Terry Collins plans to look at both Justin Turner and Zach Lutz in the outfield this Spring, he told Adam Rubin of ESPN New York.
Turner has not played a game in the outfield in his Major League career.
However, Turner played eight games in the outfield while with the Reds organization in 2006.
Lutz has never played in the outfield in his professional career – he has played all but three games at first and third base.
Michael Baron, MetsBlog.com:
If that’s the case, I wonder if the Mets plan to look at Jordany Valdespin in the outfield as well. Yes, he hits left-handed, but he’s very athletic, and he looked pretty good in his few stints out there last season. The thing is, Lucas Duda is already out of position in the outfield; is it really a great idea to consider two or three other players – all with limited big league experience – in positions they’re unfamiliar with? The Mets just need to do something about the outfield before having to resort to this. Otherwise, they’re going to have a monumental mess out there right out of the gate…
The Mets have reportedly shown interest in signing RHP Carl Pavano to fill their vacant spot in the starting rotation.
Jan. 21: The Rockies are aggressively pursuing Pavano and Derek Lowe (Renck, Denver Post).
Jan. 8: Pavano is talking with six teams, including the Mets (McCarron, Daily News).
Jan. 7: The Mets have had very preliminary discussions with the agents for Pavano (McCullough, Star Ledger).
Jan. 4: The Mets are considering signing Pavano (Davidoff, New York Post).
Jan. 2: The Mets are looking to sign a starting pitcher to a one-year deal (Cerrone, MetsBlog.com).
Statistics, information, and analysis on Carl Pavano...
Stats: Pavano, who turns 37 in January, went 2-5 with a 6.00 ERA in only 11 starts in 2012, allowing 80 hits with eight walks and nine home runs in 63 innings. He missed most of the season with a bone spur in his right humerus bone.
Contract: Pavano just completed a two-year, $16.5 million contract he signed with the Twins before the 2011 season.
Michael Baron, MetsBlog.com:
Pavano has had one of the strangest pitching careers in recent memory. He has historically pitched to a lot of contact but is a control artist who limits bases on balls which in turn limits the damage allowed. When he’s right, Pavano can be one of the more solid and dependable right-handers in the game. But I’m not sure how he might fare back in New York, considering how badly his first go-around was in this city with the Yankees.
The Mets will consider signing free-agent OF Michael Bourn if he reduces his asking price and length of commitment, according to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe.
However, Bourn received a qualifying offer from the Braves, which he declined. However, Bourn’s new team would be forced to surrender their first round pick in exchange for signing Bourn as a result of the qualifying offer.
Earlier this month, Andy McCullough of the Star-Ledger said the Mets are not interested in surrendering their first round pick.
In 155 games with the Braves last year, Bourn hit .274 with a .348 OBP and .739 OPS, 9 HR and 57 RBI with 42 stolen bases in 55 attempts.
Matthew Cerrone, MetsBlog.com:
I still expect Bourn to either go back to the Braves or sign with the Rangers, but time will tell… He had a career year in 2012, so I’d be leery on overpaying and overcommitting to a guy who is 30 and relies so much on his legs. I like him, but not at the cost of Sandy Alderson’s first-round pick, nor in return for a long-term deal. Also, when Alderson decides one day to spend big bucks on a free agent, be it this winter or next, he needs to pay for power not speed. The Mets need outfielders today, but they don’t need the wrong outfielder.
Michael Baron, MetsBlog.com:
Ideally, yes, Bourn is a fit and he would give the Mets outfield some instant credibility. He does strike out a lot, but he’s become an excellent top of the order catalyst as an outstanding base stealer with triples speed. The Mets don’t have much of that, and it’s something they have desperately needed since both Jose Reyes and Angel Pagan departed after 2011. But, a) he’s left-handed and the Mets need right-handed outfielders (although beggars can’t be choosers at this stage of the off-season), b) they need power in the outfield, c) Bourn is a Scott Boras client, and there’s no doubt he will try and get someone to overpay for Bourn, and d) he received a qualifying offer from the Braves, and so the team Bourn signs with will have to surrender their first round pick in the 2013 draft – it’s not logical for the Mets to give up that pick for Bourn right now, especially for a shorter term deal. On top of that, Bourn depends on his legs to be successful, and he’s now 30 years old; it remains to be seen how quickly those skills diminish in the coming seasons.
Last week, the Mets confirmed that they had watched free-agent closer Brian Wilson throw a private bullpen session this in California.
Wilson, 30, underwent Tommy John surgery last April and was recently non-tendered by the Giants.
Jan. 19: Giants GM Brian Sabean said it’s unlikely Wilson will return to the Giants (Puma, NY Post).
