Ending weeks of speculation, OF Carlos Beltran has signed a 7 year, $119 million deal with the New York Mets, as reported this afternoon by Newsday’s Jon Heyman.
The Mets had been the highest bidder going into the day, but agent Scott Boras had been hoping the Yankees would get into the mix. The Yankees surprised the Beltran camp by declining to meet his asking price. Yankees president Randy Levine told Boras in a 6 p.m. phone call that the Yankees were not ready to go to $16 million per year, or $112 million total. Yankees people stayed by their phone, and it is believed they would have gotten more involved if the price dropped into the $100-million range.
George Steinbrenner was in contact with Boras several times throughout the week, and word was that Beltran was very interested in becoming a Yankee. Steinbrenner held a 90-meeting in Tampa Friday to discuss the Beltran situation, and w While his baseball people expressed a concern about Bernie Williams’ diminishing skill in centerfield, his “money men” also had their say.
One person who’s talked to Yankees officials said that the Yankees might have considered re-evaluating things if they were able to make a favorable separation settlement with Jason Giambi. However, that could take until close to spring training, and would be an enormous gamble for Beltran to wait it out when he had other $100-million-plus offers on the table.
The Astros bid where few thought they would go to try to beat the large-market teams that vied for Beltran’s services. It is believed they bid at least $105 million over seven years.
Next up for the Mets, a continued effort to find takers for Mike Piazza and Cliff Floyd (might as well throw Penny Hardaway in while they’re at it), and depending on how successful they are in either endeavor, perhaps a play for Carlos Delgado (said to be mulling an offer from the Rangers).
While I wish the Cubs could have gotten Beltran, I’m just as concerned about them getting a decent closer. The Cub losses from last year that stung weren’t just from lack of bats, but games that got away from LaTroy Walkins. No one in the NL central landed a major, balance shifting deal this year, so I’m not sure what’s changed except for Will Carroll’s dead-on assessment of the much weakened Astros. Carroll’s look at the Cards earlier this week also gives Cubs fans some hope, but then, the Cubs also let Alou go and he’s a bat that matters. Basically, the NL central that looked like, and just about was, the toughest division in baseball looks a might more mediocre this year.
“it took 57 years but palestine and israel have finally reached an agreement and sharon in what many believe was an honest display of support for his people and its future committed suicide live on TV after signing the document which in essence creates the state of Palestine. More details on all this breaking news later on but first let’s take a look at who’s in the Chicago Cubs farm system this coming season. Ben?”
Jesper, you’re right, I had it coming. This is a big day for the Mets — no, huge — and here I am talking about the Cubs. How big a day? To quote Newsday.com: “Mets fan exalted at reports of their team’s signing of coveted free agent Carlos Beltran, and even Yankees fans were impressed.” Yep. Even Yankees fans were impressed. I know how much that means to Mets fans, too. Have you got you your spot on the parade route picked out yet? I’ll step aside now while you bask in Yankee approval.
http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/mets/nyc-mets0110,0,361126.story?coll=ny-baseball-headlines
Ben
well, i have to say it is very unfortunate that the Yankees fans are impressed. But then again, the Yankees have impressed me many times. The late 60’s, mid-80’s and the 2004 playoffs come to mind.
For the parade, I’ll be exactly where I was for the 1994 Rangers victory lap (remember hockey??), behind city hall, about six miles away from Matteau.
the cubs should have signed silky d and put him back in the stopper role. screw the mets.
kt: Derek Smart of “The Cub Reporter” has an interesting reverse take from Will Carroll on the pros and cons of Beltran leaving Houston, short and long term. Beltran’s leaving the NL Central seems to be the bigger impact than how he’ll change the East. Then again, that the Astros brought him in late last year shows how aggressive they’ll be in rebuilding, so I’m not betting their “rebuilding” after post-Beltran will take forever.
http://www.all-baseball.com/cubreporter/archives/017050.html
Ben