Matthew Cerrone

Relief Pitcher: Fuentes, K-Rod, Putz and Street
By Matthew Cerrone - Nov 28, 2008 9:27 am

In the Daily News, Adam Rubin reports free-agent LHP Brian Fuentes is seeking a three-year deal worth around $33 million, according to a source familiar with the discussion.

in the end, though, i’m guessing it will cost three-years, plus an option, at close to $15 million per season, to sign Francisco Rodriguez

Rubin says the Mets do not believe Fuentes is worth that asking price, ‘but they are still interested in the former Rockie.’

Omar Minaya began reaching out to the agents for Rodriguez and Fuentes on Wednesday, according to multiple reports.

At MLB.com, Marty Noble writes, “Weeks ago, a member of the Mets hierarchy acknowledged the club doesn’t view Fuentes or, for that matter, Rodriguez, as it did Wagner, in a ‘must-have’ way.”

That said, according to Tim Brown at Yahoo!, the Mets had once discussed signing both Trevor Hoffman and Fuentes, ‘though surely neither would lower themselves to pitch the eighth inning.’

…and not if fuentes is seeking $10 million per season, they aren’t signing both closers to share the job…at that point, they’d be better off trading for Huston Street or J.J. Putz and signing K-Rod, which i still believe is what they are trying to do

In fact, in a special Hot Stove report for FoxSports.com, Tracy Ringolsby writes, “The Mets have targeted Putz as their priority in filling the need for a closer.”

By the way, according to the Associated Press, Rodriguez does not expect to sign a contract until after the Winter Meetings.

77 Responses to “Relief Pitcher: Fuentes, K-Rod, Putz and Street”

  1. metsflip says:

    I’d do it..

  2. steadyeddie says:

    Hey Matt; could you and your team put together who you think will end up on the Mets this offseason; til things heat up?
    We all respect your opinions and it could generate some lively discusiion while we wait for the Jets game on Sunday!
    Happy Holidays, dude!

  3. tonym says:

    Minaya has already blown one great trade this off-season. We should have had Street already. Heilman and Felicano for Street? Heilman is done here, and Felicoano is noit in Street’s league.

    What a joke.

    Mind you we know what to expect from Minaya and his handling of the BP, becuase the last two Winter’s show he hasn’t got a clue how to put a BP together.

    • metsflip says:

      How do you know that that report is even true?
      I’m sure it’s just some rumor or something cuz I really dont think Minaya is THAT stupid

      • tonym says:

        “How do you know that that report is even true?
        I’m sure it’s just some rumor or something cuz I really dont think Minaya is THAT stupid”

        With regard to the BP, he has proven he IS that stupid.

        Twice.

        • Chan Ho Parking Lot says:

          What about in 2006 when he signed Bradford and Oliver and traded for Sanchez? That bullpen was one of the best in baseball that year. So while the last 2 years did not work out, 2006 sure did. And 2005 worked out OK after he pulled Roberto Hernandez out of nowhere.

        • metsflip says:

          Ya see! Omar gets too much of the blame…

  4. seth1280 says:

    Great call Eddie! This winter has been boring so far. I like the Street, KRod combo in the pen and Jon Garland and Niese in the rotation. I think we will sign Bobby Abreu for the outfield. Unless, the price of Dye goes way down. The rest of the team should remain intact.

  5. Just read that the only Met included in the Johan Santana trade to crack Baseball America’s top 10 for the Twins is Mulvey at #8. And Carlos Gomez isn’t even projected to be in the lineup in 2012.

    Man, what a great trade for us!

    • metsflip says:

      What’s wrong with Carlos Gomez? I think he did pretty good last year for a young guy

      • Chan Ho Parking Lot says:

        Gomez has a world of athletic talent, but his hitting skills are a problem. Last year he struck out 142 times and only walked 25. That’s a major problem for a guy who is not a power hitter.

        • metsflip says:

          hmm… didnt know that..

        • Tidewater says:

          Can’t steal first. Someone needs to tell Gomez that. In the brief time we had him he seemed like he had no clue.

        • Chan Ho Parking Lot says:

          142K’s and he didn’t play a full season. For a guy that relies on speed, having a long loopy swing like he does is not a recipe for success. The reason scouts were so high on him was because of his 6′4″ frame and insane physical ability. Hitting is another story however. Not everyone can do it. John Kruk and Tony Gwynn didn’t have an ounce of Gomez’s talent but they could hit .300 with their eyes closed (in Gwynn’s case, .350).

        • Cut the kid some slack. I was never enamored with him, but he is really young and raw. I think in 3 years he will end up fixing his discipline at the plate and become a much better hitter, walker, and base stealer.

          On that fast surface in Minnesota, he could lead the league in doubles.

        • For the record, I like Carlos Gomez and was sad to see him go. I meant for my post to target the Baseball America Top 10 and projected lineup not Carlos Gomez.

    • RodKanehl says:

      You must be quite the seer since you know so far in advance, based on reding one rag that agrees with your preconceived notions, that, Minaya made a great deal. In fact after one year the Met finished exactly in the same place they finished before the deal, therefore making the deal after one year completely neutral for the Mets, while the Twins, who you pound so readily improved their place and finished tied for first, somethingMinaya hasn’t seen for a bit of time. Therefore, no advantage Mets to date.

