21
2011
MMO Hot Stove Report – Nov. 21
An article by Former Writers
Another week has come and gone and although no turkey has been eaten yet, teams are gobbling up free agents on the open market. Rumors are beginning to swirl and trades are starting to be discussed as the framework for deals are starting to form. Here is everything you need to know in the baseball world:
NEWS:
The Pirates will have a new shortstop next season. The team announced the signing of Clint Barmes to a two-year $10.5 million deal today.
Justin Verlander’s fireplace mantel will be quite decorated come the holidays, as he was announced as the American League MVP by the Baseball Writers Association of America. He was also named the 2011 AL Cy Young award winner. The last pitcher to win the MVP award was hall-of-famer Dennis Eckersley in 1992.
In some truly unfortunate news, Mariners outfielder Greg Halman was found stabbed to death in his home by Dutch police and his brother has been arrested as a suspect. The 24-year-old was found in a home of the Dutch port city of Rotterdam.
Gerald Laird will return to Detroit next season, signing a $1 million deal over one year.
We will “getting Wiggy with it” much more often, as former-Met Ty Wiggington was acquired by the Philidelphia Phillies for a player to be named later, or cash. Makes you wonder why the Mets didn’t take a flyer for that price. With the rate our infielders get hurt, he could have been a decent pickup.
Will the A’s finally be able to relocate to San Jose? Bud Selig is trying to speed the possibility up, FoxSports reports. Selig will be meeting with the San Francisco Giants within two weeks, sources say.
The Indians and Grady Sizemore are “tying up loose ends” on a possible deal, Jon Heyman tweets.
Dale Sveum was named the Chicago Cubs new manager, after being interviewed for both the Red Sox and the Cubs’ vacancies. After losing out on Sveum, the Sox appear poised to make a run at Bobby Valentine (see below).
The Twins continue to shore up their roster, this time adding catcher Ryan Doumit on a one year deal.
Jim Crane’s $610 million purchase of the Astros from former owner Drayton McLane was unanimously approved by Major League Baseball’s owners on Thursday. The deal was contingent on the owner agreeing the move the team to the AL, which should occur sometime around 2013.
With the addition of the Astros to the AL West, MLB will add extra Wild Card team to each league. While no choice was made on how this new Wild Card will be chosen, Bud Selig’s committee is said to like the idea of a “one-game playoff” format.
RUMORS:
The Braves have inquired about the availability of Eduardo Nunez, The Daily News reports. The Yanks have expressed interest in Jair Jurrjens and are exploring a deal that would be built around the shortstop.
Multiple teams have kicked the tires of A’s reliever Andrew Bailey. Ad of right now, the Mariners, Phillies and Reds have popped up in conversation, and ESPN’s Buster Olney believes the A’s will “definitely” move the closer this offseason.
Speaking of the A’s, someone seems to be listening to me, as the Marlins have targeted Gio Gonzalez.
The Nationals are hot on Mark Buerhle and have made him the top free agent target. A contingent, led by GM Mike Rizzo, visited the left-hander at his home in St. Louis today. Adding Buerhle’s veteran presence to stabilize the team’s young roation seems to be the logic behind the move.
Omar Minaya is fielding job offers from “several” clubs, including the Padres – who are considering him from an advisor’s role. I’m sure Minaya is hoping Adam Rubin doesn’t hear about these jobs…
The Angels, who have been mostly quiet this offseason, are said to have interest in one of the top free agent starting pitchers on the marker – C.J. Wilson. While the pitcher “doesn’t appear to…sign very soon,” there are eight or nine teams interested in the left-hander.
The Cubs and their new front office are not holding back. The new regime is telling teams they will listen to trade offers for “everyone” this winter. Should the Mets look into the price for someone like Matt Garza?
The Red Sox are looking for the magic of the ‘stache to right their ship in 2012 and have interviewed Bobby Valentine for a second time regarding their managerial opening. I’m jealous the team might have convinced Bobby to get in the dugout once again.
METS:
Earlier this week, the Mets and Rockies were said to have been discussing a possible Mike Pelfrey for Huston Street swap. Apparently, Street’s name has caught on as the Orioles and Blue Jays have inquired about the closer’s availability.
