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According to Nick Cafardo in the Boston Globe, the Astros want to ‘dump money,’ and are willing to trade SS Miguel Tejada, RHP Jose Valverde and OF Carlos Lee, assuming he will waive his no-trade clause.
Lee, 32, who will earn $74 million through 2012, hit .314 last season, with 28 HR, 100 RBI and a .368 OBP.
He has hit at least .300 each of the last three seasons, while playing for the Astros and Rangers.
…as a right-handed bat, with power, lee would great batting behind David Wright and Carlos Beltran, but he’s very 
expensive, and four years is a long time, not too mention the talent that may be needed to get him…but, he is intriguing…
Meanwhile, in his last 139 appearances, spanning two full seasons, the 29–year-old Valverde has 91 saves in 105 opportunities with a 3.04 ERA.
In Sunday’s New York Post, Joel Sherman wrote, “Valverde could be had, but he will be entering his walk year, and Mets officials say they will not give up a significant package for a player who can be a free agent in 12 months.”
forget giving up serious talent for Valverde.
This is exactly the kind of guy that they should deveolop themselves. he isn’t that special, he just has the “closer” tag. Just find a comparable non-closer for 1/4 the price, and give him the job!
now, if they could get him for a minimal return (taking on the salary, only a rental etc.) grab him. Even if he ends up beign a set up man, still an improvement.
lee is intriquing. Just too scary at those terms.
For a Carlos Lee – YOU GIVE UP FERNANDO MARTINEZ.
Period.
I would 2nd that notion. Carlos Lee can also move to 1B after this year.
It should be noted, Lee produced those numbers in only 115 games..
i do that deal, we shouldve signed carlos lee after 06 when we had the chance. the guy is a great run producer and fulfills our RH LF power bat hole.
Lee is a beast of a hitter. I could see him wanting to stay in the southwest though. Maybe Arizona makes a play for him. Wonder how much they have in terms of prospects.
I don’t think Arizona’s particularly likely. They’re trying to cut payroll too. They’re farm is somewhat weak, but that’s more due to lots of graduations than anything else.
You’re all out of your minds. He’s 32. You do NOT give up Fernando Martinez for a guy like Lee. In 2 years he’ll be a DH-only type who is good for about 90 games a year.
Slob – in two years if we are just in two World Series it will be well worth it .
And we can always then flip him to an AL team or put him at First Base.
Slob,
Can you guarantee F-Mart will put up the numbers Carlos Lee does? If so, then I’ll rescind my ‘F-Mart trade offer.’
Oh yeah that’s right. You can’t, can you?
C-ya ‘Teenage Hitting Machine’ (a moniker that only applies to leagues in the Dominican Republic)!
Living in the Houston area, I can say that 9/10 of the people here want to move Carlos Lee. Why? He hits a ton and puts up gaudy numbers, but he is probably worse in the OF than Manny or Dunn. He does not have any speed. He projects to be an AL hitter. They want to move him to bring in some bodies, as their minor league system is worse off than ours.
I’m not sure that what the ‘Stros would want in return would match up with what we can offer, unless we were going to give up numbers, ie. 3+ prospects and Heilman, whom I am sure would be useful to them as a starter. If it can be sold as a salary dump on their part + a starter and some minor leaguers they might want to do it.
If he could be had for some of our lessor prospects and Heilman, then yes, I would be for it. Just be prepared for Lee driving in 2 runs and giving up 2 runs on a error of some sort.
Maybe Beltran could be permanently shaded to left…
I agree 100%. he is only 32 and a very productive hitter. Mets should have signed him in the first place when he is available.
Fmart is a commodity and a dream but not a reality. we need reality. If we can get him we should
no thanks.
lee is not in great shape and will be making 18.5m at 35 and 36. might as well sign manny.
Carlos Lee IS Manny and will be 36 at the end of his contract not the beginning. This guy is a hitting machine, if hes available the Mets have to go for it.
Valverde not so much
umm, no he’s not.
he’s in the same sentence as Manny. the guy hits 300+ with mondo power and never strikes out.
Carlos Lee
Last Year in 115 games:
.314/.368/.569/.937 28 HR 100RBI
3 year splits:
AVG 562 AB 32 HR 112 RBI .305/.358/.543/.901
Manny Ramirez
Last Year in 153 Games:
.332/.430/.601/1.031 37HR 121 RBI
3 year splits:
AVG 495 AB 31 HR 104 RBI .317/.419/.571/.990
Looks pretty comparable to me, factor in that lee played in 38 less games makes him more productive and more durable than manny over the last 3 years. His AVG/OBP/SLG/OPS are very comparable although not as good. Oh and hes 32, not 36.
excellent point on the strikeouts. Last 3 years:
Manny: 318
Lee: 177 with 67 more at bats
oh yeah and hes our first baseman in 2010.
