Wednesday Applesauce

by Sam Page on Dec 24, 2008 6:49 PM EST

Derek Lowe and the Mets are close to a deal- The Boston Globe reports 3-4 years, 14-16MM per year. That's a fair deal for Lowe and probably a below market rate for at least 2009.

I've posted the Mets 2009 projected WAR over at google docs, in conjunction with a community project at Beyond the Box Score. The Mets look like a 88 win team at the moment, but Lowe would push them closer to 90-91. If you're unfamiliar with the categories they are (from left to right): Plate Appearances, Weighted On-Base Average, defensive runs above average (from UZR), baserunning wins above average, Wins Above Average, Wins Above Replacement player, Innings Pitched, Fielding Independent Pitching.

Speaking of WAR, it joins the list of great new stats added to FanGraphs. Also at fangraphs, Dave Cameron makes the case for Willy Aybar being the best player without a regular job. A possible secondbase target? Probably not, but I can dream.

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Can't say that I'd be opposed

to a three-year deal with Lowe that involved a vesting option for a fourth year. That sort of money does not sound out of line with our expectations and I think it would be a heck of a good signing. I suppose it would sound the last bells on Ollie’s return to the Mets but, hey, I’m okay with that, too.

Oh, crap, I think I hear Santa on the roof. Better go pretend I’m asleep.

'Oh yes, I know all about that duty-of-a-citizen stuff. It doesn't go. There are exceptions to every rule, and this was one of them. When a man risks his liberty to come and root at a ball-game, you've got to hand it to him. He isn't a crook. He's a fan.'

by Catsmeat Potter-Pirbright on Dec 25, 2008 2:21 AM EST reply actions

Manny?

Are we looking at a slugger possibility? With the Yanks and their threesome of overpriced signings, do the Mets need some extra juice?

I’d love the Lowe signing, but that makes three pitchers. Can the Mets squeeze in a sligging outfielder?

The Yanks are betting the house on free agents, but we have a great core. How good wood Manny look stuck in the middle of them? His price has gone down. Maybe Manny comes home? :-)

MERRY CHRISTMAS ALL!

The 2008 NY Mets: Pedro hurt already. Delgado still sucks. Mets still can't beat the Braves. Beltran only plays 6 innings. WTF with Pelfrey?? Mets win 60 in a row. Freakin' Wagner. PLAYOFFS, NO WAY?!

by ZaBlanc on Dec 25, 2008 4:23 AM EST reply actions

No more offense?

I think after signing Lowe and Rodriguez, there may not be any more money for a LF. At least not one of Dunn’s caliber. Maybe Omar will bite if the price drops a little, but I’m not sure how much higher they’re willing to go with the payroll.

by BobbyV_Incognito on Dec 25, 2008 9:34 PM EST up reply actions

I think even if Lowe signs for 14-16

We’ll either be under or right at the payroll of last year.

by Gina on Dec 25, 2008 9:41 PM EST up reply actions

Nice spreadsheet

by Sokojoe on Dec 25, 2008 12:51 PM EST reply actions

according to ESPN insider...

ESPN The Magazine’s Buster Olney reports the Mets ARE NOT close to a deal with free agent pitcher Derek Lowe. Sources tell Olney the Mets HAVE NOT made an offer to Lowe…and are still seriously considering free agent pitchers Randy Wolf and Oliver Perez., among other pitching options. The Boston Globe reported the Mets would offer Lowe $14-16 million per season. Lowe just finished up a four year deal, $36 million deal with the Dodgers.

Oh, and, happy holidays everybody

by goth brooks on Dec 25, 2008 1:51 PM EST reply actions

MERRY CHRISTMAS METS FANS! SWEET! I GOT A SNUGGIE!

" Washington focuses its bailouts on people who take showers before going to work rather than on those people who need a shower after they work. "

by LOUtheMETandNATSfan on Dec 25, 2008 3:10 PM EST reply actions

HAHAHA

I got a snuggie too… for real. I can’t get enough of the snuggie infomercial. Wear it to sporting events!! YEAH!

by James Kannengieser on Dec 25, 2008 11:36 PM EST up reply actions

Lowe

This article ran yesterday in the NYT, saying that the Mets signing Lowe is “much more a possibility” because the Yankees aren’t bidding for him and the market is very soft in general right now. Agrees with what I’d seen reported elsewhere, that the Mets were waiting until Boras got Teixeira signed before they started to talk to him about pitching. Speculates that three years with a vesting option might be possible because nobody seems to want to give him the $90m/5yrs he was looking for.

I was directed to this article from ESPN Rumor Central, which also says we may be intersted in LHRP Will Ohman, and that (as of last Saturday) we were pretty far apart in talks to re-sign Ollie Perez.

Very little about Adam Dunn, just a throwaway line that the Orioles might be interested in him but his price would have to come down; doesn’t say who else is after him.

by JoshNY on Dec 26, 2008 3:56 PM EST reply actions