9:10pm: The Mets may have interest in Young, but they aren't nearing a deal with him, according to Andy Martino of the New York Daily News. Young told CBS Sports' Scott Miller he's talking to the Mets and seven or eight other teams, including the Padres.
6:24pm: The Mets are closing in on a deal with right-hander Chris Young, ESPN.com's Buster Olney hears (on Twitter). Young has been offered multiple incentive-laden one-year deals, according to Yahoo's Jeff Passan (on Twitter). The signing would be Sandy Alderson's first major deal as Mets GM and it would reunite him with a player he had in San Diego as the Padres' CEO.
Johan Santana will probably miss the beginning of the season, so the Mets were looking to add depth behind Mike Pelfrey, Jon Niese and R.A. Dickey.
Young battled through shoulder issues in 2010 and he appeared in just four games. He allowed only two earned runs and 11 walks in 20 innings for the Padres, who turned down the 31-year-old's option earlier in the offseason. Young has always been hard to hit, but walks have been a problem for him throughout his seven-year career.
Dave_Gershman
He’d fit at Citi Field perfectly. I can’t wait to see him!!!!!!!!!!!!
If only he can stay healthy!
Motor_City_Bombshell
I know what you mean! I’ve always thought he’s had great stuff, and if he could ever pitch a full season, he’d be an extremely productive starter. I just hope he stays healthy this year.
Tim Valencia
stuff isnt impressive at all, its his deception that makes him last.
Dave_Gershman
You know whats funny?
Chris Young, a Princeton grad, is his own agent. Isn’t that cool!
shysox
If it’s over 1 year it’s going to bust.
Motor_City_Bombshell
He can’t stay healthy, I can’t picture it being over one year.
oleosmirf
the Mets arent giving out multi year deals this offseason so its obviously a 1 year deal
redsox4120
Low risk, high reward. Nice signing by Alderson if it gets done. Citi is a good park for a pitcher to try to make a comeback.
slider32
This is a good deal for the Mets. He will upgrade the Mets pitching at a low price.
Brandon Woodworth
The New York Mets have just signed Chris Young and assigned him to their 25 man DL roster.
shysox
this made my day
Brandon Woodworth
Glad I could be of comedic service. 😀
Sniderlover
Damn, I wish I can like that again.
CitizenSnips
Hahaha, awesome.
MetsEventually
T_T
MetsEventually
Beautiful! Hope his fastball gets back on track and he could be a solid no.3 guy.
Jerry Mandering
Great deal for the Mets. Still has tons of upside if he can stay healthy.
DK57
The big Citi could be good to Young.
Mickey Koke
like many others, I speculated the Mets being a potential match because of Citi field being such a pitchers friendly park and Chris Young being a fly ball pitcher. Chris Young is a class act in every sense, if he can stay healthy, he will be a very solid pick up for the Mets. I would imagine that his is another incentive ladened contract. I wonder if Jeff Moorad is second guessing his stance on not doing “incentive ladened contracts”? San Diego seems like it would be a perfect team to use incentive ladened contracts to further entice players.
Tim Valencia
San Diego doesnt do incentive laden deals anymore.
Mickey Koke
“I wonder if Jeff Moorad is second guessing his stance on not doing “incentive ladened contracts”? ”
I realize that, hence my comment. You would think San Diego would be a team that could benefit from using incentives.
thegrayrace
Great pitcher in 2006-2007. I remember him tormenting my Dodgers along with Jake Peavy.
Could be a great pickup for the Mets if he can rebound.
Mr Top Ten
I agree – Mets need pitching pitching pitching and pitching
FamiliaTerritory
I always liked Young and was hoping the Mets would target him. He’d make a solid #2 guy if he’s 100%. Hopefully, they’ll be keeping a close eye on Brandon Webb.
MetsEventually
That would be sweet, but they have Pelfrey as their groundball pitcher. They need more flyball guys if anything. Also, two low risk high reward guys: someone is bound to be the risk.
Infield Fly
“…but they have Pelfrey as their groundball pitcher.”
Not too happy with the infield defense, I take it? Otherwise, I can’t see much harm in more than one ground ball pitcher in the rotation. What’s down on the ground can’t sail over the wall…and I’m OK with that.
MetsEventually
I see what you mean, but Citifield needs it’s flyball pitchers. Webb, Young, Pelfrey, Niese, Dickey would be nice…add Santana later…if he’ll pitch again…
guydavis
doubt they’ll have the payroll flexibility to sign Young and Webb as well as bullpen arms and a backup catcher. If they were to have incentive laden deals Alderson would have to assume that they reach those incentives and organise the payroll around that.
FamiliaTerritory
Webb is worth the reward….that is if his fastball returns. Pelfrey is too hittable for me, so if they acquired Webb after Young, Pelf would be expendable and can be used as trade bait. I believe Pelf would be a nice fit in the American League.
