Mets get price for Fuentes, Some talk about Ibanez and Ollie...

First of all, Happy Thanksgiving to all .....

Today in the Daily News, Adam Rubin reports that the Mets have found out the price for closer Brian Fuentes through his representative. He is asking between $10-11 Million for the next three years. The Mets think that the price is a little high, but the Mets still remain interested in the former Rockies closer.

Signing the 33-year-old Fuentes, who made $5 million last year, over the more expensive K-Rod ($10M in 2008) would make acquiring a higher-priced set-up man - such as Colorado's Huston Street - easier to justify. Street, shipped to the Rockies this month after compiling 94 saves over the past four seasons with Oakland, may be flipped to another organization. He made $3.3 million last season and is arbitration eligible. Street won't be eligible for free agency until after the 2010 season - the same offseason Aaron Heilman becomes a free agent.

Raul Ibanez:

Minaya also confirmed the Mets' widely reported interest in free agent outfielder Raul Ibañez, although the GM noted that pitching is the priority for now. Minaya acknowledged trying to acquire Ibañez from the Mariners last July.

"Last year we did talk to them during the trading deadline about him," Minaya said. "Unfortunately, we were not able to get a trade done. We've heard very good reports about him - not only as a player, but as a person. I understand the Phillies, they're one of the teams that's considering him. We are also keeping an eye on that situation, even though we're focusing right now on pitching primarily. But he is a good player."

Oliver Perez:

As for re-signing Oliver Perez, Minaya said: "We definitely have Oliver on our radar, but I don't know what his asking price is. Sometime during the winter meetings we will probably sit down with (Perez's agent) Scott (Boras) and kind of get a better feel for what exactly he is looking for."


More Dirt Tomorrow,

Have a Good Turkey Day!