Rosenthal: Zero Chance Mets meet Boras’ asking price for Bourn

According to Jon Harper of the Daily News, the New York Mets have spoken to the agents of free-agent outfielder, Michael Bourn, and would have a lot more interest in signing the 30-year-old speedster if it would not cost them their 2013 first round pick:

Told today Mets have real interest in Bourn. Would have a lot more if he wouldn’t cost them No. 11 pick in draft. Top 10 picks protected.

January 23, 2013 10:01 pm via webReplyRetweetFavorite

@NYDNHarper

John Harper

Problem is Mets had 10th pick until Pirates failed to sign their No. 1 draft pick and were put back in Top 10, pushing Mets out.

January 23, 2013 10:02 pm via webReplyRetweetFavorite

@NYDNHarper

John Harper

In a post to the Daily News, Harper added:

“The Mets have talked to the agent for free agent speedster Michael Bourn and discussed internally several scenarios how they could make signing the outfielder work, according to someone familiar with the club’s thinking.

It’s unclear how serious the Mets are about Bourn, but the person characterized the possibility of adding him as “not off the table.” 

“We don’t want to lose our first-round draft pick,” Mets general manager Sandy Alderson told The Star-Ledger earlier this month. “We think that’s one of the ways we got into the predicament we’ve had over the past couple of years.”

So, if Alderson does not want to lose his first-round pick (which I don’t blame him for), how do the Mets plan on pursuing Michael Bourn?  Apparently, they have decided to argue that they shouldn’t have to forfeit their pick:

Mets were seeking a ruling that would allow them to keep the pick, losing 2nd-rounder instead, but so far it seems they won’t get it.

January 23, 2013 10:03 pm via webReplyRetweetFavorite

@NYDNHarper

John Harper

Definitely sounds like #Mets arguing their pick at No. 11 should be protected, as @NYDNHarper suggests — allowing them to pursue Bourn …

January 23, 2013 10:59 pm via EchofonReplyRetweetFavorite

@AdamRubinESPN

Adam Rubin

… Without forfeiting pick. The gist is that Mets would have had top-10 pick (protected) if Pirates didn’t fail to sign pick last year.

January 23, 2013 11:00 pm via EchofonReplyRetweetFavorite

@AdamRubinESPN

Adam Rubin

For those asking, it’s unclear if a final ruling has been made on No. 11 pick for Mets. Either way, price has to fall more to sign Bourn.

January 23, 2013 10:41 pm via webReplyRetweetFavorite

@NYDNHarper

John Harper

Person familiar with situation confirms #Mets would lose first round pick, but said that’s “as of now”

January 23, 2013 11:14 pm via EchofonReplyRetweetFavorite

@AdamRubinESPN

Adam Rubin

Whether MLB decides to in favor of the Mets or not, according to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports there is “zero chance” the club will sign the former Brave:

Either way, one person familiar with #Mets doubts team will meet Scott Boras’ price for Bourn. “Zero chance,” he said.

January 23, 2013 11:54 pm via Tweetbot for MacReplyRetweetFavorite

@Ken_Rosenthal

Ken Rosenthal

Only time will tell if NY will make a serious run at Bourn, or head into Spring Training without signing one Major League free-agent contract this off-season.  While I have never been an advocate of signing Bourn — mainly because I don’t feel he is worth losing a first round pick as well as, his age (30), low career on-base percentage (.339), agent (Scott Boras), and unreasonable contract demands — he would fill a major void on the clubs roster.  And, with the current outfield being a combination of Lucas Duda, Kirk Niewenhuis, Colin Cowgill, Andrew Brown, and Mike Baxter, the sad truth is Bourn would be an upgrade.

The center fielder posted a .348 obp last season with a .739 ops and 42 stolen bases in 55 attempts:

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