GaryMrMets
11-23-2004, 04:25 PM
http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/nym/news/nym_news.jsp?ymd=20041111&content_id=913010&vkey=news_nym&fext=.jsp
11/11/2004 10:40 PM ET
Mets' brass meets with Boras
Club interested in several of agent's big-name clients
By Joe Frisaro and Kevin T. Czerwinski / MLB.com
KEY BISCAYNE, Fla. -- No news at the annual general manager's meetings doesn't mean news isn't forthcoming.
Mets general manager Omar Minaya and senior vice president of baseball operations Jim Duquette met with Scott Boras on Thursday, expressing interest in several of the super agent's high-profile clients.
Without naming names, it is a given that the Mets inquired about All-Star center fielder Carlos Beltran, who has seen his stock rise after an impressive postseason with the Astros. Magglio Ordonez, J.D. Drew and possibly Jason Varitek, should Minaya engineer a deal for Mike Piazza, have also piqued New York's interest.
"We started the process," Minaya said. "In some point in time we were going to let him know which guys we have interest in. I did tell him that we do have interest in some guys."
While the meetings at the Ritz-Carlton have not generated any substantial moves, Minaya has a clearer picture of what teams are thinking after visiting with five more clubs on Thursday. Reports abound that he's shopping Piazza and possibly Cliff Floyd, and that he could be in the market for Sammy Sosa.
"Historically, the past couple of years, I don't think there are too many trades at these meetings," Minaya said. "This is preparation for other things, to get a sense of the needs of other clubs. There is nothing like being in a room, or in a bar situation, where you look at a guy in the eyes and say, 'Hey, is this true what I'm reading?' You can talk to a guy over the phone to get that. But there is nothing like being in the same room. This builds up to the Winter Meetings."
Principal owner Fred Wilpon and new skipper Willie Randolph were at Joe Torre's charity dinner in New York on Thursday. Wilpon deferred to his general manager on just about every subject. Wilpon wouldn't give a firm answer when asked about whether Piazza would return, though.
"I'd rather not comment about any players, where they are going, how they are going or who is coming," Wilpon said. "Omar has had discussions with Mike, which he has said in the press. He's intent on improving the team, dramatically improving the team. I, nor [chief operating officer] Jeff [Wilpon] nor anyone else can impose our personal feelings. He has to do what he thinks is right for the team in how he wants to improve the team. He's working at it."
Wilpon added that the Mets could add a big player and still keep Piazza if that's what Minaya wanted.
For now, though, the Mets are addressing a number of issues as the free-agent signing period officially kicks off Friday. The team has extended a three-year offer, with a vesting option for a fourth year, worth slightly more than $20 million to free agent right-hander Kris Benson. Duquette said he is awaiting a counter proposal from Benson's agent, Gregg Clifton.
Negotiations were progressing as the season ended but when Minaya took over as general manager and then had to conduct a managerial search, the talks stalled. The two sides were expected to speak again Thursday night in a conversation Clifton was hopeful would yield "significant progress."
"We've had conversations," Duquette said. "We're still hopeful we'll get something done. He's expressed to us he wants to be a Met, and we want him here. I wouldn't say anything is imminent. We're waiting on an offer."
On Monday, the Mets are faced with another decision: whether to pick up the one-year, $10 million contract for left-hander Al Leiter. Although it is believed the Mets will not pick up the option and elect to take the $2 million buyout, Minaya said he is still evaluating the situation. The two sides are not close in their talks.
"We're in communication with his agents," Minaya said of Alan and Randy Hendricks. "We're in the situation where I pretty much have to get caught up from the exchanges that were made before I came on board. There was a written proposal and a verbal proposal. His option needs to be picked up by Monday, or declined."
When asked if he thought Leiter would be back, Wilpon said, "I hope so. I'd certainly like to see that happen."
The result of the negotiations with Benson and Leiter will determine the Mets' pursuit of free agent pitchers. New York's budget is expected to be right around $100 million, perhaps a tad more, but Wilpon isn't putting limitations on Minaya. When asked if he though Minaya would be aggressive this winter, Wilpon said everyone, including himself, will have to wait and see.
"He communicates very well but there's no need for him to call me every day," Wilpon said. "When he is going in a direction, he communicates with Jeff or me. He's very good with that. I can't talk for Omar [about the payroll]. He's got to come to me with what he thinks is appropriate. When he does, I'll be able to answer that question.
"Our payroll has always been flexible. There's never been a time that I remember where a general manager has come to us and said 'I'd like to do X, Y and Z' and we haven't gone along with it. You have to have a budget and then be flexible with that budget. But we really haven't talked about it. He has to come back and talk about what he wants to do. Once he does that, we can talk budget."
Agent Scott Shapiro, who represents Carl Pavano, said he also spoke briefly with Minaya. Pavano, who went 18-8 with a 3.00 ERA in 2004, is one of the most sought-after free agents on the market. Shapiro said Minaya expressed an interest in talking about Pavano, but not until the team resolves other matters, like Leiter's contract status.
Whether or not there will actually be many changes in Queens remains to be seen.
"I wouldn't reach any conclusions," he said. "I'd merely say that [Minaya] has the authority and the responsibility to improve this team. He has a clean sheet of paper and is going to do what he thinks is right."
Randolph, meanwhile, said he has spoken to about half the team and has tried to remain in the loop with Minaya as often as time permits. He wouldn't comment specifically on reports that he was trying to lure Rick Down over from the Yankees as hitting coach.
"Rick and I are friends, I've known Rick for a long time," Randolph said. "We're working on it, trying to get some guys in and talk about what we want to do."
