Buzz: Rosenthal on Lohse and Blanton
During his appearance last night on SNY’s Mets Hot Stove, FoxSports.com’s Ken Rosenthal had the following to say about the Mets interest in free-agent RHP Kyle Lohse…
“I think Lohse is certainly a player they’re interested in, and while he hasn’t done much in his career, the Mets like his stuff, they like his durability, his age and they like the fact that he competed down the stretch for Philadelphia…He, essentially, is this year’s Gil Meche: a guy with a world of ability, who hasn’t put it together yet…My problem with him would be giving him three or four years at big money.”
By the way, SNY’s Mets Hot Stove airs live at 6:30 pm and again at 11 pm every Monday.
Lohse is now willing to accept a three-year deal with a vesting option, as opposed to the four-year deal he had been rumored to be seeking, reported Rosenthal over the weekend at FoxSports.com.
During a recent appearance on XM’s MLB Live, Lohse said that at least three teams are interested in signing him.
In 34 starts for the Reds and Phillies last season, the 29–year-old Lohse was 9–12 with a 4.63 ERA, while striking out 122 batters through 192 innings.
Additionally, Rosenthal had the following to say about the A’s, and whether they’ll trade Joe Blanton…
“I think what they’re waiting for is Santana to get traded or not, Erik Bedard to get traded or not, and then they’ll be sitting with a pitcher that others teams want.”
In a report yesterday for MLB.com, an A’s source said he expected Blanton to be Oakland’s opening day starting pitcher.
Last 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 made at least 32 starts in each of the last three seasons.
He is eligible for salary arbitration this off-season, and the two after that, and is eligible for free agency after 2010.
