Pierzynski 12 Posted January 4, 2006 Share Posted January 4, 2006 While the Mets explore options for addressing their primary remaining need - setup men in the bullpen - they are investigating choices at second base, too, and they are one of three teams interested in former All-Star Bret Boone, according to a baseball source. The Rangers and Padres are also involved, and it's likely that Boone will sign a minor-league deal with one of the three clubs and get an invitation to spring training, the source said. If Boone signs with the Mets, he could push Kaz Matsui at second, or perhaps take over the position if Matsui is unloaded via trade, which the Mets hope to accomplish. Of course, that's assuming Boone can right his career, which took a sharp downturn last season when he was released by the Mariners and Twins and hit just .221 with seven homers and 37 RBI in 88 games, 74 with Seattle. Minnesota dumped him after only three weeks. Boone, who will be 37 in April, was once one of baseball's best second basemen and was an All-Star as recently as 2003, when he batted .294 with 35 homers and 117 RBI. In 2001, when he was third in voting for the AL MVP, Boone batted .331 with 37 homers and an AL-best 141 RBI. He has won four Gold Gloves. It's unclear which would be the best scenario for Boone - the Rangers could go with 23-year-old rookie Ian Kinsley at second and they recently signed D'Angelo Jimenez to a minor-league contract. The Padres could use rookie Josh Barfield, the son of former Yankee Jesse, Mark Bellhorn or Bobby Hill. Published reports in St. Louis earlier this winter indicated that the Cardinals may have had early interest in Boone, too. http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball...6p-322558c.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balta1701 Posted January 4, 2006 Share Posted January 4, 2006 Well, he'd sure cost a lot less than Matsui, and even though his production would probably be worse, it wouldn't be THAT much worse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YASNY Posted January 4, 2006 Share Posted January 4, 2006 QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Jan 4, 2006 -> 11:00 AM) Well, he'd sure cost a lot less than Matsui, and even though his production would probably be worse, it wouldn't be THAT much worse. LOL. That's a damn good point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pierzynski 12 Posted January 4, 2006 Author Share Posted January 4, 2006 Mets sign Bret Boone The New York Mets signed free agent infielder Bret Boone to a minor-league contract Wednesday and invited him to spring training. Boone, 36, split last season between the Seattle Mariners and Minnesota Twins. "Bret is a veteran guy who provides us infield depth," said Mets general manager Omar Minaya. "His accomplishments in the majors are well documented. He's an All-Star who has been to the post-season and knows how to win." Boone hit .231 with seven home runs and 34 RBI in 74 games with the Mariners. After Minnesota acquired him July 11, he batted .170 with three RBI in 14 contests with the Twins before he was released on Aug. 31. "I look at this as a tremendous opportunity," said Boone. "Last year was a season I'd like to forget." Boone is a three-time All-Star, a four-time Gold Glove Award winner and a two-time Silver Slugger. Boone is fourth all time among second basemen with 251 home runs. He is a career .266 hitter, with 1,021 RBI and 94 stolen bases in 1,780 major league games with the Mariners, Reds, Braves, Padres and Twins. http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2280331 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoxFan562004 Posted January 4, 2006 Share Posted January 4, 2006 Did he find a new drug to beat the steroid test? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RME JICO Posted January 5, 2006 Share Posted January 5, 2006 (edited) QUOTE(SoxFan562004 @ Jan 4, 2006 -> 06:40 PM) Did he find a new drug to beat the steroid test? He never took steroids, just like Palmiero, Sosa, Bonds, and McGwire. Edited January 5, 2006 by RME JICO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.