6
2013
Boras Has Better Offers On Bourn Than The Mets At His Disposal
An article by 
The Mets are willing to give free agent Michael Bourn a four-year deal, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post.
Scott Boras is claiming that he has better offers at his disposal than whatever the Mets have discussed with him.
Sherman speculates that Boras could simply be bluffing to try and get more out of the Mets or simply trying to create some buzz to drum up more interest for his client.
You just never know with Boras, he is a master at these negotiations. And regardless of what Sherman speculates, Boras does always manage to have a mystery team in his pocket in addition to the ones with their cards on the table.
Yesterday, Buster Olney reported that the Indians were just one of many teams who would be very interested if Bourn’s price were to come down from the five years he is looking for.
Ken Rosenthal says that though the odds seem increasingly slim, he’s not ruling out that Bourn will land a big deal, perhaps even beating B.J. Upton’s five-year, $75.25 million free-agent contract with the Atlanta Braves. By now, all of us should know better than to doubt Bourn’s agent, Scott Boras.
With regard to the first round pick, both the Mets and Boras believe they have a winning argument should the case go to an arbitrator, mainly built around the spirit of the rule, which they believe is to protect the teams with the 10-worst records.
That said, unless the Mets come to an agreement neither side will file a formal request to MLB about it.
Updated 2/5
The Indians might be one of many teams that will be interested in signing free agent Michael Bourn if his price comes down according to Buster Olney of ESPN.
As I wrote last week, I was afraid this would happen the longer this dragged out. Scott Boras isn’t concerned with making friends, only getting his clients the largest deals they can get. He always keeps busy working the phones and trying to get more interested teams into the bidding arena.
Meanwhile, yesterday, David Wright told the NY Post that he has spoken with Bourn and exchanged texts with him in an attempt to lure him to Citi Field.
“I just wanted to let him know that he would be a great addition here and he’d obviously be welcomed here,’’ Wright said after his first early workout at the Mets’ spring training complex.
“I talked to him a couple weeks ago, and I told him, ‘You’re always in the right place at the right time, your work counts,’ ’’ Wright said. “I’ve always had great respect for him and the way he plays the game and have always kind of chatted with him when he gets to third base.
“I just feel he’s a hard-nosed player. I wanted to be there to answer any question he might have and let him know that with some of the young arms that we have and the young talent we have, we are not far off.’’
Wright is confident the Mets are heading in the right direction. The game plan was given to Wright when Alderson went to Virginia to play golf with him in October, and Wright has been on-board with the plan since that day.
Meanwhile, Bourn is looking for a five year deal while the Mets are unwilling to give the free agent centerfielder more than three.
Sandy Alderson said yesterday that he will not ask MLB about protecting the Mets No. 11 pick unless he knows he has an agreement with Bourn.
“In the event we get to that point, I don’t think it’s fair to say we’re looking for a rule change,” Alderson said. “We’re looking to clarify the effect of the existing rule. It’s sort of a case of first impression. It hasn’t been dealt with before. If we get to that point, we’ll see.’’
We’ll continue monitoring this to it’s conclusion…
Original Post 2/4
Today at Citi Field, Sandy Alderson briefed reporters about the Michael Bourn and Brandon Lyon situations.
Regarding Brandon Lyon, Alderson said that if the team agrees to a contract with him, that he is likely finished adding additional arms to the bullpen this winter.
“The bullpen can’t be worse and has the potential to be a lot better,” Alderson explained.
As we reported yesterday, Jon Heyman of CBS Sports said the Mets were close to signing Lyon, while Andy Martino added that Lyon was still negotiating with other teams.
Alderson added that righthander Jenrry Mejia will enter camp as a starting pitcher, while Jeurys Familia will be strictly a reliever.
Regarding Michael Bourn, Alderson said he is still negotiating with his agent and that he will not ask the league to protect their first-round draft pick until he comes to terms on a contract with Bourn first.
Alderson doesn’t believe the rule on draft pick protection needs to be changed, only that it needs to be altered.
Finally, if they do not sign Bourn, the Mets GM said it’s possible they will go into camp with the outfielders they currently have on the roster.
In fact, Alderson confirmed that whatever happens with Bourn or Lyon, there’s nothing else cooking and their won’t be.
About the Author: Joe DeCaro
I'm a lifelong Mets fan who loves writing and talking about the Amazins' 24/7. From the Miracle in 1969 to the magic of 1986, and even the near misses in '73 and '00, I've experienced it all - the highs and the lows. I started Mets Merized Online in 2005 to feed my addiction. Follow me on Twitter @metsmerized.
140 Comments + Add Comment
NL East Standings
| Team | W | L | Pct. | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Braves | 23 | 18 | .561 | - |
| Nationals | 23 | 19 | .548 | 0.5 |
| Phillies | 20 | 22 | .476 | 3.5 |
| Mets | 16 | 23 | .410 | 6.0 |
| Marlins | 11 | 31 | .262 | 12.5 |
Last updated: 05/18/2013
Recent Comments
- Hawk: on What Do We Have In Lucas Duda And Is He The Solution At Left Field?: Lucas Duda is not a full time...