THIS IS A NO BRAINER
I agree with those that want to pick him up. Lee is a great add on and would be a productive hitter for us. WE should have picked him up when he was first available – if we can pick him up for the remaining four years then the move is worth it.
“lee is manny”
hahahahahahahahaha
manny is a first ballot hall of famer. lee is pretty good.
manny is the all-time hr leader in the postseason. lee has 1 hit…
we are paying for the NEXT Four years .. Not the previous 8 years.
Lee is a better bet at his age and cost for the next few years..
manny was much better last year. not just the last 8.
and he will be much better the next couple.
I wouldnt go so far as to say MUCH better.
and manny will also cost 25 mil a year vs. 18.5 for Lee.
the mets should only take lee if the astros pay some of that huge salary. valverde could be a good set up man for us.
I don’t think Valverde will want to be a “set-up” man in his walk year.
who cares how much he is making, when did we become a small mkt team… We should have signed him when he was a FA. Now if we have to create a package around fmart… do it!
Is CitiField ready for press confrences and when will Omar be announcing his first one?
We got a lot of work to do, Lucy….
you are right, where are we going to introduce our new players?
where and WHEN ?
More interested in the “who”
Only the shadow knows, stickman, only omar the shadow….
Boras just pooped himself, this could hurt Tex and Boras in the pocket book.
Would Lee be, “El Raton” in NY?
If Carlos Lee is available… Go. Get. Him.
He automatically becomes the best hitter on the team, for both average and power.
El Caballo is a beast. The Mets would be much better if they had him. Then you could deal delgado and move murphy to first. Or keep delgado for one more year. Either way, beast.
NO! NO! NO! No, Carlos Lee or Valverde. Why do the Mets complicate things. Just sign K-Rod.
take Lee over K-rod… We would have 10R lead once our starters leave instead of 5… so the bullpen unless its heilman pitching should still allow us to win by 2-3 runs a night.
When Lee was a free agent at the end of 2006, I wanted the Mets to get him and was surprised on how little interest he generated. The guy hits 300+, hits 30+ home runs, and never strikes out. With him on board, Delgado could be traded for valuable pieces and Murphy could take over first base.
what, now Murphy is a firstbaseman?
Cause this guy has a good eye we all think he playes all 8 positions? Yeah, let’s trade Schnied and Murph can catch! What the heck?
The reason why I say Murphy to first base is because that’s what Omar said he would like for him to play in an interview last month. I didn’t just say it for the hell of it.
I heard the same… I think Omar might know what he is talking about..
Murphy played 3B for most of his pro career. There’s no reason to think he can’t play first.
2B is a different story.
Actually, Murphy is naturally a first baseman and played 3B starting this year, and prior to that was a first baseman.
Actually, you have that wrong. Murphy was a 3B, who got a little time in at 1B for the first time in 2008.
Here’s Murphy’s career games by position at the minor league level:
3B 196
2B 17
1B 13
DH 8
LF 4
Trading for Lee would cost too much in prospects. Might as well sign Manny for a few dollars more.
Everyone’s problem with Manny is his age. Lee’s age isn’t as much of a hinderance. Although, when presented with the option, I would sign Manny as well.
Since that doesn’t look likely, this is the closest we will come.
entirely depends on how much of a salary dump it is. That contract is nasty.
Now, if the Mets offer 2 B prospects but take the entire contact? Have to think on it.
Can Lee really play 1st (as in, he has done it in the past proficiently?)
might be better off in the DL league.
18.5 a year sounds reasonable for a bat like El Caballo.
not at 36 years old which he’ll be at the end of his deal making that kind of change. you might as well sign manny.
he’ll be 36 in four years.. so what? we dont have any obligation beyond that year.
given the rates for manny (25 mil plus THIS YEAR) – 18.5 four years out is a bargain.
No, the Mets don’t might as well sign Manny. Manny is 36 NOW. Lee will be 36 at the end of his contract. Plus manny wants more than what Lee will get.
Get Lee-the dollars are within range for a pitcher for his capability. Hit attitude is better than Manny’s as well-we need the bat.
