The equalizer

With the Mets very close to signing Francisco Rodriguez for at least the next three years, Joel Sherman asks Torii Hunter and Mike Scioscia how K-Rod will handle New York.

Among the questions, Sherman asks about K-Rod's supposed diminishing velocity, and got this response from Hunter:

His velocity was down in parts of the season but in August I looked up at the scoreboard and saw 93, 94 mph. Plus he developed that changeup and on our team we called it 'the equalizer.'

Seems the Mets will have another nasty changeup in their arsenal if/when K-Rod comes aboard. The ace of the starting rotation has a pretty good one too, if you don't remember.

I like this already. So he's down from 97 mph to 94 mph? He's not even 27-years-old? Three miles per hour may not seem like a lot, but I think he can get by with 94 mph. Especially if he now has a changeup to counter his fastball.

I think I can live with that.

Ken Davidoff out of a job?

Update - 2:19 pm: Davidoff is safe. Whew!

Say it ain't so!

Taking a step away from the insanity in Las Vegas, it looks like one of my favorite writers may be soon joining the independent blogging ranks.

According to the New York Post (via River Ave. Blues), Newsday is laying off 100 staffers, including Ken Davidoff.

Three sports columnists' jobs are being eliminated. They are Sean Powell, Johnette Howard and Ken Davidoff.

Insiders said that some of the staffers might be allowed to reapply for lower-paid editorial positions. Davidoff's name was expected to be among that group.

Davidoff is easily one of the best writers in the New York area and he will be sorely missed if he is indeed gone for good. The Post reports that he may be offered a lower-paying job with the paper.

Good luck, Davidoff. If you ever need to know how to start your own blog, give me a call.

Update - 12:35 pm: The man is apparently unphased. Davidoff is running a live blog chat right now.

Manners?! We don't need no stinkin' manners!

If the Mets sign Francisco Rodriguez (I'm still using "if" until this thing is official. Remember Yorvit Torrealba?) prepare for more angry Phillies fans.

We always hear about how excitable and immature the Mets are, especially with Jose Reyes and his dancing. Well, K-Rod is probably one of the most over-the-top players in the league. Have you seen him celebrate a save?

It seems the Mets are sliding away from David Wright's pretty-boy image, and more toward the rough and tumble competitive side we've seen in all players at some time.

And I celebrate this.

The Mets have tried to stay "classy" for years, trying to show the upper hand in all of this. Meanwhile, the grittier Phillies have, well, you know.

It's time this team got some attitude, some spunk. Let's sign K-Rod and let's start celebrating victories with some screaming, fist pumping and even some dancing.

Mets, K-Rod close to deal

The Mets and free agent closer Francisco Rodriguez are reportedly "close" to agreeing on a deal, supposedly for three years and worth $37 mil.

Per Jon Heyman:

"It's going to get done,'' said a person familiar with the talks.

Per Joel Sherman:

[Paul] Kinzer indicated that a deal could get done before these Winter Meetings end Thursday. He said, "we will know more in the next 24 hours, but so far everything has been positive."

Per Anthony DiComo:

"I am more optimistic than I have ever been," Rodriguez's agent, Paul Kinzer, told the New York Post late Monday night.

Again, the deal for K-Rod is supposedly worth three-years and worth around $37 million, which is not far off from my little mock up yesterday.

I don't want to count the eggs before they're in the Mets basket, but if this does go through, and it's could happen as early as today, Rodriguez better be thinking of a new number. 57 is taken.

Mets-BoSox talking Brian Schneider [Updated]

According to the Washington Post, the Mets and Boston Red Sox have had discussions over Brian Schneider.

It was unclear what players the Red Sox would send to Queens in a deal for Schneider, but the Mets are known to need starting pitching, and the Red Sox could have a surplus, even if they fail to sign a top target such as Derek Lowe.

