Daily Archives: November 23, 2009
Mets 21–year-old OF Fernando Martinez returned from knee surgery this weekend, going 1 for 8, with one strike out, in two games in the Dominican Winter League.
In a post to Mets Today, Joe Janish takes a closer look at Martinez, had season-ending surgery on his right knee in late July.
According to Janish, “Martinez’s development as a power hitter will be his ultimate measurement as a big leaguer. Personally I don’t see him turning into a homerun hitter in MLB in 2010, but that doesn’t mean it can’t happen in 2011 – 2013.”
Last week, in a poll to MetsBlog.com, 61 percent of more than 6,000 people who voted said the Mets should not trade Martinez this off season, while letting him continue to develop.
In the last 12 hours, FoxSports.com, the New York Post and the Daily News all reported that, while the Mets would like to sign free-agent RHP John Lackey, they will also pursue, and are more likely 
to sign, one or two starting pitchers from a group that includes Joel Pineiro, Ben Sheets, Jason Marquis and Randy Wolf.
By the way, be aware that Yahoo! is running a story that paraphrases the New York Post as having said, ‘Sheets is apparently at the top of the list for the Mets this off-season.’ However, the Post report does not say this at all. Instead, the Post reports Pineiro is at the top of the team’s list, with Sheets simply among the group of middle-of-the-rotation starters being considered.
Nevertheless, I always find it interesting when three different media outlets report essentially the same story, with the same players being mentioned, citing roughly the same type of sources, all within a few hours of one another. I will not believe it is a coincidence.
The thing is, I don’t think anybody really knows what the Mets are going to do, or can do, this off season. They may think they know, and they may end up being right. But, today, right now, I think it’s all just logical speculation, with a hint of direction from a source.
I say this, because, one day there is a report talking of how the Mets will spend money, the next day another says they won’t, which is followed by a report saying they will pursue Lackey, which is followed by reports that say they won’t, and then others are published saying they’ll do both, i.e., pursue Lackey and a middle-of-the-rotation starter, while others say they won’t.
Well, which is it? Nobody knows. I don’t think this means reporters are being duped, nor do I think it means the Mets are clueless. Instead, I think it means what it should mean, which is that it’s early in the off season, the Mets have some money to spend, there are a lot of options and different ways to go, with more free agents likely to hit the market in four weeks, and so there is no point in rushing to make a move for the sake of making a move.
I mean, if Omar Minaya wants to sign Lackey, or he wants to trade for a pitcher, it would be wise to signal he is open to signing more than one of Pineiro, Sheets, Wolf and Marquis, who he also may genuinely be interested in. The same can be said for Matt Holliday, with Jason Bay also on the market, and players like Carl Crawford and Jose Guillen maybe available in trade.
In short, I believe the Mets are simply keeping their options open, which is exactly what they should be doing.
In case you missed it…
The Mets and Braves have shown interest in trading for Rays OF Carl Crawford, according to the St. Petersburgh Times.
The Arizona Fall League ended. Ike Davis hit .350, Jenrry Mejia had a 12.56 ERA in 14 innings; Ruben Tejada hit .254; and Reese Havens hit .368 in 10 games while playing second base.
The Royals believe the Mets might consider trading for OF Jose Guillen, should Omar Minaya be unable to sign free-agent outfielders Matt Holliday or Jason Bay, according to the Daily News.
Speaking of Bay, Peter Gammons of ESPN.com believes he will eventually sign a four-year deal, worth roughly $64 million, with the Red Sox.
In a chat for the Boston Globe, Gammons said free-agent Gary Sheffield is open to being a DH in 2010, and he’d like to sign with the Rays or return to the Braves.
Cuban free-agent Aroldis Chapman and his 100–mph fastball hired the Hendricks brothers to be their agent, reported the Boston Globe.
…the hendricks bros. have a long history of connecting the Yankees to pitchers, so the buzz in baseball suggests he could be destine to sign in the Bronx, and for roughly half the price of what people had been anticipating…
The White Sox are close to signing free-agent infielder Omar Vizquel to a one-year deal, explains MLB Trade Rumors.
Lastly, the Marlins and starting pitcher Josh Johnson called off contract negotiations, reported ESPN.com.
Johnson is eligible for arbitration each of the next two seasons, after which he can become a free agent following 2011.
Newer posts →
