According to an article by SI’s Jon Heyman, Omar Minaya meet with Bay’s agent and are thought to have offered a 5 year contract to bay (last year is option). Bay’s agent is twisting Minayas arm and asking for 6 years. Omar has also engaged in talks with Boras (cough…cough…ahole..cough) about Matt Holiday. Also the Mets are standing on their offer to Molina for 2/$10 but Molina is also standing his ground at 3/$20.
-I think the shock of Mondays blockbuster deal is wearing off and its back to business. Thanks to all the Mets bloggers and beat writers for calming the base down a bit to give Omar some time to work.
UPDATE
According to Buster Onley from ESPN, Mets are staying at 4 years for Bay and just monitoring Holiday…not actively involved. Also David Lennon from Newsday believes either way that the Bay/Holiday situation works out for the Mets, they will be grossly overpaying for them and may lose out on both.
-ESPN vs SI this morning lol, I dont know who is right but I am inclined to believe Jon in this one as im sure it will take a 5th year to lock up Bay and the Mets do not want to let him get away and deal with Boras backed into a corner. Stay tuned!
36 comments
DNDJohan aka kistics
12/16/2009-10:11am at 10:11 am (UTC -4)
Is the talk with Boras to lower Bay’s price?
I wonder what Molina is smoking…
wannybackstra
12/16/2009-10:14am at 10:14 am (UTC -4)
It’s not crack, cocaine or meth because his appetite has not been diminished.
metsfan4decades
12/16/2009-10:21am at 10:21 am (UTC -4)
LOL.
I hope Omar stands his ground on this. As I said earlier, can’t blame a guy/agent for trying but I will blame Omar if he makes a 3 year deal.
Heck, I don’t even want two but I could live with that.
trs86
12/16/2009-10:22am at 10:22 am (UTC -4)
3 years is fine, 2/10 or 3 for 10.1
DNDJohan aka kistics
12/16/2009-10:35am at 10:35 am (UTC -4)
I would be more generous there. 3 for 10.2
wannybackstra
12/16/2009-10:16am at 10:16 am (UTC -4)
If the Mets are unhappy with the progress of the Bay negotiations and his agent (this is what happens when you give an inch, they want a mile), their discussions with Boras must only be to put a scare into Bay.
Holliday will not come on more reasonable terms. And Boras is likely to conspire with Bay’s representative to ensure bigger payoffs for their clients.
DNDJohan aka kistics
12/16/2009-10:19am at 10:19 am (UTC -4)
I agree. I doubt Holliday will sign anytime soon. Boras will drag this thing just like he did with Manny.
trs86
12/16/2009-10:20am at 10:20 am (UTC -4)
True, but what is more reasonable? Would you rather have Bay at 5/75 or say Holliday at 6/100? Not saying I have a clue if either of those would do it or will be offered. Just giving you food for thought.
darknova306
12/16/2009-10:17am at 10:17 am (UTC -4)
He needs to realize the market for his services is rather thin right now. Let’s just hope Omar doesn’t panic and give in to the 3rd year. I don’t even want Molina for 2, but it wouldn’t be the end of the world to me.
DNDJohan aka kistics
12/16/2009-10:26am at 10:26 am (UTC -4)
I agree. But Omar is hesitant on giving Molina a guaranteed 2nd year. So I doubt he’ll go to 3rd year. Plus, there are other catchers with power in the market. Like Barajas or Olivo
trs86
12/16/2009-10:19am at 10:19 am (UTC -4)
I put this on the other side. Is it possible that the Mets are fine with either Bay or Holliday and are offering their best contract terms for each and saying here it is first one gets it?
DNDJohan aka kistics
12/16/2009-10:20am at 10:20 am (UTC -4)
It could be the strategy. But you know Boras won’t bite. Especially not at Bay’s money.
trs86
12/16/2009-10:21am at 10:21 am (UTC -4)
Then that’s fine. He will be left with St. Louis and the Angels competing for his services. Good luck getting more than 5 years out of either.
stickguy
12/16/2009-10:44am at 10:44 am (UTC -4)
TRS might be right. Either one will be a nice pick up (setting the contract terms aside!), so might as well play both for now.
Bay is the one that should be more worried. If the Mets back out, his options are going to be limited, and the other teams are going to be like sharks circling a bleeding tuna.
If they get Bay with the 5th year optin, that would be nice. But even if they guarantee 5 (but keep the $$ down because of it), what the heck. 2014 is a long time away!
I actually worry more about the annual salaries for the next few years. That is what might keep them from getting a true prime FA, or being able to extend all of their guys (although come to think about it, only DW and Reyes have to be worried about for any kind of LT big $$ extensions).
trs86
12/16/2009-11:24am at 11:24 am (UTC -4)
Bay could however take the Boras strategy and sign a 1 year 18 million deal and hit the market again.
stickguy
12/16/2009-12:34pm at 12:34 pm (UTC -4)
I would be doing cartwheels if we could get him for that instead of 5 years. See if you can get a hold of his agent to suggest theidea.
manicmcreynolds
12/16/2009-11:55am at 11:55 am (UTC -4)
Could any of us conceivably be happy with neither Bay nor Holliday. Could Dye or Damon do the trick in LF? Anybody cool with a Gomes-Carter platoon, as mentioned in the feature, “Questions of Restraint.”
I think I’d prefer Dye over Damon. I could live with the LF budget platoon if I see TWO new SPs in Mets uniforms, or 1 SP + a younger 2B.
I could change my mind tomorrow.
BONUS INQUIRY: I have yet to encounter an adequate explanation for why we shed Wagner for Carter instead of offering him arbitration and getting draft picks. It was worth it to shed what, 15% of his annual salary (or whatever was remaining at that point in the season)? I still don’t understand.
