Home » 12-13 Offseason » Link Roundup: Bourn and Marcum
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January 25, 2013 12-13 Offseason Paul Festa

Link Roundup: Bourn and Marcum

Bourn would bring much needed speed to Flushing.

Bourn would bring much needed speed to Flushing.

Sandy Alderson and the Mets are playing a little chess to try to sign center fielder Michael Bourn.

If the Mets sign Bourn, they’d have to surrender their first round pick, eleventh overall, in the upcoming draft.  Giving up on the 11th best player in the amateur draft is a non-option for a rebuilding team.  To compound the loss, they’d also have to give up their slot money.  But there may be a loophole.  The Pirates couldn’t sign the player they drafted last year, meaning they get the ninth pick overall, even though they had a better record than New York.  Alderson and the Mets are lobbying the league to only give up their second round pick, since technically, they had the tenth worst record in baseball last year.

The players union is behind this request, but the league seems staunchly against it.  In an appearance on MLB Network this morning, Ken Rosenthal said the league’s stance is that the Mets knew the rules when they approved the CBA.

Could the Mets even afford Bourn?  Perhaps on a backloaded deal.  According to Jon Heyman, Bourn and his agent, Scott Boras, are looking for a 5-year deal at $15 million per.  It remains to be seen, but the Mets clearly aren’t going to pull the trigger on this one unless the circumstances are perfect.

The team pulled the trigger on Shaun Marcum, though.  The 30 year-old right-hander made only 3 appearances last year following elbow surgery.  He has a lifetime 3.76 ERA and 1.22 WHIP, and was an underrated member of the Blue Jays rotation before his elbow issues.  It’s a low-risk high-reward move for New York.

In all, the Sandy and his Nerd Herd appear mostly focused on building from the bottom-up.

By the way, did you know that your favorite PR guy and mine is on Twitter?

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Paul is a freelance writer, blogger, and broadcast technology professional residing in Denver. A New Jersey native, he is a long-suffering Mets fan, a recently-happy Giants fan, and bewildered Islanders fan. He's also a fair-weather Avalanche and Rockies supporter. In his spare time, he enjoys the three Gs: Golf, Guitars, and Games.
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  1. Joe January 26, 2013 at 2:28 am
    “Giving up on the 11th best player in the amateur draft is a non-option for a rebuilding team.”

    really? 11th best in the draft, when even the BEST player might not pan out can’t be given up to obtain a long term option for OF, one that will be there for years & if nothing else, you have control over & can trade, if that is what you eventually want to do?

    11th best? Oh well.

    • Paul Festa January 27, 2013 at 12:39 pm
      Think about how many players are in the amateur draft. The 11th is going to be one of the best available. No, they don’t always pan out, but the farm system has to be rebuilt, not just for the future, but to use as trade chips.
      • Joe January 27, 2013 at 5:14 pm
        If they wanted Bourn and it was a good deal overall, the chance for someone who repeatedly won’t pan out is not a game changer. It’s still one iffy player. If they are iffy about it, it might help keep them from dealing it.
  2. Evan January 26, 2013 at 3:00 am
    I didn’t mind the trade with RA Dickey. I understood why they did it and not bc of the talent they got back… Because they were able to. Having Harvey and Wheeler coming up, pitching is lookin up in Queens for years to come.

    Now, this outfield they have right now, is a joke. I for a split second, once, and I really regret it but for a second I wish they didn’t trade Bay… That’s how bad this outfield is. If they don’t get this guy for the 11th round pick and around 14 per theyre doomed. Not just for this year but for yrs to come. Next yr FA outfielders in my opinion aren’t better and most likely wouldn’t even sign w Mets. They need to get him bc they dug themselves a whole. Get him or try and trade last minute for a Fowler, Seth Smith or Coco Crisp type… Ugh