Many fans have speculated that the Mets might be interested in free-agent closer Jonathan Broxton. Well, if they are, they will not be alone as 10 teams have shown interest in the closer.
Jon Heyman has predicted that in the end, Jose Reyes will land a $120 million deal over six-years. Does anyone else think that’s a little high? Even so, if the number even comes close to that, we can kiss Jose goodbye.
The Padres have expressed interest in dealing infielders Jason Bartlett and Orlando Hudson this offseason. Hudson, who is perpetually-linked to the Mets every offseason, could finally have his chance to play in Queens.
The Mets have been linked to Endy Chavez this offseason, and many fans seem to be excited with the idea of bringing back the 2006-hero. We all know the team could use a good fourth-outfielder.
Maybe the Mets will be able to hit homeruns soon…
The Diamondbacks have discussed the possibility of non-tendering starting pitcher Joe Saunders this winter. Now there is a name the Mets should truly look into.
The Mets are one of many teams who have interest in free agent shortstop Jack Wilson. Other than his defensive ability, I can’t figure out why.
About the Author: Former Writers
22 Comments + Add Comment
NL East Standings
| Team | W | L | Pct. | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Braves | 41 | 28 | .594 | - |
| Nationals | 34 | 34 | .500 | 6.5 |
| Phillies | 33 | 37 | .471 | 8.5 |
| Mets | 25 | 39 | .391 | 13.5 |
| Marlins | 21 | 47 | .309 | 19.5 |
Last updated: 06/16/2013
Recent Comments
- Brendan: on Mets Lose A 2-1 Heartbreaker After A Braves Two-Run Blast In The Ninth: The more I see the Mets hitting...
- RKH: on Wilpon Joins Alderson In Painting A Better Tomorrow, But I Need More Than Just Talk: Well this certainly is not good news....
- DrDooby: on Mets Lose A 2-1 Heartbreaker After A Braves Two-Run Blast In The Ninth: If the Mets were contending, then yes...
- DrDooby: on Wilpon Joins Alderson In Painting A Better Tomorrow, But I Need More Than Just Talk: From 1989 where things started to derail...
- Lareplus: on Mets Lose A 2-1 Heartbreaker After A Braves Two-Run Blast In The Ninth: Terry should have brought in Parnell. ....
Latest From Mets Minors
Check Out These Great MLB Links!
Photographs From Gordon Donovan
Fans Follow Us On Twitter!
1329 Fans Like Us On Facebook!
2341 Fans Read Our Feed!
1702 Fans Subscribe via Daily Email!
I guess the reason why the Mets wouldn’t entertain the thought of bringing Wiggy back is that they have enough 1B/3B types already on the team and none of them make 4 million.
I wouldn’t mind seeing Sandy inquiring about Bailey,Cahill and Gonzalez.At least one of the three would be a nice upgrade.
Hudson and Bartlett? Please no! I don’t see Theo trading Garza unless he gets blown away and Garza is not worth blowing a team away for his services.I wish the Mets got in on Doumit.If we’re going to have a bad defensive catcher may as well have one that can hit.
Will the A’s finally be able to relocate to San Jose? Bud Selig is trying to speed the possibility up, FoxSports reports. Selig will be meeting with the San Francisco Giants within two weeks, sources say”
what a shame, the moneyballers have ruined a great franchise and brought it to the grounds… wow..
also, how come you don’t even hear any news of the mets being involved in trades about good players?? i hear bailey is available, so is jurjeans.. 3 gm’s in front office and those 3 cannot put a package together to make a trade??? i mean.. man..
Ya, what a shame that franchise with such a strong tradition as the Philadelphia/Kansas City/Oakland Athletics would change cities. What with the great stadium and strong baseball culture Oakland has.
Donal, What’s funy to me is that he’s trying to claim this is a bad thing. San Jose is a thriving market, Oakland is a dump.
In 2001, Oakland won 102 games. Attendance that year was 2.1 million. San Diego had more fans and they won 79 games and played 1 less home game.