Jan. 17: Wilson is very interested in signing with the Mets. He has spent time in New York this winter, but is still in talks with a handful of teams, including the Giants and Tigers, some of whom are willing to offer a guaranteed deal, according to league sources (Cerrone, MetsBlog.com).
Jan. 17: The Mets still haven’t closed the door on a major league deal for Wilson, according to a source (Carig, Newsday).
Statistics, reaction and past updates for Wilson...
Jan. 15: The Mets were not impressed with Wilson, who they deemed not worthy of a major league contract at this point in his rehab from Tommy John surgery. “Physically, he’s not ready,” a source. “He’s got a ways to go.” (Puma, New York Post).
Jan: 14: Wilson also met with Sandy Alderson early last week, at which point people close to Wilson said he was very intrigued by signing with the Mets. Wilson wants a guaranteed deal, the Mets prefer to give him a minor-league contract. (Cerrone, MetsBlog.com)
Jan. 13: Alderson isn’t sure yet if he will extend an offer to Wilson (Puma, New York Post).
Jan. 13: Wilson says he will be ready for Opening Day, “although a major league source said the reliever is not yet able to demonstrate in workouts that he is back to pre-surgery form.” No deal is imminent (Rubin, ESPN New York).
Michael Baron, MetsBlog.com:
Jan. 13, 11:08 am: At worst, Wilson could serve as a strong insurance policy to Francisco, who is coming off a season filled with both ineffectiveness and injury. The Mets could offer Wilson an opportunity to rebuild his value; Wilson is coming off Tommy John Surgery and basically missed the entire 2012 season, but he should be ready in the early part of the 2013 season. He is a colorful personality and was outstanding in his years with the Giants, and I think he will be productive when he comes back. If he had gone to arbitration with the Giants, he would have likely earned between $8-9 million (which is why the Giants non-tendered him).
Statistics: Wilson made just two appearances for the Giants in 2012, allowing two runs in two innings. He has converted 171 of 196 save opportunities in his career and has pitched to a 3.21 ERA in seven big league seasons.
Contract: Wilson, 30, just completed a two-year, $15 million contract extension he signed before the 2010 season. The Giants non-tendered Wilson earlier this winter.
The Mets have reportedly shown interest in signing LHP Joe Saunders to fill their vacant spot in the starting rotation.
9:58 am: The Mets, Twins, Padres and Orioles all remain interested in Saunders (Duquette, SiriusXM Radio).
Jan. 16: The Padres are not in on Saunders or Shaun Marcum, and haven’t been all winter (Brock, MLB.com).
Jan 16: The Twins are pursuing Saunders (Morosi, FOX Sports).
Jan. 5: Saunders is seeking a three-year contract (Rosenthal, FOX Sports).
Statistics, commentary and information on Saunders...
Michael Baron, MetsBlog.com:
The Mets are unlikely to replace the 233 innings
R.A. Dickey gave them last year from one individual. However, that doesn’t mean they can’t come up with the innings between a new face and added contributions from the holdovers (and potential internal arms) in the rotation.
In regards to Saunders, a three-year commitment might not be a good fit considering what is coming up through the organization in that timeframe. But if those demands come down, he could be a guy who can help find the innings the Mets seek. He isn’t going to “wow” anyone with his stuff, but he’s proven to be a durable and steady left handed pitcher over the course of his career, although he did deal with a shoulder problem last year which caused him to miss a month. If he had stayed healthy, he could have easily thrown 200 or more innings last season. He usually sits in the upper 80s to low 90s with his fastball and off-sets that with a good tailing change-up. He pitches to contact and gives up a lot of home runs, but pitching in more pitcher-friendly parks – such as Citi Field and the rest of the parks in the NL East – would probably reduce that number.
Stats: Saunders, 31, went 9-13 with a 4.07 ERA in 28 starts with the Diamondbacks and Orioles in 2012, allowing 195 hits, 39 walks, and 21 home runs in 174 2/3 innings. He has pitched at least 185 innings in four of the last five seasons.
Contract: Saunders signed a one-year, $6 million deal with the Diamondbacks prior to the 2012 season.
Last week, the Mets confirmed that they had watched free-agent closer Brian Wilson throw a private bullpen session this in California.
Wilson, 30, underwent Tommy John surgery last April and was recently non-tendered by the Giants.
6:20 am: Wilson is very interested in signing with the Mets. He has spent time in New York this winter, but is still in talks with a handful of teams, including the Giants and Tigers, some of whom are willing to offer a guaranteed deal, according to league sources (Cerrone, MetsBlog.com).
