Martinez Looking For Max Three Years

Tony Massarotti at The Boston herald writes about Pedro Martinez and what kind of contract he wants to look for after this season:

The future? Martinez doesn’t have any firm plans yet, largely because he understands the importance of this season. If he pitches well, he will be in position to sign another long-term contract, undoubtedly the last of his career. Martinez will not turn 37 until late October, and the one thing he promises is that he will not be pitching when he’s 40.

That means he’ll be looking for a three-year deal.

“Maximum,” Martinez stressed.

When I first read this article and saw the headline I thought Pedro was smoking something, but if he pitches well enough in 2008 I can see the Mets giving him a two year deal with a third year option. That certainly wouldn’t be out of the question and besides, it would be nice to still have his veteran presence and experience around the club house to help guide the young arms that will be filtering through. But it comes with a big if on it. If Pedro can go around 15-9 with a 3.40 ERA, then I would say it’s a given.

Glavine To Probably Deny Option

Jack Wilkinson at SI.com writes about Tom Glavine and him thinking about turning down his option. The funny thing about this is that he had all the intentions, at least that's what I goatherd out of it, that he wanted to pitch one more season with the Mets and now he says this:

Back home in Atlanta following the New York Mets historic collapse, Tom Glavine said Tuesday he'll "most likely" decline his $9 million player option for next season.

"The decision goes much deeper than that in deciding what I want to do next year," said Glavine, who finished 13-8 after his earned-run average ballooned Sunday to 4.45. "I have to be home, away from baseball, with my family [before making a decision]."

"Atlanta is home," Glavine said. "The hardest thing for me in New York is playing and being away from home. I've played in New York for five years now. If you break it down [in days, weeks and months], I've been away from my home for four years now. I'm at the point where my wife and kids [ages 13, 12, 8 and 6] are making sacrifices for me."

Delcos Wants Glavine Back

John Delcos at Lo Hud writes about his desire to see Glavine still a Met next year:

From a communications perspective, there is none better in the Mets’ clubhouse. Not only that, but he can still pitch. With a little more support from the offense and bullpen, he could have 17 or 18 wins.

Give him the ball and the odds are six innings later the Mets are ahead or in the game. I know what you’re thinking about six innings, but my reply is that’s enough with a decent pen.

Could Santana Be A Met In 2009?

Tom Fornelli at Yahoo Sports writes about the possibility of Johan Santana leaving the Twins after next season:

Let's be honest here, Johan can say whatever the hell he wants to say about the Twins right now. You want to know why Hunter and Silva have no bearing on what Johan will do? Because he's not staying in Minnesota. He knows that, he's just playing the game right now because he's there through 2008.

I can't tell you whether or not the Twins will trade him before hand, but if they don't and he hits the open market, he's gone. It's not a tough decision to make. Seven years and $125 million from the Mets, or five years and $70 million from the Twins.

Lo Duca Would Play For Less Money

Mark Hale at The New York Post writes about the expiring contract of Paul Lo Duca and his ambition to remain a Met:

There are only 19 games left in the season, and there remains no contract talks between free agent-to-be Paul Lo Duca and the Mets.

"We weren't going to talk till the end of the season," Lo Duca said, "and I don't think anything's gone since."

Lo Duca has always said he wants to be back with the Mets, and yesterday he praised the fans and said he's been appreciative of them. He even said he would take a discount to remain.

"Money's not an issue to me right now," he said. "I would come back here and play for less money."

Would Omar Sign Livan Hernandez?

So now Livan Hernandez wants to pitch with his half brother, Orlando “El Duque” Hernandez, next season and if that’s the case, he’s going to have to come to the Mets because Hernandez is still under contract for the 2008 season.

Can we take this as a good thing or a bad thing?

Well, we all know how Omar loves those proven veteran pitchers and he was with Livan in 2003, when he made his Expos debut. So logic would tell us that Omar would be more than willing to sign Livan Hernandez in order to replace the soon to retire Tom Glavine next season.

With all that aside, let’s take a look at Livan’s season:

Livan has a 4.79 ERA (no Met legit starter has an ERA over 4.06, excluding Mike Pelfrey), with a 10-9 record and only 79 strike outs in 29 games started. Not the greatest numbers for a pitcher on the verge of free agency, but if nothing pans out over the off season Livan Hernandez might be a safe option.

A big plus is that he almost always will go deep into games and give the bullpen a rest if the rest of the rotation is having an off week. The big down side will always be his age. Livan will be 33 when next season starts, a far cry from the ageless one Tom Glavine and semi ageless one El Duque.

