Buzz: Lo Duca Open to Mets Deal
The agent for free-agent C Paul Lo Duca recently told the Bergen Record that he and his client are open to finalizing a deal with the Mets.
However, while the Mets have repeatedly stated that they have interest in bringing Lo Duca back, according to the agent, the team is still considering all of their options.
…in all likelihood, lo duca’s agent will meet with Omar Minaya this week in Orlando during the GM Meetings…
During a recent appearance on SNY’s Daily News Live, FOXSports.com’s Ken Rosenthal told the show’s host that Lo Duca is as good as gone from the Mets.
However, the following day, in a report for the New York Post, Mark Hale quoted Lo Duca’s agent as saying…
“Omar reached out for us and let us know that the Mets were interested in bringing Paul back. And we’ve had some preliminary discussions, but nothing in substance.”
Lo Duca, as recently quoted in New York Times, when asked about why he’d like to return to the Mets…
“One of the main reasons I want to come back is the fans. Especially with what I went through last year with all that stuff, the fans were always great to me. I love playing in front of these fans. That’s No. 1. No. 2 is that they have a corps that’s going to win for a long time. This is a team that’s always going to be in the thick of it every year. I want to be on a team that’s going to win. That’s why I want to be here. Plus, New York City, you can’t beat it.”
…i’m still a bit torn on this…i like lo duca a lot…but, in talking with people connected to the team, i sense ownership and some coaches and players have soured on him, as they feel he was too negative during September, i.e., the team looked to him as an emotional leader, during which he was down and out and depressed - much like you and i, frankly…to me, he was probably just reflecting his honesty, which is a big reason why so many fans like him, but i also understand how this can be bad…what’s more, i keep hearing that the team wants a catcher who works better with the pitching staff…and while i’m not totally sure what that means, the guy who is referenced as a good example of this is O’s C Ramon Hernandez, who is rumored to be available through trade, and who had worked quite well with Rick Peterson and their young pitching staff in oakland…
…if i had to guess, at this point, i’d say the Mets will pursue other options at catcher, while considering lo duca to be a fall-back position, knowing how badly he wants to return…personally, i’d just re-sign him…i think his heart, pride and intensity is something this club should be built around, but i will understand if they go a different direction…
