The Mets Doing Business

The Mets traded Angel Pagan to the Giants for Ramon Ramirez and Andres Torres. They also signed Frank Francisco to a 2 year $12 million deal, and Jon Rauch to a 1 year $3.5 million deal. The signing of Rauch and Francisco are great moves, helping their horrendous bullpen greatly, without long term commitments or overspending on a flooded relief pitching market. This will certainly help their bullpen greatly along with Ramon Ramirez acquired in the trade with the Giants. This is a good sign for the Mets as they are making quality moves, and with their organization in shambles that is a nice thing to see. Getting Andres Torres is certainly a downgrade over Angel Pagan in my mind, but a worthy downgrade with the addition of Ramirez to the deal, so the Mets may not be getting big named players like they tried to do in the recent past, but they are building a team that might not lose every single game next season. They likely don’t have much more money to spend this offseason though as they’ve said they had $20-25 million and they are at like $20 million, but it’s been money well spent. Unrelated to the Mets (I’m assuming they aren’t in on one) there are rumored to be some blockbusters in the work. Whether they get done or not is uncertain, but the Indians seem they might be involved in one so watch out for that. Also Andrew Bailey might be on his way to Boston in a package with Josh Reddick and some prospects. This would mean the Sox are relying on Darnell McDonald, and or Ryan Kalish in right field, unless they go out and get someone. I suggest they get someone else if they lose Reddick. Also Gio Gonzalez could be leaving Oakland as Bailey might, but it would take 3-4 very good prospects, but Gonzalez is the kind of pitcher you expect to give up top prospects for, although 4 would be a lot. Stay tuned, I think the next day or two will have some good action. If you want to hear about it, come here because I give you what you need to hear.

Marlins Hook Reyes

Like I said, Heath Bell just the first big name to land in Miami this offseason. Second, Jose Reyes, who just inked a 6 year $106 million deal. Also I apologize for not mentioning the Marlins also landed Ozzie Guillen, who should be recognized as a big name acquisition, however he is a manager so I’m just talking about players in this case. Jose Reyes who has had durability issues in the past, played 126 games this past season which isn’t that bad so hopefully he can play at least that many in Miami for years to come. He was the NL batting champ this past season, 5^th in the NL in runs and 6^th in stolen bases. He was probably the most coveted free agent outside of Pujols and Fielder this offseason. The Marlins now have filled a void at 3^rd base as it’s assumed Hanley Ramirez will move their while Reyes takes shortstop, also this will give them a stud leadoff hitter in Reyes. It’s being said that the Marlins are now focusing their attentions on Pujols, which to me is very unlikely of actually happening, but if it did that would certainly shift the dynamics of the NL East. They are also continuing to pursue CJ Wilson and Mark Buherle. The winter meetings are now upon us so we may see them land someone else big soon. This proves the Marlins are definitely committed to spending money and competing this offseason. With Reyes gone from the Mets, as well as virtually everyone else besides David Wright and Johan Santana, look for the Mets to listen to offers for the two remaining vets. Replacing Reyes at short for the Mets will most likely be Ruben Tejada, the young shortstop prospect. The Mets are clearly in a rebuilding phase, and the Marlins are clearly in a reloading phase. Reyes seems to be a risk due mostly to durability, not production concerns, so only time will tell if this is truly a good signing. I guess the Marlins decided they’d rather go big than go home this year.