While the Mets want to be players in the Mike Mussina Sweepstakes, it is abundantly clear they are in the midst of executing their plan to go after the second tier of pitchers.
The Mets are offering more to Kevin Appier than they are for Rick Reed, a source said. While the Mets last contract proposal for Reed was $19-20 million over three seasons, Appier has been offered more money and possibly an option for a fourth year, a person close to the negotiations said.
Sources also have indicated Phillips has informed both Appier and Reed that their deals aren’t contingent on the others. Conceivably, both pitchers could call today and agree to deals. But don’t expect this to happen.
Phillips has also extended a contract offer to Denny Neagle. The fact the Mets are willing to complete deals right now with these starters before they know what happens with Mussina is an indication of their serious intent with the second-tier.
However, Appier, Neagle and Reed are likely to take their time deciding because they would like to see what Mike Hampton – whom Phillips also hopes to sign – and Mussina are going to do.
The Yankees are also interested in bringing back Neagle and signing Appier, but if they lock up Mussina, they would probably not go after either.
The Mets don’t appear prepared to set the market right now for Appier or Neagle, which is what they would have to do if they want to snare either early.
“I don’t feel I’m compelled to wait for people, if I get a deal that I think is the right deal and approximates where I think the market is going,” Barry Meister, Neagle’s agent, said via phone yesterday. “So there is no magic for us to wait for Hampton or Mussina.”
Last season, the 32-year-old Appier was 15-11 with a 4.52 ERA. The 32-year-old Neagle was 15-9 with a 4.52 ERA. Reed, 35, was 11-5 with a 4.11 ERA.
Even though the second-tier negotiating game is on, it makes one wonder if the Mets might try to sneak in and steal Mussina from the Yankees. Phillips is very calculated in his words and, although he has admitted they are in the Mussina running, Phillips hasn’t said he is going to pull out all the stops. This could be a decoy and possibly could be where the Alex Rodriguez money is headed.
This Mussina plot is a bit of conjecture, but the Mets interest in Appier isn’t. Appier has told friends that his number-one concern, along with a fair deal, is to return to the playoffs again. Appier, who played with Oakland last season, knows the Mets are a place that can make this happen.
Neagle is also intrigued by Shea, and Meister plans on speaking with Phillips regularly to see how they fit in among the eight teams interested in Neagle.
“I’ve told Steve that Denny would have interest in the Mets just as they would have interest in us,”
Meister said.
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Turk Wendell and his agent Gregg Clifton could wait to see what Jeff Nelson does before Wendell makes his decision. With John Franco back and the addition of Rick White, the Mets might not be willing to go dollar-for- dollar with competitors for Wendell.
The Mets last offer was $6.6 million over three years, while the Cubs are believed to have a three-year $8 million-contract waiting for Wendell. The Yankees, Indians, Pirates, Phillies and Orioles are the other teams interested in Wendell. Wendell could be a backup plan for the Yankees if they don’t re-sign Nelson or as insurance for Ramiro Mendoza, who is trying to return from shoulder problems.
