Relief Pitcher: Mets are in Four Corners Mode
“The Mets received the medical information on Francisco Rodriguez, according to David Lennon in Newsday.
Lennon believes the team’s next step will be to look over the information, after which they 
will meet face-to-face with Rodriguez before an offer is made.
Initially, Rodriguez had been seeking a five-year deal, according to previous reports.
However, an official with one team told Jayson Stark at ESPN.com, “I’d be shocked if he gets a five-year deal at this point.”
Meanwhile, today in the New York Post, Joel Sherman says the Mets are unwilling to offer a fourth year to any closer, let alone five years to Rodriguez.
According to Sherman, the Mets are in ‘four corners mode,’ stalling to get a grip on the market, while considering Kerry Wood or Trevor Hoffman on a short-term deal, as well waiting to see if J.J. Putz becomes available in trade.
“Of all the potential closers,” Sherman writes, “Putz intrigues them because of a combination of stuff and affordability.”
Putz is due $13.8 million over the next two seasons.
…it’s frustrating, but the Mets are playing this correctly…
…neither K-Rod nor Brian Fuentes are going to sign a deal without giving the Mets a chance to counter…so, why jump first…in the meantime, they can check in on other options, while hopefully weighing down the market…
