Mets Fever

First rumor already squashed...

2009-11-09T22:23:00.002-05:00

Well that was quick, as fast as the rumor came out it seems like it was dispelled. Apparently the Jays want no part of Milton Bradley while it sounds like the Cubs are interested in Castillo and the Mets seem interested in Overbay...

Toronto reportedly wants no part of Bradley, despite a rumor on foxsports.com of a three-way deal in which the Cubs acquired Mets second baseman Luis Castillo for Bradley. New York would then send Bradley to Toronto for Lyle Overbay. source Chicago tribune

Mets worried about Lackey's health...

2009-11-09T21:57:00.002-05:00

It sounds like the Mets are leery of John Lackey due to his past history of arm issues. While Lackey is a great competitor and solid pitcher, what he will cost in his next contract and with the seasons the Mets had I can't blame them for being leery. Of course, I think Lackey would be a great addition but he has made 33 starts since 2007.

#mets people seem concerned enough about lackey's past arm issues to keep them away. #yankees are definitely interested. source Jon_Heyman Twitter

Rumor of a three team deal...

2009-11-09T21:23:00.004-05:00

Ken Rosenthal is reporting the first Mets trade rumor of the off-season, it's still considered an extreme long shot but according to Rosenthal's sources the frame work is there and the rumor at least has some legs...

It's a three team deal, which are always hard to pull off and it involves two contracts which are considered bad, making it even harder.

The Cubs would acquire Luis Castillo (12M), while sending Milton Bradley (21M) to the Jays and Lyle Overbay (7M) to the Mets.

This is the second rumor involving Lyle Overbay so the Jays must really be looking to move him.

Overbay is a 32 y/o left handed first baseman who has one year left on his contract, which is worth 7M. He's a lifetime .279 hitter with a Slg. pct. .449, OBP .363 and OPS .812. For Citi Field he would be the perfect type of hitter for the past six seasons he has hit 35 or more doubles, to include 53 one season. Overbay is considered an above average fielder and with only one year left on his contract he wouldn't block Ike Davis in 2011.

Bradley to the Blue Jays. First baseman Lyle Overbay to the Mets. Second baseman Luis Castillo to the Cubs. source Fox Sports

Marlins sellers Phils looking for upgrade...

2009-11-08T19:06:00.002-05:00

The Marlins are looking to cut payroll and two players who may become available are Dan Uggla and Jorge Cantu.

Cantu is a 27 y/o power hitting right hander who plays 1B/3B and early in his career also spent time at 2B. In 2005 with the Rays as there full time 2B Cantu hit 28 homeruns with a 117 RBIs and a .286 BA. It was rumored that year that Omar was very interested in Cantu, but in 2006 when he hit just .249 with 14 HRs the Rays couldn't give him away. In 2007 he bounced between Toronto, Tampa and Cincy, only with the Reds was he able to find his stroke hitting .298 in 57 ABs. He seemed to find himself a home in Florida where he's averaged 20 HRs and a BA of .280. I think Cantu would be a very good option to platoon with Murphy at 1B, it's tricky trading with division rivals but Omar has been able to do so in the past...

Dan Uggla is a 29 y/o right handed 2B who has averaged 30 HRs per season for the first four years of his career. His BA is only .257 and he plays horrible defense at second base but couple his homeruns with 90 RBIs and 34 doubles (avg.) per season and it's no wonder he's an All-Star who teams are willing to over look his flaws. Uggla has been solely a 2B in the majors but in the minors he spent almost as much time at 3B ( 290-2B/ 228-3B). There has also been some speculation with his poor defense and solid power that he could be moved to 1B. With Uggla available and the Phillies cutting ties with Pedro Felix, so are speculated they could bring him in to play 3B. If that's the case I hope Omar blocks them because Uggla in that line-up is a scary thought...

