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| Posted By | Discussion Topic: Mets Offseason Rumor Mill Thread | ||||
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| hammersavage | posted on 10-30-2001 @ 7:03 PM |    | |||
| Psychopath Registered: Oct. 00  | Before we begin: the Mets Online Rumor Mill and all content are for entertainment purposes only. The transactions detailed within are not necessarily indicative of future deals, and should be regarded as such. The content on this page has been obtained from various sources and news outlets. Mets general manager Steve Phillips will look to improve Bobby Valentine's squad for 2002. The New York Mets weren't among baseball's movers and shakers in the winter leading up to the 2001 season, hoping that free-agent signees like Kevin Appier, Steve Trachsel and Tsuyoshi Shinjo would fill the voids left by the departing members of the National League Champions. As we now know all too well, the results were not pretty at all for the first four months of the season, with New York failing to put together any sort of run production and falling 13 1/2 games back in the pennant race at their lowest point, when they were 54-68. The Mets gave it a valiant effort in the waning days of the season, becoming the best team in baseball over a six-week period as they caught fire and scratched nearly to the top of the division, falling just short in the final weeks. Which were the real Mets, the early-season flop or the late-season juggernaut? The answer lies somewhere within the middle; it's hard to believe the club could have been as pitiful as it was, but then again, it's logistically impossible that any squad could maintain .800 ball over a 162-game season. Whatever the answer may be, the Mets know they can ill afford to stand pat this offseason. Here's a glance at what could be on the horizon as general manager Steve Phillips warms up his cell phone: Newest Headlines: Juan Gone patrolling the outfield at Shea?, Mets could be interested in Japanese P Ishii. Moises Alou, outfielder, Houston Astros: Already this winter, Tom Keegan has said in the New York Post that Alou, a free agent, has told at least one Mets veteran that he would be interested in signing with the Mets. At 35 years of age, Alou is a veteran, but is still a productive player and would give the Mets a much-needed power bat in the outfield that is scarcely available this offseason. His numbers for the 2001 season are impressive, totaling with a .331 batting average, 27 home runs and 108 runs batted in despite a late-season stumble in September and October. Alou punishes left-handed pitching, hitting .424 against southpaws in 2001, and hit just as well away from offense-friendly Enron Field as he did at it. Our take: Moises Alou in the Mets' outfield is an interesting scenario, and one that the team would have to at least explore. Alou may be slated for offseason surgery. Armando Benitez, right-handed pitcher, New York Mets: New York is an unforgiving sports town, to be sure. Fans here have long memories, and few are going to forget the two big games Armando Benitez blew in pressure situations against the Atlanta Braves in September of this season, coughing up three and four run leads within the span of one week. Benitez was nearly automatic for much of the season, converting 43 of 46 save opportunities and nailing down 24 in a row over one stretch. Unfortunately, in his Mets tenure, he has done little to disprove the reputation he brought with him from Baltimore as a bully who beats up on the weak teams and melts in big situations. Just ask the Braves, who also got him in Game Six of the 1999 NLCS; J.T. Snow, who slugged a three-run homer off Benitez in the 2000 NLDS; and the Yankees, whom Benitez blew a save against in Game One of the 2000 World Series. Mets GM Steve Phillips has been recently quoted as saying he feels confident with Benitez as his closer, but earlier reports say otherwise. As early as June, the Houston Chronicle quoted Astros GM Gerry Hunsicker as saying that the Mets were openly shopping Benitez to anyone who was interested -- Houston was not. Drawing interest: Troy Percival, Anaheim; Robb Nen, San Francisco; Bob Wickman, Cleveland (free agent). None have especially dominated nor are significant upgrades over Benitez, although some feel that Wickman's ground-ball style would play well with the Mets. Wickman's a pitcher out of the John Franco mold, in that he'll allow a lot of baserunners and try to wriggle out of it. Percival is in a spat with Angels management over a "violation of confidential contract talks" and has demanded a trade. Possible suitors: Kansas City. We've heard that Royals first baseman Mike Sweeney ($5,000,000 salary and a free