Tag Archives: John Lackey

Dec 21

Dec. 21.09: Mets miss out on Marquis ….

Posted on by

MARQUIS: Now a Nat.

MARQUIS: Now a Nat.

I spent most of the afternoon in the dentist’s chair. Drove home with the news Jason Marquis – somebody who wanted to play for the Mets – signed a two-year, $15-million deal with the Washington Nationals and bit my lip. Good thing the novocaine hadn’t worn off.

I never had the Mets getting any of the big pitchers, like John Lackey and Roy Halladay, but would settle for a middle-tier arm such as Joel Pineiro, Marquis and Jon Garland.

It’s not that they didn’t get Marquis that is so disturbing, but for how cheaply he went (maybe that does tell you something), but the Mets needed any and all pitching help.

My confidence level in the Mets bringing in an arm of substance is waning, especially considering the news that ESPN is reporting they are considering bringing back Pedro Martinez to a one-year deal at $8 million.

I keep going back in my mind Jeff Wilpon’s vow after the season and Omar Minaya’s pronouncement “we have a plan.”

Think it might be a good time to hear it.

Dec 15

Sorting things out ….

Posted on by

BAY: Still on Mets' radar, but they'd better hurry.

BAY: Still on Mets' radar, but they'd better hurry.

The Mets are dealing with the fall out from the bombshell dealings of yesterday.

I don’t know if stonewalling Jason Bay was a ruse by the Red Sox to get John Lackey. I didn’t think they were going to get him anyway, and it has nothing to do with them misreading the pitching market.

Even so, they should be more aggressive in their pursuit for him if he’s their target. Let’s face it, he has to be because they aren’t going to give Matt Holliday what the Cardinals are reportedly willing to do.

If the Mets think Bay will “fall back” to them like Johan Santana did, they could be mistaken. The first impression, and I had it yesterday, was Seattle wouldn’t go for him because they’ll need the money for Cliff Lee.

Perhaps that was premature.

Wouldn’t Seattle be a little more enticing to Lee if there was power in that line-up? Maybe, with Lee, the Mariners see an opening to win this year and will still pursue Bay. Truth is, the Mariners haven’t said Bay is no longer an option.

And, what about the Angels? With Lackey gone and Halladay no longer an option, they have to be looking to do something. Bay was on their radar before. He might still be on it unless the Angels are bent on those middle-tier arms the Mets have been talking about. Truth is, for what they saved in Lackey, they might be able to swing both Bay and a pitcher. And, Bay has to be a better option than Hideki Matsui.
Continue reading →

Dec 08

Mets meeting with Wolf’s agent ….

Posted on by

The Mets are meeting today with the agent for left-hander Randy Wolf. Could be posturing on Wolf’s part, as he wants a three-year deal. Not sure if the Mets want to go that long with him. The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel is reporting Wolf is talking to the Brewers about a three-year deal in the $28 million range.

The Mets are also expected to meet with John Lackey’s agent before the meetings break up.

Dec 07

Lackey wants Burnett bucks ….

Posted on by

Word is John Lackey rejected a $60 million package from the Angels and is looking in the AJ Burnett neighborhood of $82.5 million over five years.

LACKEY: Wants big bucks.

LACKEY: Wants big bucks.


Lackey does have an injury history, but if the reports are true that the Angels are making a bid to retain him, then that should be less of an issue because they are the team that knows him best.

There have been reports both ways, that Lackey could get up to $100 million or lucky to get the $60 million.

I’d be surprised if the value of all the Mets did this winter will add up to $100 million.

Dec 07

If money were no object ….

Posted on by

If the Mets didn’t have to worry about the cost factor, then all right, go for Matt Holliday and John Lackey, get Jason Marquis, too. It doesn’t work that way. The Mets, which contrary to popular opinion, aren’t a cheap organization.

You don’t build stadiums and have the one of the highest payrolls in the game if you’re cheap. But, the Mets are proceeding with caution on the dollar front. None of the big three – Holliday, Bay and Lackey – will be at Citi this summer in the home whites.

Not happening.