Mets’ GM Says Talk of Dealing for Bonds Is Premature

Good for the New York Mets. They are going after big names and big players now. The Mets are right to shoot high because they have a long way to go. Barry Bonds would be a wonderful start. Maybe he can’t save the sagging team by himself but it would be great to watch him try.

Everyone always talked about how the Mets’ over-rated pitching was their main problem this season. But the reality is that their everyday lineup needs an upgrading just as badly. Put aside Bonds’ up-and-down attitude and his $8.25-million yearly pricetag and understand that he is baseball’s best player. The Mets must go hard after him.

It is nice to know that they aren’t necessarily holding Bonds’ personality quirks against him. The Mets rightly re-emphasized clubhouse demeanor after the Vince Coleman and Bret Saberhagen debacles and some club executives are leery of the negative effect Bonds could have on their young clubhouse, but a talent such as Bonds can’t be ignored when available.

General Manager Joe McIlvaine is upset because he thinks the media has jumped the gun. “We’ve got a furor going and nothing’s happened,” McIlvaine said. By continually writing about the infant Bonds talks and giving them good newspaper play, McIlvaine said, “then I’m expected to trade for the guy. ... For God’s sake, he’s just one player. It makes it a lot more difficult.”

Right or wrong, the pressure is on McIlvaine. The team made passes so half-hearted at Craig Biggio and David Cone last winter that they’re not even worth recounting them here. Let’s hope that they are more sincere in their efforts this time.

The Mets should not assume this is any fire sale. Though San Francisco Giants GM Brian Sabean has been told to try to move Bonds by fed-up Owner Peter Magowan, the expected bidding war should ensure that San Francisco receives almost fair value for Bonds, who will make $16.5 million over the next two seasons.

The Mets’ reported offer of first baseman Rico Brogna, plus either Alex Ochoa or Carl Everett, plus Mark Clark or Bobby Jones, is better than the Florida Marlins’ supposed offer, but not by much. The Marlins are said to have offered first baseman Greg Colbrunn, outfield prospect Billy McMillon, second-base prospect Ralph Milliard and a pitching prospect for Bonds. So it’s understandable that Sabean was quoted as saying, “If that’s what they think it takes, they’re way off.” According to reports, Sabean countered by requesting a star-filled, three-player package of Jeff Conine, Edgar Renteria and Al Leiter.

It is unlikely that anything will happen until the Braves check in, which would be after the World Series. One report said the Braves might consider packaging Ryan Klesko, Jermaine Dye and Terrell Wade, but this should not be taken seriously since the Braves are reluctant to part with any of these three players, much less all three. Atlanta actually would like to move Klesko to first base and deal Fred McGriff, who had an off year and whose defensive inadequacies are starting to get noticed.

Likewise, McIlvaine said Mets pitchers Jason Isringhausen, Bill Pulsipher and Paul Wilson “will not be traded.” This firm stance won’t help their chances but it won’t necessarily prevent a Mets deal since the Giants’ bigger need is for hitting. McIlvaine, who won’t confirm talking about Bonds, did say he will meet with Sabean at the World Series in Atlanta.

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The owners’ case for trying to create some equity among player payrolls has received a boost this postseason with the highest-paid teams in each league reaching the World Series. The Yankees are No. 1 at $61.5 million and the Braves are at $49.5 million. It also can be no coincidence that the Orioles have the second-highest payroll ($56.5 million) and the Cardinals the fifth highest.

The Year of the Money has given the owners a chance to promote their views again, if anyone’s still listening. “It’s a bad system; it’s a terrible system,” Braves President Stan Kasten said. “We’ve been complaining about this problem for the past several years and it isn’t going away by itself. It isn’t good for the game, it isn’t good for business and it’s not good for our customers.”

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Arizona should be commended for its early efforts to build a quick winner. However, the wisdom of trying to give an unproven player such as San Diego State first baseman Travis Lee a four-year, $10 million contract (actually only for three years because the Diamondbacks don’t begin play until 1998) is questionable. Consider that established pitcher Al Leiter received $8.8 million as a free agent last winter. Baseball officials have rejected Lee’s contract because part of the signing bonus was to be paid after 1997. But Lee’s agent expects the Diamondbacks to rework the contract.

Arizona GM Joe Garagiola Jr. defended the big-bucks move by pointing out that the Philadelphia Phillies have gone on record as saying they’d offered even more. Garagiola also said that Lee will have a full year to accustom himself to using wooden bats (though some might counter that $10 million should buy a player who has proven that he can use wood).

Garagiola also said: “As we looked at the expansion draft, what’s the likelihood somebody would be available at his level? We looked back at the ’92 draft, and there wasn’t anybody like that unless it was somebody with a very high salary level. Also, drafting where we draft (29th next year in the amateur draft and 30th the following year), what are the chances we could find a player of his capability in the draft? Not likely at all. A left-handed, power-hitting corner infielder is going to go off the board in a hurry.”

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Around the leagues: The real losers in the Lee sweepstakes were the Minnesota Twins, who goofed by failing to send him a written offer within 15 days of the draft. The Twins incorrectly assumed that an oral agreement to negotiate later would be enough, causing baseball to set Lee free. This was the second first-round pick in four years who the Twins failed to sign, after Georgia catcher Jason Varitek. This has been a rough year for Twins GM Terry Ryan, who miscalculated by offering Chuck Knoblauch $17 million last spring before re-signing him for $30 million recently. ... The Chicago White Sox will have to explain the two-year extension for Manager Terry Bevington, who impresses hardly anyone. ... The Devil Rays interviewed their first managerial candidate, fired Astros Manager Terry Collins. but told him they don’t plan to make a hire soon.