- Hawk: on D’Arnaud To Remain In Boot Camp For Two More Weeks: ^^THIS^^ Slow to heal.
- Tlagee: on Matt Harvey Does It All In Mets 3-2 Win Over Cubs: Ok, you think 'spins .230 avg and...
- B-Met Fan: on Mets Minors Report 5/18: Puello On A Hot Streak, Wheeler Hits DL, Mejia Makes Rehab Start: Puello is locked in right now at...
- Metro12: on Injury Update: Wheeler To Rejoin Las Vegas Rotation Next Wednesday: Nevermind. I looked it up and...
MMO Mets Chat
Need Tickets To The Mets Game?
Check Out These Great MLB Links!
Photographs From Gordon Donovan
5354 Fans Follow Us On Twitter!
1270 Fans Like Us On Facebook!
2341 Fans Read Our Feed!
1702 Fans Subscribe via Daily Email!
Still needs a real closer and CF/leadoff hitter…
Oh, I wish he didn’t say the BP can’t be worse…..
I’m hoping with the additional arms added and maybe Familia, that statement will be accurate.
It’s too late, he already jinxed us.
Here’s hoping it’s a ‘reverse’ jinx.
Sigh… If it wasn’t because we love this team, i’d hate this team. We are a joke and will be for as long as this guy is here..
Woof Woof! Pavlov’s Mongrel has spoken. Sit Ubu sit! Good dog.
With his last contract at $5.5 million it is doubtful that Lyon fits the Mets budget.
It is going to be a very interesting spring. Lots of job competition followed by a roster crunch. I wonder how many of those minor league contracts will have player opt outs?
Not really a fan of Lyon’s…… I still need Brian Wilson. The entertainment value is sky high
Agreed. Should they sign Lyon, signing Wilson should be the last piece for that pen. Mets should scout Andrew Bailey as well, who could be on the move soon as he is working out for scouts.
Wow, thanks for not killing me. I posted this without proofreading it first and then caught 2-3 misspellings, sorry. All fixed now. I should leave the reporting to my reporters, lol
another day another picture of a white haired old man who it the Mets GM, getting weird now. Guess that’s replaced the Mets logo since we haven’t seen that in ages.
What are your thoughts on Santa Claus during the holiday season?
Hi Joe D.,
My thought of Santa Claus during the holiday season – R.A. Dickey having to hold back the tears at the thought of not wearing a Met uniform again after that holiday party.
what possible difference could the color of his hair, or age, have to do with anything? Especially when there are some people currently on a Cashen kick, and not only was he old and white haired, he wore fynny bow ties too!
Bow ties are cool. Like fezzes.
they are so CLEAN looking too
Bayonne, he’s the most interesting man in the metsworld… He no longer care for winning, but when he does, he prefers his draft picks..
Great line!!!! LMAO!
“Finally, if they do not sign Bourn, the Mets GM said it’s possible they will go into camp with the outfielders they currently have on the roster.”
Like theres another option?
If its not Bourn, theses nobody left at this point
Duh…
trades in ST. Or newly minted FAs, as teams have roster crunches and have to reduce the # of OFs they are carrying.
But yeah, bourn is pretty much the only name-brand guy left on the off season FA shelf.
grady sizemore ?
Still don’t understand the rush to push Familia to the bullpen. He just finished his age 22 season and should be given at least another year getting starting pitcher innings in the minors. If Niese continues to develop and Wheeler and Harvey lock down the 1-3 spots in the rotation, we’re asking Familia to top out as a #4 at best. There should be no rush for him to go to the pen now.
Sometimes it doesn’t make sense to delay the inevitable.
Familia has thrown 550+ innings in the minors so far – which already is more than what you’d normally expect a pitching prospect to need.
Still, his command remains below average and his off-speed pitch rudimentary.
There is no way, Familia can get through a major league lineup 3 to 4 times with that sort of stuff or even get through 5 IP with less than 100 pitches.
However, he has a power arm that should play up in the bullpen where he can focus on his plus fastballs and breaking pitch. As a reliever, it won’t matter if he needs 18 to 24 pitches to get through one inning. And he has serious potential in such a role.
And considering how terrible the Mets have been at producing good relievers over the past decade or so, it also makes a lt of sense shifting pitchers with that kind of ability and unlikelihood of becoming a SP to the bullpen.
And the bullpen is one area where the Mets have a lot of room to improve and make up ground on their competition. Over the past 6 seasons, the Mets have had one of the worst bullpen units in the game – even leaving aside parlk effects….
I’m with you. I’m just not ready to admit the inevitable after his age-22 season. There’s 13-14 other guys competing for bullpen spots. I’d give him a half year in Vegas, and if no improvement shows, or no development of secondary offerings come…then I confidently move him to the pen for good.
By the way, what is the difference between changed and altered, or is this just ivy league speak?
