Closing in on a closer

[Frayed Knot]

="DocTee"] ]Not on the radar at all, it seems: Kerry Wood. I'm disappointed by the Mets' apparent lack of interest in any other than Fuentes or K-Rod. My preference is for Wood, or Arizona's Brandon Lyon (who'd come much, much cheaper than any of the aforementioned).

An article in today's NYTimes suggests just the opposite. Citing the always popular "people in baseball with knowledge of their stategy" they say that the Mets are persuing any and all options to fill their spot - or spots - in the pen.

Specifically they mention not only the already held discussions with agents for Rodriguez & Fuentes but also those with other teams concerning Putz, Valverde, Street, and Jenks, as well as "evaluating" the situations with Wood & Hoffman (sounds like more as a fallback).
Lyons isn't mentioned although I have no idea about his availability.

[MFS62]

On ESPN2 during the BC-Maryland game the tickert just said:

"Mets believe they can sign free agent P Francisco Rodriguez to a 3-year deal because there are no other takers, ESPN's Peter Gammons reports"

No link.

Two comments:
1) It was Gammons
2) Don't count your chickens, etc. etc.

Later

[Benjamin Grimm]

As of now, my hunch is that the Mets will end up signing Rodriguez to a four-year deal.

[Guest Kong76]

I agree. Or three years at really sick money per year.

[Gwreck]

Some thoughts on this today from Buster Olney's blog at ESPN:

]� The Mets' front office believes, rightly, that it is in the driver's seat in the closers market, and part of their internal discussion has been about making offers to some relievers while informing them that the first one to jump at their proposal will be signed, and the others will be out of luck. The reason why this could be such an effective strategy for the Mets is they are the only team that appears willing to spend relatively big money on a multi-year deal for a closer. For example: It is not known exactly what the Mets intend to offer to the top-flight closers, but let's say they proposed a three-year, $36 million deal to Francisco Rodriguez; a three-year, $30 million offer to Brian Fuentes; and a two-year, $18 million offer to Kerry Wood. And then they could tell all three that the first to bite gets the contract. The Cardinals, Brewers, Indians and other teams are looking for closers, but probably won't spend at the same level as the Mets. The Indians, in fact, are willing to let the market play out, and at some point, some closer will be available at a good price, whether it be one of the free agents (like Trevor Hoffman) or perhaps a trade for J.J. Putz or Huston Street.

[Benjamin Grimm]

What do we think of the speculation that the Mets could get Street from the Rockies for Heilman?

If I'm Omar, I'd do that in a heartbeat. (I don't know if Street would be the answer for the ninth inning, but he'd be an upgrade for the eighth inning.)

I just don't see the reason why the Rockies would do this, other than the idea that some teams see Heilman as a more viable starter than the Mets do.

[smg58]

Heilman won't be enough, but apparently the Rockies would bite if we threw in Feliciano. That still seems like a good offer to me, but I don't see the harm in waiting for a bit and seeing what our other options are.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Can we pronounce it Howston Street?

Edited December 5, 2008 by Guest

[Benjamin Grimm]

="Edgy DC"]Can we pronounce it Howston Street?

If he comes to New York, I intend to do just that.

[Centerfield]

="smg58":2djctsow]Heilman won't be enough, but apparently the Rockies would bite if we threw in Feliciano. That still seems like a good offer to me, but I don't see the harm in waiting for a bit and seeing what our other options are.[/quote:2djctsow] Just let us know when the deal is done. Nymr and I are in the car waiting to drive them to Colorado.

Benjamin Grimm Dec 05 2008 01:33 PM

I don't want to drive to Denver, but I'll chip in for gas money for you guys.

Frayed Knot Dec 06 2008 06:42 AM

Read something in the last day or two (I forget where at this point) that Omar may try the 'first-come/first-served' approach with the group of FA closers. IOW, put out more or less simultaneous (though not identical) offers to Rodriguez, Fuentes & Wood and inform tham all that the first one to accept gets the job while those who snooze, lose. So maybe KRod gets offered 3x$14, Fuentes 2x12, and Wood 1+option in an attempt to snag a closer on what the Mets consider reasonable terms. Now this is a similar tact he tried with FA catchers Ramon Hernandez and (Benjy Molina?) a few years back although neither bit. That, in turn, caused Omar to trade for LoDuca instead. So maybe the trade route involving the Putz/Street/Valverde crowd is on the back burner in case the FA gambit falls through.

