Daily Archives: November 5, 2008
In Newsday, citing ‘two people familiar with the situation,’ Ken Davidoff writes, “The Mets have touched base with the agents for outfielder Raul Ibanez.”
However, Davidoff adds, they have not been in contact with Pat Burrell, Adam Dunn or Orlando Hudson.
…i do not get the sense ibanez is minaya’s first choice, or, at least not a top priority…ideally, i believe he would prefer to get a younger, right-handed bat in the outfield, but i am not sure how that happens…so, it makes sense that he would quickly reach out to ibanez, to let the player and his agent know where the Mets stand…
The 37–year-old Ibanez has hit at least .280 and 20 HR with a .350 OBP during each of the last four seasons.
In a recent post to ESPN.com, Peter Gammons wrote of Ibanez, “His 338 RBIs the past three years are more than Ramirez, Teixeira, or Vladimir Guerrero; he is a leader, a tremendous person and a legitimate middle-of-the-order bat.”
Ibanez was born in Manhattan, Davidoff explains, adding, “He long has held an interest in playing in New York, according to a friend who spoke on the condition of anonymity.”
By the way, to read more from Davidoff, check out his Baseball Insider blog for Newsday, which he will clearly be updating through the off-season.
Tagged Raul Ibanez |In early October, on WFAN, Mike Francesa said he has been told that Ryan Church 
‘hated it here,’ while adding, ‘I know for a fact that he didn’t like the Mets, he didn’t like the city and he was not a happy guy here.’
In a chat and on his blog for the Daily News, Adam Rubin explained that the opposite was true, that Church truly enjoyed playing in New York, adding that Church is even open to signing a long-term contract here.
That said, in a great report yesterday for MLB.com, which chronicles a long, difficult season for Church, Marty Noble quotes the left-fielder as saying of Francesa’s comments:
“I say just, consider the source. I never said anything like that, never thought anything like that. With all that happened, I really enjoyed my time playing. And when I finally got back, the way I was received, it was great. I love it there. I want to play there, I want to finish [my career] there.”
Speaking of radio, according to MikeFrancesa.com, citing an inside source, WFAN may be leaning towards Kim Jones as Francesa’s co-host during WFAN’s Mike’d Up.
…great, so, once again, instead of teaming up francesa – a Yankees fan – with a knowledgeable Mets personality, they may team him up with jones, who spent the last two years working for YES, traveling with and covering the Yankees…
…so, again, instead of having a balance of Yankee knowledge and Mets knowledge on the most influential talk-show in New York City, it will be Yankees and Yankees…lovely…
…hat tip to NY Baseball Digest for the link…
Tagged Ryan Church, WFAN |
In a report for the New York Post, citing a ‘person familiar with the team’s thinking,’ Mark Puma writes, “It’s pitching, pitching and pitching that represent Omar Minaya’s priorities this offseason.’
Minaya’s top choice is free-agent RHP Derek Lowe, reports Adam Rubin in the Daily News.
In a post to his blog for ESPN.com, Peter Gammons wrote of Lowe, “He is 36, but in great shape, physically and mentally. He is a better pitcher than when he left Boston after winning the series.”
In addition to Lowe, Oliver Perez is also on Minaya’s radar, according to Puma, and both are represented by Scott Boras.
“You always want to sign your guy, if possible,” Minaya told reporters yesterday from the GM Meetings in Dana Point, CA.
However, “No one expects the Lowe or Perez situations to be resolved before December, given Boras’ track record,” explains Rubin.
…from what i can gather, the Mets held a meeting last night with boras during the GM Meetings, as will most teams who are interested in his clients…
By the way, according to Joel Sherma’s report for the New York Post, the Yankees prefer to acquire multiple pitchers through free agency, such as A.J. Burnett, Lowe and Perez, ‘who become higher priorities if CC Sabathia goes elsewhere.’
Burnett told the Blue Jays yesterday he will not exercise his option, and instead become a free agent.
Tagged Oliver Perez | Newer posts →