The General Managers' meetings begin on Monday, and the Marlins expect to be active in trade talks. Dan Uggla, who made $5.35 million this year, will likely see he salary raise to the $7 million range. Anticipate Uggla to attract plenty of trade interest.Jorge Cantu ($3.5 million in '09) may also be shopped. Indications are Cody Ross will be back. source Fish Pond MLB blogs

If the Phillies choose not to pick up Pedro Feliz's 2010 option, "don't be surprised" if they pursue free agent Adrian Beltre. Olney recently wrote that the 30-year-old third baseman would be a "spectacular fit" for the club. Dan Uggla is also mentioned as someone who could fill the void. Uggla played a less-than-stellar second base this season but could find himself more comfortable at third. source MLBTR

Rosenthal on Holliday and Atkins...

2009-11-08T11:47:00.002-05:00

Last week I recommended Garrett Atkins for a spot on our team, a possible upgrade over Fernando Tatis as the back-up corner infielder who might end up beating out Dan Murphy at 1B. Most of the people I spoke to about the idea either liked it or weren't against but were leery of his cost. That appears to be the same issue the Rockies are running into, apparently Atkins is to expensive going into arbitration at 7M and will probably end up non-tendered. Once a free agent I would still try to sign him at a bargain....

Don't count on the Rockies making the same type of move with third baseman Garrett Atkins that the Royals did with Teahen. Atkins is simply too expensive to trade — he likely would receive a raise from $7.05 million in his final year of arbitration — and is virtually certain to be non-tendered.

Apparently some people close to Matt Holliday are scoffing at the idea that he would come to NY. I think with any Boras client, the highest bidder will be where he ends up, which I don't see being the Mets because they'd probably have to over pay to come to NY and play in Citi Field which is growing a reputation as Death Valley...

The thought of free-agent left fielder Matt Holliday signing with the Mets is good for a chuckle. Some who know Holliday say he would prefer not to play in New York. Also, his power to right-center makes him a poor fit for Citi Field. The Mets would not be so desperate to upgrade in left if Fernando Martinez had justified talk that he might be a left-handed Manny Ramirez ...source Fox Sports

Another possible trade that could impact the Mets..

2009-11-08T00:57:00.002-05:00

The D-Backs and Blue Jays are discussing a trade in which the Jays would receive C Chris Snyder while the D-Backs would obtain 1B Lyle Overbay.

If the trade goes through the Jays would have their catcher and would no longer be looking at Rod Barajas. The Mets have supposedly have targeted Rod Barajas as their primary target for their vacant position. Barajas hit 21 HRs last year, which I'm sure is appealing to a power starved team and he won't cost too much. Snyder is only 28 y/o and considered a good defender but he's coming off back surgery and the most HRs he's ever hit in a season was 16, which was before the back issues.

But with the D-Backs acquiring a full time veteran 1B they maybe more willing to part with Conor Jackson. In three full time seasons he has averaged 15 HRs with a BA of .290 while playing 1B and LF. In the minors he played much more often in the outfield but since coming to the majors he had primarily been a 1B. He lost most of this year to valley fever but is doing well in winter ball and is expected to be 100% come spring. Jackson is due to hit arbitration and the D-Backs might be looking to move him...

The D-backs and Blue Jays are "making progress" on a deal that would send catcher Chris Snyder to Toronto and first baseman Lyle Overbay to Arizona, according to a Major League source. source MLB.com

Gomez trade could have implications for the Mets

2009-11-07T23:56:00.002-05:00

The Brewers traded SS J.J. Hardy for former Mets CF Carlos Gomez. With the acqisition of Gomez the Brewers made it official that they will not be attmepting to bring back Mike Cameron. Another former Met center fielder who Marty Noble believes is on the Mets radar to play left field (source MLB.com).

With the deal, the Brewers said goodbye to veteran Mike Cameron, their starting centerfielder the past two seasons. Melvin called Cameron before announcing the trade to tell him they wouldn't pursue him in free agency. source JSOnline

Dodgers outfield situation...

2009-11-07T20:42:00.002-05:00

Because the Dodgers outfield situation could impact the Mets in several different ways, I wanted to recap several points of interest that have occurred the last 24 hours.

The biggest item is Manny Ramirez will exercises his 20M player option and return to the Dodgers for the 2010 season ( source LA Times).

Not only is Ramirez out of the mix for the Mets left field job but he has also more then likely blocked the Dodgers from engaging in the Holliday sweepstakes. Matt Holliday had listed the Dodgers as one of four places he would like to go to.

