Brian Fuentes

[Benjamin Grimm]

The Mets have reportedly made contact with Fuentes' agent, Rick Thurman.

From Adam Rubin in the Daily News:

]Thurman acknowledged his Beverly Hills Sports Council, which represents Fuentes, has a meeting scheduled with the Mets during the GM meetings, which opened Monday at the St. Regis Monarch Beach resort, the site of the infamous AIG convention that drew Congress' ire after the bailout package was passed. "New York is on our radar," Thurman said. "I think New York would be a great place for him. He thrives on the pressure."

From the same article, there's this, which isn't very encouraging:

]Mets VP Tony Bernazard said if the Mets strike out through free agency or trade, they're prepared to potentially use Bobby Parnell or Eddie Kunz in the closing role. "Why not? What's wrong with that?" Bernazard asked. "You can't sign one of those guys, what are you going to do - not play?"

In other words, if we can't get anyone good, we may have to just settle for sucking. What else can we do?

[metirish]

From the same article.

] "If you can't find the pitching, you have to find more offense,"

Tony Bernazard.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

This is just the beginning of the dance between club and agent/player.

If we're to take Bernazard at his word here, we might be in for a bumpy ride but I'd really admire their bravery. And I'd be happy if they'd sink those closer $$ toward a few bats: What's truly discouraging in that article is the part about bringing the whole O back with the exception of Easley for another backup SS. That, and also Raul Ibanez since you can never have enough lefty hitting outfielders.

The Mets love them lefty closers, don't they?

[seawolf17]

RHP: Smith/Parnell/Heilman/Kunz
LHP: Schoeneweis/Feliciano/Fuentes

That's not bad. You'd have to find something to do with Duaner Sanchez, and Brian Stokes could/should be a factor as well.

[HahnSolo]

I have to say, I'm not overjoyed with bringing in Fuentes. Then again, I don't have any better alternatives in mind.

[metirish]

Here is the article for completions sake.

] The Mets might make a pitch for former Colorado Rockies closer Brian Fuentes. DANA POINT, Calif. - Francisco Rodriguez may be the new single-season record holder after posting 62 saves with the Angels. But the better free-agent value among closers is Brian Fuentes, according to agent Rick Thurman. Thurman acknowledged his Beverly Hills Sports Council, which represents Fuentes, has a meeting scheduled with the Mets during the GM meetings, which opened Monday at the St. Regis Monarch Beach resort, the site of the infamous AIG convention that drew Congress' ire after the bailout package was passed. "New York is on our radar," Thurman said. "I think New York would be a great place for him. He thrives on the pressure." With Billy Wagner likely lost for the entire 2009 season following Tommy John surgery, the Mets need to find a new closer. Rodriguez's likely contract demands appear too exorbitant for the Mets, though that won't stop team officials from flirting with his agent here. Fuentes' asking price actually may drift too high as well. In fact, Mets VP Tony Bernazard said if the Mets strike out through free agency or trade, they're prepared to potentially use Bobby Parnell or Eddie Kunz in the closing role. "Why not? What's wrong with that?" Bernazard asked. "You can't sign one of those guys, what are you going to do - not play?" Bernazard acknowledged the Mets' "No. 1 priority" is pitching. He suggested, however, that if the Mets can't address it to their satisfaction, they could opt to add an extra run producer - with Raul Ibanez among the projected targets in that case. Ibanez would further tip the Mets to the left side of the plate, but he hits southpaws well. "If you can't find the pitching, you have to find more offense," Bernazard said. Mets officials concede that it's entirely possible their '08 starting lineup will return intact. Omar Minaya, while acknowledging no one is untouchable, all but declared Carlos Delgado his first baseman rather than trade bait. "Delgado will be our first baseman," the GM said. That also means Luis Castillo likely remaining at second base and a potential left-field platoon of Daniel Murphy and Fernando Tatis. Murphy is now playing second base in Arizona, but Minaya reiterated he'll play outfield this winter in Puerto Rico and will come to spring training competing for the left field job. With Tatis re-signed, Nick Evans may be ticketed for Triple-A Buffalo to open 2009, where he'd play both first base and outfield. The Mets already have Marlon Anderson, Ramon Castro, Chavez and Tatis under their control for next season, so it's likely the popular Damion Easley has played his final game as a Met. Despite appreciating Easley's contribution, the Mets need a bona fide backup shortstop for their final bench spot as well as someone less susceptible to injury. As for Fuentes, who went 1-5 with a 2.73 ERA and 30 saves in 34 chances in '08, it's expected the lefthander will seek a deal in the four-year, $46 million range that Francisco Cordero signed with the Reds last winter. Mets officials also are expected to look into trades for closers such as Oakland's Huston Street and Seattle's J.J. Putz.

I know nothing about Putz.....a headline writers dream name though.

[Benjamin Grimm]

A bullpen with Putz and Kunz would be interesting.

[Frayed Knot]

The Rox have also said that they will NOT continue to persue Fuentes.

I wonder if that means that they also won't offer him arbitration?

[smg58]

It means they won't offer him a long-term deal. He's somebody who will almost certainly get signed to a nice contract even if there's compensation involved (I assume he's Type A?), and I doubt they'd panic over bringing him back for a year if it came to it.

Stokes is far more likely than Parnell or Kunz to contribute positively at the major league level next year.

Fuentes isn't bad, but I'd like to see what the trade market holds before I'd support handing out another big contract to a pretty good closer (or, in the case of K-Rod, an enormous contract to a very good closer) while we still have multiple needs to fill.

[Benjamin Grimm]

I'd rather see them sign free agents, I think.

I'm not sure how many trade chips the Mets have that I'd be willing to see go.

Of course, guys like Castillo, Heilman, Feliciano, and Anderson could be traded, but I don't see them bringing back much.

Murphy and F. Martinez are good chips, but I'd prefer to hang on to them. Especially Murphy.

They shouldn't trade Pelfrey or Maine. Or Wright, Reyes, or Beltran.

They say they plan to keep Delgado, but that may change.

Otherwise, who else is there with some value whose departure wouldn't create a new need? Evans? He won't bring back much.