Danys Baez headed to the Dodgers

[riverside sluggers]

METS ON BRINK OF BAEZ TRADE

By JOEL SHERMAN

 

December 30, 2005 -- In a move that could give the Mets perhaps the finest 1-2 closing punch in the National League, GM Omar Minaya is working to finalize a trade that would bring Danys Baez from Tampa Bay to serve as the primary set-up man for Billy Wagner, The Post has learned. The Mets have spoken regularly to the Devil Rays for weeks about both Baez and shortstop Julio Lugo, who the Mets would play at second base. But over the last few days, the Mets have narrowed their focus to Baez, who had more saves for Tampa last season (41) than Wagner did for Philadelphia (38).

 

The Devil Rays would receive a package in return that would be headed by either Jae Seo or Aaron Heilman. The Mets prioritized fixing their late-inning bullpen this offseason. That process began by securing Wagner, the best reliever on the free-agent market. If the Mets had not obtained Wagner, Baez was near the top of their list to acquire to become their closer. So the Mets would consider it a coup to have Baez pitching in the eighth inning.

 

If they did not include Heilman in the trade — and they have been very resistant all offseason to move the young righty — the Mets would have a late-game trio of Heilman, Baez and Wagner that combined for a 2.17 ERA in 2005, allowing just 161 hits in 216 innings. Baez, 28, has 96 saves over the past three seasons, the sixth most in the majors. Though he throws hard (in the 93-95 mph) and has a strong split, Baez is not an overpowering strikeout pitcher and he does fight wildness at times.

 

On the other hand, the Yankees will attest to Baez's quality. Baez was 7-for-7 in save chances against the Yanks last year and in 11 games covering 12 innings, he did not permit an earned run.

[26 to 6]

Good move for the Mets, I just hope they dont send Heilman in this deal. But I also like Seo very much. Heilman is older so MAYBE he would be the best bet to send ...eh, whoi knows, im just happy about getting him here in New York.

[a700hitter]

It would be a good move for the Mets. Seo's results have been spotty, and Heilman has yet to fulfill his potential. Baez has a good track record at the ML level, and the Mets are clearly being built to win now. The Red Sox FO doesn't know if it is trying to win now or build for the future. I am concerned thatr they might end up sacrificing both.

[Beckett95]

Good move for the Mets, I just hope they dont send Heilman in this deal. But I also like Seo very much. Heilman is older so MAYBE he would be the best bet to send ...eh, whoi knows, im just happy about getting him here in New York.

 

I think its a good trade if they send Seo, not Heilman. Heilman is 1 year younger and more versatile as he can start or work out of the bullpen. He also has more upside than Seo.

[He Hate Me]

I wonder how that affects the manny talks since Ihad heard in other places that heilman was part of some packages

[riverside sluggers]

if Minaya wants Manny that bad, he will do whatever it takes, Heilman or not in the deal

[ksushi]

The Mets don't have what it takes to get Manny. They would like him, but only if we paid for him and also recieved little for him. I read an article not so long ago where Minaya said specifically he won't deal Milledge or Reyes to get Manny, so IMO forget it. If we can't get young talent, then i don't care.

[ARod2212]

Another solid move from the Mets, I don't see many holes in them at this point.

[jsinger121]

the mets are practically out of the manny sweepstakes unless they find other teams to get involved. they have no one to trade straight up the red sox want other than milledge. i like heilman but it sounds like either him or seo will be a dray.

[Ray10]

Maybe he is gonna be used in a deal for Manny or something. I dont understand this one otherwise the Mets already have a closer in Wagner.

[a700hitter]

He'll be used as a setup man.

[26 to 6]

Maybe he is gonna be used in a deal for Manny or something. I dont understand this one otherwise the Mets already have a closer in Wagner.

SETUP MAN!!

 

I think its a good trade if they send Seo, not Heilman. Heilman is 1 year younger and more versatile as he can start or work out of the bullpen. He also has more upside than Seo.

Is Heilman younger?? I thought he was older, my mistake.

 

The reason I said to leep Seo was that he has been good more often, and he had that streak last year where for a couple weeks there he was unstoppable. Heilman has been very, very inconsistant up until last year, but who knows. Either way, its a good deal.

[jimmycarter05]

It seems to me that the Mets are doing what the 1997 Marlins did, they rented a team, went out and got all the good players and then after they won the WS they had a fire sale, the Mets clearly have to money to continue if they win the WS, but if they don't my guess is that they have a firesale.

[Cityofchampions33]

Considering it's the Devil Rays they dealt with, it's a pretty good deal for an above average reliever. They definatley got them selves at least 20 games above last year with a new re-vamped bullpen, added with Delgado.

[riverside sluggers]

Another team frustrated by trying to deal with Tampa, as the Mets turn their attention toward the Dodgers

 

Mets set to say Seo long

Frustrated in Baez talks, Dodgers would send Sanchez to Shea

BY KEN DAVIDOFF

STAFF WRITER

 

Unable to complete a deal for Tampa Bay's Danys Baez, the Mets have turned West to fill their void for a setup man. According to officials from two major-league clubs, the Mets had all but finalized a trade to land Duaner Sanchez from the Los Angeles Dodgers. In return for Sanchez, a 26-year-old righthander, the Mets will surrender righthander Jae Seo, the officials said. The trade will probably be announced by the end of this week.

