Wrapping up the final day of the Winter Meetings

The Winter Meetings are now technically over, and many have been calling it a bust. We really didn't see any blockbuster trades or signings, and the Mets remained reluctant to do anything. So, on Thursday, the Phillies surprised many baseball fans everywhere by acquiring Ben Revere from the Twins in exchange for Vance Worley and a prospect. Obviously that means that the Phils are out on the Michael Bourn sweepstakes, and this is a great trade for them. Also, the Red Sox signed Koji Uehara, the Braves re-signed Reed Johnson, and the Twins extended pitcher Jared Burton. 

As for the Mets, they selected pitcher Kyle Lobstein in the Rule 5 draft, but immediately traded him to the Tigers in exchange for cash considerations. It seems like the Tigers were eyeing him, and the Mets made them pay for it. In other news, the Mets have apparently made "little progress" in signing or trading for a catcher this week, which is not a good sign at all. We need someone to platoon with Josh Thole, and it is looking like that someone will be a Miguel Olivo-type player. Olivo has some pop to his bat, but I'd rather have someone a bit younger. 

Apparently the Dodgers are negotiating a contract with prized free agent Zack Greinke, so that would be great if he went to Los Angeles. Why you may ask? Because that means the Rangers, who are Greinke's other top suitor, will overpay to haul in a top of the rotation pitcher. They would probably overpay to acquire Dickey, and it seems like they have a legit amount of interest in him.

As for the Winter Meetings, they were pretty much a bust for the Mets. Alderson claims that he is happy with the progress he made, but where exactly is the progress? All we saw were a few conflicting reports about Dickey and a hint that the club may acquire an outfielder sometime during the week (which didn't happen.) I doubt that Alderson is brewing any big moves here, so he better start making some roster changes or the team will look even worse in 2013. 

Wrapping up the third day of the Winter Meetings

The third day of the Winter Meetings featured a whole lot of free agent signings, none of which involve the Mets. It really seems like the Mets have no interest in making any trades, or moves for that matter, and that is quite annoying. It is even more annoying knowing that the other teams out there, specifically one with in the division, are bulking up their roster without thinking twice. On Wednesday we saw that two trades became official. Wilton Lopez will go to Colorado and Yunel Escobar will go to Tampa Bay in those separate deals. The Giants also signed Marco Scutaro to a three year pact, and the White Sox surprised quite a bit of people by giving Jeff Keppinger a three year deal. We also saw the Orioles re-sign Nate McLouth, who the Mets should have inquired on, and the Mariners signing Jason Bay, who I'd rather not talk about. Also, the Diamondbacks signed Eric Chavez, the Cardinals signed Randy Choate, the Angels signed Sean Burnett and Joe Blanton, and the Cubs signed Nate Schierholtz. 

As for the Mets, like I said earlier, they have barely done anything. I can't believe that they are letting some of these guys go -- I'm talking about a player like Nate Schierholtz, who would have been a perfect fit in New York. Apparently they are working on trades that do not include Dickey, but I just don't see it. Handling the Dickey situation should be Alderson's main priority right now, so let's just get it over with. 

Apparently Mike Pelfrey is gauging quite a bit of interest, so perhaps he will not return to the Mets in 2013. We know that his agent Scott Boras is going to chase the highest offer, and I don't see the Mets out-biding other teams for him, especially if they end up keeping Dickey and Niese. 

Tomorrow is the Rule 5 draft and the Mets apparently are not looking at anyone in particular in the draft (Of-course). I hope the Mets start making moves -- I don't even care how severe the move is, I just want to see some new faces. 

Wrapping up the second day of the Winter Meetings

Day 2 of the Winter Meetings featured a few surprising free agent signings and a couple of trades. At this point, it seems likely that the majority of these trade rumors will continue into tomorrow, so the third day should be a big one. Today kicked off with the Nationals signing Dan Haren, who was not on the Mets' radar. The Diamondbacks have signed Eric Hinske, and the Red Sox have signed Shane Victorino. The Reds are apparently close to a two year deal with Ryan Ludwick. Also, the Rockies are close to acquiring Wilton Lopez from Houston and Tampa Bay is on the verge of acquiring Yunel Escobar from the Marlins. Those trades may become complete overnight.

