You mean Mulder, right? Hudson went to the Braves. Even so, the Cards aren't better than last year's version. Eckstein/Alomar are big dropoffs from what they got out of renteria/womack, offensively, defensively, and on the bases. And just because they got Mulder, it doesn't make their pitching great now. Mulder/Morris/Marquis/Suppan/guessing Wainwright(from the Drew deal) is their probable rotation. Morris has labrum issues and Mulder has had his season derailed by injury at least once, and I believe twice over the last few seasons. And guys like Marquis/Wainwright/Suppan need a good defense around them to succeed, and renteria's departure will hurt their numbers. Plus, the Cardinals had a lot of things go right last season to get on the roll that they did and odds are they don't happen again. I'm not saying they will not contend of course because they have too much talent not to do so, but they were going to more than likely fall off some even with everyone returning and since they lost a gold glove caliber shortstop with a solid bat that dropoff could be more pronounced. I mean the only pitchers on their staff that doesn't need the benefit of a great defense to succeed are Mulder and Morris, who is going into the season with labrum concerns.
I remember the last time the Cards were supposed to be a middle of the road NL Central Team.....lets not forget they still have perhaps the most dangerous lineup in the NL...and Eckstein isn't really a downgrade offensively from Womack..and Eckstein can steal bases too. Any catcher they bring in can hit better than Matheny.
What jackass at MLB came up with the rule that the Astros can't negotiate with Beltran after January 8th? Thats BS. What purpose does that serve?
I asked the magic 8 ball if Carlos Beltran will sign with the Yankees and the answer is; IT IS UNLIKELY!!!!! Ha ha we win.......Yankees down, Mets, Cubs to go.
Actually I think that, in this case, its a good thing... I'd go crazy if this thing was drawn out for another month!!
same jackass that made the rule that there is no salary cap...thus forcing KC to trade Beltran to us so they would not lose him for nothing...same rule that may keep us from retaining him
NEW YORK -- After meeting with Carlos Beltran in Puerto Rico for four hours Monday, the Mets on Tuesday were finalizing the details of their offer to the prized free agent, sources familiar with the negotiations told Newsday. The Mets' opening bid is expected to be in the range of $100 million, according to one Newsday source. Mets general manager Omar Minaya and owner Fred Wilpon were among those who flew to San Juan to visit with Beltran, agent Scott Boras, and Boras' associate, Mike Fiore. Senior vice president of baseball operations Jim Duquette and special assistant Tony Bernazard also made the trip. Several teams have submitted bids in the range of $90 million previously, meaning the Mets would be the highest bidder to date. Boras had set a $119 million, or $17 million a year for seven years, as the entry-level bid sought for Beltran. Some Yankees officials had been hesitant from the start to meet Boras' asking price, and they're expected not to compete with the Mets or others to get him. "We had a very productive meeting," Boras said after Monday's session at a San Juan hotel. He would not discuss whether the Mets made an offer during that meeting. A similar trip helped Minaya and the Mets lure star pitcher Pedro Martinez this offseason. Minaya traveled to the Dominican Republic at Thanksgiving and dined with Martinez, who agreed to a $53 million, four-year contract with New York last month. Beltran led the Houston Astros within one win of their first World Series last season, batting .417 in the NL Championship Series with four home runs, five RBI and four stolen bases. He also hit .455 with four homers and nine RBI in the first round. Beltran has said he thinks he would be prepared to play in a pressure-packed environment such as New York. The Astros would like to retain Beltran, but if they don't reach an agreement by Saturday they can't re-sign him until May 1. The All-Star center fielder said the Detroit Tigers and Chicago Cubs have shown interest as well. Information from The Associated Press was used in this report
Beltran has said he thinks he would be prepared to play in a pressure-packed environment such as New York. well get ready for possibly 7 years of playing for a mediocre team Carlos. Now lets resign Lance, get a pitcher or two and forget about Beltran
Off topic... the 7 train has to be the nastiest train operated by MTA. Although I do like the fact that the 7 rides overground.
Probably been discussed already but I'll say again: IMHO the Astros have bungled up their negotiations strategy with CB. They've put all their eggs in the one basket. They'll get appplause if they pull it off but eggs on their faces if they fail.
