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 [...]

Jayson Stark of ESPN, is reporting that the Philadelphia Phillies are targeting Placido Polanco as their next third baseman, according to a source familiar with their thinking. Before Wednesday, the Phillies appeared to be locked in on three potential free-agent third basemen — Polanco, Adrian Beltre and Mark DeRosa. But talks intensified with Polanco’s agents Wednesday, a day after his old team, the Tigers, declined to offer him arbitration. Polanco is a Type A free agent, so [...]

According to several reports including Jon Heyman via Twitter, and the original story from Adam Rubin of the Daily News, free agent catcher Henry Blanco could become a member of the New York Mets as soon as today. The Mets appeared to be closing in on a deal with free-agent catcher Henry Blanco. The Venezuelan newspaper “El Nacional” reported Blanco had left that country Sunday for a physical with the Mets. Blanco, 38, hit .235 with [...]

Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi over at FoxSports.com are reporting that numerous teams have been discussing Angel Pagan to be their potential starting center fielder. Outside of the Kansas City Royals, it is not yet clear who exactly is pursuing the 28 year-old outfielder although the article suggests that the Brewers, Rangers and Cubs could all have some interest. Last season in 88 games, Pagan hit .306 with six home runs and 32 RBIs [...]

Here’s a round-up of the day’s Hot Stove rumors and transactions. Rich Harden SP – Several reports today suggest that Rich Harden is drawing heavy interest from the Red Sox and the Mariners. Harden was not offered arbitration and the 28-year old righthander has become much more desirable in the eyes of many. Of the second tiered free agent starters after John Lackey, I consider harden to be the best and most talented of the [...]

Last week, Kevin Kernan of the NY Post caught up with Ron Davis, the father of Mets first base prospect Ike Davis. In this candid interview, Ron talks about what he envisions for his son’s future in the game, but also shares a touching story that reveals the caliber of Ike’s character. Michael Lio, a close friend who played second base alongside Ike in travel ball and at Chaparral High School — where the team [...]

John Manuel of Baseball America, posted the latest ranking of MLB’s farm systems on SI.com. Baseball America ranks the 30 MLB farm systems twice a year — in the spring, as the minor league season is about to start, and again every December. In the latest rankings, the Texas Rangers have the best overall farm system and the Houston Astros finished last. I’m more concerned about the National League East where the Philadelphia Phillies ranked [...]

Here is complete list of all trades made by Omar Minaya since he became GM of the Mets after the 2004 season. This does not include any free agent signings. 2009 08/25/09 Traded Billy Wagner to the Red Sox for for Chris Carter and Eddie Lora 08/08/09 Traded cash or PTBN to the Cubs for Jason Dubois 08/06/09 Traded Greg Veloz to the Nationals for Anderson Hernandez 07/10/09 Traded Ryan Church to the Braves for Jeff [...]

I’m really starting to have second thoughts about the Mets going after free agent catcher Bengie Molina. I know how strongly I have advocated for Molina in the last two months, but am becoming more and more taken with Josh Thole as he toils away in Winter Ball with the hopes of impressing Mets brass and potentially earning a spot on the big league roster next season. Thole continues to wield a hot bat in Venezuela and [...]

When yesterday’s midnight deadline finally came and went, the Mets decided to stand pat and did not offer arbitration to any of their six remaining free agents. Carlos Delgado and Fernando Tatis, both Type B free agents, are not totally out of the picture yet, and the Mets could still opt to bring both of them back.  As much as I like both of them, I just think it’s time to move on and change [...]

According to a report this afternoon by Fargo’s Jeff Kolpack, the Mets have signed free agent catcher/first baseman Chris Coste. He writes, Fargo’s Chris Coste is headed to the Big Apple. Coste agreed to terms with the New York Mets today on a contract that guarantees him a spot on the 40-man roster. Coste said the Mets were the only team to give him that guarantee, although he said it isn’t a given that he’ll be [...]