MLB Trade Rumors: Why The New York Mets Aren't Pursuing Matt Holliday

by faketeams on Jul 16, 2009 10:45 AM EDT in Baseball

Today's lead article by Joel Sherman of the New York Post expresses incredulity that Omar Minaya and the New York mets' front office have not even placed a phone call to the Oakland A's front office about OF Matt Holliday. Regardless of the Coors product's production, Holliday is still a more productive player than Danny Murphy, Nick Evans et al.

Why not? Is it the fear that Bill Beane and Co. will ask for the equivalent of two 1st round picks? I doubt it. At $13.5 MM this season, there is no way the A's risk Holliday accepting arbitration given his awful production this season. And Holliday would accept it. Scott Boras client Kevin Millwood did the same several years ago. Because of this, Holliday should be in the Mets price range - a couple of B/C level prospects and an arm.

Could the Mets be afraid of the same arbitration acceptance? Possibly. Given the front office's adherence to Bud Selig's organization crippling slotting system, an argument can be made that the improved production of Holliday versus the wasting of money signing 1st rounders falls offers a good risk/reward equation in Holliday's favor.

Or could the Mets be failing to even call the A's because of a bit of information not found in the sports pages? On Page Six, there is a report that Mets' owner Fred Wilpon lost $700 million in the Bernie Madoff scandal - not the $300MM previously reported.

With $400MM less on the balance sheet, one can now more easily understand letting Mark DeRosa go to the Cardinals and Eric Hinske to the Yankees for prices well within the Mets' budget.

Poll

Do you believe Matt Holliday would accept arbitration if it was offered?

Without a doubt. Bobby Abreu was forced into a one-year $5MM deal with better production.

72 votes

No. Um....Scott Boras wouldn't let him?

73 votes

145 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

Beane's asking price is going to be steep...

heavy tuna, heavy onions, heavy!!!!

"Where's the beef?"

by MMunoz33 on Jul 16, 2009 10:52 AM EDT reply actions

The Mets better win this season

They just spent over a billion dollars on a stadium there not even selling out in its first year. Once this year is over, it will be seen as just another ballpark, add in the fact, that there about to miss the playoffs for the ninth straight season, and have little in the farm. The Mets are due for a big fall. Oh yah, and there owner in going broke. No longer will they be able to shell out money to get guys like the Beltrans, Delgados, and Santanas of the world, the money will just not be there. If you lose, people wont come, and after 9 years of injustice, Met fans arent going to pay 30 bucks to see there team lose

However, if they were to add Holliday, it would make them contenders again, and a force in a weak NL East. If they were to make the playoffs this year, then most of the money problems which are in the future could go away

They have to make this deal. Even if its just for a year, the risk of not adding a Holliday is to high

by Civardi on Jul 16, 2009 2:20 PM EDT reply actions