Pat Burrell

Speaking of outfielders…

Rosenthal believes free-agent OF Milton Bradley will eventually sign with the Cubs for more money than Burrell.

I’m thinking, if Burrell is getting two years and $18 million, and Bradley will likely get three years and roughly $30 million, then Bobby Abreu may be had for a deal similar to Burrell, and Dunn could end up signing for one year.  And, if Dunn is available for one season, and only one season, and maybe even less than $8 million, I hope the Mets consider him, despite him being yet another left-handed bat.

Rosenthal believes the No. 8 free-agent, Pat Burrell, will end up signing with the Mets.

In November, Rosenthal acknowledged that the Mets are seeking a right-handed bat, but wrote, “They are not high on Burrell.”

The Mariners, Angels and Giants have all been linked in rumor to Burrell this off-season.

Last season, Burrell hit 30 home runs for the first time since 2003.  He has not hit higher than .257 in three season, though he has a .385 OBP with 278 RBI during the last four seasons.

Yesterday, some one in the comments section responded to my disinterest in Juan Rivera by writing:

“Wait, so you’re OK with Fernando Tatis, but, oh no, not Juan Rivera?  Sometimes the things written on here are just plain absurd.”

Yes, I am OK with Tatis and Daniel Murphy and not Rivera, because signing Rivera to a three-year deal is ‘absurd,’ in my opinion.  I do not want the Mets to lock in a player to left-field on a long-term deal, which is why I am fearful of Burrell.

In October, the Philadelphia Daily News said Burrell turned down a two-year, $22 million offer to remain with the Phillies.

As I have said too may times already, the most effective solution would be for the Mets to acquire Jermaine Dye from the White Sox, though I have no idea if the Mets and White Sox have even talked since the Winter Meetings, and whether the Mets have enough talent to make a deal happen.

Now, if Burrell, or others on the free-agent market, are willing to accept a one-year deal, or a two-year deal at worst, I would probably be more interested.

Meanwhile, the Braves are interested in acquiring a power-hitting outfielder, reports MLB.com.  According to the report, Cardinals OF Rick Ankiel and Brewers OF Corey Hart are on their radar, followed by Marlins OF Jeremy Hermida.

The Dodgers have offered a three-year, $17 million deal to free-agent OF Casey Blake, reports the Los Angeles Daily News, and could announce a deal as soon as tonight.

…the buzz around baseball had been that if the Twins or Dodgers offer three years, blake will eventually take it…

Lastly, if the the Brewers sign Mike Lamb, they could look to trade OF-3B Bill Hall, according to FoxSports.com.

According to MLB.com, the Braves are not interested in Dunn, because they are seeking a right-handed bat.

Dunn could end up getting a three-year, $36 million contract, according to a few team officials who talked with Jerry Crasnick from ESPN.com.

…reports have suggested the Mets, too, are seeking a right-handed bat, which is probably why dunn’s name has not been mentioned more in queens…

Meanwhile, the Mariners, Angels and Giants are interested in free-agent OF Pat Burrell, reports Rosenthal.

…burrell is a right-handed bat, but i get no sense that the Mets are interested in him…neither am i, for that matter…

…yesterday, i talked with a person aware of Omar Minaya’s game plan, and not once did an outfielder’s name come up…which is not to say minaya is uninterested in upgrading his offense, i just think he is so focused on pitching, it’s all any one connected to the team is talking about…and rightfully so…i suppose he could end up acquiring a bat at the Winter Meetings, but i just don’t think it’s a top priority right now…

Rosenthal also reports on teams interested in Rocco Baldelli; the Giants and CC Sabathia; whether Jason Varitek, Manny Ramirez and Orlando Cabrera will accept arbitration; the Cardinals search for a closer; and the asking price of David Weathers.

However, in a report for FoxSports.com, Ken Rosenthal says the Mets want to add ‘a right-handed bat, writing, ‘The Mets are not high on Pat Burrell, and Ibanez is not an ideal fit.’

…and that’s the thing, most of the best free-agent options all bat lefty, such as Adam Dunn, Bobby Abreu, Garret Anderson, and Ken Griffey Jr.…

…yes, Manny Ramirez is a free agent, but i just can’t see any National League team, much less then Mets, signing him to a long-term deal, except maybe the Dodgers who need him as much as he needs Hollywood…

…Juan Rivera is a right-handed bat, who can also play first base, and the Mets reportedly expressed interest in him around the trade deadline, so it would stand to reason they have at least minimal interest in him now…however, he is two years removed from his one good season, in his eight-year career, so to rely on him would be a huge mistake…though, to his credit, he did not get many at bats last season…

…to me, the most effective solution would be to acquire Jermaine Dye from the White Sox…

“On Tuesday, Nov. 11, several White Sox officials watched Mets pitching prospects Bobby Parnell and Eddie Kunz pitch in the Arizona Fall League,’ reported Mark Gonzales in the Chicago Tribune.

According to Gonzales, citing two NL scouts, the Sox were scouting players for deals that include Dye, who hit .292 with 34 HR, 96 RBI and a .344 OBP in 154 games last season.

Dye will earn $11.5 million in 2009, after which he has a mutual option in 2010 for $12 million, or a $1 million buyout that could make him a free agent.

…either way, the Mets are not going to have enough minor-league talent or money to upgrade at both second base and left field…so, if the Mets are unable to trade for dye, and they decide ibanez is not ideal, then my suggestion would be to sign Orlando Hudson to play second, and start Daniel Murphy in left field with a substantial back-up, i.e., Jose Reyes, Orlando Hudson, David Wright, Carlos Beltran, Carlos Delgado, Ryan Church and Daniel Murphy would lack substantial power, but it would be sound and balanced, and the infield would be strong up the middle, which, to me, is more important…

Burrell is eligible to be a free agent this off-season.

…hat tip to Hot Foot for the link…

Last December, I wrote the following on MetsBlog.com:

…a friend of MetsBlog, who i trust, recently bumped in to Phillies OF Pat Burrell while at dinner in Arizona…her table was introduced to him as a group of Mets fans…he was much nicer than she expected he would be…however, according to burrell, he would be open to playing for the Mets when they enter Citi Field in 2009…upon hearing this news, our friend stopped talking and refused to shake his hand as he walked away…

…i don’t blame her, though i am sure he said this in an effort to get a rise out of people he knows must despise him…

…the thing is, the Mets should consider signing burrell to a ten-year contract, while sticking him in the stands and forcing him to sell foam fingers…seriously, i don’t want him on the Mets, but i also don’t want him facing the Mets…

In his eight-year career, Burrell has 253 home runs, of which 16 percent are against the Mets, as are 104 of his 827 RBI.

That said, he drove in just two runs against the Mets in 2008.

…i don’t blame her, though i am sure he said this in an effort to get a rise out of people he knows must despise him…

…the thing is, the Mets should consider signing burrell to a ten-year contract, while sticking him in the stands and forcing him to sell foam fingers…seriously, i don’t want him on the Mets, but i also don’t want him facing the Mets…

In his eight-year career, Burrell has 218 home runs, of which 20 percent are against the Mets, as are 104 of his 741 RBI.