Off-season FA news (non-NYM edition)

[Edgy MD]

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: 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.

Bam! Reports pouring out placing the Mets in talks with Fernando Rodney.

[smg58]

I'd love to know what Rodney did differently in 2012 that made that season light years better than anything else he's ever done. You take away that season and he's... OK. Maybe not even that.

[Edgy MD]

Rodney's like a throwback embodiment of adrenaline-doofus relievers everywhere:

Stupid-hat style? Check!
Trademark save celebration? Check!
Sometimes goofy facial hair? Check!
Sometimes carrying a little extra at the beltline? Check!
Claims to be a better pitcher in save situations? CHECK!!

All he's missing is cliche metal entrance music and a necklace of teeth. What kind of rap sheet does he have? Neck tatts?

[Edgy MD]

A Parnell-insurance reliever that can slide to a supporting role if all works out with BP is a great idea, but it's interesting that they felt strongly enough about it that they didn't just bring back LaTroy Hawkins, but wanted someone a little closer to his prime, and were willing to go two years and real money for such a beast.

Got to think Jeurys Familia has started his last game, and they're looking to make a bullpen staple out of him.

[Benjamin Grimm]

He was also a signer of the Declaration of Independence, if I remember my American History/baseball trivia correctly.

[Lefty Specialist]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: He was also a signer of the Declaration of Independence, if I remember my American History/baseball trivia correctly.

That's his brother Caesar, only a quarter of the pitcher he is.

[MFS62]

Lefty Specialist wrote: Benjamin Grimm wrote: He was also a signer of the Declaration of Independence, if I remember my American History/baseball trivia correctly. That's his brother Caesar, only a quarter of the pitcher he is.

There's an error in that coin. He had scars on the left side of his face, and only permitted portraits of himself showing his right side. The person who engraved the design for the coin, 200 years later, did not know that.

Later

[ashie62]

Twitterverse says the Mets are looking at Rodney mainly to see if his price has come down.

Puma says Parnell looks "great' throwing at the complex...

[smg58]

I do think they can use another quality reliever. I'm still a bit puzzled that Alderson thought $2M for Hawkins was too steep, especially if they're willing to go much higher for guys who had worse years last year. But we'll see how this plays out.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Hawkins' age was probably a factor.

[Frayed Knot]

Bronson Arroyo inks a deal with Arizona -- 2 years plus an option: $23.5 minimum, $28 max.

Of the "name" FAs at the start of this off-season, I believe that leaves just Nelson Cruz and Stephen Drew* (have we mentioned him before?) still unsigned. Both are 'compensation' FAs, Arroyo was not.




* oh, and AJ Burnett too

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

How would you guys feel about a flier on Cruz at first base? I have no idea if he can actually play there but he might hit enough to try.

[metsmarathon]

i wouldn't mind trying to get aj burnett to fit into our rotation. have we collectively chosen not to talk about that guy?

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

He would come with that "can't hack it in New York" baggage, people would beg him to screw up. OTOH, would not like to see him go to Washington.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: How would you guys feel about a flier on Cruz at first base? I have no idea if he can actually play there but he might hit enough to try.

If we're going to go that route, why not go with a young, cheap version of the same in Los Flowers?

[Ceetar]

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr wrote: John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: How would you guys feel about a flier on Cruz at first base? I have no idea if he can actually play there but he might hit enough to try. If we're going to go that route, why not go with a young, cheap version of the same in Los Flowers?

because the guy's only tool is power and it's Citi Field. I'd bet on Duda, Davis or Satin (And probably Flores too) all outperforming him given equal opportunity and we already have those.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Wait, are you talking about Cruz? (In case it isn't clear, when I say "Los Flowers," I mean, "Flores.")

[smg58]

Cruz has a career OPS+ of 114. So does Duda. Davis is 112. And that's ignoring the elephant in the room when discussing Cruz,

[nymr83]

smg58 wrote: Cruz has a career OPS+ of 114. So does Duda. Davis is 112. And that's ignoring the elephant in the room when discussing Cruz,

More importantly it ignores that Davis is a good defender and Cruz doesnt play the position

[Guest sharpie]

Ex=MFY douchebag AJ Burnett to Phillies for 1 yr/$16 mil.

[Frayed Knot]

sharpie wrote: Ex=MFY douchebag AJ Burnett to Phillies for 1 yr/$16 mil.

Not all that surprising as this had been rumored and comes on the heels of the news that Cole Hamels won't be ready for the beginning of the season due to biceps tendinitis. Claims he'll pitch in April, just not in time for O.D.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Ex=MFY douchebag AJ Burnett to Phillies for 1 yr/$16 mil.

BURNETT: Shit. I guess I better get in shape, then. [unpacks personal grooming tools, beard-growin' hormone]

[Edgy MD]

That's some real cheese.

[metirish]

God Bless America.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

It's gonna be fun to beat AJB this year but I'd just as soon prefer not to have to allatime.

[Frayed Knot]

Nelson Cruz "nearing a deal" with the Orioles.

[Benjamin Grimm]

One year, $8 million. He's one of the free agents who turned down the $14 million qualifying offer.

[Edgy MD]

So, Heyman's report that the Mets offered Drew one year at $9.5 million, which Rubin reported as "ain't happenin'" may be a little bit less not happenin'.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Yeah, it may be more like "ain't happenin' yet".

[metirish]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: One year, $8 million. He's one of the free agents who turned down the $14 million qualifying offer.

much angst on twitter about this deal, it seems the writers can't help but take the Mets to task for spending their $8 million on Young and not Cruz, as if that was so cut and dry several months ago....God they are annoying.