I completely agree Hank…this guy had fantastic numbers the past few seasons as a starter, has a great arm, and shouldn’t have his ceiling lowered so early in his career.
I hope that they want to let him develop in the ML bullpen and then do a shift back to the rotation next year. That’s what I hope when I hear they want him relieving this season. I can’t imagine why they’d give up on him becoming a power right handed starter given today’s market for starting pitchers.
Next season, when they begin to really try to make the playoffs, they’ll need to fill at least one starting role after Santana leaves, possibly more. Syndergaard, Montero, and Fulmer probably won’t be ready until at least mid season. So why limit your options by making this move?
Mejia, to me, seems the better choice to relieve despite the horrid numbers in that role. I guess they want another power arm in that bullpen, but there seems to be enough of those options already with Ramirez and Carson.
I just don’t get that decision when the guy has been developed as a starter for his whole career and has yet to really sniff the bigs, let alone failed as a starter.
Mejia has better control and a more diverse arsenal than Familia – and 200 less innings of pro experience.The big question with Mejia is whether he can regain the supreme movement of his cut fastball which was a plus pitch prior to TJ surgery but apparently wasn’t there last season.
As mentioned above, the lack of control and lack of reliable off- speed pitch make it extremely unlikely that Familia can succeed in a major league rotation. Let him loose in the bullpen and see where his upper 90s fastball and hard breaking pitch can take him. And basically, that by now is the consensus projection for basically everyone that has seen him pitch.
And a high-end reliever would be damn valuable for this franchise going forward, so establishing Familia in such a role would be a huge success. The Mets have left dozens of wins on the table over the past several years due to mostly inept bullpens. That is the one big area where serious strides can be made almost overnight – and it’s probably the area with the most upside to significantly improve in 2013 with arms like Familia, Edgin or Burke right away, maybe Gorski, McHugh, Mejia, Carson, Elvin Ramirez and eventually Leathersich, Mazzoni and DeGrom maybe. Again, the Mets have developed 5 decent relievers over the past dozen years That’s an atrocious total. It’s one common theme among most Mets teams of recent history – except for the cinderella 2006 season where the bullpen really worked out fine until a late night cab ride…
just give the man his $$$$$! bourn all the way!
“Alderson doesn’t believe the rule on draft pick protection needs to be changed, only that it needs to be altered.”
WHHHHAAAAAAAT???!!?!!?!!!
al·ter (ôltr)
v. al·tered, al·ter·ing, al·ters
v.tr.
1. To change or make different; modify: altered my will.
2. To adjust (a garment) for a better fit.
3. To castrate or spay (an animal, such as a cat or a dog).
v.intr.
To change or become different.
Who was it that said this guy speaks so well again?
Unless of course he means he doesn’t want the rule changed just Spayed or Neutered…
Cause we have so many stray rules running through the neighborhood these days who can feed them all?
Oooh! Burn!! You got him Metsie. Yup. You nailed him. Way to go. Oh Snap! Take that Sandy, you’ve been pwned!! Another zinger by Metsie. Ouch. Ouch man. Nailed!!!
High five that guy, right Bayonne? AMIRITE? Ha Ha Sandy. HA! BUUUUUURN!
Party at Bayonne’s and Metsie’s place. That. Was. AWESOME!!
Dude is a freakin dict-ionary
Hi Guys,
Why all this discussion about Bourn? The Mets haven’t even filed a petition with MLB.
Just a hunch on my part, but would the Wilpons actually want to file such a protest after being bailed out by MLB? They might very well need MLB’s help again in the future and it’s not a good idea to bite the hand that feeds you. Remember the tenth anniversary of 9/11 and the hats?
The issue needs to be discussed but it won’t be initiated by any official filing and any changes made would go into effect this coming year with everyone starting out fresh.
its actually to everyone’s benefit that the mets sign bourn….
the league is counting on big market teams to be contributing to the pot that supports small market teams…
if the mets are not pulling their own weight…many owners are not going to be happy with that….
I personally am hoping we dont sign bourn
bourn would actually prevent this team from hitting the rock bottom it needs to get to..
the ultimate goal for me is a new owner…so long as we stay with Dumb and Dumber, we will never have sustainable success.
Your ultimate goal should be all of our ultimate goals. The sooner the Wilpons are out of the picture the better things will get for everyone.
JDD,
Like you, I strongly prefer a new owner. Unfortunately, that ship has sailed and they have weathered the storm. They are collectively billionnaires after their debt, and they now have plenty of access to cash. I had the rock bottom approach but have given it up as a result of the stabilizing of their finances. So, I would like to see Bourn added, for reasons that you and many others have stated – a professional leadoff hitter and excellent D in CF are huge additions, even if Bourn has some blemishes. So long as the deal is reasonable, and hopefully doesn’t cost the pick, they need to get this done. And while they are at it, get Lyons done and take a flier on Wilson or Krod, who can still be had on team friendly terms. This will cost the organization nothing but a few of the supposed bucks Alderson has burning a hole in his pocket. Should the young arms rise and demonstrate they are ready, fine, then the Mets have some more trade chips or they can just release underperforming vets on one year deals. The time is now.