Nick
i think that webb wont be looking for large contract because he was just injured so the mets may be able to afford him. imagine rotation if pull it out with both and johan is healthy:
Johan Santana
Brandon Webb
Chris Young
Mike Pelfrey
Jon Niese/ R. A. Dickey
maybe use Niese as a trade chip to pick up some offense
* Really could use Webb and Young (some offense would also be nice)*
GOOD MOVE ALDERSON
oleosmirf
luckily Omar isnt GM anymore or your horrible suggestion might actually have come true…
MetsEventually
If anything Pelfrey would be moved not Niese or Dickey…
oleosmirf
even if they were to sign Young and Webb (which wont happen but lets pretend) the chances of both of them making 30+ starts at 80% of what they used to be is slim to none so trading good young controllable arms is crazy
FamiliaTerritory
1) I highly doubt Santana will be back at all next season so cross him out.2) If Webb & Young comes to the Mets to go along with Niese & Gee, Pelf can be used as part of a deal to get some arms in the pen or maybe another starter. I’ve been hearing Matt Garza & James Shields were probably gonna be trade bait, so target one of those two (I like Shields because the Rays might ask for a lot in return for Garza).Webb YoungShieldsNieseGeeSolid rotation overall.
oleosmirf
first off that is as far from a solid rotation as you can get. What happens if Young and/or Webb gets hurt or they dont return to their all-star form.
second Shields was garbage last season and Pelf is younger, controllable and had a much better season so why would I trade him for Shields. And no the Mets aren’t getting Garza b/c they wont be trading the prospects…
FamiliaTerritory
Maybe I should’ve written at the end “Solid rotation overall if everyone is at 100%”. If not Garza or Shields, what about someone like Fausto Carmona at the #3 spot in the rotation? I liked what I saw out of him this season and I see big things for him in 2011. Not only that, but I see Cleveland taking someone like Pelf. Just throwing some names out there.
oleosmirf
there is no need to trade Pelfrey or Niese…
Infield Fly
Hmm…Pelf for Carmona…
OK, I know you’re throwing names around (and no harm in that) but basically you’d be trading a sinkerballer with a history of control issues for another sinkerballer with a history of control issues. Both are prone to the “Jekyll and Hyde” syndrome (ie: just when you think they’ve overcome their issues, the issues resurface all over again), so what would swapping them accomplish?
mrmet128
YES! i love this move. i was just looking at his stats yesterday, and thinking he would be a great pick up
Moebarguy
Next up, Jeff Francis. Let’s do this.
Dave_Gershman
Completely agree.
YaGottaBelieve11
Also agree, Francis is a real nice fit for this team right now. Guy is an innings eater and he doesn’t walk anybody which makes up for his somewhat lofty BAA. Put him on the field with our defense instead of colorado’s and he can have a solid season.
Francis, Eckstein in the second base/utility infielder/clubhouse leader role, and some bullpen arm(s) and ill be thrilled with this offseason.
crashcameron
apparently you are that sure Mets’ defence is better than Rockies’
is anyone else that sure?
YaGottaBelieve11
Just looking at the numbers, Mets were 4th in NL fielding % last season, Rockies were 7th.
crashcameron
apparently you are that sure Mets’ defence is better than Rockies’
is anyone else that sure?
Mr Top Ten
Excellent, we need pitching
Emanny
Alderson surely does love San Diego.
jt24
at first i thought this meant they were nearing a trade for chris young cf of the d-backs
Kolukonu
Definitely a good signing by Alderson. Incentive-laden deal results in little obligation and risk for the team, with the potential for a very high reward. Chris Young has been very good when he was healthy. If he can stay healthy, he could easily be the #3 starter for the Mets.
Slopeboy
Good move for almost everyone but Ollie Perez. Inexpensive signing that puts pressure on Perez to perform or he’s out on his duff. Hope the guy stays healthy.
Emanny
There’s been pressure on Ollie ever since he robbed the Mets of 36 mill. Can’t see any way his behind is on the opening day roster.
Jim McGrath
Dice K and Ellsbury have to be part of the deal in addition to Scutaro/Lowrie or Iglesias in exchange for Reyes, Beltran and a player to be named.
We will wake up some morning and the deal will be done–the parts may be different but Ellsbury and Reyes will have exchanged uniforms and lead-off spots in the batting order.
The money will have to be pretty close for both teams to participate. I would love to see them make it a real blockbuster with JBay coming back to the Sox
oleosmirf
lol what are you talking about?? Why on earth would the Mets ever consider that???
Moebarguy
“We will wake up some morning and the deal will be done–the parts may be different but Ellsbury and Reyes will have exchanged uniforms and lead-off spots in the batting order.”
Sounds like a modern-day, moronic, baseball-related take on Bogart’s famous “Casablanca” speech to Ingrid Bergman before she gets on the plane.
We’ll always have MLB Trade Rumors, madmc44. *wink*
Tony P.
Well, at least they didn’t go waste money on kevin correia or someone like that just so it could look like they did something. That has been their standard operating procedure in years past under minaya. good pitcher if he doesn’t literally fall apart on the mound, but nothing to lose with this deal.
Jake Humphrey
The Mets are in a semi-rebuild, and this is the kind of moves they should make. Low-risk, medium upside.
