Marc Carig of Newsday writes that the Mets will be more willing to get creative with backloaded contracts, according to a person with knowledge of the team’s thinking, in order to entice free agents with more money and multi-year offers. Those tactics could come into play at this week’s winter meetings in Nashville. “You can borrow some from the future,” said a person with knowledge, who called finding an outfielder the team’s priority. According to [...]

According to what a two different team sources told Adam Rubin of ESPN New York, don’t rule out an Angel Pagan return for the Mets in 2013. But a second team insider now also has insisted the Mets likely will spend for one quality outfielder. The source said don’t even rule out a return of Angel Pagan to Flushing, although the person cautioned it’s waaaaaay to early to speculate on that. There’s no direction yet for how high the market will [...]

The Los Angeles Angels have acquired starting pitcher Tommy Hanson from the Atlanta Braves for reliever Jordan Walden, according to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports. Here are two summaries from MLBTR: Hanson, 26, pitched to a 4.48 ERA with 8.3 K/9 and 3.7 BB/9 in 174 2/3 innings this year. The right-hander missed time with shoulder tendinitis last season, and his fastball velocity has been trending in the wrong direction as well. Hanson is arbitration-eligible [...]

Andy Martino of the Daily News also reports that the deal is an eight-year deal and that it replaces the 2013 option. The eight year, $138 million dollar contract essentially voids the option year contract. Craig Calcaterra of NBC Sports writes that that it was very important for David Wright to make more money than Johan Santana‘s $137.5 million deal and thus become the highest-paid player in New York Mets history “out of pride.” Joel Sherman of the NY Post [...]

The Mets announced that they have acquired infielder Brandon Hicks from the Oakland A’s for cash considerations. Hicks, 27, hit .172 with three home runs and seven RBI in 64 at-bats over 22 games with the A’s last season. He also batted .244 with 18 homers and 61 RBIs in 328 at-bats with Triple-A Sacramento. In his major league career, Hicks has started 19 games at shortstop and one apiece at first base, second base [...]

Jeff Wilpon responded to a report in the New York Post and told reporters that he is more optimistic now than a month ago that the Mets can get new deals done with David Wright and R.A. Dickey. He is encouraged more and more as the process moves along because there’s been back and forth conversations, reports Marc Carig. Wilpon also added that he could see a scenario where both or one enters next season without [...]

The son of Bernard Madoff’s longtime accountant, Dave Friehling, has committed suicide in central Ohio, authorities have reported. Jeremy Friehling, 23, was found dead at his apartment of a self-inflicted gunshot wound Thursday in Columbus, where he was a second-year student at Ohio State’s medical school, police there said. He himself pleaded guilty to securities fraud in the scandal that arose from the Madoff Ponzi scheme. According to the Associated Press, there was no indication that [...]

Updated 11/15 1:00 PM According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, due to the outcry from Miami Marlins fans, Bud Selig is placing the blockbuster deal with the Blue Jays under review. Shocking, but good to see somebody will look into Loria’s shenanigans in South Beach. Updated 11/13 8:28 PM The Miami Marlins and Toronto Blue Jays have completed a 10 player blockbuster deal on Tuesday night, according to multiple reports. The Blue Jays will get shortstop Jose Reyes, starting pitchers Josh [...]

The Atlanta Braves have reached an agreement with catcher Gerald Laird, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. The deal is reportedly for two years according to Jon Heyman. Financial terms have yet to be disclosed. Laird, 33, hit .282/.337/.374 with two home runs and 11 RBI in 191 plate appearances with the Tigers last season. After losing backup catcher David Ross to the Red Sox, the Braves needed to find a steady backup to Brian McCann who had [...]

Rob Johnson, who appeared in 17 games for the Mets last season, has signed a minor league deal with the St. Louis Cardinals. Johnson also received an invite to major league camp. Johnson, 29, finished the season on the DL with a torn ligament in his left thumb, which did not require surgery. He batted .250 in 17 games with the Mets after batting .207 with a .588 OPS for Triple-A Buffalo in 45 games.