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In the Daily News, citing ‘Yankees sources,’ Mark Feinsand writes 
that the Yankees will soon offer C Jorge Posada a three-year, $40 million deal.
…i think you’d be hard pressed to find any person who does not think posada will eventually re-sign with the Yankees…that being said, as a Mets fan, i would have no interest in bringing him to queens on a four-year deal, which is what it will most likely have to be…i mean, he’ll be 40 years old entering that final season, playing in the National League…
…just take your pinstriped money, jorge, and get it over with…
…for the Mets, if Paul Lo Duca is not re-signed, i still suspect his replacement will be acquired via trade, not as a free agent…
Well, that pretty much guarantees he won’t be going anywhere!
Don’t want him anyway.
I think this might be a classic Omar, get a guy no one suspected move. Hpe it works out!
If Laduca comes back, not the worst thing in the world, but it would be nice if they could get a stronger overall catcher and much younger (that can be around for a while).
KELLY SHOPPACH!!!!! Get him!
I remember how highly-touted he was… Does he still hold that promise? What would it take to get him?
Hmm … I don’t know what it would take but I think he’d be the perfect fit for this team, with Castro.
Matt, please stop the obsession with the former Yankee players. Seriously, we don’t need constant updates on them. No one wants them, and no one cares. It’s getting a little weird. And we wonder why people think the Mets are a second class team.
It’s relevant because the Mets are in the market for a catcher, and Posada is the best free agent out there.
Agreed.
Why did we leave Jesus Flores un-protected again? He may not of been ready for 2008, but we obviously don’t have a long term solution at catcher.
Because he wasn’t a long term solution at catcher.
Jeze…you would think this guy is the 2nd coming of Bench…
nah, he’s just doing it so that his wife will read the site and know that he is working!
Seriously, I think posts that relate to FAs at positions where the mets don’t have anyone (technically I think every one of the 4 catchers on the sept. roster are now FAs of some kind) are relevant. He just happens to be a Yankee, so you get the NY attention.
Metsdude13, you’re clueless. Jorge Posada, Alex Rodriguez, Mariano Rivera or any Yankee, or any player that has been linked to the Mets whether it be via rampant speculation or through news reports should be reported on by this blog.
Posada is the best catcher available and last I checked, catcher was one of our needs.
Matt, I think Mets are going to go hard after Ramon Hernandez.
Yuck, not Hernandez, although at least he is on ly signed S/T.
I would rather Omar found someone a bit younger with some up side potential. Enough with these 35 YO stop gaps already.
Sorry but lo duca deserves to be back! The collapse last year was not his fault. He is a MET and he belongs back…enough with this Yankee free agent garbage…Lets show a little support for our guys that always gave effort..Lo duca was not one of the slackers
Effort is wonderful, but I am much more concerned with talent, and expected performance over the next couple of years, when putting together the team.
If you want to support “our guys” that bleed blue and orange, lobby to make him a coach (future manager?) if he can’t back it up on the filed still.
Stop gaps are what this team wants until Pena is ready–which is aabout 2 years down the road.
I’m glad I’m not the only one who has heard or posts about Francisco Pena. I have heard great things about him. What do we have to lose by giving a one year deal to LoDuca with a team option for a 2nd…he will be relatively cheap.
I am comfortable giving Castro a 2 year deal, still pretty much on the cheap. Let these guys who have had success here stay on – until Pena is ready to come up. Fact is, even if Pena can’t hit his weight, the word is that he is excellent defensively. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a catcher for the next 10 years that can throw out a baserunner?
In the past three days, there have been 6 posts about the Yankees. There are several catchers who may be available and many relief pitchers who would be better options than Rivera, but none of them have gotten the attention that the Yankees have. To me, this just proves that us Mets fans have an inferiority complex to the Yankees. I have a strong feeling that if Posada and Rivera were not former Yankees, people would be screaming about us going after ANOTHER 36 year old catcher and a 38 year old reliever, both of whom look to decline in the coming years. Yet because they are Yankees we have this image that they are invincible and that they would bring us a championship. They haven’t brought the Yankees a championship in 7 years. They’re not that good. And we’re not going to become a dynasty by signing them. Stop oogling former Yankees and lets get some news on OTHER players (that are realistic, no Miguel Cabrera or Santana). Yes, that’s right, there are baseball players outside of New York.
I think we all also know that the Yankee Free Agents will use othe rteams (especially the Mets) in order to rake the Skanks over the coals to cost them more $$$$…
Hey, I share your distaste for the Yankees, but Cerrone’s blog is designed to cover all things baseball that are important as well as the Mets, and during the hot stove season it even skews a little more toward general baseball news. Which makes sense. And what the Yankees do with their own free agents affects the market and hence the Mets and it will also affect their ability to go for Santana in the near future, which of course impacts the Mets. It’s all related in a way.
I would think Torrealba would be the ‘easiest’ guy to land who is also a more longer term solution. And I wouldnt have a problem with some platoon of Castro with Kendall or Barrett, assuming you can pick up one of those guys on the cheap for two years after the down 2007 years they just had.
