Daily Archives: February 5, 2009
According to MLB.com, Mets 20–year-old OF Fernando Martinez will leave the Carribean World Series and fly to New York for a checkup as he is nursing a sore right 
elbow.
“I felt my elbow tighten up the day before yesterday,” Martinez told MLB.com. “It was a little swollen. It’s better. I feel I can play again. I don’t think I need to fly to New York to get a check up but the Mets want me to.”
On Tuesday, Martinez hit a two-run, pinch-hit homer to push his team to victory over Puerto Rico.
The Mets have signed free-agent RHP Elmer Dessens to a $600,000 minor-league contract, according to the Denver Post.
The 38–year-old Dessens is 7–11 with a 5.95 ERA through the last three seasons, during which he made five starts and 78 relief appearances, while walking just 38 batters in 115 innings.
He has pitched for eight teams in his 11–year career.
Shyra J: “What time do you get up in the morning? You must have a crazy schedule. What is your typical day like?
Matthew Cerrone: I get up at 6 am, and start writing and organizing information and sending and reading e-mails as I begin compiling posts for the day. I take the train to New York, work from my laptop, then plug in at SNY, work on their other blogs and video, then pick back up on MetsBlog after I hear back from people who can help provide context and background information for posts I had been working on since the morning. I head home in the late afternoon, do more work on the train, and then watch that night’s games, assuming it’s baseball season, all while relying on help from my outstanding group of associate writers. Then, repeat as necessary.
Jason K: “Are the Mets at all interested in signing Nomar Garciaparra? If Luis Castillo falters at second, who takes his place? Yes, Nomar is injury prone, but he can still produce when he’s healthy and I think he may come cheap.”
Matthew Cerrone: Like I said this morning, from what I understand, Garciaparra has yet to decide if he will play in 2009, which suggests to me he’s not yet willing to accept a minor-league deal. I also do not believe the Mets are looking to guarantee anyone a contract for the bench right now. Also, I have never heard his name linked to the Mets, which is disappointing.
By the way, Alex Cora will slot in to replace Castillo. I know a lot of people took issue with signing Cora for $2 million over David Eckstein, who signed in San Diego for $600,000. However, I believe Omar Minaya’s goal was to find an inexpensive middle infielder, who was capable of being an everyday second baseman, but who would be patient and be a back-up while Castillo is given the chance to succeed. Cora obviously was willing to accept this role, and I assume the extra money helped make that decision for him. Eckstein, on the other hand, wanted to be a starter.
Mark in NYC: “I have been an avid reader of your blog 
for over three years. How come I am not hearing anything about a potential trade for Jermaine Dye, who is inexpensive from a Mets stand point and the White Sox are looking to unload him.”
Matthew Cerrone: I do not think Dye is inexpensive from anyone’s point of view, let alone the Mets, as he is due to earn $11.5 million in 2009, plus a $1 million buyout for 2010. The Mets would not spend big money on Ramirez, so I assume they have no interest in spending almost-big money on Dye, plus parting with prospects to get him.
That said, I’m not so sure the Sox are trying to trade Dye. I believe the Mets checked in on him before the Winter Meetings, as did other teams, and if the Sox ever had a partner a deal would have happened by now. Plus, any team looking to acquire Dye will likely pony up half the money and sign Bobby Abreu or Adam Dunn, or at least wait to see where they sign first.
Bow 2 Da Best: “Fernando Martinez looks great as a baseball player, I think he’s major-league ready. I think 
the Mets are babying him too much.”
Matthew Cerrone: I think it’s pretty clear that, as of now, the Mets are not blocking left field long term because they still have high hopes for Martinez, as they should. From what I understand, Martinez will likely start the season at Triple-A.
I bet he is promoted to the big leagues at some point this season, much like the team did with Lastings Milledge and David Wright, when they essentially said, ‘This is a short-term fix, the kid will only be here for a week or two, no pressure, have fun.’ His window is now and the next season or two, so it’s time he starts to produce some consistent numbers and remain healthy.
