Friday, December 16, 2005
Mets looking at Bernie
12/08/2005
DALLAS -- Bernie Williams' future with the Yankees is still an uncertainty, but the Bombers aren't the only New York team with an interest in the five-time All-Star.
The Mets are interested in signing Williams as a backup outfielder, the same role that the Yankees are looking to fill with the 37-year-old.
One high-ranking Mets official said that if Williams is willing to accept a contract significantly lower than the $12.3 million he earned in 2005, the club would be interested in bringing him across town from the Bronx to Queens. The Mets would probably offer Williams a one-year deal not worth more than $2 million.
"Depending on the type of role Bernie would be willing to take on, I think he'd be a good fit for us," the Mets official said. "His leadership, his experience in New York, those are qualities that aren't easy to find."
Williams would have a familiar face around him at Shea Stadium, as manager Willie Randolph was on the Yankees' coaching staff for most of Williams' career in the Bronx.
The Mets have Carlos Beltran and Cliff Floyd penciled in for center and left field, respectively, while Xavier Nady and Victor Diaz are set to share time in right field. Williams would primarily serve as a pinch-hitter for the Mets, giving them an experienced switch-hitting bat off the bench.
"If Bernie would be willing to come to Spring Training, grab a glove and get comfortable at all three positions, we could use a guy like him," the Mets official said. "He's still a good hitter. He could be very valuable to our team."
Source: http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/
DALLAS -- Bernie Williams' future with the Yankees is still an uncertainty, but the Bombers aren't the only New York team with an interest in the five-time All-Star.
The Mets are interested in signing Williams as a backup outfielder, the same role that the Yankees are looking to fill with the 37-year-old.
One high-ranking Mets official said that if Williams is willing to accept a contract significantly lower than the $12.3 million he earned in 2005, the club would be interested in bringing him across town from the Bronx to Queens. The Mets would probably offer Williams a one-year deal not worth more than $2 million.
"Depending on the type of role Bernie would be willing to take on, I think he'd be a good fit for us," the Mets official said. "His leadership, his experience in New York, those are qualities that aren't easy to find."
Williams would have a familiar face around him at Shea Stadium, as manager Willie Randolph was on the Yankees' coaching staff for most of Williams' career in the Bronx.
The Mets have Carlos Beltran and Cliff Floyd penciled in for center and left field, respectively, while Xavier Nady and Victor Diaz are set to share time in right field. Williams would primarily serve as a pinch-hitter for the Mets, giving them an experienced switch-hitting bat off the bench.
"If Bernie would be willing to come to Spring Training, grab a glove and get comfortable at all three positions, we could use a guy like him," the Mets official said. "He's still a good hitter. He could be very valuable to our team."
Source: http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/