agent after 2002) loves K.C., but is unhappy with the Royals' lack of commitment to winning after dealing Jermaine Dye and Johnny Damon and could be dealt. Worst case: John Franco, Jerrod Riggan and Grant Roberts as a closer-by-committee. The Mets could use a lefty-righty tandem similar to the old days of Roger McDowell and Jesse Orosco. Barry Bonds, outfielder, San Francisco Giants How could the San Francisco Giants let Barry Bonds walk away after the monster season he has put up in 2001? That's a question the Bay Area could realistically be asking in a month or two as Bonds tests the free-agent market, and should he do that, the Mets would be primed to pounce on the 38-year-old leftfielder. Neither Barry's attitude nor his career numbers at Shea Stadium are particularly good, but with a starting outfield that didn't match the offensive numbers put up by Florida's Cliff Floyd at the All-Star Break, the Mets need a bat any way they can get it. For what it's worth, Andrew Marchand of the New York Post reported earlier this season that Bonds had told family and friends he's not getting the respect he deserves in San Francisco and he'd like to play on a stage with a bigger spotlight; i.e., New York. That was well before Bonds began his serious assault on Mark McGwire's single-season home run record. Prediction: If the Giants can't afford to keep Bonds, watch out for the Yankees to swoop in. Paul O'Neill is retiring after this season and the Yanks would love the added star power, not to mention the fact that the right-field porch at Yankee Stadium would be a dream for the lefthanded hitting Bonds. Jeromy Burnitz, outfielder, Milwaukee Brewers Seeking outfield pop, the Mets nearly pulled off a trade at the deadline that would have sent inconsistent lefthander Glendon Rusch to the Milwaukee Brewers for Jeromy Burnitz. You certainly know what you're getting with Burnitz -- an outfielder who can bash 30-35 home runs a season and plate 100 runs for you, but he's going to strike out over 100 times and won't hit for a good average. Again, recall what we said about the outfield not measuring up to Cliff Floyd, and you'll understand why there's a feeling of desperate need for guys with muscle. There's no reason not to think that the Mets and Brewers could try another combination this winter that would bring Burnitz -- who was run out of town in 1995 as a youngster by then-manager Dallas Green -- back to New York. Suspects: Glendon Rusch, Mets. After coming into the season with high hopes after breaking out with an 11-11 record in 2000, Rusch was a disappointment for the Mets with his inconsistency. The Mets would entertain offers for the soft-tossing southpaw, who will be 27 by Opening Day. Also possible: Jermaine Dye, Oakland A's. Roger Cedeno, outfielder, Detroit Tigers Remember Roger Cedeno? Tutored by future Hall-of-Famer Rickey Henderson, the speedster played a big role in the Mets' 1999 drive to the postseason, hitting .313 stealing a team-high 66 bases. He has been up to his old tricks in Detroit since being dealt by the Mets in the Mike Hampton transaction, but reports indicate that Cedeno is in a New York state of mind. All indications out of the Motor City are that Cedeno will be walking away as a free agent after the 2001 season, rejecting a three-year, $13.5 million contract from the Tigers, and he'd be interested in coming back to patrol the Shea outfield as a free agent signing. Possibly bumped: Benny Agbayani, Jay Payton. Neither of the buddies impressed much this season, effectively losing their starting jobs in August when Bobby Valentine switched to an outfield rotation that regularly included Tsuyoshi Shinjo and Joe McEwing. The inside track says the Mets are just about ready to give up on Payton, having shopped him earlier this year before being sidelined with a hamstring injury in May. Club executives are exasperated with Payton's lack of plate discipline, and feel they can upgrade offensively and defensively over the popular Agbayani. If Valentine had his choice, he'd be likely to keep Benny over Jay. It also wouldn't be a huge surprise to see the Mets move Matt Lawton in an offseason transaction. Juan Gonzalez, outfielder, free agent The Cleveland Indians decided they couldn't afford to keep Juan Gonzalez, despite his monster 35 home run and 140 RBI season in 2001 for the Tribe, and have cut the veteran loose for free agency. Could the Mets bring in the majors' most dangerous mercenary to patrol right field at Shea Stadium? It's unlikely. The Mets have shown interest in the past in Juan Gone, once discussing a deal back in Gonzalez's Texas Rangers days that was rumored to include a package of Edgardo Alfonzo, Bernard Gilkey and Bobby J. Jones. But when Gonzalez was