As for the Mets, we haven't really gotten anything to talk about. The R.A. Dickey rumors really seem to be leaning toward a trade rather than an extension, especially because he apparently wants a 3 yr, $45 million deal. Even his agent wouldn't be surprised if Dickey gets traded, so expect to see more trade rumors revolving around him. Perhaps the Mets will wait until the higher-tiered pitchers, such as Zack Greinke and Anibal Sanchez, are off the free agent market, to negotiate with other teams. That way a team may feel compelled to give up their top prospects to acquire some last minute pitching.

Also, there were several reports indicating that the Mets have checked in on the availability of Mark Reynolds. I personally would hate to see Reynolds come to New York because a) the guy strikes out 200+ times a year, b) he wouldn't have a position (he would be a horrible outfielder) and c) he is probably going to be looking for a multiyear deal.

The Mets talked to Scott Hairston's agent today, and it is "probable" that the two sides eventually come to an agreement, so that is definitely a positive note.

Manny Parra is drawing interest from the Mets, who would use him as a left handed specialist if they were to acquire him. Personally I'd stay away from Parra, because his track record does not look good at all, and he hasn't been able to stay healthy for the last couple of seasons.

The Mets showed interest in signing free agent pitcher John Lannan. Lannan was non-tendered by the Nationals last week, and will probably not be re-signed by them now they have have Dan Haren in the rotation. I would love to see the Mets go after Lannan, because he is an ideal pitcher to have if the Mets end up trading Dickey or Niese.

The Mets are apparently interested in trading for Indians RHP Vinnie Pestano. I think that acquiring Pestano would be a great move, because I feel like the two clubs match up extremely well. I probably wouldn't give them Ike Davis, but I'd let Duda go in a possible Pestano swap, and throw in a Valdespin or Brad Holt as well. Pestano has a power arm, and would be an excellent addition to the bullpen.

Bobby Parnell is apparently untouchable this winter, according to Adam Rubin of ESPN New York. It is weird to think about why the organization thinks so highly of Parnell, because he has shown that he melts down when it comes to the 9th inning situations, and is probably better suited to be a setup man at best. I've always liked Parnell but if the Mets needed to package him, I'd be all for it.

Oh yeah, and tomorrow at 11 am (Eastern time), the Mets will have a press conference that will officially announce the contract extension for David Wright. That is something I'd definitely like to see, because I'd like to hear what David has to say about the future of this club. 

As always I'll be doing another Winter Meetings recap tomorrow night. Be sure to check that out.

Terry Collins talks to reporters about Mejia, Turner, others

Today at the Winter Meetings, Terry Collins sat down with reporters and answered a few questions about the team for next season, and basically said the following.

• Brandon Hicks will serve as the the team's backup infielder.
• Tim Byrdak will begin a throwing program in May, and could join the team in the second half.
• The team expects Johan Santana make between 28 and 30 starts on the season.
• Darin Gorski could get a look as a lefty specialist in the big league bullpen.
• He will give Justin Turner a look in the outfield during Spring Training. 
• Zack Wheeler could get a shot at the big league rotation if the club trades a pitcher this winter.

Well, I don't expect Collins to stick to his word about some of these points, but they are interesting nonetheless. I'd be surprised if Hicks made the club, but he would obviously be a bench player at best if he happens to make his way on the 25 man roster. I wouldn't be surprised to see Byrdak contributing to the club sometime in August or so, because he seems like he is way ahead of schedule on his rehab program. Last year he had a knee surgery to deal with, and only took a few weeks to recover, and at age 39, that is impressive. The Mets would be lucky if they got Santana to start 28-30 games in 2013, and I still feel like if he plays well, then he'll be dealt at the trading deadline. The Darin Gorski case is very interesting, because here we have a hard-throwing lefty who has had a good amount of success in the minors. I don't quite understand why they would put him in a bullpen role when they have Josh Edgin, who I believe is a left handed specialist in the making. Gorski has always seemed like a second-tiered prospect to me, and I'd prefer if he got a chance to make the rotation. As for Turner, it is obvious that Collins and Co. likes his presence  and understands that his versatility is very important to the club. He has a knack for hitting with runners in scoring position, but I don't know how he'll fare out in the outfield. And finally, I'd be very excited to see Wheeler make the Opening Day roster, but I just hope they don't rush him. He better be lights out in Spring Training or else he is staying in the minors to continue his development. 

