http://www.nj.com/mets/ledger/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/1087099855147780.xml KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- While the Mets are searching for an offensive player to add punch to their sagging lineup, the Astros have offered them outfielder Richard Hidalgo. According to two baseball officials with knowledge of the situation, the Astros are looking to move Hidalgo and his $12.5 million contract out of Houston, and have called the Mets to see if there is a match. They are even willing to pay some of the remaining money on his contract. The Astros are not looking for much in return because they are so interested in moving him, the officials said. Hidalgo has a $15 million option for next year with a $2 million buyout, but nobody expects that to be picked up. So in reality he is making $14.5 million this year and has a little less than $10 million remaining. At this point, Hidalgo is not high on the Mets' list, but that could change if they are unable to acquire another big hitter. They are monitoring the situation with Alfonso Soriano to see if he becomes available from Texas, and will at least keep tabs on the Carlos Beltran situation, although they don't have much hope of getting him, either. Hidalgo, who will turn 29 this month, has had his ups and down in Houston, but it is well known that he and manager Jimy Williams don't see eye to eye. Hidalgo had a great April, hitting .341 with four home runs and 22 runs batted in. But since then he has slumped and Williams has made him a part-time player. Friday night he injured his neck diving for a fly ball, which he caught to save two runs for the Astros, and is listed as day-to-day. Hidalgo had a good season last year, and at times can be a devastating offensive threat. He hit .309 in 2003 with 28 home runs and 88 runs batted in for Houston. But the year before he hit only .235 with 15 and 48 in 388 at-bats. His best year was 2000, when he hit .314 with 44 home runs, 122 RBI and a .636 slugging percentage.
"The Astros are not looking for much in return because they are so interested in moving him" They just want to get rid of salary. That will give them room to make other trades if they are contending at the end of the year.
They'd likely just want another player in the last year of their contract along with maybe a fringe prospect. Can anyone look up which Mets are in their last year?
Might as well keep him if we aren't going to get much in return. Especially if we are going to pay off some of his remainding contract. I'd rather have him hit in key situations rather than Palmeiro or Lane. He's a streaky hitter, but he's real dangerous when he gets hot.
Yeah they just reported it on ESPN News and here is a link to the newest article about it. They say the Astros only want a prospect in return for Hidalgo. I guess his stock is that low. http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1822529
It's sad, but more than anything the Astros need consistency, and Hidalgo isn't adding the good stuff...
depends who the prospect is....the mets have a couple pretty nice ones. scott kazmir and david wright to name 2.
I think they like Lane, and are finally ready to give the guy a chance....he has a Monster bat. I don't know what is wrong with Doggy, it is almost like he tries TOO hard, and it causes him to fail. Last year he had a great year, he seemed to play care free, probably because he got shot in the offseason, and felt lucky to be alive, and Baseball was in the proper perspective. This year he is back to pressing.....too bad, because he can be a wonderful player when he is on.... DD
I just have a feeling he is going to hit .300/40/120 for the Mets and we are all gonna be pissed that all we got was a prospect. Hidalgo lost the starting job, Hunsicker said Lane is going to get most of the playing time. I've wanted Lane to be an everyday player for some time now. It's a tought choice though, a hot Richard Hidalgo is very dangerous. Instead of getting a prospect, we should get a middle reliever. Move Dotel back to the setup role, Lidge as the closer, and use who ever we get in the 5-6-7th innings. Stanton?