I wouldnt be so inclined to trade for a C when there are reasonable FA’s available. There are so many other issues for Omar to deal with, a short term solution for C does make some sense as catchers wear out early. Afterall LoDoca worked out well as a short term solution.
I think there is a very good chance that the Rockies make a strong push to resign both Torrealba and Affeldt. The Rockies have always had problems with catchers and Torrealba is the first reliable one they had since… Charles Johnson I guess. Affeldt was great for them and the WS hype should bring that franchise more money and put more pressure on their mgmt to open up the purse strings to resign some of the players that helped get them there.
Barrett is a clubhouse cancer and Kendall is just overhyped garbage. I know catcher is never that strong of a position really, but I would sooner lock up Lo Duca or trade some B prospects for a catcher, assuming we have any of those left. I do not think an Omar would deal away big pieces for a catcher.
Miguel Olivo…
I remember hearing over the summer that the Mets planned on pursuing Ronnie Paulino of the Pirates in a trade. I could see the Mets pursuing someone along those lines to split time with Castro (who they would also have to resign). Though I would imagine if the Mets traded for a young catcher like Paulino he would get the bulk of the playing time.
snell and paulino, 200 IP and a young catcher. Although i dont know what youd have to give up to get that.
Here here metsdude13!!! Posada might be the best FA C this off season, but that doesn’t mean the Mets “HAFTA HAFTA” sign him, robbing the Yankees of their precious backstop. 2nd class citizens indeed.
And Olivo? Why? Cause you like to see guys swing at every 1st pitch? We’d be better off signing LoDuca and Castro to 2 yr deals, and then making some moves to inject some youth into our AA/AAA C corps. Although Ramon Hernandez would be an acceptable Plan B, as long as you sign Castro either way.
I agree. Why should the mets give up prospects to trade for a atcher when we have other needs especially pitching. Omar should sign a smaller deal with lo duca and then platoon him and castro. This I believe would make the most sense.
Or maybe Florida will take Delgado back for Mike Jacobs, and we can put him back behind the plate?
This is from Rotoworld and The Daily News from this summer, you may remember it:
According to the New York Daily News, the Mets are laying the groundwork for a potential winter acquisition of Ronny Paulino from the Pirates.
Paulino was supposed to be the Pirates’ long-term catcher after his strong 2006, but since he hasn’t played as well offensively or defensively this year, he likely will become available this winter. The Mets’ plan could be to re-sign Ramon Castro and have him battle Paulino for playing time if Paul Lo Duca leaves as a free agent.
What is the attraction with paulino? Other than being younger, note that he had a sub par offensive year in 2007 so why the heck do we need a weak bat? We need to re-sign Lo Duca. There are no other strong free agent catchers out there….
You are implying that Lo Duca is a strong free agent catcher. He isn’t.
“Oh but he gets angry and he’s a leader!”
Bite me.
Listen stellar I didn’t say Lo Duca is a strong free agent I said that there are no other strong free agent catchers out there. He is absolutley worth considering re-signing at a lower salary to platoon with Castro. I like this idea better than Paulino
Bite me.
Well first of all NYMBosco, the jury is still out on Paulino as far as being an offensive player. You cannot call him a weak bat based on the statistics he has put up in his career. Also keep in mind that he is on a weak Pittsburgh lineup, so putting him in the Mets lineup he could see more pitches to him. He’s younger and cheaper (salary wise not in terms of what you would have to give up to get him). And other than Victor Martinez, Pudge (on the downside), Posada, McCann, and Russel Martin there aren’t a lot of catchers who are good offensive players. I should add Lo Duca to that group who I would also have no problem resigning.
Also, what do you think of the Mets putting together a package for the SF Giants Noah Lowry? The Giants have an abundance of starting pitching and want to get younger offensively. The Mets could put together a package of either Gomez or Milledge with someone like Ruben Gotay (to replace Ray Durham) for Lowry. Then again the Giants did turn down the Mets offer of Carlos Gomez for Jonathan Sanchez. What do you think?
I would give up milledge or gomez for Noah Lowry. I think omar should try to do a deal like that……
Good, while normal “smart” Met fans are screaming at Omar to go for dream trades like Johan Santana (who don’t get me wrong I would love, but I am also a realist) or Dontrelle Willis (he’s not being traded within the division) I look for more realistic trade options that the Mets could make that benefits both teams and makes sense financially and logistically for both teams. Lowry and the Mets and one of the Mets young outfielders and the Giants match up perfectly. The only question is whether or not Lowry could pitch in New York and has the mentality to do so.
Keep in mind that Lowry hasn’t even reached his prime. The only reason I think the Giants would be willing to deal him is the fact that they can control Zito, Sanchez, Lincecum, and Cain for several years unlike Lowry who I think is a free agent in two or three years.
isnt lowry a soft tosser?
Not Lowry. You don’t want to give up Milledge, Gomez or anything but a low level reach prospect for him. His ERA looks good, but his peripherals stink, he has back problems and his stuff has been declining for 3 years. Not good when you’re not even 28 yet. His numbers are entirely Pac- Bell park. Take him out of there and he’ll tank faster than a fly ball pitcher at Coors. Seriously read McCovey Chronicles and see how much Giants fans are begging someone to be dumb enough to give up a good player for him.
