New York Mets

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Mets outfielder Nick Evans had an MRI on Monday at the Hospital for Special Surgery and was diagnosed with what the team described as a "mild quadriceps strain of the right knee"(sic). The Mets said Evans suffered the injury while playing winter ball in Puerto Rico (he last played on Nov. 19) and would undergo three-to-four weeks of therapy at home in Phoenix in preparation for spring training.

The only one of their free agents to whom the Mets offered arbitration is left-handed pitcher Oliver Perez, who is extremely likely to get a long-term deal, either from the Mets or another team. The Mets will receive draft-pick compensation if Perez signs with another team, but they are interested in bringing him back.

Moises Alou, Luis Ayala, Damion Easley, Orlando Hernandez, Pedro Martinez, Ramon Martinez, Ricardo Rincon and Matt Wise are the other Mets free agents. They were not offered arbitration. The Mets may continue to negotiate with them, but if they sign elsewhere the Mets will not receive draft-pick compensation. Of the group, Ayala, Easley and Wise are the most likely to be brought back, if anyone is.

There's this story today out of Denver, and it's interesting, for sure. For me, it speaks once again to the idea that the Mets are in a very strong position in terms of being able to sign a closer. If Brian Fuentes' agent is putting it out there that his client is planning to visit New York, it means he wants everybody to know that the Mets are interested in his client. And an agent only does that when he needs to drum up interest.

There's an industry-wide feeling that the Mets will end up signing Francisco Rodriguez to a three-year deal, and I see no reason to doubt it. A couple of weeks ago, it appeared that the Mets were torn between Rodriguez and Fuentes and would prioritize whichever one first came to them willing to do the deal THEY wanted (i.e., three years). But over the past week or so, it's become clear that Rodriguez has moved to the front of the list, either because they've decided they like him better or because they've been getting a vibe from him that he's willing to talk deal at their preferred parameters.

Continue reading "Update on Mets closer hunt" »

No, this isn't about the Mets signing both Francisco Rodriguez AND Brian Fuentes. I believe they'll sign one of them (my money's on Rodriguez), and probably pretty soon. But as Matt Cerrone of MetsBlog keeps pointing out, the team is also focused on acquiring a setup reliever who has closer experience.

Continue reading "Can the Mets get two closers?" »

The New York Mets are intent on landing an elite closer this offseason and have reached out to the reps for free agents Francisco Rodriguez and Brian Fuentes to begin talking contract, according to a report on SI.com.

Continue reading "Mets begin talks with closers Rodriguez, Fuentes, report says" »

NEW YORK -- Two New York City Council members say that Citigroup should show its thanks for a federal bailout by sharing the naming rights to the new Mets ballpark in Queens.

The struggling bank is slated to pay $400 million over the next 20 years to name the stadium Citi Field.

The bank made the commitment years ago, when it was flush with cash. Now that Citigroup is getting billions of dollars in federal aid, Staten Island Republicans Vincent Ignizio and James Oddo say the ballpark's name should be changed to Citi/Taxpayer Field.

Citigroup and Mets chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon have been saying that they have no plan to alter the naming-rights deal for the ballpark, which hosts its regular-season opener April 13.

Citigroup is the latest financial institution in line for a federal buyout, but the Mets say their new stadium will still be named Citi Field, at least for the time being.

Continue reading "Citi Field name change a possibility, New York Mets say" »

Nevermind his questionable performance that drew boos from the Shea Stadium faithful in 2008. New York Mets second baseman Luis Castillo is set on changing his ways next season, and he wants to do it as a Met.

Continue reading "Met's Luis Castillo seeks to revamp himself for 2009" »

Luckily for Mets fans the affect will not be a long-lasting physical one. If anything, recent news of Murphy's strained hamstring may cause more a flub in team development than it will in terms of physical restraint. Continue reading "Will Daniel Murphy's injury affect his 2009 season with the Mets?" »

Aaron Heilman's start me or trade me demand has New York Mets fans talking on the web today. Do you give the guy a shot to start or get rid of him altogether?

Continue reading "Should the Mets give Aaron Heilman a shot to start?" »

Official release from the Mets says this:

"The Mets Daniel Murphy underwent an MRI this morning at New York's Hospital for Special Surgery and the test revealed that he has a Grade 2 Strain of the right hamstring. Murphy felt discomfort in the leg in pre-game batting practice of his November 11th Arizona Fall League game. He will skip winter league ball in Puerto Rico so that he can be ready for the opening of Spring Training this February in Port St. Lucie, Fla."

