Millwood Traded and Other News
More news in what’s becoming a somewhat busy day in Indianapolis … Read more
Wolf, Gload, Penny, and Other Updates
A quick update on the goings-on in Indianapolis today … Read more
Mets NOT Interested in Catcher
Remarkably, there is a catcher on the market that does not draw the interest of the New York Mets.
According to Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Pirates are shopping catcher Ryan Doumit, and fielding offers from several teams, most notably the Blue Jays.
To Kovacevic’s knowledge, however, the Mets are NOT one of those teams.
Doumit battled wrist and back injuries in 2009, appearing in only 75 games. He is a switch-hitting, offensive-minded catcher with some pop and a hard-nosed approach to the game but below-average skills behind the plate. He can play 1B and the outfield, but at those positions his offensive prowess is not as impressive — in that way he reminds me a bit of Robert Fick: not enough bat to play a corner, not enough glove to be a regular backstop. Still, he’s a nice guy to have on the bench and mix in at all three positions — but the Mets are already set with a backup catcher, and that’s where he adds the most value.
In related news, Troy Renck believes the Mets may be pursuing Yorvit Torrealba, who reportedly has moved beyond the grievance filed against the team in 2007.
Winter Meetings: Day One Review
The first day of the annual winter meetings is complete. Here’s what happened:
- a bogus rumor circulated sending Mets fans in horror, reporting that Pat Burrell was on his way to Flushing.
- another bogus rumor had the Mets trading for Edwin Jackson. I feel bad for MetsToday reader Micalpalyn, who has been pining for this acquisition for two years.
- the Nationals acquired Brian Bruney. If they acquire a halfway decent closer, they’ll have a better bullpen (on paper) than the Mets. The trade also rekindles a fairly lame “feud” between Bruney and K-Rod.
- the Cardinals signed Brad Penny to a one-year deal. Penny + Dave Duncan = 15+ wins
- the Giants, Mariners, and Rockies are interested in the most athletic free-agent catcher. The Mets remain interested in Bengie Molina
- the Mets might be on the verge of offering Bengie Molina a one-year deal worth $6M plus a vesting option for 2011
- no one other than the Mets have displayed interest in Bengie Molina
- one source reported that the Mets were talking to JOSE Molina. Apparently they haven’t completely cornered the market on backup catchers who can’t hit a lick. Or maybe Omar Minaya thought he was talking to Bengie. They DO look similar, after all.
- Rafael Soriano accepted arbitration. The Braves now have the NL East’s best bullpen — to match the division’s best starting rotation one through five. How does that old philosophy go? You win with pitching, pitching and more what?
- the Brewers are on the verge of signing Randy Wolf to a three-year deal. If that’s what it takes, I’m glad the Mets are out of the bidding.
- Roy Halladay was rumored to be going to the Dodgers or the Rays, of all places
- the Rays are shopp(ach)ing Dioner Navarro
- the Mets are talking to Adam Kennedy. Now THAT’s a guy I’d pay $2M to be the infield utilityman.
- the Mets will meet with the agents for Randy Wolf, Joel Pineiro, Jason Marquis, and John Lackey during the meetings. Pineiro wants (giggle) a four-year deal.
- Matt Murton has been sold to the Hanshin Tigers of Japan
- the Mets inquired on Kelvim Escobar
- at least one source reports that the Mets are willing to trade Luis Castillo for Juan Pierre. Why not just put Castillo in left field?
- Elmer Dessens is weighing offers from the Mets, Dodgers, and Padres. Really?
- Pudge Rodriguez signed with the Nationals. You know what? I’m starting to worry about the Nats.
Josh Willingham a Target?
According to a tweet by Washington Nationals beat writer William Ladson just before he left for the winter meetings, the Mets may be interested in Josh Willingham.
Though there are concerns about his defensive skills, Willingham certainly fits the description of “left fielder who can hit with power”. He hit 26 HRs and 29 doubles last year in only 427 ABs, and walked 61 times. That power and patience more or less negates his habit of swinging and missing (104 Ks), but is it enough to make up for his defensive deficiencies?
Look at it this way: this time last year, the Mets had penciled in Daniel Murphy as the starting left fielder, with Fernando Tatis as his primary backup. That said, Willingham may be inferior to other MLB leftfielders, but would represent an upgrade in ALL areas compared to last year’s plan for the position.
In other news, Jack Cust will likely be non-tendered by the A’s now that Jake Fox is Oakland’s property (wow, Fox would’ve been a nice pickup for the Mets … oh well). At least one source indicates the Mets may be interested in the NJ native. But, Cust makes Willingham look like a Gold Glove candidate, and I’m not sure his around .800 OPS and homerun power can counteract both the bad glove and the one whiff per three plate appearances he’s produced in the past two years.
By the way, Willingham has catching experience. And we know the Mets can use another catcher.
Marco Scutaro Off the Table?
According to Venezuelan news source Lider, the Red Sox have signed Marco Scutaro. Terms are unknown at this time, and the deal is yet to be official.
So scratch him off the list of available second basemen / utility infielders, and stop voting for him when you Rate the Mets Free Agent Targets.
The Price for Roy Halladay
According to a “high-ranking official” cited in an article by The National Post, the Toronto Blue Jays will take as much time as needed to trade Roy Halladay — if they trade him at all.
Would they actually keep Halladay through 2010 and allow him to leave via free agency next winter? Read more
Plan B: Jose Guillen
According to Adam Rubin of the Daily News, the Mets’ “Plan B” for a power-hitting left fielder is Jose Guillen.
No, that is not a joke.
The Mets have been linked to Guillen before, as Omar Minaya seems to have a fascination with the volatile and sullen slugger. It didn’t make sense to obtain him a year ago, and it makes less sense now, for the same reasons.
Before, it didn’t make sense because Guillen was Read more
Holliday Posturing
The latest on Matt Holliday is that the Yankees aren’t interested (per Buster Olney), the Angels aren’t either, and the Red Sox and Jason Bay appear to be on the same wavelength. That said, the Mets may have only the Cardinals to bid against when the Holliday auction begins — right?
Not necessarily … Read more
Jeff Francoeur to Return
According to a tweet by Bart Hubbach of the NY Post, the Mets plan to bring Jeff Francoeur back in 2010 — and may even negotiate a contract extension with him.
I know the statheads like to point out his poor OBP, lack of walks, and some other deficiencies in his game (and they’re correct in their analysis), but the bottom line for me is that as a fan I like Jeff Francoeur — I enjoy watching his hard-nosed, old-school style of play, I like his hustle, and i like the fact the he looks like he’s enjoying himself on the field. And since I’m not expecting success from the 2010 Mets, I’m looking for other things to cheer for — i.e., a reason to turn on the TV every night at 7pm. Jeff Francoeur could be one of those reasons.
Much of the criticism for Francoeur came about because Read more
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