Off-season FA news (non-NYM edition)

[Edgy MD]

I figured his absence was noted because reporters were on the trip.

[Edgy MD]

But re-reading, Rubin's story suggests there was some bus-throwing.

http://sports.espn.go.com/new-york/mlb/news/story?id=5547824

Even if it was only aimed at Perez and Castillo, by not explicitly naming them, nobody explcitly absolved Beltran. At least, not at the time.

[A Boy Named Seo]

When teammates bitch about the guys who aren't with them at the hospital, it makes their own gesture to be there seem less altruistic. I never had a prob with Beltran missing because he was at another charitable commitment. That's 2 more commitments than most people bother to make.

Luis' excuse seemed weak, if not sort of honest, and Ollie's response was just stupid, but that Rubin article sure focused on Beltran and the toxicity of him being around, didn't it?

[Ceetar]

you can rightly criticize the Mets for always "kicking players on their way out" but players just as often spit back. Yes, the comments in the New Yorker were stupid. Arguing over how/when to have medical procedures is commonplace. I'm not sure which idiot decided to leak that Beltran did it "without" the Mets consent, which wasn't true, they just wanted to sit down with the Mets doctors again, whereas Boras and Beltran decided the phone call to tell them, I agree with this second opinion, I'm going for it, was enough.

And the Walter Reed thing was a prime example of why I feel the way I do about most of the media guys.

but blah blah blah. "My previous employers didn't value you me the way I wanted, but I know YOU will" is new-employee fluff in every field.

also, "Always wanted to play for the Yankees" is code for "Knew they'd give me a ton of money" or "cheap HRs really pad my HOF credentials"

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

That whole Walter Reed shit stunk. Don't blame the media: Rubin describes an incensed participant demanding that he confront Beltran on it. Who could that have been? Jeff Wilpon is no commenting. Wright is being diplomatically unapproving but we understand how he aims to please. I find it hard to believe that Rod Barajas and Mike Pelfrey are throwing those guys under the bus.

[G-Fafif]

Shin-Soo Choo: a very rich Ranger today.

[G-Fafif]

7 years, $130 million, no regrets ever from Texas, hoss.

[Zvon]

G-Fafif wrote: 7 years, $130 million, no regrets ever from Texas, hoss.

Damn.

[bmfc1]

Beltran needs to STFU. Yes, the Walter Reed incident was wrong but that was years ago. If he's so classy, he didn't need to mention it despite the prodding of the idiots in the main stream media ("that's water under the bridge, I'm just happy to be a [MFY]". He made millions from the Mets and that should have been enough to smile and say "I'm happy to be back in New York." I hope he hits .210 and is booed by the MFY mob by May.

[Edgy MD]

Dickey and Wright do come off as Gary Carterish, don't they?

[Zvon]

bmfc1 wrote: Beltran needs to STFU. Yes, the Walter Reed incident was wrong but that was years ago. If he's so classy, he didn't need to mention it despite the prodding of the idiots in the main stream media ("that's water under the bridge, I'm just happy to be a [MFY]". He made millions from the Mets and that should have been enough to smile and say "I'm happy to be back in New York." I hope he hits .210 and is booed by the MFY mob by May.

If the Mets didn't open their big mouths and put stuff out there that does not need to be put out there, we wouldn't even be talking about this. I actually think more highly of Beltran for slappin' back.

[bmfc1]

I see your point Zvon but the Beltran information was from years ago. It's not like he just walked out the door (as with Turner).

[Edgy MD]

Whoever it was, it only takes one guy talking out of school, and then it's "the Mets." That's unfair and illogical, but that's how it is.

Still seems silly that Beltran thinks of it as a deal. Mets made a point to support his school, I believe financially as well as promotionally. A new-to-the-job Alderson flew down to Puerto Rico to attend a big gala and throw the Mets support for the project.

[Zvon]

bmfc1 wrote: I see your point Zvon but the Beltran information was from years ago. It's not like he just walked out the door (as with Turner).

He just walked back in as far as the press is concerned. This was bound to come up. He could have avoided a confrontational stance. He usually does. I like that he didn't. The Mets owners have been building a glass house for some time now. They should never throw stones.

Maybe it is this recent business with Turner that has me all cranky at the team as far as this goes. It was just so unnecessary.

[bmfc1]

Agreed, and it seems that Sandy does too:
http://www.faithandfearinflushing.com/2013/12/20/the-value-of-saying-little/

[Ceetar]

wait, Turner said something? I missed that one.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Pass the douchey to the left-hand coast: Chris Perez is moving to the Doyers on a one-year handshake-type-thing.

[Frayed Knot]

Grady Sizemore has finally re-surfaced, the Red Sox are the ones taking a shot with a one-year deal worth 750K + incentives that could bring it as high as $6mil
Sizemore, 31, didn't play at all in 2012 or 2013 and prior to that averaged just 70 games/year with Cleveland in the 2009 thru 2011 seasons because of a slew of injuries which included both knee and back problems plus seven surgeries since 2009.

[Ceetar]

Grant Balfour signs with Rays despite a supposed Mets offer that may have been equal to or greater than the Rays offer.

Of course, no guarantee he closes here, home's in Florida, no income tax there, Rays are as currently constructed a better team.

[Frayed Knot]

Matt Garza takes 4x$13 to move to Milwaukee - as the remainder of the pitching pieces start to move now that Tanaka is off the market

[Vic Sage]

Endy Chavez goes back to Seattle on a minor-league deal with a ST invite.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Ceetar wrote: Grant Balfour signs with Rays despite a supposed Mets offer that may have been equal to or greater than the Rays offer. Of course, no guarantee he closes here, home's in Florida, no income tax there, Rays are as currently constructed a better team.

I think it's interesting that the Mets were on this guy. If they were, who'd be their Plan B?

[TransMonk]

Frank Francisco.

[Frayed Knot]

TransMonk wrote: Frank Francisco.

I believe he's plan Double-Z at the moment and could move down a notch or two lower if either Steve Bedrosian or Kent Tekulve opt to come out of retirement.

[Edgy MD]

I always forget that Tekulve isn't dead. I never conflated him and Quisenberry during their careers. But when one died, my mind somehow buried both.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Ceetar wrote: Grant Balfour signs with Rays despite a supposed Mets offer that may have been equal to or greater than the Rays offer. Of course, no guarantee he closes here, home's in Florida, no income tax there, Rays are as currently constructed a better team. I think it's interesting that the Mets were on this guy. If they were, who'd be their Plan B?

OK, I'll try and answer my own question and continue to be intrigued with the notion of the Mets considering spending some $$ on a bullpen guy.

Joel Hanrahan? Coming off injury but good enough to get a closer nod ahead of Uehara in Boston and price himself out of Pittsburgh.
Fernando Rodney? Out of a job with Tampa. Wears hat with brim straight, offset. Evidently in talks with Baltimore.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Hanrahan-- at a low ebb, recovering from forearm issues, proven ability to get lefties and righties out-- on a cheapo deal. I would not bid against another team on a "closer" on an upswing.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr wrote: Hanrahan-- at a low ebb, recovering from forearm issues, proven ability to get lefties and righties out-- on a cheapo deal. (With the added bonus of lots of Slap Shot-related jokes about his wife, should the thing not work out.) I would not bid against another team on a "closer" on an upswing.

[Edgy MD]

He pronounces it "Jo-EL," right? Like he's half Biblical prophet and half Krypton survivor?

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

I think you're thinking of Pineiro.