Daily Archives: November 18, 2006
At SI.com, Jon Heyman reports that a deal between free-agent OF Moises Alou and the Mets will most likely be for one year plus an option, with a buy-out, for 2008.
At FOXSports.com, Ken Rosenthal reports that the Mets and free agent OF Moises Alou are discussing a two-year contract.
According to Rosenthal, the signing of Frank Thomas by the Blue Jays for two years at $18 million has reshaped the marketplace. The Indians were thought to be the favorites for Alou’s services until the Thomas signing.
…wow, well, there’s a world of difference between a one-year contract and a two-year contract, especially in this case…as a one-year stop-gap signing, i don’t think you could do much better in this free-agent market…he’s a wicked righty bat, exactly what this team needs, no question…however, if he’s not healthy and signs on for two years, this contract could be an albatross and a huge step back as far as corner outfield defense is concerned…
…as always, stay tuned…
Head over to Hot Foot to get a rundown on how the Mets prospects are performing in fall league baseball.
Tagged Minors |In the New York Post, Mark Hale reports that the Mets have interest in free-agent OF Moises Alou.
According to Listin Diario, a newspaper out of Santo Domingo, the Mets and Alou have discussed a one-year, $8 million contract. The report cites a close friend to the player as providing the information.
…i’m not going to believe this in full until i see it reported elsewhere…i recall a similar situation like this a few years ago when the ‘friend’ as a source was way off base, and the foreign paper botched the story…
…at any rate, if it is accurate, it’s a solid short-term solution, since the team has little interest in free-agent OF Alfonso Soriano and OF Carlos Lee, leaving a mediocre group of free-agent options to fill the outfield’s void…alou is as good as any…
In 345 at-bats for the Giants last season, Alou hit .301 with 22 HR and 74 RBI in just 98 games. He hit .321 in 2005, and .293 in 2004. He missed several games last season due to a back injury and a sprained ankle.
…thanks to steve from raleigh for the link and translation…
In Newsday, David Lennon writes that the Mets expect a final decision from Tom Glavine in the days after Thanksgiving, but before the winter meetings, 
which begin December 4.
Mets officials have told Lennon that the team and Glavine remain in frequent contact, and are not yet worried he may return to play in Atlanta.
Meanwhile, in the Daily News, Peter Botte cites several baseball officials who believe free-agent Barry Zito will not ink a deal until after the winter meeting during.
At FOXSports.com, Ken Rosenthal lists the Mets among seven other teams that may be interested in Red Sox OF Manny Ramirez, should Boston make him available by trade.
According to Rosenthal, however, the Mets are far less interested in Ramirez as they have been in the past.
Ramirez’s is due $17 million in each of 2007 and 2008, according to the Boston Herald, with an option for 2009.
In Newsday, David Lennon reports that the Mets will soon have discussions on whether to place a big on Japanese LHP Kei Igawa, who was posted by his team in Japan on Friday.
Igawa, 27, went 14-9 with a 2.97 ERA last season in Japan. He struck out 194 batters, and lead his league in strikeouts in 2002, 2004 and 2006.
…all the hype has been around Daisuke Matsuzaka, but if you listen to people who have seen both of these guys pitch, they will always follow up by saying igawa could end up being just as effective as matsuzaka and be had for half the cost…it should also be noted, though, that i have also heard people say he has Kaz Ishii written all over him, while matsuzaka seems to get nothing but praise…so, who knows…
Following the MLB All-Stars tour of Japan, Mets 3B David Wright offered a tepid review of Igawa in Newsday, noting that Igawa threw, “an average to above-average fastball, an above-average changeup, and his slider was a little flat.”.
…the buzz from japan has been that igawa prefers to pitch on the west coast…or a warm climate, like atlanta, who has said to be interested…
Teams have until 5 p.m. on Monday, November 27, to submit a sealed bid to the MLB commissioner’s office.
…the word around baseball suggests teams will most likely submit bids in the area of $10 million, with the Mets, Cubs, Padres, D’backs, Yankees, Braves and Dodgers having all been rumored to have interest in igawa…
