smg58

A couple more relative bargains the Giants, although it's not clear where Aurilia will wind up playing.

I take it Hernandez is a class B free agent? If yes, then sure you offer him arbitration. Two-thirds of year of Mota at $2.4M (assuming he'd get 80% of $3M)? I'm really not sure I trust him, but even set-up guys are starting to get expensive.

I agree. Given the year he had and the state of the market, I'd have assumed it would take at least three years and $27M. It's possible that Durham simply wanted to stay in SF, because I can't imagine that's his market value. It's certainly an offer I'd have tried to beat.

The Mets need to make a fair analysis not only of Pedro's chances, but also Pelfrey's readiniess at some point next year. They could throw the #5 spot up for grabs between Vargas/Bannister/Williams/Soler and hope one of them can hold the spot until either Pedro or Pelfrey can take it. Then it becomes a question of living with a 2-4 of Hernandez/Maine/Perez if you get the right #1. So question #1 is, is the right ace out there at a non-ludicrous price? If the answer to that is yes, then I think we can send Glavine on his way. If not, then I think you take Glavine back and deal for another pitcher who's at least as good.

metsguyinmichigan wrote: Fact: Clem Labine was the first Met to wear No. 41. Opinion: Nobody'd remember his name if he wore a different number. Fact: Jose Reyes raised his OBP by over 50 points this past year, and his SLG by over 100 points.

Elster88 wrote: ="metsguyinmichigan"]Opinon: That means there can be 10,000 fewer people booing Braden Looper when the Cards come to town in 2009 -- if they're still hauling his greasy butt on their roster at that point. This is also a fact. You guys never play right. Now now. We don't know if Looper's butt really is greasy. Well I don't, at any rate.

The Astros also land Woody Williams for 2 years and $12.5M. A great deal if they can get 30+ starts out of him, but that's a huge if. Still looks like a decent deal, giving some hope that pitchers' contracts won't be as obscene as hitters' contracts. Like Soriano, Lee should be fine for the frst half of the deal. It's the rest of it that should have Astros fans worried.

Piazza to Twins (at least that's my prediction)

I've got no problem with slop merchants who get guys out. So does Matthews think Soriano would have come to the Mets at a discount, or does he think he would have been worth outbidding the Cubs to get?

Todd Pratt. That HR against the D-Backs remains a very good memory.

He strikes me as an "in case of emergency, break glass" kind of guy, and we had more than enough emergencies last year to justify having plenty of contingency plans.

Yes. As much as I think the Mets need to move on from Cliff, he's a very easy guy to like, and I wish him good health and good luck wherever he winds up.

Oh. In that case I'll put him in Arizona. Their utility guy is gone, after all.

When you look at the length of the Soriano deal and the depth of minor-league talent the Mets have at the outfield position, it made sense to look short-term. And given the market, Alou is a bargain at that price.

Gwreck wrote: One would think that with the Alou signing, the Mets position player roster is set for 2007. Most likely. I could still see making a move for a righty bat who could play second, but I'm not sure how room would be made. Gwreck wrote: Presumably the only question would be whether Milledge or Johnson will be on the opening day roster (or both, if they go with 11 pitchers). I don't see going with less than 12, or finding enough playing time for both Milledge and Johnson. It will be interesting to see who the Mets decide will get part-time play here and who gets full-time play in AAA.

Huh. I was going to get back to Woodward and then never did. I'd have never thought he was retiring, though.

Well, after the Soriano deal I reiterate my statement that this could be the year to avoid the big long-term deal. I'm really not sure I'd guarantee a second year to Alou, but at this point it's best not to comment further without some official confirmation.

It's an interesting call, but not necessarily a bad one. If the market turns out to be even more player-friendly than 2000, there are reasons not to be the team that makes the big long-term deal. A one year deal for Alou is a safer option than a long-term deal with Lee, for example, and AB for AB Alou will likely be a better hitter next year than Lee. It would also allow the Mets the luxury of giving Milledge another year of seasoning without blocking him indefinitely. So it would be a short-term upgrade with mimimal long-term risk.

Only one exceptional year, but always a useful guy with a solid glove. Spent most of his career with the Giants, but I'm guessing that Red Sox Fans will remember him the most fondly.

He does have some pop, at least. Otherwise, I don't see much to recommend him. I wonder if that finishes the work on the infield, or simply gives them insurance if they can't get anybody else.

after consulting the dartboard: 1. Barry Bonds (SFG), OF Oakland 2. Roger Clemens (HOU), P Houston, eventually 3. Ray Durham (SFG), 2B back to the Giants 4. JD Drew (LAD), OF Boston 5. Cliff Floyd (NYM), OF Minnesota 6. Nomar Garciaparra (LAD), 1B Dodgers 7. Tom Glavine (NYM), P Mets 8. Carlos Lee (TEX), OF Baltimore 9. Greg Maddux (LAD), P Dodgers 10. Gary Matthews Jr. (TEX), OF White Sox 11. Juan Pierre (CHC), OF Rangers 12. Jason Schmidt (SFG), P Mariners 13. Barry Zito (OAK), P Mets 14. Mark Loretta (BOS), 2B Cubs 15. Trot Nixon (BOS), OF Pirates 16. Sean Casey (DET), 1B Tigers, I guess 17. Shannon Stewart (MIN), OF Twins 18. Craig Wilson (MFY), IF Reds 19. Steve Trachsel (NYM), P Cardinals 20. Jay Payton (OAK), OF Rockies 21. Gil Meche (SEA), P Padres 22. Vincente Padilla (TEX), P Yankees 23. Ted Lilly (TOR), P Cardinals 24. Alfonzo Soriano (WAS), OF divided into 30 equal parts at $1M per team per year, I mean the Royals, no that won't work I'll say the Cubs 25. Jose Guillen (WAS), OF Phillies 26. Eddie Guardado (CIN), P Royals 27. Julio Lugo (LAD), IF Reds 28. Octavio Dotel (NYY) Yankees 29. Moises Alou, OF (SFG) Nationals 30. Chris Woodward, IF (NYM) 31. Randy Wolf, P (PHL) Cardinals 32. Dave Roberts, OF (SD) Padres 33. Woody Williams, P (SD) Phillies 34. Jason Marquis, P (STL) Padres 35. Jeff Suppan, P (STL) Cardinals

I was assuming Thomas had too good a year for Beane to just let him walk. You can't say the Jays aren't trying. Which makes me think they'd want major league value for Wells.

Especially since we just did that with Ring and Bell.I hope all the eager talk in places other than here about dealing Heilman can stop now.

Johnson covers Shawn Green and provides upside. Adkins looks primarily like insurance in case Bradford goes elsewhere. Bell and Ring just weren't going to get a fair opportunity here. And Johnson didn't get much of one in SD. He didn't always get steady AB's and that ballpark kills most people's powers numbers. I wouldn't worry about last year.

I doubt it. If Matsuzaka wasn't already a much more valuable commodity than Drew before yesterday, he certainly is now. Nobody has to tell that to Boras. So speculating that they could sign Matsuzaka for $6M the next two seasons and $15M for the third, that's three years at $27M. With the bid, that's three years at $78M. Speculating again that he's worth about $15M per, the Sox would need to get over $30M from Japan over that time for this to be worth their while. Does that sound possible? This will be fun to see pan out. From a safe distance.