Starting Pitcher: Lowe, and one other, Top Choice

November 5, 2008 at 8:20 am · 36 comments

by Matthew Cerrone

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.

{ 36 comments }

Agees Catch November 5, 2008 at 8:30 am

Please, please, please, no one over 30.

stilltheEWM November 5, 2008 at 8:30 am

NY Post is reporting mets in trade talks with the Rays for either Sonnanstine or Edwin Jackson

iamatwork November 5, 2008 at 8:34 am

probably for heilman

ravi3 November 5, 2008 at 9:30 am

I am VERY intrigued by Edwin Jackson…

stilltheEWM November 5, 2008 at 9:33 am

he’s a reclamation project.. was a dodger’s top prospect a few years back….

neither one really does a whole lot for me…

therealsince86 November 5, 2008 at 9:38 am

Eh they would both be worth Heilman and a lower prospect. They are both young and capable of 200 innings of under 5 ERA. You could do worse than a rotation of
Johan, Pelfrey, Maine, Sonnastine and Garland. You would have 5 guys that should throw 200 innings next year; neither would cost you a pick.

Gina November 5, 2008 at 10:16 am

His peripherals are horrible, I’m intrigued by him if the package to get him is very very low.

stickguy November 5, 2008 at 8:42 am

Jackson is an intriquing arm. Sonnanstine looks like a bannister type. Not much stuff.

Jackson for Heilman? Works for me!

therealsince86 November 5, 2008 at 8:56 am

Andy Sonnanstine for me. Look at their stats, Sonnanstine is just better in every category.

ravi3 November 5, 2008 at 9:32 am

Jackson has much better raw stuff, but his mental makeup is off….think Oliver Perez.

therealsince86 November 5, 2008 at 9:38 am

His raw stuff does not produce anymore k’s than Sonnanstine.

Gina November 5, 2008 at 10:16 am

Agreed thereal, I would much much rather have Sonnanstine.

therealsince86 November 5, 2008 at 8:59 am

Here’s an intriguing deal. What if the Mets sent Heilman Delgado and a prospect for Crawford and Sonnanstine? Crawford has a 9 million dolllar option to be picked up. Delgado would give them power in the lineup at DH to replace Floyd. I am not sure I see the Rays signing Crawford longterm.

SovereignRonnie November 5, 2008 at 9:37 am

TRS- who’d play first? Do we sign Tex (LOVE that idea)? Are you giving it to Murph?

I thought the Rays were looking to get more RH power… Burrell is linked there as a potential DH. Otherwise, I could even see something built around these guys happening.

therealsince86 November 5, 2008 at 9:40 am

Floyd was a LH obviously. I don’t think they care. As for who plays 1B it could be Murphy if you upgrade 2B or Catcher.

SovereignRonnie November 5, 2008 at 9:42 am

I guess if they get rid of Crawford the right/left thing gets a little less pronounced. But the Rays are looking at RH bat for DH per mlbtr.

therealsince86 November 5, 2008 at 9:48 am

And the Mets are looking for a RH OF and are mentioned looking at Ibanez and Abreu. LOL.

Coolpapabell November 5, 2008 at 9:39 am

I like the idea, but something tell me that they will want a top farm hand as well. I can’t see why they would let Crawford loose when they might be favored to make the play-offs again next year. II haven’y heard any Crawford whisper in the media for a long time.

therealsince86 November 5, 2008 at 9:41 am

Well they did well without him and need a power hitter over more speed. Do you think they will resign him after 2009? I don’t see it.

darkstar73 November 5, 2008 at 9:50 am

they’re not giving him up for an aging player and another player nearing free agency. That makes absolutely, positively, no sense. Sorry, nice idea, just would never happen. Rays would want young players further from free agency.

therealsince86 November 5, 2008 at 9:52 am

Do you think they will resign Crawford next season? Do you think they want a power hitter added to next year’s lineup? Do you think they will trade top players for a power hitter? Do you think they will sign a big name FA power hitter?

Gina November 5, 2008 at 10:17 am

I don’t think the Rays build just thinking one year at a time. I’m with darkstar they’re not going to trade young players for one year solutions.

Steviefan84 November 5, 2008 at 10:04 am

That’s an interesting deal but if you want Crawford, I think the Rays would ask for more. Although it’s time The Rays returned the favor and gave the Mets a discount for the Kazmir deal. lol

Nate W. November 5, 2008 at 9:07 am

Good to see someone thinks Omar needs to concentrate on pitching after all we have been seeing here is talk about Ibanez and trading Castillo…

thereal, I like that trade for both teams. It makes the Mets much less of a power team, which could be a good thing actually… If they could do this as well as pick up Molina from the Giants they might have a very well balanced, pressuring lineup. Rather than one that seems to need to hit 3 run homers before there are two outs…

therealsince86 November 5, 2008 at 9:26 am

I am just thinking long term. That allows you to move Murphy to 1B if he is the real thing.
A lineup of
Reyes, Crawford, Beltran, Wright, Church, Molina, Murphy, Castillo/Grudzy is a decent lineup. That also frees up a ton of money for pitching.

stilltheEWM November 5, 2008 at 9:35 am

The Rays have Pena, Hinske, and guys like Gomes to DH.. not sure they’d bite..

SovereignRonnie November 5, 2008 at 9:39 am

Pena is a really good defensive 1B, Hinske had his option declined (I think?) and Gomes is turrible. I am worried more about the Rays looking to get more RH than anything in this deal.

therealsince86 November 5, 2008 at 9:42 am

Right, clearly none of those guys gives you what Delgado could from DH.

Gina November 5, 2008 at 10:23 am

They could also resign Baldelli and DH him. Also thereal no one knows what kind of production you’re going to get out of Delgado next season. And the Rays are well aware of that. He could just as easily flame out as he could have another solid year at his age.

Plus Pena did basically give them the same production. He had fewer homers, but he also had like 100 fewer at bats, and still managed to have 20 more walks.

darkstar73 November 5, 2008 at 9:51 am

you’re right, because what you see here, on metsblog, are Omar Minaya’s thoughts, its like a stream of consciousness, from Omar’s brain, to Matt’s brain, to Metsblog. So if Matt posts about Raul Ibanez, Omar isn’t thinking about pitching at all, just Ibanez.

Nate W. November 5, 2008 at 11:13 am

I wasnt a knock on Omar. It was a knock on Matt and others who seem to be caught up in everything but the real problem which is the pitching.

How is it a top priority that the Mets upgrade the catching position? please…

darkstar73 November 5, 2008 at 11:20 am

agreed, I would love to know what Matt actually hears from his “sources” rather than what he interprets and then types on his blog. Not to get down on Matt too much, but his level of analysis ain’t the best.

Gina November 5, 2008 at 10:18 am

I would love for them to bring in Lowe, as long as it was a relatively short deal, but please please just let Perez walk and take the draft picks.

darkstar73 November 5, 2008 at 10:41 am

agreed, I’m over Perez, consistency is key here and Perez simply will never be that. All those flashes keep you hoping for more with him, but he just ain’t worth it.

darknova November 5, 2008 at 10:47 am

Aw, but Perez is consistent in his inconsistency, doesn’t that count for something? :)
I agree with you, the constant “maybe that start was his turning point and he’ll be consistent from now on” got real tiring real fast.

wrightstuff08 November 5, 2008 at 10:42 am

Gina, i am with you on that one. I would also like to add Vazquez along with Lowe and then i would feel very good about this rotation. Getting 2 picks out of Perez should be a no brainer instead of wasting money on him.

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