This deal will always be a flip of the coin in the respect that Livan Hernandez could be the Mets last option (good) or first option (bad) and whichever outcome may happen will determine how us, Met fans, view him.

Livan Wants To Pitch With His Brother

At MLB Trade Rumors they write about Livan Hernandez and his desire to pitch with his half brother El Duque:

Livan Hernandez, half-brother of Orlando, were all set to pitch together as Expos in 2003 until El Duque succumbed to a shoulder injury. Livan, a free-agent-to-be, mentioned recently that he still aims to pitch with his half-brother.

El Duque is signed through 2008 as a Met; could they make room for Livan in next year's rotation? Duque, Oliver Perez, and John Maine are locked in. Tom Glavine's status is in question; Livan could conceivably fill Glavine's rotation spot. If Glavine reaches 200 innings this year, he'll have a $13MM player option for '08. It might be hard to turn that down.

Rockies After Paulie

From Ed Ryan at Mets Fever (Network Member):

The Denver Post reports today that the Colorado Rockies will pursue catcher Paul Lo Duca during the off season. Apparently the Rockies have had long term interest in Lo Duca, remember they saw him for years when he was with the Dodgers. I hope Paulie is back for one more year, after that I could see his injuries catching up to him and making less productive. I understand where the club is coming from if they pass on Lo Duca, he is 36 y/o and has struggled with injuries for his two seasons in NY. But the Mets don't really have an alternative for next year. When Castro is the starter his offensive numbers decline and he ends up injured, I think Castro is one of the best backup catchers in the league but that's it. The free agent market doesn't have a better alternative to Lo Duca and I don't see anyway Jorge Posada comes over from the Yankess. All the young catcher's out there, are going to be very costly via trade and most are the non-hitting type.

How about the Mets chasing free-agent catcher Jorge Posada? Paul Lo Duca, by the way, is a player the Rockies have long coveted. ... source Denver Post

Pudge Or Posada To The Mets?

At the Sporting News they write about the rumors about Jorge Posada or Pudge Rodriguez landing with the Mets in the off season:

Some things you read and you just know it's that NY media stirrin' the stinkin' pot again. Today's NY Daily News reports that Jorge Posada could be on his way to the Mets. Er, yeah. By the third paragraph, they're backpedaling, saying Posada's a long shot to leave the Yankees. BUT he could leave, as he will be a free agent. Yeah, and Fly could be the queen of England. It's more likely that Pudge will ditch the Tigers and head to New York. He's been to the World Series with Florida and Detroit -- why not try for a trifecta?

Resigning Castro Is A Must

Ramon Castro is having a monstrous year at the plate this season. Hitting at .290 and has 9 home runs and 27 runs batted in, in only 124 at bats. I guess it should come as no surprise that because he is going to be a free agent at the end of the season, teams are starting to take notice in him.

Over at MLB-Trade Rumors, they write a little piece about how Castro might be the strongest option behind the plate this off season.

I didn't view him as a potential starter. But with nine homers in 124 ABs for the Mets this year, Castro could move to the front of a weak class of catchers. Assuming Jorge Posada and Ivan Rodriguez never hit the open market that leaves Castro, Michael Barrett, Paul Lo Duca, and Jason Kendall.

If this is indeed true, then Omar needs to retain Castro to at least platoon next season with whatever option they decide to go in (Lo Duca or not). Castro is an integral part of the team and just because the Marlins couldn’t see how much of a commodity having Ramon Castro around the club house and on the field is, doesn’t mean that Met fans don’t see it.

So I am begging you Omar, resign Castro before it becomes too late.

Is The Mets' 2008 Ace Pitching Tonight?

Ben Shpigel at The New York Times, writes about Carlos Zambrano and how he might end up a Met next year:

The ace of the Mets in 2008 could be pitching at Shea Stadium tonight. Not John Maine, although he is certainly pitching like one. We’re talking about Carlos Zambrano, the Cubs’ burly right-hander who, if he cannot work out an extension with Chicago, will become the most coveted pitcher on the free-agent market come November.

Zambrano, an outstanding hitter who has 11 career homers (including 6 last year), wants to say in the National League so he can hit, and there aren’t many teams who could afford to pay him what he stands to get. The Giants gave $126 million over seven years to Barry Zito. At 25, Zambrano is three years younger than Zito and has a Zito-esque curveball complemented by a mid-90s fastball. It’s not unreasonable to think that some team could offer him $140-$150 million. Of course, because he is still so young, he could take a five-year deal worth about $90 million and then be in line for another huge payday at age 31.