12-7-11: - http://baseballdraftreport.com - Massachusetts-Lowell LHP Jack Leathersich didn’t warrant a high ranking from me prior to the draft, but that was mainly because of my personal aversion to future relievers. The Mets using a fifth round selection on him seems a bit rich for my blood. Lefties with low-90s velocity and flashes of a plus breaking ball (slider) don’t go on trees, so I can at least see the logic here. His early pro returns (26 K in 12.2 IP for Brooklyn) are encouraging. UMass-Lowell JR LHP Jack Leathersich (2011): 89-93 FB; plus SL; decent slow CB; 6-0, 190 pounds
Mets owner Fred Wilpon asked baseball commissioner Bud Selig to “play the bad cop” and help him scuttle a deal that could have resulted in him losing majority control of the team, a new bombshell book reports. Earlier this year, hedge-fund titan David Einhorn was set to invest $200 million for a 17 percent minority stake in the Mets. In exchange, Wilpon agreed that if the team didn’t repay Einhorn in five years, he would be able to acquire a majority stake for a nominal amount. But months after Wilpon agreed to the deal, he got cold feet, fearing he could lose control of the team. “Wilpon asked Selig to strike the provision requiring him to enable and assist David Einhorn in his pursuit of majority ownership, if Wilpon couldn’t repay him,” author Howard Megdal writes in “Wilpon’s Folly.” http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/mets_asked_mlb_to_nix_deal_book_GBc5KGJDIhqQVSAs0yuQgM#ixzz1ghrwDPyg
Ironically, after signing Pujols and C.J. Wilson (5/$77.5M), the Angels actually have more flexibility than they did yesterday. Therefore, it says here that Arte Moreno and Jerry DiPoto will pull off at least one more headline signing or trade before spring training. At a minimum, they have freed up Mark Trumbo and possibly Ervin Santana. In addition, the Halos can easily move Peter Bourjos, if need be, plus Bobby Abreu (if they agree to eat at least half of his contract) and either Alberto Callaspo or Maicer Izturis. Where am I going with this? Well, I wouldn't rule out going after David Wright or Ryan Zimmerman. The Mets are reportedly interested in Bourjos. The Nats have been linked to him, too, and have indicated a desire to shore up center field and first base. Why not a Bourjos and Trumbo deal for Zimmerman? The Mets have Ike Davis and Sandy Alderson and Paul DePodesta aren't likely to be interested in Trumbo's low OBP. As such, the Angels might have to replace Trumbo with Hank Conger. Either way, I would only give up those packages for Wright or Zimmerman if I could sign them to a longer-term deal first as both are under team control for just two more years. Wright is owed $15M in 2012 with a team option at $16M for 2013 and Zimmerman is due $12M in 2012 and $14M in 2013. http://baseballanalysts.com
New Miami Marlins shortstop Jose Reyes misspoke Friday talking about the teammate he bumped to third base, Hanley Ramirez. "I can't wait to play for, er, with Hanley," Reyes said. If Reyes played for Ramirez, there would be no change at shortstop. Instead, Ramirez is reluctantly giving up the position. Reyes signed a six-year, $106 million deal with Miami last week and said he hasn't heard from Ramirez since. There has been no phone call, text message or Christmas card from his pal and fellow Dominican. Meanwhile, speculation persists that Ramirez is unhappy about being supplanted at shortstop (they’re Godfather to each other’s children and we’re supposed to believe Jose doesn’t have his phone number?) http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/baseball/mlb/12/16/marlins-spree.ap/index.html#ixzz1gmBwpS1l
Sandy Alderson told Jon Niese this week basically to disregard trade rumors, that he is part of the Mets' future -- at least immediate future. And that makes sense. After all, Niese still is not yet eligible for arbitration, and will not be eligible for free agency until after the 2015 season. http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/mets/post/_/id/37260/mets-not-interested-in-dealing-niese?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
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