Fernando Martinez takes the next step toward MLB

The top prospect is inching his way to the big leagues.

Fernando Martinez, who was signed by the Mets at the mere age of 16, will be just one step away from making it to the parent club this season, as Omar Minaya noted that the five-tool outfielder will begin the season at Triple-A Buffalo.

Martinez, who is only 19-years-old, will be entering his fourth year of professional baseball. He's seen time at everything from rookie ball to Double-A, but has never reached beyond that -- until 2009.

Good for F-Mart, as he's known to fans. I know a lot of people are excited to watch him prosper and grow and to see what he can do on the major league level. Count me among them.

Rumor Rundown: Why, yes! Pitching! (and other things, too)

Hopefully the Mets rehab staff isn't too tired from all the injuries last year, because it looks like they may be spending their time trying to get Chad Cordero back into shape.

According to Adam Rubin in the NY Daily News, Omar Minaya met with Cordero's agent on Wednesday.

Cordero is on his way back from shoulder surgery in July, and may not be ready for opening day. Sounds like Duaner Sanchez syndrome.

From the Daily News, a quote from Cordero's agent Larry Reynolds:

"All I can tell you is he's way ahead of schedule right now physically, and the doctors have said nothing but great stuff as far as how he's progressing," Reynolds said. "We're just going to make sure we take our time, because I don't think it's wise to jump into anything too quick when you have a guy who might have a 10- or 12-year career ahead of him."

If he can bounce back and throw like he once did, that would be great. Ease him back into the closers roll with a few innings in middle relief, then set-up man, then back to doing what he used to do best. Cordero is only 26-years-old, and could be had for a bargain, due to his injury.

Do it, Omar. Do it.

** * **

Nick Cafardo in the Boston Globe dishes two tidbits towards the Queens-faithful.

On Pedro Martinez:

Minaya said he hasn't ruled out Pedro Martínez pitching for the Mets next season, and it's his understanding that Martínez "can and wants to pitch somewhere next year."

On Julio Lugo and Javier Vazquez:

[Red Sox GM Theo] Epstein said Lugo is 100 percent recovered from his quadriceps tear and likely will play winter ball in the Dominican. There has been talk that the Mets and White Sox have interest in Lugo. The White Sox appear willing to move Vazquez. The Mets and White Sox were huddling yesterday afternoon

Again, I am not against bringing Pedro back. It may not be the best move for the Mets, but given the situation, it might be something they have to do.

A big NO THANK YOU to Julio Lugo. And I am very worried the Mets are going to give up too much for Vazquez. Tread carefully.

** * **

Oh, Manny Ramirez. He will easily be the "Johan Santana" of the 2008-2009 off-season.

According to Ken Rosenthal, the Dodgers have offered Ramirez a ridiculous contract, likely ranking as the second-highest salary in MLB.

Rosenthal speculates that the deal may be worth two-years and upwards of $50 million. He also notes that there may be a team option for a third year.

Minaya on Manny, as quoted by Peter Abraham:

He’s an offensive player. He’s been a very good player. But for us, where we are right now, where is it we’re going to invest? Our priority right now is we have to address our pitching.

It makes me very happy to see Minaya have his priorities in order. Pitching wins championships.

** * **

In a separate article, Abraham also point out three pitchers that the Mets and the Yankees may be vying for, and the cross-town brethren will probably be bidding on a few of the same players.

Abraham notes that both teams will probably make a play for Derek Lowe. He also mentions Oliver Perez and A.J. Burnett as targets.

I'd take any of the three. Burnett has had some issues with his previous team (Toronto Blue Jays), so he's probably third on my list. Lowe will only require a two- or three-year deal, which would definitely be the cheapest, as Perez will be commanding a longer contract.

Wright and Beltran field Gold Glove awards

David Wright and Carlos Beltran earned Gold Gloves for their 2008 campaign.

This is Beltran's third straight Gold Glove and Wright's second.

And people still criticize Beltran's prowess in the field? Wright's throws to first still need to improve, but I guess that part of the play does not involve the glove.

Lowe or Dempster to close?

Rumors are starting to swirl that the Mets may be linked to Derek Lowe or Ryan Dempster, who have both put up good numbers as both starters and closers.

According to Adam Rubin, if either of these pitchers were to come to the Mets, Omar Minaya said they would definitely appear in the pitching rotation.

