2008 all over again

During the GM Meetings in California last week, news was flying left and right and rumors were swirling that seemingly everyone was on the trading block. Now that those meetings are over, I haven't read anything worthwhile dealing with baseball in days.

That leaves Andrew without baseball related material to write about.

That got me thinking about 2008 (again). What if the Mets made the playoffs and got bounced in the first round? Would that have pleased the fans, just because they actually made the playoffs?

Obviously, we want the team to win the World Series. Too bad that can't happen every year. With the Mets missing the playoffs, in grand fashion in 2007, if the Mets slipped into the playoffs somehow in 2008 I doubt fans would have been all right with just a brief appearance.

The Mets may have alienated some of their fan base with the '07-'08 campaigns. They're going to have to do a lot to re-solidify their trust.

So if the Mets somehow made it into the playoffs in 2008, and got swept out in the first round, would you have been happy?

Willie Randolph finds work

The Milwaukee Brewers have hired ex-Mets manager Willie Randolph as their new bench coach.

Randolph was a possibility for the managerial job for the Brewers, and was also offered a job on the Washington Nationals staff, but declined. Reports were also swirling that Randolph could have a shot at the Mariners top spot.

I'm guessing the Mets are off the hook for the money owed on the rest of Randolph's contract? I'm not 100 percent sure, but I think the Mets are up a few million because of this.

Good luck, Willie. Hope you enjoy beer and brats.

Persistence pays off

Gary Carter has been hired as the new manager of the Long Island Ducks. No word on if he contacted the team before the previous manager was fired.

The New York Times notes that the Mets offered Carter the managerial job for their Double-A franchise in 2007, but he turned it down saying "that a Hall of Famer should not have to go to Class AA to prove himself."

I had no problem with what Carter did before Willie Randolph was fired, but a lot of other people did. Should willingness to take the job be considered bad? I don't think so. I think it got blown way out of proportion.

Either way, if you want to see Carter in action, you now know where to find him.

Rumor Rundown: All the names the Mets are linked to

As the GM Meetings come to a close in Dana Point, Calif., the market and buzz will likely slow down until early December, when the winter meetings kick off in Las Vegas.

Here are some of the latest rumors involving the Mets...

Adam Rubin has an article in the Daily News where he explains that even though Omar Minaya came away empty handed (as did every other GM), "Minaya believes he has laid the groundwork for future deals."

From Rubin we got the usual two closing names with Francisco Rodriguez and Brian Fuentes. He also mentions Kerry Wood, who started all of last year for the Chicago Cubs and Chad Cordero, who we first hear rumors for yesterday. Cordero is still recovering from shoulder surgery, and a Met official told Rubin that he probably won't be ready for opening day and should expect a minor-league contract with an invite to spring training if the team decides to pursue.

** * **

As always, the Mets bullpen needs an overhaul, and the team is currently shopping Aaron Heilman, Scott Schoeneweis, and Pedro Feliciano.

According to Ken Davidoff:

There definitely will be takers for Heilman and Feliciano; among the teams that like Heilman at some level, are Oakland, Tampa Bay and Texas, and Feliciano has value to any club looking for a left-hander.

The Mets would be willing to pay some of the $3.6 million owed to Schoeneweis in 2009. They feel that Schoeneweis could have appeal to other clubs because of his strong numbers against lefty hitters (.520 OPS in 2008).

I think it's going to be pretty easy to unload these guys, if the Mets contact the right team. Heilman, who we all know has struggled, still garners interest due to his age and foreseeable talent.

Feliciano will be a target of a lot of teams due to which arm he uses to deliver pitches. Being a lefty never looked so good. And Schoeneweis caught some attention before the Aug. 31 trade deadling during the season, so if those teams (Tigers were the more interested) are still looking, I'd ship him out as soon as possible.

** * **

Davidoff also breaks down what the Mets Plan A, Plan B and Plan C look like for this off-season.

Plan A entails signing K-Rod or Fuentes, Derek Lowe, and a "low-cost, high-ceiling pitcher (Freddy Garcia, for instance) to compete for the fifth starter's job with Jonathon Niese." Then, trade Heilman and Schoeneweis for some decent bullpen arms, pick up Raul Ibanez, trade Luis Castillo and sign Orlando Hudson.

Well, that'd be nice. That's definitely my Plan A as well, but I just don't think they have the payroll to add all those guys.

Check out the article for Plan B and C. (I like Plan B a lot as well.)

** * **

Seems that looking in-house for a closer is the last resort for the Mets.

Davidoff (yes, again!) quotes Minaya in another article:

Asked yesterday if the Mets could turn within the organization for their closer - a youngster such as Eddie Kunz or Bobby Parnell, for instance - Minaya said, "That is not Plan One."

Smart man, I just hope he doesn't disregard them altogether.

Four-years, $44 mil for Fuentes?

According to the Rocky Mountain News, the agents for free agent Brian Fuentes have put a deal on the table for the New York Mets.

The deal is supposedly worth four-years, $44 million. The Rocky Mountain News also notes that the other teams looking into Fuentes were only interested in a one-year or two-year deal.

I'm for this. I'd sign on the dotted line, if I were Omar Minaya. A very good closer for $11 million per season works for me. He's younger than Billy Wagner, and that's only $1 million more than what they will be paying him to get surgery and rehab his arm in 2009.

This move would solidify the back-end of the bullpen, and fill a much needed hole.

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.