Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com believes the Angels and Rangers have been most aggressive in pursuing free-agent relief pitcher Darren Oliver.
Original Post at 9:24 am:
According to the Los Angeles Times, the Mets, Angels, Mariners, Rays and Rangers will compete for Oliver, who was not offered salary arbitration.
Oliver signed a one-year, $3.6 million deal with the Angels last season.
In his 177 relief appearances with the Angels since leaving the Mets in 2006, the 39–year-old Oliver is 15–3 with a 3.11 ERA, while striking out 164 batters in 205 innings.
In fact, his ERA dropped from 3.78 in 2007 to 2.88 in 2008 to 2.71 last year.
Compete for Darren Oliver? I think that is the first tim in history those words have been uttered. Why?
He’s a reliable veteran lefty out of the pen, why not? As long as he doesn’t get more than $2 million and one year, I’m fine with it.
But might this be yet another example of Omar going to the well one too many times?
Agreed, if we are going to get him for little than fine. But the words compete and him being tied to the Red Sox, and the fact he made 3.6 last year make me think he is going to be looking somewhere for 4 mil.
I think there are more pressing issues and other options.
No doubt. He’s not a necessity, just one of those guys who would be a bonus. Kind of like Sean Green was last year with the Putz deal…nothing great, but cheap and reliable nonetheless.
If he wants anything more than $2MM, pass. I can live with Feliciano and maybe a guy like Misch. Misch was actually good last year.
That’s pretty much where I was trying to go. If we get him cheap. Sure. He is an experienced guy, would be good to have around a young pitching staff. But to have to compete for him suggest we pay more to be the highest bidder seems a little absurd
I’m sure he’s looking for a raise from the $3.6 million last year – so while I would like to have him and thinks he’s a good piece, no thanks. To think that Darren Oliver and Alex Cora could eat up a combined $6 million in salary seems a bit high in my opinion.
My thoughts exactly.
The Mets should have re-signed him after ’06…
Part of Omar’s plan to collect all the back-up catchers and Olivers in baseball.
Jeez Omar- Joe Beimel is better, younger and cheaper. What is going on with the thinking here the last few years? Omar used to be spot on and now every rumor I hear baffles me.
Shoulda never let him go.
Does anyone else get queasy just listening to Omar & Jerry the last 2 days?
yes.
All of the Castillo trades involve a high priced OF (Pierre, Mathews, Bradley, Burrell,Guillon, …) and all but Burrel are multi-year. There is no way you’re trading a starting 2B and paying this amount of money for them to be a backup for 2 years. They have bloated contracts, but all are cheaper than Holliday or Bay in annual salary and contract length. Also, given Holliday’s and Bay’s other options, the dimensions at Citi versus their other options, the questions in the Mets lineup (to make a runs all of the injuries need to come back at 100%, which is not guaranteed), the money rumors, the FO circus, and Jerry I don’t see how the Mets are their #1 choice. I think the Mets know this and are planning accordingly.
There are some major holes; but notice they really aren’t involved in any big name trade rumors. There is apssing mention, but nothing like “… the Jays want Player X and Y” or “… the Mets won’t part with Player Z”. To me this implies other teams aren’t impressed with our prospects. This is not good.
The Maine for Hart rumor. The Mets need to sign a pitcher before they trade Maine. So they acknowledge the SP needs more than passing attention. Yet the FAs they are associated with are Lackey and a bunch of #4′s plus a rehab guy. Hart will make $4M in 2010 and there is no way he will be a platoon player / 4th OF at that salary. He will start in LF if the trade goes through.
Omar’s preference for a Battle Royale for the bullpen slots. They have no intention of bringing in a set-up man.
Right now I would definitely pay for Oliver, because he is just that damn good. And so versatile. He’s worth every penny you pay him… should never have let him go in the first place.
How is he versatile? He isn’t a closer and has started 1 game since 2004. His IP are pretty much evenly divided over the 6th, 7th, and 8th innings so he really isn;t a set-up guy. He’s a very good middle inning guy; but I don’t see the versatility.
For the kind of money it will cost to sign Darren Oliver… why wouldn’t the mets sign Mike Gonzalez to set up KRod?
good point rambler..but gonzalez is looking for a multi-year deal it seems otherwise I am sure we’d be interested
Maybe cause they have no plan and are just throwing things out there and hoping something sticks. This has been an awful start to a crucial off-season…
What about Biemel. He’ll only cost 2 mill and he is really good.
I’m pretty sure the Mets aren’t going to do much at all, i honestly don’t have my hopes high. We will wind up with alot of second tier overpayed players and be in second place at best this year.