Forget who the team would get in return right now, but who would be the catcher next season? Do the Mets actually trust Ramon Castro with a full season behind the dish? The Castro-Johan Santana connection is undeniable, but his injuries worry me.

I'd like a major league ready pitcher, but that's asking too much. The catching market is very slim this year, so having one to deal works in the Mets favor.

Should be interesting if this plays out a little more. I'd like to hear what kind of deal the Sox would offer.

Update - 12:14 am: No deal?

Per Joel Sherman (h/t SOX & Dawgs):

Once the Red Sox agreed to offer arbitration to Varitek, the Mets turned away from that scenario because they didn't want to give up both the money necessary to sign Varitek and the first-round draft pick they would have to surrender in compensation.

Maybe if the Mets realize there are other catchers out there, this might spark back up. Don't hold your breath.

Sherman: Kinzer says three-years, $33 mil [Updated]

I don't know who to believe anymore.

First, Jon Heyman reports a two-year deal, worth $12 mil per. Now, Joel Sherman reports that Paul Kinzer (Francisco Rodriguez's agent) told him the offer is for three years and $33 mil.

The Mets have offered a deal in the range of three years at $33 million with an option. The two sides will continue to see if they can find a middle ground, with Kinzer conceding the economy has scuttled his plans from a few months ago.

The Mets want K-Rod, there is definite mutual interest and numbers have been discussed. That's all we know, and anything anyone else tells you is a fabrication or estimate.

Update - 8:01 pm: Now I really don't know who to believe. Sherman updated his article with...

But the Mets' first bid was for two years for $25 million with an option. The two sides will continue to see if they can find a middle ground, with Kinzer conceding the economy has scuttled his plans from a few months ago.

So Heyman was right to begin with. Thanks, Sherman!

Heyman: K-Rod offered two years from Mets

I think we all better prepare ourselves for the "Freddy Coupon" name to come back into style, at least on this proposed deal.

According to MetsBlog:

In an appearance tonight on SNY, SI.com’s Jon Heyman said the Mets offered Francisco Rodriguez a two-year deal, with a third-year option, at roughly $12 million per season.

I know the closer market is slim, and the Mets want to get the best deal, but this is just silly. Rodriguez originally wanted five-years and $75 million, so what do the Mets do? Offer two-years, of course.

This might just be a play to get a cheaper deal in the long run, and Heyman doesn't expect K-Rod to take it (shocker!).

At least give the man three years. Is that so bad?

Sign on the dotted line

Pretty Please?

Mets have Indians in their corner

The Mets want to sign Francisco Rodriguez. The Indians want the Mets to sign him as well.

Why, you ask?

Because they think they'll get a deal on Brian Fuentes, the closer they want. The Mets had wanted to stay away from setting the bar for the market, but it looks like their hand is forced in this situation.

The Indians are waiting for the Mets to sign a closer, their hope being that once the big-market Mets are out of the closer derby, the prices will fall. In particular, the Indians hope the Mets take Francisco Rodriguez out of the mix. Multiple officials from other teams say they believe the Indians are particularly intrigued if Brian Fuentes' dollar demands plummet to an acceptable level for them.

The move is yours, Omar Minaya. Let's kick this off-season off with a bang.

Mets Rumor: Mets meeting with Fuentes soon

The Magical Mystery Tour of Omar Minaya rolls on.

Jon Heyman is reporting that the Mets and Brian Fuentes will have a meeting sometime today to discuss years and dollar signs. Francisco Rodriguez already has an offer on the table, according to Heyman.

The Mets made an initial offer, believed to be for three years, to Rodriguez, who is thought to be their first choice. However, Mets people like Fuenets very much as well, and view him as a viable second choice.

I wonder if Fuentes will only get a hamburger in his sit down with the Mets. Maybe only a chicken platter.

Update: Trevor Hoffman meeting soon after Fuentes get together, per David Lennon.

I guess Minaya had a case of Red Bull this morning.