6:00 am: The Mets still haven’t closed the door on a major league deal for Wilson, according to a source (Carig, Newsday).
Jan. 15: The Mets were not impressed with Wilson, who they deemed not worthy of a major league contract at this point in his rehab from Tommy John surgery. “Physically, he’s not ready,” a source from Best Auto Lenders. “He’s got a ways to go.” (Puma, New York Post).
Jan: 14: Wilson also met with Sandy Alderson early last week, at which point people close to Wilson said he was very intrigued by signing with the Mets. Wilson wants a guaranteed deal, the Mets prefer to give him a minor-league contract. (Cerrone, MetsBlog.com)
Jan. 13: Alderson isn’t sure yet if he will extend an offer to Wilson (Puma, New York Post).
Jan. 13: Wilson says he will be ready for Opening Day, “although a major league source said the reliever is not yet able to demonstrate in workouts that he is back to pre-surgery form.” No deal is imminent (Rubin, ESPN New York).
Statistics, reaction and information for Brian Wilson...
Michael Baron, MetsBlog.com:
Jan. 13, 11:08 am: At worst, Wilson could serve as a strong insurance policy to Francisco, who is coming off a season filled with both ineffectiveness and injury. The Mets could offer Wilson an opportunity to rebuild his value; Wilson is coming off Tommy John Surgery and basically missed the entire 2012 season, but he should be ready in the early part of the 2013 season. He is a colorful personality and was outstanding in his years with the Giants, and I think he will be productive when he comes back. If he had gone to arbitration with the Giants, he would have likely earned between $8-9 million (which is why the Giants non-tendered him).
Statistics: Wilson made just two appearances for the Giants in 2012, allowing two runs in two innings. He has converted 171 of 196 save opportunities in his career and has pitched to a 3.21 ERA in seven big league seasons.
Contract: Wilson, 30, just completed a two-year, $15 million contract extension he signed before the 2010 season. The Giants non-tendered Wilson earlier this winter.
Interest in RHP Kyle Farnsworth is intensifying now that Rafael Soriano signed with the Nationals, and Farnsworth has narrowed his choices from six teams to three, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.
Rosenthal notes the Rays, Tigers, Blue Jays, Mariners, Marlins and Mets are all still looking for late inning relief help.
Jan. 16, 3:30 pm: The Rays are “definitely in the mix” for Farnsworth, who is expected to make a decision in the next few days (Topkin, TB Times).
Michael Baron, MetsBlog.com:
Jan. 15, 9:35 pm: Farnsworth has had a roller-coaster career, and now he is coming off an injury-shortened season with the Rays after struggling with an elbow problem in the first half of the season. He had a big year with the Rays in 2011, notching 25 saves, while walking just 12 in 51 innings with a 2.18 ERA. He’s a hard thrower with devastating sinker at times. But, while in some years he has dominated, he has also struggled to miss bats and throw quality strikes. He’s older now, and I question whether he can withstand a long season.
Statistics and information on Kyle Farnsworth...
Stats: In 34 relief appearances with the Rays in 2012, Farnsworth went 1-6 with a 4.00 ERA, allowing 22 hits, 14 walks and 25 strikeouts in 27 innings.
Contract: Farnsworth, 36, earned $3.3 million with the Rays in 2012.
The Mets have talked with Arizona about acquiring OF Justin Upton, but they refuse to give up Zack Wheeler or Matt Harvey to get him.
7:30 am: The Braves and Rangers still seem like the best fit for Upton. Though, teams interested in Upton may hold back and save their prospects for a possible run this summer at Marlins OF Giancarlo Stanton (Olney, ESPN).
Matthew Cerrone, MetsBlog.com:
This is the type of action that could lead Arizona to lowering their asking price for Upton or Kubel, assuming they’re hellbent on trading one of the two before the season starts. I think they’d prefer to do a deal now, because teams usually get more for position players in the off season not at the Trade Deadline. However, if you’re a Mets fan who wants Upton (or Jason Kubel) now, root for Michael Bourn to a take a one-year deal with the Braves, and root for teams like the Rangers and others to hold off for Stanton. In that scenario, I suppose it’s possible the Mets could wiggle back in.
By the way, I’ve been told the Marlins have no policy against trading their best players to a team in their division. The goal is always to make a deal that meets as many of their needs as possible, regardless of who they’re doing the deal with.
Jan. 15: Since the Mets are reluctant to give up Zack Wheeler, the two sides don’t see a fit for a trade (Heyman, CBS Sports).
Jan. 13: Kevin Towers is in no rush to deal Upton. He will only move him for a similar or better deal than what he agreed to with Seattle (Heyman , CBS Sports).
