Daily Archives: July 29, 2008
According to Will Carroll, who is doing an outstanding job for Baseball Prospectus, “There is still not a single team that will admit to the slightest interest in Adam Dunn.”
According to a recent report from Joel Sherman in the New York Post, “The Mets did consider Dunn, but his poor defense, historical problems in clutch situations and high strikeout rates have eliminated interest.”
That said, according to Mark Sheldon of MLB.com, “The Reds haven’t been too impressed with the offers they’ve gotten to this point,” be it for Dunn, David Weathers, David Ross or Jeremy Affeldt.
Speaking of Affeldt, in a recent post to ESPN.com, Jason Stark wrote that Omar Minaya’s efforts to wade through the relief pitcher market could include such targets as Cla Meredith, Chad Bradford and Affeldt.
According to Jason Stark, in a recent post to ESPN.com, Rockies LHP Brian Fuentes is no longer available to be traded.
However, Stark points out that several other left-handed relief pitchers are available, including M’s LHP Arthur Rhodes, Cubs LHP Scott Eyre and O’s LHP George Sherrill.
According to Stark, the O’s are seeking a ‘highly regarded shortstop prospect’ in exchange for Sherrill, such as Erick Aybar, Maicer Izturis or Jason Donald, “But neither the Angels nor Phillies seem compelled to ‘overwhelm’ the Orioles or anybody else in the next few days.”
…the Rays, Mets, Cardinals, Angels, Red Sox, Tigers, Yankees, Marlins, D’Backs and Phillies have all been linked in rumor to a variety of relief pitchers in the day’s prior to the Trade Deadline…
Speaking of left-handed relief pitchers, according to Nick Cafardo in a report for the Boston Globe, citing a team official, the Mets would be willing to part with LHP Scott Schoeneweis if they could obtain an outfielder.
On Sunday, in a post to Baseball Prospectus, John Perrotto wrote that the Mets have made trade proposals for A’s RHP Huston Street, while also checking in on Rhodes and Rangers LHP Eddie Guardado.
Additionally, the Mets have also expressed interest in Jays LHP Brian Tallet and Giants LHP Jack Taschner, according to Dan Graziano in a recent report for the Star-Ledger.
In a new post from Graziano, here, citing an NL official familiar with the Mets plans, he writes that the Mets have also explored trading Scott Schoeneweis and Aaron Heilman, most likely for an outfielder, while acquiring new pitchers in an effort to ‘overhaul’ their bullpen.
Tagged Scott Schoeneweis |
In a recent report for SI.com, Jon Heyman notes that the Braves are most interested in trading 1B Mark Teixeira to the D’Backs.
However, according to the East Valley Tribune, a local Arizona newspaper, there is ‘no way’ the D’Backs will make such a move, since Atlanta is asking for Chad Tracy or Conor Jackson, Max Scherzer and Jarrod Parker.
In a report for FoxSports.com, Ken Rosenthal believes Tracy is available, but not Jackson, and that RHP Micah Owings could also be included in such a deal.
Meanwhile, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports that the Yankees, Rays and Angels are more likely to acquire Teixeira than the D’Backs, while Will Carroll of Baseball Prospectus also adds the O’s and Dodgers to the mix.
…the buzz around baseball continues to suggest that either tex stays in atlanta, or he goes to arizona…the Braves want jackson, or tracy, and that’s it…unless, of course, the Red Sox will part with Kevin Youklis, or the Angels will part with a Casey Kotchman, which they will not…
…my guess is that names like the Yankees, Rays and Angels get tossed out there to intimidate the D’Backs…
Nevertheless, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Braves GM Frank Wren admits to having a deal on the table, which could be why Heyman writes than Teixeira will be traded before the deadline.
According to Mark Healey, in his recent Rumor Mill for Gotham Baseball Magazine, citing an NL executive and an AL scout, if 
the Red Sox can acquire a replacement for Manny Ramirez, such as Jason Bay from the Pirates, who would love to acquire Red Sox C George Kottaras, then the Mets could end up with Ramirez in exchange for Fernando Martinez.
…wow, lots of moving parts…
…the thing is, as fantastical as this sounds, it is actually fairly logically, though highly, highly improbable…
In the report, however, Healey concludes by writing:
“This would create another scenario in which Minaya would have to wait for another team to lower its asking price before he can deal with another team to acquire a player he really wants. Recent history suggest that Minaya will be patient for a day or two, then move on. Given that he doesn’t really have the luxury of doing that this time around, I think Ramirez in a Mets uniform is a long shot.”
