Billy's elbow ... and surgery!!

[Frayed Knot]

Sure, but it (Wagner's money) is still a major expense which is going to affect how much you can spend elsewhere just as it would in any business. It also brings up the question of whether (the reported) $15mil for FRod is a good idea no matter what the budget says.


In other news, Wagner underwent "successful" surgery yesterday.
Did you ever hear of a case where the doctors come out and say; "Geez we really screwed that one up" ?

[Benjamin Grimm]

I'm thinking more of Fuentes than Rodriguez.

If that "leak" was just a heads up to the fans not to expect Rodriguez, then I have less of a problem with it.

[soupcan]

="duan"]want a conspiracy theory? Mets, knowing that Wagner's either going to explode or be perpetually teetering decide to see if they can force the issue. If he gets through and is ok - wah hey - we got ourselves a primo reliever down the stretch and in the playoffs - he goes down, he's out for a season and we get to cash in the insurance we took out and can spend that on someone else in the off season. Course I've no idea if they've got the contract insured but ya want a conspiracy theory i've given you one.

Today's New York Times...

]INSIDE PITCH ... The Mets� insurance policy does not cover Billy Wagner�s 2009 salary, meaning they are responsible for all $10.5 million. That makes it extraordinarily unlikely that they will pursue a high-priced closer like Francisco Rodr�guez of the Angels. Wagner had reconstructive elbow surgery Wednesday at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan.

[metirish]

Ok so that's confirmed , regardless don't the Mets have a lot of money potentially coming of the books?

Seems to me that it's a yearly gripe about the Mets tightening the purse strings only for them then to turn around and give out some hefty contracts.

[Guest AG/DC]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: I like that they've become a team that will do what it takes to win.

Nothing personal, but I hate that phrase. On one hand, it puts me in mind of John Kennedy, Frank Sinatra, the Chicago machine, and the mafia.

On the other hand, it puts me in mind of aggressive fools who ruin their teams by muscling up with cash and bluster, George Steinbrenner, Al Davis, Dan Snyder, and the early nineties Mets.

They are in a position to grow a team that can contend for ten years or more.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Well, yes. I didn't mean to sound like George Steinbrenner there.

I look more to the Braves of the 1990's as a model. They would contend every year, they'd nurture and promote prospects, and they'd fill in with key veterans when they had a hole to fill.

[soupcan]

metirish wrote: Ok so that's confirmed , regardless don't the Mets have a lot of money potentially coming of the books?

I think 'money coming off the books' is a misconception.

Yes, they won't be paying Pedro, but don't Reyes and Wright get significant raises?

If they are able to trade Castillo you know they'll have eat a lot of that contract.

Ollie's going to cost them big time, they still owe Randolph over $2 million.

Where's the money coming off of?

[metirish]

I must have been thinking about the MFY's , seriously I thought it was more than that.Plus if they keep Manuel he will get a raise , not feeling sorry for Fred and Jeff just yet though.

[Benjamin Grimm]

I think earlier on we were thinking that Delgado's money would be freed up, but that's not looking too likely anymore.

Pedro's salary is going away. I'm not sure they'll be paying Oliver Perez anything at all next year, but if they don't, they'll still have to pay whoever replaces him.

Alou's salary is going away too.

I think that this winter they're going to have to pay a reliever (unless they want to commit to Ayala, which seems a bit risky to me at this point) and a starter.

Fans are going to want Rodriguez and Sabathia, of course, but there are probably other options who will cost less and still help the team.

[duan]

="soupcan"] ="duan"]want a conspiracy theory? Mets, knowing that Wagner's either going to explode or be perpetually teetering decide to see if they can force the issue. If he gets through and is ok - wah hey - we got ourselves a primo reliever down the stretch and in the playoffs - he goes down, he's out for a season and we get to cash in the insurance we took out and can spend that on someone else in the off season. Course I've no idea if they've got the contract insured but ya want a conspiracy theory i've given you one. Today's New York Times... ]INSIDE PITCH ... The Mets� insurance policy does not cover Billy Wagner�s 2009 salary, meaning they are responsible for all $10.5 million. That makes it extraordinarily unlikely that they will pursue a high-priced closer like Francisco Rodr�guez of the Angels. Wagner had reconstructive elbow surgery Wednesday at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan.

well, at least let me confirm that Billy Wagner was the man walking away from the Grassy Knoll.

[Guest AG/DC]

Orlando Hernandez comes off the books. We also have obligations to former players (I think Sosa and Mota) going away.

Delgado is complicated: he gets 16 million if his option vests automatically, 12 million if the Mets pick it up, 4 million if they don't.

[duan]

soupcan wrote: ="metirish"]Ok so that's confirmed , regardless don't the Mets have a lot of money potentially coming of the books? I think 'money coming off the books' is a misconception. Yes, they won't be paying Pedro, but don't Reyes and Wright get significant raises? If they are able to trade Castillo you know they'll have eat a lot of that contract. Ollie's going to cost them big time, they still owe Randolph over $2 million. Where's the money coming off of?

David Wright
07:$1M, 08:$5M, 09:$7.5M, 10:$10M, 11:$14M, 12:$15M,
13:$16M club option ($1M buyout)

Jose Reyes
07:$2.5M, 08:$4M, 09:$5.75M, 10:$9M,
11:$11M club option ($0.5M buyout)

Omar Minaya's two best moves.

[soupcan]

Okay - I'm wrong.

Not the first time, not the last.

[duan]

well in my and your books $1.75 million and $2.5 million are pretty decent raises!!!