Because Bourn received a $13.3 million qualifying offer from the Braves this winter, he would cost the Mets their first-round draft pick if they sign him ' only the top ten picks are protected, and the Mets currently have the 11th overall selection in the 2013 first-year player draft.
However, the Mets are petitioning MLB to view their top draft pick as protected - they had the tenth worst record in 2012, but Pittsburgh was awarded the tenth overall pick due to their inability to sign their top draft choice in 2012 (Harper, Daily News).
The Players Association could file a grievance against the league over the draft pick issue even if the Mets don't agree to terms with Bourn first (Carig, Newsday).
Jan. 25, 10:06 pm: The Mets have not yet reached an agreement to sign Bourn, and so Sandy Alderson has not made an official request to the league to protect their first-round pick (Carig, Newsday and DiComo, MLB.com).
Jan. 25, 9:55 pm: It's possible the league could rule on the situation before an agreement between the Mets and Bourn is reached, although that remains unlikely (Carig, Newsday).
Jan. 24: The Mets might have to agree to sign Bourn before Major League Baseball would rule on the matter (Marchand, ESPN New York).
Previous updates, statistics and analysis on Bourn...
Jan. 24: The MLBPA supports allowing the Mets to surrender their second-round pick instead (Rosenthal, FoxSports).
Jan 24: The Rangers are not involved in talks for Bourn, leaving the Mets and Mariners as the favorites to sign him (Nightengale, USA Today).
Jan 24: Bourn is realistic possibility for the Mets, a major league source said (Puma, New York Post).
Jan. 24: The Mets are seriously considering whether to sign Bourn, who has been seeking a five-year deal. The Mets have $15 million to spend, despite reports to the contrary. (Heyman, CBS Sports).
Jan. 8: The Mets are not interested in surrendering their first round pick, Sandy Alderson said (McCullough, Star Ledger).
Stats: In 155 games with the Braves last year, Bourn hit .274 with a .348 OBP and .739 OPS, 9 home runs and 57 RBI with 42 stolen bases in 55 attempts.
Contract: Bourn signed a one-year, $6.8 million contract with the Braves to avoid arbitration before the 2012 season. He received a $13.3 million qualifying offer from the Braves earlier this winter.
Matthew Cerrone, MetsBlog.com:
Bourn had a career year in 2012, so I'd be leery on overpaying and overcommitting to a guy who is 30 and relies so much on his legs. I like him, but not at the cost of Sandy Alderson's first-round pick, nor in return for a long-term deal. Also, when Alderson decides one day to spend big bucks on a free agent, be it this winter or next, he needs to pay for power not speed. The Mets need outfielders today, but they don't need the wrong outfielder.
Michael Baron, MetsBlog.com:
Ideally, yes, Bourn is a fit and he would give the Mets outfield some instant credibility. He does strike out a lot, but he's become an excellent top of the order catalyst as an outstanding base stealer with triples-speed. The Mets don't have much of that, and it's something they have desperately needed since Jose Reyes and Angel Pagan. That said, Bourn depends on his legs to be successful, and he's 30 years old looking for a five-year deal.