12/5/11

Travis Taijeron, ARB Eligible, Bill Pulsipher, Winter Meeting Objective, Todd Hundley

11-23-11: -  http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/news/article.js p?ymd=20111110&content_id=25949502&fext=.j sp&vkey=news_milb&partnerId=rss_nym -   Travis Taijeron, Brooklyn (56 games): Another NY-Penn League All-Star, Taijeron split time between left and center field in 2011 but lands on this list thanks to his bat -- he hit .299 with nine homers and 44 RBIs. Despite the small sample size (this was Taijeron's first pro season), the front office believes it has a power hitter on its hands."Ike Davis went to Brooklyn and didn't hit a homer the entire summer, then hits [19] in the Majors, so it's very difficult to project," DePodesta said, using the Mets' first baseman for comparison. "Taijeron's strength isn't going away, his power to right-center isn't going away, so that should all serve him well in the future."

Arbitration-eligible:   RHP Mike Pelfrey, CF Angel Pagan, C Ronny Paulino, RHP Taylor Buchholz - Two tough decisions for the budget-conscious Mets. Pelfrey has been a steady rotation arm, but he struggled badly this year and figures to cost at least $5 million—which Mets officials believe might be the price of 200 innings. Pagan is likely to get a smaller deal, but the Mets may pass on this one. Pagan has struggled with injuries and ineffectiveness, only showing flashes of the form he had in 2010. www.yahoo.com

The end of what may be one of baseball’s most journeyman careers may be soon approaching as 37 year old Bill Pulsipher may be close to hanging up the cleats. Back in 1995, Pulsipher was one of the biggest prospects in baseball when he made his major league debut as a 21 year old. What has followed is an injury plagued 17 year career filled with ups and down that has seen Pulsipher suit up for 24 different major league, minor league, and independent league teams. Pulsipher currently is on the brink of finishing an injury plagued season with the Atlantic League’s Somerset Patriots. In the story link below, Pulsipher talks about facing another off season shoulder surgery, his desire to coach, and trying to come to terms with what may be the end of his playing career. http://topprospectalert.com/2011/09/14/former-mets-pitcher-bill-pulsipher-career-nearing-its-end

Mets. They are waiting for Reyes to come back to them once he finishes his shopping and are still holding out some hope that a offer for five years and perhaps $80 million could possibly work on the homegrown star. Ultimately, Reyes will probably get $100 million or close to it elsewhere, meaning he'd have to swallow a major discount to return to the only team he has known. In the meantime, they are talking to some versatile infielders, such as Jack Wilson, as possible replacements. They need to restock the bullpen and add one or two relievers with the potential to close, so Jon Rauch, Octavio Dotel, Jason Isringhausen and Brad Lidge could all hold some appeal. A's closer Andrew Bailey, a New York product, could also be of interest. The Mets are also hoping to add a young catch-and-throw guy to split time behind the plate with young holdover Josh Thole, and possibly an outfielder. They checked in with 39-year-old Jason Varitek but prefer someone slightly younger so 40-year-old Jorge Posada is not an option either despite his interest. They've looked into Rick Ankiel and a return of Scott Hairston for their outfield job. www.si.com

Todd Hundley - Hundley's father was a legendary name in Cubs history and with the team in need of a quality catcher in 2001, it seemed to make sense for the North Siders to sign the power-hitting catcher away from the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Cubs signed Hundley to a four-year deal worth $24 million, but the chronic malcontent never got past the second year of the contract. The second generation player batted .187 in 2001 and followed that up with a .211 average the following year. http://www.caribsso.com/MLB/New-York-Mets/1/Top%20Five%20Chicago%20Cubs%20Free%20Agent%20Busts%20(Yahoo!%20Contributor%20Network  

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