Author: Joe D

Mets Payroll Near $100 Million But Likely To Drop Before Opening Day

Adam Rubin of ESPN New York estimates the Mets payroll is currently at around $99.3 million dollars barring any further changes to the roster. With the new league minimum set at $507,500, Rubin assigned that figure to 14 pre-arbitration players while adding in the $62.5 million in guaranteed contracts to David Wright, Curtis Granderson, Bartolo Colon, Michael Cuddyer and Jon Niese. He projects...

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Defense Matters, But Apparently Not That Much

It was interesting to hear Sandy Alderson downplay the importance of defense on Tuesday which seemed to indicate the Mets are moving closer to the realization that Wilmer Flores could very well be the Mets Opening Day shortstop. “We’re going to have to score more runs than the other team, so that’s a combination of pitching and offense,” Alderson said. “We’re mindful of the importance of defense...

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Jon Lester Agrees To $155 Million Pact With Cubs

Free agent Jon Lester has agreed to a $155 million, six-year contract with the Chicago Cubs. The deal contains an option for 2021 that, if it becomes guaranteed, would make the deal worth $170 million over seven seasons. The $25.8 million average annual value of the deal is the second-highest for a pitcher behind Clayton Kershaw ($30.7 million). “It’s not often you get to win the...

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Shortstop Update: Alexei Ramirez, Starlin Castro, Xander Bogaerts Off The Market

Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times confirms what many already suspected that the White Sox are not trading shortstop Alexei Ramirez. White Sox GM Rick Hahn was never very motivated in trading Ramirez unless a team was willing to overpay.  “It’s certainly not something we’re pursuing on our end.” Yesterday, the Cubs informed the Mets that Starlin Castro was not available. The 24-year old...

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Time For Terry Collins To Put Up Or Shutup

So here we are enjoying a somewhat interesting, compelling, and exciting Winter Meetings… We’re all having fun reading and deciphering what seems to be a non-stop stream of Mets news, rumors, and quotes. Then along comes Terry Collins, who decides he’s flying to San Diego to hold a press conference about nothing, who completely douses our enthusiasm with a few well chosen...

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