Rumor Rundown: Pitching, Pitching, Pitching

Every morning I will scan the web for the newest Mets rumors, and dish them to you. Enjoy your tasty tidbits of baseball gossip.

The New York Times relays info from a quick meeting Omar Minaya held with reporters at the GM Meetings in Cali. Minaya pitched the need for pitching over offense. "I have no problem with our offense, and that was even with [Luis] Castillo not having a good year, and he is a lifetime .300 hitter, if I am not mistaken," Minaya told the Times. "Those things I am not worried about."

When asked if he would look at the pricier closer Francisco Rodriguez, Minaya said "We have to look at everybody."

Minaya also noted that since the Mets only have three starters on the board for next year, he will entertain the idea of re-signing Pedro Martinez. Jon Niese, Bobby Parnell and Jason Vargas will all have a shot at those final two spots. No mention of Oliver Perez.

** * **

Javier Vazquez has piqued the Mets interest.

Vazquez, who is owed $23 million over the next two years by the Chicago White Sox, will not be too expensive, as long as the Mets are willing to pay.

From the Chicago Tribune:

Vazquez, who has a no-trade clause to West Coast teams, was fourth in the American League in strikeouts, but his only winning season in the last four was 2007, when he finished 15-8. He also had winning records in Montreal in the early 2000s when current Mets GM Omar Minaya worked there.

I don't like this, but the Mets do need pitching. Too expensive, too inconsistent.

** * **

Back to K-Rod. Ken Davidoff reminds us of a similar situation from a few years ago.

Newsday:

Though the Mets are reluctant to meet Rodriguez's public asking price of $75 million over five years, they'll engage with him just in case the price drops. As Minaya noted yesterday, Carlos Beltran's original asking price was $200 million before it came down to the $119 million the Mets paid him.

No one was going to spend $200 mil. for Beltran. Unfortunately, I think the closers market is so dry, teams will spend as much as possible to try and land the new single-season save leader.

I'd be more than happy landing the cheaper, and equally good Brian Fuentes.