First pick here we come.
This is one of those off the field reasons why signing Wright to that deal was a good move. He’s our ambassador. Hope he got Bourn closer to signing with us.
This is one of those off the field reasons why signing Wright to that deal was a good move.”
You’ve got to be kidding me….. so we overpaid for a guy just to exchange text with a guy about his playing abilitites??? Are you seriously this naive? Players talk all the time, the fact that he made it public shows how desperate this team is, it’s downright pathetic if you ask me that we have to be begging for a mid level player to come here while begging MLB to not take away a draft pick. Sad days in NY to be quite frankly… Unbelieavable, pay $138 million to a guy who’s not worth it, but hey, he can text other players about his abilities to play good ball and we should be happy. SMMFH
No different than when John Franco tried to keep Piazza from testing free agency to stay with the Mets, or Pedro Martinez calling on Carlos Beltran to sign with the team..
Ok, ummmm. isn’t exactly what i am saying???? Now we gotta praise the guy just because he did that?? You guys are incredible. I am sure most of you would be cursing at the TV once he goes into struggling mode. SMH
This could be just the push we needed to get something done. Thanks David!
SIGH……………………………………………………..
That’s my boy!
David Wright is correct when he says that Michael Bourn is a “hard nosed player”. I saw him in Atlanta most of last season and I can tell you guys he never just goes through the motions even in late innings and the game is out of hand. He plays hard on every play. I like Michael Bourn and have commented here since the season ended we should pursue him. I hope he does become a Met. He will make our other outfielders better too and he doesn’t go on the disabled list.
Bourn is exactly the shot in the arm this team needs right now. Even if you have to give him a 4th year, do it.
It’s amazing how context makes how you view things completely different.
This was the interpretation of the quote:
“Alderson doesn’t believe the rule on draft pick protection needs to be changed, only that it needs to be altered.”
This leads to all kinds of cracks about the difference in changing and altering.
“By the way, what is the difference between changed and altered, or is this just ivy league speak?”
“Who was it that said this guy speaks so well again?
However, when seeing the actual quote in context:
“In the event we get to that point, I don’t think it’s fair to say we’re looking for a rule change,” Alderson said. “We’re looking to clarify the effect of the existing rule. It’s sort of a case of first impression. It hasn’t been dealt with before. If we get to that point, we’ll see.’’
It becomes much more clear.
SLUR—–PER^^^^^^^
Danananana Super Core to the rescue!!!! Did you send out the ass signal to your friends?
Is this the focused on baseball talk we are all supposed to strive for? i was not sure.
The entire quote on this does look a bit different but the result the Mets are looking for is the same….they want that first round draft pick protected if they sign Bourn.
As I commented the other day though…I still think they already have a fair idea of how this is going to shake out, should they sign Bourn.
Where do you get off using the actual quote? We don’t need that kind of crap around here.
We should ALL be wanting to see Bourn on this team. Come one everyone, we need his speed and defense and hard-nosed play in the worst way! Lets get him and lets play some ball. LGM!!
We need power more than anything.
We have a park built for speed and defense. We tried power and Bay was a bust even though he led the AL in homers in 2009 before we signed him. Look at where we ranked in speed and defense last season? We were one of the worst teams in both areas. Bourn can fix that.
He’s 30. He’s going to get slower.
Besides, he already gets caught stealing way too much.
they need both and since odds are the power won’t be coming out of CF, bourn would not really prevent them from adding it at a corner OF spot (unless the money does, but positionally, it should not).
they already have power from corner IF, and the power potential at C. Even 2B has a little bit, relative to what you expect there.
so that leaves SS (not happening!), and corner OF, with only Duda looking to have any real power potential.
so unless you find a power hitting CF laying around, that still means finding a thumper for RF.
The Wilpons owe this to Sandy after they plopped that Wright deal in his lap.
Somebody wake Metsblog up they seem to be lost in a Johan Santana/WBC space time continuum.
Wright’s value = HRs, 2Bs, RBIs, BA, OBP, situational hitting, solid defense, leadership, team ambassador.
That’s what I said the other day. And Wright’s call to Bourn is the latest example of how he plays “team ambassador.”
If not Wright, who? Does anyone really think someone like Duda, Niese or Ike would have the same impact? Duda and Niese are barely articulate.
A recruiting call from Wright who is articulate, sincere, and a perennial All-Star has more impact.
Now it’s just a waiting game to see who blinks first. It doesn’t appear Bourn has any offers more than 3 years. I’m glad Sandy isn’t the type who gives in easily in negotiations. No need to bid against himself.
his agent is Boras. Doesn’t matter if Attila the Hun or the Pope calls him, whichever one shows up with the biggest check gets the player.
Right. Money trumps all for most players. But what if the money is basically the same offered by two teams? Then the ambassador part can become the difference.
