Minaya will go back to work
If the Mets were all-in with general manager Omar Minaya, they had to be all-in with manager Jerry Manuel. It was Manuel who turned the mood positive and got the Mets playing productively after he replaced Willie Randolph in mid-June, so he was rewarded with a two-year extension.
But Minaya still has his work cut out. Top priority: closer. Could this be where Francisco Rodriguez ends up? It makes sense, considering the Mets have the resources to offer something in the $15 million- to $18 million-a-year category, but insiders say Minaya might be concerned about K-Rod's drop in velocity. He might be more apt to go for a cheaper closer like Brian Fuentes. This will not electrify the masses.
The Mets spent roughly $140 million on payroll this season but will have deductions (Pedro MartA?nez, Oliver Perez, Moises Alou, and others) that give them about $40 million to play with. Minaya would need to either re-sign Perez or go after CC Sabathia or Derek Lowe.
Minaya made a huge splash last offseason when he traded for Johan Santana, who was worth every bit of the outlay in talent and money. Now he'll likely be tempted by one of the free agent starters.
Minaya likely will pick up the $12 million option for MVP candidate Carlos Delgado, who a year ago would have been gone, his career likely over. Manuel played a huge role in reviving Delgado's career.
Minaya has to take into consideration that the Phillies aren't going away and are a better overall team; they also will delve into the market for a starter to augment their potent offense.
Minaya will be tempted to bring MartA?nez back in the hope that he can reinvent himself, but he has to be sure MartA?nez can be a solid fifth starter. Minaya, too, will be competing with the team across town, who like the Mets are moving into a new stadium and have a lot of money to spend.
Source: Boston Globe
Original Story:
http://www.ddmetsfanblog.com/2008/10/...
If the Mets were all-in with general manager Omar Minaya, they had to be all-in with manager Jerry Manuel. It was Manuel who turned the mood positive and got the Mets playing productively after he replaced Willie Randolph in mid-June, so he was rewarded with a two-year extension.
But Minaya still has his work cut out. Top priority: closer. Could this be where Francisco Rodriguez ends up? It makes sense, considering the Mets have the resources to offer something in the $15 million- to $18 million-a-year category, but insiders say Minaya might be concerned about K-Rod's drop in velocity. He might be more apt to go for a cheaper closer like Brian Fuentes. This will not electrify the masses.
The Mets spent roughly $140 million on payroll this season but will have deductions (Pedro MartA?nez, Oliver Perez, Moises Alou, and others) that give them about $40 million to play with. Minaya would need to either re-sign Perez or go after CC Sabathia or Derek Lowe.
Minaya made a huge splash last offseason when he traded for Johan Santana, who was worth every bit of the outlay in talent and money. Now he'll likely be tempted by one of the free agent starters.
Minaya likely will pick up the $12 million option for MVP candidate Carlos Delgado, who a year ago would have been gone, his career likely over. Manuel played a huge role in reviving Delgado's career.
Minaya has to take into consideration that the Phillies aren't going away and are a better overall team; they also will delve into the market for a starter to augment their potent offense.
Minaya will be tempted to bring MartA?nez back in the hope that he can reinvent himself, but he has to be sure MartA?nez can be a solid fifth starter. Minaya, too, will be competing with the team across town, who like the Mets are moving into a new stadium and have a lot of money to spend.
Source: Boston Globe
Original Story:
http://www.ddmetsfanblog.com/2008/10/...