Currently the Dodgers outfield consists of Manny Ramirez, Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier, Jason Repko and Juan Pierre. Last year the Dodgers were rumored to be shopping Juan Pierre after signing Manny Ramirez, however; that plan was sidelined when Ramirez was suspended for 50 games and while filling in Pierre hit .328 in 259 ABs, making him too valuable to trade. However, with the return of Ramirez despite his great first half Pierre was relegated to the bench only having 121 ABs ( .264 BA).

Once again rumors are swirling that the Dodgers will look to move Pierre who is owed 18.5M over two years. Even if they move that money I can't see them getting in on Holliday or Bay but Pierre might be appealing to the Mets. Luis Castillo is owed 12M for the next two years and the Dodgers may need a 2B, what about flipping Castillo for Pierre with the teams splitting the difference in salary. Then the Mets could go after Dan Uggla who is rumored to be available, Uggla could be the power that should come from LF and Pierre would replace Castillo as the tablesetter...

With Ramirez back, the Dodgers can resume searching for a team to which they could deal outfielder Juan Pierre, who has two years and $18.5 million left on his contract. source LA Times

Three more catchers available..

2009-11-06T23:55:00.005-05:00

Two more clubs have declined the options on their veteran catchers, while another outrighted their catcher; Ramon Hernandez, Matt Treanor and Yorvit Torrealba.

The Tigers out righted Matt Treanor who refused assignment and is now a free agent. Treanor spent the first five seasons of his major league career as the Marlins back-up catcher. Last year he appeared in four games for the Tigers. The 33 y/o right handed hitter is a lifetime .232 hitter with a SLg. pct. of .311.

The Mets offered Ramon Hernandez a contract back in 2006 before they traded for Paul LoDuca, Hernandez opted for a longer contract with the Orioles. The 33 y/o right handed catcher had his option declined today but the Reds who traded for him in 2009 are hoping to resign him. He is a lifetime .262 hitter with a .417 Slg. pct., the one time All-star is considered one of the better all around catchers, hitting decently with good defensive skills.

Torrealba had his option declined but the Rockies are also attempting to resign him, to a low base salary with incentives. I've completed several Bios on him, but if the Mets are truly interested it would come down to whether they could mend the fences from 2007.

Dye or Thames could interest the Mets

2009-11-06T16:13:00.005-05:00

Over the years Jermaine Dye's name has come up numerous times in rumors about the Mets. Dye never ended up being moved but now he's a free agent after the White Sox decided to not pick-up his option ( source Metsblog). At 35 y/o the right hander, has struggled through injuries and doesn't play the field very well. He has hit .250 two of the last four years but still produces 27 or more home runs. I think he's an aging veteran that we should avoid who could have the results of Moises Alou and Gary Sheffield, still those power numbers are tempting. Why do I keep hearing myself say low base salary with incentive laden contract.

Marcus Thames on the other hand sounds much more appealing as a right hander off the bench. The 32 y/o wouldn't be limited to platoon with Murphy at 1B since he also plays a solid left field. Thames has spent a decent amount of time at DH which tells me he can come off the bench and hit cold, meaning he should be successful at late inning pinch hitting and platooning. Thames doesn't have the numbers of Dye but he's a better fielder, less fragile and would cost less. Still he's hit 13 or more homeruns the past four years and has a Slg. pct. of .491 lifetime. The Tigers out righted him and he elected to become a free agent (source MLBTR).

Add Olivo to the catching list

2009-11-06T13:41:00.002-05:00

The Royals have opted to decline Miguel Olivo's 3M club option, the 31 y/o veteran catcher is now a free agent. Olivo hit .249 last year with 23 HRs, for a team in need of power he might become a player of interest to the Mets...

Olivo is most remembered by Mets fans for his second to last day of the season altercation with Jose Reyes in 2007 which supposedly served as a rally cry for the Marlins. However, both parties dismiss the altercation as "the heat of the moment" and considered each other friends from winter ball...

The Royals declined their 2010 options on Coco Crisp, Miguel Olivo, and Yasuhiko Yabuta, according to a team press release. source MLBTR

Bay looking for years...

