While here in the states we are gearing up for the NFL playoffs which start later today, the Winter League Playoffs are under way and the Venezuela League started their playoffs yesterday. The four teams are facing off with La Guaira against Caracas and Aragua against Lara. La Guaira won 4-3 in a close game and Aragua won out 8-4. There are only a few batting and pitching lines that would mean something to Mets [...]

We’ve all heard the pros and cons of signing 12-time All Star, Manny Ramirez. Despite all of his hardware and all of his dramatic homeruns, Manny makes a lot of Mets fans nervous. They say he is too temperamental and could cause chaos in a clubhouse. Both of those characterizations are way overblown, but I won’t argue those points because they have been beaten to death already. Instead, let me give you three other reasons [...]

Last week, J.J. Putz had some interesting things to say about his new role with the New York Mets. Obviously, his first choice would have been to close, but he has completely embraced his future role as the setup man for the Mets. “It wasn’t the ideal situation. I really loved closing. But I’m just going to take it an inning earlier, so it’s not going to be that big of an adjustment. I’m fine [...]

I have often prided myself in getting great deals when I am shopping. I get what I want at the price that I want. Shopping is the only area in my life that I practice patience. Omar Minaya has apparently adopted my philosophy when shopping for new players. I think the Mets have been very smart in the way they handled this offseason. Minaya has been so patient, to the point where it drives Mets [...]

This morning, I wrote an entire post dedicated to my assertion that the Mets low-balled Derek Lowe and that it was a laughable offer in this market. Tony Massarotti of the Boston Globe now reports the following… According to a source familiar with the negotiations, Derek Lowe is likely to continue shopping for a more desirable offer after the New York Mets presented him with a three-year, $36 million offer on Tuesday. While some reports [...]

As you all know by now… BREAKING NEWS: Mets offer Lowe 3-Year Deal How dramatic indeed… While I’m glad that the Mets finally extended an offer to Derek Lowe, who I really believe is the best available remaining free agent pitcher, I am bothered by the fact that they low-balled him. Much has been made of the fact that Lowe was seeking a 5-year, $90 million dollar contract. Of course, there is no way he [...]

According to Jack Curry of the New York Times, the Mets have offered Derek Lowe a three-year deal worth about $36 million. “The Mets have offered the free-agent pitcher Derek Lowe a three-year contract for about $36 million, according to people who have been briefed on the discussions.” Scott Boras did not comment specifically on the offer, but rather said, “Obviously, we’ve taken offers from a number of teams.” Boras said he was still in the [...]

When I hear the last name Jones, the three things that pop up in my mind are Chipper, Andruw, and my disdain for the Atlanta Braves. The trade winds have been whirling and there are now rumors that Andruw could be coming to New York as a Met to play right field. Now if one was to place trades on a scale from not happening to packing the bags and heading over to a new [...]

MLB.com is now confirming a story first reported by ESPN, that two Cuban players considered close to being big league ready have defected from Cuba. Reportedly, right-hander Yadel Marti, Cuba’s top pitcher in the 2006 World Baseball Classic, and outfielder Yasser Gomez defected for the Dominican Republic. Both players are expected to immediately pursue MLB careers, and each will be highly sought after. The following is a short bio on each player as provided by [...]

As soon as the Dodgers decided to non-tender left handed reliever, Joe Beimel, I remember thinking to myself, this guy will be signed within a week. Wrong again… The 31 year old specialist had a solid season last year after posting a 2.02 ERA in 71 games. During the 2007 season, Beimel set a record for the Dodgers by making 83 appearances, the most by a left-handed pitcher in the Dodgers history. I took a [...]