Daily Archives: October 3, 2007
According the Detroit Free Press, Scott Boras, the agent for Tigers C Pudge Rodriguez, said he expects the club to pick up the catcher’s option for 2008.
…i just can’t take anything this guy says seriously any more…he has spun us in so many circles i am dizzy, and am unable to determine truth from fiction when he speaks…
The Tigers can either pick up Rodriguez’s option, which is worth $13 million, or pay him a $3 million buy-out fee, which will make him a free-agent.
Meanwhile, during his final interview of the season with WFAN, Paul Lo Duca 
told the show’s hosts that he wants to return to the Mets, but he is still unsure if the team feels the same way.
According to Lo Duca, he believes they were interested in keeping him during last off-season; and although they soured a bit during the spring and summer, he feels his strong September this year may have changed their mind. Regardless, he is still uncertain of their interest.
…as expected, there has been slight buzz all summer that the Mets have been passive with lo duca, while they wait to see what transpires with pudge and the Tigers…
In 129 games played for Detroit this season, the 35–year-old Rodriguez hit .281 with 11 HR and 63 RBI, while throwing out 30 percent of runners who attempted to steal on him.
Meanwhile, In 119 games played for the Mets this season, the 34–year-old Lo Duca hit .272 with nine HR and 54 RBI, while throwing out 23 percent of runners who attempted to steal on him.
…i suspect i am speaking from emotion on this, and not from intellect, but, i feel i would much rather lo duca, if for no other reason than he is a lighting rod for the Mets dugout, which is something you can’t put a price on…
Tagged Paul Lo Duca |According to the Pioneer Press, due to this year’s Cy-Young results, Johan Santana will soon have a no-trade clause for next season that allows him to only be traded to one of 12 teams.
However, Santana recently told the Star-Tribune that he will waive his no-trade clause assuming he is appropriately compensated and is 
traded to a team with a legitimate chance of winning a World Series.
…from what i can gather out of people who are close to santana, he has a lot of interest in playing in new york, specifically for the Mets, who play in the National League with out the designated hitter…that being said, as we learned last season with Barry Zito, as well as in so many other situations, money talks…but i sense that santana knows this is his time to shine on the big stage, and the Mets are probably his best option to hit all nails on the head…but, again, money talks…and to get him right now, pre-free agency, the Mets will have to pay with a lot of young talent in a trade…in other words, i think it’s safe to say that this will be the definitive storyline of shea’s off-season, as we chase rumors about santana all around baseball over the next few months, most likely starting at the Winter Meetings in early December…
Santana will enter the final season of a four-year, $39.5 million contract next season.
Tagged Hot Stove, Johan Santana, Mets, No-Trade Clause, Rumor, Twins |Mets LHP Tom Glavine has told SI.com that he will ‘most likely’ decline his $9 million player option for next season.
According to the report, Glavine must make a final decision by Friday. Glavine, among many other comments, as quoted by SI…
“I know if I decide to become a full-fledged free agent, I’d have a lot of interest from a lot of teams…Atlanta is home. The hardest thing for me in New York is playing and being away from home. I’ve played in New
York for five years now. If you break it down, I’ve been away from my home for four years now. I’m at the point where my wife and kids are making sacrifices for me.”
…i think it’s fairly obvious he wanted to return to the Braves last season, but that John Schuerholz would not pony up the money to bring him back…this season, i would be shocked if these two do not find a way to re-unite…and i’m fine with it…he’s a good pitcher, and i’m still a fan, but he cannot come back…our relationship has got to end…if for no other reason than his parting comments after Sunday’s loss will give him no room for error among us, the fans, if he was to return…
Glavine, talking to reporters after Sunday’s loss…
“I’m not devastated. I’m disappointed, but devastation is for much greater things in life. I’m disappointed, obviously, in the way I wanted to pitch. I can’t say there is much more I would have done differently.”
According to Bob Klapisch in the Bergen Record the team’s front office was appalled at his comments and attitude from Sunday.
Braves LHP John Smoltz, as quoted during September in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution…
“You [bring him back to Atlanta] because of two things: He can still pitch; he can still win baseball games. And, this is where he belongs…I’d love to see him retire in a Braves uniform. For my sanity, for everything we’ve been through, that would be the greatest thing in the world.”
By the way, at Rumor Central for ESPN.com, Jerry Crasnick writes that Glavine is likely to pitch again next season, adding that the Washington Nationals could have interest in signing him.
In his final four starts of the season, during which the Mets lost all four games, Glavine was 0–2 with a 9.50 ERA.
Tagged Tom Glavine | Newer posts →
