K-Rod in NY, close to contract with Mets? [Updated: Or not]

"Yes, it's true. Francisco traveled to New York to get a medical checkup. That's all I needed to give effect to its contract with the Mets," confessed a source linked to stellar closing Venezuelan, who comes to impose a record for Major League, with 62 rescues that conquered during the regular harvest."
-Translated page from El Universal (via Mets Blog), noting Francisco Rodriguez traveled to New York.

If you want to believe this article, K-Rod is getting very close to signing a contract with the Mets, if he's getting checked out by Mets doctors.

A lot of people have taken note of his decreased velocity, so having his arm checked out is something of high importance for whatever team decides to pay him what he wants.

Take this article with a HUGE grain of salt. I don't trust this "source" at all.

Still, I'm nervous.

UPDATE: According to Bart Hubbuch in the Post, this story is completely false. He even quotes K-Rod's agent, Paul Kinzer, who said it was "total BS."

Well, there goes that. For now.

Rumor Rundown: Closers

There are three big names the Mets have been linked to: free agents Francisco Rodriguez and Brian Fuentes and Chicago White Sox closer Bobby Jenks.

According to John Harper in the Daily News, the Mets have contacted the agents of both Rodriguez and Fuentes. On the other hand, he notes "a person familiar with the Mets strategy" the team would rather go the free agent route.

How confusing.

As I said the other day, I'd prefer a free agent over a trade. It would make more sense for the Mets current situation. Harper notes that the Omar Minaya is reluctant to hand out a long-term, pricey contract to a high profile closer.

I suggest a three-year deal for Fuentes. It's nothing over the top, and he'd be paid well. Maybe if they don't overpay, he could transition to set-up man if Eddie Kunz or Bobby Parnell pans out within the next few years. Or he could just be a very expensive 8th inning guy.

Ken Davidoff links the Mets closed to a Jenks trade. He cites a few interesting stats, including his strikeout numbers, walks and velocity. He's an interesting pitcher, and I wouldn't mind having him on the Mets, I'm just wary of what they'd have to give up for him.

The Mets have options, which may help them not overpay or sign to too long of a contract. Should be interesting to see how this plays out over the next few months.

Mets about face on CC

Yesterday, the baseball world was buzzing with the rumor that the Mets would make a run for CC Sabathia. Today, it's a completely different story.

From Marty Noble:

The Mets learned Friday they have more than a passing interest in signing CC Sabathia. They were delighted by the very prospect of a Johan Santana-Sabathia tandem. If they could have pulled off the deal for Roy Oswalt a few summers ago, it could have been Santana-Oswalt-Sabathia -- SOS for their opponents. And why not dream?

Turns out it is a dream, two-thirds of it, anyway. Oswalt never made it to Queens, and from what folks in the Mets hierarchy said Friday, Sabathia won't either; not because the club doesn't want him, but because it has no intention of making a run at him. A published report said the Mets would.

Not surprised. Rumors get blown out of the water, just from one person saying "Yeah, we'd like a guy like him," it turns into a full on "METS PURSUING CC!!!!!"

Just another reason to take every rumor you hear with a big grain of salt.

Mets name Alicea first base coach

Now the coaching staff in complete.

From the press release:

Manager Jerry Manuel completed the New York Mets' coaching staff today by naming Luis Alicea the team's first base coach.

For the last two years, Alicea was the first base coach for the Boston Red Sox. Luis also was a manager in the Red Sox Minor League system for three seasons. He directed Lowell (A) of the New York-Penn League from 2004-2005, Greenville (A) of the South Atlantic League in 2006 and Peoria of the Arizona (A) Fall League, also in 2006

The weirdest part about this is when I was walking back from class, not five minutes ago, I was wondering when they would name the first base coach. With Lee Mazilli out at SNY, I was pondering his chances at returning to coaching. Guess not.

I can't criticize this move at all. He's the first base coach. Yay.

Subway Series: Mets want in on CC Sabathia

If you thought the Subway Series were heated, or even last season's pursuit of Johan Santana, if the Mets are really in on CC Sabathia, things between the two teams are about to get crazy.

Four different writers in the Daily News note that the Mets look like they're going to be players in the bidding war for the portly Sabathia.

