Our friend Matt Cerrone of Metsblog reports from various places the Mets are close to signing RHP Tim Redding to a one-year deal worth about $2.5 million.

To me it’s an interesting signing, because Redding would be the No. 5 pitcher on the club. If the club comes in and signs Derek Lowe or Oliver Perez, then it’s an pretty good rotation.

It also takes pressure off the young kids like Jon Niese or Bobby Parnell who can go to Buffalo in the beginning of the season and get called up later on in case of injury.

Posted under Hot Stove

Well I am back home – actually came home yesterday and had to get a few things done at home with the baby and all.

Anyway the Meetings had to be considered a success with the Mets getting K-Rod and JJ Putz, while getting rid of no one of consequence.

Now the Mets will turn their eyes to a starter with either Oliver Perez, Randy Wolf or maybe Derek Lowe coming to Citi Field.

It should be interesting over the next week as the Mets will probably want to wrap this up by Christmas, yet don’t count out it dragging onto the new year, especially if the the other big names are not signed by then.

Also the Raul Ibanez signing by the Phillies is a lateral move in my opinion, because Met killer Pat Burrell will no longer be on Broad Street.

Posted under Winter Meetings

LAS VEGAS – Alright, the Mets have gotten their closer and if nothing else happens during the next day at the Bellagio, the Winter Meetings have to be considered a success.That said, there’s still more work to do to make this a successful off-season. Besides their bullpen makeover, which includes an eighth inning setup man, the Mets need at least one starter.With both Pedro Martinez and Oliver Perez free agents, there are obvious holes in the Mets rotation. As of right now, the team seems content to allowing Jon Niese a spot, one that Jerry Manuel said may be bestowed upon him based on his September, rather than earned in Spring Training.

«FULL STORY»

Posted under Commentary, Free Agency, Hot Stove, Nysd, Winter Meetings

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

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

Let’s just say for the sake of the argument the Mets sign Derek Lowe. We know they aren’t going to break the bank in Yankee proportions, and it comes down to bringing back Oliver Perez at the reported number of $75 million or Brian Fuentes at $44 million and a handful of relievers.

What’s your choice?

I would take Fuentes and the relievers because it would solve the team’s greatest problem, and for the final starter I’d give Jon Niese a chance, or at worst, bring back Pedro Martinez as the fifth starter.

You know what you’re going to get from Perez, and the Mets could probably get the same from Niese and Martinez and whatever emergency starter they throw out there. That includes the angst of uncertainty.

Posted under New York Mets

Sorry for the brief hiatus, but when Mother Migraine decides she wants to put you on your butt you have no choice but to go down. Slept most of yesterday and awoke to the news we have a new president and the Mets probably won’t make much of a splash in the FA market.

Been trying to catch up on the Hot Stove News and there’s really not much that’s surprising. We know the Yankees are offering money to just about everybody while the Mets figure not to stray far from their $143 million payroll from last year.

Most of the news seems to substantiate what we’ve been talking about here, that the Mets will go after pitching, pitching and somebody to throw the ball to the catcher. They’d like to keep Oliver Perez and sign Derek Lowe, and they’ve targeted Brian Fuentes as their closer.

Nothing shocking there.

The Mets don’t figure to go after a big bat because they don’t believe that’s why they lost. Their problems hitting with runners in scoring position were brought into greater focus because of the 29 blown saves. Cut that in half, they figure, and the NL East would have been theirs for the taking.

Actually, that was their same philosophy each of the last two winters. After 2006, there was the belief of entitlement, that after coming so close they would naturally take the next step. After 2007, there was a feeling the collapse was an aberration and they were still the team to beat.

Not so then, and maybe not so now.

Posted under New York Mets

The following Mets have filed for free agency as of today:

Today (Nov. 1):
-RHP Orlando Hernandez: Nice knowing you.

Friday (Oct. 31):
-RHP Pedro Martinez: Would want him back as a fifth starter.
-Moises Alou: Say good-bye, but you know Omar.
-RHP Tony Armas: No interest.
-RHP Luis Ayala: Would re-sign for bullpen depth, but if it doesn’t work out no real loss.
-INF Ramon Martinez: Would be interested for bench depth, but no worries if it didn’t happen.
-LHP Ricardo Rincon: Being lefty helps him.

Thursday (Oct. 30):
-LHP Oliver Perez: You know what he is. Will be pricey.
-INF Damion Easley: I’ve always liked him, but don’t see him returning.
-RHP Matt Wise: Good-bye.

Posted under New York Mets

The fastest Oliver Perez moved all year was to file for free agency. I don’t think he took time to skip over the foul lines, either.

Perez will test the market, and the numbers I’m hearing are $15 million a year over five to start. With Scott Boras, that could be on the low side.

The guy is 27 with potentially dominating stuff. When he’s on he can blow away hitters. When he’s off he needs a guide dog to find the plate.

Well, you watched him enough. You know the good and the bad, and we’ve all seen the ugly.

Do you want him back or not?

Posted under New York Mets

The Mets picked up the $12 million option on first baseman Carlos Delgado, signed outfielder Fernando Tatis for $1.7 million, and learned Oliver Perez filed for free-agency where he stands to make much more.

By acting quickly, the Mets are addressing their offensive obligations before concentrating on pitching.

Bringing back Delgado should stifle most of the trade rumors and signing Tatis should lessen the need to go after an outfielder this winter (toward that end, Pat Burrell rejected a two-year, $22-million package from the Phillies).

Delgado, who made $16 million last year, turned around his season, and that of the Mets, with a hot second half, and over the final 85 games hit 27 homers with 80 RBI to merit MVP consideration. Tatis, who hit .297 with 11 homers and 47
RBI, is expected to share left field with Daniel Murphy.

Meanwhile, on the first day of the FA filing period, Perez, Damion Easley and reliever Matt Wise all filed.

Posted under New York Mets