If the Mets have serious competition for Jose Reyes other than the Marlins, it’s news to Sandy Alderson.
The Mets general manager yesterday said he’s unaware of any outside offers for the All-Star shortstop other than Miami’s reported bid in the $75-$90 million range over six years.
“As far as the market for Jose is concerned, I only know what I read in the paper,” Alderson said. “There haven’t been additional reports that I’ve heard, about other offers, so I’m not sure there’s much more clarity than we had the first time the Miami proposal was reported.”
That could change in a hurry beginning on Sunday, when major league executives begin arriving in Dallas for the Winter Meetings. The biggest fish on the open market are Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder, with Reyes third.
The Brewers, Nationals and Tigers are among the teams that still could make a serious play for Reyes, who seeks upward of $100 million. It remains unclear if the Mets would be willing to meet that price should the market dictate.
Alderson said he hasn’t spoken with Reyes’ agents in recent days. He said he would expect to have discussions with the Reyes camp at the Winter Meetings or beforehand.
The general manager said he is hardly surprised by the slow free-agent market.
“I just think it may have something to do with the top free agents not having moved — Pujols and Fielder and Jose Reyes — but it just may be the dynamic between clubs and free agents,” Alderson said. “Free agents would like to think a certain market exists, and the clubs at this point are holding out some hope that market doesn’t exist. But it all can change in three days in Dallas.”
Alderson’s priority at the Winter Meetings will be finding bullpen help. The team recently targeted Jonathan Broxton, but saw him sign with the Royals for $4 million. Jon Rauch and Brad Lidge are among the relievers that remain on the Mets’ radar, according to sources.
Alderson wasn’t about to predict how many new players the Mets will add next week.
“We could come back with none — but I would be surprised if we didn’t take somebody in the Rule 5 draft,” Alderson said. “It’s just hard to predict. I wouldn’t want to put a number out there that is unrealistic.”
* Ron Romanick, who served as Oakland’s pitching coach last season, was named the Mets’ minor league pitching coordinator yesterday.
The Mets also hired Alderson’s son, Bryn, as a scout. Bryn Alderson was a pro scout with Oakland for the last five seasons.