Last week I asked who should fill the last spot on the Mets Bullpen. There were 3 votes for Will Ohman, 2 for Brian Stokes and 1 for Jonathan Niese.
Yesterday, Ken Rosenthal reported “Ohman, 31, has offers from the Pirates, Marlins and Padres, and is waiting for possible interest to develop from the Phillies, Mets and Dodgers.”
Ohman’s agent, Page Odle, adds, “We’re offering flexibility, too. Will is willing to pitch for a good chunk for his money. We feel that Will is a shutdown lefty who strikes guys out and gets righties out as well. We’re hoping one of the playoff teams will want that shutdown lefty.”
However, according to Joel Sherman, “If Sanchez is right, the Mets will not feel big pressure to put a second lefty reliever in the pen in tandem with Pedro Feliciano.” Yet, Sherman believes Sanchez could be released or traded for a “righty-hitting outfield bat.”
I think the Mets are hoping to catch lightning in a bottle with one of their Spring Training Invitees, like Valerio De Los Santos. It’s also possible that if Freddy Garcia wins the 5th spot in the rotation, Livan Hernandez could fill the last spot in the rotation. As of now the Mets Bullpen consists of Franciso Rodriguez, J.J. Putz, Sean Green, Pedro Feliciano, Duaner Sanchez, and most likely Tim Redding.
What do you think?
Yesterday, Ken Rosenthal wrote, “The Mets and Yankees have emerged as the leading contenders for free-agent right-hander Freddy Garcia.” He also cited a major league exececutive here who predicts “the price (for Ben Sheets) will be in the $6 million to $8 million range for one year, with incentives that could push the total value past $14 million. A lucrative club option also might be part of the package.”
Meanwhile, on Monday, Jon Heyman wrote “The Mets currently have no offer on the table and believe Oliver Perez is still seeking about $60 million (for five years). Perez remains by far the Mets’ first choice for their final rotation spot and are surveying other viable starters, including Ben Sheets, as well as Randy Wolf and Jon Garland.”
As I wrote last week, it seems to me that if the Mets wanted to, they could afford both Perez and Sheets while remaining under $160 million. Click here for the updated 40 man roster with salary projection and here I’ve added Perez and Sheets.
Given that all teams (except the Yankees) seem to be saving for a rainy day, I’d guess the Mets will only sign one of Perez and Sheets. I’m okay with that, as long as they also sign one of Jon Garland and Randy Wolf who have been reported to be requiring a $6 – $8 million deal. Ideally, the Mets would also sign one of Freddy Garcia or Pedro Martinez for $5 million on incentives based contracts (to give the team pitching depth similar to the Red Sox’sBrad Penny and John Smoltz deals).
That would give the Mets the following rotation depth:
Mike DiGiovanni of the L.A. Times discusses the current market for Mark Teixeira, saying “The Boston Red Sox have emerged as front-runners, and the Washington Nationals, who appear willing to offer eight years and $160 million, could make the most lucrative bid.”
Dave Sheinin of the Washington Post says, “there doesn’t appear to be much chance of Mark Teixeira signing a contract on the premises of the Bellagio Hotel.”
Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated believes Mark Teixeira will get his 10 year $200 million contract.
Jose Mota of Yahoo! Sports reports that the Nationals have offered Mark Teixeira a 7 year $150 million contract.
Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports reports, “Teixeira, according to two major-league sources, would prefer to be on the east coast for family reasons.”
Things seem to be heating up, especially after the Yankees reported signing of C.C. Sabathia. That the Angels are pursuing Teixeira hard is not surprising, however it has not been reported that they have made an offer. It makes sense that Scott Boras would be trying to push Teixeira to Boston so that the other Big Market teams can pursue Manny Ramirez. As I’ve said, since the Mets are an East Coast winning team it makes sense that Teixeira and the Mets could be working on something. It hasn’t been reported, but I do believe that Omar Minaya is working behind the scenes to trade Carlos Delgado and sign Teixeira.
Gordon Edes, of Yahoo! Sports, spoke with several club execs who believe Mark Teixeira will sign with the Red Sox, because, “they want him. They have a good relationship with [agent Scott] Boras, and in the end, they have the dollars to make it happen.”
Jon Heyman, of Sports Illustrated, reports that “word is gathering that the Red Sox are one of the most aggressive pursuers of Mark Teixeira, with several executives predicting he may wind up there.”
Tim Brown, of Yahoo! Sports, says the Angels would be willing to go up to a seven year contract for Mark Teixeira to keep him in L.A.
Ken Rosenthal, of Fox Sports, has learned that the Angels may not be the high bidder on Mark Teixeira and that some insiders believe the Nationals will offer him a deal close to his 10 year $200 million asking price.
The optomist in me is remembering the reports circulating the Johan Santana trade at last year’s winter meetings. The Red Sox and Yankees were the front runners back then, but Omar Minaya played the waiting game and got the prize for the right price.
However, not hearing the Mets as a possibility is a little worrisome. In the end though, there are many reasons why Mark Teixeira does not fit with the Red Sox, Yankees, Nationals, Angels or Orioles and would fit perfectly with the Mets. So until I hear otherwise, I’ll remain optimistic that the Mets will sign Mark Teixeira.
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