Wright Has Sit Down With Omar

Kieth at Die Hard Met Fan writes about David Wright and his request to have a sit down with Omar Minaya:

All-Star, Silver Slugger, and Gold Glover, David Wright, requested a sit-down with Mets Management to see where he fits in for 2008. His request was granted, and Omar informed him that he will remain at third base next season regarless of all of the A-Rod rumors that are circling.

Mets Out Of A-Rod Race?

Murray Chass at The New York Times writes about the Gm's feelings on Alex Rodriguez and who is out of the chase for A-Rod:

Omar Minaya of the Mets didn’t mention Rodriguez yesterday. The day before, he said he would look at Rodriguez like he looks at all free agents. Some people inferred from that comment that the Mets were interested. They are not.

The only way that would probably change was if Fred Wilpon, the Mets’ principal owner, had a dream that the Mets won the World Series next October with A-Rod in their lineup.

The Three Blockbuster Deals

Howard Megdal at The New York Observer writes about the three deals that the Mets should go through with to heelp forget about this past season:

Move One: trade for Johan Santana.

He is unquestionably the best pitcher of the past four seasons. He doesn’t turn 29 until March of 2008. His contract is up following the 2008 season, and it is highly unlikely that Minnesota can afford him. The Twins might well take their chances on one more run with Santana before he hits the free agent market.

If they don’t, the Mets would be in position to trade for him. Few teams could offer the major league-ready talent of Lastings Milledge, who could take over for free agent Torii Hunter in center field, Ruben Gotay, who could play second for the Twins, Mike Pelfrey and Philip Humber, who would both challenge for rotation spots. If those four aren’t enough, include Carlos Gomez.

Move Two: sign Alex Rodriguez, move David Wright to second base.

Rodriguez is unquestionably the best player in baseball this season. And he is a 3-for-20 ALDS away from being run out of the Bronx. He was raised a Mets fan, and the Mets have more money than virtually anyone else besides the Yankees. David Wright is even on record saying he’d change positions to accommodate A-Rod.

If it calls for $30 million a year for eight years, take that extra revenue from the playoff appearances it all but guarantees and put that towards his salary. The revenue generated as Rodriguez chases Bonds won’t hurt the Mets, either.

Move three: Sign Jorge Posada.

How much better has Jorge Posada been than Paul Lo Duca this season? His on base percentage is 115 points higher. His slugging percentage is 165 points higher. The distance between Posada and Lo Duca offensively is roughly the same as the distance between Lo Duca and Orlando Hernandez.

Posada was unhappy with the Yankees’ decision to try and negotiate with Alex Rodriguez in-season, but not with him. None of the typical “I want to be a Yankee” statements from Jorge—he’s ready to test the market.

To read the entire article use the link above.

Mets Would Be Foolish To Sign A-Rod

Ted Berg at SNY writes about the Mets and how signing Alex Rodriguez would be a mistake:

There's simply not a big enough sample size to prove that A-Rod is or will continue to be less stellar in the postseason than he is in the regular season.

But the Mets would be foolish to sign him, MVP or not. The Amazins have young stars at both positions A-Rod is qualified to play -- third base and shortstop -- and talk of moving either David Wright or Jose Reyes to second base, or another team, to make room for Rodriguez strikes me as silly. The Mets already tried to move Reyes to second, and the switch clearly affected his confidence at the plate and arguably led to an injury-plagued season that may have hindered his development. Wright is a consummate professional and would probably be able to handle the adjustment, but don't forget that we've seen him struggle with confidence before. Frankly, Wright is so good and so young that I wouldn't want to do anything that could possibly throw him off his game -- like signing A-Rod. On top of that, the mega-deal A-Rod will certainly command will not only prevent the team from adding talent elsewhere, but may very likely become an albatross as the future Hall of Famer ages.

A-Rod A Free Agent

Jack Curry and Tyler Kepner at Newsday write about Alex Rodriguez and him opting out of his current contract to become a free agent:

Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez, who had one of the best statistical seasons in the storied history of the Yankees, opted out of the final three years on his 10-year, $252 million contract Sunday, according to his agent. The move makes him a free agent and potentially ends his career with the team.

“We have put it in writing and sent it to the Yankees,” Rodriguez’s agent, Scott Boras, said in a telephone interview.

Leave The Yankees

From Ed Ryan at Mets Fever (network Member):

Their showing love, but it's not real. Yankee fans are not cool, when it comes to Alex Rodriguez. Last season, he was getting beat up. This season, they love him. Which is it?, hate him or not. What kind of fans are those?

A-Rod is having a great season. His best in New York. Winning the MVP, it's going to happen. Leading the league in home runs, and more. No player in the A.L., is having a better season.

It isn't a surprise, because many expected it. But many expect A-Rod to leave the Yankees.

"A source with knowledge of the situation says Boras knows which group is most likely to be awarded the team," New York Magazine reported on its Web site this weekend. "The source says Boras has already been in touch with that group about the possibility of a contract that could reach $30 million a year over the next 10 years while deferring a certain portion of money toward an eventual stake in the franchise." Is it the Chicago Cubs?, nobody knows. It would make sense, because a lot can happen. Cub fans are great, and not "traders" like Yankee fans.

"Great players with great demand create great rumors," Boras said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. "While I would enjoy having lunch with Mark Cuban and Canning, at this point of the year that conversation would not include Alex Rodriguez. I have not talked to anyone." Yea but considering it, is great. Nobody knows what's going to happen, but A-Rod would be welcome in Chicago. Mark Cuban shouldn't be involved. He might not get the Cubs anyway. "It sounds like a silly story. We really don't believe it," Yankees president Randy Levine said. "However, if it were true, that would be grounds to disqualify someone from becoming an owner before even filing the application. It would demonstrate a violation of major league rules prior to even owning a club. I talked to the commissioner, and he agrees." Correct, and Mark Cuban differently will lose. His image will break, and no ownership in the MLB.

The contract could be an issue. Carlos Zambrano, and others have big contracts as well. That wouldn't look good. But there's other teams, it isn't just the Cubs. Many teams would be after A-Rod.

(Quotes From Yahoo Sports)