Author Archives: Mike Nichols

---

Michael Baron: There is no question he is a big injury risk; and there’s no telling how he might respond from these surgeries over the long-term. However, prior to the injury he was one of the best centerfielders and most exciting players in the game. If the Mets end up non-tendering Angel Pagan, who is expected to earn roughly $6 million next season, Sizemore could be worth entertaining despite the potential for injury. The problem is, if the Mets sign Sizemore, let Pagan go, and Sizemore gets injured, who would fill the hole left in centerfield?

---

Sizemore, 29, has played in only 210 games since 2009, while hitting just .234 with 28 home runs and 109 RBI.

He had micro-fracture surgery on his left knee in 2010. He recently underwent arthroscopic surgery on that same knee, but is expected to be ready for Spring Training.

According to David Lennon of Newsday, teams are lining up for Jose Reyes, which could make it a tough market for Reyes.

However, Lennon says the Mets should also not elminate themselves from contention until the team believes they are “priced out.”

---

Matthew Cerrone: I know it seems bleak right now, and I know it’s natural for reporters and talk show hosts to hate on the Mets and get people to react by saying there is little chance Jose Reyes will return, and maybe that will eventually be true; but I still think there’s a good shot the two sides find a compromise.

In talking to people close to the team in late October, it sounded to me like (at that point) the Mets only wanted to guarantee Jose four years (and between $15 and $20 million a season) with one, maybe two option years based on games played. But, Jose’s camp believes they can get six years and $100 million guaranteed from another team.

In a post to MLB Trade Rumors, Tim Dierkes provides salary projections for nearly 200 arbitration eligible players.

Included in the projections are the Mets arbitration eligible players Mike Pelfrey and Angel Pagan.

Dierkes suggests Pelfrey will earn $5.8 million in arbitration, while Pagan may earn $4.7 million through the process.

---

---

Matthew Cerrone: If you use advanced statistics and WAR converted salaries, Pagan was a $20 million player in 2010. Last year, he was a $4 million player. He’ll likely get around $5 million in arbitration. Personally, I would bring him back, because I think he can be a bargain if he gives something in between the previous two seasons. Plus, who plays center field? As I’ve said, I want nothing to do with Coco Crisp. Grady Sizemore is intriguing, but he’ll command a similar price to Pagan, but also comes with more injury risks than Angel.

There might be talk of non-tendering Pelfrey; but, in the end, I bet he is offered a contract. The team values innings pitched and, at the very least, he delivers them and with potential. They say he could end up earning around $6 million next season. He was probably worth twice that in his best season (2010), and half that in his worst season (last year). So, if he’s some place in between, say .500 and an ERA around 4.20, which is seemingly most realistic for him these days, $6 million sounds about right.

“There’s little evidence the Mets would go over five years for Reyes, the very talented and beloved but injury-prone homegrown star. And that just isn’t likely to be good enough. Reyes is known to want to stay in Queens, but the cash-strapped Mets, who have spoken of cutting their payroll by $30-to-40 million just don’t seem very likely to be close to the high bigger.”

~ Jon Heyman, SI.com

According to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, Alderson recently asked the agents for Reyes what it might take to keep him off the free-agent market, but they did not respond with a figure.

---

---

Michael Baron: I have to admit, six weeks ago I was  far more confident Reyes would return to the Mets. Today, I’m not so sure, given what Reyes might be looking for versus what the Mets might be willing to offer, as well as his feelings on the direction of the organization. I do think there are legitimate reasons for Sandy to work as hard as possible to retain him (fan sentiment, ticket sales, off-the-field marketability, etc.), but the consequence in doing so is having limited payroll flexibility to not just for 2012, but in the years to come, and being forced to wait and hope their minor league talent continues to develop on a smooth path.

---

Last month, Sandy Alderson indicated the 2012 payroll would be between $100-110 million. The Mets have approximately $67 million already committed to player salaries for 2012 (including $55 million to David Wright, Jason Bay, and Johan Santana), and that does not include money owed to players eligible for arbitration or players earning the league minimum. When it’s all said and done, they will likely be committed to around $80 million in payroll, and that is without re-signing Reyes to a multi-year deal.

---

Here are other key updates about Jose over the last few days:

• If Reyes does leave, David Lennon of Newsday says it’s possible the Mets will not pursue other big-ticket free agents.
• Andy Martino of the Daily News says the Mets will make a modest offer to Reyes, and will let him test the free agent market.
• According to Newsday’s Ken Davidoff, when talking to people in the baseball industry, “You can get six different predictions from six different folks,” on what happens to Reyes.
• Joel Sherman of the New York Post talked to five Mets execs and believes the team will offer no more than four years with an option.
• Chris Haft of MLB.com believes payroll constraints will prevent the Giants from making a serious offer to Reyes.
• Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe says the Phillies are unlikely to sign Reyes due to how much money it could take.

To keep track of all rumors involving Reyes, use this section on MetsBlog.com, which is always available in the tabs at the top of this site.

Today at Citi Field, the Mets play their 2011 season finale against the Reds. Game time is 1:10 PM.

Here are today’s starting lineups:

Today at Busch Stadium, the Mets play the finale of their three game series against the Cardinals. Game time is 4:05 PM ET.

Here are today’s starting lineups:

 

Tonight at Busch Stadium, the Mets continue their three game series against the Cardinals. Game time is 8:15 PM.

Here are today’s starting lineups:

The Mets defeated the Braves by the score of 12-2 last night, which you can read about here.

They continue their series against the Braves this afternoon at Turner Field with R.A. Dickey taking on Tim Hudson. Game time is 4:10 PM.

---

During last night’s win, David Wright drove in five runs and had his 17th multi-home run game of his career, tying him second place in team history. Following the game Wright told reporters:

“Offensively, we got some good at-bats early and ran from there. Sometimes when you get in a rut it’s kind of contagious… It feels good to help the team win because both personally and a team we want to try to finish as strong as possible to get a little momentum going into next year.”

For more of Wright’s comments check out ESPN New York, the Bergan Record and Newsday.

---

Jose Reyes also had his biggest night since returning from the disabled 17 games ago, going 3-for-5 with a stolen base. However, after the game Terry Collins told reporters he is anxious to see how Reyes feels today given his hamstring trouble this season. Collins went on to say he would consider resting Reyes on Sunday if he had a similar effort in today’s game.

With last night’s effort, Reyes increased his National League leading average to .334:

---

Jason Isringhausen remains unavailable, as he is still feeling the effects of a herniated disc, but after an epidoral shot, Terry Collins believes he will be available to pitch before the end of the season.

---

In case you missed it, Mets Double-A pitcher Brandon Moore was suspended 50-games for violating the Minor League Drug Program. Moore was 10-8 with a 4.47 ERA for Binghamton this season.

---

In other minor league news, the Mets fired their Minor League pitching coordinator, Rick Tomlin. For complete coverage of the Mets minor league, checkout Toby Hyde’s Mets Minor League Blog.

Tonight at Citi Field, the Mets will continue their four game series against the Nationals. Game time is 7:10 pm.

Here are tonight’s starting lineups:

← Older posts