So that's the team line, at least. Let's address a couple of issues on this:

Continue reading "Mets -- Daniel Murphy injury and other stuff" »

As the New York Mets look to build their offseason bullpen and acquire a closer, one staffer is openly unsatisfied with his role. Middle reliever Aaron Heilman, according to his agent, won't settle for anything less than a spot in the rotation. Should his demands not be met then Heilman will ask for a trade.

Continue reading "Aaron Heilman wants out of the Mets bullpen" »

Of course they need a closer, and a couple of starting pitchers, and at least a couple of new faces in the bullpen setup corps. This is where the Mets' off-season focus is right now, and where it should be.

But I am of the opinion that the Mets this winter ignore their offensive needs at their own peril.

Continue reading "Tough to find the right fit to bolster the Mets' offense" »

I have heard this same thing, which makes me start to think a potential Mets deal with Francisco Rodriguez is closer than either side wants us to believe.

Continue reading "Mets/K-Rod marriage getting closer?" »

Pedro Martinez's agent spoke with a New York City tabloid, hinting that the 37-year-old pitcher is not finished in Flushing and wants to return to the NewY ork Mets' rotation next season. Continue reading "Pedro Martinez wants to remain with New York Mets" »

Aerial photos of the Mets' Citi Field show that the grass has been installed at the ballpark. Great job, Tom Kaminski of WCBS880.com.

Talking today with somebody familiar with the Mets' off-season plans. This person agrees that the Mets want to and will sign one of the big free-agent closers (Francisco Rodriguez, Brian Fuentes or Kerry Wood), and that's a matter of time and seeing which one drops his demands closest to what the Mets are willing to pay.

Continue reading "Mets need more than a closer to rebuild their bullpen" »

There's a report circulating on the Internet out of Venezuela that suggests that Angels closer Francisco Rodriguez was in New York getting a physical. A person within the Mets organization tonight said "it's not true."

As Dan suggested, sometimes these reports have a tendency to hit the center of the mark. The same thing happened with the Erik Bedard trade to the Mariners last winter. A report out of Diario Panorama in Venezuela said the Mariners had pulled star prospect Adam Jones out of winter ball and were shipping him to Baltimore for a physical. The M's denied it, but all it did was stall a deal that was eventually finished.

According to this link here, which is a story from a Venezuelan newspaper, Francisco Rodriguez is on his way to New York for a physical exam in advance of signing a contract with the Mets.

True? Well, it could be. As MetsBlog's Matt Cerrone points out, the past few years have given rise to a trend in which news reports from foreign countries either exaggerate or fabricate stories regarding players from those countries in connection to major-league teams. (Some would say we do it here too....) So it's worth taking this with a grain of salt. I'll tell you what I know, based on conversations last week and this weekend with Mets people:

Continue reading "Report: Mets to sign K-Rod?" »

The Mets rounded out their coaching staff today with the addition of Luis Alicea, who will coach first base. Alicea was the first base coach for the Red Sox during the last two seasons. He also managed three years in the Red Sox system from 2004-06.

Alicea takes over for Ken Oberkfell, who is likely headed to manage in Triple-A Buffalo.

Here is how the coaching staff will look.

1B Luis Alicea
3B Razor Shines
Bench coach: Sandy Alomar Sr.
Pitching coach: Dan Warthen
Hitting coach: Howard Johnson
Bullpen coach: Randy Niemann
Catching instructor: Sandy Alomar Jr.

Despite the New York Mets' obvious pursuit of a closer, the Daily News reports that Omar Minaya may join the New York Yankees in a battle for CC Sabathia. Continue reading "Mets may compete with Yankees for CC Sabathia" »

Oh no, I'm not gone yet...

We ran this free-agency primer in this morning's Star-Ledger, since the free-agent signing period begins tonight at midnight, but I'm planning to use this space over the next couple of months to dig a little deeper into what the Mets are up to as the off-season rolls along. And at the bottom, I may tack on some other National League notes, especially as they pertain to Mets' fans questions/paranoia about what other teams are up to. If you're interested in what I have to say on the Yankees and/or the AL, we've got a blog for that too.

Continue reading "Mets closer hunt and other hot stove nuggets" »

David Wright isn't burning up his cell phone to entice free agents towards the Mets, but he wouldn't mind the assignment.