2009-11-06T12:40:00.002-05:00

Boston Herald reported that Jason Bay was amongst the first Red Sox's to file for free agency. According to the Herald the Sox offered a three year deal but Bay is looking for at least four year, preferably five...

The Red Sox are believed to have discussed only a three-year deal for Bay, who is said to be looking for at least four, and preferably five, years. The length of the contract is expected to be a bigger issue for the Sox than the pricetag, which likely will fall between $16-18 million per season. Other teams expected to pursue Bay include the Mets, Mariners and Giants. source Boston Herald

Could Glaus be part of the platoon at 1B...

2009-11-06T00:50:00.003-05:00

In June, Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports reported that the Mets were one of several teams who were interested in Troy Glaus....
To trade Glaus, the Cardinals likely would need to pay a sizable percentage of his remaining salary. The Rangers, Mets, Giants and Braves are among the contenders who could seek help at first base. The Tigers and Mariners are among those who could upgrade at DH. Source Fox Sports

Glaus missed almost all of 2009 while recovering from shoulder surgery on his throwing arm, as a result he was hitting pain free but the same can not be said of his throwing. It's been reported that because of complication, causing him to feel pain when throwing he is willing to move to 1B.

Glaus is a four time All-Star, two time silver slugger, World series Champion and World Series MVP. He is a lifetime .256 hitter with a .359 OBP, .497 Slg. pct and .856 OPS. In 2008 he hit 27 HRs with 99 RBIs while hitting .270 in 151 games for the Cards...

Marty Noble reports, Glaus is a name being mention as a right handed platoon with Murphy at 1B. According to his Wikipedia page Glaus currently resides in New Jersey with his wife and kids...

Sign Glaus, a right-handed power hitter, to a conditional contract and have him available to share first base with Murphy and provide power off the bench. That would all but eliminate Delgado from the Mets' thoughts. But for now, the club is considering offering Delgado a conditional contract. source MLB.com

J.J. Putz could stay...

2009-11-05T17:16:00.002-05:00

It's being reported that the Mets have in fact declined J.J. Putz's option, essentially buying out the reliever for 1M. I would love to keep him and actually see that 1-2 punch of Putz to K-Rod in action, but at over 9M it isn't smart business. Surprisingly Putz maybe willing to return on a low base salary incentives. Is there really a player out there that feels a sense of debt to a team after they traded seven players for him and he barely pitched all year, or did he enjoy NY that much, probably neither if he is willing to return it's probably to rebuild his reputation for next off-season...

Putz's agent, Craig Landis , said Putz understood the likely decision and hasn't ruled out returning to the Mets with a cheaper, incentive-laden deal once free agency begins Nov. 20. source NY Post

Bowman protected..

2009-11-05T15:59:00.003-05:00

Shawn Bowman is a great comeback story, drafted in 2002 he was considered the top third base prospect in the system. So much so that there was discussion of moving Wright to 1B or 2B when Bowman was ready.

But in 2005 he had a debilitating back injury, which cost him two entire seasons. He returned to AA in 2008 and spent last season there as well, in both seasons he hit .290.

Known as a great defender with soft hands and great foot work, I'm not sure how well he'd hit in the majors, the team selected Murphy and Evans from his team to call-up first the last two season.

Still he's a great story and only 24 y/o, I'm glad they protected him and I'll be rooting for him to make the majors even if for just a cup of coffee...

Third baseman Shawn Bowman, 24, who hit .294 with Double-A Binghamton, was added to the 40-man roster, which now stands at 36. That protects Bowman from leaving as a minor-league free agent or being selected in the Rule 5 draft source Daily news

Don't expect J.J. back...

2009-11-05T12:54:00.003-05:00

Adam Rubin takes a first look at the Mets free agents and possible non-tender candidates. Rubin clarifies just how much J.J. will get paid if the Mets pick-up his option and while I'd like to have an elite closer as my set-up man, that's just too much money. I was a huge supporter of the Putz trade but it might have been the biggest bust of Omar's era, he gave up seven players for Sean Green...

