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Post by Tillzilla_Gorilla on Dec 28, 2001 8:35:28 GMT -5
From www.espn.com:Mets get Mo from Angels for Appier; Gonzalez next? NEW YORK -- The New York Mets took another big step in upgrading the worst offense in the majors, finalizing a trade Thursday to acquire former MVP Mo Vaughn from the Anaheim Angels for pitcher Kevin Appier. After several days of talks, agent Jeff Moorad and Mets general manager Steve Phillips worked out details to restructure Vaughn's contract and clear the way for the trade. "I don't think this whole thing has hit me yet," Vaughn said. "I wish we could start tomorrow. I'm just a small piece in this big powerful puzzle." Vaughn will be introduced at a noon ET news conference in New York. Vaughn follows All-Star Roberto Alomar and leadoff hitter Roger Cedeno to New York. Free-agent slugger Juan Gonzalez, who, like Vaughn, is represented by Moorad, could be next. "We've been able to accomplish that in ways we didn't expect," Phillips said of reviving the offense. "To add a hitter like Mo Vaughn wasn't something we anticipated going into the offseason." The Mets and Angels agreed on the trade last weekend, contingent on New York being able to defer some of the money Vaughn would be paid. Vaughn was owed $50 million in salary and bonuses over the next three years but agreed to rework the contract. The Angels will pay the remaining $8 million of Vaughn's signing bonus and some of Vaughn's salary will be deferred each of the next three years. There will be a set payout schedule for the deferred money instead of an interest rate adjustment, a baseball source told The Associated Press on condition he not be identified. That part of the deal was signed off on by both the union and the commissioner's office. "If that has any bearing on helping us get any more key cogs to add to this machine, that's why we did it," Vaughn said. continued... |
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Post by Tillzilla_Gorilla on Dec 28, 2001 8:35:48 GMT -5
Primary in that could be Gonzalez, whose first choice is to join the Mets. Moorad has talked to Phillips about Gonzalez since the beginning of the free-agent period. Alomar, Mike Piazza and Al Leiter have all expressed a desire for the team to sign Gonzalez.
"Obviously these discussions with Mo gave us ample opportunity to talk about Juan, but for the better of both situations we put Juan discussions on hold," Moorad said. "Juan made clear the Mets are a team he is very interested in. I told Steve we won't make a deal elsewhere until we take their temperature on Juan."
The Baltimore Sun reported Friday that the Orioles might make an offer to Gonzalez. Syd Thrift, the Orioles' vice president for baseball operations, was quoted as saying that Moorad initiated contact with the club. Gonzalez, 32, who batted .325 with 35 home runs and 140 RBI after signing a one-year deal with the Cleveland Indians.
Vaughn also received increased no-trade protection, according to the source. He had been able to list six teams he would be willing to be traded to.
Neither player waived the right to file a trade demand in the 15 days following next year's World Series.
After going to the World Series in 2000, the Mets went 82-80 this year. They particularly struggled to get production from first baseman Todd Zeile. New York's 13 homers from its first basemen were last in the majors and the 70 RBI were second worst.
Zeile, who underwent elbow surgery last month, is set to make $6 million in the final year of his contract, and the Mets would like to deal him.
To add Vaughn, the Mets needed to clear salary space. Appier's $9 million contract for 2002 is almost a match to the $10 million Vaughn is due next season.
After that, however, Vaughn's salary is dramatically higher. He gets $15 million in both 2003 and 2004, with a team option of $14 million for 2005. In contrast, Appier will make $11 million in 2003, and $12 million in 2004.
Vaughn has 299 career home runs and adds protection for Piazza. But Vaughn comes with some negatives. He is 34 and did not play last season, recovering from a ruptured left biceps tendon. He also led the league with 181 strikeouts in 2000, his last full season.
"He's motivated. He knows the questions," Phillips said. "I came out fired up just talking to him."
Trading Appier, a right-hander, also leaves New York with a starting rotation of four left-handers -- Leiter, Shawn Estes, Glendon Rusch and Bruce Chen -- and Steve Trachsel as the only righty. It would be an unusual alignment, but Phillips said it doesn't bother him.
Vaughn, from nearby Norwalk, Conn., was unhappy in Anaheim and expressed a desire to return to the East Coast. He began his career with Boston, where he won the 1995 AL MVP award.
"There's a certain mentality and attitude that goes along with playing on the East Coast," Vaughn said. "That fit me as a player."
Appier went 11-10 with a 3.57 ERA in his only season with the Mets. He signed a $42 million, four-year deal with New York last year.
"When you sign a four-year deal, you know it's possible to get traded after one year but you don't anticipate it," Appier said. "But if I was going to get traded, this is a favorable situation."
