Daily Archives: January 21, 2009
The following is my latest MetsBlog Mailbag, during which I talk about whether the Mets could possibly sign Ben Sheets and Oliver Perez, and what it’s like in spring training:
Larry, from Mountain Grove, writes:
“What is Omar Minaya’s problem? How come he is incapable of multi-tasking? He’s focused on pitching and only pitching, and is missing out on a bat like Adam Dunn?”
Well, this would assume he wants Adam Dunn, which 
I am not so sure is even the case. Plus, what if Dunn meant he could not get a starting pitcher? Is that juggling and multi-tasking, or is that just making a tough decision with a limited budget?
Anyway, I have seen this implication a lot lately, be it from readers to me in my e-mail, or in this site’s comments section, or on other blogs, talk radio, etc., and I just don’t get it.
It’s pretty clear the Mets do not intend to spend more money on player salaries than they did last season. Now, we can argue whether that should or shouldn’t be, but, the fact is, as of right now, no team is on pace to spend more in salaries this season compared to what the spent last season, including the Yankees. Maybe it’s the economy, maybe it’s something else, who knows? The point is, all teams are sticking to a hard budget this off-season, and the Mets are no different
Last year, the Mets spent roughly $140 million in salary, which, based on some rough math, would suggest they had around $25 million to spend this off season, after raises, options, arbitration, etc., for current players.
This would indicate they have around $10 million left to spend, for this coming season, as of right now. I do believe they’ll spend a tad more than that if need be, but it must be the right situation. Also, from what I can gather, teams like the Mets, Yankees, Red Sox and others, are holding back on spending, because they know, given the economy, smaller market teams will look to dump a variety of players near the trade deadline, more than usually do.
The way I see it, Minaya is running down a check list, focused on pitching – not because he is incapable of multi-tasking, but because it would be unwise to spend on a bat, while using a chunk of his available funds, when he desires another starting pitcher, who he may not be able to afford if he spends on a bat, i.e., prioritizing and sticking to a budget.
Now, I might disagree with check list, or who and what is his top priority, and that’s fair, but to call him incapable of multitasking seems a bit inaccurate to me.
Lastly, as usual, I have a hard time making such accusations and judgments when the off-season is not yet over. I mean, if, after all is said and done, the rotation looks like swiss cheese, the offense is exactly the same as last season and only the bullpen was improved upon, I’ll be the first to point it out. However, what if, after all this talk of multi-tasking, etc., Minaya ends up acquiring both Oliver Perez and Ben Sheets. I’m guessing I’ll have a different opinion, or not – who knows. But, I always find it unfair to judge these actions, as they happen, because there is so much happening behind closed doors that I am unaware of.
To me, it’s easier to simply wait and judge the final product.
The Brooklyn Met fans wonders, “Do the Mets have enough offense?”
Ed Ryan from Mets Fever argues in favor of signing free-agent C Ivan Rodriguez, who, according to CBS Sports, says he is in as good of shape as he was in 2004, when he hit .334.
Mets Walkoffs introduces Cory Sullivan, who likes triples.
In a pot to NY Baseball Digest, Joe DeMayo conducts a Q&A with Adam Bostick, who was invited to spring training by the Mets.
Toby Hyde from Mets Minor League Blog takes a closer look at Mets 3B Shawn Bowman, who hit .297 in the AFL this season.
Yesterday, the Yankees and OF Xavier Nady settled on a one-year, $6.55 million contract, avoiding salary arbitration.
Nady, who will be a free agent at the end of this season, hit .305 with 25 HR and 97 RBI last season, while playing for the Yankees and Pirates.
…this is significant for two reasons…
…one) it is an affordable contract when you consider Pat Burrell, who also plays corner outfield, is roughly the same age and bats righty, and put up similar numbers, if not lesser numbers, yet he signed a deal that will pay him only $1.5 million more next season – and so i believe this increases the likelihood that the Yankees trade nady…
According to Peter Abraham, of the Journal News, “Several teams, including the Mets, have an interest in Nady.”
…two) Adam Dunn is now very much justified in asking for $10 million per season… he earned $9 million last season, Milton Bradley signed for $10 million, burrel is getting $8 million, and nady is getting $6.55 million (from the Yankees no less), and so to expect dunn to be offered anything less than nady at this point is ridiculous…
Tagged Xavier Nady |Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com quotes a league executive who believes Ben Sheets will require at least a one-year deal, worth around $7 million, with the potential to earn close to $14 million, ‘and a lucrative club option.’
Yesterday, Jon Heyman of SI.com write, “Some Mets people are now wondering whether one or two years for Sheets might be a better gamble than four or five for Oliver Perez.”
[poll id="209"]
Tagged Oliver Perez, Poll |…hat tip to Long Island Met Fan for the following story…
In an on-air report for KEYC-TV in Minnesota, Jennifer Hudspeth talks with the guys from Uni-Systems and Fiberglas Fabricators about building the new Home Run Apple for Citi Field.
According to the report, the new Apple is four-times bigger than the old Apple, and it weighs 6,000 pounds.
To watch Hudspeth’s segment, which features footage of the new Apple, click play below:
The Mets extended spring-training invitations to LHP Casey Fossum and 
Tom Martin, and C Omir Santos, all of whom agreed to minor league contracts.
Minor-league OF Fernando Martinez, 1B Michel Abreu, pitchers Tobi Stoner, Dillon Gee and Michael Antonini, C Josh Thole and SS Jose Coronado, were also invited to spring training by the Mets.
Lastly, according to MLB.com, “The Mets have invited 14 non-roster players to camp,” as well, “including pitchers Nelson Figueroa and Adam Bostick, infielder Andy Green and catcher Rene Rivera.”
…this time of year, when all of these invites are passed around, i can’t help but think of the movie Major League, and the following exchange between the team’s owner, GM and board of directors:
Owner Rachel Phelps: This is a list of players that I want to invite to Spring Training this year.
Board Member: I’ve never heard of half of these guys, and the ones I do know are way past their prime.
GM Charlie Donovan: Most of these guys never had a prime.
Board Member: This guy here is dead!
Phelps: Cross him off the list then.
…by the way, i believe the Mets offered an invite to Pedro Martinez, but he still looking around the league for a guaranteed contract…and i don’t blame him…
The Mets reached agreement yesterday on new one-year contracts with Ryan Church and Angel Pagan, thus avoiding arbitration.
The day before, Duaner Sanchez and Jeremy Reed signed one-year deals with the team, also avoiding arbitration.
Church will earn $2.8 million, up $800,00 from last season. He is eligible for arbitration through 2011, after which he can become a free agent.
Meanwhile, John Maine and Pedro Feliciano are still in negotiations.
Maine is seeking $3 million for 2009, while the team is offering $2.2 million.
Like Church, he is eligible for arbitration this season, 2010 and 2011, after which he can become a free agent.
To check out other arbitration figures, such as Ryan Howard’s request for $18 million, go to MLB Trade Rumors.
Lastly, to learn about how the arbitration process works, read Padres Ass’t GM Paul DePodesta’s blog, It Might be Dangerous.
Tagged Ryan Church |