J.J. Putz’s option is for $9.1 million, not $8.6 million as it’s been stated in some places. Putz had a $500,000 escalator clause based on his performance with the Mariners before getting traded to the Mets. No way the Mets can consider bringing him back at either salary. And I’m sure Putz wants to close somewhere. Some team probably gets good value on a one-year deal with incentives for Putz, who can reestablish he’s healthy and set up a big deal next offseason. Considering Jeremy Reed should be nontendered, the lone player left with the Mets in 2010 after parting with seven players in the three-team trade may very well be Sean Green. source Daily News

Back-up middle infielder situation...

2009-11-05T11:14:00.002-05:00

James Kannengieser of Amazin Ave. posted a great article on Alex Cora. I couldn't agree more with James in that Cora simply doesn't bring enough to the table for what he cost. Cora has great intangibles and I'm sure he's going to be a very good coach but at 2M or more the talent he brings to a team simply isn't worth it. Generally back-up middle infielders with better skill sets then Cora cost under 1M. Marty Noble addressed the back-up middle infielder in his latest mailbag, the contingency plan he speaks of is addressing a question about what the plan is if Reyes isn't ready or goes down again...

The contingency plan is not one I have heard addressed. The Mets appreciated all Cora provided but also realized they had asked more from him than they had expected to and more than he could provide. Moreover, there are indications the Red Sox might want Cora back. You're right on Anderson Hernandez as well. Wilson Valdez is a preferable understudy because defense is the primary component of any shortstop. source MLB.com

The Royals are on the clock with Olivo

2009-11-05T10:57:00.003-05:00

I've already posted on the Royals catchers, this is simply an up-date. Miguel Olivo would be a solid option for our catching vacancy but if the Royals keep him then they may need to move either Pena or Buck. The Royals have three days to decide on Olivo's option which is 3.3M, if they pick-it up but he declines ( mutual option) then he gets 100k buyout...

Olivo, 31, had a career-best and club-leading 23 homers last season and exhibited better defense in the closing weeks but still batted only .249 with a .292 on-base percentage. He also grades out below average on most defensive metrics. source Kansas City Star

Marlins may look to move some interesting pieces..

2009-11-04T22:33:00.003-05:00

The core of this Marlins team has been together since 2006 and while they've put together a winning record in two of the four seasons, they still have not created any substantial attendance numbers. While there is hope with the new stadium, that doesn't financially help the organization now. It doesn't appear that they will have another fire sale, but several players will become available who will be reaching their expensive arbitration years.

Despite being in the same division the Mets and Marlins have traded multiple times under Omar.

Two players Joe Frisaro at Marlins.com discussed who should be of interest to the Mets are Alfredo Amezega and Renyel Pinto.

The Mets were believed to be close to acquiring Amezaga during the winter meetings in 2008 but things seemed to fall through when Miguel Cabrera was traded. Amezaga is a 31 y/o with a lifetime .251 BA and until this year a very durable player. His biggest asset is that he can play any position except catcher and at most he's a defensive asset.

Renyel Pinto is a 26 y/o left hander who has an awful strikeout-to-walk ratio but that still hasn't equated into runs scored. Last year his SO/BB was 1.29 while his ERA was 3.23, in another weird stat righties hit him worse then lefties ( .208 /.277 BA). Still it's hard to find good young lefties and Pinto falls into that category...

Now he's going into arbitration, and based on his 224 career games and 3.70 ERA, he could be making in the $2 million range. The Marlins may wind up exploring trade scenarios for him, and the team probably could get some value back in return.

In terms of recovery, Amezaga should be ready for Spring Training. He is entering his second year of arbitration, and he made $1.3 million in 2009. If healthy, he is a valuable player because he can be used in so many different positions. The Marlins, though, may fill that role with Emilio Bonifacio, if he doesn't win a starting spot. source MLB.com

Mets were interested in Fiorentino once before..

2009-11-04T20:04:00.003-05:00

Outfielder Jeff Fiorentino has opted for free agency instead of accepting assignment, in looking at his baseball reference page he looks like another Jesus Feliciano type of AAAA player.

