Monthly Archives: November 2006
In a column for the New York Times, Murray Chass quotes Gregg Clifton, the agent for Tom Glavine, as saying, “He’s going to make a decision, I would think, by [Friday.]”
…first of all, chass’s column is a great read, in which he explains why he, personally, hopes glavine remains with the Mets…second, he offers some very unique quotes on behalf of Mets GM Omar Minaya…
Clifton also tells Chass, “John (Schuerholz) has said he’s not in a position to make an offer.”
…which would give credence to the popular idea that the Braves would like to have glavine back, but would first need to clear payroll, such as trading Tim Hudson, in order to do so…
Tom Glavine and his agent, Gregg Clifton, have not heard from the Braves 
since Tuesday, reports David O’Brien in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
According to the report, the two sides have yet to even begin contract negotiations.
…like i mentioned on tuesday, the buzz from atlanta has been that the Braves will offer a one-year deal worth roughly $7 million to glavine with a possible option for 2008…there is no word on whether he has asked for a no-trade clause, or if one will be granted…however, it is becoming quite clear that before they do so, they may need to clear a bit of payroll, like trading Tim Hudson, such as ESPN’s Peter Gammons mentioned on WFAN yesterday…
…as Adam Rubin from the Daily News pointed out in an interview at MetsBlog this afternoon, while the Braves may in fact want glavine back, who may in fact want to return home to atlanta, it appears the two sides simply have no time to work out a deal if glavine is to truly honor his word to the Mets about making a final decision by this weekend…
…which is the least he can do given how courteous the Mets have been to him throughout this process…
…the word in new york is that we may actually get some hard news on this issue during the day tomorrow, though at this point, i’ll believe it when i see it…
I was recently interviewed by BloggerTalks.com, which, as they put it, “is a blog about bloggers who matter, what they do and their experiences.”
…they actually refer to me as, “famous Mets blogger, Matthew Cerrone,” which is downright hilarious…
BloggerTalks and I discuss how MetsBlog was created, why I continue to write it, my relationship and adoration for the mainstream media, and whether or not I think the Mets will win next season.
Of the five questions and responses, which you can read by clicking the link above, I particularly like the following…
Any words of advice for those interested in starting or growing a sports blog?
In terms of general advice, I would simply tell the blogger to be honest. Do not try and be Peter Gammons, and do not try to be a beat writer. The media has plenty of these people. The beauty of blogging is that it is a tool of empowerment – so be honest, be yourself and take advantage of this unique opportunity to express your opinion in a way that only you can.
In terms of technical advice, I would suggest the blogger to be simple. There is so much information online, on radio, on television, and so on, that most readers are not looking for something to read, they are, instead, looking for something not to read. By that I mean, most online readers will decide within the first seven seconds whether or not to keep reading a blog post – so make a point and expound on it from there. Don’t try and create some clever lead, or cute metaphor with clever references that attempt to make you sound smarter than you are. If you’re smart, as a reader I will figure it on my own. Give us, the blogosphere, a reason to read you, don’t just assume that we will simply because your words are on the computer screen – because at the end of the day, all the fancy graphics and bells and whistles will not make up for a lack of quality writing and strong content. I want to read what you have to say, but you’ve got to give me a reason to stay.
…wait, is it me, or is this is a wordy answer about being succinct…nice…
At SI.com, Jon Heyman writes that Mets GM Omar Minaya is “scouring the league for trade partners,” while continuing to show interest in White Sox RHP Freddy Garcia and RHP Javier Vasquez.
Heyman also mentions that the A’s and Padres are interested in Mets RHP Aaron Heilman, while adding that several teams continue to ask about Padres RHP Scott Linebrink.
…if you recall, the Mets and Padres were super-close to making a deal at the trade deadline, which would have swapped linebrink for Oliver Perez, among other mets…however, reports the following day pointed out that san diego balked at the last minute, but was certain to note it will always have interest in re-acquring perez, who they see as reliever, not a starter…
Heyman also offers up tidbits about Tom Glavine, the Yankees off-season plans, and the futures of Mike Piazza and Mark Loretta, as well as countless other Hot Stove comments worth checking out.
At MLB.com, T.R. Sullivan writes that the Rangers met with free-agent LHP Barry Zito and his agent, Scott Boras, in Texas today.
…it’s on, gentlemen…
According to Sullivan, Texas has made Zito their top free-agent target this off-season.