Jake Humphrey
The Mets are in a semi-rebuild, and this is the kind of moves they should make. Low-risk, medium upside.
Emanny
Says the fan of a small market team. New York wouldn’t allow the Mets to rebuild. Not expecting much in 2011, but 2012 60 mill comes off the payroll.
Jake Humphrey
I don’t care what market you’re in. If you don’t think the Mets are in somewhat of a rebuilding phase, then you’re crazy. I didn’t say they had to have a fire sale, but they’re going to sign some mid-level vets and take a few risks on guys like Young while working to improve the farm and the major league roster around guys like Wright. They’ve been bad for a couple years and now Alderson & Company are going to build the team to their standards.
Emanny
Rebuilding? No. Revamping? Yes. Mets do have talent on the major league level. So no, they’re not “bad”. Just need to add some pieces and stay healthy.
Jake Humphrey
I’d say 149-175 over the past two years is bad, regardless of the reason. I’m not saying there’s not talent to build around, because there is. David Wright, Jose Reyes, and Ike Davis are guys to build an offense around. Carlos Beltran can be added to that list if he’s healthy (personally, I’d move him to RF to reduce the wear on his legs and let Pagan man CF). But there’s at least question marks, if not outright holes, at several positions, including a lot of the pitching staff.
You can call it “rebuilding” or “revamping”, I don’t care. But the fact of the matter is that the Mets have a little ways to go before they reach the top of the NL again. The Braves were in a similar situation a few years ago and Wren has done a bang-up job putting them back into NL East contention and the playoffs. I imagine Alderson, Ricciardi, and DePodesta will do the same for the Mets.
Emanny
The record is product of the inability to maintain a healthy team. If you can’t take that into account, you’re being unreasonable. Question marks? What team doesn’t?
cubfan4life
Of course they had injuries. But what team doesnt? Yes injuries are part of the problem in NY but they werent the entire reason for their poor play. Lack of depth in the rotation behind Santana, a scary bullpen, and a manager and GM who looked clueless most of the time were the big reasons for their downfall.
Signing Young would be a start. Along with checking around on SP who are trade candidates like Garza or Shields in Tampa, Dice-K in Boston, Floyd in Chicago, or Kazmir in LA. See if you can get anything for K-Rod. Move Beltran out of CF or out of NY altogether. Play the kids Thole, Davis, Tejada, Martinez and see what youve got. Bring in one year deal type guys like Gerald Laird and Rick Ankiel. Add a piece or 2 to the pen Jon Rauch and JC Romero perhaps.
They wont contend this year. They may even end up battling with Washington to see who finishes last. But when guys like Beltran, Perez, K-Rod, Castillo and Reyes all come off the books next year then you can go out and make your big splash in the FA market and you will have a much better idea of what the young guys can give you and where to spend the money.
Jake Humphrey
This sums it beautifully. The Braves had injuries to Glaus, Heyward, Chipper, and Prado this year and overcame it.
cubfan4life
The Braves had injuries, Minnesota lost Morneau for half the year, Philadelphia only got 115 games out of Chase Utley and 88 games out of Jimmy Rollins, Texas was without Josh Hamilton for a month and thats just playoff teams.
Injuries happen. Its a given. The playoff teams, great teams, figure out how to overcome the injuries.
The Mets at times seemed to be looking for an excuse to quit.
The_Bildebergers
last i heard either Webb or Young(can’t remember which) – during their rehab their fastball was still in the low 80’s..
YaGottaBelieve11
That was Webb.
mrsjohnmiltonrocks
Well, Young’s fastball isn’t too fast either. It never has been. He’s all massive arms, legs, and torso coming at you-you can’t see the ball come out of his hand. He has spells of pitching well in between his DL stints, he pitched well when he finally made it back last year, so he’s worth taking a chance on. He seems to be able to work around the walk problem and the fly ball problem by being difficult to hit.
The Mets need to sign some others too. They are going to need more depth for their entire pitching staff.
mrsjohnmiltonrocks
Well, Young’s fastball isn’t too fast either. It never has been. He’s all massive arms, legs, and torso coming at you-you can’t see the ball come out of his hand. He has spells of pitching well in between his DL stints, he pitched well when he finally made it back last year, so he’s worth taking a chance on. He seems to be able to work around the walk problem and the fly ball problem by being difficult to hit.
The Mets need to sign some others too. They are going to need more depth for their entire pitching staff.
orneryfish
Young’s fastball was clocked at 82-84 mph in the 2 games he pitched for SD at the end of the season.
That’s about 8-10 mph below his normal capabilities, before injuries.
Mickey Koke
“Young’s fastball was clocked at 82-84 mph in the 2 games he pitched for SD at the end of the season.”Thats true, but while he might have averaged 84 mph on his fastball, he also was clocked at 88 mph at least once. CY touched 87 at least a few times. He also started 4 games, not 2.
crashcameron
is there a bad-contract swap out there for Ollie?
last year, i thought for Carlos Silva, which wouldn’t have helped the Mets.