  3. Dan B January 26, 2013 at 11:04 am
    Why the concern about losing slot money? The Mets didn’t come close to using their slot money last year anyway. They don’t spend money on draft picks just like they don’t spend money on free agents.
  4. AC Wayne January 26, 2013 at 4:03 pm
    Not a fan of the Mets acquiring Bourn, first sign that it’s a bad idea, the Mets would have to backload the contract, Bourn is 30 years old, if Heyman’s facts are even remotely close, the last two years of the deal would most likely be another salary dump, also, Bourn’s positives are strictly speed, he doesn’t hit for power, his RBI numbers tell me he’s more of a complimentary player than a guy who’s going to save your outfield, and “what-do-ya-know” he bats left-handed, I say hold on to the draft pick, you’ve already convinced your fan base that 2013 is a pipe dream
  5. Jujo January 26, 2013 at 6:27 pm
    I say offer 1 year $10 mil but only if the 11th pick is protected. If Bourne says no to that well thats OK. He is not worth $15 mil a year. That is more than what Piazza was paid and almots as much as Beltran.
  6. John D. January 27, 2013 at 5:44 pm
    I wouldn’t even give up a second round pick for Bourn. Mike Vaccaro in the Post had it right when he said that the Mets will finish 4th with Bourn and they’ll finish 4th without Bourn. The gap between the Nats, Braves, Phillies and Mets is way too big to make up with one outfielder. As has been pointed out here and other places, he’s a 30 year old speed guy who is not all that great at getting on base. I think they should pass.
  7. Kanehl January 28, 2013 at 12:29 am
    I mistakenly posted on Bournes under the “No Qualms” header. In short, Bournes is a mediocre OBP no SP guy the Braves didn’t want at his asking price. 5 years X $15 million per?? Really? Don’t see his OBP as much better than Neuwenheisel. And with 30 year old legs aging over the next five years, he’s only got downside. So, other tha desperation to get the lasts OF that no one else wanted, why give him this albatross deal?
  8. Mic January 28, 2013 at 5:50 am
    – At this stage of the off-season alderson is bargain hunting. this is the time prices come down and likely bourn could take a one year deal.

    – Of more interest to me is how the new slot system is almost immediately being challenged. Why are the mets (or anyone) penalized because the Pirates did not sign their pick. If the first TEN picks are protected…THEN protect them. The Pirates should get a sandwich pick AFTER the first ten.

    • Joe Janish January 28, 2013 at 11:57 am
      Both the owners and MLBPA agreed to the compensatory system. The goal was to drive down amateur signing bonuses specifically, and MLB salaries in general. The fact that the Pirates are getting one of those top 10 picks perfectly aligns with that goal.
  9. Michael Bourn January 28, 2013 at 9:03 am
    I ain’t never takin’ no 1-year deal.
    • AC Wayne January 28, 2013 at 9:28 am
      Sorry Michael but it may be the only plausible solution for the Mets to bring you on board, haha, didn’t realize you were of fan of Mets Today
  10. DaveSchneck January 28, 2013 at 9:27 am
    Paul,
    Bourn’s asking price is a joke…if someone wants to ante-up 5/$75 mil, let them do it. And, Bourn is a flawed player, as are most players. But, at a decent price, he could bring tremedous value to this team. They have no leadoff hitter, and no one in the outfield that can play a gold glove caliber CF. Signing Bourn would help several players on the team – every pitcher with his D, Duda can worry less about fielding, Tejada will be relieved of the pressure of leading off (he is no leadoff hitter), Wright/Davis will have more RBI chances. Yes, they need to get that #11 pick protected, but if so and the price drops enough, really only Coco Crisp and Bourn can give this team some help it desperately needs.
  11. Kanehl January 28, 2013 at 5:52 pm
    He turned down the Braves’ 1-year, $13.3 million offer and his agent is Scott Boras. It’s reported that teh Mariners and Os are also interested. Between these 3 franchises, someone’s likely to foolishly give him an overpaid, multi-year deal. I just hope it’s not the Mets. In his prime, which is now receding in his rear view mirror, he was not worth 5 X $15 million. A singles hitter with a mediocre OBP who steals a few bases (and gets caught a fair amount) and plays a strong CF. FYI, his career OPS is a whopping 13 points higher than Kirk Neuwenhise’s last year.