available on the free agent market and was hunting for a $10 million commitment for one season, the Mets balked. Gonzalez is likely to be looking for even more this season, somewhere between $14 and $18 million. On top of all of that, he's never shown an affinity for playing in New York. On the plus side, Gonzalez's often-questionable back appears to be healthier, and his desire to play the outfield instead of being relegated to DH duty has been rejuvenated. But I wouldn't hold my breath. Kazuhisa Ishii, pitcher, Yakult Swallows The Bergen Record has reported that the Mets could be interested in Japanese pitcher Kazuhisa Ishii, a 27-year-old righthander who pitched his Yakult team into the Japan Series with a 12-6 record and a 3.38 ERA (8th in the league). Over his ten-year career, Ishii has averaged over a strikeout per inning. The Cleveland Indians are also said to be interested in Ishii. To negotiate with him, the Mets and any other interested team would have to submit closed bids to the Swallows for the rights, similar to how a lottery for Seattle's Ichiro Suzuki was performed last winter. "He's a good pitcher," Boston Red Sox scout Ray Poitevint told The Associated Press. "But he's had some shoulder problems this season and has said he only wants to play on the West Coast." Bobby Valentine has been quoted as saying the player in Japan he'd most like to have is Hideki "Godzilla" Matsui of the Yomiuri Giants. Matsui is a two-time home run leader in Japan's Central League, and hit 36 round-trippers this season. That finished him second to former Met Roberto Petagine, who banged 39 for the Swallows. On a semi-related note, the Record also reports that the Mets would consider selling Benny Agbayani to a Japan League club. Agbayani's agents have no knowledge of the Mets' intent to keep him around Shea. Rey Ordonez, shortstop, New York Mets At this point one calendar year ago, it was unthinkable to fathom that Ordonez would even be a member of the Mets' roster in 2001. The feeling of confidence that A-Rod would be coming to lead the Mets back to the World Series was so powerful that most considered Rey-O's days with the Amazin's over. As we all know, Scott Boras, a merchandising tent and a private jet got in the way of that, and Ordonez was the one trotting onto the infield on Opening Day. Reverting to an old trick, around midseason manager Bobby Valentine began to not-so-subtly show his frustration with Ordonez's offensive production by benching him for days at a time and frequently using Joe McEwing and Desi Relaford as pinch-hitters in late game situations. Enough of that, said Ordonez, who angrily confronted Valentine in Miami and essentially said "play me or trade me". Determined to prove himself, Ordonez began an intensive weight training program with trainer Barry Heyden, and carried a remarkably potent and quick bat into August and September. The result? Ordonez established new career highs in home runs (3) and extra base hits (28), but the most impressive sign of his turnaround didn't come on the playing field. Long regarded as an immature personality in the Mets' clubhouse, Ordonez showed great maturity in the aftermath of the World Trade Center disaster, donating personal time and money to the relief effort. "I'm a New Yorker," the Cuban refugee said. Thanks his hard work on and off the field, Rey is likely to remain that way. Dark horses: Royce Clayton, Chicago White Sox; Pokey Reese, Cincinnati Reds. The ChiSox are said to be looking to part ways with Clayton, while the Mets were involved with talks with Cincinnati for the underperforming Reese at the trade deadline. It was unclear whether the Mets were looking at Reese as a second baseman or as a shortstop, or both. Robin Ventura, 3rd base, New York Mets Could Robin Ventura no longer be Gotham's batman? It's entirely possible, as the 34-year-old third baseman looks to be winding down the final years of his career after two consecutive frustrating seasons. Ventura is a valuable player for any team when he's right, but unfortunately for the Mets, that wasn't nearly often enough this season. A fresh Ventura looked great in spring training and in the early season, but saw his average slowly and steadily wilt in the June and July heat as the dog days of summer caught up with him. Still, he's a power threat at any time, shown by his 21 home runs for New York. The Mets would have no opposition to dealing Ventura in the right trade, as evidenced by the fact that they actually engaged in discussions with the Yankees at the trading deadline. Those talks were more serious than you might think. Drawing interest: Scott Rolen, Philadelphia Phillies. It's no secret that Rolen is unhappy in Philadelphia, where he's been booed this season