2012 Payroll, Sandy on Jose, Jeurys Famila, Angel Cuan, Jordany Valdespin

2012 Payroll:


The financial difficulties of retaining Reyes at $20 million a year are real, and may not be feasible without trading Wright. Consider next season Johan Santana (who may not pitch this year) makes $24 million, Jason Bay $16 million and Wright $15 million. And if Francisco Rodriguez finishes 55 games -- he's on pace to finish 60 -- he gets $17.5 million. Then there's R.A. Dickey at $4.25 million and Mike Pelfrey and Angel Pagan arbitration-eligible, which likely would take their salaries beyond $5 million apiece, if they're Mets. That's a heavy concentration of spending in a small group of players. It adds up to $86.75 million with K-Rod -- without Reyes factored in. Wilpon had suggested the payroll could be as low as $100 million next year, although Alderson intimated closer to $120 million. And before you suggest the Mets just backload Reyes' deal, consider Santana will get $31 million in 2013 with a '14 buyout, while Bay gets $16 million that season -- and potentially another $3 million if his contract does not vest for the following season. With Wright and Reyes, that would be an astronomical sum for four players without the overall payroll heading back upward. - http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/mets/post/_/id/28324/mets-morning-briefing-7-4-11



Sandy on Jose:


Alderson is now leaning strongly toward authorizing a substantial offer after the season to try to retain Reyes, a free-agent-to-be, two sources with ties to Alderson told The Post. Even Reyes’ first 2011 injury did not seem to have dimmed Alderson’s belief that the Mets are best served working diligently to retain the All-Star shortstop. “He may be out just one day,” Alderson said when asked if even a mild hamstring strain could influence contractual strategy with Reyes. “Before we jump to any long-term conclusions, let’s see about this injury. I will say this, most players miss a few days at some point of the season, and so in that context this is not unusual.” - http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/mets/source_alderson_considers_RDHx5I0ZmH5CvY8fhx64CL#ixzz1R99VU9ko  
Jeurys Familia:


7-3-11: - http://metsmerizedonline.com/2011/07/best-mets-minor-league-surprises-mid-season-edition.html  - Jeurys Familia – Binghamton, the power armed righty has started 8 games for the B-Mets after 6 good starts in St Lucie to start the season. He is still looking for his first AA win, but his other stats are scintillating. He went into the year needing to refine his secondary pitches, (slider and change-up). The good news is, he has, and his off-speed stuff is developing nicely. This could keep him in the rotation and not force a move to the bullpen. In 45.2 AA innings, he is 0-2 with a 3.35 ERA, 42 H, 51 K and 20 BB, the league is hitting only .243 against this 6’3″, 21 year old.


Angel Cuan:


7-4-11: - Angel had to wait his turn earlier this year in Savannah. There simply were too many starting pitchers. The 22-year old is in his 4th season as a Met and actually impressed us the most in his first year (200*) with the VSL Mets. It’s not easy to go 1-8 and turn in a 3.13 ERA, with 74-K in 72.0-IP. Most of this year has been spent in the pen, but he’s turned in his second good start in a row last night. Big stats last night: 6.0-IP, 1-ER, 7-K.


Jordany Valdespin:


7-4-11: - Valdespin continues to be an enigma wrapped in a riddle. Yes, he went 4-5 last night and had two more stolen bases, but he had to try and stretch a single into a double and was out by a mile for the last out of the game. Your team is down by one in the last inning, with two out and you have to try and make the highlight film once again. Valdespin continues to show the Mets two sides of his game. One, his talent, and two, his lack of regard for team play.