Daily Archives: December 3, 2009
Jon Heyman of SI.com says the Mets view free-agent C Henry Blanco as a back-up 
catcher, with C Chris Coste in Triple-A.
According to Heyman, despite Blanco and Coste, and Omir Santos and Josh Thole, the Mets are still seeking free-agent C Bengie Molina.
Yesterday, in an interview with WFAN’s Mike Francesa, which you can listen to here, Heyman said he feels Molina is in perfect position to get a two-year, $16 million deal, and the Mets will move quickly to sign him.
…i actually don’t see it that way… the first clue, to me, is that the Giants didn’t offer him arbitration because they feel the market would make a one-year deal in San Francisco seem viable to molina… second, who, besides the Mets, a) need a catcher, and b) can afford to pay him that much money, not the Brewers, not the Padres… lastly, Rod Barajas and Yorvit Torrealba are also on the open market… and so, the Mets, who now have four catchers in house, do not need to overpay…
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According to Panorama, the Red Sox have asked to see the medical records for free-agent infielder Marco Scutaro.
Original Post, 11:27 am:
The Red Sox have interest in 2B Orlando Hudson, according to WEEI Radio in Boston.
…this might explain why the Red Sox talked with MVP 2B Dustin Pedroia about moving to shortstop, as Peter Gammons reported on ESPN.com earlier this week…
“They’ve put it out there and I’ve told them I’m all for it,” Pedroia told Gammons.
Yesterday, Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times said the Mariners are among teams who have interest in Hudson as well.
Speaking of switching positions…
In a post to Bleacher Report, Dave Meisel explains why the Mets should consider asking David Wright to move to first base.
…i bet this happens in time… eventually… but, it will be later in his career… plus, i am not sure it would be wise to mess with his head following the type of season he just had… let him get his bat together before giving him more to take on…
In a post to his blog for ESPN.com, Buster Olney explains why, at the very least, ‘the Mets appear to be well-positioned to grab the best of the B-listers,’ such as Randy Wolf, Jason Marquis and Joel Pineiro.
According to Olney, “It would be a surprise if the Mets didn’t land one of those three starters, or somebody comparable.”
…i still believe this is how things will shake out, in that Roy Halladay will end up in Boston, Philadelphia or the Bronx, with John Lackey signing to pitch for a team nobody expects, and so the Mets will end up signing one of those pitchers, if not more, or trading for a starting pitcher from another team…
Olney also believes the Mets have discussed free-agent OF Mike Cameron, as well as 1B-OF Xavier Nady, as possible fall-back options to free agents Jason Bay and Matt Holliday.
In an interview with WFAN last month, SI.com’s Jon Heyman said he was skeptical of the team’s supposed interest in Nady, because, from what he understands, Nady will not be 100 percent healthy and ready for Opening day.
…i would love for the Mets to bring back nady, but not in a prominent role… the Mets cannot afford to gamble on hope and potential… they need to bring in players they can count on, as they have very little room for error this time around…
To read more from Olney, who also blogs about the Roy Halladay situation and the Player’s Association, read his blog here.
Earlier this week, the Braves signed Billy Wagner to a one-year, $7 million deal to be their new closer.
In a conference call with reporters yesterday, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Wagner, who was born in Tannersville, VA, said:
“I’m happy to be here. I’ve always been a life-long Braves fans. My grandparents have always been Braves fans, and it’s kind of like full circle. I don’t know how many times I went to Bobby when were playing against him and said, ‘Hey, you know, let’s help me out here. Get me over here. I can do something, carry towels or something.’”
To read more quotes from Wagner, who also answered questions about returning to the NL, his favorite Brave players growing up, click here.
Speaking of Wagner, despite him signing with the Braves, the Brooklyn Met Fan says he just can’t hate him.
…i agree, adam… he is one of rare cases for me where the individual trumps the rivalry… i mean, i hope he fails miserably for the Braves, especially when playing the Mets, but, as a person, i will always respect how tough he is and how hard he had to work to be successful in life…
In a post to Mets Today, Joe Janish takes a look at seven high-reward starting pitchers, such as Ben Sheets and Justin Duchscherer.
Mack, from Mack’s Mets, looks back at Omar Minaya’s trade history.
In a post for Bleacher Report, Michael Ganci discusses whether the Mets should consider signing Chien Ming Wang, should he eventually be non-tendered.
In a post to his regular home, the Daily Stache, Ganci argues in favor of adding free-agent 1B-3B Chad Tracy to the 
bench.
James Kannengieser of Amazin Avenue handicaps The Race To ‘In The Best Shape Of His Life.’
Speaking of the Daily Stache, I did a Q&A with them this past weekend, which you can read here.
Lastly, in a post to Ted Quarters, Ted Berg explains why John Franco was the quintessential Met.
According to the Daily News, El Nacional is reporting free-agent C Henry Blanco has left the Venezuelan Winter League to take a physical in New York City.
…from what i can gather, the two sides may have already agreed in principal to a one-year deal, he just needs to take the physical, and so the Mets may soon have two back-up catchers in blanco, who will most certainly be on the major-league roster, and Chris Coste, who, at minimum, can go to Triple-A and work with Josh Thole…
Earlier this week, Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com said the Mets were in talks Blanco, while Jon Heyman of SI.com wrote, “the Mets are likely to sign Blanco,” in addition to Coste.
…earlier that day, i wrote that i expect the Mets to sign a veteran catcher before the Winter Meetings, someone like blanco, i.e., a very good, steady, defensive catcher, who is not a great hitter, but who can start if need be… blanco is one of the best defensive catchers in baseball, he has a strong arm, frames pitches well, he is steady behind the plate, and so, he certainly fits the mold of a veteran, defensive catcher… however, he is not a very good hitter… sure, he can have a hot streak or two, he even hit .292 in 58 games for the Cubs back in 2008, but, for the most part, he’s known for his defense…
…nevertheless, the buzz in new york continues to link the Mets to free-agent C Benjie Molina, among others, since, it seems, blanco and coste will be just back-up catchers, or a fall-back position, as the team still looks to sign or trade for someone to get the bulk of the starts…
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