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Mets Likely To Offer Deals To Closers

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Andrew Marchand of ESPN radio 1050 in New York has a source who says the Mets will "probably" offer a deal to a closer at the Winter Meetings. Finding a closer remains a priority for the Mets, who may prefer Francisco Rodriguez over other options.  Buster Olney recently wrote that the Mets will offer deals to multiple closers during the Winter Meetings and will give the closer’s job to the first free agent to accept his offer.

Marchand’s source said that Bobby Abreu, who wasn’t offered arbitration, and Raul Ibanez, who was, could be targets for the Mets once they make progress in the bullpen.

Manny Ramirez is apparently not on the Mets’ radar.

Mets Prefer K-Rod?

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According to MLB.com’s Marty Noble, the Mets prefer Francisco Rodriguez to Brian Fuentes and J.J. Putz.  Noble adds that they don’t expect to return from the winter meetings with a closer.  No reason to rush with supply exceeding demand.  Putz’s availability, though, remains in question.

ESPN’s Buster Olney says the Mets have discussed internally the idea of making multiple offers to free agent closers and signing whichever one jumps first.

Olney’s Latest: Manny, Peavy, Fuentes

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ESPN’s Buster Olney has a bunch of new info in today’s blog.

  • Olney continues to wonder if Manny Ramirez and Scott Boras will "wave the white flag" and accept the Dodgers’ offer of arbitration.  It could result in a huge one-year salary, and the current market for Manny is not robust.  However, Peter Abraham said in July that a condition of Manny’s trade was that he would decline arbitration.  Did anyone else write this?  Hopefully a journalist will ask Boras about it soon.
  • Olney says the Cubs would love to have Adam Dunn in their lineup, but he’s a stretch as a full-time right fielder.  The Cubs are willing to sacrifice some defense in right, but how much?
  • Could Dunn or Pat Burrell wind up with the Rays on an affordable one-year deal?
  • The Cubs and Padres "have a basic framework in place" for a Jake Peavy deal built around third baseman Josh Vitters.  Things may pick up after the Cubs’ ownership situation is resolved.
  • The Astros don’t have a ton of flexibility to move their high-salaried stars, but Jose Valverde is one they can deal without restriction.  He’s due for a nice raise from this year’s $4.7MM.
  • Olney suggests the Rockies were wise to trade Matt Holliday when they did, or they might’ve gotten significantly less.
  • Olney speaks of "a belief within the Rockies’ organization" that Brian Fuentes could come back on a multiyear deal.  The Rockies could trade Huston Street in that case.
  • The Braves may push A.J. Burnett for an answer before C.C. Sabathia signs, in case the Yanks miss out on C.C. and come after Burnett.
  • Apparently there is "serious tension" between Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski and manager Jim Leyland.
  • Olney sees Rafael Furcal signing with the A’s.

Mariners Make Putz Available

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According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the Mariners have made closer J.J. Putz available.  The Mets will talk with the Ms about him at next week’s Meetings, but the Indians and other clubs will likely get involved.  It sounds like the Mets would be happy to acquire Putz rather than give four years to Francisco Rodriguez/Brian Fuentes or three to Kerry Wood.  Matthew Cerrone has more on the Mets’ bullpen plans here.

Putz, 32 in February, posted a 3.88 ERA in 46.1 innings this year.  He struggled with his control, and hits dropped it at an inordinate rate.  His average fastball velocity remained around 95 mph despite ribcage and elbow injuries.  He’s set to earn just $5MM in ’09 with an $8.6MM club option for ’10.  Putz could be a great pickup, as he was flat-out dominant from 2006-07.

Sherman adds that the Rays offered Chad Bradford to the Mets, hoping to move his $3.5MM salary.  His salary doesn’t suit the Mets either, though.

Rosenthal’s Latest: Dunn, Burrell, Manny

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6:16pm: MLB.com’s Mark Bowman says the Braves are not interested in Dunn because they seek a right-handed bat.  Does that rule out Raul Ibanez as well?

