On the eve of the 2009 Baseball Winter Meetings in Indianapolis, finally a Mets rumor that doesn’t shake my confidence and that I can sink my teeth into. According to Bill Ladson of MLB.com, the Mets are interested in Nationals outfielder, Josh Willingham.  Add the Mets as one of the teams who have interest in Nationals left fielder Josh Willingham, according to a baseball source. The Giants, Mariners and Braves are the other teams who [...]

Next to opening day and any day the Mets are in a playoff game, the first day of the Baseball Winter Meetings used to be my favorite day of the baseball season. I say “used to be” because this industry trade show (no pun intended) that lasts almost a week doesn’t generate the adrenaline, anticipation and excitement that it did in that golden age when men were men, women were women and baseball players were [...]

This past week, New York Mets beat writer, Brian Costa, of the Star Ledger was kind enough to allow me to submit to him questions regarding Mets Hot Stove rumors. To obtain the questions I scoured the forums, as well as the chat room here at Mets Merized to try to come up with the best and most frequently asked questions regarding the team’s future. I’m confident that this interview will give you, the fans, [...]

I can’t believe what I just read from Bill Madden in the Daily News this morning. Mets? Did somebody say the Mets? They won’t spend the money for Holliday, Bay or Lackey and apparently, they’re only interested in signing low-budget Latin players, having shown little or no interest in Byrd, Figgins, DeRosa, Wolf or even Staten Island’s Jason Marquis, while waiting for their markets to come to them. At the same time, the Phillies and [...]

Luis Castillo for Pat Burrell? Says who? I don’t know who concocted this crazy rumor, but it’s about as nuts as the one that had us going after Milton Bradley. Actually, I’d rather have Bradley than Burrell, at least Bradley can field his position and he still has a potent bat. The only reason the Mets are trading Luis Castillo is not because of his offense (which is still pretty solid), but it’s because of his [...]

I have just finished reading a very good article by our friend Bart Hubbuch of the NY Post. While everyone seems to be scratching their heads and wondering what the deal is with the Mets fondness for catchers in recent days, Hubbuch actually does a fantastic job of filling in the blanks and explaining the reasoning behind some of the recent moves. It looks like both Jerry Manuel and pitching coach Dan Warthen were very unhappy with the [...]

According to an AP report from Greg Bell, The Seattle Mariners and Chone Figgins have reached a preliminary agreement on a $36 million, four-year contract pending a physical. The contract for the former Los Angeles Angels sparkplug includes a vesting option for 2014 that could make the deal worth $45 million over five years. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the Mariners had yet to announce the deal, which was first reported [...]

According to the New York Time’s Jack Curry via his Twitter, The Mets hope the first thing they accomplish in Indy is unloading Luis Castillo so they can sign Orlando Hudson to play 2B. Castillo, who just came off a solid season in which he batted .302 and posted a solid .387 OBP is officially on the outs. By this time next week he’ll be just a distant memory. After all the hoopla regarding the [...]

During the infancy of the 2009 free agency campaign, Mets General Omar Minaya has fired off salvo’s to the rest of the National League East about as damaging as a mouse passing wind. The hysteria you are hearing is coming from the rival GM’s in Philly, Miami, Atlanta, and be careful, Washington too. Minaya has his priorities twisted. You fill in the blanks after you land the Great White, not aspire to bag a school [...]

Henry Blanco C – The Mets made the Henry Blanco signing official last night, signing the 38-year old catcher to a one year deal worth $1.5 million dollars. It’s a significant raise for Blanco who was only paid $750 K last season with the Padres. When San Diego signed Blanco, he was coming off a season in which he hit .292. Last season, Blanco batted a woeful .235 which begs the question… WTF? Of course the bigger [...]

On Wednesday evening I had the pleasure and privilege of interviewing current Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher, Seth McClung. Now before I begin, I’d just like to express my gratitude to him not only for doing the interview but also for his speedy responses. For the past few weeks all the buzz around baseball has been focused on Hot Stove talk. So I figured why not change things up a bit and talk to a player [...]