Omar And Friends Meet With Boras
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No news at the annual general manager's meetings doesn't mean news isn't forthcoming.
Mets general manager Omar Minaya and senior vice president of baseball operations Jim Duquette met with Scott Boras on Thursday, expressing interest in several of the super agent's high-profile clients.
Without naming names, it is a given that the Mets inquired about All-Star center fielder Carlos Beltran, who has seen his stock rise after an impressive postseason with the Astros. Magglio Ordonez, J.D. Drew and possibly Jason Varitek, should Minaya engineer a deal for Mike Piazza, have also piqued New York's interest.
"We started the process," Minaya said. "In some point in time we were going to let him know which guys we have interest in. I did tell him that we do have interest in some guys."
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For now, though, the Mets are addressing a number of issues as the free-agent signing period officially kicks off Friday. The team has extended a three-year offer, with a vesting option for a fourth year, worth slightly more than $20 million to free agent right-hander Kris Benson. Duquette said he is awaiting a counter proposal from Benson's agent, Gregg Clifton.
Negotiations were progressing as the season ended but when Minaya took over as general manager and then had to conduct a managerial search, the talks stalled. The two sides were expected to speak again Thursday night in a conversation Clifton was hopeful would yield "significant progress."
"We've had conversations," Duquette said. "We're still hopeful we'll get something done. He's expressed to us he wants to be a Met, and we want him here. I wouldn't say anything is imminent. We're waiting on an offer."
On Monday, the Mets are faced with another decision: whether to pick up the one-year, $10 million contract for left-hander Al Leiter. Although it is believed the Mets will not pick up the option and elect to take the $2 million buyout, Minaya said he is still evaluating the situation. The two sides are not close in their talks.
"We're in communication with his agents," Minaya said of Alan and Randy Hendricks. "We're in the situation where I pretty much have to get caught up from the exchanges that were made before I came on board. There was a written proposal and a verbal proposal. His option needs to be picked up by Monday, or declined."
When asked if he thought Leiter would be back, Wilpon said, "I hope so. I'd certainly like to see that happen."
i have a feeling benson will be signed quickly but omar will let leiter walk, i think al is gonna sign with either the yankees or phillies, the mets might go after pavano!!! :ph34r:
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