by the Veterans Stadium faithful. Of course, Philly's also a town that booed Mike Schmidt and Santa Claus. The third baseman is a free agent after 2002. Possible suitors: Toronto Blue Jays, seeking a veteran presence. Ventura could veto a trade. Todd Zeile, 1st base, New York Mets No player provided a better example of the Mets' offensive futility than Todd Zeile, whose lack of home run power and his propensity for grounding into double plays earned him the wrath of the Shea Stadium faithful during the summer. For much of the season, a light-hearted gag around the ballpark was wondering aloud who would finish with more long balls; Zeile, or Colorado Rockies pitcher Mike Hampton, who had belted 7 after leaving the Mets last season. Zeile slugged three in September to pack away his former teammate, but that won't be enough to steer the Mets clear of exploring more productive options at first base in 2002. To his credit, he played much of the season in agony from an aching elbow that hindered him from weight training, incurred wrestling with his son in May. The former catcher and third baseman also performed passably in the field at first base after just learning a new position one year ago. Drawing interest: Jason Giambi, Oakland A's (free agent). He's due for a huge contract and it's likely there will be an all-out bidding war. Good news for the Mets -- Giambi has been said to like New York. Bad news -- he could be looking to wear pinstripes. Plenty of GM's around the game also think Giambi is headed to St. Louis, where he can take over for fading Mark McGwire. Rumor Mill Post-It Talk swirling out of Anaheim has the Angels ready to talk about dealing Darin Erstad and Mo Vaughn... in addition to the high-salaried Armando Benitez and Todd Zeile, the Mets could consider packaging 22-year-old lefthander Bruce Chen as an enticing piece... Other possibilities: Mo Vaughn, Anaheim Angels; Mike Sweeney, Kansas City Royals; Tony Clark, Detroit Tigers. Vaughn sat out the entire 2001 season, and has three years remaining on a six-year, $80 million contract that the Angels would love to unload. Perhaps the best quote I've heard on the hefty Vaughn comes from a Met fan: "Mo would be a great clubhouse fit for the Mets. The problem would be, no one else could fit in the clubhouse." Clark was on the All-Star team after a stellar first half but had a severe power outage after the break, not homering from July 27th until Sept. 21st. He is eligible for salary arbitration and will likely be placed on the trading block. Sweeney is mentioned above in the Armando Benitez section. Dark horse: Tino Martinez, Yankees. The Yanks may be looking toward the future with Nick Johnson in the wings, but it's doubtful that George Steinbrenner could deal with the beloved class act inking a free-agent contract with the team across town. courtesy metsonline.net. Salad Tosser Left Fielder, Center Fielder, and First Baseman **Official Painter of Billboards** "Opie and Anthony: The thinking mans Beavis and Butthead" -Playboy | ||||
| hammersavage | posted on 11-01-2001 @ 3:17 PM | | |||
| Psychopath Registered: Oct. 00 | Update: Oct. 31 In what could either be a sincere sentiment or a clever ploy to milk more money out of other teams, the New York Post and Houston Chronicle have reported that free agent-to-be Moises Alou would be interested in coming to New York and playing with the Mets. Conversely, fearing that players like Jason Giambi and Barry Bonds will prove to be out of their price range, the Mets have discussed internally the prospect of offering Alou -- who is likely to be seeking an offer close to $10 million per season -- a three-year contract. Salad Tosser Left Fielder, Center Fielder, and First Baseman **Official Painter of Billboards** "Opie and Anthony: The thinking mans Beavis and Butthead" -Playboy | ||||
| HummerLovin I hope people forgot that I went home with Sandy Kane one night | posted on 11-01-2001 @ 4:18 PM | | |||
| O&A Board Regular Registered: Oct. 00 | Not having a sig pic does not necessarily entitle you to posting 30 kb worth of text. If anyone actually read all 15,000 words of the first post in this thread, please let me know so that I can send you a gift certificate for Lives R' Us... [Insert witty/profound sig line here] (Forgot how to store sig pics.. Bored? Then remind me) | ||||
| Wookie | posted on 11-06-2001 @ 6:18 AM | | |||