GravediggerHebner
12/16/2009-11:59am at 11:59 am (UTC -4)
I’ll leave the Carter/Wagner thing to others, but on LF I would say speaking as someone who is at least a tiny bit concerned with Jason Bay’s defense, I just cannot endorse putting Jermaine Dye out there. Yes he had 9 or 10 assists last year (that’s for you Kong) but the dude is practically immobile, and Damon makes Juan Pierre look strong-armed. Bay I can live with because I don’t think he’s THAT bad out there and I think his offense and age make him a decent investment. Dye and Damon I DO think are that bad out there.
manicmcreynolds
12/16/2009-1:02pm at 1:02 pm (UTC -4)
Agreed on Bay’s advantages, of course, but he’s a lot more expensive.
Damon still covers ground, just can’t throw.
Dye somehow survived most of the ChiSox’ innings in RF, and it was Quentin whom Ozzie replaced late in games (Podsednik from CF to LF; Wise in CF).
Disadvantage, sure, but I don’t think Dye in LF would be tragic. Obviously his bat would have to prove his worth.
GravediggerHebner
12/16/2009-1:09pm at 1:09 pm (UTC -4)
All fair points, I just worry about Dye given his precipitous second half drop-off in offensive performance in the context of his age.
That he is already flawed defensively, turns 36 in January, and had this slash line post All-Star break in 2009 scares the hell out of me.
.179/.293/.297/.590
trs86
12/16/2009-12:01pm at 12:01 pm (UTC -4)
Oh no, not that one again. LOL. Just search that debate on our search widget and you will find all the answers you need.
manicmcreynolds
12/16/2009-1:03pm at 1:03 pm (UTC -4)
OK, gonna search it . . .
stickguy
12/16/2009-12:37pm at 12:37 pm (UTC -4)
For LF, I am OK if they get neither bay nor holliday. Dye? Iffy (due to defense), but for 1 year? Maybe.
No to Damon. he will be a disaster IMO outside of yankee bandbox.
I am fine with getting another vet guy, even if it is someone that needs to be in a platoon 9jerry will do that anyway) if they can at least be good hitting against only pitchers from 1 side.
Basically get some more guys in, and let them compete for the job in ST.
Wagner? It had to all be about $$$$.
manicmcreynolds
12/16/2009-1:07pm at 1:07 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah, I think Damon falls below 15HR for a full season in Citi (or Shea).
Fenway + both Yankee Stadiums (Stadia?) inflated his power.
Still, a super patient hitter who really sprays the ball . . . and fielded really well in the postseason.
wannybackstra
12/16/2009-1:06pm at 1:06 pm (UTC -4)
I’m not opposed to Damon as plan C behind Bay and Holliday.
I think he brings a lot to the table offensively despite his spaghetti arm. And in 2008 he was still pretty good in LF (+11.6 UZR/150 though pretty bad in 2009).
I just don’t like him for more than a year or two, though.
manicmcreynolds
12/16/2009-1:09pm at 1:09 pm (UTC -4)
Right, he still has range. One can live with a minus arm in LF.
wannybackstra
12/16/2009-1:12pm at 1:12 pm (UTC -4)
This year his range runs were negative too, but only -3.7. That could fluctate into a positive this season.
wannybackstra
12/16/2009-1:35pm at 1:35 pm (UTC -4)
fluctUate.
fluctate sounds like something that would get one banned from Mattsblog.
GravediggerHebner
12/16/2009-12:33pm at 12:33 pm (UTC -4)
Heyman (nice shot) also has this to say:
“The Mets never loved the idea of importing John Lackey (four years was all they and several other teams considered doing), never had a real shot at Roy Halladay, and will instead try to fill their rotation opening by picking up a pitcher or two late. They have interest in Joel Pineiro, Jason Marquis, John Garland or Doug Davis, but Pineiro seeks four years and Marquis three, making the latter two pitchers more likely.”
Say hello to Jon Garland (way to mis-spell his name Heyman!)
stickguy
12/16/2009-12:41pm at 12:41 pm (UTC -4)
Garland? Well, if it is because he fell (not too expensive, not more than 1-2 years), then sure. Get him for some stability. He can be the Mets Joe Blanton.
Add say harang or Arroyo (especially arroyo), and you have upgraded the overall level of the rotation, and certainly (at least based on past performance) added more reliability.
A decent offense and solid pen and defense can easily win with that rotation (hell, the Phillies did it last year, without the reliable pen!)
trs86
12/16/2009-1:04pm at 1:04 pm (UTC -4)
Great comparison. Garland’s numbers were actually not terrible last year.
manicmcreynolds
12/16/2009-1:11pm at 1:11 pm (UTC -4)
Garland for 2 > Marquis for 2.
Who the hell would give Marquis 3?
stickguy
12/16/2009-1:14pm at 1:14 pm (UTC -4)
hopefully not Omar.
wannybackstra
12/16/2009-1:10pm at 1:10 pm (UTC -4)
If the Mets are left with Jon Garland as their addition to the rotation, they had better bring in a Ben Sheets or Erik Bedard type who could at least have the potential to pitch game 2 of the NL Division Series (fingers crossed).
Alone Garland is of little help. If Sheets is healthy, Garland is really maximized as a 4-5 pitcher.
trs86
12/16/2009-1:25pm at 1:25 pm (UTC -4)
I agree and said that earlier this year.
stickguy
12/16/2009-1:44pm at 1:44 pm (UTC -4)
sheets if healthy is good. I am also willing to take a shot on Harang, depending on what you give up and how much salary you take back.