Speaking at his "Do the Wright Thing" charity gala last night in Times Square, Wright said he has kept his ear to the ground in terms of the offseason rumors. And he would be open to making the recruiting pitch for the Mets if general manager Omar Minaya asked.

One glaring need for the Mets is a closer to fill the gap of the injured Billy Wagner, who will miss the season with an elbow injury. Wright admitted the Mets are in need of a "facelift" after two consecutive September collapses, and given Minaya's history with the free-agent market, he wholly expects a move to occur. The Mets can discuss contract terms with outside free agents beginning on Friday.

"Being in a big market, you always expect that," Wright said. "And the way the season's ended the last couple years, you expect that."

Continue reading "David Wright weighs in on offseason free-agent rumblings" »

NJ.com's New York Mets Forum has been bustling with Cy Young commentary since the league's announcement yesterday afternoon. With Tim Lincecum taking home the award, fans discuss Johan Santana's third place finish. Continue reading "Mets fans discuss Johan Santana and Cy Young award" »

Buster Olney of ESPN reported late last night that the San Diego Padres have withdrawn an offer to keep long-time closer Trevor Hoffman on board for 2009. As Omar Minaya keeps his eye on the market, is there a chance he may consider the 41-year-old closer? Continue reading "Will the New York Mets consider Trevor Hoffman?" »

Back in May of this year, NJ.com reported that former Met and Hall of Fame catcher Gary Carter expressed interest in a managerial role with the New York Mets. Although Carter remained out of consideration for that position, former Met and owner of the Long Island Ducks Bud Harrelson has given Kid Carter a new opportunity. Continue reading "Former Met Gary Carter named manager of Long Island Ducks" »

Fresh aerial photos of the Shea Stadium demo were posted today on WFAN.com. It looks like the whole outfield area is gone, not to mention all of the field itself. Solid job by WCBS copter guy Tom Kaminski.

It's baseball postseason awards week (they'll name rookies of the year later today) and one of the more interesting races will be for National League Cy Young: Will the Mets' Johan Santana win it? you'll find out Tuesday when they NL Cy is announced.

Continue reading "Will Mets' Johan Santana get aced out for NL Cy Young?" »

Willie Randolph, who was fired last summer as the Mets manager, will be the bench coach for new Milwaukee Brewers' manager Ken Macha, according to the Journal-Sentinel of Milwaukee.

Continue reading "Brewers hire ex-Met manager Willie Randolph as bench coach" »

The GM meetings wrapped up in California yesterday, leaving New York Mets GM Omar Minaya with an idea of who to pursue for the closing role this offseason.

Continue reading "New York Mets GM Omar Minaya looking for closers" »

When the Milwaukee Brewers chose Ken Macha over Willie Randolph, the former Mets manager said he would consider sitting out the 2009 season. Now reports claim Willie may find work soon enough with the Seattle Mariners. Continue reading "Willie Randolph may find work in Seattle" »

Keeping with this week's free agent talks surrounding the New York Mets, the latest blurb to hit theweb is that Omar Minaya is looking at Washington Nationals' Chad Cordero as a potential closer for the Mets. Continue reading "Mets' GM Omar Minaya looking at Chad Cordero" »

Carlos Beltran and David Wright each took home Rawlings Gold Glove awards Wednesday for the second straight year. It is the third overall for Beltran and the second for Wright.

With his fantastic instincts and range in center field, Beltran was a no-brainer for the award. Wright said he focused hard on his defense following the 2007 season, and had his best season at third base this year, sporting a career-high .962 fielding percentage along with a highlight reel's worth of defensive gems.

"Individual awards are nice, but for me, the entire focus is on the team and getting back to the playoffs," Wright said in a statement released by the team.

NEW YORK -- Based on three highly productive months at the end of the season, Carlos Delgado earned himself another year with the Mets, which came as a major relief to the first baseman.

When the Mets picked up his $12 million option earlier this month, it was what Delgado wanted all along. It provides him with a comfortable situation and an opportunity to continue chasing what should be an attainable goal -- 500 career home runs.

"When they called me last week and told me it's official now, that was good," Delgado said Wednesday during a conference call.

Continue reading "Delgado happy to be back with New York Mets" »

The New York Mets may have an interest in the Los Angeles Dodgers' Derek Lowe. Reports at the time may fall under speculation, but the Mets appear as if they are looking for a starter to add to the rotation and Scott Boras is once again looking to provide the solution. Continue reading "Pitcher Derek Lowe in the mix with Mets' starters" »