The Giants have one pitcher worth targeting- Lincecum. But they’ll never trade him. Maybe Sanchez, but they probably won’t deal him either.
If you want a soft tossing lefty who’s value might be down, try Paul Maholm, who generates a high number of ground balls and could be a solid innings eater for years to come.
Thanks for the info on Lowry JabberJock. Though Lowry would be moving to Shea – a pitchers ballpark as well. Maholm is also an intriguing name to throw out there. While I have no problems with soft tossers, I did not know about his terrific ground ball numbers. Perhaps the Mets could make a deal for Maholm and Paulino. Perhaps a trade built around Aaron Heilman?
I don’t think Lowry is worth Milledge. Pitchers like him and Silva rely too much on their defense because they just can’t strike hitters out. Though the Mets do have a good defense, you’d be playing with fire inning after inning. He’s a decent pitcher, but JabberJock’s already detailed why he is not worth letting go of Milledge. Matt Cain would be a better option from the Giants, but I don’t think he’s on the block.
Didn’t the Pirates change GMs? That could put a damper on the “groundwork”.
not to mention that the Mets gave away 4 B rate prospects to get Luis Castillo and Jeff Conine. Kind of leaves the cubbards a little bare unless you want to trade Mulvey for Paulino. Didnt think so…
Great point on the new GM in Pittsburgh, so who knows what he is thinking. I did hear murmurs during the season that Ian Snell was not untouchable and that he could go in the right deal. Again, a Snell/Paulino package – as someone alluded too earlier – would be extremely intriguing for the Mets. Gomez/Pelfrey/Gotay for Snell/Paulino? Giving up young talent for young talent. Of course that doesn’t improve the Pirates at all.
I also forgot Varitek. The Mets could also put a package together to offer to San Francisco for Noah Lowry and Benji Molina. Though the problem with trading for someone like Molina is that he is so slow that he makes Ramon Castro look like Jesse Owens.
Joe Mauer?
On a total side note, Phily was voted the city with the ugliest people in the country. First they get swept by the rockies and now this. And we thought we were having a rough month.
http://news.aol.com/story/_a/the-least-attractive-people-are-in-/20071022194309990001?ncid=NWS00010000000001
The Yankees will be choking on Posada’s contract by year 2 of it. He’ll be a grossly overpaid player declining with age. Let him be the Yankees problem.
Everyone is saying Posada is slowing down, are you guys nuts? He’s going to break the bank regardless of where he signs, and he’s absolutely worth every penny he’s going to get paid. He hit .338 last year, with a .970 OPS including an OPS of 1.142 in September. Not only is he head and shoulders the best catcher available, he’s been getting better with age, with all his offensive stats and defensive stats getting BETTER every year for the past 3 years. If the Mets could get him (or anyone else) for a 4/50 deal, they’d be absolutely NUTS to pass him up. And anyone who would rather have Lo Duca instead of Posada is absolutely insane. Lo Duca is worse offensively, defensively and he’s not even as durable as Posada. This has nothing to do with the fact he’s a yankee, he’s simply the best catcher available, period.
He’s not the best C available, he’s the best option of the FAs. And also the most expensive. He’s also 36, how’d the best offensive C (Piazza) in the game do?
How about .266/20/54 in 129 games. With us.
Age is one of the most important keys in evaluating catchers, besides Benito Santiago, they all fall apart from the daily grind being behind the plate. That’s logic. If we were an AL team who could give him some ABs @ DH, it would make sense. But we aren’t, and having him catch 140 games, and put up those #s isn’t realistic. YOUTH YOUTH YOUTH…
Except Posada has almost the same mileage on his legs as a catcher who is like 33 years old. He didn’t start playing catcher until his early 20’s, and wasnt a full time starting catcher till he was almost 26. Look at his career games played (1432), compared to guys like Lo Duca (1015) or Hernandez (1055). He might be more than 6-7 years older than these guys, but he doesn’t have that many more years than these other guys, and his stats have been going up the past 3 years unlike Lo Duca, Hernandez or any other catcher you can name. Anyone expecting 140 games out of ANY catcher is somewhat unrealistic, especially from a guy like Lo Duca or Hernandez, but the fact is he is the best catcher available, and one of the best in the game, and should and will get paid like it.
He should stay with the Yankees. He sucks defensively. Had a career year with the bat. Not worth it. I rather trade for Bengie Molina. He’ll come cheap (he’ll be a salary dump) and will be 32/33 years old. Very good defensively, pretty decent bat as well.
I dont know about you guys, but I might be willing to take a chance on a certain catcher that used to be with us. He was also more of a power threat then loduca. WE might be able to get him on the cheap. MIKE PIAZZA!!!
reyes
castillo
wright
beltran
alou
delgdao
piazza
pretty nice to look at :)
What about John Maine’s best friend to back up Castro?
Paul Hoover?