This can't be good... From Carlos' wife, "Each family member wants a different team, but he and I don't have a favorite yet," she was quoted as saying in Tuesday's editions of Primera Hora. "We are considering all options." http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1959228
Article from ESPN, I didn't see it posted. edit: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1959228 Boras says that "We're certainly at the point now where we've gotten offers from all involved clubs," Boras said. I know lawyerspeak when I see it. "All involved clubs" my ass. So far, the Mets brass have still not confirmed making Beltran an offer. The only confirmed offer is from the Stros and we may be the only "involved club." If anyone can dig up dirt on the status of the Mets' interest in Delgado, that might be relevant. It has been hoped and speculated here that they really want to use the Beltran situation to drive down the demands of Delgado. Until the Mets confirm making an offer to Beltran, that remains a viable theory. =========================== NEW YORK -- Carlos Beltran's agent said Tuesday he has now received offers from all teams involved in negotiations for the free-agent center fielder. A day after Beltran and agent Scott Boras met with the Mets in Puerto Rico, a member of New York's front office said the team planned to have more talks. Sources familiar with the negotiations told Newsday the Mets were finalizing the details of their offer, expected to be in the range of $100 million. "He's a great player and a great person," said Mets special assistant Tony Bernazard, who attended Monday's four-hour session in San Juan. "We are very interested in him. That's why we came to Puerto Rico to talk to him." Bernazard said the sides didn't talk about numbers during Monday's meeting. This figures to be a key week in the Beltran negotiations, because the Houston Astros have a Saturday deadline to re-sign him. After arriving back in California on Tuesday night, Boras said he didn't know when the Beltran negotiations would conclude. The Chicago Cubs and Detroit Tigers also are thought to be interested, but those teams have not publicly confirmed any involvement. "We're certainly at the point now where we've gotten offers from all involved clubs," Boras said. Boras had set a $119 million, or $17 million a year for seven years, as the entry-level bid sought for Beltran. Several teams have reportedly submitted bids in the range of $90 million previously, meaning the Mets would be the highest bidder to date. Because of their contract extension negotiations with Randy Johnson, which must conclude by Friday, the Yankees are expected to wait until the end of the week to decide the level of their involvement. Yankees owner George Steinbrenner met with Beltran in Tampa, Fla., on Dec. 21, but New York officials still are awaiting a decision from Steinbrenner on the team's next step. Some Yankees officials had been hesitant from the start to meet Boras' asking price, and they're expected not to compete with the Mets or others to get him. Bernazard said the Mets weren't worried about competition from the Yankees. "Pedro [Martinez] was not supposed to sign with us, and he's going to play with us," Bernazard said. Jessica Lugo, Carlos Beltran's wife, said her husband had not yet ranked the teams. "Each family member wants a different team, but he and I don't have a favorite yet," she was quoted as saying in Tuesday's editions of Primera Hora. "We are considering all options."
I'm not sure what our offer was...or what we are willing to go to but I will say this... If we had no plans in going north of 100 mil or giving more than 5 yrs...then this whole thing was an exercise in futility. My guess is that Drayton knows this and has or will make a 6 or 7 yr offer worth 95-105 mil. There is no way he would put all of his eggs in one basket knowing full well that the pricetag would end up over 100mil if he didn't intend on bidding that himself. He isn't a stupid man...he and the Astros brass HAD to know that there was a better than good chance that Carlos would get offers at or around 100 mil...and I can't see us bowing out at 90 (or whatever our supposed offer was) if we have put the blinders on towards any other free agent up to now.
if he does not re-sign with the Astros I really don't see egg on their face. They at least made an effort where in the past they would have just let him go.
Drayton knows by resigning Beltran he can get a whole new core of fans to come to the games and watch on tv. Kinda like Biggio and Baggs back in the day... Sure he's gona have to spend 100+ million but he will make it all back in the end.
The mistake would have been concentrating on Beltran to the exclusion of any other player, until all the replacements were gone. This will have been a terrible offseason if they don't sign anyone, and lose Beltran-Kent-Clemens-Miller from last year's squad.