From the Daily News:

"You have to consider that. If a guy is a starter and has relieved in the past, you think about that," Minaya said. "But I couldn't tell you that we're looking at guys right now that are starters and are saying to ourselves, 'Let's get him as a reliever.' We're looking at him at him as a starter."

Both players would probably want front-line money, so using them for only one inning would be silly. (Not that the asking prices for Francisco Rodriguez and Brian Fuentes are anything to laugh at.)

Dempster has had a strange career. He threw 140 more innings in 2008 than he did in 2007. Something like that cannot be good. Before last season, the last time he threw over 200 innings was back in '02. In that span, he registered 85 saves for the Chicago Cubs, never breaking the 100 inning mark.

Both would be something to look at, and could fill in nicely as a 4th started the Mets so desperately need.

Rumor Rundown: More pitching

The Mets may have found a taker for Aaron Heilman, and they might be able to land a young starter in return. Hold on, let me check my pulse. I may have died and gone to heaven.

Joel Sherman is reporting that the Mets and Tampa Bay Rays have had preliminary discussions about Andy Sonnanstine or Edwin Jackson. The Rays seem to fancy Heilman (but would need more than just him to complete the trade).

Sherman:

But Tampa is blessed with depth in Sonnanstine (13-9, 4.38) and Jackson (14-11, 4.42), plus Jason Hammel, Jeff Niemann and Mitch Talbot. They have let the Mets know there might be a potential for a deal among that group.

Tampa continues to have interest in Aaron Heilman Aaron Heilman , but not to the extent it had in the past, in part because the Rays' belief that Heilman can be transitioned to the rotation has dwindled. Thus, the Mets would have to surrender more to complete a deal.

Have any use for Luis Castillo?

** * **

The Mets are not on the list of teams that Jake Peavy and his agent are dealing with. Too bad.

** * **

Seems the youth movement may be a forced hand in 2009.

VP Tony Bernazard has stated that if the team cannot land a closer via free agency or a trade, they are willing to go with youth.

From the Daily News:

Bernazard said if the Mets strike out through free agency or trade, they're prepared to potentially use Bobby Parnell or Eddie Kunz in the closing role.

"Why not? What's wrong with that?" Bernazard asked. "You can't sign one of those guys, what are you going to do - not play?"

It must be noted that in 10 2-3 innings pitched in the Arizona Fall League, Kunz has posted a 8.44 ERA. He has picked up two saves, while allowing 15 hits and 10 earned runs to score. He's walked seven and struck out eight.

Parnell, on the other hand, has thrown 9 1-3 innings, allowed three earned runs on seven hits, for a 2.89 ERA. He's walked seven and struck out 11 batters for Peoria Saguaros.

** * **

Scott Boras wants a lot of money. No surprise here.

Ken Rosenthal notes that the Mets are willing to pay up to $12 million for Oliver Perez, but Boras will likely want more, thanks to Carlos Silva's ridiculous contract.

El Duque wants to close

Seriously.

Orlando Hernandez is a free agent, hasn't appeared in a major league game since Sept. 30, 2007, but he wants to keep pitching in 2009. And not only does he want to pitch, he wants to close.

You read that right. El Duque, the closer. He'll blow that 55 mph pitch right on by you in the 9th inning!

From Ken Davidoff:

Meanwhile, Genske said that another client of his, Orlando Hernandez, wants to keep pitching, after missing the entire season with the Mets. El Duque underwent surgery on his right foot in September and is rehabilitating.

Said Genske: "He wants to be a closer. He's ready to go." Closing might be a stretch, but certainly there are teams out there that would try him as a reliever. Shoot, the Mets should consider it. They should just pay him $600,000 (with incentives) instead of $6 million.

I have no words.

The Mets do need a closer, though...

Just kidding!

This Year in Baseball Awards: What Mets are up for the vote?

If you're unfamiliar with the This Year in Baseball Awards, they are a fan-selected group of players, separated into their respective categories.

A few Mets are up for the awards in different categories, here's how the shake out:

Hitter: Carlos Delgado. Delgado had a miserable first half of the season, but busted out in a big way and put together a very good campaign in 2008.

Starter: Johan Santana. The bullpen blew at least six wins for him, and if they could have converted those, he would be making a lot of noise in the Cy Young award chatter. He was a great pick-up, and performed well beyond my expectations in his first year.