Then the ambassador part can become the difference”
Right.. I am sure if the yankees and mets call bourne, offer the same amount, yet noones call bourne from the yankees wright calling bourne will be the difference. forget winning, legacy, a chance to play with better players and win a WS ring virtually every year, the ambassador’s phone call or text is what will decide the fate of the signing.. mind you, the ambassador’s is arguably one of the biggest choker in NY, is considerably overrated by his peer, and has declined in 4 straight second halves to the demise of the team, but hey, gotta love our ambassador right?
Who said a call from the Yankees wouldn’t make a difference? Of course it would. But thankfully, the Yankees don’t appear to be in the market for Bourn and are in their own penny-pinching mode this year.
Bourne would be an excellent addition as a lead off hitter and with his defense. The Mets need a vacuum like him in center because of what’s playing in left & right.
He’ll also create runs a la Jose With that speed at the top. If they get him that’s great. If not, so be it.
I’m sure that once terms are reached, the mets will call Selig and get anything they want. Sometimes it pays to be Bud’s go to owners when he wants to set a trend( like the slotting system ). Fred has always done what Bud has asked, no questions asked.
Jason Bourne would be a amazing addition. God forbid he is hit by a pitch, he would just go gang busters.
Michael Bourn, might be a desperate move IMO. If the team doesn’t want Reyes because his game is based around speed, then why sign Bourn? To me it wreaks of a desperate team overreaching on their austerity and trying to change the narrative at the last moment.
Pending the Bourn deal, I tend to agree. I don’t like it. It would have to be the perfect deal where we not only do not sacrifice the pick but also sign him at a cost that is easy to trade if needed. Otherwise, I don’t get it either.
real, the terms are key. If the market dried up enough so it ends up being Vicky money (3/36, maybe 3/39) then it makes a lot more sense to get him. Will fill a need, should not hamstring the team, and yes, very tradable.
No way at 5/75. Don’t want to get stuck with him at that.
My gut is telling me it will be 4 years, 52-55 mil.
Agreed. If signed I see some kind of unique contract with opt outs and all kinds of jargon.
couple of differences to reyes.
first of course is the team seems to be in a much different financial situation than back when Reyes was a FA.
2nd is the terms. If the mets hold to their 3 year max, they are looking at something like 3/36 or 3/40. so 1/2 the years and 1/3 or so the money commitment. And the mets were clear that they were willing to go (and yes, “offered” the parameters to his agent) to go well above what they would seemingly offer to Bourn.
3rd is that Reyes was coming off another round of leg problems. Speed in general will tail off, but if the legs are bad it can go a lot quicker.
So IMO it is not an apples to apples comparison to say they did not sign reyes so why sign Bourn?
Big difference, The Mets are currently offering Bourn LESS THAN HALF what they were willing to offer Reyes. They were offering Reyes up to 100 MILLION, with 5 of those years guaranteed.
You don’t see the difference between a 5-6 year contract and 100 million dollars vs. 3 years at (likely) 45 million max?
I don’t see it happening, but if they could somehow package up some kids for a RH Bat for RF, that lineup would start to take some nice shape.
Finalize Lyon and lets see this Bourn deal get done!
I´d look to trade Duda and Flores for Dayan Viciedo. The White Sox want some LH hitting, the Mets want RH hitting. Duda could play LF for a year until their OF prospects are ready, then slide into a DH/1B role; Flores could be their future 3B. We would balance our lineup much better, with a possible Bourne- Tejada- Murphy- Wright- Ike- Dayan- Kirk/Baxter/Brown- Buck/D´Arnaud- Pitcher lineup. Good LH/RH alternation, with some speed at the top (you could bat the RF player third) and power in the middle.
I do like bringing in some right handed pop, but do you think you are over paying there?
Gotta give to get. If it makes the team better it´s not really an overpay. Duda has questions, Flores has questions, and we don´t know if he has a position on this team going forward. Both have potential. Viciedo would fill a need (RH power) and be better than Duda in the OF.
Ya, but then we still have a hole in the corner with one less prospect.
You could argue we have one there already with Duda out there…
Come on Duda, prove me wrong!
I´m just not convinced by Duda. Even if he does put it together, that would give the Mets 2 LH power hitters, which presents lineup difficulties. You´re definitely not batting one of them before Wright, so how do you split them up to make them more effective? D´Arnaud? Too soon to tell. I think a LH/RH pair of power hitters back to back would be much more effective. As I said before, Bourne-Tejada-Murphy/Kirk-Wright-Davis-Viciedo-Kirk/Murphy-Buck/D´Arnaud is a perfect L/R alternating lineup with some speed at the top and power in the middle. Very balanced.
As to the prospect issue, they serve two purposes: to produce for the team at a position of need, or serve as trade chips to fill a hole on the team. Having a prospect just to say you have a prospect isn´t worth a dime. The goal is to build a sustainable, winning team.
–That was me. Sign-in fail.
