Thu Jan 8th 2009
The New York Mets gave agent Scott Boras a tour of Citi Field Wednesday as they continue their pursuit of Derek Lowe, but there was no indication they are close to a deal yet.
Jeff Wilpon, GM Omar Minaya and assistant GM John Ricco met with Boras and his assistant, Mike Fiore, with both sides apparently sticking to positions that have them significantly apart in negotiations.
The Mets have made a three-year, $36 million offer while Boras is looking for something more like four years, $64 million.
The Mets don't see a need to make a significant increase in their bid until they are convinced there is another team willing to go higher than them for Lowe.
Even so, a person with knowledge of the Mets' thinking says the ballclub is likely to eventually raise its offer to the $40 million range if told it will get a deal done. However, the Mets are firm on holding the length of the contract to three years for the 35-year-old righthander.
There has been little evidence of other teams pursuing Lowe as heavily as the Mets. If Lowe gets better offers, the Mets say privately they will move on and try to make a deal to re-sign Oliver Perez, another Boras client.
As of last night, however, the Mets still seemed to believe they have a good chance of landing Lowe.
A MLB.com report posted on the Mets Web site last night said the Mets discussed all of Boras' clients, which would include Manny Ramirez, but it still seems a longshot they would bring him aboard.
Source:nydailynews.com
The New York Mets gave agent Scott Boras a tour of Citi Field Wednesday as they continue their pursuit of Derek Lowe, but there was no indication they are close to a deal yet.
Jeff Wilpon, GM Omar Minaya and assistant GM John Ricco met with Boras and his assistant, Mike Fiore, with both sides apparently sticking to positions that have them significantly apart in negotiations.
The Mets have made a three-year, $36 million offer while Boras is looking for something more like four years, $64 million.
The Mets don't see a need to make a significant increase in their bid until they are convinced there is another team willing to go higher than them for Lowe.
Even so, a person with knowledge of the Mets' thinking says the ballclub is likely to eventually raise its offer to the $40 million range if told it will get a deal done. However, the Mets are firm on holding the length of the contract to three years for the 35-year-old righthander.
There has been little evidence of other teams pursuing Lowe as heavily as the Mets. If Lowe gets better offers, the Mets say privately they will move on and try to make a deal to re-sign Oliver Perez, another Boras client.
As of last night, however, the Mets still seemed to believe they have a good chance of landing Lowe.
A MLB.com report posted on the Mets Web site last night said the Mets discussed all of Boras' clients, which would include Manny Ramirez, but it still seems a longshot they would bring him aboard.
Source:nydailynews.com