Daily Archives: December 13, 2008
In an interview with Central Maine Sports Blog, Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com said the Yankees and Braves are no longer interested in free-agent RHP Derek Lowe.
Additionally, Crasnick says, “The Red Sox would only be interested if he comes cheap, the Phillies just spent $30 million on Raul Ibanez, and the Dodgers don’t expect to bring him back.”
As such, Crasnick sees the Mets as the front-runners.
…hat tip to MLB Trade Rumors for the link…
…from what i can gather, the Mets would be willing to give lowe a similar contract to what they gave Francisco Rodriguez, i.e., a three-year deal, worth roughly $12 million per season…however, i believe it will take more money per year to get him, mostly because at that level other teams will become interested…i do believe he can be had for a three-year deal, though it may need to cost four years before all is said and done…we’ll see…
…the buzz in baseball seems to be that, with CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett in the mix, and a deal with Andy Pettitte on the horizon, the Yankees are more likely to sign a fourth pitcher to a short-term deal, than they are to sign lowe to a long-term deal…that said, they’re the Yankees, so who the hell knows what they’re thinking…
The Mets are the front-runners to sign Japanese free-agent reliever Ken Takahashi, according to NPB Tracker, the premiere resource for Japanese free agents.
According to the report, Takahashi hopes to sign with a new team by the end of the year.
The 39-year old Takahashi was 8-5 with a 3.50 ERA in 21 games last season for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp.
To check out footage of Takahashi, click play below:
There will be live conference call at 12 pm EDT with reporters today to introduce Francisco Rodriguez as the team’s new closer.
I will be live blogging key questions and answers as the call goes on. However, audio from the call will air live on SNY at 12 pm.
Update, 12:06 PM:
Rodriguez is on the phone in Venezuela.
He is not concerned about the drop in velocity. He feels comfortable with where it is at, and he’s working hard in the off-season to get it back where he was. It’s not something he’s worrying about it right now.
Update, 12:10 PM:
He is ‘very happy with the acquisition of J.J. Putz.’ He looks forward to working together to get a good chemistry going, and creating a great 1–2 punch. “We are not selfish guys,” he said, “We have one goal and that’s to get to the promise land…we have to stay healthy and work hard.”
Update, 12:12 PM:
He’s excited to pitch in New York City.
“The atmosphere is totally different, the fans are really passionate, and there is something really special and nice that New York has that players like,” he said. “I’m the kind of the guy who likes the pressure, and those situations…I want to earn the fan’s respect and I hope they enjoy me out there.”
Update, 12:13PM:
“Everybody knows what happened to the Mets last year, and things happen,” he said. But, ‘we can’t live in the past, we need to have the same goal, of winning the world series, be healthy and get there.’
Update, 12:15 PM:
He is not disappointed in not getting a five-year deal.
“I never asked for five years. It never came out of my mouth, it didn’t come out of my agent,” he said. “I’m happy with this contract, and happy to be in New York City.”
Update, 12:17 PM:
Again, regarding velocity, he said last year he was making changes to his mechanics, and putting a third pitch (a change up) in to his repertoire. So, because the mechanics were different, making his change-up most effective, but when he wanted to ‘let it fly,’ ‘the velocity was there.’
However, he’s still working, and as ‘you’ll see next year, the velocity will be there,’ and the goal is to be able to throw all three pitches from the same arm angle and speed.
“The velocity will pick up,” he said. “No doubt about it.”
Update, 12:20 PM:
‘I was open to any conversation with any ballclub,’ he said, but, ‘of course,’ he wanted to be in New York City, and ‘it was not a hard decision.’
Update, 12:22 PM:
He looks forward to the pressure and the scrutiny.
However, he said, ‘I can’t control what people say, all I can control is what I do on the field.’
Update, 12:24 PM:
People in Venezuela are excited that he and Johan Santana are pitching on the same team, ‘and it’s really nice.’
Update, 12:27 PM:
“Of course,” he said, when asked whether he will continue his ‘antics’ and ‘animation on the mound.’
“I’m never gonna change the way that I do my job,”
For more, the energy from the fans are gonna make it that much more, and it doesn’t bother him if it bothers other teams.
Update, 12:29 PM:
“Of course we want to win the division,” he said, when asked about the rivalry with the Phillies. “Of course we want to be the front runners, and of course we want to be the team to beat…That shouldn’t be a controversy, but we need to be confident… If asked who will win the National League, I’m gonna say, ‘the Mets.’”
The conference call is over.
In the Daily News, Greg B. Smith explains, “The company that owns the Mets was one of a handful of ultra-wealthy investors prosecutors say were duped by Wall Street wheeler-dealer Bernard Madoff.”
According to CNBC, Fred Wilpon and partner Saul Katz, though their investment entity Sterling Equities, could have lost as much as $300 million.
The Mets issued a statement yesterday, which read, “This news does not affect the day-to-day operations and long-term plans of the Mets organization and the Citi Field project.”
