Sweeny: Alderson Rings Changes While Cashman Waits
By Sweeny Murti
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Sandy Alderson didn't tip his hand that he was onto some big moves when he spoke to reporters Tuesday afternoon, but he got quite busy a few hours later acquiring three relievers and a new center fielder.
In a trade with the Giants, Angel Pagan was sent to San Francisco for OF Andres Torres and RHP Ramon Ramirez. Then the Mets added two free agent relievers, signing Jon Rauch to a one-year deal for $3.5 million and Frank Francisco to a 2-year, $12 million dollar deal.
Torres turns 34 next month, his OPS dropped from .823 in 2010 to .643 in 2011. His best year was 2010 when he played 139 games for the World Champion Giants, and hit .333 in the LCS and WS.
Ramirez is 30 years old, has already pitched for four major league teams (COL, KC, BOS, and SF) not counting the minor league organizations of Texas and the Yankees, plus a stint in Japan. He appeared in 66 games last year (1.165 WHIP, 2.62 ERA, and 8.7 K/9)
Rauch is 33 years old, has pitched for five teams (CWS, WSN, ARZ, MIN, TOR) over nine seasons. He's appeared in over 50 games every year since 2006, with a high of 88 appearances with the Nationals in 2007.
Francisco is 32 years old. He spent six years with Texas and pitched last season with Toronto. He saved 17 games for the Blue Jays this past season, and saved a career-high 25 for the Rangers in 2009.
Meanwhile, the Yankees sit back and do very little. Why? Listen to Yankees GM Brian Cashman as he tells us how terribly easy it has been to say no to any trade proposals that have come his way recently:
Podcast
So while the Mets have found some items to cross off their wish-list here in Dallas, the Yankees could very well go home with all of their holiday shopping still left undone. Another full day ahead Wednesday to see if things get any better.
Tuesday evening I had the chance to catch up with Dodgers Manager Don Mattingly. Listen here, and you'll also get information on Donnie Baseball's appearance next month at the Annual Bernie Williams Foundation event to benefit Hillside Food Outreach
Podcast
More from Dallas Wednesday night, a special live show with Ed Coleman co-hosting from the New York end. We'll be on 6:30-9:00pm Eastern Time, scheduled to be joined by Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine and White Sox manager Robin Ventura along the way.
Sweeny Murti
