Torrealba Deal Falls Apart

by DoctorK16 on Nov 17, 2007 5:06 PM EST

(moved from diaries. --eric)

The Mets' negotiations with Yorvit Torrealba collapsed on Saturday and the free-agent catcher will not be headed to Shea for next season after all.
The two sides already had agreed on a three-year contract worth $14.4-million and it appeared that the only remaining holdup to an official announcement was a physical. But a person familiar with the situation said Saturday that the Torrealba deal was dead and the team confirmed it.
"The Mets did not reach an agreement with Yorvit Torrealba," Mets spokesman Jay Horwitz said, "and there are no current negotiations.

http://www.newsday.com/sports/ny-spmets1117aa,0,6599370.story

WTF? What do we do now?

UPDATE [6:53pm by Eric]: My off-the-cuff and totally unconfirmed theory is that the Mets made it clear to Torrealba fairly late in the game that he wouldn't strictly be the starting catcher and that he would be expected to split time with Ramon Castro. Despite the Mets offering more money and years than anyone else, Torrealba got cold feat at the last minute, preferring to be the de facto starting catcher elsewhere for less guaranteed money or years.

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Whatever

Seriously, is anyone really going to be heartbroken over this? I know I'm not.

At first I was happy to see them going after younger players, plus I wanted LoDuca outta here, but honestly, I think Minaya could do better on the trade market.

Try to expand any deal for pitching to include a caddy for Castro.

I saw a rumor that Minnesota was interested in Gomez. Maybe package Gomez with someone else for Garza and Redmond? I know they're not sexy names, but they're solid ballplayers.

by SQUAD on Nov 17, 2007 9:13 PM EST reply actions

That was to much money for a career .251 hitter

i know i would be pulling my hair out if he batted that here, which he would coming to this ballpark.

Heard reports that lo duca was talking with rockies, wonder how all that is going to go down now.

by sincethebeginning @ Amazin' Avenue on Nov 17, 2007 9:38 PM EST reply actions

True

But the catching market is pretty horrible. I saw the Rockies starting catcher is Henry Blanco. He can throw, but come on.

Not much quality out there. The Mets would be better off signing a backup and investing the money saved on Zone Chefs for Castro.

by SQUAD on Nov 17, 2007 9:48 PM EST up reply actions

young catching

Another direction the Mets could take would be to pursue a young catcher who's been slow to develop or is organizationally blocked, and let him and Castro share the spot next year. Blackfish gave some names here that would be worth investigating. Think about how the Rangers managed to pick up Saltalamacchia (actually, he might be available too), or how the Dodgers a couple of years ago were rumored to be shopping Russell Martin (not anymore, of course). This is a free-agent market where some very mediocre Proven Veterans are going to be getting a lot of money; so let's not go after them.

by anonymous on Nov 17, 2007 10:09 PM EST reply actions

salty available?

after they traded tex for him?

i guess that makes sense, given that rangers management consists of a pack of monkeys.

by gogomets on Nov 19, 2007 11:30 AM EST up reply actions

it surprised me too

But there were some rumors last month that he might be available for the right young talent (probably pitching).

by anonymous on Nov 19, 2007 2:08 PM EST up reply actions

I've heard rumors

That some news got out about Yorvit's shoulder that made the deal fall apart. Another possibility is that he was in the mitchell report... though unlikely.

"As for 1966--oy. Chilcott was a catcher who never reached the majors. The number two pick was held by the Kansas City A's. They picked Reggie Jackson"

by NewMet5 on Nov 18, 2007 11:27 AM EST reply actions