Come on with Reyes comments already.
1. They had a young Tejeda to take over at short
2. Bourn would cost much less than Reyes and probably 3 years with an option and out clasues, as apposed to 6
3. He is one of the best defensive center fielders in the game which is what really helps the team the most.
4. He is much more durable than Reyes.
5. He fills a need if the price is right and they do not surrender the pick.
6. Mets are in transition now and are not where they where when Reyes was a free agent.
7. Reyes is gone and I say good luck to him and that’s that. The speed thing was not the only factor in the Reyes decision. Worst move was not trading him at the deadline that year.
What we all have to remember is why we are even in this situation to begin with.
Compare:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bournmi01.shtml
to:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/paganan01.shtml
to:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/torrean02.shtml
Number one is no better than number two and number three didn’t even belong in the equation.
pagan would have been no different than Bourn right now, since he was a FA too. So even if they had kept them, the team stil would have been in the FA market for a CF.
Hi if,
That is assuming Sandy would not have made the attempt to re-sign him. If Sandy tried and it did not work out, then he could not be fully blamed for center field being the problem it is today.
But he didn’t and his solution in the two for one salary swap being Torres (again, Torres and Rameriez combined cost him only $400,000 more than Pagan alone) puts the responsibility squarely on his shoulders. If he felt Pagan was not in our future he could have tried to sign other free agents out there or made a better trade.
I just checked a few videos of Andrew Brown and liked what I saw. Good arm, can catch a fly and ball sounds good coming off his bat and good baserunner. He does not project to a Punch and Judy hitter.
Im (B)torn on whether signing Bourne is a good idea. If money is no object, im fine with it,, but since it is so id rather use the ‘Bourne’ money on securing a power hitting RF next season(or mid-sason trade?) and winging it with Cowgill or cheaper more experinced version of him, with an excellent defsive player like Den Decker able to at minimum be defensive replacement in our system,,and just work on finding a suitable CF over the next 12 months. I think Bourne is solid but a 3+ year contract has a ‘too much money being tied up, disappointing performance’ written all over it.
The obvious upside is defensive strength up the middle while building on our solid young pitching in expansive Citi CF..he fits that but agan id rather wing it and spend the money on RF ….also, i think its very cool that Wright is reaching out to prospective free agents, awesome..
Unfortunately, the only ones that fit the “Power” role are Granderson, maybe Hart and Beltran. That’s pretty much it. The FA OF market is not very appealing for 2014.
Hi TX,
Not to mention that the 2014 free agent group will be older than this one as well which is counter-productive to a team focusing mostly on youth.
If MLB allows the Mets to keep their first-round pick and they get Bourn on a three-year deal, I would be extremely happy and say the Mets stole Bourn. I do have abit of concern with his speed and his age on more than a three-year deal, so if they work things out with Scott Boras (and MLB for that matter), I would be pretty happy!
Bourne is terrible and should be avoided. I suspect sandy knows this.
I agree that Boras will use his Contact List of gullible GMs to tout his client, but unless the Yankees, Red Sox, White Sox, Detroit, LAD, SF, TX & a couple other teams with $$$ pockets i’m missing get involved, we’ll sign him One thing for sure, Boras will hit that bid and soon, because it’s late in the ‘Season now, and prices go down as ST approaches, not up–even with Boras’ magic games in full throttle. I’m not worried about Cleveland or Seattle. Hope we get him for 3 yrs / 13 – 14mm / yr.
I really, really do not want Bourn. I’m telling you, if they sign him a) MLB will NOT protect that pick and b) it will be a bad contract by the end of it.
Selig wont protect his buddy Wilpon’s pick? Dream on. As far as Bourn’s contract goes, he’s not gonna get 5 yrs (at best, 3) and should he get the opt out clause he wants, he won’t be here long.
i wouldn’t want Bourne if we would lose the #1 pick, and neither would Sandy. Hasn’t he said that? I’d think any deal would be contingent on MLB granting us the waiver. So, i’m guessing we’d come to an agreement with terms set and while we’re waiting for MLB to rule, Boras would be able to continue to shop Bourn. But if teams have not bit at that point, we’ll get him.
Does anyone recall a free agent the caliber of Bourn, still being available a week into February? Kind of strange and I can’t recall the last free agent who might have been still available this close to spring training.
Prince Fielder was reported to have signed last year on January 24th.
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120124&content_id=26452690&c_id=mlb
Thanks. I’d be lying if I were to say something like, “oh yeah”. But good to know anyway. I guess it happens more than I thought.
No problemo.
I do truly believe that the Mets have both the most interest for Bourn and currently on the table the best offer Boras has received to date for him- 3 years approx. 34.5MM- 11.5MM per. And Boras is indeed just playing a game of chicken with Sandy- “oh we have better offers (as in the plural) for him.” Yeah right- where are they?
pretty good chance too that Sandy will have a cap in place, and will walk if it goes above that. He did it with Reyes, and that was probably a lot harded than letting Bourn go!
so Boras may need an actual other offer (not a fantasy one) if he wants to win the game of chicken this time.
