Note: More from Mets Meeting with Boras
Jeff Wilpon gave Scott Boras and his assistant a tour of Citi Field yesterday, after which the group had lunch with Omar Minaya and other team executives to discuss Derek Lowe and Oliver Perez.
From what I understand, Boras met with team executives on Tuesday evening as well, in New York City.
In Newsday, Ken Davidoff writes, “If Manny Ramirez’s name came up, it appears that didn’t spark much conversation,” according to people familiar with the discussion.
Additionally, Steve Popper in the Bergen Record writes, “According to one person involved in the discussions, the two sides did not discuss Ramirez.”
I agree, which is why I wrote last night that Manny wasn’t discussed at all, which is a shame. Also, talks regarding Perez and Alex Cora were limited, with most of the discussion centering on Lowe, as you would expect.
According to Popper, Minaya has never discussed Ramirez with Boras, and has not ‘broached the subject to ownership.’
I’m starting to think this is more of a budget issue, in that signing Lowe or Perez, a veteran fifth starter, a back-up middle infielder, and maybe another relief pitcher, will likely put the team over their projected budget, and so I would not expect any major free-agent addition on offense.
Meanwhile, in the New York Times, Ben Shpigel adds, “In the end, should the Mets offer another $1 million annually and/or a fourth-year vesting option, Boras and Lowe may find that suitable.”
Like I wrote last night night, according to people connected to Lowe, the Mets will eventually need to grant a fourth-year option, and may need to pay more per season than they initially offered, but not $15 million – and the Mets are open to this.
In other words, like Joel Sherman of the New York Post wrote yesterday, I’m thinking Lowe could eventually cost Minaya a three-year, $42 million deal, with a performance-based fourth-year option and a team buyout.
By the way, Mike Puma of the New York Post writes, “Some believe the Nationals could be a suitor for Lowe, the best available starter on the market, given that Washington needs an ace and wasn’t shy about entering the Teixeira sweepstakes.”
Ugh, and of course there will be a Mystery Team, I’m sure.
