for his services, and I don’t believe he would’ve been a good idea. Most reports speculate that Contreras will begin 2010 in the Philly bullpen.
Finally, the latest buzz is that Jarrod Washburn is leaning toward the Twins and Mariners.
So, who’s left on the open market for the rotation? Looks to me like Braden Looper, John Smoltz, and Pedro Martinez are the best of the best. Ouch. In other words, Omar Minaya best be burning the phone lines talking trade with other GMs to find another arm or two.
While I do think that The Wilpons will need to afford Minaya the opportunity to make at least one semi-sizeable move (signing or trade, leaning more toward the latter…since that was always their best bet this winter) to, most importantly for him, build confidence and excitement in his own players…..
I have absolutely no clue where it will come from, or if it even will. Common sense seems to be permanently absent from whatever the Mets do these days.
Of course, they should probably do SOMETHING significant as well — to appease an ever-growing disgruntled fanbase at this point.
I believe they’ll see that, even more clearly, by the time their next ticket sales assessment rolls around.
As an aside: I find it hilarious that they’re calling me virtually every day about renewing. I’m this close to asking them to put me on the “do not call” list. They honestly have some nerve….given the (largely the same) unproven squad they’re going to trot out.
However: the realist in me sees that Ben Sheets can only benefit from a warmer-weather signing — in contrast to throwing in the North East, coming off surgery/rehab….right Joe?
If there’s one thing we know about baseball here in April through June or so — it’s that the weather is miserable for aches and pains. He’ll get himself into shape out there, and Beane will be able to capitalize off the signing by June or the trade deadline. No media scrutiny, or “savior” tag out in Oakland…either.
Garland always wanted to be on the Left-Coast — and I’m glad we didn’t overpay again for mediocrity. Guaranteed Innings, sure. But really….he never wanted East Coast, let alone the Mets.
Aaron Harang….just seems like a senseless addition at this point, while passing-up other quality arms in the process.
I simply can not see them paying $15MM million for him, especially if they weren’t going to spend $8-10MM on Pineiro or Sheets.
I think the Reds will hang on to Arroyo until July. With the team constructed as such, there’s really no reason to give up talent now for the speculated Brandon Phillips acquisition either with Felipe Lopez still out there.
Personally I don’t want them to waste another $5MM or so in funds on Smoltz, either. (Especially if they’re going to bill him as a starter who’s going to contribute much at 43 years of age….maybe he’s their “pitching coach hiring” instead of Duncan — lol)
Of what’s left? I’d like to see them sign Lopez, to be truthful — that way Matthews and Castillo can become malcontents on the bench, leading up to Manuel and The Coaching Staff’s firing in June.
They can eat money on all 3 deals at which point…lol – while watching Citi become The Coliseum, looking to feed management to the lions.
Meet “The New Mets” — same as The Old Mets. Ain’t a damn thing changed here….’cept the “incompetent” GM running the show.
Of course, we know Jeffy Boy’s really at the helm.
Hope everything is all right.
I don’t see that happening. So, let’s get used to it.