Oakland moving to San Jose is good for the A’s, Baseball and A’s fans in the long run. Has nothing to do with moneyball and everything to do with Oakland being a disaster and no new ballpark being built for them. A new park would be built in San Jose for the As.
they tried to build the park in Oakland but couldn’t get the land and the city wouldn’t try and get him the land. They tried before that and a crooked mayor sold the spot out from under the As.
Not everything is about a book you didn’t read Alex
what a front office, jessep and the apologists should be so proud to see the mets interested in ABC gum and some range balls on the golf course. going to be a special year in queens with these basement bargain gm’s. talk about destroying a franchise and insuring a generation of lost met fans. jerry’s kids could run a team better than sandy, he has done nothing but sell hot air.
will, the CORE as usual salutes you.. little by little they’re love for sandy is fading. NOW some of them are starting to call him out on what he really is, somebody who’s here to help the wilpons put a team of garbage on the field while wasting as little money as possible. then, tell us the fans, be patient is coming while doing NOTHING in the meantime.
Sterling Mets are broke. It is what it is.
Broke, eh i doubt it, maybe the Wilpons shouldnt have levergage this asset. SNY is worth a billion , sell that and field a good team. Wilpons, sell the team your personal finiancial ‘woes’ will be gone beleive me they’ll fetch a pretty penny. Its about the Wilpons. Dodgers are ‘broke’ just signed Kemp 8 yrs $160 mill. Broke is a relative term…
Ill give Alderson this winter before i condemn but after this winter his intentions will be obv. If we only get moneyball ill boycott CitiField next season, Wilpons wont get any of my money..
well… there goes another topic I started…
no respect online
I love this recap or whatever you want to call it. I cant stand reading about all these things one post at a time and these concise and to the point reports are outstanding in my opinion. If I may make one suggestion it would be to do them twice a week instead of once, but that’s not a gripe just a suggestion. Thanks for your work.
Sadly, I’d say the window is closed on O-Dawg.
It seems we don’t need a Mets Hot Stove report because Alderson has done nothing to try and make this team better since he’s gotten here. And he could have regardless of the budget.
And lots of good trade proposal and player movement ideas are written on this very site, he should try reading it maybe he’ll learn something
What were some of te best trade proposals written here that you feel Alderson should read?
Breaking news, alderson has signed RF Adam Loewen to minors deal. Smashed 17 homers & batted .306/.377/.508 for Triple-A Las Vegas, made MLB debut as position player…
i’m calling for tickets right now……………………………………
You know, if you weren’t busy saying David Wright isn’t better than Edgardo Alfonzo you would know Loewen is actually an interesting guy
He was the #4 overall pick in 2002, as a left handed starter for baltimore. He hurt his elbow in 07 I think it was, and was then moved to the OF.
So he’s actually an interesting Rick Ankiel type player who was converted to OF due to throwing arm injuries and actually got called up last year. Not saying he’s a star etc by any stretch but a very interesting signing
Due to my age? When Edgardo left the Mets I was 20 years old. Pretty sure I knew how to operate a tv before then
And you didn’t COMPARE him to Wright. You said Wright is “nowhere near” the player Fonzie was. Proving once and for all you either know nothing or you just hate David Wright.
again, i am not big on numbers, but i’ll tell you this, you said when he left you were 20, not sure whether you actually WATCH HIM PLAY LIVE and my man, i did.. the man was MONEY on the clutch, was a #2 hitter who produced, hit for avg, power and defensively was as good as they come. wright on the other hand has been a good player, better number when delgado and beltran were there, after those 2 left, fans like you have come up with ALL KINDS of excuses not to fault david, babying him to the fullest. and again, you never even fully on watch this man play, yet instead of writing articles about urinals and BRAD EAMUS you should do a background check on who this guy was ok…
no doubt alex, David Wright couldn’t shine Edgardo Alfonso’s shoes. Alfonso was a MUCH BETTER Met than Wright I don’t care what the total numbers eventually wind up being.
Edgardo was a run producing machine, one of the most reliable Mets in big spots in their entire history. When I think of Alfonso’s ability to rise during big moments I think of Piazza, Hojo, Keith, he rates right up there with one of the best Mets of all time – with tremendous defense to boot.
NO WAY you can compare wright to Alfonso, i’d take Alfonso any day over Wright.