      • bkfitz says:

        Without Santana, we’d be an 80 win team at best.

        Twins finished 2nd. Check the standings again.

      • kingman 26 says:

        Kanehl, you are really one of the most obnoxious and ignorant posters on here.

        Without Santana, who is one of the very best pitchers of this era and we have signed for several more years, we surely would have had a much worse season, and without his 2nd half, we would not have even been in the running the last week.

        Sure, the Twins and a resilient organization, and sure we blew it again, and sure, the Wilpons’ wealth had a lot to do with getting Johan, but Omar held out and did not send Pelfrey or FMart, Gomez stinks, and this was an AMAZING trade in all ways.

        It is very appropriate that you named yourself after one of the worst players in Met history.

        I look forward to your first civil, intelligent, informative, or even remotely necessary post.

  6. CitizenSnips says:

    They’re putting way too much stock into Putz, who’ll cost more in talent than they wanna spend.

  7. BBmetsfreak36 says:

    I think K-Rod is the perfect fit for New York for all the reasons fans have heard a hundred times. Considering the Rockies got a fairly good/medicore young closer with upside for a premire right handed outfeilder and now are shopping him for reported lows. I don’t see why the talks haven’t increased more. Im still skeptical over that Omar declined Heilmen and Feliciano for Street because in the long run do u honestly think the Rockies would accept two decent relievers with upside for their best player? My ideal world would be street and K-Rod but I honestly don’t think I’d mind seeing a Street Fuentes tandem lefty righty at the end of games either considering his acceptable price.

  8. oleosmirf says:

    k-rod is better than any other closer in baseball except, Rivera, Papelbon, Nathan and maybe Lidge.

    i dont see any logical reason why the Mets should trade their top prospects for Putz, when a better pitcher is available in FA.

  9. metsflip says:

    This is what I think should happen:
    Mets should put Tatis as an everyday LF,
    Murphy at 2nd,
    Sign K-Rod for what he wants,
    Trade for Street,
    Sign Garland,
    Put Niese in rotation.

    • metsflip says:

      Maybe even sign Maddux if that works out

    • I like what I saw from Niese last year. He looks like Zito with a 2003-like Zito fastball. Once he masters his command and confidence, I think he could be a great #4, behind Johan, Pelf, and Maine. However, I am not sure I would trust him with the 5 spot coming right out of spring training. I think he should be thought of as a spot starter for now. I am also against Garland. Not impressed at all. I would rather have Niese as my 5 starter than Garland.

    • dominicanboy08 says:

      why you dont want to spend money? sign ollie and sheets. that rotation will be so weak.

      johan
      sheets
      pelfrey
      maine
      ollie

      niese in AAA.

      also we cant rely on tatis for a full season.

    • Simon says:

      Murphy can’t play second. He just can’t. He’s no more a second baseman than Delgado is. I’d love to test the guy and give him a chance to prove everyone wrong too, but wishing isn’t going to make this one so.

  10. elephants says:

    This whole post opens so many wounds:

    1. If the Mets don’t sign KROD, they will regret it. It is not ofter “Mariano Rivera -AKA the best reliever in baseball, now KROD” becomes available. Don’t think other FA starting pitchers aren’t watching the Mets to see what they will do. KROD gets them each 4-5 wins and if he tuurns a Jon Garland into a 14 game winner, think of what he does for Lowe, Wold and Burnett.

    2. Going the “CHEAP” route of signing Hoffman (OMG!) and Fuentes (33 years old, couldn’t handle the closing job in friggin Colorado, would bee crushed in NYC) and then turning to the fans and asking us to “sell out” Citifield?

    3. JJ Putz and Street are a viable option. But to trade for both would cost the Mets 6 to 8 players (Kunz, Parnell, Martinez, Carp, Heilman, Feliciano) at the least! Do you think the Mariners are just going to “Give” us Putz? They will want Martinez plus as they are losing Ibanez to FA and are rebuilding. Colorado is in the same mode as I live here…They are ridding themselves of Tavares and lost Holiday. They will want PIECES for Street. Carp is a possibility as the Rockies could plug him in at first after Helton retires.
    But again, the Mets put Carp on the 40 man because they see his upside.
    If the Mets go route #3, then they need to take the money and sign Manny, (4 years 85 million, player option year 5) Lowe (3 years 45 million with and option) and Wolf (3 years 32 Million and an option).
    That would be a total of 47 million. Considering we just lost Pedros 12 million, Alou’s 7.5 million, Easley’s 1 Million, Perez 6.5 million, Those alone comes to 27 Million - so it is a net gain in salary of 20 Million or what Citifield Paid the Mets for the naming rights.
    Please, don’t insult my intelligence that the Mets can’t afford to make changes. They sold 62 million dollars in luxury boxes (money that doesn’t get shared with other teams) and are opening a new stadium.
    The offset of Street and Putz’s salaries would be in the players traded.
    Then our team is set!

    • metsflip says:

      This comment is gold… never thought of that stuff…

      • elephants says:

        Thanks….
        As a long suffering 30 year plus Mets fan, the next 2 years are the best time for us to win this thing again.
        I don’t want to hear about the money from the Mets.
        Last year the Yankees spent OVER 350 million on player in the off season counting just the contracts to Rivera, Posada and Arod.

        The Mets are a Closer (Krod), Left fielder-right handed power hitter