Chuck

Buehrle close to deal with Chisox
Thursday, June 28, 2007
BY DAN GRAZIANO AND DON BURKE
Star-Ledger Staff
NEW YORK -- If the Mets were hoping to bring in left-hander Mark Buehrle to bolster their starting rotation, they may have to look elsewhere.

An official with a team that had interest in acquiring Buehrle said the White Sox were telling teams he was off the market because he's close to signing a four-year contract to stay in Chicago. The official, who requested anonymity because he was discussing another team's unfinished business, said the deal was expected to be worth somewhere between $50 million and $60 million.

The Mets, Yankees, Braves, Red Sox and about a half-dozen other teams had expressed interest in Buehrle, who threw a no-hitter earlier this season and has been one of the most consistent left-handed pitchers over the past seven years. The Yankees' interest was cursory, as their focus is more on offense right now. But the Mets have been looking for a rotation upgrade and considered Buehrle the best of the available starting pitchers on the market.

The Mets still may be able to do a deal with the White Sox. With Buehrle signed long-term, Chicago might be more inclined to deal one of its other starters. The Mets have expressed interest in former Yankee Jose Contreras, and Mets GM Omar Minaya is a fan of former Yankee Javier Vazquez from the time when he was the GM of the Montreal Expos and Vazquez pitched there.

Willie Randolph's tenure as one of the coaches for next month's All-Star Game was a short one. The Mets manager, who was named to the staff last week by St. Louis manager Tony La Russa, said yesterday that he would skip the game in order to have surgery on his right shoulder.

"I didn't want to get it done (now)," Randolph said. "But something had to be done. ... It's just better to do it during the (All-Star) break."

Endy Chavez said he is continuing to make progress as he rehabs his torn left hamstring at the Mets minor-league complex in Port St. Lucie, Fla. The outfielder, who has been on the disabled list since June 6, is walking around the complex, riding an exercise bike and stretching.

"This week has been interesting," Chavez said in a conference call with reporters. "We've been more aggressive and the leg has been responding well. I feel good.

Lefty Dave Williams continued his comeback from January surgery for a herniated disk by pitching 6 1/3 innings last night for Triple-A New Orleans in a game at Omaha. He allowed six hits and two earned runs in his second rehab start.

metman

So much for wanting to be a Cardinal. Very weird.

The_Kings_of_Quit

With Pedro's expected return and the starting rotation being clearly the most consistent element of the team, I'm not sure why Omar would even be considering guys like Contreras in a trade.

GET AN EFFING BAT!!!! This lineup is crippled without Alou and with Delgado strug-gle-ing.

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Bay Ridge Dave

At this point, I have to agree with this.

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15 Day DL Alou

depends on what is available and moreover what Omar can make another GM willing to make available.

The_Kings_of_Quit

I know, Glavine's spot will likely need to be filled next season, and you can never have enough pitching.... but Contreras? Hasn't he been horrible? And he's another dinosaur, no?

Younger, Omar. Younger. Have you been watching this season?

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According to the McCain campaign, the Titanic announced today that the doomed ship "has the ocean right where she wants it."

Deleted User

He's not going to get Contreras.

I don't believe that for a second.

15 Day DL Alou

honestly this is just trying to create smoke where there is no fire, I believe the Mets had legitimate interest in Buehrle contingent on a window to negotiate, but I think Contreras is just trying to connect dots that do not exist.

Sports Doctor

We need a bat and a setup man.

krunchyfrogg

I agree. But the nice part about adding a Good starter is that you can stick Sosa in the 'pen and improve both the starting rotation and the bullpen.

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Rey-YES

That's true, IF Sosa will be effective in the pen. But what do you do in a month when Pedro returns?

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DDPv6.0

Putting Sosa in the bullpen does not help the bullpen in the long run. Sure, he would probably end up being a very good longman, but do you honestly see him coming in the 7th and 8th inning, which is what the Mets really need? If the Mets are willing to toss Sosa into that situation (set-up man), good for them and I wouldn't second guess them, but I really, really don't see it happening. If the Mets go out and get a pitcher I'd hope it is a legitimate set-up man who pitches like Heilman used to...

As for Buerhrle? Good.

graves9

Sosa's performance out of the pen in his career has been spotty at best so I'm not so sure he'll help the pen.

Kid A

Trade Sosa Straight up for a Lefty RP that can get Lefties out.

Sports Doctor

And whom might that be?