Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez pleaded guilty this morning to assault, a move that spared him jail time but will bring him an additional 52 weeks of anger management classes. His plea also bought him an additional season with the Mets for $11.5 million. It was the best case scenario for the closer who not only lost his temper but is losing his fastball. For one more year at least, the Mets will have a closer. [...]

To update this original post, the Los Angeles Angels confirmed that they have agreed to an $8 million, two-year deal with Japanese left-hander Hisanori Takahashi. Breaking it down, Takahashi will get $3.8 million in 2011 and $4.2 million in 2012. Angels general manager Tony Reagins said, “We believe that his contributions in various roles in our bullpen will be extremely important to the overall success of our club.” A nice pickup for the Halos and the [...]

At this point, I’m sure everybody is aware that Russell Martin has been non-tendered by the Los Angeles Dodgers. Russell Martin, for a short while, was a highly respected catcher down in LA where he posted strong offensive numbers from the C position. Considering, in a humorous regard, that the Mets do have a recent tendency to take successful Dodger Catchers – Lo Duca and Piazza, and the possibility of a fit was discussed within [...]

Much has already been made about the surprising development to non-tender outfielder Chris Carter last night. I must admit that even I initially struggled to find a good reason for the move. However, after a few hours of some casual research and a good night of rest to think it over, I believe I see the wisdom in it. First let’s get a little background. As everyone on MMO already knows, Chris Carter came to the [...]

I’m a big Dave Matthews Band fan, to me, they are the band that will live forever just like The Beatles are the band that lives forever for my father. I can turn on any song, at any time, and be in peace. There’s a lyric that comes to mind when I try and describe Winter 2010-2011 in regards to our fan base.  “Everybody wake up. If you’re living with your eyes closed. See the [...]

I don’t know what the plan is, but so far all this new regime has done is shed themselves of a bunch of players. At the arbitration deadline, the Mets non-tendered both John Maine and Sean Green. But surprisingly, they also non-tendered Chris “The Animal” Carter who the Mets acquired in the Billy Wagner trade. The Carter thing is kind of a head-scratcher simply because he wasn’t even arbitration eligible and would have only made the [...]

Tracy Ringolsby FOX Sports is reporting that the Mets are making a play for former Rockies left handed starting pitcher, Jeff Francis. Jeff Francis, who underwent shoulder surgery early in the 2009 season and wasn’t fully recovered in 2010, has been offered a chance to return to the Rockies, but it would be on a minor-league deal. The New York Mets have emerged as a strong contender for Francis, who they have offered a big-league [...]

While the Mets starting rotation will likely contain several question marks, the bullpen appears to be a revolving door at this point. Two vital pieces from 2010 are likely out, with Hisanori Takahashi heading out west and Pedro Feliciano testing the FA market. Following the non-tender deadline, many serviceable bullpen arms will become available. Some of these candidates may come on the cheaper side and on short term deals, both aspects the Mets would be [...]

Many thought it at the time, that when John Maine left that game in Washington after only five pitches that he was also leaving the Mets. It sure appears that way as they aren’t likely to tender a contract to Maine by today’s midnight deadline. They’ll tender Mike Pelfrey, RA Dickey, Angel Pagan, and possibly Sean Green, but Maine is a longshot. Maine came to the Mets in the Kris Benson deal as a throw-in, [...]

On Tuesday, the New York Mets announced that they had re-signed lefty reliever Mike O’Connor to a minor league contract with an invite to major league spring training. According to Bisons.com, O’Connor, 30, spent the entire 2010 season with the Bisons and was the club’s most used reliever. In a team-high 51 appearances, O’Connor was 5-2 with a 2.67 ERA and six saves (70.2 IP, 65 H, 25 R, 21 ER, 17 BB, 70 K). He ranked [...]

The 2011 Hall of Fame Ballot was released on Tuesday and there were quite a few familiar names among the eligible candidates. Here they are: Roberto Alomar, 2B Carlos Baerga, 2B John Franco, RP Lenny Harris UT Al Leiter, P John Olerud, 1B Roberto Alomar never gave the Mets anything close to Hall of Fame worthy as a Met, but he’ll certainly get in because of his past exploits. The only other former Met with a slight [...]