But Fiorentino was much more then that, in 2005 he was the #3 prospect in the Orioles system, he was 22 y/o in Advanced A hitting .285 when Baltimore decided to promote him to the majors. In 13 games he hit .250 but the expectations from that stint may have been set too high both in the organizations mind and his own.

In 2006 he hit only .275 in AA and when he was called up hit .256 in 19 MLB games, hardly the numbers of a can't miss prospect. He dropped all the way to the #11 prospect and even John Sickels mentioned that the premature promotion may have hurt him.

After a disappointing 2006 it appears the Orioles decided to slow things down a bit and left him in AA the entire season which resulted in a .282 BA and he improved his prospect status back up to #8. At that point he was looking like a major league fourth outfielder.

In 2008 he advanced to AAA but only hit .268 while bouncing between Baltimore, Cincy ( off-season never played for them) and Oakland, each team claimed him off waivers from the other when in need of room on the 40-man. Eventually he returned to the Orioles but was ranked as the #20 prospect and while still being viewed as a 4th outfielder on a major league team it was his last prospect ranking.

Last year with the Orioles he hit .312 in AAA, then came up and hit .281 in 24 games. Once again the Orioles removed him from the roster, this time he made it through waivers but refused assignment and is a free agent.

So why do I bring him up; because he plays left field, has options for a team who signs him, still has a high ceiling at 27 y/o with more potential then he's produced and according to his Wikipedia page the Mets were rumored to be interested in him in 2008 when he was on waivers.

Prospect lists and comments came from John Sickels at Minor league ball.

Fiorentino, 26, batted .281 with 8 RBIs in 24 games with the Orioles this year. A former third-round pick of the team in 2004, he was first taken off the 40-man roster by the Orioles in January 2008 and was claimed off waivers by the Cincinnati Reds. source Baltimore Sun

What the early Holliday market looks like...

2009-11-03T19:47:00.005-05:00

It's been reported that the market for Matt Holliday is between five teams; the Cardinals, Yankees, Dodgers, Angels and Mets...

With Scott Boras as his agent this will be a long and drawn out process with at least one mystery team and numerous rumors.

But if all shakes out right the Mets could be the only team truly involved in the Holliday sweepstakes.

Lets include Boston since they're on the east coast and a large market team, if they re-sign Jason Bay they'll be out of the running.

It sounds like the Dodgers will out of it, once the Manny option is picked up, which seems inevitable at this point.

The Angels even in losing Vlad have a very expensive outfield in Juan Rivera, Gary Matthews Jr., Bobby Abreu and Tori Hunter. Of course, if they move Matthews' bad contract then there is the chance that they could get involved.

I will consider the Yankees the front runners if they don't resign Damon and/or Matsui, but if they do it could take them out of contention.

When all is said and done it could come down to the Mets and Cardinals, however; it doesn't sound like the Cards will get involved in a bidding war nor does it sound like they believe McGuire will sway Holliday's decision...

Scott Boras' history is to take his clients, especially his top clients, onto the open market. As for McGwire, I am of the opinion that his hiring will not have any significant impact on whether Holliday returns. My guess is that Holliday will be wearing a different uniform in 2010, but one way or another, we are not likely to know very soon. source MLB.com

Toronto wants to keep Barajas...

2009-11-03T15:43:00.003-05:00

Since it appears that Rod Barajas is our primary target to fill Brian Schneider's vacated spot, I'll be keeping tabs on him until we obtain a catcher ( him or another catcher) or he signs elsewhere.

According to the Toronto Sun the Blue Jays would like to keep Barajas but it doesn't sound like they're willing to outbid someone for him ( the other player their discussing is Marco Scutaro)...

"We like both players," said Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos. "We'd like to bring them both back."

Can the Jays afford to bring them both back?

Antopoulous won't know his team budget until later this month.
"Like I said, we like both players and they are both important positions, but we can't make a bad deal," the rookie GM said from Toronto. source Toronto Sun

LaRoche may not be in Atlanta's plan

2009-11-03T11:53:00.002-05:00

I think Adam LaRoche would be the perfect fit for this team at 1B, the 29 y/o left handed hitting 1B is a solid defender with a decent power stroke.