 

Sanchez pitched in 79 games for the Dodgers in 2005, going 4-7 with a 3.73 ERA, walking 36 and striking out 71 in 82 innings. He throws a fastball that reaches about 95 mph on the radar gun, and he also displays a curveball, slider and changeup. He instantly becomes the Mets' primary setup man to new closer Billy Wagner. With two-plus years of service time, Sanchez is not yet eligible for arbitration, a further asset for the Mets, who would still take Boston's ultra-expensive outfielder Manny Ramirez in the right deal.

 

Seo, 28, went 8-2 with a 2.59 ERA for the Mets last season, starting 14 games. The Mets spent extensive time pursuing Baez, the Devil Rays' hard-throwing closer, and ultimately grew frustrated enough to look elsewhere. The Devil Rays preferred Aaron Heilman to Seo, and the Mets wanted to keep Heilman, who flourished last season. Heilman can now become the Mets' seventh-inning pitcher, further strengthening the club's weakest unit of 2005.

 

With their setup man acquired, the Mets can focus on their last significant task of the offseason - upgrading at second base. They'd like to unload Kazuo Matsui - Boston and Tampa Bay have expressed interest, and the Mets are offering to pay $5 million of Matsui's $8 million salary - and find someone else to play the position.

[elsrbueno]

Could the Mets be attempting to pick up pieces to deal to Boston for Manny Ramirez? I wouldn't mind Sanchez in Boston as a part of that deal-- obviously there's still some major hurdles to be worked out but it's just a thought....

 

Sanchez and Millege is a good start.

[riverside sluggers]

They are also said to be in discussions for a lugo/kaz matsui swap

[elsrbueno]

They are also said to be in discussions for a lugo/kaz matsui swap

 

Call me crazy, but that could be another move made with a motive of convincing the Sox to part with Manny. It's no secret that the Red Sox have coveted Julio Lugo for awhile, and if he were on the Mets, he could be part of a package.

 

If the Mets do acquire Sanchez and Lugo, look for at least the Manny RUMORS to heat up again, especially with the Orioles asking for Papelbon/Lester.

[riverside sluggers]

Jae Seo, along with left-handed reliever Tim Hamulack was traded from the Mets to the Dodgers for right-handed relievers Duaner Sanchez and Steve Schmoll. The 28-year-old Seo would fill the fifth spot in the Dodgers' rotation behind Derek Lowe, Brad Penny, Odalis Perez and Brett Tomko, allowing Edwin Jackson and Chad Billingsley to open the year in Triple-A. Seo made 14 starts for the Mets last season, going 8-2 with a 2.59 ERA. Jan. 4 - 3:25 pm et

 

okk now the Dodgers are set with their rotation. Padres have acquired 2 starting pitchers in Jose Lima and Shawn Estes...

 

Where does that leave David Wells' situation? Arizona perhaps?

[Moose]

I like the Mets' bullpen this year. They just added Duaner Sanchez. He's inconsistent, though. But still, it is a deep bullpen. I hope Steve Schmoll does well, too for NY.

[Manny Goes Boom]

okk now the Dodgers are set with their rotation. Padres have acquired 2 starting pitchers in Jose Lima and Shawn Estes...

 

Where does that leave David Wells' situation? Arizona perhaps?

 

No way about Wells going to Arizona. They feel he stabbed them in the back when he had his "handshake agreement" with them and then went to sign with San Diego. But you never know, Damon went to the Yankees so we shall see, but I would be suprised if he comes here.

[Ray10]

Well now the chances of Wells actually going somewhere out West may be very slim the Dodgers have the pitching they want so does San Deigo. Maybe he will head to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim or Oakland or something there on the West Coast.

[26 to 6]

Ive always liked Sanchez, but dont understand why we made this trade. Seo was one of our big chips for a big trade. But I am pretty content with getting Sanchez in return. Dont know much about Schmoll.

[jsinger121]

the mets now have hardly anyone to trade if they wanted to make a big deal. milledge is impressive but outside of him the rest of the mets farm system is not impressive.

[26 to 6]

I dont understand Omar. He traded Mike Cameron, who was probably our biggest trade chip for f***ing Xavier Nady!! Now he trades Seo for Sanchez, which isnt as bad, but ill take Baez over Sanchez (for now at least, Sanchez could be really good, which is why im not so bummed about this).

[ORS]

Ive always liked Sanchez, but dont understand why we made this trade. Seo was one of our big chips for a big trade. But I am pretty content with getting Sanchez in return. Dont know much about Schmoll.

Just got off the phone with the fandom moderators, and you only get to say "we" about one team. So, you need to pick one, either the Yankees or the Mets.*

 

*Note: I've been drinking, so I'm feeling frisky. If you don't like my mishievous tone, well, I don't really care, but don't take this too seriously.

[Manny Goes Boom]

Just got off the phone with the fandom moderators, and you only get to say "we" about one team. So, you need to pick one, either the Yankees or the Mets.*

 

*Note: I've been drinking, so I'm feeling frisky. If you don't like my mishievous tone, well, I don't really care, but don't take this too seriously.

 

LMAO

[26 to 6]

Ive made it clear on about 100 occasions on this board that I am a diehard Yankee fan, but also being from New York it is impossible for me not to support a team that represents New York. So I root for the Mets as well. No neeed to call the fandom moderators.

[Optimist]

... but also being from New York it is impossible for me not to support a team that represents New York.

 

Heh, I'm able to do it just fine.

[26 to 6]

Heh, I'm able to do it just fine.

lol, not me. I am a fan of all New York area teams.

 

..cant help it