| Psychopath Registered: Mar. 01 | I read the whole thing... I haven't been reading the sports section lately, so it was a good catch up. Send that certificate my way! :-) Phillips was awful last winter and everyone knows it. I just hope he doesn't do anything ridiculous just to do something. Realistically, we don't have much to trade, so it's gonna have to be costly free agents. Not my money, so I don't care! Even if he leaves the Giants, will Bonds really leave the West Coast? I wonder. We can't get rid of all these guys, it'd be a mess replacing them. I wouldn't trade Benitez unless it's to get back one of these top-shelf guys. In the end, he's one of the best day in and day out. One of Zeile and Ventura will probably have to stay. I'd probably keep the one who gets me back the least, even if Zeile has to play 3rd- though I'd love to see Rolen there, Philly's not gonna trade him in division. Mo Vaughn? I forgot he's a player, it's been so long. Tony Clark? Nice bat, too bad it only works half a year. Alou could be nice, if he stays healthy- 2-3 year deal and then Piazza moves to left? For sure, Mets fans are gonna have a lot to speculate about in the coming months. Congrats to the 2001 American League Champions  Son of NYPD, our real heroes. You may remember me from such screenames as WookiePoolParty, and GGeckoWannabe... | ||||
| PeterDragon | posted on 11-06-2001 @ 11:12 AM | | |||
| O&A Board Regular Registered: Jan. 01 | Big question for Mets fans is will the team spend. I backed wilpon in the past - they did spend money, but not always correctly. However, they have big holes to fill and not such a wealth of minor league talent. I've heard that because the badly needed new stadium is off the table because of shifting NYC priorities, the team may look to cut payroll slightly; this would not be good. Giambi would be best, unless you think Piazza will be 1B a couple of years from now. Bonds would actually work in NY -remember Mets brought back Willie Mays, and Bonds would get publicity he craves when he challenges Aaron. I don't think it will happen though. Although they need a hitter, I most want them to sign Smolz. He can do the job as starter or closer, He has shown post season guts, and it hurts the Braves at the same time. I'd rather see him than Chan Ho Park.  | ||||
| hammersavage | posted on 11-06-2001 @ 11:47 AM | | |||
| Psychopath Registered: Oct. 00 | Scott Rolen, Philadelphia Phillies. The third baseman is a free agent after 2002, and the Phillies are likely to deal Rolen by next season's trade deadline. According to ESPN Insider, the Mets, Orioles, Yankees, Braves, Cardinals, Mariners, Indians, Blue Jays, Rockies, Giants and Diamondbacks could all be heard from, so New York has company. Salad Tosser Left Fielder, Center Fielder, and First Baseman **Official Painter of Billboards** "Opie and Anthony: The thinking mans Beavis and Butthead" -Playboy | ||||
| hammersavage | posted on 11-07-2001 @ 1:16 PM | | |||
| Psychopath Registered: Oct. 00 | update 11/02/01: -According to the New York Daily News, the Chicago White Sox have reportedly expressed an interest in having Ventura, a perennial Windy City fan favorite, finish his career back with the team where he started it. The major discussion -- money, of course. Robin is due to bring home $8.25 million in 2002. -The New York Times quotes a baseball official as saying that with Mike Piazza's inevitable to move to first base at some point (not necessarily this season), the ideal offseason acquisition for the Mets would be a player with power who can play both first base and the outfield. Fair enough. Two such players could potentially be available this offseason, Darin Erstad of the Angels and Cliff Floyd of the possibly-doomed Florida Marlins. Both are lefthanded hitters, and both have been All-Stars. The 27-year-old Erstad is interesting in particular because while the Angels long to sign him to a long-term contract, his value is difficult to judge because he has been inconsistent from one season to the next. The Times speculates that the Angels may attempt to package Erstad with an expensive veteran like Mo Vaughn or Tim Salmon -- players the Mets have little to no interest in. On the other hand: Would Cliff Floyd have a problem playing for manager Bobby Valentine after their little All-Star spat? Doubtful, Floyd carried himself like a class act in the week or so leading up to the events in Seattle after finally being named to the squad. What a nice pipe dream, Floyd in the Mets' lineup... enjoy the thought, because it's not likely to happen. quote: Ahhh, that is so lame. Is this second grade? It wasn't funny then and it isn't funny now. Kill yourself. Salad Tosser Left Fielder, Center Fielder, and First Baseman **Official Painter of Billboards** "Opie and Anthony: The thinking mans Beavis and Butthead" -Playboy | ||||
| hammersavage | posted on 11-08-2001 @ 3:28 PM | | |||