Saw the comment regarding the bullpen need – we need the RH bat as well. Who is say Murphy can play LF-he didn’t look like he could last year. If he can’t play 2nd or 1B then he may become trade bait. We’re still not sure what we have yet so let’s not over value him-his trade value is at a peak right now.
I’m not advocating trading Murphy by any means;however, let’s not be blind that he may be able to play LF and we have to experiment with him there. He was pretty rough out there. If there is a quality player-JJ Putz- let’s make the move. Or do I have to remind everyone of Greg Jefferies and Dave Magadan-they were can’t miss also.
We need to address our needs now!
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Lee has only played 5 games at 1B in his Major League career. All 5 were during his rookie season in 1999.
He played 4 games at 1B in the minors. All 4 were also in 1999.
So for Lee You start with F Mart, Neise and Parnell? Do they want Heilman too? Im sure they ask for Murph as well.. Evans in stead?
Sounds like you gotta do it/
If you’re taking back that contract, nobody gives up that many A prospects for any player. Not anymore. Two of those guys will do it, or one of those guys and two or three B prospects, provided the Mets take back the whole contract (which isn’t a terrible contract for a team like the Mets.)
Look what the Braves are proposing for Peavy.
Those aren’t a lot of A prospects. The problem is we have too maybe B/C prospects who make up the top of our prospect lists so when it comes to making trades it seems like we have to give up an insane number of players.
I’d say to try to get him with Parnell and Carp. If that doesn’t work throw in Francisco Pena. We’d take on the whole contract, of course.
come on get serious.. think Mike Piazza from Florida level.
Don’t trade for a closer when you can sign one without giving up young talent, outside of a draft pick.
especially valverde. numbers aside, this guy is a blowup waiting to happen. how many times have we seen the mets get to this guy over the past 2 years.
I think the Mets have to understand not to trade certain players and there is a list of players that the Mets should not trade away, unless of course it is a crazy deal (as in Johan Santana last year), but those are different circumstances. This is my list (no specific order):
1. Johan Santana
2. Jose Reyes
3. David Wright
4. Fernando Martinez
5. Daniel Murphy
6. Mike Pelfrey
7. Brad Holt
8. Eddie Kunz (although I am shaky with him)
9. Michael Carp
10. Jonathan Niese
I would like to see what other people think of this list, if anyone should be added or removed, your comments, etc.
Also in the comment about the players the Mets should not trade, I forgot to include Carlos Beltran.
The only reason I wouldn’t trade Carp is because it would mean Guillermo Mota is coming back the other way on that deal. He has no value.
Carp is our first baseman of the future, pending on where Daniel Murphy chooses to play as a primary position. If you have Nick Evans in mind, I cannot realistically see him developing into a consistently productive player. Carp will be a much better version of Mike Jacobs, only more power, a higher average, a better fielder, a smarter player, and better plate vision.
actually, from what i’ve read for the past year, is that carp is better suited to be a DH from the word go..and that Ike Davis is our likely 1B of the future…however, i DO think that carp gets a bit of a raw deal..he has shown he can hit
I love Carp on one hand because of his insane walk rates but at this point he’s 22 and has shown very little power after two years in AA. A poor defensive player with no power does have pretty much no value.
I think Carp can be removed. I’m also shaky with Kunz.
Look at my comment above yours and you’ll see my reasoning for keeping Carp.
He’s a DH kind of guy, though.
the obly real no trades are santana, reyes, wright, betran and maybe pelfrey.. all the others are marketable.
Carp?? Is he even still a top ten prospect?
Holt can be removed because he is ineligible to be traded until one year after being signed. He’s not going anywhere this offseason.
He can be traded as a player to be named later.
Listen-I’m going to be shot for this- but when does the illusion of Fmart run out. i have heard about this guy every year and every year he doesn’t make it to Shea. He didn’t even get the call when we needed an OF – I know he was hurt-again.
He is not Strawberry-doesn’t have those tools or has shown power for this “protected” justification. If someone like Carlos Lee becomes available and it costs Fmart then you do the deal…
if you’re keeping him he should be in AAA next year – stop the excuses.
cuz hes freakin 19!!!
He’s actually 20 now.
I’m not sure what the age issue has to do with it – how old was Strawberry – Gooden – Seaver etc… The question is can he play to the player the Mets project him to be. maybe he can but don’t you think just a bit that his rep is overinflated?
Not sure if I have enough background on Brad Holt to lable him untouchable.
