The Mets have let teams know that Rickey Henderson, Dennis Cook and Jesse Orosco are available in trades, and it’s all due to money.
According to people inside and outside the organization, the team is ready to part ways with Cook because of his three-year, $9 million contract.
Henderson, who has been available since November, will make $2 million in 2000 and the Mets weren’t pleased with his defensive skills and didn’t think he played hard all the time. However, as it stands, there doesn’t seem to be any takers and Henderson is slated to be the Opening Day left fielder.
As for Orosco, he fits into the same category as Cook, Bill Pulsipher and almost all the other lefties they have on the team, including Bobby M. Jones. Just make an offer.
The Mets signed four minor leaguers to split contracts. Jon Nunnally, whom they got from Boston for Jermaine Allensworth, earns $260,000 if he makes the team. Grant Roberts, Eric Cammack, Alex Escobar and Jim Mann would all get the minimum $200,000.