In a time of national crisis, it is heartening to know that some members of our society are willing to make sacrifices. For instance, Mets reliever Braden Looper, who tells the NY Daily News’ Adam Rubin that he’s merely looking for “whatever amount” regardless of his future role.
Met fans may want to run Braden Looper out of town after Wednesday’s debacle in Atlanta, but the Mets closer says he would like to stick around – possibly even in a setup role.
One night after serving up what appeared to be the death knell on the Mets’ season, Looper said he wants to stay, even though it’s extremely unlikely the Mets will pick up their option on him for next season that could be worth up to $6 million.
Looper believes it might be possible to negotiate a two-year deal or longer at a lesser annual amount. His agent met with Omar Minaya on Aug. 30 while the Mets played host to the Phillies.
“The way I told my agent was, if it was a situation where they paid me like I felt I should be paid and the Mets said, ‘Hey, we’ll pay you whatever amount and we’re going to sign Billy Wagner, too,’ how can I say no to that? That makes our team that much better,” Looper said. “But it would be very few instances where that would be the case.”
Mets brass figures to explore other options trying to improve the closer’s role, but the answer might not be out there. Wagner – who had his own meltdown on Wednesday – has been engaged in contract-extension discussions with the Phillies and may never enter the market. And beyond Detroit’s Ugueth Urbina, there doesn’t seem to be much available via free agency.