Relief Pitcher: Fuentes, K-Rod, Putz and Street
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.