Play: Carlos Beltran. He's up for Play of the Year for his over-the-wall grab of Ryan Ludwick's home run on July 27. I remember that play, especially the bird flying out of the way just in time. Great grab. This is one of the reasons why he's the best CF in the league, in my eyes.

Oddity: Johan Santana. Remember when his broken bat hit the ball twice against the Chicago Cubs on Sept. 23? I had never seen anything like that, and it definitely belongs in the "oddity" category.

Those are the Mets that can win. Go here to see the rest of the nominees and make your vote.

Mets want Beimel

Add another name to the long list of players the Mets "want."

According to Ken Rosenthal:

Add left-hander Joe Beimel to the list of free-agent relievers on the Mets' wish list. The team also is expected to investigate free-agent closers Francisco Rodriguez, Brian Fuentes and Kerry Wood, and will examine trades and internal solutions while reconstructing its bullpen.

Most Mets fan probably remember Beimel as the Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher who missed the 2006 NLDS after he cut his hand on a glass at a bar while in New York and told the team he cut it in his hotel room.

Here are Beimel's career numbers. Last year was Beimel's best year, as he posted a 2.02 ERA in 49 IP.

Worth a look, I guess.

Rumor Rundown: Pitching, Pitching, Pitching

Every morning I will scan the web for the newest Mets rumors, and dish them to you. Enjoy your tasty tidbits of baseball gossip.

The New York Times relays info from a quick meeting Omar Minaya held with reporters at the GM Meetings in Cali. Minaya pitched the need for pitching over offense. "I have no problem with our offense, and that was even with [Luis] Castillo not having a good year, and he is a lifetime .300 hitter, if I am not mistaken," Minaya told the Times. "Those things I am not worried about."

When asked if he would look at the pricier closer Francisco Rodriguez, Minaya said "We have to look at everybody."

Minaya also noted that since the Mets only have three starters on the board for next year, he will entertain the idea of re-signing Pedro Martinez. Jon Niese, Bobby Parnell and Jason Vargas will all have a shot at those final two spots. No mention of Oliver Perez.

** * **

Javier Vazquez has piqued the Mets interest.

Vazquez, who is owed $23 million over the next two years by the Chicago White Sox, will not be too expensive, as long as the Mets are willing to pay.

From the Chicago Tribune:

Vazquez, who has a no-trade clause to West Coast teams, was fourth in the American League in strikeouts, but his only winning season in the last four was 2007, when he finished 15-8. He also had winning records in Montreal in the early 2000s when current Mets GM Omar Minaya worked there.

I don't like this, but the Mets do need pitching. Too expensive, too inconsistent.

** * **

Back to K-Rod. Ken Davidoff reminds us of a similar situation from a few years ago.

Newsday:

Though the Mets are reluctant to meet Rodriguez's public asking price of $75 million over five years, they'll engage with him just in case the price drops. As Minaya noted yesterday, Carlos Beltran's original asking price was $200 million before it came down to the $119 million the Mets paid him.

No one was going to spend $200 mil. for Beltran. Unfortunately, I think the closers market is so dry, teams will spend as much as possible to try and land the new single-season save leader.

I'd be more than happy landing the cheaper, and equally good Brian Fuentes.

Platoon

No, not the movie.

According to Marty Noble, the Mets current plan is to use Fernando Tatis and Daniel Murphy as a platoon in left field in 2009.

That is, unless they can sign a regular left fielder, but I doubt that will happen. If the Mets are already planning to use Tatis and Murphy in left, neither have another true spot on the team.

Tatis and Endy Chavez would compete for the fourth outfielder, and there's no need for that. Murphy, who is seeing time at second base in the Arizona Fall League, would probably not serve as a backup. No way the Mets want young talent just sitting on the bench.

The Mets have been linked to Raul Ibanez already, but he's going to be pricey and I don't think they want to be on the hook for that much money for a player of that caliber.

Using Tatis and Murphy is just fine with me. Both players served the team at the plate, but lacked in the fielding category. They can also be a plus-bat off the bench on days they are not starting. Their pinch-hitting was a key down the stretch, even if they fell short.

The question now is, where does that leave Nick Evans? Evans, who split time with Murphy and Tatis in left, is pretty much left without a position. This moves him right up to the top trading chip.

If the Mets can swap a package of Evans and Aaron Heilman for a starter or bullpen arm, that would be a plus.

Murphy and Tatis in left, Evans and Heilman somewhere else, and a few key arms on the staff. I like how I think.