When Omar Minaya entered the hotel lobby in Indianapolis (as opposed to “having lobby” in Indy), he was greeted by several members of the media, including David Lennon and Adam Rubin.
Not surprisingly, Minaya’s chats with the two journalists provided mixed messages. Continue reading
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.
The winter meetings began today, and by 10:30 am there was a rumor that the Mets, Cubs, and Rays were involved in a three-way deal that sent Pat Burrell to the Mets, Luis Castillo to the Cubs, and Milton Bradley to the Rays.
However, as of 12:25 PM EST, that deal is just that — a rumor. For now, anyway.
We’ll post news heard from Indy regarding the Mets here periodically. Meantime you can also check the new widget to the right, which shows the latest tweets of the top Mets beat writers and national journalists who are reporting from the winter meetings.
There have been a few rumors floating that the Mets could obtain Pat Burrell from the Rays — possibly as part of a three-team deal that would send Luis Castillo to the Cubs and Milton Bradley to Tampa Bay.
Such a trade may not come to fruition, but “Pat the Bat” is definitely on the trading block, and he fits the description of “power hitting left fielder” that the Mets are so desperate to acquire.
But would you, as a Mets fan, want him?
Forget that his name is Pat Burrell for a moment, and consider whether you would want a left fielder who averaged 31 HRs, 99 RBI, and an .890 OPS in the last four seasons he played in the NL East. Would you take on his one year and $9M in return for a marginal player, in a salary dump deal (from the Rays’ perspective)? Be sure to factor in the player’s motivation — in that he’ll be playing for a 2011 contract.
Granted, Burrell had a poor year in 2009, but it was his first time in the American League, his first time as a DH, and he spent the entire season fighting a neck injury. If the neck is fully healed — and yes it’s a big “if” — and he returns to the comfort and knowledge of NL opponents, there’s a decent possibility he returns to the 30-HR threat he was from 2005-2008.
Before you say “whoa, a lot of his homers came from playing in that bandbox known as Citizens Bank Park”, go check the stats — he hit 21 of his 2008 HRs away from CBP. In 2007 the split was about even (14 away, 16 in CBP) and in 2006 it was 17 away, 12 at home. There is no question he has the strength to hit the ball out of any park (18 in 334 career ABs in pitcher-friendly Shea Stadium helps support that argument).
In addition to his homerun power, Burrell hits the ball into gaps, takes a ton of pitches, and usually walks close to 100 times a year. When he’s on a hot streak, he can put a team on his back and carry it.
On the negative side, his fielding has gotten worse as he’s aged, he is a poor baserunner, and when he slumps, he slumps like no one else — they are massive, horrendous slumps that make him look like he’d be better off serving hot dogs for a living. I doubt the average Mets fan would be able to handle a lengthy Pat Burrell slump without sending a blunt object through the TV set.
Additionally, Burrell has proven to be less than savvy with the media, and often comes off as condescending or bitter when he’s quoted. Combine a bad slump with NYC reporters, and Pat Burrell could quickly become the target of angry Mets fans. Oh, and then there’s that whole history with him mashing homeruns in Shea while wearing a Phillies uniform — he’d be coming in with a reputation not unlike when Tom Glavine first arrived in Flushing.
How do you feel about the possibility of Pat Burrell joining the Mets?
*** UPDATE 11:30am ***
Andrew Vazzano of TheRopolitans has posted a rumor that Burrell has been traded to the Mets.
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.
From Ken Rosenthal’s column, in reference to free agent Mark DeRosa’s potential landing spots:
“Lesser teams such as the Mets and Nationals also are interested in DeRosa, according to major-league sources. But, like so many free agents, his first choice is to play for a contender.”
The blame game played by Jerry Manuel extends to his coaching staff and into the offseason. Because now the word from Dan Warthen is that the Mets catchers are to blame for the terrible pitching exhibited by the Flushing Futiles. Continue reading
Top Mets prospect Fernando Martinez is off the field again, this time suffering from blister problems.
F-Mart is currently on the roster of Escogido in the Dominican Winter League.
From Adam Rubin’s report on the issue:
The continued trouble has led to advice from ex-Met Moises Alou, who is GM of Martinez’s winter-ball team. Alou, who used to urinate on his hands to increase the skin’s toughness, has recommended Martinez do the same thing.
Martinez injured again. Moises Alou is the GM. Before you even get to the urine thing, there are already a dozen jokes to be made.
If nothing else, this Mets offseason is providing plenty of laughter.