ESPN is reporting that the Astros have signed  catcher Ivan Rodriguez to a one year deal worth $1.5 million dollars. The Houston Chronicle had first reported that the future hall of Fame catcher was very close to signing a deal with the Houston Astros, but it looks like it is now official. In a move that would give the Astros a boost behind the plate, future Hall of Fame catcher Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez appears close to [...]

According to several sources including ESPN, Cole Hamels is flying to Philadelphia to have his sore elbow examined. Dogged by persistent discomfort in his pitching elbow, Cole Hamels will fly to Philadelphia for an examination on Tuesday, the team announced. The left-hander will be looked at by team physician Michael Ciccotti. The Phillies at this point have described the pain as soreness or tightness, and nothing more. “We do not think it is serious, at least [...]

Chico Harlan of the Washington Post gives a raw but not surprising glimpse into Lastings Milledge and his feelings about the Mets. Here is some of what he said to Harlan: I mean, the thing was, the first time I came out [to NY] everybody was like, ‘You’ve got to be this way.’ I have to show up at the park at a certain time or whatever. I just kind of separated myself from people who [...]

A new daily feature that will keep you fully briefed on the current state of the Mets. One post with all you need to know until tomorrow. Domestic Policy Yesterday, I wrote that Nick Evans might make it too hard for the Mets to send him back to the minors. Today, Newsday writes that Jerry Manuel admitted as much. “He is definitely opening some eyes, there’s no doubt about that,” Manuel said. “Every time he [...]

Yes it’s the spring, and yes Nick Evans will probably not keep up this pace… But, in the unlikely event that he does, what should the Mets do? Including todays game, a 10-5 win over the Marlins, Nick Evans now leads the team with ten runs batted in. Evans is now batting .325 with an on-base percentage of .400 and a .600 slugging percentage. That gives you an incredible OPS of 1.000 in 40 at-bats. He [...]

Redding has been shut down, Garcia has been pretty terrible and Livan Hernandez has been tolerable. That is the state of the Mets fifth rotation spot. The struggles of these three has left the door open for Niese, and the door possibly open for bringing back Pedro but there is another pitcher who is starting to impress in my mind and that is Figueroa. Figueroa has pitched 8 innings this spring between the Mets and [...]

Although Livan Hernandez may have been the last pitcher to join the competition for the fifth starters job, he might have moved one step closer to claiming the job after tossing two no-hit innings against the Nationals on Saturday. Livan got a leg up on the job after the Mets announced that Tim Redding would start the season on the disabled list with a sore shoulder. Freddy Garcia has struggled to regain his velocity and his [...]

Oh mercy… Only moments ago, Puerto Rico beat the USA 11-1 in seven innings after the game was ended by the mercy rule. The star of the game for Puerto Rico was our own Carlos Beltran who was a literal one-man show tonight. At the plate he went 3-3 with a walk, three runs scored, two RBI’s and a towering home run. On the basepaths, he showcased his speed with a stolen base and several [...]

The Mets have claimed righthander Fernando Nieve off waivers from the Houston Astros. The 26-year-old righthander went 0-1 with an 8.44 ERA in 11 games for Houston last season and was 2-5 with six saves and a 5.72 ERA in 36 games for Triple-A Round Rock. Nieve was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Houston Astros in 1999, and was one of their top ten prospects until undergoing Tommy John surgery and missing [...]

Happy Saturday Mets fans and welcome to my second spring installment of Hot or Not. We’ve seen our pitching staff banged up and we’ve seen Jon Niese and Bobby Parnell show why they should be watched. The GoodFor any Mets fan, hearing that your ace may miss their Opening Day start is never a good thing. Then you remember that they’re playing the Reds. And then you say to yourself, “I’m glad Jerry’s being careful [...]

Adam Rubin is reporting that Tim Redding will start the season on the DL. Omar Minaya said Tim Redding will start the season on the disabled list with shoulder fatigue. Redding has a guaranteed contract for $2.25 million, and was headed for the long-relief role. The GM said the 31-year-old righthander is not experiencing pain and does not need an MRI exam, since images were taken before he signed Jan. 12. “He just doesn’t feel [...]