Not for nothing, but that was funny. lmao
The Mets are one of many teams who have interest in free agent shortstop Jack Wilson. Other than his defensive ability, I can’t figure out why.
Forget why, it’s safe to say that anytime many teams are interested in a player, you may as well just count the Mets out. Even on a scrub like Jack Wilson.
REGARDING THIS “TAKING REYES” FOR GRANTED COMMENT;
“Jon Heyman has predicted that in the end, Jose Reyes will land a $120 million deal over six-years. Does anyone else think that’s a little high? Even so, if the number even comes close to that, we can kiss Jose goodbye.”
I’D HAVE TO STATE THAT, IF TAKING THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS SUCH AS SIGNING UP FOR MLB DISABILITY INSURANCE COVERAGE(85%) ON A REYES’ CONTRACT & UPGRADING THE BACKUP SKILLS BEYOND TEJADA LEVEL
I PERSONALLY DO NOT BELIEVE 20M + IS AN OUTRAGEOUS SUM FOR A PLAYER WHO’S CAPABILITIES HAVE BEEN DESIGNED AS THE SOLE MULTIPLICATOR FOR THE ENTIRE OFFENSE. CERTAINLY, I WOULD CONSIDER A PROPERLY INSURED 5Y DEAL WITH A 6th YR OPTYION CPONTINGENT UPON SUCCESSFULLY PLAYING IN 75% OF THE PREVIOUS 5YR’s GAMES SCHEDULED. TO BE A BOON TO THE ORGANIZATION IN BOTH ON FIELD & TURSTYLE TALLIES. THE NY METS HAVE , TO MY RECOLLECTION ONLY ALLOWED ONE OTHER POSITION PLAYER TO WALK AS A F/A IN HIS PRIME(STRAW).
THAT WAS CERTAINLY UNDER VERY DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCES IN BOTH PLAYER MOTIVATION & FAN ATMOSPHERIC EXPECTATIONS AS STRAW HAD ALREADY PREDETERMINED HIS DESIGN TO TEAM UP WITH HIS BFF ERIC DAVIS BACK IN HIS HOMETOWN(LA) AND STRAW WAS JUST ONE OF MANY CONSIDERABLE TALENTS DEPARTING WHILE STILL LEAVING BEHIND A FORMIDABLE PITCHING CONTINGENT.
TO ALL APARENT EVIDENCE PRESENTED TO DATE, REYES CERTAINLY HAS MORE PERSONAL MOTIVATION TO STAY THAN DEPART WHILE HE IS ARGUABLY THE LONE FUSE TO THE OFFENSE PRESENTLY ROSTERED & AS SUCH COMPRISES 50% OF THE RECOGNIZED LINEUP THREAT ACKNOWLEDGED BY THE OPOSITION. HE IS, IMO, THE DON MATTINGLY & TONY GUINN TO THESE METS, A PLAYER WHO DESPITE HIS EFFORTS & EXCELLENCE HAS FAILED TO SINGLEHANDEDLY DRAG HIS TEAM ACROSS THE PLAYOFF WIRE.
DO NOT MISINTERPRET ME AS ATTEMPTING TO LINE-BY-LINE COMPARE REYES TO EITHER’S CAREER STATS; BUT ONLY INSOMUCH AS TO SIMILARLY ABSOLVE HIM FROM THE FAILURES OF HIS FRANCHISE DURING HIS OUTSTANDING CAREER.
JUST AS NEITHER GUINN NOR MATTINGLY ARE INDIVIDUALLY BESMRTCHED WITH THEIR TEAM’S FAILURES @ WINNING ANYTHING MEANINGFUL, SO DHOULD REYES & ,IMO, WRIGHT; AS THEY AS MUCH AS ANY INDIVIDUALS IN BASEBALL HISTORY HAVE BEEN REDUCED BY THE LONGEST EPIDEMIC OF”STAR” DISABILITIES TO STRIKE ONE TEAM’S ROSTER FOR MORE THAN 5 CONSECUTIVE YEARS.
