Mets Sign Daisuke Matsuzaka

Posted on January 27, 2014 by Joe Janish

This is a few days late, but in case you haven’t heard, the Mets have signed Daisuke Matsuzaka to a minor-league contract that includes an invitation to spring training. Continue reading →

Posted in 13-14 Offseason | 29 Comments

News Flash: No News in Metsville

Posted on January 24, 2014 by Joe Janish

Maybe I was spoiled by last week’s flurry of free-agent signings. Perhaps the Mets should have found a way to space out the news of John Lannan‘s arrival and Omar Quintanilla‘s return. Or maybe I’m just tired of hearing the same stories regurgitated fifteen ways to Sunday since early November.

Will Mets sign Stephen Drew?

Where will Ike Davis wind up?

Lucas Duda will be playing only first base. No he won’t. Yes he will. Nobody’s sure, though we’re sure he’s very uncomfortable playing the outfield.

David Wright is happy.

The Mets are kicking tires on [insert flamethrowing reliever coming off bad year or injury here].

[Insert other team here] has signed [insert free agent here].

A-Rod, blah blah blah.

On the bright side, there has been much more news coming out of Flushing than Milwaukee. Can you believe the Brewers have yet to sign a free agent to a Major League contract?

What New York baseball story this winter has been most tiresome for you? Post it in the comments.

Posted in 13-14 Offseason | 21 Comments

Mets were in on Grant Balfour

Posted on January 23, 2014 by Paul Festa

After the Tampa Bay Rays reportedly inked relief ace Grant Balfour, baseball insider Ken Rosenthal tweeted this:

So, Sandy Alderson was interested in bolstering his bullpen with a veteran arm – we knew that. We just thought it would be someone like a David Aardsma or Joel Hanrahan, not an established closer like Balfour.

Speaking of closing, would Balfour have closed for the Mets or set up Bobby Parnell? Seems like the team would have wanted him as insurance in case Parnell wasn’t ready for Opening Day. And if Parnell was, Balfour would have handled the eighth inning.

I wonder if Balfour also took that into account when making his decision – I’m sure he wants to remain a closer.

It’s also interesting that the Mets were willing to spend more than $6 million AAV on a two-year deal. That suggests that they still have money to spend, despite the fact that they appear to be at or nearing their rumored payroll limit.

Perhaps they’ll spend that money on another reliever or two, or maybe (dare I say) Stephen Drew. The free agent shortstop seems to be less and less in demand, which should drive down his price. If he and his agent, Scott Boras, get desperate enough, they may even settle for a one-year deal.

Regardless, it sounds like the Mets are not done spending just yet.

Posted in News Notes Rumors | Tagged , , , , | 11 Comments

Omar Minaya: Myth vs. Reality

Posted on January 23, 2014 by Joe Janish

Does Omar Minaya deserve all the blame for the Mets current rebuilding? Does he deserve any credit for anything in this process that can be described as positive? Continue reading →

Posted in 13-14 Offseason | 16 Comments

Is Ike Davis Hamburger Meat?

Posted on January 22, 2014 by Joe Janish

hamburger-meat

The excitement of the Omar Quintanilla signing has been somewhat muted by the latest comments by the father of Ike Davis, as reported by Adam Rubin in ESPN-NY. Continue reading →

Posted in 13-14 Offseason | 21 Comments

Mets Don’t Sign Bobby Abreu

Posted on January 22, 2014 by Joe Janish

According to various sources, the Philadelphia Phillies have signed former Philadelphia Phillie (and Dodger, Yankee, Astro, and Angel) Bobby Abreu to a minor-league contract, and invited him to spring training. Continue reading →

Posted in 13-14 Offseason | 5 Comments

Big News On Hot Stove

Posted on January 21, 2014 by Joe Janish

The big news simmering on the Hot Stove right now is a) where will Masahiro Tanaka wind up; and b) the Padres are shopping utility infielder Logan Forsythe.

Quite a contrast, eh?

Which story do you find more intriguing, and why?

Post your notes in the comments.

Posted in 13-14 Offseason | 3 Comments

Reynolds, Overbay Off the Table, Wells On

Posted on January 21, 2014 by Joe Janish

The recent flurry of Flushing free-agent signings was not all of the movement happening in Major League Baseball over the last few days. Let’s quickly go over some of the more intriguing transactions. Continue reading →

Posted in 13-14 Offseason | 2 Comments