GaryMrMets
11-23-2004, 04:23 PM
http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/nym/news/nym_news.jsp?ymd=20041119&content_id=915005&vkey=news_nym&fext=.jsp
11/19/2004 6:19 PM ET
Pavano open to talks with Mets
Club close to finalizing long-term deal with Benson
By Kevin T. Czerwinski / MLB.com
NEW YORK -- Carl Pavano is interested in talking to the Mets, if the Mets are interested in talking to him.
Scott Shapiro, Pavano's agent, told MLB.com on Friday that he had a brief "How are you?" conversation with Omar Minaya during the GM meetings in Key Biscayne, Fla., but that the Mets general manager hasn't actually expressed a formal interest in his client. If he does, Shapiro said Pavano would be more than happy to listen.
"I only met with Omar briefly in passing in the lobby of the Ritz Carlton in Key Biscayne," Shapiro said. "We said hi, and he said, 'Yes, I'm interested.' He's got so much on his plate right now. If the Mets expressed interest, obviously Carl would be interested in having me talk to them.
"Carl is familiar with Shea Stadium and is familiar with the organization, having faced them so many times over the last couple of years. I've known Omar for a long time. He's a terrific guy. I think his reputation precedes him, and he's a phenomenal general manager. He's going to make moves to put the Mets in a position to compete. They would be another team that Carl would absolutely be interested in talking to."
Pavano went 18-8 for the Marlins last season, posting a 3.00 ERA in 31 starts. He is 30-21 over the last two seasons, having logged more than 200 innings each year. Pavano met with the Red Sox earlier this week, and will visit the Mariners, Yankees, Orioles and Tigers after Thanksgiving.
Part of what Minaya has on his plate is the negotiations with Gregg Clifton, the agent for Kris Benson. The two sides are close to putting the final touches on a three-year deal, with a club option for a fourth year, that could net the right-hander as much as $30 million. The base deal for the three years is worth slightly less than $23 million.
A deal could be announced as soon as Friday night if some last-minute details can be worked out.
"We're inching toward it, and it should be done very soon," Clifton said.
In roster moves, the club added outfielders Ambiorix Concepcion and Angel Pagan, as well as pitcher Matt Lindstrom to the 40-man roster, which now stands at 37.
Concepcion, 21, was named to the New York-Penn League All-Star squad last season and was the League's Stedler Award Winner, presented by the league managers to the player deemed likely to advance the farthest in professional baseball. He hit .305 and established franchise records with 79 hits and 46 RBIs. He also had a team-high eight homers. His 28 stolen bases were second in the league.
Pagan, 23, hit .287 with 71 runs scored, four homers, 63 RBI and 29 stolen bases in 112 games with Double-A Binghamton. A fourth-round pick in 1999, he hit .289 at Triple-A Norfolk after being promoted in August.
Lindstrom went 8-7 with a 3.52 ERA in 27 games (26 starts) for Class A St. Lucie and Class A Capital City in 2004. A 10th-round pick out of Ricks Junior College in 2004, he was impressive during the Arizona Fall League season, going 2-1 with a 4.11 ERA in nine games.
Kevin Czerwinski is a reporter for MLB.com. Ian Browne contributed to this report. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/2004/09/10/uBW2Vq3k.jpg
Carl Pavano's agent is waiting for the Mets to offically express interest in the righty. (Nam Y. Huh/AP)
11/19/2004 6:19 PM ET
Pavano open to talks with Mets
Club close to finalizing long-term deal with Benson
By Kevin T. Czerwinski / MLB.com
NEW YORK -- Carl Pavano is interested in talking to the Mets, if the Mets are interested in talking to him.
Scott Shapiro, Pavano's agent, told MLB.com on Friday that he had a brief "How are you?" conversation with Omar Minaya during the GM meetings in Key Biscayne, Fla., but that the Mets general manager hasn't actually expressed a formal interest in his client. If he does, Shapiro said Pavano would be more than happy to listen.
"I only met with Omar briefly in passing in the lobby of the Ritz Carlton in Key Biscayne," Shapiro said. "We said hi, and he said, 'Yes, I'm interested.' He's got so much on his plate right now. If the Mets expressed interest, obviously Carl would be interested in having me talk to them.
"Carl is familiar with Shea Stadium and is familiar with the organization, having faced them so many times over the last couple of years. I've known Omar for a long time. He's a terrific guy. I think his reputation precedes him, and he's a phenomenal general manager. He's going to make moves to put the Mets in a position to compete. They would be another team that Carl would absolutely be interested in talking to."
Pavano went 18-8 for the Marlins last season, posting a 3.00 ERA in 31 starts. He is 30-21 over the last two seasons, having logged more than 200 innings each year. Pavano met with the Red Sox earlier this week, and will visit the Mariners, Yankees, Orioles and Tigers after Thanksgiving.
Part of what Minaya has on his plate is the negotiations with Gregg Clifton, the agent for Kris Benson. The two sides are close to putting the final touches on a three-year deal, with a club option for a fourth year, that could net the right-hander as much as $30 million. The base deal for the three years is worth slightly less than $23 million.
A deal could be announced as soon as Friday night if some last-minute details can be worked out.
"We're inching toward it, and it should be done very soon," Clifton said.
In roster moves, the club added outfielders Ambiorix Concepcion and Angel Pagan, as well as pitcher Matt Lindstrom to the 40-man roster, which now stands at 37.
Concepcion, 21, was named to the New York-Penn League All-Star squad last season and was the League's Stedler Award Winner, presented by the league managers to the player deemed likely to advance the farthest in professional baseball. He hit .305 and established franchise records with 79 hits and 46 RBIs. He also had a team-high eight homers. His 28 stolen bases were second in the league.
Pagan, 23, hit .287 with 71 runs scored, four homers, 63 RBI and 29 stolen bases in 112 games with Double-A Binghamton. A fourth-round pick in 1999, he hit .289 at Triple-A Norfolk after being promoted in August.
Lindstrom went 8-7 with a 3.52 ERA in 27 games (26 starts) for Class A St. Lucie and Class A Capital City in 2004. A 10th-round pick out of Ricks Junior College in 2004, he was impressive during the Arizona Fall League season, going 2-1 with a 4.11 ERA in nine games.
Kevin Czerwinski is a reporter for MLB.com. Ian Browne contributed to this report. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/2004/09/10/uBW2Vq3k.jpg
Carl Pavano's agent is waiting for the Mets to offically express interest in the righty. (Nam Y. Huh/AP)