BTW-since the Mets have collapsed the last two years I’m not sure beyond – Wright,Beltran and reyes-that anyone deserves that untouchable label..
The others should be for quality deals only though-not dreams in Omar’s and Tony B’s eyes…No reaching here-only for the real thing…
the reason for holt in there is that supposedly, he can be a joba chamberlain type pitcher, anda future closer for the mets and possible addition tihs season if we need help in the pen.
Holt will not be up to the majors till 2011. The guy hasnt even pitched a full season in the minors yet. He has to build up innings cause he’s not considered by the Mets to be a reliever but a starter. They’re probably going to limit the number of innings he’ll throw next year so that in itself will keep him from being brought up late to the bullpen. He had a very good short season at Brooklyn last year. Lets see what he does at St. Lucie before we’re putting him in the bullpen.
And to your point let’s take that untouchable tag off. He hasn’t even played AA – good info back. take the tag off. Like I said-untouchable Mets = 4 at most
I think everyoen after Wright should be removed. And Beltran should be 4 in a sort of in between state where he’s only moved if a team blows us away with their offer and we’re convinced we need to at least semi-rebuild.
the reason i dont see trading beltran is that he is the best centerfielder in the game period. all around. we will not be getting anyone better, no upgrades from him
Santana and Pelfrey;
the rest can go in the right trade.
I can’t take another Sept of heartbreak.
Get some gamers!
You’d trade Wright and Reyes before Pelfrey?
carlos lee blah….trade for the closer and tejada and see if he will play second base. I think he’ll be willing to play second for us cause he know that ereys is a young good ss and we have a contending team,
Beltran should not be traded under any circumstances–he’s the best center fielder in the game, for my money. I don’t think Holt can be traded by MLB rules–he was drafted less than a year ago. I’d trade Martinez in the right deal for Carlos Lee, but would only trade him if absolutely necessary. Carp and Kunz are “potential” players, but I’d move them in the right deal. I also would not trade Delgado unless Mark Texeira throws himself at us–we’re not going to duplicate Delgado’s numbers with anyone else available to us this year.
I completely agree, but i think the club should move on from Delgado.
On one hand I love Carlos Lee the player. on the other hand at his size I’d be worried that he’d see a very very rapid decline. And he has that insane contract.
what is so insane about 18.5 for four years? If he is delivering mail its insane but its not that bad for a top level slugger in baseball.
Because thats basically the same manny is asking for. we might as well give that to him and keep prospects, or throw in an extra 3/4 million per and get Tex.
I thought Manny wants 100 mil over 4 years? or 25 Mil a year for at least three with an option?
I think id rather the next 4 years of Lee for 74 then the next three Manny years at 75
Now Tex is another animal. He’s looking for 7 plus years and 22 plus mil a year. which he should get close to.
“Because thats basically the same manny is asking for”
huh gina??? Manny just turned down 25 million/yr and Lee makes 18.5/yr?? plus Lee is only 32. Beltran is 31, for people on here who want to look at age. And Beltran has been much more injury prone than Lee. Lee would be a great replacement for Delgado in ‘09 or the season after, depending on if we can deal Delgado while his value is higher.
“his size I’d be worried that he’d see a very very rapid decline”
this comment is baseless… his numbers prove it
Wrong, LNBGS. PECOTA has Lee starting a steep decline come age 34. You can disagree but can’t say it’s “baseless.”
lol ask PECOTA the numbers for Mega Million drawing, let me know thanks
lol, yeah really!!
Hmm…delagado seems to be a reasonable trade piece but he already said if he gets traded hes going to retire which is just bs but thats blackmail for ya.
Valverde really isn’t anything special, essentially he’s Juan Cruz except that he’s been given the chance to close. I’d rather sign the actual Juan Cruz for a fraction of the cost it will take to keep Valverde past this next season.
Carlos Lee is at that age where you begin to worry about someone like him, players that heavy don’t tend to age all that well, and he’s due 18.5 million/yr while doing so. I’d let someone else take that gamble.
Tejada (for 2B) would be interesting if Houston ate some money, but since they’re looking to dump salary I don’t see that happening.
Really, the players I’d want from Houston are Berkman and Oswalt, and it doesn’t appear like either is actually available (Why would they be?)
Los Tres Carlos’
Sounds interesting enough. Price tag better be low though, if we’re gonna take back that enormous contract. See: Abreu to Yankees
lee is good but not worth it i want tejado, have him play second. Hes and great number 5 or 6 hitter and its a right hander bat and we could put murphy at left.
