Earlier today Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post wrote that there is pressure on Omar Minaya after the Mets missed on Roy Halladay and John Lackey. The Mets have yet to make a significant move this offseason and Minaya spoke about the Mets plans. Minaya said that so far “the timing of the deals have not been there.” He also confirmed that the Mets did make a trade offer for Halladay.
Jeff Francoeur added that the offseason is not over and that the Mets “need three or four different pieces to make [the Mets] a playoff team.”
Recently the Mets have been linked to Jason Bay, Fernando Rodney, Ryota Igarashi, Matt Capps, and Yorvit Torrealba.
Speaking of Ryota Igarashi; the Mets are close to signing Japanese pitcher Ryota Igarashi to a two-year deal, according to David Waldstein of the New York Times. The 30-year-old righty attracted interest from a number of teams, including those buying crazy Boston Red Sox who are willing to offer him $2-3MM in total. But if Igarashi signs with the Mets he’ll have the chance to set up Francisco Rodriguez, now that J.J. Putz has signed with the White Sox.
Igarashi is a “slightly wild power reliever” who will throw 93-96 mph. He recovered from Tommy John surgery to take on a regular workload last season.
Also, the Blue Jays signed righty Lance Broadway to a minor league deal, tweets Shi Davidi of the Canadian Press. Broadway had been non-tendered by the Mets on Saturday night. The 26-year-old posted a 5.87 ERA, 5.3 K/9, and 4.4 BB/9 in 30.6 innings for the Mets and White Sox this year, plus 100.6 innings of 6.17 ball at the Triple A level. No update on the length or amount the contract was for.
Newly non-tendered corner infielder Garrett Atkins has offers from “at least three unidentified clubs,” reports ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick. Atkins’ agent, Jeff Blank, told Crasnick his client is open to first or third base. First base would be great for the Mets.
Crasnick speculates on the Orioles, Twins, Mariners, Giants, and Rangers as possible fits for Atkins. (No Mets?) Talking to Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun, Blank admitted he spoke to the Orioles. He said Atkins “is just looking for an opportunity to be a starter.” Mets will give him that opportunity.
What would be an appropriate offer for Atkins – perhaps $3-4MM a year?
The Mets offered a minor league deal to pitcher Kelvim Escobar, reports Efrain Zavarce for Venezuelan newspaper, El Nacional.
The Mets offer to catcher Benji Molina may be ending if the Mets don’t offer him a third year. The rumor is a 2-year, $12MM contract.
Mets have re-signed reliever Elmer Dessens to a one-year, minor-league contract. Under the terms of the split deal, Dessens would earn $700K if makes New York’s 40-man roster, and $90K if he pitches in the minors. He can earn an extra 30K if he makes 20 major league appearances, with an extra $30K then added for every additional 10 appearances.
Dessens, 38, signed with the Mets last February and compiled a 3.31 ERA and 1.04 WHIP in 28 relief outings in 2009. Re-signing in New York prevents Dessens from taking on yet another new address, as the veteran right-hander has pitched for nine teams in his 13-year big league career.
Yorvit Torrealba‘s pending grievance hearing against the Mets will take place Wednesday, writes Jon Heyman of SI.com.
In Jason Bay news: Red Sox told Jeremy Hermida they’d trade him if they re-signed Jason Bay.
In Phillies news: The Phillies have agreed to sign Ross Gload to a two-year deal, according to MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki. He leaves the Marlins behind and joins Ben Francisco, Brian Schneider, Greg Dobbs and Juan Castro on Philly’s bench. The 33-year-old led the league in pinch hits last year and can sub in at first and in left or right. He hit .261/.329/.400, appearing in over 100 games for the third straight season.
Also, the Cliff Lee-Roy Halladay trade is finalized.
In Red Sox news: After just signing John Lackey and former Met, Mike Cameron, the Red Sox now have flexibility to trade Clay Buchholz and Jacoby Ellsbury.
