Closer Braden Looper’s $5.5 million option was declined Monday by the New York Mets, who will pay the reliever a $250,000 buyout.
New York also exercised right-hander Steve Trachsel’s $2.5 million option and declined a $4 million option on first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz, who gets a $450,000 buyout.
And now the attempts to overpay BJ Ryan or Trevor Hoffman can begin in earnest.
The White Sox have exercised a $1.2 million option on reliever/Journey lover Cliff Politte, along with declining the club option for ’06 on noted paleontologist Carl Evertt.
these are all smart moves methinks, though Looper will probably end up being lights out somewheres else. are we looking at Heilman as closer now or will they be going after someone else?
BJ Ryan and Trevor Hoffman have been mentioned, neither of whom will have any shortage of suitors.
I think we can safely assume that Atlanta are looking for a closer, too.
Looper is a decent pitcher and will certianly help someone out next season as a mid-tier closer or excellent set up guy. If the Yankees can’t get Ryan as the set up guy I’m sure Looper is on their radar. Mientkiewicz on the other hand is useless and should be thankful he has the World Series ball from 2004 for any future income.
Jesper,
Ben Shipgel’s take on the Mets’ likely moves for a closer ,
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/02/sports/baseball/02mets.html
Alex, I certainly hope you are correct about Looper being considered as a setup man for Mariano Rivera. If not Looper, perhaps a deal for BK Kim or LaTroy Hawkins or maybe Doug Sisk can come out of retirement.