Another look at Rodriguez talks with Mets
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- November
- 8
We know the Mets and Scott Boras talked and no offer was made. What we don’t know is if the Mets will make an offer next week when they are allowed.
Even if they don’t, this helps the A-Rod camp, because Boras can always spin things to read the Mets are interested. Boras always seems to have a mystery team to prime the pump.
GM Omar Minaya knows the game.
“I don’t think about that,’’ Minaya said. “We’ve been around in New York long enough to know (agents are) always going to try to get New York clubs involved. That’s just the way it is.’’
For now anyway, it seems the Boras misjudged the market for Rodriguez. The Red Sox and Angels need a third baseman, but Boston favors bringing back Mike Lowell and Los Angeles is interested in Florida’s Miguel Cabrera, who would be far less expensive.
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on Thursday, November 8th, 2007 at 6:54 pm by John Delcos.
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My psychic prediction is that Omar asks Boras whether A-Rod is willing to play rightfield.
I hope the psychic is wrong. I hope it is 1b.
First, trade Delgado to Tor for Burnett who it appears has worn out his welcome.
I think this is plausible b/c delgado and Burnett are getting paid about the same but Delgado only has one yr and Burnett has two yrs. So if they want to dump salary it could work. And in this climate, this is the only way to get a decent pitcher w/o making a big $ commitment or giving up alot of players.
Then, give Arod the most money, which may not be as much as was believed (although I’ll believe it when he signs for less than the rumored 300MM), but tell him he has to play 1b.
More offense, younger, you didn’t have to move Wright/reyes and you got yourself a decent pitcher (if he can stay healthy) who I believe has only two yrs left on his contract at about 13MM per.
Go out and get another 7/8 inn guy and your set.
And most importantly, your pitching staff now has 4 guys who are swing and miss (they key to winning post-season games).
Omar needs to acquire Arod to re-establish his and the teams reputation. After the collapse he’s right back to when he over paid for Pedro. If they bring back the same team they get the same inconsistent offense. He’s the only impact player available.
I like the idea of A-Rod being a Met/but at what price are we talking about?
Intersting trade scoopcoop, but does Toronto want this guy back? They never bid on him when he became a FA.
My psychic contact (her name is actually Miss Cleo) tells me that RF is the spot, because it would then allow Omar to package Milledge, Gomez and Pelfrey for Danny Haren.
Bora$ represents other players, too, doesn’t he?
Any chance that Minaya wanted to get the “fact books” on one of them?
Any chance Minaya wants to avoid insulting one of the top agents, a guy who will be representing other major FAs in the future?
Seems like the media is having trouble stirring up adequate frenzy on A-rod’s free agency. Maybe it’s time to devote an ESPN channel to A-rod’s status between now and the end of Spring Training.
It’s unlikely that Bora$ misread anything. He certainly didn’t anticipate everything that could possibly happen but, just as we saw a year ago with J. D. Drew, he is a master. As soon as he figures out which team has the GM and owner most susceptible to his Jedi mind control tricks we’ll see another ridiculous contract for A-rod.
Besides, it’s all meaningless (but polite) drivel until next week—when teams can’t discuss money with Bora$.
I don’t think he will get his 30 mil annualy but he is gonna get paid. I think Boras can tell the Angels that there is some “mystery” team out there and they will quickly up the ante and give him his money. Boras always finds a way to get his money.
ADL – exactly. I just hope we are not that team.
If the Mets can find a way to turn Delgado (and maybe some cash) into Burnett, that would be nice.
Even a mid level trade (including Toronto dumping some salary) would be fine.
If AJ has a reasonably healthy year, he would be huge for the Mets, and the closest thing to an “ace” they are likely to get without setting the farm system back 3 years.
Signing A Rod for 1B would then make a lot of sense, but even without that, it isn’t too hard to find a 1B that can give you what Delgado does. Maybe a couple of less HRs, but a more consistant bat and some better D.
A rotation of Pedro, Maine, Pereze, Burnett and Pelfrey could be dominant.
Pedro, if he stays healthy, will be a huge lift. Then you have 3 guys in a row with the “stuff” to throw a no hitter.
And Pelfrey IMO is ready to take the next step up. And even if he doesn’t, there are better options now for the spot (Humber, El Duque, etc.) Even Heilmann could move into it.
So, if Burnett can be had for a reasonable price, go for it. Way better talent that Silva or Livan.
The Blue Jays will want no part of Delgado. They let him walk three years ago because he was too expensive for their liking – plus they thought he was past his prime (hmm…) – and are not going to take on his $16mil salary now, even for just one year. They have Lyle Overbay at first, and Matt Stairs (who had a big 2007 and they just locked up for two more years) backing him up. Burnett has three more years on his contract, all around $13mil/yr, but he has an opt-out clause after 2008, as well as a limited no-trade. Toronto is set in the OF as well w/ Reed Johnson, Vernon Wells, Alex Rios & Adam Lind, so it would probably take a pitching package (Pelfrey, Humber or Mulvey + Heilman, Smith or Feliciano – if not more) to land Burnett.
If ARod becomes a Met, I think there will be a groundswell of negative reaction among the Shea community like you have never seen before. I hope the Wilpons stick to their convictions and Just Say NO.
To Annie: There will be a bigger ground swell next year at Shea when the Mets suck and are fighting hard for last place in the NL East with the Marlins. Your hatred of ARod is ridiculous. You may pan his playoff results but without AROD in 2007, the Yanks are playing golf with the Mets and having no playoffs. You do know its kinda hard to win the World Series without getting to the playoffs first.
Remember Mike Scmidt. Pretty good 3b man wasn’t he. He had the same rap in 77-78 when he didn’t produce in playoffs. Then in 1980 its all fogotten when he hit and they won.
