November 6, 2007 at 7:43 pm
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23 comments
by Matthew Cerrone
Pedro Martinez will earn $11 million next season, which is the final year of his four-year contract with the Mets.
However, according to Martinez’s agent, Fern Cuza, it will not be the picther’s final season, reports the Boston Herald.
Cuza, on Martinez, as quoted by the Herald…
“He’s got a new arm. He’s going to pitch a few more years. As long as Pedro’s having fun, he’s going to pitch. And he’s having fun again, so he’s decided he’s going to keep playing.”
In five starts for the Mets last season, Martinez was 3–1 with a 2.57 ERA, while striking out 32 batters in 28 innings.
…i’m quite excited to watch a full season of pedro pitch for the Mets again…he had a very good 2005, and rough 2006, during which he was injured and crying on several occasions…last year, he looked quite good in his five starts after returning from shoulder surgery…i really have a lot of faith in pedro, more than i probably should, actually…
November 6, 2007 at 5:54 pm
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26 comments
by Matthew Cerrone
According to NBC 11 in Atlanta, citing ‘sources,’ LHP Tom Glavine will take less money in an effort to return to the Braves.
…hat tip to MLB Trade Rumors for the link…
November 6, 2007 at 4:33 pm
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79 comments
by Matthew Cerrone
Rawlings announced its Gold Glove winners for 2007, naming David 
Wright the NL winner at third base, and Carlos Beltran a winner in the outfield.
Beltran, as quoted in a team press release…
“I really take pride in my defense and I try to keep improving and improving each season…It’s nice to be recognized for your hard work.”
Wright, as quoted in a team press release…
“I have worked hard at trying to become a complete player. I want to especially thank our coach, Sandy Alomar, who put in so much extra time this season, hitting me ground ball after ground ball.”
This is the first time since Rey Ordoñez and Robin Ventura in 1999, in which two Mets were honored with Gold Gloves in the same season.
For a complete list of winners, check out Baseball Digest Daily.
November 6, 2007 at 4:20 pm
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22 comments
by Matthew Cerrone
The Mets have been surveying fans who are registered with Mets.com on how best to use actual items from Shea Stadium once it is knocked down.
For instance, questions include…
- Would you consider purchasing stadium seats?
- Would you be willing to purchase your exact seat locations for a premium price?
…i’m glad Shea Stadium is considering this, since it has been a very popular question within my e-mail over the last year…however, in checking out the questions, i would not expect a pair of seats to sell for less than $800…
November 6, 2007 at 4:07 pm
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0 comments
by Matthew Cerrone
…in case you missed it from earlier today…
…in an effort to keep tracking our collective mood, again i ask…
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November 6, 2007 at 3:34 pm
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29 comments
by Matthew Cerrone
…i just hung up the phone with David Wright…it was a good discussion, which i will air on The MetsBlog Podcast this coming Thursday, with a written transcript thereafter…we talked quite a lot about leadership and how he juggles being a young, successful guy in new york city with staying focused on the field…
Wright will be hosting the David Wright Foundation’s Third Annual Do the Wright Thing Gala on November 15 in New York City.
For more information or to purchase tickets, go here.
November 6, 2007 at 2:48 pm
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54 comments
by Matthew Cerrone
Last week, in a pre-GM meetings report for FOXSports.com, the always-informative Tracy Ringolsby wrote that the Giants have let teams know that 23-year-old RHP Tim Lincecum can be had.
Today, however, at SI.com, Jon Heyman writes that ‘it would stun everyone’ if Lincecum got dealt, adding, ‘Either Noah Lowry or Matt Cain is much more likely.’
…this is precisely why i have been saying for weeks that if the Mets want to trade for a young starting pitcher, and intend to use Lastings Milledge to get him, they should aim towards the Bay Area, not Minnesota or Miami…
In 26 starts this past season for the Giants, the 27–year-old, left-handed Lowry was 14–8 with a 3.92 ERA, during which opponents hit .265 against him.
However, he had been 9–6 with a 3.33 ERA at the All-Star break. He missed all of September with a sore elbow, on which an MRI revealed a mild strain and no structural damage.
Lowry will earn $2.25 million in 2008, and $4.5 million in 2009, after which he can be a free agent.
Meanwhile, the right-handed Cain, 23, has a 3.72 ERA over the first 71 starts of his career, during which he is just 22–29.
Cain is under contract and control of the team through 2011.