| Psychopath Registered: Oct. 00 | Update 11/08: Rick Reed, pitcher, Minnesota Twins Regardless of whether or not the Twins play another game in the major leagues, their 36-year-old pitcher Rick Reed knows where he'd rather be: New York, New York. Reed was devastated when the Mets dealt him in Minnesota to the Twins for outfielder Matt Lawton, and always planned on retiring as a Met. As a player who was dealt the first year after signing a contract, Reed has the option to request a trade, and is strongly considering doing so. The gritty righthander, while a native of West Virginia, now considers himself a native New Yorker. He openly wept when he watched the World Trade Center fall on September 11 and joined the Mets in donating a day's pay to the true heroes of New York. Reed's wife, Dee, was even more hurt by the Mets' decision to deal. She has still never been to Minnesota, only opting to join Reed on road trips, and shied away from getting to know Twins executives. Reed was 12-12 with a 4.05 ERA last season between the Mets and Twins, and will enter the second year of a three-year, $21.75 million contract in 2002.  Salad Tosser Left Fielder, Center Fielder, and First Baseman **Official Painter of Billboards** "Opie and Anthony: The thinking mans Beavis and Butthead" -Playboy | ||||
| PeterDragon | posted on 11-08-2001 @ 7:49 PM | | |||
| O&A Board Regular Registered: Jan. 01 | I read that Reed article. I always liked Reed, although ideally he is a #3. It is always nice to hear players who want to play for Mets. Last year, when Reed had the incident with his wife in the car that was rocked at the stadium, I wasn't sure if he still wanted to be here. Of somewhat interesting note, David Wells must have read the article too, because when Opie kept trying to get Wells to say he might play for Mets, he mentiioned that papers have "all of those stories about traded players who want to come back to Mets" | ||||
| hammersavage | posted on 11-08-2001 @ 7:56 PM | | |||
| Psychopath Registered: Oct. 00 | I always liked Reed even though he was a scab. Salad Tosser Left Fielder, Center Fielder, and First Baseman **Official Painter of Billboards** "Opie and Anthony: The thinking mans Beavis and Butthead" -Playboy | ||||
| hammersavage | posted on 11-08-2001 @ 8:00 PM | | |||
| Psychopath Registered: Oct. 00 | Wells had some words for Bobby V. but today it sounded like he may be interested saying "New York" not just the Yankees is #1 on his list. Salad Tosser Left Fielder, Center Fielder, and First Baseman **Official Painter of Billboards** "Opie and Anthony: The thinking mans Beavis and Butthead" -Playboy This message was edited by hammersavage on 11-8-01 @ 8:02 PM | ||||
The sky is blue | posted on 11-08-2001 @ 8:05 PM | | |||
| O&A Board Veteran Registered: Oct. 00 | ...and not a single one of these will happen. Fez® blah blah blah ©2001 blah blah blah. Fez™ blah blah Email me at [email protected] | ||||
| Brundlefly | posted on 11-08-2001 @ 8:14 PM | | |||
| Hanger-On Registered: Oct. 01 | I always hated the tag of "Scab". He deserved to be in the Major's from the beginning. I don't believe in baseball players going on strike. They don't deserve anymore than they are making. Reed saw a shot to play in the majors and took it. That aside. Rick Reed was one of my favorite players on Mets in the last few years. When they traded him I was upset, but I understood the fact that we needed youth. I would be happy as a pig in shit if they get him back on the team next season. I don't care about his age, he is still the most underrated pitcher in the game. He was just beginning to get his props before he was traded and his season went downhill. The Mets need to make alot of changes, but I don't think getting rid of Robin Ventura is one of them. I believe he is the best third baseman in the league. He had a couple of off years. I guarantee you if they trade him he will have another bust out year, like his first with the Mets. We just need a spark in the middle of the lineup, besides Mike Piazza. Whether it be Alou, Giambi, Bonds..Etc. We just need a power hitter. We need to get rid of Todd Zeile. My thoughts on the free agent market. I think we should go after Giambi big time!! If we can't land him, I say we try to trade for Mo Vaughn, Sign Roger Cedeno and go after a righties like Reed and Chan Ho Park. Bonds, Giambi, and Alou are at the top. But, I'd take Mo Vaughn and Roger Cedeno over one Alou any day of the week. It would most likely be cheaper too!  Norton: Patty has the sex appeal of Brundlefly.I <3 the Froy | ||||
| hammersavage | posted on 11-08-2001 @ 9:19 PM | | |||