Bill Madden / Anthony McCarron / Adam Rubin:

A high-placed Yankee source Thursday reacted to the development by saying: "The Mets are in it? Great. Bring it on."
---
Such a deal with the Mets likely would require backloading some of Sabathia's salary, at least until Carlos Delgado's $12 million and Billy Wagner's $10.5 million salaries for 2009 are cleared.

I don't like the sound of that at all.

John Harper:

And the Mets are going to slug it out with them? I'll have to see it unfold to believe it, partly because they don't have the resources to go dollar for dollar with the Yankees, and partly because they have never shown much of an appetite for this kind of fight for fear of being embarrassed.

All of which makes it all the more fascinating, of course, if the Wilpons truly are willing to go to war with the Steinbrenners over Sabathia.

Me too, Harper. Me too.

The Mets have to focus their money and attitude toward fixing the bullpen. Santana is the ace of the staff, and he can tell you all about how a poor bullpen will ruin games. Santana could have easily been the Cy Young Award winner, if only his bullpen could have converted those six blown games.

A great starting pitcher can only do so much. I hope whatever team signs Sabathia doesn't expect him to repeat his complete game performances from last season -- notching 10 last season, and seven in 17 games for Milwaukee.

It's not that I don't want Sabathia on the Mets. I'd love to see his stomach stretching those blue pinstripes on the mound at Citi Field. The team needs to remember where their problems came from the last two seasons, and figure out how to fix it. I know they have two holes in their rotation, but they have about eight holes in their bullpen.

Bullpen first, (cheaper) starting pitchers later.

Link: BP breaks down the NL East

Check out this article from Baseball Prospectus, on SI.com, breaking down the National League East.

Good ideas all around, I guess. Should be interesting if they nail any of these on the head.

Wright wins Silver Slugger

He's going to have a very crowded mantle as his career progresses.

David Wright was awarded a Silver Slugger award for his 2008 campaign at the plate.

This is Wright's second straight year winning a Silver Slugger. To many, many more Wright.

Craig Carton is hilarious

Just got this from WFAN:

WFAN’S CRAIG CARTON TO LEAD A FREE AGENT RALLY FROM CITI FIELD

New York, NY – Craig Carton, co-host of the Boomer and Carton show on Sports Radio 66, WFAN is taking Hot Stove Baseball to the streets as he leads a free agent rally live from the New York Mets new home, Citi Field.

The Rally will begin at 11am this Friday, November 14th in front of the Jackie Robinson Rotunda. Carton is not new to rallies as this past summer he blitzed the Jets training camp at Hofstra with a bullhorn leading a “Let’s get Brett” chant, in hopes of swaying Jets brass to sign hall of fame Quarterback Brett Favre.

This time Carton hopes to encourage the Mets to be very active in the 2008 Major league Baseball free agent pool and look to sign some of the top free agents available beginning this Saturday. Among the players he hopes to convince Mets management to go after are: Francisco Rodriguez, C.C. Sabathia, and slugger Manny Ramirez.

I love Craig Carton. What a character. Oh, and he prefers it to be "CC," without the periods.

If anyone attends, please take pictures.

Kevin Gregg traded to Cubs

The Marlins fire sale continues.

The Marlins traded Kevin Gregg to the Chicago Cubs, which signifies another closer will be on the market. With Gregg now on the team, it's highly unlikely that the Cubs will re-sign Kerry Wood, another closing pitcher the Mets can take a look at.

I almost feel bad for Marlins fans, then I remember they have just as many World Series championships as the Mets do.

Phillies considering Jim Duquette for Asst. GM

Please hire this man, Phillies. Mets fans know what he can do, and I can only wish he does the same to your team.

According to Ken Rosenthal, the Phillies are looking to round out their front office, and Jim Duquette is one of the "finalists."

Former Mets and Orioles G.M. Jim Duquette and Reds G.M. Wayne Krivsky are under consideration, major-league sources say, along with Muzzy Jackson, the Royals' former assistant G.M., and Scott Proefrock, the Orioles' director of baseball administration.

I predict the Phillies would trade away Cole Hamels for Carl Pavano, if Duquette is hired.