Let’s start off with this quote where he states that the Mets went-a-knockin’ and nobody was home…

While they have tried to engage the Marlins about Dontrelle Willis, the Astros about Roy Oswalt and the Brewers about Ben Sheets, they have been told that those pitchers are not available.

He also confirms what is being widely reported…

On the free-agent pitching front, the Mets have expressed interest in right-hander Livan Hernandez, who is drawing interest from the Phillies now that Philadelphia lost top target Randy Wolf to the Padres. The Mets also are exploring the possibility of signing right-hander Bartolo Colon, who is coming off an injury-plagued two seasons in Anaheim.

What I found most interesting was an interesting quote from Andy MacPhail…

"Omar and I have spoken, but we have not met," Orioles president Andy MacPhail said. "I’m sure we’ll get together before we leave Nashville."

You would think that if the rumors that were flying around about Erik Bedard last night were true, that Omar and MacPhail would have already had some sort of meeting?

I wrote this yesterday in response to a post on metsblog about the whole Bedard rumor…

Sweeny Murti has no idea of what he’s talking about. He did like 5-6 interviews on WFAN throughout the day starting with Joe Boningo and continuing through MATMD. Each time he was being pressed for hot rumors. If there was ANY truth to his report that the Mets were close to getting Erik Bedard, it would have been widespread and at least verified by even one legitimate sports news site like ESPN, FOX, etc.

This is the time of year that rumors and speculation are dished out like turkey on Thanksgiving. Every little murmur is magnified and then it spreads like wildfire in the blogosphere as it morphs into a larger than life story that never had any truth as it’s basis to begin with.

This entire Bedard rumor was weak and had no legs and was ignited more because of wishful thinking than anything else in my opinion..

The post Knock, Knock… Can Ben Sheets, Dontrelle Willis and Roy Oswalt Come Out And Play? No, Go Home! appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

With the Toronto Blue Jays looking at the possibility of losing starting pitcher A.J. Burnett to an opt-out clause in his contract next winter, general manager J.P. Ricciardi told ESPN.com that the team is willing to entertain trade proposals from interested clubs this offseason.

Burnett, 30, signed a five-year, $55 million contract with Toronto as a free agent in December 2005, but the deal included an opt-out clause after the third year. He’s scheduled to earn $12 million in each of the 2008, 2009 and 2010 seasons.

Burnett is the latest player whose long-term status with a club could be affected by an opt-out provision. Last year J.D. Drew left in the middle of a multi-year deal with the Dodgers and parlayed it into a five-year, $70 million contract with Boston. During the final game of the World Series, Alex Rodriguez informed the New York Yankees that he would be exercising his opt-out clause and declaring free agency.

Obviously Burnett does not come without risks. He has dealt with his share of injuries throughout his career. With the lack of quality pitching in the years free agent market, many teams are jumping on the opportunity to move a starter to fill some holes. Burnett joins Johan Santana, Jon garland, Dontrelle Willis, Joe Blanton, Rich Harden, Tim Lincecum and even Scott Kazmir as pitchers who can be had if the price is right.

The problem for the Mets is not the availability of quality arms. Their problem is whether or not they can convince other GM’s to ignore Pelfrey’s performance in 2007 and the fact that Humber lost 5 MPH off his fastball since the Tommy John surgey. The fact is that nobody is as high on the Mets prospects, than the Mets are. Last off season the Mets phone was ringing off the hook. This off season nobody’s calling.

The Mets can still make a deal for a top of the rotation guy, but don’t think for one minute that it will be easy. I trust Omar will do whatever it take to make sure the mets get what they need in the end.

The post A.J. Burnett Joins Scott Kazmir and Dontrelle Willis As Newly Available Pitchers appeared first on Metsmerized Online.