Merry X-Mas to the Mets and Yankees

One of the few times I will congraduate the New York Yankee on their newest acquisition CC Sabatheia. Is he really worth 161 Million? Well, hes no Johan, but we will see. On the other side, the Mets have a problem solved which was their bullpen, thanks to the acquiring of K-Rod, and Pultz, though he missed most of the year with an injury. The Mets have done their best to reload themselves in a division that will be even more competitive if the Braves get Textiera. Minaya knows that he still has a couple of more things to do before he can make a run for the division, like sign Pedro Martinez, and get a few more hitters and starting pitchers.

It seems as though Minaya has earned his keep so far, but the season has not yet started yet.
Sidenote: Endy Chavez will be very missed especially when he comes to bat with his favorite Merengue song comes on.

Mets Closer Rumors

-MetsBlog reports that people connected to the Mets believe that they can sign Francisco Rodriguez to a three year deal by the end of the week, or a two year contract with a vesting option for a third.
-The Newark Star Ledger says that the Mets and Blue Jays discussed a BJ Ryan trade, but those talks ended when Toronto asked for Fernando Martinez.

Mets Asking For Too Much For Heilman

From Troy Renck's column in the Denver Post:
"Beleaguered Mets pitcher Aaron Heilman has been a trade target this winter by the Rockies, but they deemed the price too high, according to a source close to the talks."
-New York also rejected a deal for Heilman that would have brought the Mets Jason Marquis and salary relief.

Mets Rumors Winter Meetings Day I Morning Edition

-Newsday reports that the Mets talked with Francisco Rodriguez at a steakhouse for over four hours. Mets COO Jeff Wilpon was there and the negotiations could be in the critical stages. The Mets will meet with Trevor Hoffman and Brian Fuentes today.
-Ken Rosenthal reports that Jon Garland is on the Mets' radar, and that the Mets, Indians and Cardinals are interested in JJ Putz.

Minaya Unwilling To Deal Parnell For Jenks

The Chicago Tribune refutes a connection between the Mets and closer Bobby Jenks, citing Mets GM Omar Minaya's unwillingness to include minor league pitcher Bobby Parnell.

Mets To Make K-Rod Offer

SI.com's Jon Heyman says that the Mets will offer Francisco Rodriguez a three-year deal with a vesting option for a fourth year, and whichever closer takes their offer first will be their guy.

Mets To Meet With Hoffman, Fuentes During Meetings

The NY Daily News says that the Mets will also have face-to-face talks with Brian Fuentes and Trevor Hoffman this week.

Mets To Meet With K-Rod Tonight

-SI.com's Jon Heyman reports that the Mets and GM Omar Minaya will meet with Francisco Rodriguez tonight in Las Vegas and make an offer to the all-time single season saves leader.

Closers, Castillo

Milwaukee could spend big money on a closer, while the Indians are going to make a decision on a closer afer the Mets do. New York is also trying to trade Luis Castillo so they can sign Orlando Hudson, but the Rangers rejected a Castillo for Vicente Padilla trade.

Bring Back Pedro

So since the players filed for free agency in November, the Mets and Pedro Martinez have not met to talk about another run in 2009. Pedro says he wants to play and feels has alot to offer, he told a newspaper in the Dominican Republic. Martinez is not even concerned about money or being at the top of the rotation. Martinez knows that he is not a number 1 2 or 3 pitcher, but he knows he has some stuff left in the tank. Though the Mets are pursuing others pitchers, they should worry about what they have left in their backyard. I mean it was not to long ago that he helped a Red Sox team to the playoffs, and ultimately win a ring. Though lingered by injuries and the death of his father in July, Martinez will make a big comeback, if not with the Mets, possibly with the Red Sox. You never know!

Mets Reject Heilman For Marquis

The Newark Star Ledger reports that the Mets turned down a trade that would have sent Aaron Heilman to the Cubs for starter Jason Marquis, with the Cubs eating as much as $4 million of his $9.875 million dollar salary. New York is interested in starter Jon Garland.

Putz Available, Other Rumors

The NY Post reports that the Mariners have made JJ Putz available and the Mets will talk with them next week about a trade. Also, there's nothing to the blockbuster rumor of Bobby Jenks and Jermaine Dye, as Fernando Martinez has been deemed just about untouchable. The Rays offered reliever Chad Bradford to the Mets but no dice.

Dye & Jenks To Mets?

John Perrotto of Baseball Prospectus reports of a possible blockbuster deal involving the Mets and White Sox with Jermaine Dye, Bobby Jenks and Fernando Martinez switching teams.

Hoffman Interested In Mets

"Trevor Hoffman's agent, Rick Thurman, told The Post yesterday there have been talks with the Mets about meeting with the free-agent closer in Las Vegas, in New York or perhaps both. The 41-year-old Hoffman, the all-time saves leader, had 30 saves and a 3.77 ERA last season with the Padres. The Mets may also meet with Fuentes, a Thurman client as well."

Stadium To Remain Citi Field

AP: "The New York Mets say the name Citi Field will remain on their new ballpark and believe the struggling bank will survive its current economic crisis following a government bailout."

Fernando Martinez Named 32nd Best Prospect

K-Rod, Fuentes Will Wait For Winter Meetings To Talk

MLB.com's Anthony DiComo says that talks with free agent closers Francisco Rodriguez and Brian Fuentes won't begin until the Winter Meetings next week in Las Vegas.

Mets Arbitration

MLB.com's Marty Noble reports that the Mets offered arbitration to Oliver Perez and declined to offer arbitration to Moises Alou and Luis Ayala.

No Arbitration For Beimel

The Mets could use a capable lefty in their bullpen, and Joe Beimel certainly fits the bill. Dodgers GM Ned Colletti declined arbitration for the Type A free agent, meaning New York won't have to surrender draft picks to sign him. Detroit is his likely destination, but Beimel would be a very good addition for the Mets, certainly better than what they currently have.

Springer and Isringhausen

According to Matthew Leach of MLB.com, the Cardinals have declined to offer arbitration to Russ Springer and Jason Isringhausen, and I think they are both pitchers that the Mets should consider to join their bullpen in 2009. Springer would have been a type A free agent, but since the Cards did not offer arbitration, he will not cost the two draft picks. Spring had an outstanding 2007 season, and a pretty good 2008 season posting a 1.13 whip. I think he would do well as a setup man. Isringhausen is a different situation, as he was injured and ineffective this past season. Izzy was on the Mets in the early 1990's, but injuries took a toll on him and the Mets shipped him to Oakland. I think the Mets could take a flier on him, as he has had success in the past, and if he is healthy he could return to form. These two players could be great additions to turn the bullpen into something opposing teams fear.

Heyman: No Manny For Mets

SI.com's Jon Heyman says that while the Yankees haven't ruled out going after Manny Ramirez, "the Mets have all but decided they will not pursue the slugging savant from Washington Heights."

Mets Scouting Fernando Cabrera

A Mets blogger told Matthew Cerrone of MetsBlog that the Mets are scouting free agent reliever Fernando Cabrera, who threw 22 innings for the Orioles last year, going 2-1 with a 5.40 ERA.

Monday Rundown: Arbitration, Rotation, Fuentes

-The Mets will offer arbitration to Oliver Perez, but not to Moises Alou or Luis Ayala, according to Newsday.
-The Mets would like to add one starter and make prospect Johnathan Niese the fifth starter for 2009, says the New York Post.
-The Denver Post reports that Fuentes has scheduled a visit with the Mets and is not in the picture to resign with Colorado.