Sandy Alderson and John Ricco travelled to Houston last week to have dinner with free agent OF Michael Bourn and his agent, Scott Boras, according to a report by Joel Sherman in today's New York Post.
Sherman believes the Mets do not want to give Bourn more than a three-year deal, and they question whether another team is willing to pay him more than $13 million per season.
Yesterday, Mike Puma of the New York Post said Bourn is still seeking a five-year deal.
To keep from losing their first-round draft pick as compensation for signing Bourn, Alderson has said he wants MLB to rule that his pick is protected, instead giving up their second pick. To read more on the origin of his request, click here.
'They have vowed not to forfeit the 11th pick in June's draft, no matter how much they could use Bourn to bat leadoff and upgrade what is currently a flimsy outfield assortment,' Sherman explains.
Matthew Cerrone, MetsBlog.com:
There have been plenty of reports indicating the Mets have legit interest in Bourn' not to mention talk of MLB and their draft pick' and now there is this meeting. So, clearly, they're trying to figure this out'
The good news is that Alderson has the long-term money to make this move, and Boras has always been open to creative deals with opt-outs, no-trade clauses, deferred and backloaded money. Bourn's market is weak, and the Mets need an outfielder, so the union makes sense. The bad news is that I just don't see how MLB makes an exception about Alderson's first-round draft pick. Also, I don't expect Alderson to make a bad deal with Bourn, and I'm not sure how Boras doesn't structure clauses in the contract that would be difficult for the Mets. Again, while I'm glad they're all talking, I'm still skeptical'
Jan. 27: Sandy Alderson told SiriusXM that he would like to have a sense of how MLB might rule on protecting his first-round pick before finalizing a deal for a player that requires draft compensation, like Bourn.
Jan. 27: The Mets, Mariners and Orioles are waiting on a bargain deal for Bourn (Cafardo, Boston Globe).
Click here to see previous reports and opinion about the Mets and Bourn...
Jan. 25: The Mets have not yet reached an agreement to sign Bourn (Carig, Newsday).
Jan. 25: Alderson has not made an official request to MLB to protect their first-round pick (DiComo, MLB.com).
Jan. 25: The Mets have zero interest in signing Bourn if the league will not protect their first-round draft choice (Justice, MLB.com).
Jan. 24: The Mets might have to agree to sign Bourn before Major League Baseball would rule on the matter (Marchand, ESPN New York).
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. 18: The Mets are petitioning MLB to view their top draft pick as protected. They had the 10th worst record in 2012, but Pittsburgh was awarded the 10th overall pick due to their inability to sign their top draft choice in 2012 (Harper, Daily News).
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.
