Freddy got fingered...

[Fman99]

... as someone who might sign a minor league deal and be available later this summer as rotation insurance.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/baseball/mlb/02/20/garcia.mets/index.html?eref=si_topstories

Works for me.

[seawolf17]

I didn't realize he was still out there. I'd take a flyer on him.

[metirish]

Definitly would be pleased to see him sign, he's young, won 17 games in 06. Worth a look

[TransMonk]

I've always liked Freddy. He could be a needed addition down the stretch.

[Guest mario25]

I would sign him as insurance for later this year and 2009

[Fman99]

Some stories came out later yesterday that indicated that Omar isn't looking at him and that Garcia was stopping by the park to say hello to some of his friends on the team.

They should consider him though. He's put some good numbers up in the not so distant past and as we saw the last few years there always seems to be a time where the Mets are dipping into the AAA rotation for spot starts (Park, Vargas, Lima, etc.)

[smg58]

mario25 wrote: I would sign him as insurance for later this year and 2009

Right. Maybe this year at something close to the minimum, plus a team option for next year at something like $4M or a $1M buyout. Risk a little bit up front in the hope that you get a bargain if he's 100% by next year, while possibly getting something from him by the end of this year too.

Edited February 21, 2008 by Guest

[Guest attgig]

anyone else think that there's still so much quality FA's out there? Some may be risks, yes, but there's so many guys out there that could have a good to great year that aren't getting signed. I wodner why.

[Frayed Knot]

At least some of the remaining guys available (Kyle Lohse, Jeff Weaver) are simply asking for more money than anyone is willing to pay them by most reports.

I suspect both will get jobs ... but will have to come off their demands for price and/or years.

[Valadius]

] Freddy Garcia visits Mets camp, team not interested Thursday, Feb 21, 2008 7:18 am EST Freddy Garcia caused a stir by visiting the New York Mets ' camp Wednesday, but the team isn't interested in the free-agent pitcher according to the New York Post. A team source said the surprise visit was an attempt by Garcia's agents to drum up interest because the ex-Phillies starter drew so little during the offseason. Mets GM Omar Minaya confirmed that he spoke with Garcia but said the right-hander was more interested in saying hello to friends Johan Santana and Pedro Martinez. "We're not interested, and we wouldn't have any room [in the rotation], anyway," the source said. Source: New York Post

[smg58]

Teams are getting smarter about paying through the roof for veteran mediocrity, for one thing. But there are teams with needs and guys out there who can fill them, so it's not that simple. For example, there are a lot of teams that could use a CF for a year (the Marlins, Reds, and Twins off the top of my head, plus does anybody really think that Melky Cabrera is that good?), so I'm guessing Corey Patterson is still holding out for a multi-year deal and people must really have doubts about Kenny Lofton's defense. There must be SOMEBODY out there who could benefit from Mike Piazza or Shannon Stewart, right? Sammy Sosa has tons of baggage, but he's a rightfielder who still mashes left-handed pitching. And then there's Barry Bonds...

[Benjamin Grimm]

I would guess that the next team to have a catcher get injured (unless they have a lot of depth at the position) will give Piazza a call.

If Castro or Schneider were to break his leg, I'd think the Mets would consider Piazza.

[Guest AG/DC]

How about Todd Greene? Why isn't he signed?

[seawolf17]

Mostly because backup catchers who suck are a dime a dozen.