Agreed, if they have a better offer than what the Mets want to pay then oh well.
Must not have one yet, or odds are he would have been signed by now!
While it’s true the Mets might have the most interest in Bourn, maybe Bourn doesn’t have the most interest in the Mets. He’s a former Phillies and Braves player and has seen the Mets ineptness first hand, and heard all the jokes as well.
Wait now we are believing anything Boras says as well?
BINGO!
This is just Boras trying to get us to ACTUALLY bid against ourselves….
The key with Boras is to set your price, tell him get back to you if he gets a better offer and just say to him (when he calls back) “Better take it”
Cause then you find out he just called to bluff you into raising your bid.
If there was more than a four-year deal offered by another team then he would’ve been signed already…I’m starting to think he will be a Met by the weekend.
Did you ever consider the possibility that Bourn wants to avoid the Mets like the plague?
Sure, so did Bay. But what does that have to do with the fact that if he had another team giving him more than 4 years he would be signed already?
Why would we consider that when if it was the case, he would simply be avoiding the Mets like the plague, which doesn’t seem to be happening. Did you ever consider that by signing with the Mets, and staying in the NL East, he will be able to try and stick it to the team that let him walk?
We don’t know what he’s thinking. All we know is that he needs a job and the Mets have a spot for him. Rumors are flying hat if he and the Mets agree to terms that the league will rule in favor of the Mets and they will not have to give up a first round pick…so my money is on Bourn signing by the weekend and in camp next week.
Mitch, I think it’s very possible that Bourn would much rather go play for someone else. However, he also wanted a 5/75 deal….
It’s possible but it’s still NY and he can potentially be one of the guys to get the Mets over the hump. There are probably just as many reasons to play for the Mets as there are to play elsewhere. I don’t hear of any World Series contenders in he mix for him at this point but we’ll wait and see.
Mitch, thing is we ALWAYS have to overpay. I can’t remember the last big name FA to come to the Mets on a bargain deal. LOL.
How about Mo Vaughn?
lol
Every team overpays…
The lat guy to give a team a discount I think was Pujols on his previous contract with the Cards….
And after giving it to them and winning a WS they lost him because they refused to give him a contract without the discount.
to their credit…they turned around and gave that money to beltran and resigned molina..
thats the difference between the cardinals and the mets…
I wasn’t questioning thier move regarding Pujols, just pointing out that “Discounts” are usually a one shot, one time deal. You can get a player to give you one on the basis of spending the savings on something else but the next time around he is going to say I already gave to your charity at the office…Now…Show me My Money!
In Citifield he has the following:
111PA 26H, 2D, 2T, 0HR, .277BA, .367OBP, 362SLG, .729OPS
Comparable to his Atlanta numbers but perhaps he would do better in a different location
Arizona .331BA
Boston .333BA
Chicago C .311BA
Philly .309BA
“If there was more than a four-year deal offered by another team then he would’ve been signed already…”
Agreed.
I am wiling to bet that if we have an offer on the table it is a short term offer (2-3 years) for roughly near the money he was asking….
All the other offers he may have are for 4 or 5 years but at much lower money per year….
Bourn doesn’t want to sign a short deal unless it’s REALLY short like a one year rental where he goes FA next year….But thats the fallback option not the goal for him.
He sure doesn’t want to sign for 2-3 years because he will be signing away his prime years and if he had a hard time getting a contract THIS year imagine how hard it will be for him when he is 33!
So in the end unless someone steps up and meets his demands for money and years My best guess is he will sign to a one year contract and thats the kind of contract we might be able to stay involved in.
But I think we are only offerring a 2-3 year deal.
we could sign a 3 year deal with opt-out clauses every year..
we wouldnt want to block Brandon Neemo !
I think Rosenthal’s got it right and he has decades of history on his side. Bourn will get a big deal when it’s all said and done.
I’m all for Alderson putting his offer on the table and saying take it or leave it. He should not guarantee 4th year. If someone else does, so long Mike.
Thats the way you deal with Boras….Make your offer and tell him thats it take it or leave it.
If the Mets really believed they could sign Bourn they wouldn’t be so nonchalant about going to MLB to protect their pick. The reason they haven’t and that they won’t speaks volumes. Of course there are those who think they know it all and somehow they have more insight and confidence that the Mets will sign Bourn than the Mets themselves do. LOL I like to refer to those people as Sand-Baggers. Keep on dreaming.
” Of course there are those who think they know it all and somehow they have more insight”
My irony meter just exploded.
You sure it wasn’t just a premature ejaculation?
It IS possible they already GOT an answer from Seligula but are sworn to secrecy on it so as not to upset the other teams who are bidding on him.
The reason they won’t look at it until the pick is in jeopardy is because doing so guves us an advantage the others don’t have…
So I would be they got a wink and a nod otherwise they wouldn’t keep saying they are in this hunt.
