A day after Turk Wendell said he wanted a three-year deal, the Mets came back with an offer of two years at $3.9 million. It is believed Wendell and his agent Greg Clifton will still hold out for the three-year deal, or at the very least a more lucrative two-year pact.
But although the Mets love using Wendell and depend upon him a great deal, they are concerned he
throws too many sliders and could jeopardize his arm by doing so. That may explain their reluctance to give him what he wants.
Wendell is arbitration-eligible this year, but will become a free agent after the season. He said that unless he gets a three-year deal, or a substantial two-year deal that he feels reflects his value to the team, he will pursue free agency and would lean away from re-signing with the Mets.
Mets GM Steve Phillips would not comment on the negotiations for the oft-used reliever, and Clifton could not be reached. But a source confirmed the Mets’ offer.
Although it does not appear to be enough to satisfy Wendell, there is some hope for Met fans that at least the two sides are talking.
Last year the 32 year-old right-hander was second in the major leagues in appearances with a Met record of 80, only two behind the Expos’ Steve Kline. After the All-Star break, Wendell had an ERA of 3.09 and the Mets were 22-12 when he pitched, which was almost every time they had a lead.
Wendell is the lone holdover from the 1997 trade with the Cubs in which he, Brian McRae and Mel Rojas were swapped for Lance Johnson, Mark Clark and Manny Alexander. Wendell is the only player in that deal who remains with either club.