| Psychopath Registered: Oct. 00 | My thoughts are 1. Trade Ventura for anything. Start McEwing and Relaford at second and move Fonzie back to third. 2. Sign Reed. He wants to come back. Maybe restructure his contract to give a little leeway. Trade to the Twins: Agbayani and Chen. Smoltz is out there as an option. 3. Start Zeile at first. He had bone spurs removed from his elbow that I'm sure hampered his game for some of last year. If he sucks, put in Mark Johnson. He's a huge left-hander with power. 4. Sign Johnny Damon and/or Moises Alou. Damon would solve a leadoff hitter problem and plays a solid outfield. Alou was 3rd in the NL in batting and has a few good years left in him. 5. Say goodbye to Agbayani or Payton. Need to give one or both up to get a more solid outfield. But like Fez said, none of it will happen.  Salad Tosser Left Fielder, Center Fielder, and First Baseman **Official Painter of Billboards** "Opie and Anthony: The thinking mans Beavis and Butthead" -Playboy | ||||
| PeterDragon | posted on 11-08-2001 @ 9:31 PM | | |||
| O&A Board Regular Registered: Jan. 01 | Robin Ventura is a valuable guy to have on the team - Good clubhouse guy, veteran leader, a left handed bat, and good defensively, but mets cannot afford to keep him and Zeile. I know Ventura's bat died last year, but I wouldn't be disapointed to keep him if Zeile could be moved. I think, however, Ventura will be easier to move. Mets can't afford to trade to get Reed back. They needed some youth - that is why they made the trade in the first place. If he becomes free agent (by demanding trade or Twins dissolving), then, by all means , bring him back. Mets need to trade to get younger, not older. Mets don't need Damon - he is going to be expensive, and Lawton is actually a better leadoff hitter. Cedeno doesn't walk alot, but he did have his best year with Mets; It would not, however, solve mets lack of power. Agbayani & Payton actually have trade value because of their salaries. I still believe in Payton, although his streakiness is disturbing. Alfonzo should stay at 2nd unless he feels that 2nd base is affecting his back. That is one of few positions that Mets have a good offensive player at. | ||||
| hammersavage | posted on 11-09-2001 @ 9:15 AM | | |||
| Psychopath Registered: Oct. 00 | Update 11/9/01: How could the San Francisco Giants let Barry Bonds walk away after the monster season he has put up in 2001? That's a question the Bay Area could realistically be asking soon, as the Mets plan to jump right into the fire with a phone call to Bonds' agent -- Steve Phillips nemesis Scott Boras -- within the next two weeks. Neither Barry's attitude nor his career numbers at Shea Stadium are particularly good, but with a starting outfield that didn't match the offensive numbers put up by Florida's Cliff Floyd at the All-Star Break, the Mets need a bat any way they can get it. The Mets acknowledge they will have to perform some pretty fancy cost-cutting maneuvers to fit whatever Bonds would be looking for into the budget (reported to be a staggering $25 million per year for five years; if true, the Mets can't likely afford it), which essentially means axing the high salaries of both Robin Ventura and Todd Zeile. If they are unable to do so, the Mets will have to look toward less ambitious goal.  Salad Tosser Left Fielder, Center Fielder, and First Baseman **Official Painter of Billboards** "Opie and Anthony: The thinking mans Beavis and Butthead" -Playboy | ||||
| Thrillhouse Alkey gave me my bonus points back. | posted on 11-09-2001 @ 12:04 PM | | |||
| Psychopath Registered: Aug. 01 | im not the only met fan who doesn't want them to get david wells am i? | ||||
| hammersavage | posted on 11-09-2001 @ 4:29 PM | | |||
| Psychopath Registered: Oct. 00 | quote: I would like to see him get a two year deal. The fans like him and it would draw interest to the Mets. But don't get me wrong, I would like to see them spend money elsewhere like on offense but...  Salad Tosser Left Fielder, Center Fielder, and First Baseman **Official Painter of Billboards** "Opie and Anthony: The thinking mans Beavis and Butthead" -Playboy | ||||
| cjtammy | posted on 11-09-2001 @ 4:43 PM | | |||
| Hanger-On Registered: Nov. 01 | mets could use damon and giambi...ziele needs to go..with no big close available, benitez has to stay..hopefully he grows up one day | ||||
| hammersavage | posted on 11-16-2001 @ 8:31 AM | | |||
| Psychopath Registered: Oct. 00 | Looks like they gonna get rid of Agbayani. NEW YORK -- The New York Mets are close to selling outfielder Benny Agbayani to the Yomiuri Giants of the Japanese League for a sum ranging between $1 and $2 million, according to news reports. Agbayani struggled in 2001 with the Mets, his season ruined by stints on the disabled list made necessary by a fractured wrist in April and a fractured right hamate bone in September. He also admitted to having been distracted by the pregnancy of his wife, Niela, at home thousands of miles away in the Agbayanis' native Hawaii. Salad Tosser Left Fielder, Center Fielder, and First Baseman **Official Painter of Billboards** "Opie and Anthony: The thinking mans Beavis and Butthead" -Playboy | ||||