Wrapping up the first day of the Winter Meetings

The Winter Meetings just kicked off today, and we have seen some free agent signings already. Most of these players were out of Alderson's price range, so it not a surprise to see them go elsewhere. Mike Napoli inked a three year deal with the Red Sox, the Giants re-signed Angel Pagan, and the Rangers signed Joakim Soria. Those are pretty much the three top signings of the day, and I would hope that we see more trades tomorrow. 

As for the Mets, they have been reportedly been taking offers for R.A. Dickey all day long, and a trade this week seems likely from what I can gather. This is a tough situation to decipher, because we do not know the full details of the negotiation process between Dickey and the Mets, but I know one thing : If the Mets do not sign Dickey to an extension, he will be dealt sometime this winter. The Red Sox apparently have quite a bit of interest in the 38 year old knuckle-baller, and the Mets reportedly asked for an outfield prospect named Jackie Bradley Jr., a shortstop prospect named Xavier Bogaerts, and presumably a catcher like Jarrod Saltalamacchia.

We have also heard that the Mets are going to meet with Cesar Izturis' agents sometime this week, and may consider signing him as infield depth. In my eyes, Izturis is a guy who cannot hit at all, and his defense is all he has left. If they inked him to a minor league deal I wouldn't throw a fit, but I would just like to see the team going after higher caliber free agents.

Lastly, the Mets are showing interest in free agent outfielder Ryan Ludwick, who I want to stay away from Queens. I recently wrote an article about how I don't want Ludwick (Or Pagan) in Queens, and I'll stick to my word. Ludwick is going to require more of a commitment -- something that is unnecessary at this point in time. 

As for tomorrow, I really hope the Mets start swinging some trades, because this roster needs a shakeup, and it starts with trading R.A. Dickey. It wouldn't surprise me if he was dealt sometime this week, but the Mets better get some solid pieces in return or I will be heartbroken. I will be doing another one of these recap articles tomorrow night as well, so check that out as well.

Should the Mets bring back Mike Pelfrey?

On Friday the Mets non-tendered former first round pick Mike Pelfrey, mostly due to the fact that he has been a massive bust since joining the club in 2005, and was out for the majority of the 2012 season. He also has Scott Boras as his agent, meaning that if he went to arbitration it would have probably costed a few million bucks. Now that Pelfrey is a free agent for the first time in his career, at least seven teams are showing interest in him, and the Mets may be forced to let him walk.

It is no secret that the Mets need pitching depth, especially if they trade Dickey or Niese. Therefore, I would have no problem bringing back Pelfrey on a minor league deal. The problem is, as mentioned before, several teams will be bidding on Pelfrey's services, and the Mets may not want to risk anything by giving him a major league contract.

I have a bad feeling that Boras is going to find a major league contract for Big Pelf sometime this off-season -- possibly next week at the Winter Meetings. Spending guarranteed money on a pitcher returning from Tommy John surgery is a risk, but there are always teams out there that do it -- look at Ryan Madson and the Angels for example. 

So, if I were Sandy Alderson, I would first determine what I am going to do with Dickey and Niese. Obviously they play a huge factor in the 2013 season, and trading them will force him to make several smaller moves, like a Pelfrey signing, to fill out the rotation for the time being. If Alderson trades Dickey or Niese, I would try to re-sign Pelfrey, but I'd still be hesistant about giving him a major league deal. If Alderson signs Dickey to an extension and keeps Niese, then I would say the heck with Pelfrey -- let him get overpaid by some other team.