[EmpireWF]

From all reports, the NY Mets and OF Moises Alou are close to reaching a deal which would bring the veteran (40-year old) outfielder to Flushing. One source says it would be a two-year deal (I've heard it may include an option being the second year) worth $8 mil annually.

Alou is a nice right-handed bat and has produced good numbers. He's also known for being a clutch hitter. However, he's been injured more often than not recently, so hopefully that changes.

Overall, if he does sign, I'd say it's a decent move.

[azrael492]

It may be a great move. As you pointed out he is injury prone. Would he be a starter? If not, he would be a great bench player, or platoon. That way he would play less and not get hurt.

[Trashed]

Originally Posted by azrael492

It may be a great move. As you pointed out he is injury prone. Would he be a starter? If not, he would be a great bench player, or platoon. That way he would play less and not get hurt.

I don't see an injury prone 40 year old being a starter to be honest. Platoon most likely.

[EmpireWF]

They'd be paying him anywhere from $7-$9 million...he will start.

Most reporters seem to think the potential signing of Alou will end any chance Cliff Floyd returns and effectively place Lastings Milledge on the trade block (aimed at getting a starter).

[Trashed]

Originally Posted by EmpireWF

They'd be paying him anywhere from $7-$9 million...he will start.

Most reporters seem to think the potential signing of Alou will end any chance Cliff Floyd returns and effectively place Lastings Milledge on the trade block (aimed at getting a starter).

It better be a hell of a starter to let go of Milledge.

[MVB]

I don't like this deal for the Mets because they will start the guy in left field. Getting rid of one injury-prone player (Floyd) for another is not a great move by Omar Minaya. Bring in someone young like Millege to play the outfield.

The Mets should be focusing on pitching anyway...

[EmpireWF]

Originally Posted by Trashed

It better be a hell of a starter to let go of Milledge.

Well, Milledge won't bring back Dontrelle if that's what you're talking about. Best case scenarior would be Jake Peavy but I doubt that. Milledge's value has declined from a year ago. What scares me is if he's given to the ChiSox for a guy like Garcia or Vasquez who are nothing but middle of the rotation guys.

Perhaps Jason Jennings of Colorado, most people in baseball think he's about to turn the corner and be a top of the rotation guy for years to come.

Once the GM Winter Meetings get underaway (within the next two weeks I believe), the rumors should grow.

[MJHMarc]

Originally Posted by Trashed

It better be a hell of a starter to let go of Milledge.

I'm still waiting for the Mets to accept that Dontrelle Willis--Lastings Milledge trade from a couple of years ago...

[mervinout]

yay someone else following the yankees method screw the youth, and sign old vets who are past their prime, atleast some other fans will see what garbage i put up with. First off you dont give a guy 8 mil to be a bench/platoon guy, so he will have to start. I just dont understand this move, my guess is alou will play 60-70 games theirs no way his body can hold up. Are you mets fans actually happy about this move?

[ThePundit]

He definitely will start. I could see the signing for 1 year, but why give a 40 year old guy, 2 years?

[MJHMarc]

They signed 47-year old, Julio Franco, to a year.

How come they are going to sign this guy to two?

[EmpireWF]

Originally Posted by MJHMarc

They signed 47-year old, Julio Franco, to a year.

How come they are going to sign this guy to two?

Julio Franco signed a two-year deal last off-season.

I have no big problem with them signing Alou. The line-up needed a righty bat with some pop in the middle and he provides that. The ONLY thing to worry about is his health. Right now, our OFers should look like: Beltran, Alou, Green, Milledge, Chavez, Johnson (the kid they got from San Diego). So it looks like they're settled in the OF.

And MJHMarc, there was a never a deal on the table that was Milledge for Willis straight up. And Willis won't go anywhere this off-season unless it's for a bunch of uber prospects.

[mervinout]

i think this is the same mistake the ny rangers the knicks and the yankees have all made in the area in recent years. Signing old vets to big contracts. Or trading for them. I feel in July you will be on this board calling Omar a dope for signing him. if you think shawn green and alou solve your OF IMO i think your wrong. i would rather of had miledge and a jd drew in my OF then alou green. Your CF is set, id def take beltran over almost any CF in the leauge even damon. Maybe you guys can get away with it since your studs in the infield are so good.

Tho i am reading as we speak an article that says its 1 year not two year its over on ESPN

[MVB]

Yeah, MLB.com is reporting that it is a one-year deal.

I still think it's silly to spend your money on aging, injury-prone, unnecessary players...

[EmpireWF]

I don't think it's a major problem by having Alou and Green in the outfield. Chavez would get plenty of playing time in either spot. Plus (for now) Milledge and Johnson are options. In the future, you'll see Carlos Gomez and Fernando Martinez (anytime from 2008 on) in the OF with Beltran.

But the offense is pretty much settled with 1. Reyes, 2. Lo Duca, 3. Beltran, 4. Delgado, 5. Wright, 6. Moises Alou, 7. Shawn Green, 8. Jose Valentin.