June 2007 - New York Mets Wiretap

The Twins continue to stay in contact with the Red Sox, Yankees, Mets and Mariners about a Johan Santana deal. But those talks have moved so slowly it's now possible a Santana trade may not get done "for several weeks," according to one source with knowledge of the discussions. The most surprising aspect of those talks to some baseball people is that the Mets remain in the mix. It may be because the Twins would like to move Santana to the National League if possible. But while the Mets have made a four-for-one offer built around center fielder Carlos Gomez, indications are that the teams remain far apart.

Unlike his contemporary Roger Clemens - who is in the midst of damage control after being identified as a steroid user in the Mitchell Report - Mets' ace Pedro Martinez says he is most proud of having remained "clean" during baseball's steroid era. "When a report reveals that close to 100 players were using steroids, I thank God that I've always pitched clean," Martinez said in an interview in Spanish with the Dominican newspaper Listin Diario. Martinez was in Santo Domingo Thursday to receive a plaque recognizing his baseball accomplishments, part of an awards ceremony for the Dominican winter baseball season. "Even when I felt pain in my arm, I got on the mound and pitched in that condition. I was a dominant pitcher in the steroids' era," said Martinez. "That was a difficult period for pitchers, and it makes me happy that all I have done in baseball has been clean. No one can question me." The 36-year-old righthander acknowledged that his ERA is higher now and that his statistics are not what they once were when he was winning Cy Young Awards with the Expos in 1997 and the Red Sox in 1999 and 2000 but that his entire Hall of Fame career is on the level. "I continued my work without trying any of these substances that are available," said Martinez, who has 209 career victories. "No one can question my place in the game."

The Mets have touched base with representatives for several free-agent pitchers they consider fallback options if they are unable to land a marquee starter in a trade this winter. One of those contingency arms apparently belongs to former Yankee righty Jon Lieber, according to agent Rex Gary. "We've been in contact with the Mets, but as we sit here today it'd be wrong to suggest something is imminent," Gary said last night. "There has been a lot of interest in (Lieber) from other teams. ... but he has absolutely no problem with the idea of pitching in New York. He liked pitching in New York with the Yankees and he likes to win." Lieber, who went 14-8 for the Yankees in 2004 before signing a three-year contract with Philadelphia, was sidelined for the second half of 2007 after needing surgery to repair a torn tendon in his left foot.

The Mets on Tuesday signed righthander Matt Wise to a one-year contract. Financial terms were not disclosed. The signing comes one week after Wise was designated for assignment by the Brewers.

The possibility of the Yankees and Mets competing for a big-name pitcher always puts sizzle into a free-agent chase, but it remains to be seen how deep the two teams get into discussions over rehabbing righty Mark Prior, the ex-Cub. Both have expressed "preliminary interest" in Prior, John Boggs, the pitcher's agent, said yesterday. "But it hasn't been anything more than that. Next week will probably be pretty busy." Boggs says 11 teams have expressed interest in his client, who likely will be ready to pitch in the majors by the end of May. Prior, whose promising career has been derailed by injuries, was non-tendered by Chicago last week. Prior had arthroscopic surgery last season on his shoulder in which noted orthopedist Dr. James Andrews did some repair work to his rotator cuff and labrum. "He's playing catch right now and Dr. Andrews and his physical therapist feel like he's progressing nicely," Boggs said. "Mark is a guy who has no problem working hard. Barring anything unforeseen, he's going to be just fine. If we don't rush him, he could be very successful."

The possibility of the Yankees and Mets competing for a big-name pitcher always puts sizzle into a free-agent chase, but it remains to be seen how deep the two teams get into discussions over rehabbing righty Mark Prior, the ex-Cub. Both have expressed "preliminary interest" in Prior, John Boggs, the pitcher's agent, said yesterday. "But it hasn't been anything more than that. Next week will probably be pretty busy." Boggs says 11 teams have expressed interest in his client, who likely will be ready to pitch in the majors by the end of May.

The Mets will raise ticket prices about 20 percent for next season, reflecting their high payroll and upcoming move to a new ballpark. The Mets recently sent out season-ticket renewal forms. Prices last season ran from $108 for Metro Club Gold seats near the dugouts to $5 for spots in the top rows at Shea Stadium.

According to one industry official, "several" prominent Yankees will be named by George Mitchell in his 2 p.m. news conference in Manhattan. The official, who spoke to a third party who'd seen the final report, predicted, "It's going to be a rough day in the Bronx" after the identities are made public. No Mets from the current 40-man roster are named, according to the same source.

Johnny Estrada never caught on with the Mets. Acquired last month in a trade with Milwaukee, Estrada was let go Wednesday when the Mets declined to offer him a contract for next season. Coming off knee and elbow operations, the slow-footed catcher was shipped to New York on Nov. 20 in a deal that sent reliever Guillermo Mota to the Brewers. But only 10 days later Estrada became expendable when the Mets traded for another catcher, defensive standout Brian Schneider from Washington.

The trade rumors involving Jose Reyes and Johan Santana have been put to rest by Mets general manager Omar Minaya. Not that Reyes didn't experience a few night sweats when his fellow Dominicans constantly reminded him he might be playing for the Twins next season. "When you heard it over and over, you feel it's going to happen," Reyes said yesterday. "You don't hear nothing from the general manager, you think about it a little bit. Everybody here in the Dominican, they told me, 'Oh man, you're going to go to Minnesota.' So I said, 'I don't know.' Then Omar says, 'Jose Reyes don't go nowhere.' That made me feel more relaxed, you know?" While his name is no longer being mentioned with regard to Santana, Reyes says it might be worth it to unload top Met prospects Carlos Gomez and Fernando Martinez if it means bringing the ace lefthander to Flushing. "We need another starting pitcher," Reyes said. "(Tom) Glavine's gone. We need another one, no doubt. If we can get Santana, whoa! That would be huge. You have to think about (trading young prospects). Santana is still young too. Let's see what happens. Our team with Santana? Whew!"