November 6, 2007 at 2:45 pm
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39 comments
by Matthew Cerrone
In a post to his blog for Newsday, David Lennon asks…
“With all the hype surrounding Alex Rodriguez, wouldn’t it be a smarter move to re-sign Luis Castillo, leave David Wright where he is and pressure Carlos Delgado to put up big numbers in the walk year of his contract? Then divert more of the A-Rod funds to bolster the bullpen, maybe pick up a veteran outfielder and trade a 
youngster - Lastings Milledge or Carlos Gomez - for an established starter like the A’s Joe Blanton.”
…yes, david, it would…which is why, tomorrow, i will post a series of polls asking you, the readers of this site, how exactly you would handle the issues facing the Mets…after which, we will have a general sense of how MetsBlog’s readers would drive the ship, if we had the wheel…
…so, be sure to check in tomorrow, all day, as i will be posting a different scenario every hour or so…
November 6, 2007 at 12:49 pm
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45 comments
by Matthew Cerrone
In a recent post to his blog for ESPN.com, Buster Olney details how difficult it is going to be for the Mets to acquire the top-flight starting pitcher they are looking for.
According to Olney, executives and scouts with other teams do not believe Mike Pelfrey or Phil Humber are close to being ready, considering the team’s immediate needs.
Meanwhile, Olney acknowledges that the Twins will 
listen to offers for Johan Santana, as will the Astros for Roy Oswalt; the A’s for Dan Haren and Joe Blanton; the Rays for Scott Kazmir; the Marlins for Dontrelle Willis; and the White Sox for Jon Garland.
However, Olney writes that rival executives question whether the Mets have the young talent to make such a trade, adding that most view Pelfrey and Humber as low-end starters with only middle-relief potential.
In Olney’s best guess, the Mets will end up working out a deal with the A’s for Blanton, “but it won’t be easy.”
During last year’s trade deadline, according to Ken Rosenthal at FOXSports.com, the Mets had ‘kicked around the idea’ of trading for Blanton, but the price was ‘too high.’
…the buzz in baseball has long been that the A’s continue to eye the Dodgers, who have a lot of young talent and are in need of a durable starting pitcher…
Meanwhile, at Gotham Baseball Magazine, Mark Healey has repeatedly written during the last year that if the Mets are to ever make a deal with the A’s it will only be for Rich Harden or Haren.
…if beane continues to ask for milledge, i agree…however, at some point, it’s becoming clear that if the Mets are actually going to acquire a pitcher, well, milledge is going to have to go and it may have to be for less than another team’s ace…
This past season for the A’s, Blanton was 14–10 with a 3.95 ERA through 34 starts, during which he allowed an average of just one walk per start.
He has made at least 32 starts in each of his last three seasons.
He is eligible for salary arbitration this off-season, and eligible for free agency after 2010.
November 6, 2007 at 12:16 pm
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3 comments
by Matthew Cerrone
At his blog for the Journal News, Peter Abraham reports that by the end of this week the Yankees ‘could announce’ a three-year, $40 million deal for free-agent RHP Mariano Rivera.
…surprise, surprise…i just don’t see any way the Yankees let mo get away, if for no other reason then it will mean having to consider keeping Joba Chamberlain in the bullpen, which they supposedly do not want to do…
Abraham also gives an update on the Yankees negotiations with free-agent C Jorge Posada, who ‘could want’ a fourth season and up to $15 million a year.
November 6, 2007 at 11:34 am
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59 comments
by Matthew Cerrone
According to Omar Minaya, ‘the bulk’ of his off-season efforts will be focused on ‘upgrading’ the team’s pitching staff, reports Ken Davidoff in Newsday.
According to Davidoff, Minaya will speak to the agents 
for free-agent RHP Carlos Silva this week at the GM meetings.
…the buzz from orlando continues to suggest that pitchers like silva and Kyle Lohse are seeking similar deals to what Ted Lilly and Gil Meche got last season, i.e., four years and $40 million…
…silva is interesting…the concern surrounding him is that he borders on allowing a home run at least once per start…otherwise, i will not be surprised to see him be a total bust, on a four-year deal, nor would i be shocked to see him pan out to be a huge bargain at $10 million per season…
In 259 career appearances, spanning six seasons, including 125 starts, the 28–year-old Silva is 55–46 with a 4.31 ERA, during which he has struck out two batters for every one he walked, while opponents are hitting .300 against him.
November 6, 2007 at 11:22 am
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1 comment
by Matthew Cerrone
According to Buster Olney at ESPN.com, the Red Sox and free-agent RHP Curt Schilling have reached a prelimiary agreement on a one-year, $8 million deal.