To watch my latest video mailbag for SNY, during which I talk about why the Mets will not sign Manny Ramirez, and why the Mets may not be better than last season, despite upgrading the bullpen, click play below:
Jon Heyman of SI.com believes that the Mets are among several teams with mild interest in OF Andrew Jones.
According to Heyman, Jones recently rejected an offer to join the Yankees as a non-roster invitee.
In the article, Heyman also discusses why the Dodgers should sign Pedro Martinez, writing:
Tagged Pedro Martinez, Regis Courtemanche |“The Dodgers need someone like Martinez to tutor their staff. Maddux was that guy in recent seasons, and Martinez could ably fill that role. He is a sage and stable veteran.”
According to Adam McCalvy and T.R. Sullivan at MLB.com, free-agent RHP Ben Sheets may need elbow surgery to repair the torn flexor tendon in his elbow, and the Brewers may be asked to pick up the tab.
The Rangers and Sheets reached an agreement on a two-year contract late last week, MLB.com explains, “and only a physical stood in the way of the deal being completed. But everything changed once it was determined that Sheets had a torn flexor tendon that might require surgery.”
Rangers GM Jon Daniels is “not optimistic” that they will continue to pursue Sheets.
…wow, so this clears up the mystery as to why sheets was seemingly still available…this news makes the ollie signing seem that much better to me…
On Tuesday, while talking to reporters, Omar Minaya said he will continue to look for ‘smaller pieces,’ specifically a left-handed reliever.
Minaya added, ‘It doesn’t mean that we have to get (a left-handed reliever), because we do have some righties that can get lefties out, but, that being said, we will continue to look.”
…it sounded, to me, like minaya was talking about bringing in guys on minor-league deals, not bigger-name pitchers on major-league deals, noting how he got Pedro Feliciano on a minor-league deal, and pointing out he currently has Valerio De Los Santos in on a minor-league deal for this spring as well…
However, Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com believes the Mets have been in contact with free-agent LHP Will Ohman, in an effort to sign the pitcher at a bargain.
Meanwhile, yesterday, Tim Dierkes of MLB Trade Rumors identified seven left-handed relievers who are still available on the free-agent market, including Joe Beimel, Randy Flores, Ohman, Dennys Reyes and Ron Villone, among others.
…i have to think most of these guys will get major-league deals some place, but, at this rate, who knows… i believe the Mets showed interest in biemel and reyes earlier in the off season, but that was quite a while ago…
In addition to De Los Santos , the Mets will also have left-handed relievers Tom Martin, Casey Fossum, Jon Switzer and Heriberto Ruelas in camp, all acquired this off season on minor-league deals, as well as LHP Adam Bostick, who spent most of last season in Triple-A on the disabled list.
…i believe Francisco Rodriguez, J.J. Putz, Sean Green, Brian Stokes, Pedro Feliciano and Duaner Sanchez are pretty much guaranteed a spot in the Opening Day bullpen…
…so, assuming Marlon Anderson is on the roster, that will make room for one more bench player, because Fernando Tatis and Daniel Murphy will be in a platoon, which means there is technically only one room for one more relief pitcher in the bullpen, assuming Tim Redding is the team’s fifth starter, which will be needed in the first week of the season…
The Mets also will have RHP Rocky Cherry in camp, who they acquired from the O’s during the Rule V Draft in December.
In 19 career innings, spanning three seasons, left-handed hitters are batting .167 against Cherry, who must be returned to Baltimore if he is not on the Mets 25–man roster.
The Padres have signed free-agent OF Cliff Floyd to a one-year deal worth less than $1 million, according to FoxSports.com.
Meanwhile, Joel Sherman of the New York Post believes free-agent OF-1B Kevin Millar will soon sign a minor-league deal with the Blue Jays.
According to Sherman, the Mets, Yankees, Nationals and Rangers had shown interest in Millar.
In a separate post, Sherman reports the Mets have not yet made contact with free-agent infielder Rich Aurilia, despite people suggesting the two would be a good match.