1. jose eyes
2. murphy
3. Wright
4. beltarn
5. delagdo
6. tejada
7. church
8. Castro
thats a deep lineup
right lets pay tejada 14+ mil a year to play a position he’s never played in his age 35 year.
But forget about the slugging left fielder who is three years younger.
Yea..but i bet you rather sign manny for 4 yz 75 mil. Tejada got one more yr left on his contract, take the risk.
Oh yea that slugger thats three years younger in 40 lbs heavyier
Slugger? Tejada hasn’t been a slugger in like 3-4 years.
Nevermind I misread you’re comment.
are you kidding? ABREU is asking for 15 mil a year and Lee makes 18.5.
Lee is like three times the player Abreau is today/ and younger
It’s ridiculous how some people would rather have Manny than Carlos Lee. Manny Ramirez faked a knee injury and sat out numerous games because he didn’t want to play. Why the hell would you want someone like that on your team.
man take a risk on manny or milton bradely and forget andy trade for a outfielder unless and solid closer in invlove or we could get solid pitcher
I forgot about Bradley. yeah I’d rather sign him, or Manny, or Tex than trade prospects for Lee and take on his contract.
honestly i would love that too, except there is no way we could get tex and lee, get a solid rotation, fix the bullpen nad other parts of the team, and weakining our minors system further too much for ,me
Milton Bradley? good gawd. talk about a head case. No way I let him anywhere near our nice new club house. And he is a full time DH.
Manny is a head case who should be a DH two years ago.
Tex is twice the $$ and at least 4 mil more per year. and plays 1B (though I would not be opposed to trading DelGado)
Of the four i’d take El Caballo any day .. given the attitude, the age, the money and the production
Tex is also 4 years younger and Lee will have to be moved to first base sooner than later anyway. Not to mention Tex is an excellent defensive first basemen.
Tex would be cool but you know he’s getting at least 7 years and 160 plus mil.
Plus we have the Puerto Rican no salute bored first baseman to deal with in 2009.
how about dump DelGado on Toronto and get Carlos Lee then put Murph at First Base.
That would be my Number one scenario.
Second would be dump Delgado, Murph at First and Manny in LF.
THird would be Tex at First , Dump DelGado and Murph in Left
(are you noticing a trend?)
Carlos Lee is interesting. If you can get him without giving up FMart, you have to take a shot.
No way, no how on Valverde. I hate that guy.
Carlos y Carlos y Carlos!
tex would be nice but its not happening. I still have a gut feeling where going to sign manny because omar doesnt want to part ways with our top prospects to bring in a outfielder.
hello no brainer….
hell…give me both of them
gladly ship out a nice packag of
Fmart, Niese, kunz, heilman, + prospect[s]
for Lee and valverde
the sign fuentes, biemel, lowe/ollie, and garcia/pedro
1-reyes,ss
2-beltran,cf
3-wright,3b
4-delgadom1b
5-lee,lf
6-church/tatis,rf
7-murphy/castillo,2b
8-schneid/castro,c
B-pagan, endy, castro, castillo, easley
SP-santana, pelf, ollie/lowe, maine, garcia/pedro
BP-smith, stokes, feliciano, sanchez, biemel, valverde, cl-fuentes
thats a championship team
unless an AL team steps up in the Manny sweepstakes, no way he is getting a deal more than 3 years…
I think if Omar plays the waiting game, he can get Manny for 3 years at 75 Mil
but at this point, I’d rather spend the 25 mil and sign 3-4 studs in the bullpen and we leave our outfield alone than go after manny…
K-Rod
Wood or Fuentes
Cruz
Darren Oliver
and if we can spend the 15 mil on a good number 4 starter ( aka lowe/perez ) that would be good too…
our offense will be fine….we need to save our chips for when the blue jays try to trade roy holladay.
They cant afford Burnett at 15 mil and Doc is 2x as good as AJ…so I think you save your chips and try to make a run at Doc…who the Jays will make sure doesnt stay in the AL ( or specifically the Yanks or Sox )
If they lose Burnett, in that division…no way they are even sniffing at 3rd place…not with the Rays/Sox/Yanks…
They need to rebuild sooner than later…and with a payroll of 97 mil, its hard to justify 4th or 5th place with a payroll around 100 mil a year.
so expect b.j. ryan/doc/wells/rios to become available in the next 2 years…