Rich Coutinho in his latest blog post, discusses the K-Rod deal.

To quote:

“So, here were the Mets and K-Rod in Las Vegas to put a capper on this beautifully orchestrated Omar Minaya waiting game and just to catalyze the process a bit, the team’s initial offer was a 2 year pact. That contract was officially presented to the K-Rod camp on the very same day the Mets were planning to meet with Brian Fuentes knowing that would make the guy they wanted all along just a little bit antsy. They also knew that they would eventually have to add a 3rd year to the deal but they did so at precisely the right time.”

Posted under Commentary, Free Agency, Hot Stove

LAS VEGAS – After meeting with closers Brian Fuentes and Trevor Hoffman yesterday, the Mets seem to be close with free agent reliever Francisco Rodriguez.

After offering the bidding Sunday night with a 2-year deal for around $24 million, the club has upped the offer guartanteeing the third year to make it a $36 million contract.

With Mets COO Jeff Wilpon on the trip with Omar Minaya, the Mets seemed determined to come away with a closer and Rodriguez is the best one on the market. Originally the former Angel wanted a five year contract worth about $75 million, but because the closer market was satuated, the Mets seemed willing to wait as the money dropped.

Now after two meeting with Rodriguez and agent Paul Kinzer, the price seems to be in the Mets comfort zone and by getting him so cheaply, it opens up doors for the club to revamp the entire bullpen, which was one of the worst in the National League last season.

Last season, the free agent reliever went 2-3 with a 2.24 ERA and a Major League record 62 saves.

A deal may be announced later today.

Posted under Commentary, Free Agency

LAS VEGAS – Mets manager Jerry Manuel arrived at the Bellagio late last night [around 11:30 p.m.] in advance of his conference with the media at 4:00 p.m. today.

- The Yankees will reportedly offer Ben Sheets a two-year offer today.

- The Mets will meet with free agent reliever Chad Cordero today. They met with closers Brian Fuentes and Trevor Hoffman yesterday. They will probably want Cordero in a set-up role.

- The Red Sox seem to be interested in Brian Schneider.

- Adam Rubin reports in the Daily News, Fuentes could also recieve a two-year deal.

- There seems to be a lot of clubs asking the Mets about Aaron Heilman.

Posted under Free Agency, Hot Stove

It’s obvious the Mets will dip into the free agent market to sign a closer over the next few weeks and with the Amazins being the only large market team, they will have their choice.

Although I have heard some in the organization still rather trade for JJ Putz, obvious choices are the “Big Four”

1. Francisco Rodriguez – Some published reports have him at No. 1, and at three years, who can blame the club for going for the holder of the single season save record. Yet, he’s not the strikeout pitcher of a few years ago and there are questions about his long term durability. That being said, if the Mets can get him on a three-year deal, it will be worth it.
2. Brian Fuentes – He’s pitched in the National League and he’s lefthanded, which is something the Mets like. Going into the off-season, he would have been the No. 1 choice, but with K-Rod’s price coming down, Fuentes goes on the back burner. If he’s out there and his price comes down, Fuentes becomes a good eighth inning option.
3. Kerry Wood - A darkhorse a few weeks ago, Wood actually looks to be the best option, because he can still come in with the strikeout, something that K-Rod may not have anymore. Yet, Wood has always been injury prone, so Wood looks like a pass unless something major happens.
4. Trevor Hoffman – Let’s see. He’s old. He has great numbers on paper and he falls apart in big spots. He’s the perfect Met closer. That said, I don’t see where he will fit into the equation.

Any thoughts on your end?

Posted under Hot Stove, New York Mets

Before I go off for a Citi Field tour, here’s a little recap:

1. Brian Fuentes will meet with the Mets at the Winter Meetings, accoring to a number of sources.
2. The Mets offered arbitration only to Oliver Perez, meaning they will get draft picks if he signs with anyone else.
3. Nick Evans is back from Puerto Rico with a quad strain.

I will have more later after the tour, including pictures of the new Mets digs.

Posted under Citi Field, New York Mets

Newark Star-Ledger columnist Dan Graziano posted this excellent column on the closer situation. The veteran baseball reporter wrote the Mets are have put Francisco Rodriguez as the No. 1 choice at the closer situation, but thinks Kerry Wood might be the better move.

To quote:

“On pure stuff, Wood has it all over Rodriguez, Fuentes, Hoffman and any other closer who’s available this winter (except maybe J.J. Putz, but nobody knows if he’s really available). As one person put it to me last week, “Who would hitters rather face?” The answer to that question is that hitters would rather stand in against Rodriguez or Fuentes than against Wood, who’s the most unhittable of the closers available.”

I think the Mets will probably go after K-Rod first and if there’s an impass, they will look at Wood or Brian Fuentes. They have a choice here.

Posted under Hot Stove, New York Mets

Not too much to report from the weekend, but this story in the Denver Post, mentioned Brian Fuentes will be visiting the Mets soon as part of the free agent process.

Also the Mets have until today to offer arbitration to the free agents they plan on retaining. Of the 11 that filed, Oliver Perez is the most likely to get an offer. Of the others only Pedro Martinez and Damion Easley played significant roles with the Mets last season.

Personally, outside of Perez, I would expect Easley to be offered something, but not Pedro, because the Mets would be in a pickle if he accepts.

Posted under Hot Stove, Link, New York Mets

Adam Rubin reports in the Daily News, Brian Fuentes wants a three-year $10 million to $11million per year, which is more than the Mets expected.

“Right now we’re in the early stages,” Minaya said on XM Radio. “My understanding is a lot of clubs are reevaluating this market, more so because of the unfortunate financial strain that is going on not only in baseball but throughout the world.”

It’s just a first thought and I would expect the price to come down. And now that Rubin is reporting it, I would think the money will drop over the next week, especially if the Minaya goes harder after K-Rod.

Posted under Hot Stove, New York Mets

Not much to report here, except the Mets are increasing their deliberate ways to get a free agent closer, be it K-Rod or Brian Fuentes.

It should get interesting come Monday, since general manager Omar Minaya wants to set himself up for the Winter Meetings in Las Vegas on Dec. 8, where he will have dicussions with K-Rod’s agent Paul Kinzer.

Of course, no one can blame the Mets for not doing anything, yet, because they don’t want to bid against themselves. In fact, they rather wait for the market to come to them and sign a closer on their terms.

Posted under Hot Stove, New York Mets

It looks like the Mets are taking their time looking for a closer, allowing the market to come to them, rather than big against themselves.

Joel Sherman wrote in the Post, the team is worried about giving four-year contracts to wither Francisco Rodriguez or Brian Fuentes, because they got burned by Billy Wagner’s Presidential Term deal he signed before the 2006 season.

Also the team seems to be content to wait, especially if JJ Putz comes on the market, further solidifying their position, being the only big players in the closer market.

I would think the Mets will wait until the Winter Meeting before getting this done, since the agents will come to them rather than the other way around.

Posted under New York Mets