Daily Archives: December 8, 2009
The Phillies have signed Ross Gload to a two-year contract, according to MLB.com.
The 33–year-old Gload hit .261 last season for the Marlins, but had a .318 average as a pinch hitter, while batting .271 against right-handed pitching.
Gload has played first base and all three outfield positions during his career.
Earlier tonight, FoxSports.com said Gload deciding between the Phillies, Braves and Marlins.
… gload did have a good average from the bench, against righties, and he does play first, so i would have thought the Mets might have been involved…
…but, i can’t see them giving out a two-year deal to a bench player…
The following is from Brian Costa of the Star Ledger, via Twitter:
…from what i understand, when you see a GM in the lobby, it means nothing is pressing… and so, it stands to reason, if nobody has seen omar in two days, it means he’s been hard at work…
To follow Costa on Twitter, and his reports covering the Mets for the Star-Ledger, click here.
Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun believes the Orioles are still exchanging trade proposals with the Rangers regarding RHP Kevin Millwood.
Updated at 2:38 pm:
The Orioles have faded from favorite to just another contender for Millwood, according to Spencer Fordin of MLB.com.
According to Fordin, “The Rangers reportedly asked the Orioles for Chris Tillman, while Baltimore would prefer to trade David Hernandez or Brandon Erbe.”
Original Post at 8:12 am:
Joel Sherman of the New York Post believes the Mets have talked to the Rangers about Millwood, as have the Orioles, according to Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun.
Tonight on 1050 ESPN Radio in New York, ESPN.com’s Jayson Stark said he believes, if the Blue Jays make a trade for RHP Roy Halladay, it will be with the Angels.
Stark feels Halladay would prefer to be traded to and sign an extension with the Phillies, because of the team’s recent success and location near the East Coast.
However Stark doesn’t see how Philadelphia ‘can make him fit,’ due to the dollars it will cost to keep him, and the prospects needed to acquire him.
According to Stark, Halladay will not demand a contract extension, and may actually prefer to pitch a full season with a contender, then hit the open market one year from now.
The Blue Jays asked the Phillies for Kyle Drabek, Dominic Brown, J.A. Happ and outfielder Anthony Gose last summer, reports MLB.com, all of whom are still on the team.
Speaking of starting pitchers…
According to ESPN Dallas, the Rangers offered top prospects 1B Justin Smoak and RHP Neftali Feliz to the Marlins for Josh Johnson, who is looking to sign a contract extension.
Jon Heyman of SI.com believes the Mets might give a second look to free-agent RHP John Lackey, “after getting sticker shock on middle-rung starters.”
Heyman thinks the team might be better of just spending for an ace.
…well, i mean, if Randy Wolf is going to get a three-year deal, similar to what Jason Marquis is looking to sign, and Joel Pineiro is seeking a four-year contract, at that point, a five– or six-year deal for lackey begins to make more sense… but, that doesn’t make it smart…
Updated at 8:25 pm:
David Lennon of Newsday believes the Mets are finally starting to talk dollars and years with free-agent starting pitchers, and so, “We could see some movement here soon.”
To follow Lennon on Twitter, go here; to read his blog for Newsday, where he provides quotes from Jerry Manuel’s Q&A with reporters at the Winter Meetings today, go here.
…a person very familiar with his negitiatons tells me that if OF Jason Bay signs with the Red Sox, the Mets will be in good position to sign free-agent OF Matt Holliday, so long as he gets at least five years and roughly $16 million per season… if the price drops any lower, other teams will again get involved…
…also, the Mets have talked to agents about back-loaded deals…
Updated at 8:40 pm:
In a post to Twitter, Jim Bowden says free agents John Lackey, Holliday and Jason Bay will not sign new contracts this week in Indianapolis.
According to ESPN’s Seth Everett, speaking on his radio show for ESPN 1050, the Mets would need to make two acquisitions to the starting rotation before 
seriously considering a deal that includes John Maine.
To listen live to Everett’s show, click here.
Updated at 5:50 pm:
In an on-air report for ESPN News, Peter Gammons said the Mets can, ‘and should,’ trade John Maine to the Brewers for OF Corey Hart, concluding, ‘it makes sense for both teams.’
Original Post at 12:11 pm:
According to Buster Olney of ESPN.com, “The Corey Hart-for-John Maine deal would come later, other dominos have to fall. The Mets have to get some other pitchers in the fold first before considering that trade.”
The Royals are only willing to spend roughly $2 million per season on a catcher, according to the Kansas City Star, though they are not against giving a two-year deal.
…ok, so, let’s review here…
…the way i see it, the Nationals, Giants, Rockies and Royals will not be signing free-agent C Bengie Molina, either because they do not like him, or because he is out of their price range… and so, it seems to me, the Mets only real competition for molina would be the Rangers… but, let’s be honest, there is no way the Rangers are giving a multi-year deal to molina either… and so, i see zero reason to give molina any more than a one-year deal, regardless of what he is seeking…
Updated at 8:00 pm:
In regards to the idea that the Mets can upgrade their pitching staff by acquiring Molina and Henry Blanco, Keith Law said, in a post to his blog for ESPN.com:
Here is some video of the disaster that is my desk, in my home office, during the MLB Winter Meetings.
Included is the original wire frame, on the dry-erase board, of the new look of MetsBlog.com:
Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. told the Philadelphia Inquirer that he is not interested in signing Cuban RHP Aroldis Champan.
Original Post at 11:35 am:
The Phillies have inquired about Chapman, according to ESPN.com.
According to the Baltimore Sun, the Orioles met with Chapman’s agent yesterday.
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