Will the Mets public collapse cost them money in the free agent process?

Commenter Kerel Cooper (who runs his own blog at OnTheBlack.com) brings up something I have not touched on yet: Whether or not the Mets public collapses over the last two years, mostly due to the faulty bullpen, will cost them as they try to rebuild and tweak what is left.

The Mets bullpen has been generally decent for the beginning of the last two season, but due to overuse and mismanaging, has turned into a seieve at the end of the year, costing the team valuable wins and leaving them on the outside looking in during the playoffs.

As the Mets pursue big names such as Francisco Rodriguez and Brian Fuentes, the players and their agents will obviously know the team is in dire need of help, and will hike up the price because demand is so high. This may seem like simple economics -- supply and demand -- but the Mets will be hurting after they finally decide on who to sign.

As I've said time and time again, I'm pretty apathetic to who the Mets sign, as long as they don't spend too much. Even with the $20 million a year they'll be getting from Citigroup (whether you like it or not) they have to spend so much to fill the many holes in their entire pitching staff. Three players should stick in the bullpe and three in the starting rotation. That leaves a team sorely lacking the amount of arms needed to win games.

Poll Results: Fans want K-Rod

In my latest poll, I asked "Who do you want for next year's closer?"

Here are the results...

Francisco Rodriguez -- 41%
Brian Fuentes -- 27%
Kerry Wood -- 13%
Other -- 11%
Bobby Jenks -- 4%

It was obvious that Rodriguez and Fuentes would top the list, but I am surprised how many more votes K-Rod garnered.

Also, Wood was not offered arbitration by the Chicago Cubs, meaning they will not receive draft picks when he signs elsewhere. Don't get that move. Seems like they're putting a lot of stock in Jeff Samardzija and Kevin Gregg.

Personally, I'd take any of them, as long as it doesn't cost too much. The Mets have too many other holes to fill to break the bank on the closer, even though they need one so desperately.

Next Poll: Who will be the breakout star in '09?

Oliver Perez offered arbitration

Oliver Perez was the only player offered arbitration by the New York Mets.

Do not expect him to accept.

Think of that "60" in terms of millions of dollars Perez is likely demanding.

Ex-Mets: Somone actually signed Mike Hampton

No joke.

MyFox Huston (via MLBTR) is reporting that the Houston Astros have signed free agent pitcher Mike Hampton.

Good luck with that one, Houston!

2009 Hall of Fame ballot

Ten new players have been added the the Hall of Fame ballot for the 2009, some of whom logged time with the New York Mets.

The 10 players added, with the ones with Mets games under their belt are in italicized: Rickey Henderson, Jay Bell, David Cone, Ron Gant, Mark Grace, Jesse Orosco, Dan Plesac, Greg Vaughn, Mo Vaughn and Matt Williams.

So half of the new eligible players played with the Mets at some time. Henderson logged 152 games with the Mets in 1999 and 2000, and also served as first base coach for part of a season. Bell played in 72 games in 2003.

Cone pitched from 1987 to 1992 with the Mets, until he was traded to Toronto for Jeff Kent and Ryan Thompson. Vaughn played two seasons with the Mets in '02 and '03. His '03 campaign was cut short by injury. I'll never forget his mammoth home run off the scoreboard at Shea Stadium.

Orosco had the longest tenure with the team, playing from 1979 to 1987. We all remember the fateful glove toss at the end of the '86 World Series. I don't think that glove has come down yet.

It's up to you now, Baseball Writers Association of America. Put some semi-Mets in the hall!

Citi Field photo -- Opening Day 4/13/09

Sent in from a reader...I'm excited.

Photo credit: "Bob Murphy" of the NJ.com forum. Submitted by "Kay."

Brian Fuentes to visit Mets

According to the Denver Post, free agent Brian Fuentes will visit New York as the free agent process rolls on.

The article notes that the Rockies will offer arbitration to Fuentes, but he will turn it down and look elsewhere for work. It also brings up Colorado's Huston Street and the discussions they've had with the Mets regarding him and Aaron Heilman.

Nothing new there to note, but the lone comment on this article really hits home. From Warren G.:

Aaron Heilman is another scrub who will come in and blow games. And starting? He wants to start? He would be just another over-paid #5 of the rotation starter whom loses his job to some AAA prospect by August.

Seems like Mets fans aren't the only ones who hold this sentiment about Heilman.

Mets to offer arbitration to Oliver Perez

Another shrewd move in baseball dealings, either of which work out well for the Mets -- be it now or in the future.

Oliver Perez is a free agent, and tonight at midnight is the deadline for teams to offer one-year deals, at a much higher salary, to the free agents that filed from their team. If Perez accepts (don't count on it) the Mets have filled a hole in their starting rotation.

If he refuses, which will almost certainly happen, the Mets will receive first- and second-round draft picks as compensation for his Type A free agent status.

The Mets can do no wrong here. I'd like to see Perez back, but I know the team is going to have to pay through the nose for him since he's a Scott Boras client.

Outside of Perez, the Mets have two Type B players in Luis Ayala and Moises Alou. There's no word on whether they'll offer arbitration to either of these players. Ayala, if either, would be the only play I see here. I think Alou's days are done.

If the Mets do offer anything to Ayala, I hope he refuses, unless he's going to play for peanuts.

Here's a nice story for your Thanksgiving weekend

As we all work off the turkey and mashed potatoes, we should all try to remember what the holiday is all about.

Fernando Tatis came back to baseball for two reasons: 1. For the fun of the game and 2. To build a church.

Well after a spectacular comeback year, and fresh off a new contract with the New York Mets, Tatis put up the church in San Pedro de Macoris. Kevin Kernan has the story in the New York Post.

This was the Jerusalem First Church, a church Tatis quietly helped build, the church that inspired his amazing comeback.

"I don't have the words to explain it, it's unbelievable," Tatis said of his 2008 season and the new church that opened its doors last spring.

"I think it's a miracle."

Great story.

Tatis will likely split time with Daniel Murphy in left field next season, and hopefully they can put up some fine numbers at the plate. They'll struggle in the field, but combined they might be able to rake at the plate.

Good for Tatis. He really proved me wrong. I was against the signing and against his promotion, but he shined all season.

Mets Rumor Rundown: K-Rod to wait until after winter meetings

Patience is a virtue. Hopefully Mets fans are able to wait it out, if their holiday wish is Francisco Rodriguez.

K-Rod's agent, Paul Kinzer, has announced that his client will wait until after the Dec. 8-11 meetings to sign on the dotted line with whichever team suits him most.

Since K-Rod is waiting, it might be in the Mets best interest to try and sign a setup guy or compile a few arms in the bullpen between now and then. A strong bullpen must be one of the aspects the player (and his agent) look at, besides the $$ signs.

If I was a player, and Team A was offering me $10 million a year and Team B was offering $9 million a year, but Team B had a better bullpen, it's pretty much a no-brainer I'm signing with the latter.

The Mets could also make a move for Brian Fuentes in this time, either to land him as the closer, or make a play to drive down K-Rod's asking price.

Should be interesting to watch play out. At least we know we have another two weeks of K-Rod rumors, at the very least.