No reason to drive up the price for everyone else if they were worried abut the pick they would just stay out of it altogether..
F U ,,,Boras and Bourne……dont need the guy,,play Den Deckker
Borus and Harvey we do need them.
Borus usually wants his players to go thru FA instead of extended long term deals.
Mets make a good offer (4 years 60 M) to Bourn who they can definitely use, then MLB overturns restriction of losing an amateur first round pick for a one of ten worst teams. Borus just might agree to a long term extension for Harvey.
Maybe even Krod comes back too.
“Borus usually wants his players to go thru FA instead of extended long term deals.”
except when Sandy fans want to pretend that he had no leverage when it came to K-Rod…
Thank God, please sign elsewhere B&B !
Supposed fourth year option, and one year out clause which are both smart.
I think scott boras needs to get a grip of things, he is always trying to get teams to eat money on ball players to make more money for himself, the man is selfish and needs to stop taking advantage of teams for his client. Just be happy what u get, cause alot of these players don’t play like they did before they are making money now. Money changes everything. He also did this to the mets with oliver perez, if everyones remembers perez wasn’t worth the money he got him from the mets, 3 years at 36 million dollars that went down the drain. The mets need bourne sign him to four years at 45 million. That’s good. so if not then boras go fishing you jerk and take what u can get in this economy and state of baseball, get it jerk.
Scot Boras is the biggest piece of hmm, feces on earth. Someone needs to take him out. He’s arguably single-handedly ruining the game of baseball
You act as if the poor defenseless ownership groups are forced to sign the deals with Boras and his clients. Boras’ job is to make you happy? NOT. He works for players. not owners, not fans. If he did a lousy job he wouldn’t have any clients. please tell the world how quickly you would turn down extra money because you felt bad for your comapny’s owner? Details please.
Hi Guys,
There is one thing I don’t understand. Why would Boras agree to a deal with the Mets if we would only honor the contract contingent upon the decision of that then submitted petition? Wouldn’t that tip off the terms to other clubs and work against Bourn should the decision go against us?
I’m just wondering if Sandy already has had “informal” telephone conversations with the Commissioner’s office and already knows what the “official” decision would be should that petition be filled.
Either way, expect Sandy to send Bourn some chocolates after he signs with somebody else.
We’re as serious about signing him as was re-signing Jose was a priority.
Joey, they would not have to tell anyone terms (or that they have actually been nailed down). they would just be asking for a ruling in concept, though of course that would clearly tell other teams a deal was close, so if you want him, offer quick!
and it would not surprise me if they already “knew” what the answer was going to be. This is an old boys network of course.
and I would be shocked if MLB had not already formulated the response. They just aren’t going to tell anyone unless petitioned.
but what they should do, after this year (before this has a chance to come up again) is release the clarification so everyone knows how to plan in case the issue comes up again (and quite possibly it will)
Moot since hearing of a deal or any move that suggests one will immediatly have teams calling Boras to see what it is which he will try to parlay into more money.
So either they have to sign the dewal and take thier chances on the pick or risk making a petition and having someone else step in and try and beat our offer.
Doesn’t matter either way because we are NEVER going to come to terms with him…
…but Jose Reyes didn´t get a call from David Wright or a visit by Alderson & Ricco….
…and of course, last winter, the Mets ownership group was pretty much broke and struggling to fight off a 1 billion $ lawsuit.
The situation is very different financially than a year ago. Which is unfortunate since Jose Reyes probably should have been a Met for life along with David Wright – or at the very least parlayed into a top prospect or two instead of a couple of lottery ticket caliber draft choices.
As for Bourn, he´s probably the best option on the free agent market besides Carlos Gomez and maybe Jacoby Ellsbury over the next 12+ months. So, if you´re not prepared to sign one of those three as a free agent (and Ellsbury will certainly be more expensive than Bourn), you better be ready to trade prospects for a younger CF such as Dexter Fowler, Cameron Maybin or Chris Young jr. if you´re looking for above average defense in CF and some offense going forward.
If a decision by MLB can only happen if a deal is in place, maybe the Mets & Bourn can agree on an alternate deal, say:
Bourn for 4-years, 56 million $ guaranteed if only the 2nd round pick is gone (and an opt–out clause for Bourn after 1 or 2 seasons)
or
Bourn for 3-years, 37.5 million $ guaranteed and a club option 4th year at 12.5 million if the 1st round pick is gone (and an opt-out only after 2 seasons).
Then Boras and the Mets can argue with MLB that the pick should be protected.
Still, the good thing for the Mets is that Bourn isn´t a “must have” but rather would be buying “early” on something that needs to be added for 2014 purposes. So, they can let the market come to them instead of chasing the market (as they might have to do next winter). And for now, it appears that there really is no market for Bourn with the Twins messing up the off-season projections by surprisingly trading both of their young CFers instead of only one, plus neither the Yankees nor Dodgers in need of CF help.
Bourn is a much better option than Gomez, has a better health record than Ellsbury and will be considerably cheaper to sign.