| Drunken GW I Pissed on a Church to get this Status. | posted on 11-16-2001 @ 9:10 AM | | |||
| O&A Board Regular Registered: Dec. 00 | Rumor has it the Mets are gonna suck again next year. :) If your parents never had children, chances are you won't either. | ||||
| hammersavage | posted on 11-16-2001 @ 9:22 AM | | |||
| Psychopath Registered: Oct. 00 | (Opie laugh) Huhuhuhuhuh. Rumor has it the Yankees are old and buy championships. Salad Tosser Left Fielder, Center Fielder, and First Baseman **Official Painter of Billboards** "Opie and Anthony: The thinking mans Beavis and Butthead" -Playboy | ||||
| Drunken GW I Pissed on a Church to get this Status. | posted on 11-16-2001 @ 9:45 AM | | |||
| O&A Board Regular Registered: Dec. 00 | Rumor has it other teams try to do what the Yanks do but always fall short. If your parents never had children, chances are you won't either. | ||||
| PeterDragon | posted on 11-16-2001 @ 10:25 AM | | |||
| O&A Board Regular Registered: Jan. 01 | quote: [Homer voice] Be more funny. quote: Mets don't need damon; Matt Lawton has been a better leadoff hitter the past few years. I was in favor of Giambi at first, but it doesn't really make sense. Mets can't afford to put big money at 1B long term, if they see Piazza moving there sometime; also Giambi isn't a great defensive player, and would be better in AL where he could also DH. Today's Daily News has Mets looking at Burnitz for Glendon Rusch and Matt Lawton. I'd not be in favor of this; Lawton is best Leadoff hitter Mets have had in a while (look at career OBP), and while Burnitz has power, he strikes out way too much and doesn't get on base enough. If you could do this deal while keeping Lawton, maybe. | ||||
| hammersavage | posted on 11-16-2001 @ 4:36 PM | | |||
| Psychopath Registered: Oct. 00 | Bunch of updates for 11/17/01: Last March at Port St. Lucie, the huge uproar was about "Bring Sheff to Shea" -- disgruntled L.A. Dodgers outfielder Gary Sheffield wanted out and was blasting team brass all over the papers. The thinking went, he'd be the perfect on-field upgrade for the Mets, even if some members of the clubhouse reserved doubts about his off-field meshing. While jockeying for bidding position in a war with the Yankees and Braves, the Mets ultimately passed on Sheffield, who mended fences with the Dodgers (helped by a large chunk of cash) and agreed to smile and play nice-nice for the rest of the season. Now, the tables have turned quite a bit; Sheffield claims he wants to stay in the City of Angels, but the Dodgers are considering dealing the star to fill several holes in their rotation, bullpen and outfield. The Dodgers still maintain an interest in lefthander Glendon Rusch, whom the Mets would move in a package for an outfielder who can bash the ball. Part of the rumored initial proposal to bring Sheffield to the Mets -- after the Mets stopped laughing at L.A.'s request for either Mike Piazza or Edgardo Alfonzo -- was rumored to include Rusch, Jay Payton and Alex Escobar. Best news for the Mets? The Braves and Yankees could be crippled or out entirely of the Sheffield pursuit, after Atlanta signed Andruw Jones to a six-year contract earlier this offseason and the Yankees prepare to open their wallets as wide as the Harlem River for Oakland's Jason Giambi. In 143 games this season for Los Angeles, Sheffield batted .311 with 36 home runs and 100 runs batted in. Other rumblings: The Bergen Record reports the Detroit Tigers would move Bobby Higginson to the Mets "for the right price." The Mets have always had an eye on Higginson ever since he tortured them with a power display during a long weekend series in Detroit in 1997, but passed on a trade that would have rid the Mets of Rickey Henderson early in 2000 when an organizational scouting report proclaimed Higginson looked "washed up". Looks like they were wrong. This season, Higginson batted .277 with 17 home runs and 71 RBIs for the Tigers. More possibilities: Jason Isringhausen, Oakland; David Weathers, Cubs. The Mets believe they could use a dependable setup man even in the event they don't trade Benitez, and have contacted the agents for both Isringhausen and Weathers, according to The New York Times. A former Met, "Izzy" has excelled in a relief role for the A's, sealing 67 games over the last two seasons. Weathers appeared in 80 games for the Brewers and Cubs last season. Salad Tosser Left Fielder, Center Fielder, and First Baseman **Official Painter of Billboards** "Opie and Anthony: The thinking mans Beavis and Butthead" -Playboy | ||||
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