01-04-2005, 01:51 PM
Big offer to Beltran
Mets brass flies to Puerto Rico to make impressive proposal to free-agent slugger; how will Yanks respond?
BY JON HEYMAN AND BOB HERZOG
STAFF WRITERS
New York Newsday
January 4, 2005
The Mets stormed into the middle of the Carlos Beltran sweepstakes yesterday with a major offer that should make them bona fide contenders for the multi-talented centerfielder.
A high-powered contingent led by owner Fred Wilpon and general manager Omar Minaya hand-delivered an eye-opening offer to Beltran in Puerto Rico and perhaps established themselves as clubhouse leaders in the high-stakes game. Sources familiar with the negotiations indicated the Mets made an offer that exceeded Beltran's asking price of $17 million a year and $119 million in total.
While the Mets threaten to steal the entire offseason after locking up Pedro Martinez a month earlier, the game isn't over yet. The Astros, Cubs, Tigers and Yankees have shown considerable interest in the five-tool player. While several teams bid in the $90-million range previously, the Mets have set themselves apart - at least for the moment.
Newsday reported last week that agent Scott Boras set $119 million -- $17 million a year for seven years -- as the opening bid for the serious players.
Boras met with a Mets contingent in New York early yesterday to gauge the Mets' interest, and after hearing of their intentions, accompanied them to Puerto Rico for a face-to-to-face meeting with Beltran. The Mets' group also included Jim Duquette and Tony Bernazard. Accompanying Boras was his associate, Mike Fiore.
The Mets are trying to sell Beltran on coming to New York to be the big star in Queens rather than one of many stars on the Yankees' virtual All-Star team. If they can outmaneuver and outbid the Yankees, this could be a landmark offseason for the Mets.
The Yankees have sent mixed signals in recent days. While there is a debate within the Yankees' hierarchy about the wisdom of hitting the asking price, knowledge of the Mets' bid could easily spur George Steinbrenner to act. He is known to be enamored of the idea of carrying on the Yankees' tradition of great centerfielders.
The Yankees have focused most of their offseason attention on pitching and are likely to spend the next two or three days wrapping up a two-year extension for Randy Johnson before turning their attention to Beltran.
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman sent a signal last week that the Yankees might not be as aggressive in their Beltran pursuit as was first believed, but many of the decisions ultimately are made by the owner. Some Yankees people have wondered about the wisdom of spending $119 million on Beltran.
Baseball people have believed all along that Beltran will sign by Saturday because, according to the rules, that is the last day he can re-sign with Houston, but there is nothing beyond that to prevent the negotiations from carrying into subsequent weeks.
While the Cubs have suggested publicly that they'd first have to trade Sammy Sosa before making a serious run at Beltran, they still are pursuing Beltran while Sosa remains on their roster. If Beltran goes to the Mets, it might inhibit Chicago's ability to unload Sosa.
Beltran has told people close to him that he enjoyed his time with Houston, but it's an upset that the Astros have remained in the bidding this long. Owner Drayton McLane has made it a personal battle to retain Beltran, whose huge postseason turned him from a star into a superstar.
Mets brass flies to Puerto Rico to make impressive proposal to free-agent slugger; how will Yanks respond?
BY JON HEYMAN AND BOB HERZOG
STAFF WRITERS
New York Newsday
January 4, 2005
The Mets stormed into the middle of the Carlos Beltran sweepstakes yesterday with a major offer that should make them bona fide contenders for the multi-talented centerfielder.
A high-powered contingent led by owner Fred Wilpon and general manager Omar Minaya hand-delivered an eye-opening offer to Beltran in Puerto Rico and perhaps established themselves as clubhouse leaders in the high-stakes game. Sources familiar with the negotiations indicated the Mets made an offer that exceeded Beltran's asking price of $17 million a year and $119 million in total.
While the Mets threaten to steal the entire offseason after locking up Pedro Martinez a month earlier, the game isn't over yet. The Astros, Cubs, Tigers and Yankees have shown considerable interest in the five-tool player. While several teams bid in the $90-million range previously, the Mets have set themselves apart - at least for the moment.
Newsday reported last week that agent Scott Boras set $119 million -- $17 million a year for seven years -- as the opening bid for the serious players.
Boras met with a Mets contingent in New York early yesterday to gauge the Mets' interest, and after hearing of their intentions, accompanied them to Puerto Rico for a face-to-to-face meeting with Beltran. The Mets' group also included Jim Duquette and Tony Bernazard. Accompanying Boras was his associate, Mike Fiore.
The Mets are trying to sell Beltran on coming to New York to be the big star in Queens rather than one of many stars on the Yankees' virtual All-Star team. If they can outmaneuver and outbid the Yankees, this could be a landmark offseason for the Mets.
The Yankees have sent mixed signals in recent days. While there is a debate within the Yankees' hierarchy about the wisdom of hitting the asking price, knowledge of the Mets' bid could easily spur George Steinbrenner to act. He is known to be enamored of the idea of carrying on the Yankees' tradition of great centerfielders.
The Yankees have focused most of their offseason attention on pitching and are likely to spend the next two or three days wrapping up a two-year extension for Randy Johnson before turning their attention to Beltran.
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman sent a signal last week that the Yankees might not be as aggressive in their Beltran pursuit as was first believed, but many of the decisions ultimately are made by the owner. Some Yankees people have wondered about the wisdom of spending $119 million on Beltran.
Baseball people have believed all along that Beltran will sign by Saturday because, according to the rules, that is the last day he can re-sign with Houston, but there is nothing beyond that to prevent the negotiations from carrying into subsequent weeks.
While the Cubs have suggested publicly that they'd first have to trade Sammy Sosa before making a serious run at Beltran, they still are pursuing Beltran while Sosa remains on their roster. If Beltran goes to the Mets, it might inhibit Chicago's ability to unload Sosa.
Beltran has told people close to him that he enjoyed his time with Houston, but it's an upset that the Astros have remained in the bidding this long. Owner Drayton McLane has made it a personal battle to retain Beltran, whose huge postseason turned him from a star into a superstar.
![[Image: 723475742_8cb2b0be6c.jpg]](http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1019/723475742_8cb2b0be6c.jpg)