Gwreck Dec 06 2008 03:14 PM

="Frayed Knot":3fkccx50]Read something in the last day or two (I forget where at this point) that Omar may try the 'first-come/first-served' approach with the group of FA closers.[/quote:3fkccx50] About 7 posts up in this thread? (It was Buster Olney at ESPN.com). Benjamin Grimm Dec 08 2008 07:46 AM According to numerous sources, Omar met with Francisco Rodriguez yesterday, and expects to come home from the winter meetings with a deal closed for a closer. Me, I'd be surprised if he got it all done in the next few days, but he might very well lay the groundwork for an announcement some time next week. I'm still expecting it will be Rodriguez. metirish Dec 08 2008 08:00 AM It should be noted that Jeff Wilpon went with Minaya and his crew(Bernazard , Ricco etc) to the meetings , took Wilpon's jet there in fact. Benjamin Grimm Dec 08 2008 08:10 AM That's not cool. They should have driven there in a hybrid vehicle. Edgy DC Dec 08 2008 08:32 AM A golf cart with a Mets hat. G-Fafif Dec 08 2008 03:20 PM Three years reportedly[/url:10qpkdcm] on the table for K-Rod from Mets, though he's not considered likely to jump at it. attgig Dec 08 2008 04:21 PM on a totally different train.... and probably more smokescreen than anything else (a la hoffman), but how about smoltz? he's coming back from injury, yeah. he's old. yeah but, we know he can close.

[Benjamin Grimm]

I don't want to drive to Denver, but I'll chip in for gas money for you guys.

[Frayed Knot]

Read something in the last day or two (I forget where at this point) that Omar may try the 'first-come/first-served' approach with the group of FA closers.

IOW, put out more or less simultaneous (though not identical) offers to Rodriguez, Fuentes & Wood and inform tham all that the first one to accept gets the job while those who snooze, lose.
So maybe KRod gets offered 3x$14, Fuentes 2x12, and Wood 1+option in an attempt to snag a closer on what the Mets consider reasonable terms.

Now this is a similar tact he tried with FA catchers Ramon Hernandez and (Benjy Molina?) a few years back although neither bit. That, in turn, caused Omar to trade for LoDuca instead. So maybe the trade route involving the Putz/Street/Valverde crowd is on the back burner in case the FA gambit falls through.

[Gwreck]

="Frayed Knot":3fkccx50]Read something in the last day or two (I forget where at this point) that Omar may try the 'first-come/first-served' approach with the group of FA closers.[/quote:3fkccx50] About 7 posts up in this thread? (It was Buster Olney at ESPN.com).

Benjamin Grimm Dec 08 2008 07:46 AM

According to numerous sources, Omar met with Francisco Rodriguez yesterday, and expects to come home from the winter meetings with a deal closed for a closer. Me, I'd be surprised if he got it all done in the next few days, but he might very well lay the groundwork for an announcement some time next week. I'm still expecting it will be Rodriguez.

metirish Dec 08 2008 08:00 AM

It should be noted that Jeff Wilpon went with Minaya and his crew(Bernazard , Ricco etc) to the meetings , took Wilpon's jet there in fact.

Benjamin Grimm Dec 08 2008 08:10 AM

That's not cool. They should have driven there in a hybrid vehicle.

Edgy DC Dec 08 2008 08:32 AM

A golf cart with a Mets hat.

G-Fafif Dec 08 2008 03:20 PM

Three years reportedly[/url:10qpkdcm] on the table for K-Rod from Mets, though he's not considered likely to jump at it.

attgig Dec 08 2008 04:21 PM

on a totally different train.... and probably more smokescreen than anything else (a la hoffman), but how about smoltz? he's coming back from injury, yeah. he's old. yeah but, we know he can close.

[Benjamin Grimm]

According to numerous sources, Omar met with Francisco Rodriguez yesterday, and expects to come home from the winter meetings with a deal closed for a closer.

Me, I'd be surprised if he got it all done in the next few days, but he might very well lay the groundwork for an announcement some time next week.

I'm still expecting it will be Rodriguez.

[metirish]

It should be noted that Jeff Wilpon went with Minaya and his crew(Bernazard , Ricco etc) to the meetings , took Wilpon's jet there in fact.

[Benjamin Grimm]

That's not cool. They should have driven there in a hybrid vehicle.

[Guest Edgy DC]

A golf cart with a Mets hat.

[G-Fafif]

Three years reportedly[/url:10qpkdcm] on the table for K-Rod from Mets, though he's not considered likely to jump at it.

[Guest attgig]

on a totally different train.... and probably more smokescreen than anything else (a la hoffman), but how about smoltz?

he's coming back from injury, yeah. he's old. yeah
but, we know he can close.