It’s Looking More And More Like Slim Pickings For Free Agent Relievers

Everytime I look up it seems like yet another free agent reliever is off the market. Today was no different as two more quality relievers signed deals with their new teams.

Francisco Cordero ended up signing a very fat contract that will pay him $46 million dollars over four years while pitching for the Cincinnati Reds. It seems like a lot of money to me, but the market is what it is.

Meanwhile over in Chi-Town, the White Sox snatched Scott Linebrink off the market by offering him a four-year $19 million dollar contract. Linebrink was one of the guys that I hoped Minaya would key in on, but alas it wasn’t meant to be.

Even the Kansas City Royals got into the act today by finally finalizing the much rumored deal with Japanese import, Yasuhiko Yabuta. He signs on for a two year guaranteed deal for $6 million dollars, and it also includes an option year.

Whew…

Already this month, relief pitchers Kerry Wood, J.C. Romero and of course Mariano Rivera, both reached agreements with their former teams. Relievers are also being moved around in trades too, with Brad Lidge and Oscar Villarreal, joining the Phillies and Braves respectively.

So what’s left out their for the Mets?

Like I said in the title, it’s slim pickings…

Shawn Chacon, Octavio Dotel, Matt Herges, Eric Gagne and David Riske are probably the best of a very weak crop. The mets have been rumored to have interest in the first two guys on the list, but from what I’ve read it was more of a feeling out process than anything else.

I have a feeling that if Omar Minaya does infuse some new blood into the bullpen, it may probably come via trade. And no I’m not counting the trade they made for Brian Stokes earlier today…