Joe Frisaro and Kevin Czerwinskiare reporters for MLB.com. Mark Feinsand contributed to this report. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
11/11/2004 10:40 PM ET
Mets' brass meets with Boras
Club interested in several of agent's big-name clients
By Joe Frisaro and Kevin T. Czerwinski / MLB.com
KEY BISCAYNE, Fla. -- No news at the annual general manager's meetings doesn't mean news isn't forthcoming.
Mets general manager Omar Minaya and senior vice president of baseball operations Jim Duquette met with Scott Boras on Thursday, expressing interest in several of the super agent's high-profile clients.
Without naming names, it is a given that the Mets inquired about All-Star center fielder Carlos Beltran, who has seen his stock rise after an impressive postseason with the Astros. Magglio Ordonez, J.D. Drew and possibly Jason Varitek, should Minaya engineer a deal for Mike Piazza, have also piqued New York's interest.
"We started the process," Minaya said. "In some point in time we were going to let him know which guys we have interest in. I did tell him that we do have interest in some guys."
While the meetings at the Ritz-Carlton have not generated any substantial moves, Minaya has a clearer picture of what teams are thinking after visiting with five more clubs on Thursday. Reports abound that he's shopping Piazza and possibly Cliff Floyd, and that he could be in the market for Sammy Sosa.
"Historically, the past couple of years, I don't think there are too many trades at these meetings," Minaya said. "This is preparation for other things, to get a sense of the needs of other clubs. There is nothing like being in a room, or in a bar situation, where you look at a guy in the eyes and say, 'Hey, is this true what I'm reading?' You can talk to a guy over the phone to get that. But there is nothing like being in the same room. This builds up to the Winter Meetings."
Principal owner Fred Wilpon and new skipper Willie Randolph were at Joe Torre's charity dinner in New York on Thursday. Wilpon deferred to his general manager on just about every subject. Wilpon wouldn't give a firm answer when asked about whether Piazza would return, though.
"I'd rather not comment about any players, where they are going, how they are going or who is coming," Wilpon said. "Omar has had discussions with Mike, which he has said in the press. He's intent on improving the team, dramatically improving the team. I, nor [chief operating officer] Jeff [Wilpon] nor anyone else can impose our personal feelings. He has to do what he thinks is right for the team in how he wants to improve the team. He's working at it."
Wilpon added that the Mets could add a big player and still keep Piazza if that's what Minaya wanted.
For now, though, the Mets are addressing a number of issues as the free-agent signing period officially kicks off Friday. The team has extended a three-year offer, with a vesting option for a fourth year, worth slightly more than $20 million to free agent right-hander Kris Benson. Duquette said he is awaiting a counter proposal from Benson's agent, Gregg Clifton.
Negotiations were progressing as the season ended but when Minaya took over as general manager and then had to conduct a managerial search, the talks stalled. The two sides were expected to speak again Thursday night in a conversation Clifton was hopeful would yield "significant progress."
"We've had conversations," Duquette said. "We're still hopeful we'll get something done. He's expressed to us he wants to be a Met, and we want him here. I wouldn't say anything is imminent. We're waiting on an offer."
On Monday, the Mets are faced with another decision: whether to pick up the one-year, $10 million contract for left-hander Al Leiter. Although it is believed the Mets will not pick up the option and elect to take the $2 million buyout, Minaya said he is still evaluating the situation. The two sides are not close in their talks.
"We're in communication with his agents," Minaya said of Alan and Randy Hendricks. "We're in the situation where I pretty much have to get caught up from the exchanges that were made before I came on board. There was a written proposal and a verbal proposal. His option needs to be picked up by Monday, or declined."
When asked if he thought Leiter would be back, Wilpon said, "I hope so. I'd certainly like to see that happen."
The result of the negotiations with Benson and Leiter will determine the Mets' pursuit of free agent pitchers. New York's budget is expected to be right around $100 million, perhaps a tad more, but Wilpon isn't putting limitations on Minaya. When asked if he though Minaya would be aggressive this winter, Wilpon said everyone, including himself, will have to wait and see.
"He communicates very well but there's no need for him to call me every day," Wilpon said. "When he is going in a direction, he communicates with Jeff or me. He's very good with that. I can't talk for Omar [about the payroll]. He's got to come to me with what he thinks is appropriate. When he does, I'll be able to answer that question.
"Our payroll has always been flexible. There's never been a time that I remember where a general manager has come to us and said 'I'd like to do X, Y and Z' and we haven't gone along with it. You have to have a budget and then be flexible with that budget. But we really haven't talked about it. He has to come back and talk about what he wants to do. Once he does that, we can talk budget."
Agent Scott Shapiro, who represents Carl Pavano, said he also spoke briefly with Minaya. Pavano, who went 18-8 with a 3.00 ERA in 2004, is one of the most sought-after free agents on the market. Shapiro said Minaya expressed an interest in talking about Pavano, but not until the team resolves other matters, like Leiter's contract status.
Whether or not there will actually be many changes in Queens remains to be seen.
"I wouldn't reach any conclusions," he said. "I'd merely say that [Minaya] has the authority and the responsibility to improve this team. He has a clean sheet of paper and is going to do what he thinks is right."
Randolph, meanwhile, said he has spoken to about half the team and has tried to remain in the loop with Minaya as often as time permits. He wouldn't comment specifically on reports that he was trying to lure Rick Down over from the Yankees as hitting coach.
"Rick and I are friends, I've known Rick for a long time," Randolph said. "We're working on it, trying to get some guys in and talk about what we want to do."
Joe Frisaro and Kevin Czerwinskiare reporters for MLB.com. Mark Feinsand contributed to this report. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.