1:51pm: The latest from Ken Rosenthal:

  • The Yankees, Rays, Red Sox, and Phillies are pursuing free agent outfielder Rocco Baldelli.
  • Now that Adam Dunn wasn’t offered arbitration, the market is starting to take shape.  The Braves, Mariners, and Nationals are interested, and the Dodgers and Angels consider him a fallback option.  How about Dunn and Russell Branyan in the same lineup?  Rosenthal considers the Yankees another possibility.
  • Teams considering Pat Burrell, who was also not offered arb: the Mariners, Angels, and Giants.
  • Rosenthal considers the Giants a darkhorse for C.C. Sabathia.  Tim Brown says the Giants may be closing in on Edgar Renteria; Rosenthal has the Dodgers and Cardinals as other suitors.
  • The Brewers will need to increase their offer to Sabathia to six years to have a shot. 
  • Rosenthal believes Jason Varitek will accept his offer of arbitration.  He also wonders if Orlando Cabrera could accept.  He expects Ben Sheets to decline (I made an error on this eariler).
  • Rosenthal ponders the chances of Manny Ramirez accepting the Dodgers’ offer of arbitration.  Buster Olney says three GMs wondered the same.  I was under the impression Manny declining arbitration was a condition of his trade.
  • The Cardinals want to add a young starter with upside.  They also may go after a closer like Brian Fuentes or Kerry Wood if prices drop.
  • Rosenthal believes the Reds could discuss a two-year deal with David Weathers.

Reds Unlikely To Sign Wood

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TUESDAY: Baker might make a call, but Reds GM Walt Jocketty admits that Wood is likely to find offers to close elsewhere.

MONDAY, 11:03pm: Dusty Baker plans to give Wood a call and see if he might be interested in setting up Francisco Cordero in Cincinnati.

7:55pm: According to MLB.com’s Carrie Muskat, the Cubs declined to offer arbitration to Type A free agents Kerry Wood and Bob Howry.  The Cubs decided they could not take on the financial risk of Wood accepting, as they’re tight on payroll.  Trading him might’ve been difficult, as he would’ve been a 10-and-5 player.  It seems that payroll forced the Cubs to make the questionable baseball decision to pass on a one-year deal for Wood. 

Wood now has an advantage on the market over Francisco Rodriguez and Brian Fuentes – he won’t cost a draft pick to sign.

Rockies Rumors: Fuentes, Embree, Taveras

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Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post has a few Rockies tidbits today…

  • It deserves another mention – Brian Fuentes has scheduled a visit with the Mets.  If he signs there, the Rockies will add the Mets’ #25 pick to their own #11 pick in the first round while also snagging a sandwich pick.
  • The Rockies want two lefties, probably from the pool of Glendon Rusch, Alan Embree, Brian Shouse, and Joe Beimel.  Renck says the Tigers are aggressively pursuing Beimel, while Embree might have extra appeal if he can be had on a one-year deal.
  • The Rockies hope to trade Willy Taveras, while free agent Cory Sullivan could fit with the Marlins or D’Backs according to Renck.  The Rockies plan to use Ryan Spilborghs in center and perhaps re-sign Scott Podsednik as a reserve.

Indians Shift Focus To Closer

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According to Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the Indians decided last week that multiyear deals for Rafael Furcal or Orlando Hudson would be too risky (health concerns).  They’re likely to switch their focus to finding a closer.

Hoynes says the Indians have talked to the agents for Brian Fuentes, Trevor Hoffman, Jason Isringhausen, and Francisco Rodriguez.  Hoynes believes the Mets have the upper hand on K-Rod.  Still, Fuentes has scheduled a trip to New York to visit with the Mets.

Mets Will Try To Trade For Bullpen Help

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The New York Times has sources who say the Mets will look to improve their bullpen through trades before starting more involved discussions with Francisco Rodriguez and Brian Fuentes.

According to the article, the Mets have had discussions with various teams about trading for Jose Valverde, J.J. Putz, Huston Street and Bobby Jenks and are considering free agent relievers Kerry Wood and Trevor Hoffman.

Even if the Mets add one of these relievers, they could still sign K-Rod or Fuentes in their efforts to completely remodel their bullpen.

This week Mets GM Omar Minaya said Fuentes’ asking price was “a bit high,” so the Mets are considering alternatives even though they will continue to pursue K-Rod and Fuentes.

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