Jan. 13: The Mets are more interested in Upton than Kubel. Arizona has known since before the Winter Meetings that Alderson will not part with Zack Wheeler or Matt Harvey in a deal for Upton. The Mets will gladly get involved if the price drops, but talks will never pick up if Arizona continues to want Wheeler, Harvey or Travis d’Arnaud (Cerrone, MetsBlog.com).
For previous updates on this story, click here...
Jan. 12: The Mets and D-Backs have resumed trade talks, though there is still no indication Sandy Alderson will include Wheeler or Harvey (Carig, Newsday).
Jan. 12: The Mets are not interested in offering a similar package to what Seattle offered Arizona for Upton (Martin, NY Post).
Jan. 11: Arizona initially wanted the Mets to give up a combination of top prospects (Wheeler, Travis d’Arnaud, Wilmer Flores, etc.) and big-league talent (Harvey, Daniel Murphy, Bobby Parnell, etc.) in a deal for Upton; while Kubel will likely cost just two upper-level pitching prospects (Cerrone, MetsBlog.com).
Jan. 11: The D-Backs are shopping Upton and Kubel at the same time, to the same teams, and whichever player nets the better value, Arizona will likely make a deal (Cerrone, MetsBlog.com).
Jan. 11: Upton used his no-trade clause to block a deal that would have sent him to Seattle for four of the team’s top 10 prospects (MLBTR). The Mariners were ‘clearly overparing,’ and they’re fortunate the trade fell through, said a team executive (Crasnick, ESPN).
Jan. 7: The Mets talked to the D-Backs about Upton and Kubel, but found the price to be too high (Heyman, CBS Sports).
Contract: Upton will earn $9.75 million next season. His salary bumps up to $14.25 million in 2014 and $14.5 million in 2015, after which he is eligible to be a free agent.
Stats: Upton hit .280 with a .355 OBP and .430 SLG with 17 home runs and 67 RBI and 121 strikeouts in 554 at-bats in 2012.
In his career, Upton has hit .307 with a .937 OPS, 67 home runs and 219 RBI in 1297 at-bats at Chase Field, while hitting just .250 with a .731 OPS, 41 home runs and 144 RBI in 1366 at-bats on the road.
The Mets are interested in re-signing free-agent OF Scott Hairston, but they would prefer to bring him in on another one-year deal, according to multiple reports.
6:10 am: The Mets rejected Hairston’s asking price of two years and $8 million. The Mets countered with a one-year, $2 million offer, “leaving the two sides at a stalemate.” (Puma, New York Post).
Hairston hit .263 with a .299 OBP, 20 HR, 25 doubles and 57 RBI in 377 at bats for the Mets last season, during which he hit .286 in 189 at bats against left-handed pitchers. He earned $1.1 million on a one-year contract.
Matthew Cerrone, MetsBlog.com:
Yikes. That had to hurt. In addition to the Mets, the Braves and Phillies had shown interest in Hairston this winter, and now the Cubs. I bet the Mets know he knows he’ll get the most playing time in New York, giving him the best chance at making more money next season. Also, I’m sure none of these teams are willing to meet his two-year asking price, so they’re all low-balling him.
Jan. 15: The Cubs have talked with Scott Hairston (Heyman, CBS Sports).
Jan. 15: Scott Hairston is expected to make a decision this week (Bowden, ESPN).
Jan. 11: The Mets like Hairston, but they would like to acquire a bigger name outfielder first. If that falls through, they will move on signing Hairston (Heyman, CBS Sports).
Jan. 9: The Mets could give Hairston a two-year deal (Rubin, ESPN New York).
The Mets, Phillies, Braves and Marlins are all “keeping an eye” on RHP Brandon Webb, according to Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.
Michael Baron, MetsBlog.com:
Webb hasn’t pitched in the Major Leagues since 2009 thanks to arm problems, but he is a former Cy Young Award winner and was a dominant sinkerballer prior to that season. He has historically been equally as effective against both left-handed and right-handed hitters and kept the ball in the yard thanks to his outstanding sinker. But how that effectiveness might translate today would largely depend on how healthy he is and how much he has left in the tank. If the Mets were to sign Webb, he certainly could not be depended on as a consistent presence in the rotation, let alone for the kind of innings and production he provided in the past.
Statistics and information on Brandon Webb...
Stats: Webb, 33, is 87-62 with a 3.21 ERA in 199 games and 198 starts in seven seasons with the Diamondbacks. He hasn’t pitched in the Major Leagues since 2009, and has not pitched a full season since 2008.
