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February 7, 2013 12-13 Offseason Paul Festa

Link Roundup: The Latest on Bourn, Other Activity

johan-santana-side

According to a tweet by former GM Jim Bowden, if the Mets were able to sign Michael Bourn, it is “likely” the Mets would be able to retain their first round pick.

Bowden is now an analyst for ESPN and SiriusXM.

If true, this would eliminate one huge roadblock between the Mets and Bourn.  The remaining roadblocks would be the length and value of the contract.  According to Bowden, who has been a veritable font of knowledge today, Bourn and his camp are looking for $14-15 million per year.  The Mets, at this point, are not willing to pay that much, nor are they willing to give him the five years he’s looking for.  They’d love a three-year deal, but might settle for four.

The Mets rounded out their bullpen by signing veteran Brandon Lyon.  Lyon is 33, and enjoyed a fine 2012 with Houston and Toronto.  Combined, he appeared in 67 games, posted a 3.10 ERA, and had the highest SO/9 ratio of his eleven-year career (9.3).

Jon Rauch won’t be joining Lyon in the ‘pen for the Mets this year, but he will remain in the NL East.

The Mets also signed OF Corey Patterson.  Remember him?  Does “15-2” and “Tom Glavine” ring a bell?

And Terry Collins is planning to start Johan Santana on Opening Day.  I’m sure a lot of that is contingent on how he pitches in the Pre-Season.

Finally, GM Sandy Alderson answered questions from fans on Twitter, and as always, Mets tweeps took it very seriously.

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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 February 7, 2013 at 4:40 pm
    The Mets are collecting OFs (also got Mike Wilson, who I never heard of) as they are collecting relievers. Seriously, Lyon and Patterson are useful pick-ups.

    But, no reference to Ike Davis, LOOGY?

  2. Kanehl February 7, 2013 at 6:59 pm
    Bourne Feve continues to rise, as the excitement of signing a singles hitter with mediocre OBP as a Premier Lead-Off Man solidifies our hold on 4th place!

    Seriously, I simply don’t understand how giving 3 or 4 years X $15 million to an OF whose prime years sucked less than the guys we’ve got makes sense. And the notion that he “fixes our leadoff hole” is a mystery: his career OBP is .339 (at age 30, that’s not likely to be ascending), while Rubin Tejada’s 2012 OBP was .333 (at age 21, that is likely to go up). My bet is that, come August, the same fans now screaming that Sandy should sign him will be screaming that Sandy’s an idiot for giving him that contract. After 2 or 3 years, we’ll release him with a year of back ended salary left, and not have those dollars to spend on current talent. And so it goes….

    • TexasGusCC February 7, 2013 at 8:50 pm
      I agree 100%. Let’s see the kids first, and the Mets can sign Carlos Gomez next year, if need be.
      • DaveSchneck February 7, 2013 at 11:00 pm
        Bourn just turned 30. His legs aren’t going to fall off in 5 months. He plays an excellent CF. He can solidify the leadoff and CF spot, unless they are prepared to roll the dice on ‘Spin, who is the only other player thst has a chance to bring what Bourn can. On a team friendly 3 year deal, while keeping that #11 pick, he can legitimize the 2013 team and contribute beyond. A singles hitter that can turn 40 singes into doubles, with a CF golden glove, in his prime, is no slouch.
    • Crozier February 8, 2013 at 12:10 am
      Bourn walked 70 times last year; contrary to your point, he’s clearly improving in the on-base department. He’s fast, steals bases, plays good defense, and would score more runs than Tejada (who will never be fast) out of the leadoff spot.

      If they sign him, the Mets become a genuine threat to finish…third, instead of fourth. Is that worth it? If it brings more people to Citi in 2013, perhaps. I’m warming to the idea, but I wouldn’t call the move critical to long-term success.

      • DaveSchneck February 8, 2013 at 9:35 am
        Crozier,
        By no means do I see the Mets as favorites, but hear me out. If they are able to acquire Bourn, and take a flier on Brian Wilson, who is there for the taking, I will have a very differnet view of the team. Plenty of ifs, but if Santana is rested and pitches like he did in the first half of 2012, and if Wilson returns to his prior healthy form by the summer, Wheeler and D’Arnaud make noise is AAA, this team can compete. I know everyone is ga ga over the Uptons on the Braves, but that lineup is a K and low OBP waiting to happen They did lose Chipper, Prado, Bourn, and Ross, and McCann may not be healthy. The Mets could well have a better rotation than the Braves. Now, admittedly, the Nats look real good, but who knows, maybe Gio takes a suspension, the pitching takes s step back…at least it gives the Mets and us fans something to root for. Alderson can still do this and keep his beloived payroll under $100 mil without sacfificing the future, if he can get Bourn on his terms.
        • Kanehl February 8, 2013 at 5:41 pm
          Dave, Don’t bogart that joint, my friend… (apologies to the Easy Rider soundtrack). 🙂
        • DaveSchneck February 9, 2013 at 10:02 pm
          No need for weed…just a leadoff hitter who can catch it in the OF and a real closer
  3. Dan B February 9, 2013 at 11:01 am
    Dave, love your optimism, but I am not ready to bet the farm on the Mets just yet. For one thing, if Santana reverts to his old form, he is going to be traded. The same for Francisco and Buck. So improved performance does not necessary translate to wins. I know the Mets don’t believe in trading for prospects (Reyes, Capuano, Hairston, Feliciano, etc) however they will trade if it means big salary savings (KRod, Beltran, Dickey). That is why our payroll is down but our farm system is not above average despite drafting high (that and the fact the Mets don’t believe in signing draft choices)
    • NormE February 9, 2013 at 12:04 pm
      Dan B,
      Your last sentence truly fits the Mets to a “tee.”