The Mets have reportedly shown interest in signing free agent OF Michael Bourn, and have hinted they are willing to give him a four-year deal, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post.
But according to Sherman, Bourn's agent, Scott Boras, claims he has better offers at his disposal.
However, Sherman suggests the Mets could have the largest offer out to Bourn, and Boras could be trying to get more out of them by intimating he has a market for Bourn.
As has been reported before, Sherman says the Mets will not complete a contract with Bourn until they know the league will rule to protect their first round pick, which both sides believe will get done.
'The Mets ' and the Boras camp ' believe they have a winning argument should the case go to an arbitrator, mainly built around the spirit of the rule, which they believe is to protect the teams with the 10-worst records,' Sherman explains.
To see where things stand between Bourn and the Mets, check out this post to MetsBlog from Monday.
Feb. 5: The Indians might consider signing free agent Bourn if his price came down a lot (Olney, ESPN).
Feb. 5: David Wright has spoken to Bourn to try and pursuade him to join the Mets (Puma, NY Post).
Feb. 3: The Mets are still determining whether or not to sign Bourn (Cafardo, Boston Globe).
Feb. 1: Peter Gammons said he feels MLB will protect the Mets first-round draft if they sign Bourn, who would then likely sign with the Mets (MLB Network).
Previous updates, statistics and information on Michael Bourn...
Jan. 29: Alderson recently met with Bourn and Boras last week in Houston, however the Mets do not want to offer Bourn more than a three-year deal (Sherman, NY Post).
Jan. 28: Bourn is still seeking a five-year deal (Puma, NY Post).
Jan. 27: Sandy Alderson said on MLB Network Radio he would like some sense of how the league will rule on the pick before signing a free agent who is subject to draft compensation, such as Bourn.
Jan. 20: The Mets will consider signing Bourn if he reduces his asking price and length of commitment (Cafardo, Boston Globe).
Stats: In 155 games with the Braves last year, Bourn hit .274 with a .348 OBP and .739 OPS, nine home runs and 57 RBI with 42 stolen bases in 55 attempts.
Contract: Bourn earned $6.8 million to avoid arbitration with the Braves last season.
Because Bourn received a qualifying offer from the Braves, signing him would cost the Mets the 11th overall pick in the 2013 first-year player draft, as only the top ten picks in the draft are protected.
Sandy Alderson told reporters yesterday he doesn't feel the rule to protect picks needs to be changed ' he thinks the interpretation of the rule needs to be altered.
Alderson said that before they ask the league to protect their first-round draft pick, they would want terms to a contract agreed upon with a player requiring draft compensation, such as Bourn.
