ORLANDO, Fla. – The Phillies added an elite closer on Wednesday night, pulling off their trade for Brad Lidge in a deal that Omar Minaya said improved the Mets’ main rival.
“I think that they got themselves a quality closer,” Minaya said yesterday. “It makes them a better team already.”
The GM meetings ended yesterday, and the Mets haven’t yet upgraded like Philly did. They met with major agents including Scott Boras and Seth Levinson, and they’ve had trade discussions regarding catchers and pitching. Minaya said it’s now a “cool-off period” for trades.
The Mets have interest in multiple free-agent catchers, including Jorge Posada and Yorvit Torrealba, and they’ve also talked with Paul Lo Duca’s agent, Andrew Mongelluzzi. As for free-agent second baseman Luis Castillo, the Mets are talking to Levinson about him. But in the case of Castillo and Lo Duca, should the Mets bring back both players, they’re aware they would essentially have an identical offensive team to this past year with no real upgrades among the starting players.
They remain unlikely to pursue Alex Rodriguez.
As The Post reported yesterday, the Mets have interest in 32-year-old Japanese free-agent right-hander Hiroki Kuroda. They have shown interest in free agent righty Carlos Silva, who went 13-14 with a 4.19 ERA for the Twins this past season. He has thrown at least 180 innings in each of the last four seasons, but the Mets’ interest in the 28-year-old could depend on the expense.
Minaya said he believes top starters will be available by trades. The Mets like Oakland’s Joe Blanton and could get in on the White Sox’s Jon Garland or Jose Contreras.
The Mets didn’t get in on Lidge. Minaya said there wasn’t a match with the Astros.
“The price for us at the time was a little bit too rich,” Minaya said.
Lidge was a phenomenal closer before giving up two crushing homers in the 2005 playoffs. He still ranks as pretty good. He had 19 saves, a 3.36 ERA and 88 strikeouts in 67 innings last year.
“No doubt (the Phillies have improved),” Mets assistant GM John Ricco said. “They’re getting one of the better relievers in the National League.”
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The Mets likely will look to replace Rickey Henderson on the coaching staff by promoting a minor-league person, perhaps someone like Ken Oberkfell.