Appier is the second addition to Anaheim's rotation in the past two days. On Wednesday, the Angels signed Aaron Sele to a $24 million, three-year deal.
Appier and Sele join Ramon Ortiz, Jarrod Washburn and Scott Schoeneweis on a pitching staff that was fourth in the AL in ERA last season.
"We now have two more starting pitchers on the staff that are formidable pitchers without losing a player who was on the field last year," Angels GM Bill Stoneman said. "We've taken a giant step forward."
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Post by The_Erotic_Jedi on Dec 28, 2001 10:35:53 GMT -5
Yo peep the lineup and tell me that shit ain't sweet:
CF: Cedeno
3B: Alfonzo
2B: Alomar
C: Piazza
1B: Vaughn
RF: Gonzalez
LF: Payton
SS: Ordonez
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Post by Tillzilla_Gorilla on Dec 28, 2001 11:45:29 GMT -5
that would be 'World Series Ring' type ill shit...I feel it, hopefully we get ol' 'Juan Gone'...although if Mo can get in shape and remain healthy the need for Gonzo is less...but would always be welcome!! At least we know with Mo Vaughn we'll be getting a solid amount of strikeouts at the plate...He loves striking out!!!!
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Post by Tillzilla_Gorilla on Jan 2, 2002 8:14:34 GMT -5
Well the word on the block is that Gonzo will be a Met, some say as soon as tomorrow (God I hope so). I like this little quote from Bobby V.,
"...the best hitting team (the franchise) has ever had."
...and that's without Juan Gonzalez!! What a dope-at year it will be!!!!
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Post by GhettoMcHogan on Jan 2, 2002 11:15:10 GMT -5
I dunno Gonzo is a long shot, because that cheap ass Philips don't wanna drop extra dough. Why can't some rich prick come buy the METS and then sink shitloads of money into the team so someone else can dominate NY.
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Post by Tillzilla_Gorilla on Jan 2, 2002 12:46:23 GMT -5
Long shot?? I think not Joe. The Mets made him an offer, from what I hear it's 3 years for 30 Mill. From what I am hearing look for Juan to sign with the Mets as early as tomorrow or in about a week!!!! Shit is gonna be RAW!!!!
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Post by GhettoMcHogan on Jan 2, 2002 14:59:09 GMT -5
Speaking of RAW - the return of HHH!!!!! and Kevin "Big Sexy" Nash is no longer an AOL/Time Warner employee!!!! CLIQUE!!!
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Post by Tillzilla_Gorilla on Jan 2, 2002 15:59:05 GMT -5
Hell yeah, Triple H is gonna be back for RAW...I thought that talks between Hall and Nash were over with, and that WWF isn't planning on bringing them (I guess solo Nash could be a different story though) to the WWF?? I could very well be wrong though.....
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Post by GhettoMcHogan on Jan 2, 2002 16:30:48 GMT -5
From what I hear WWF and Nash have reached an agreement that could be signed sometime this week!! Apparently things did not go so well with Hall.
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Post by Tillzilla_Gorilla on Jan 2, 2002 16:37:24 GMT -5
Oh so it may be a Nash solo project to the WWF...interesting
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Post by GhettoMcHogan on Jan 2, 2002 16:46:15 GMT -5
Yeah but I'm sure if he is a good boy (NASH) Hall would be made an offer.
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Post by Tillzilla_Gorilla on Jan 3, 2002 8:23:18 GMT -5
Damn, it looks like McCleary may have been right about Gonzo being a long shot... From www.espn.comHopes 'Juan' gone? The Mets do not seem likely to add Juan Gonzalez as part of their offseason makeover. "It's probably still a long shot at this point for any premium free agent," general manager Steve Phillips said Jan. 2. Gonzalez, the top hitter left on the market, is thought to be seeking $10 million to $15 million a season. The Mets are believed to be willing to offer a two-year package worth about $10 million. Phillips is still talking with Jeff Moorad, Gonzalez's agent. Moorad did not return a telephone call seeking comment on Jan. 2. |
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Post by GhettoMcHogan on Jan 3, 2002 9:12:36 GMT -5
Yeah but it may still be in the works AND another rumor I heard is that El Duque might be a possibility!! With the Skankees signing Wells (again) El Duque doesn't have a spot in the rotation his agent happens to be Moaard - who is Mo and Juan's agent. A small possibility but I think he would definetly make the pitching staff a lil more feared then it is right now, specially if he could have a good season.
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Post by Tillzilla_Gorilla on Jan 3, 2002 9:16:52 GMT -5
Regardless...as it stands right now, The Mets = Best Line-Up in BaseBall!!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
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