Everett, Wash.
Published: Sunday, December 14, 2008

Mets make the biggest moves at winter meetings

By Tracy Ringolsby
Scripps Howard News Service

 The New York Yankees made the biggest splash at the winter meetings, increasing their offer to seven years and $161 million to make left-handed free-agent pitcher CC Sabathia decide the Bronx is a palatable place to pitch.

But the New York Mets made the biggest move.

The Yankees aren't even treading water yet in their attempt to rebound from a third-place finish and the failure to make the postseason for the first time in 14 years. Yes, they added Sabathia, and they signed right-hander A.J. Burnett.

But remember, they aren't adding to a nucleus. They first had to replace Mike Mussina, who retired, still aren't sure they can re-sign Andy Pettitte and are facing a season without Chien-Ming Wang, who tore a tendon in his right foot running the bases last June.

What's more, with all their spending on pitching, the Yankees appear to have bid adieu to outfielder Bobby Abreu, who was their No. 3 hitter last year.

The Mets, meanwhile, had a productive week, rebuilding a bullpen that betrayed them down the stretch and cost them the National League East title.

After blowing 18 saves in the final two months of the season -- after the loss of closer Billy Wagner -- the Mets hit the jackpot this week when they were able to sign Frankie Rodriguez for three years and $37 million. This is a guy who set the single-season save record in 2008, has averaged 48.5 saves in four years as a closer and will be only 27 in 2009.

Then, without a disruption to their rotation or lineup, the Mets were in the middle of a 12-player, three-team deal that landed Seattle closer J.J. Putz to handle eighth-inning chores, along with right-hander Sean Green and outfielder Jeremy Reed.

The Mariners rank No. 2 to the Mets in terms of winter meetings success. They did deal Putz, but they have a legitimate closer option, Brandon Morrow, and were able to add a projected member of the rotation, Aaron Heilman, a promising starting outfielder, Franklin Gutierrez, and a capable backup outfielder, Endy Chavez, in the trade for Putz, as well as adding such minor league talent as first baseman Mike Carp and right-hander Maikel Cleto.

Infield chatter

n San Diego's search for a shortstop, hopefully at a bargain price, has the Padres talking with veteran Omar Vizquel.

n With the Cubs pulling out of trade talks involving Padres right-hander Jake Peavy, the Angels are ready to make an offer. Peavy has indicated a desire to stay in the NL, but the Angels hope their proximity to his home north of San Diego will give him reason to reconsider his anti-American League attitude.

The rotation

The winter draft is easily overlooked, but impact players have been chosen in recent years. Current big-league players who were winter draft claims:

n Left-hander Johan Santana, drafted by Florida from Houston on Dec. 13, 1999, and then sold to Minnesota.

n Outfielder Shane Victorino, drafted by San Diego from Los Angeles on Dec. 16, 2002, and returned to the Dodgers during the 2003 season; then drafted by Philadelphia from Los Angeles on Dec. 13, 2004.

n Second baseman Dan Uggla, drafted by Florida from Arizona on Dec. 8, 2005.

n Outfielder Josh Hamilton, drafted by the Chicago Cubs from Tampa Bay on Dec. 7, 2006, and sold to Cincinnati.

n Right-hander Joakim Soria, drafted by Kansas City from San Diego on Dec. 7, 2006.

Out in left field

The market for closers isn't what teams expected when the Mets signed Rodriguez with only a three-year guarantee at an average of $12 million a year.

There is, however, still demand for former Rockies closer Brian Fuentes, who has become the No. 1 target of the St. Louis Cardinals. And now the Angels are ready to get involved, too, after they lost out on Sabathia and it became doubtful they could re-sign Mark Teixeira, who is believed to be leaning toward Boston while Washington tries to convince him otherwise.

The Cardinals don't mind a three-year guarantee, but they are balking at the $10 million-a-year figure they have been told Fuentes will want. The Angels don't seem as concerned about the amount but want to hold the line at two years. Detroit has interest, too, but Tigers officials say they have been given the impression they are no better than third on Fuentes' list of prospective teams.

Numbers game

0: Catchers on Baltimore's big-league roster after the Orioles sent Ramon Hernandez to the Reds for three players, including infielder/outfielder Ryan Freel. The Orioles hope Matt Wieters, the fifth player taken in the 2007 draft, can make the jump to the majors after one minor league season. He split 2008 between high Class A Frederick (Md.) and Class AA Bowie (Md.) and hit .355 with 27 home runs and 91 RBI. He then had a strong Arizona Fall League.

Friends

A key reason the Yankees want to get Mike Cameron from Milwaukee to fill their center field void is that he's a close friend of CC Sabathia, and the Yankees believe Cameron's presence will make it easier for Sabathia to adjust to the Bronx.

It was apparent Sabathia wasn't overly excited about signing with the Yankees. Though the only other offer Sabathia got was a five-year, $100 million deal to return to the Brewers, he didn't bite for three weeks on a six-year, $140 million proposal from the Yankees, waiting for them to increase the deal to seven years and $161 million before he said OK.

He said it

"When you watch what goes on every single day and the different companies who you never even give second thoughts to, all of a sudden they're struggling and going out of business -- these are the same people that are buying tickets and doing things, so it's frightening right now."

Joe Torre, Dodgers manager, on baseball's concerns about the nation's economy.
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