Stick
Sounds like a plan. But I would still go after Blanton.
Pedro may or may not be injury free and or pitch more than one year. Ollie/Maine may or may not take the next step. Pelfrey ( other minor leaguers ) may or may not take the next step.
Bottom line since Pedro has replaced Glavine from last year and if we get AJ as you propose I still would like a good major league pitcher you can count on for the next 5 years.
I see Pelfrey or whoever replacing Pedro when he retires.
Dave
I can see that Tor might be hesitant to take Delgado but he does have just one year left. And I’m sure he would be a nearly full time DH.
And as is pointed out Burnett does have an opt out. Of course, if he gets hurt or stinks he won’t opt out and the jays will be stuck with him for another yr or two. That is a pretty big risk to take on a guy that Riccardi is reportedly sour on. And a big risk for a mid-small market team.
Anyway, I doubt it will happen b/c at this moment it appears Omar etal are only considering tweaking and as I have said a number of times here, tweaking is gonna get this team a .500 record.
Oh and for those who don’t like that Arod etal get paid alot of money. Become an x-game fan, or better yet an SNY street game fan where the players are just in it for the fun.
B/c in the real world people who are highly talented and the supply is low, get paid well. And you would ask for the same $$$ if you could hit a ball, throw a pass, or sink a shot or looked like Tom Cruise or Nicole Kidman.
Sloppy, Annie just hates A-Rod because he was caught leaving a strip club with a woman other than his wife.
Not something that should figure into the Mets decision-making process IMO.
Count me in as being anti A-Rod.
It is not because he makes too much money. All of them do.
It is not because he is not “clutch”. The guy is one of the best hitters in baseball right now, if not the best.
It is because there is no position for him on the Mets.
Third is manned by Wright. The thought of his arm at 2nd base is frightening. As is the idea of his trying to learn how to do the pivot on a double play. As for first, well, he is only about 6 feet tall, short for a 1st baseman. Not what you want over there. Plus, the Mets don’t have a good track record when it comes to moving players to new positions (see, Stearns, Hundley, Piazza, Cameron, Reyes).
Short is manned by Reyes. A 24 year old guy who had a 2 month slump. One who is a premier leadoff hitter. One who is a top tier SS in terms of defense. We tried moving him once already. It did not work. Add to that the fact A-Rod is bigger than he was when he last played short, which could impact his ability to play the position at a gold glove level.
Imagine one of those two “Faces of the Franchise” moving positions and either slumping or (god forbid) getting hurt as a result. The backlash against A-Rod would be worse than anything seen among Met fans. Worse than Sisk.
I know that neither of those two bring the total numbers A-Rod brings to the table. I also know that it has been a long time since the Mets have had a leadoff hitter with the ability of Reyes (if ever, Mookie and Lenny were good, but not that good).
Now, if A-Rod would play first, different story. However, since he will no doubt have other offers to play either 3rd or short, why would he come to the Mets to learn another new position? Given the Wilpons’ track record of spending, I don’t see them outspending all other bidders, considering the money he is looking for (north of $30 million).
And of course, if no one comes up with a palatable offer, Alex could just accept the Yankees offer of Arbitration, thereby guaranteeing himself a raise. The Yanks would have to offer something more than last year (players cannot be offered a paycut in arbitration). And you know Boras would shoot for the moon. He then becomes a FA again next year. Quite possibly with another MVP award under his belt, enhancing his value.
The fact that Alex screws around on the side actually is a factor. We all know the Wilpons HATE negative publicity (see Milledge, Lastings; Bonilla, Bobby; Coleman, Vince; Saberhagen, Brett; Roberts, Grant).
At the end of the day, it could be a factor for them, but not more than the cost of his contract. Wilpon may not be baseball smart, but he has made a lot of money, so he isn’t completly stupid.
Ask yourself this, do you really want the media circus A-Rod brings with him? The coverage of the team is bad enough already in some quarters. It would only get worse.
Good comment about the Wilpons and morality.
I don’t like ARod not because of the amt of $$, but the amt relative to everyone else and esp the team. Also on the subject of $$ ballplayers do not get paid because they are exceptional athletes. If you just want to be a pro ball player and be best in class go be a professional lacrosse player.
These guys get stupid money because they are entertainers like Tom Cruise or Jessica Alba.
The comments about moving the players – Jose didn’t work out too well when he played second did he?
No I don’t really want the media circus that A-Rod brings. What nonsense that Buck and McCarver were going on about the fact that A-Rod opted out of his contract as the World Series was going on. Idiots! Yes it would overshadow so much else of what goes on. In fact it already is. The Onion had a good article on it :
http://www.theonion.com/content/news/slow_month_in_baseball_saved_by_a
Ed in Westchester:
you sure nailed it. The Wilpons are so image conscience that they would NOT allow Omar to sign druggies like Mota. And how do you know he wouldn’t move to first. When he went to the Bronx who moved AROD or GOLDEN BOY? AROD moved. Amd does anyome think AROD is the only player who cheated on a wife? How about Steve Phillips? The Wilpons didn’t let him go when they found out. They let him go when he destroyed the team.
I would love the media circus around the Mets. It would mean the Yankees aren’t # 1 and 1A anymore.
I don’t care if we get AROD, but if Omar is wasting his time with Boras he better be serious. If not, stop talking immediately.
Why do the media and everyone else keep drinking the Boras cool-aid? Everyone is saying ¨you´ll have to pay $30mill per season¨, or ¨ARod will get $300 million¨. No, that´s what Boras is ASKING. ARod won´t get it unless someone pays it. If his best offer is 8 years at $220 million, then he´s not going to retire. As good a player as he is, there are a limited number of teams that can (or are willing to) commit to that kind of contract.
Boras will get 30-35 Mil per year from someone.