Minaya, Boras meet about Holliday, Cora

CHICAGO -- Mets general manager Omar Minaya met with agent Scott Boras on Tuesday night to discuss parameters of possible deals for two of his clients -- Matt Holliday and Alex Cora.

Holliday, who ended the season with the Cardinals, is one of the premier outfielders on the free-agent market and is expected to receive various lucrative offers. Cora, a utility middle infielder, played for the Mets this past season and can be re-signed by Minaya during the 15-day exclusivity period, which ends at midnight on Nov. 19.

"We have to look at everything, whether it's through trades, our free agents or somebody else's free agents," Minaya said after the two days of the General Managers' Meetings ended following a morning session on Wednesday. "We wanted to talk about their interest level and our interest level. Sometimes you get an idea what they're looking for."

The Mets suffered through a 92-loss, injury-plagued 2009 season, and Minaya is trying to avoid a repeat performance by rebuilding the team as quickly as possible.

To that end, Minaya said earlier in the week that the Mets will be very aggressive in the free-agent market this winter with the top priorities being a slugger for the middle of the lineup and more starting pitching.

Cora, 34, spent two stints on the disabled list and batted .251 in only 82 games.



(mlb.com)