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.