…the buzz from texas has been similar to the buzz in new york, which is that, like the Mets, the rangers view zito along the same lines as Roy Oswalt, worth no more than five-years and $75 million, or so…boras has been rumored to be seeking as much as seven-years and $100 million…
…it’s about to be december…most people assume that zito will sign a deal no sooner then the middle of this month, and most certainly after boras has completed negotiations for his other top client, Daisuke Matsuzaka…
…by meeting with texas, boras has officially ignited the market for zito…
…and it’s about time…
At Mike’s Mets, NostraDennis puts forth 10 reasons to like free-agent LHP Barry Zito, most notably, “His Strikeouts for Troops charity sends $200 to wounded GI’s for each one of his strikeouts.”
…he really is a cool cat, and would fit in nicely with what the Mets have going on here…knowing that he, David Wright, Jose Reyes and Carlos Beltran will be on this team for the next four or five years is rather comforting…
…i once was concerned that he may feel a bit weirded out by new york city, given his reputation for being so laid back, sort of surferish, you know, i’m thinking Jack Johnson, who, subsequently, is one of my favorite musicians…
…however, i recall a few people saying to me at last season’s trade deadline that he welcomes the challenge of pitching in new york, and has been spending less and less time with his music and more and more time working towards being the best athlete possible…which is always nice to hear, as a fan of a team he could potentially end up playing for…
At JoeSportsFan.com, an outstanding and funny sports blog, Josh determines 
that the 1986 Mets would cost an estimated $121 million, assuming the team could be re-constructed with similar talent today.
The teams highest paid player would Darryl Strawberry, who would earn $16 million for the season.
…this is great…
…i would love to take this a bit further, and investigate what today’s general managers would pay a guy, such as Tony Gwynn, or Rickey Henderson in his prime, given the state of today’s open market…
Adam Rubin is a beat writer, and blogger, for the Daily News, as well as 
the author of Pedro, Carlos and Omar, which was initially published last year, but is being re-released in paperbook to include the acquisition of Carlos Delgado and highlights from the 2006 season that concluded with a Division Championship.
To purchase a copy of Pedro, Carlos & Carlos and Omar, go to Amazon.com or your local book store.
Rubin was kind enough to talk with me this afternoon about the book, the Tom Glavine situation, Chad Bradford and the pursuit of Barry Zito.
…to listen to this interview, click the play button below…
You can subscribe to future MetsBlog miniCasts by either entering the 
following feed, 
, into your music download software, such as iTunes or Yahoo! Music, or by simply searching MetsBlog, or Mets, on iTunes…
In our conversation, Rubin explained that he feels the Mets are approaching this off-season with a more fiscally conservative mindset than in years past, which is partly why the were not compelled to give an extra-year to Chad Bradford, who signed a three-year deal with the Orioles this week. According to Rubin, the Mets do not want to end up as the did a few years ago, “when they had the back-ended-loaded contracts, like Mo Vaughn and Roberto Alomar and players like that.” Specifically on Bradford, he feels the Mets prefer to stock pile a variety of pitchers for spring training and see what develops, such as the way they found Roberto Hernandez in 2005 and Darren Oliver last season, as opposed to overpay for a guy like Bradford, as good as he may be.
Ultimately, Rubin believes Tom Glavine will return to the Mets, if for no other reason then the pitcher’s timetable with the Mets does not match-up with the Braves, who seemingly must find a taker for Tim Hudson before making an offer to Glavine.
Regarding the league-wide assumption that Barry Zito will eventually sign with the Mets, Rubin believes the Mets will certainly have competition for the left-handed starter, if for no other reason than the pitcher’s agent is Scott Boras. In the end, Rubin feels Zito will be with the Mets. However, if the Mets do not sign him Rubin feels they will have no choice but to turn to the trade market to acquire the type of starting pitcher they are looking for.
…you may download an mp3 of this interview by using the link below…
According to the Contra Costa Times, free-agent 2B Mark Loretta would happily sign with the Giants for only a one-year deal worth $4 million, though he has several offers on the table from other teams.
…earlier this off-season, the buzz from cleveland suggested that the Indians and the Mets had serious interest in loretta, in fact the New York Post had written that loretta’s agent has acknowledged such interest from both parties…
…loretta is 34 years old, will command a less-expensive deal than Julio Lugo, obviously, and he has willie-esque qualities, in that he draws walks, can bunt, doesn’t strike out often, puts the ball in play, plays a reliable second base and he stays in on double plays, which is important to willie…
The Giants hope to make a decision on Loretta, as well as free-agent OF Dave Roberts, before Monday, which marks the start of the winter meetings in Orlando, FL, according to the report.
At his blog for the Daily News, Adam Rubin brings us up to speed on tomorrow’s arbitration deadline, and how the league’s recent rule changes have impacted how the deadline is handled.
Rubin believes there is ‘no way’ the Mets offer arbitration to Cliff Floyd, Steve Trachsel, Darren Oliver, Roberto Hernandez or Chris Woodward, and while Guillermo Mota is a toss up, the team will most likely offer arbitration to Tom Glavine.
