Daily Archives: December 27, 2009
Tracy Ringolsby of FoxSports.com believes the Mets had been in talks with Jason Marquis about a three-year deal, before he signed with the Nationals, ‘but health concerns led them to rethink that pursuit and now the most likely target is Joel Pineiro.’
…actually, the way i understand, most of the talking was from marquis’s agent towards the Yankees and Mets, who never really had a whole lot of interest in his client, so long as he was looking for more than a one-year deal…
In November, on SNY’s Mets Hot Stove, SI.com’s Jon Heyman said, ‘The Mets really like Pineiro,’ though he was not sure the team would be willing to commit three-years and $30 million to sign him.
Yesterday, Buster Olney of ESPN also said Pineiro is the top starting-pitcher target for the Mets, ‘who he says have between $15 and $22 million in payroll flexibility.’
…when the Mets met with joel’s agent during the Winter Meetings, they were told he wanted a four-year deal, worth a bit less than whatever John Lackey would end up signing for per season… so, let’s say, four years and roughly $55 million, which is not far from what Derek Lowe got from the Braves last winter…
The 31–year-old Pineiro was 15–12 with a 3.49 ERA in 32 starts last season, including 214 innings, during which he walked just 27 batters and struck out 105.
…i have always been intrigued by pineiro… he has very good control, a wicked curve ball and good command… but, he’s had a very sporadic career… also, i agree with lots of fans who e-mail me, concerned how pineiro will do without Cardinals pitching coach Dave Duncan, who seemed to click and work well with him last season… as for the Mets, i think they think his game will translate well in Citi Field… but, to truly get the best out of him, the Mets are going to have to play better defense than they have in the past…
According to Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports, free-agent RHP Ben Sheets wants $12 million; and so, as he says, ‘no wonder Erik Bedard is more appealing to the Orioles.’
Earlier this month, Peter Gammons said on ESPN that Sheets is throwing from flat ground, as he continues to his rehab from major elbow surgery, which forced him to miss all of 2009.
…from what i can gather, his agent has been telling any one who will listen that sheets’s elbow will be 100 percent ready for spring training… he’s going to audition for teams soon, maybe even next week… and is not likely to sign a contract until late January, i would think…
That said, Gammons says teams have just as many questions about Sheets’s back as they do about his surgically-repaired elbow.
…it’s a tough call… a $12 million contract for one season is what i would like to see the Mets do, again, giving them flexibility for the future…
…but, at the same time, the Mets probably would benefit from having a pitcher like Jon Garland, instead, who can bring some consistency and be a known quantity in the rotation, whereas sheets, who could be as good as Johan Santana if healthy, is much more unreliable because of his physical condition… though, i guess that’s what the audition will be for… the Mets are interested, from what i can gather, but they should also be cautious, which i’m sure they will be…
Sheets was 13-9 with a 3.09 ERA in 198 innings in 2008 for the Brewers.
The D-Backs and free-agent relief pitcher Bob Howry agreed to a one-year deal, worth around $2 million, with a team option for 2011, according to the Arizona Republic.
In 63 relief appearances for the Giants last season, the 36–year-old Howry was 2–6 with three saves and a 3.39 ERA in 63 innings, during which he struck out 46 batters and walked 23.
Joe Capozzi of the Palm Beach Post believes the Marlins would have to be ‘blown away,’ if they are to trade 2B Dan Uggla to a team in the NL East, such as the Braves, who have mild interest, according to Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com.
Last month, Capozzi said chances were 50-50 Uggla could be traded during the Winter Meetings.
He is eligible for arbitration this off season, during which he is likely to earn close to $8 million; he is also arbitration eligible in 2011; after which he can become a free agent, but it is possible he could be non-tendered by the Marlins as well.
Uggla, who will be 30 on Opening Day, hit just .243 but hit 31 home runs and 90 RBI with 150 strikeouts in 2009.
Last week, Rosenthal said the Giants and Marlins were still having ‘on-again, off-again’ talks involving Uggla, who is no longer of interest to the Orioles, since they signed Garrett Atkins.
