The New York Mets have been tied to free agent center
fielder Michael Bourn throughout the offseason, but they continue to be a
longshot to sign him. Still, the team is serious enough to have met with Bourn
and his agent, Scott Boras, last week for dinner, according to Joel Sherman of
The New York Post.
To that end, general manager Sandy Alderson and assistant GM John Ricco travelled to Houston last week to have dinner with free agent center fielder Michael Bourn and his agent, Scott Boras, The Post has learned.
This doesn’t mean a deal is pending, as Sherman characterizes
the meeting as “more a getting-to-know-you session than a dollars-and-cents
negotiation.” Bourn’s next contract remains a major hurdle for the Mets. The
free agent is seeking at least a five-year commitment, while New York is only
interested in going three years.
Sherman notes that Bourn and Boras may be willing to agree
to a shorter-term contract if it would include an opt-out clause that would
allow Bourn to hit free agency again following the 2013 season. New York is
holding out hope that the remainder of Bourn’s market will evaporate, and he’ll
have to ultimately agree to their offer.
Boras is also saying that if the Mets sign Bourn their credibility
will be increased next offseason when they are attempting to sign other free
agents.
Gotta love the work Scott does. Maybe next he’ll dig up one
of his mystery teams?
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Let's see if Boras can pull off some magic and influence MLB to allow the Mets to keep their 11th pick since the Pirates have 2 of the first 10. That's what Sandy is concerned about.
ReplyDeleteThe problem is there really is no basis for the Mets getting to keep their pick. MLBPA and teams knew that the 11th pick would not be protected as part of the CBA, yet everyone agreed to it. Bourn could have taken the Braves offer but he didn't. He knew that meant teams may be concerned about signing him because of the draft pick compensation. It was a ck scions choice. I can't see the league altering this rule.
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