LaRoche has hit 20 or more homeruns in all but his first season and in three of his six seasons he has hit 25 or more homeruns. For Citi Field his bat would be perfect, a natural gap hitter with 205 doubles in his first six seasons, the last three seasons he's hit 32 or more.

But LaRoche was eliminated from the conversation because it was believed Atlanta was willing to go two years and it would take three years to outbid them. Three years for this team with Ike Davis in AAA would be a bad move but if all it took was a two year deal then suddenly LaRoche should be reconsidered. If Davis is ready in 2011 then the Mets have a trade chip in LaRoche or a mentor for their young first baseman.

In an article for MLB.com it sounds like the Braves only want to go one year with the 1B and may have already resigned themselves to finding another option at the position...

While there's a chance that the market could put LaRoche in position where he could return to Atlanta with the one-year offer the Braves may be willing to provide, there seems to be a greater likelihood that the Braves will be finding next year's first baseman via trade, free agency or the expanded list of non-tendered players that are expected to be available this year. source MLB.com

Mets have targeted three catchers...

2009-11-02T15:52:00.004-05:00

This is a few days old but the wording was significant enough that I felt it should be passed along. Marty Noble has been answering questions feverishly since the end of the season and while the first time he addressed the catchers position it was discussed by this blog and many others, the second time went un-noticed. It could be that Noble just took some literary license with his wording or he received further information that made him strengthen his comments.

On Oct. 27th Noble made the following comments that were passed along by this blog and many others...
The Mets are looking for a catcher, and Bengie Molina, Rod Barajas and Yorvit Torrealba (if he becomes a free agent) are on their list. But I don't think you'll get your wish about Perez -- too much money and too much potential win out over too many walks. He'll be afforded another opportunity. source MLB.com

But on Oct. 28th while answering questions he makes a much stronger statement, saying that the Mets have targeted the three catchers and gives an order of preference...

The Mets have targeted three catchers -- Barajas, Bengi Molina and Yorvit Torrealba. I have listed them in the Mets' preference and, they suspect, in the order of likelihood. Barajas and Molina are eligible for free agency. The Rockies have an option on Torrealba's contract. source MLB.com

So Rod Barajas is their primary target at catcher this off-season, well at least they haven't set their standards too high, Barajas should be easy enough to get. Barajas is a 34 y/o right handed hitting catcher with a lifetime BA of .238, Slg. pct. .408 and an OBP .284. In 2005 as the Rangers catcher he hit .254 with 21HRs and 60 RBIs in 120 games. In 2007 he played 48 games with the Phillies hitting .230 with 4 HRs and 10 RBIs. Last year with the Blue Jays his BA was only .230 but he hit 19 HRs and drove in 49 RBIs.

Citi Field = Death Valley

2009-11-01T15:11:00.006-05:00

As Mets fans we can try to deny that Citi Field isn't too big and that the park got in David Wright's head not the actual dimensions themselves. I don't know what the truth is, I know some players hit bombs out of the park, while the entire Met team both home and away was the worst power hitting team in the league.

It seems like the place plays tougher to righties then lefties and I'd like to see the left field wall which is two panels high be lowered to a one panel height ( where the seem is in the picture). This would allow hard hit line drives to make it out of the park while giving a better view to those very expensive seats.

But preception is reality and whether the park is too big or not it has the reputation of being one. This is the third seperate reference this early into the off-season in which someone has called Citi Field "Death Valley" for righties.

Here's my concern, if this is the preception then we're either going to over pay the top right handed players to come here ( Holliday/Bay) or we're going to fall to the next level of guys and even some of them could be reluctant to sign here if they're not confident in their power powess or desperate to prove themselves in a rebound year.

Cafardo wonders why a power-hitting right-hander, like the New York Mets covet, would want to play in Citi Field, which he calls a "death valley" for righties. source MLBTR

Up date: As I finished this post Circling the bases completing a post countering the "Death Valley" idea, as I said in my post I had no idea whether the park was too big or not, my concern and it still is, is the preception of the free agent players...
Consider for a moment that according to homerun park factor Citi Field was actually 12th in majors in 2009 at 1.057, higher than even Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. This means that 5.7% more home runs were in games at Citi Field than in games played on the road. source Circling the bases