…i was under the impression aurilia was 
destine to re-sign with the Giants, because he likes it there, they like him, and he can expect to get a good chunk of playing time…
…that said, i do believe the Mets are still looking around for a right-handed bat for the bench… i keep coming back to Nomar Garciaparra, though i have never heard his name in connection to the Mets…
…he seems like a good fit… however, from what i understand, he’s still unsure if he’s going to play in 2009, though i suspect that mostly depends on the type of deal he is offered…
In 55 games for the Dodgers last season, the 35–year-old Garciaparra hit .264 with 17 extra base hits and a .326 OBP, while batting .339 against left-handed pitchers.
He has played multiple games at first base, second, third and shortstop during the last three seasons.
T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com writes, “All signs point to Ben Sheets not being with the Rangers.”
…i keep asking, but i have been unable to 
determine what this guy’s price actually is… i no longer have any idea what he’s looking for… for a while, i understood he was requesting a two-year deal… but, at this point, two weeks before pitchers and catchers, i just don’t see how he gets it, especially if the Rangers are backing out…
…from what i understand, the Mets only considered offering a one-year deal for sheets, as did the Rangers, as do the Brewers, and probably any other team with interest… i once thought it would cost a deal similar to what Brad Penny got from boston, i.e., one year, $5 million and a ton of incentives to push its potential value to well over $10 million… but, again, at this point, with the Mets likely out, with the Rangers out, and with the Brewers on the fence, how does he even get that…
…i would love for the Mets to do it… if i were them, i’d work real hard to find the money, and even guarantee two years… because, as i wrote last week, even if sheets can make only 20 starts, missing two months to injury, that is still money well spent when you consider how he’ll likely pitch in those 20 starts… i mean, for at least three months or so, the Mets could have two aces… if he gets hurt, he gets hurt… that’s what the incentives are for…
…unfortunately, right now, i don’t think sheets is an option for the Mets any more, who, instead are focused on maybe acquiring a left-handed reliever and another low-cost bat or two to compete in spring training…
…i’m sorry, i know they have said, ‘We’re done.’… the thing is, if the Mets are gonna spend $5 million on a reliever and a bat or two, let’s say, i would rather see them spend it on sheets, assuming he can be had for that price…
Speaking of starting pitchers…
Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports the Dodgers are once again negotiating with free-agent LHP Randy Wolf.
Yesterday, during a conference call with reporters about the World Baseball Classic, Braves 3B Chipper Jones said:
“I’m a huge David Wright fan… How could you not want to sit back and see how David Wright goes about his business, how he mentally prepares for games? David Wright is the best third baseman in the National League, if not all of baseball.”
…seriously, though, i have no problem with chipper… i mean, from April to October, i hope he fails miserably, but it’s not personal… he is cocky, brash, and he belittles Mets fans, but, i respect it, because i believe he gets it… i feel he understands the relationship between his team and us, and he helps create drama and stoke the fire and he keeps it entertaining, and i like that… just so long as his team continues to finish in third place, of course…
Jones also said he is impressed with Omar Minaya’s off-season additions, which improved the team’s bullpen, adding, “We, as the Braves and Phillies, will have to concentrate on winning the game in the first seven innings so we don’t have to worry about the eighth and ninth.”
Dodgers GM Ned Colletti continues to be in touch with Scoot Boras and Manny Ramirez, explains Jayson Stark of ESPN.com, adding, however, “”There were no indications the two sides made any significant progress toward resolving their differences.”
Ramirez rejected a one-year, $25 million offer from the Dodgers earlier in the week, as he continues to request a long-term deal.
By the way, despite Jeff Wilpon’s and Omar Minaya’s public statements that the team not be making any more major acquisitions this off-season.
The same group of fans who took part in last week’s Million Manny March at the SNY studios are still 
planning a second March tonight, Feb. 5, again at the SNY studios, during the network’s Mets Hot Stove show, which airs at 7 pm.
The SNY studio is located at 51st and Sixth Ave., though some fans will be gathering across the street at 6:30 pm by Radio City, before marching over the to studio.
…i love it… if nothing else, it shows just how passionate and involved we are as a fan base, and that has to be a good thing…
