Daily Archives: January 2, 2009
Joel Sherman of the New York Post sees no way Derek Lowe accepts the three-year, $36 million offer from the Mets, which is less money and years than Carlos Silva, who signed a four-year, $48 million deal with M’s last off-season.
Sherman writes, “Lowe considers himself far superior to Silva.”
This is going to take a while. Boras, I’m sure, doesn’t want to settle, at least not before trying to stimulate a new market for his client – at the same time, I believe the Mets have no interest in going above $15 million per season. My guess is, eventually, after a long-drawn out staring contest, the Mets will have to up their offer to, say, three years, $14 million per season, and an easily attainable fourth-year option. Otherwise, if the price remains low, Boras may be able to wrangle in more teams.
The thing is, this is not last year’s economy, and the Mets will not and should not bid against themselves.
Speaking of starting pitchers…
Sherman also says the Mets had interest in Jason Marquis, who the Cubs recently traded to the Rockies.
However, Sherman writes, “The Mets are working methodically this offseason, addressing one shortcoming at a time before moving on to the next item… Now their next quest is to land a veteran starter who can pitch near the top of the rotation… Only after the Mets bring in that level of starter will they focus on other areas, such as the No. 5 starter slot.”
Sherman also blogs about Manny Ramirez and the Giants, and the Mark DeRosa deal, among other things.
In a post to Kiner’s Korner, Gene breaks down 
the pros and cons to signing Manny Ramirez.
Howard Megdal of the Observer looks at The Pedro Feliciano Project.
Chris from MetsGeek takes a look back at the last year.
Lastly, the Denver Post writes, “The first NFL team to lead a division for 16 weeks and not make the playoffs (is the Denver Broncos). To commemorate the event, they will officially change their name to the Mets.”
The Los Angeles Times reported yesterday that the Dodgers are working with Scott Boras to reduce the $15 million due to Andruw Jones next season.
Later, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com wrote, “The Dodgers are hoping to spread that money over more years. It could be done through an extension, which would move a chunk of money off the 2009 payroll. There also is the possibility of a deferred buyout, either to facilitate a trade or allow Jones to become a free agent.”
In Queens, I believe this is known as, ‘Pulling a Bobby Bonilla.”
Last week, at ESPN.com, Buster Olney said the Mets and Dodgers once discussed a deal that would swap Jones for Luis Castillo, who is due $18 million over the next three seasons.
However, the following day, Marty Noble quoted a person familiar with the talks as saying, “Nothing is ongoing, and nothing is going to happen.”
Speaking of outfielders…
According to Bill Ladson of MLB.com, the Nationals could look to trade OF Lastings Milledge before the start of the season.
The 23–year-old Milledge hit .268 with 40 extra base hits, 24 stolen bases and a .330 OBP in 523 at bats last season.
[poll id="201"]
Yesterday, the Denver Post suggested the Giants are set to 
make a quiet, but aggressive, run at free-agent OF Manny Ramirez.
Additionally, Jon Heyman of SI.com says, “The Giants could become the biggest threat to the Dodgers hopes to retain Ramirez.”
Meanwhile, today, Dennis O’Donnell of KPIX TV in San Francisco believes the Giants have offered a three-year deal, with a fourth-year option, to Ramirez.
Last week, in a post to his blog for the Star-Ledger, Dan Graziano explained why there is little chance Ramirez ends up in Queens, despite Omar Minaya’s interest.
By the way, a group of fans started a petition to sign Ramirez, which you can sign by clicking here.
In early November, the Los Angeles Times said the Dodgers made an initial offer to Ramirez worth $25 million per season, for either two or three seasons.
That day, in a poll to MetsBlog.com, 78 percent of people who voted said they would not give Ramirez a three-year, $75 million deal to sign with the Mets, while only 22 percent said they would.
So, let’s try it again and see if things have changed…
[poll id="200"]