For what it’s worth, yesterday in SI.com, Jon Heyman wrote, “While Mets GM Omar Minaya is a longtime admirer (of Ramirez), it appears the Mets have little or no interest.”
Also, yesterday in the Daily News, Adam Rubin wrote that team officials do not foresee any dialogue taking place with Boston regarding Ramirez.
Additionally, today on ESPN.com, citing a source with knowledge of the discussions, Jason Stark writes, “The Red Sox ran Manny Ramirez’s name past the Mets in the past 24 hours and were turned down flat.”
That said, in a post to his blog for Star-Ledger, in-the-know Dan Graziano writes, “Contrary to the denials that made the rounds Monday, officials from both teams say the Mets have contacted the Red Sox about Manny Ramirez and are interested in pursuing a deal for him if Boston decides to make him available.”
…the funny thing is, i am willing to bet manny is playing for the Red Sox next season…i just don’t see how they trade him this year, even if they truly want to…and then, after making the playoffs with him this year, which you know they will, and after surveying the landscape of available, weak free agent bats in the off-season, i am convinced they will simply pick up his $16 million option, all while torturing us with this favre-esque merry-go-round again next season…weeee…
To watch SI.com’s Jon Heyman discuss the Trade Deadline yesterday on SNY’s The WheelHouse, click play below:
Prior to yesterday’s game, Jerry Manuel told reporters that Fernando Tatis is his starting left fielder.
In 152 at bats for the Mets, Tatis is batting .322 with seven HR, nine doubles and 28 RBI in 55 games this season.
Personally, I would like to see the Mets push for an every-day corner outfielder, be it now or in August, so they can begin restoring order to the bench. In August and September, when teams play every out with a live-or-die mentality, and are burning through pitching changes left and right, it is extra important to have a quality bench. Right now, Marlon Anderson, Nick Evans and Robinson Cancel are acceptable, but during the last week of September the Mets will wish they had a fresh and available Damion Easley, Tatis and Endy Chavez, which is made difficult when these three players are constantly in the starting lineup.
From what I can gather, sure, the Mets would be happy to acquire a significant upgrade in left field, such as Matt Holliday, Manny Ramirez or Jason Bay.
The problem, however, is that the Mets will have to trade Fernando Martinez and Jon Niese, among others, to get such a player, which they have no intention of doing, according to previous reports from ESPN.com and SI.com.
The Mets are intrigued by Raul Ibanez, from what I can tell, but I am not sure he 
qualifies as a ‘significant upgrade,’ unless of course Seattle is willing to part wit him at a discount.
And so, if the Mets are unable to acquire a ‘significant upgrade,’ I believe they will simply stick with Tatis through the Deadline, or until he proves otherwise, and then look to the waiver wire in August, which could include a player like Rangers OF Marlon Byrd – or they could simply sign a free-agent like Kenny Lofton, or even promote 30–year-old Triple-A OF John Rodriguez, who has hit .298 with seven HR in 332 career major-league at bats.
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Tagged Raul Ibanez |
To watch SNY.tv’s exclusive Post Game Extra, hosted by Gary Cohen and Keith Hernandez, including highlights and quotes from last night’s loss to the Marlins, click play:
The Mets have announced that Jon Niese will be promoted from Double-A to Triple-A, where he will start on Wednesday.
Niese, who has not allowed a run in his last seven innings, had been 6-7 with a 3.04 ERA in 22 starts with Double-A Binghamton.
Niese has been mentioned in a variety of trade rumors.
In fact, according to Jon Heyman at SI.com, the Mariners have been asking for Niese, whom the Mets consider to be ‘untouchable.’ Additionally, the Rockies had asked the Mets for Jon Niese in a deal for LHP Brian Fuentes, according to a recent report in the Denver Post.
…from what i can gather, the decision to promote niese came a few days ago, i.e., before John Maine’s potential shoulder injury…that said, it’s pretty good timing…
Prior to yesterday’s game, Jerry Manuel told reporters that Ryan Church will begin taking batting practice today.
‘Best-case scenario,’ Manuel explained, Church will hit today, then play in at least two minor-league rehab games this weekend in Single-A, after which he could return to the Mets the following week at home against the Padres.
Tagged Ryan Church |
Prior to yesterday’s game, the Mets told reporters that Pedro Martinez will start against the Astros on Friday in Houston.
According to pitching coach Dan Warthen, Martinez will either pitch one inning in relief on Tuesday, or throw a bullpen session earlier in the day.
Either way, he will pitch on Friday with an 80 pitch limit.
Martinez has not pitched in a game since July 12.
Tagged Pedro Martinez | ← Older postsNewer posts →