(is the fact that since 2005 this franchise has completed only 1 season with a healthy, available ACE?) REYES’ OR WRIGHT’S FAULT? I ASK U TO PERFORM THE SAME EXERCISE WHILE LOOKING FOR HEALTHY COMPLETE SEASON FROM THE KEY #4 CLEANUP SLOT. BOTH FAILURES ARE BEYOND HUMAN ABILITY TO SIMULTANEOUSLY COVER SUCCESSFULLY BY ANY INDIVIDUAL
IN 2009, REYES WAS “VICTIMIZED” BY A DOUBLE MISDIAGNOSIS FROM 2 SEPARATE MLB TEAM’S MEDICAL STAFFS(SF & LA) AS THEY DIAGNOSED HIS RARE INJURY TO HIS SUPERFLUOUS “HAMSTRING TENDON” INSTEAD EVALUATING HIS INJURY AS HASMSTRING MUSCLE RELATED FOR WHICH THE ROUTINE TREATMENT IS COUNTER INTUITIVE TO THE TREATMENT FOR HIS ACTUAL TENDION ISSUE, BY FOLLOWING THEIR MISDIRECTED MEDICAL ADVICE ADDITIONAL DAMAGE WAS SUSTAINED BY TYHE ‘TENDON’ ITSELF CAUSING IT’S TOTAL & COMPLETE TEARING AWAY. FROM THIS DETACHED STATE, IT ROLLED UP ON ITSELF LIKE A WAYWOOD SOCK CAUSING A BULGING EFFECT THAT THROUGH ABRASIVE ACTIVITIES RECOMMENDED BY THEIR REHABING EXERCISES BROUHT REYES TO THE POINT OF A SURGICAL INTERVENTION REMOVING THE TENDON ALTOGETHER, THUS REMOVING ANY CONCERN FOR POTENTIAL REOCCURANCES AND RETURNING HIM TO NORMALCY REGARDING FEAR FOR FUTURE HAMSTRING ISSUES. FOR A DYNAMIC 28 YR OLD WORLDCLASS BASERUNNER.
AS THE ’09 ISSUE HAS BEEN PERMANANTLY RESOLVED ANY STATED CONCERN FOR AN ENCORE MISSED SEASON IS CETAINLY A NONSEQUETER
IN CONCLUSION SUBTRACTING ’09 AS WELL AS THE SINGULAR NONRECURRING DIETARY CAUSED THYROID ISSUE OF ’10 I PERSONALLY BELIEVE $20-22M IS NOT OUTLANDISH FOR A PLAYER WHO COULD WITHSTAND 2 SEPARATE D/L STINTS WHILE CAPTURING THE FRANCHISE’S SOLE BATTING TITLE IN 50YRS. IT’S TANTAMOUNT TO CONSIDER, FOR ALL HIS PAINS & INJURIES JOSE REYES HAS MANAGED TO MISS ONLY 27% OF THE GAMES HE WAS PAID TO PLAY. BY “ONLY”, I MEAN TO CONSIDER HIS 73% PARTICIPATION RATE IN A RIGHTFUL CONTEXT OF ONLY THOSE HISTORICAL BALLPLAYERS IN THE MODERN MEDICAL ERA WHO WERE CONSIDERED PREMERE BASERUNNERS OF THEIR TIME; PLAYERS SUCH AS RICKEY,FURCAL,COLEMAN,ROLLINS,WILLS & RAINES,Sr. WHO WHEN PKGD TOGETHER LOOKING ONLY AT THE # OF GAMES PLAYED COMPARED TO THE # OF GAMES PAID FOR 162 X # 0F SEASONS U’LL QUICKLY DISCOVER THAT 73% FROM REYES IS IDENTICAL TO BOTH RICKEY & FURCAL’S CAREER RATES THAT RANK IN THE MIDDLE OF A RANGE STARTING AS LOW AS 63%(COLEMAN) & ENDING IN A HIGH OF 84%(WILLS) WHEN EXCLUDING THE PLODDERS FROM CONSIDERATION..
DID WE NOT SEE ENOUGH LANGUISHING OFFENSE DURING REYES ABSENCES OVER THE PAST 8 YRS TO FULLY COMPREHEND WHAT MIGHT LAY BEFORE US?
I
I