Tom Seaver Fan Club

Numerous media sources have the Mets increasing the 3 year/30 million dollar offer they have on the table for their own top remaining free agent, LH SP Oliver Perez. This is clearly the top offer on the Market and Olie should take it. The club has signed Tim Redding to be the #5 man and Freddy Garcia is a nice insurance policy as well.

Team also announced the signing of FA OF Cory Sullivan, formerly of the Colorado Rockies. A very good defensive OF, he will more than likely battle Angel Pagan and fellow new comer Jeremy Reed for a roster spot.

3 Starting pitchers declined invites to Team USA within the past 24 houts. Los Angeles Angels starters LH Joe Saunders and RH John Lackey joined Chicago White Sox LH John Danks in saying no to The 2009 World Baseball Claasic.

Two small signings Thursday that could turn out to be huge. Mets finalized a contract with back up middle infielder Alex Cora(1 year/2 mill). He came play any infield spot, is a pest with the bat and an ideal teammate. Omar Minaya made a good value pick when the Mets inked starting pitcher Freddy Garcia, who has had 2 injury plagued seasons after winning 17 games for the Chicago White Sox in 2006. He had surgery on his right shoulder after the 2007 season(11 starts) and started 3 games for the Detroit Tigers in 2008. The deal could be worth 9 million if all incentives are reached.

According to various media sources, The Mets have no interested in the top free agent available, OF Manny Ramirez.

45 Man Roster was announced Monday, Roster must be final down to 28 by February 24th. Many of these names have been leaked or confirmed previously.

Starting Pitchers

LEFTIES

John Danks- Chicago White Sox

Scott Kazmir-Tampa Rays

Ted Lilly-Chicago Cubs

Joe Saunders- Los Angeles Angels 

RIGHT HANDERS

Jeremy Guthrie- Baltimore Orioles

Roy Oswalt- Houston Astros

Jake Peavy-San Diego Padres

Justin Verlander-Detroit Tigers

BULLPEN

LEFTIES

Brian Fuentes-Los Angeles Angels

J.P. Howell-Tampa Rays

B.J. Ryan-Toronto Blue Jays

George Sherrill- Baltimore Orioles

Matt Thornton-Chicago White Sox

RIGHT HANDERS

Jonathan Broxton-Los Angeles Dodgers

Joey Devine-Oakland A’s

Matt Lindstrom-Florida Marlins

Joe Nathan-Minnesota Twins

J.J. Putz-NY Mets

Chad Qualls-Arizona Diamond Backs

Scot Shields-Los Angeles Angels

Brad Ziegler-Oakland A’s

POSITION PLAYERS

CATCHERS

Chris Iannetta-Colorado Rockies

Brian McCann-Atlanta Braves

A.J. Pierzynski-Chicago White Sox

Brian Schneider-Washington Nationals

INFIELDERS

Mark DeRosa-Cleveland Indians

Derek Jeter-NY Yankees

Chipper Jones-Atlanta Braves

Derek Lee-Chicago Cubs

Evan Longoria- Tampa Rays

Brian Roberts-Baltimore Orioles

Jimmy Rollins-Philadelphia Phillies

David Wright-NY Mets

Kevin Youkilis-Boston Red Sox

OUTFIELDERS

Ryan Braun-Milwaukee Brewers

Curtis Granderson-Detroit Tigers

Brad Hawpe-Colorado Rockies

Ryan Ludwick- St. Louis Cardinals

Carlos Quentin- Chicago White Sox

Grady Sizemore-Cleveland Indians

Shane Victorino- Philadelphia Phillies

Vernon Wells-Toronto Blue Jays

The New York Mets reached agreements with 4 of their 6 arbitration eligible players this week. On Monday, the club signed reserve OF Jeremy Reed(part of the JJ Putz trade) and RH RP Duaner Sanchez. Tuesday,OF Angel Pagan and starting RF Ryan Church signed deals. Right handed starter John Maine and Left handed reliever Pedro Feliciano are still scheduled to have their disputes settled by the arbitration process.

Some reports(NY Newsday, Mets.com)  over the past few days linking the New York Mets to the talented but often injured right handed starter, Ben Sheets, formerly of the Milwaukee Brewers. The scouting report? Think of the NL’s version of Yankees signee AJ Burnett, great arm but a bad body that breaks down YEARLY. A short term deal might make sense for both parties, particularily if the Mets do not want to lock up their own FA LH Oliver Perez.

FYI:Interesting information passed on by one of the best insiders in the game in SI.com’s Jon Heyman on MLB Network’s Hot Stove program earlier this week. In discussing the differences between Braves Free agent starter signee Derek Lowe(HUGE ground ball producer) and Perez(Ball in the air), Heyman mentioned that Mets Superstar 3b David Wright and rookie Nick Evans took batting practice at CitiField and the ball FLEW out.

The United States entry into the 2009 World Baseball Classic added 2 power arm lefties from the 2008 American League Champion Tampa Rays Friday. Starter Scott Kazmir and reliever J.P. Howell announced they would don the red,white and blue this March. This is a big week for the WBC as most rosters will be announced this week and shown on the MLB Network. The USA now has 26 players committed to Davey Johnson’s squad.

Davey Johnson’s staff for the 2009 World Baseball Classic was finalized Tuesday and has several recognizable names to baseball fans. Joining Reggie Smith(Star OF in the 60s & 70s/ Hitting coach) and pitching coach Marcel Lacheman, are former players Mike Schmidt, Barry Larkin and Billy Ripken. Schmidt is considered by many to the greatest 3rd Baseman of all time while Larkin was the top Shortstop in the NL throughout the 90s. Ripken brings his playing experience(12 years) and  family legacy to the table.   

Team USA will announce more players for consideration on Monday January 19th (up to 45 candidates). Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim set up man Scott Shields was among the names released in Tuesday’s press release. His name was not reported previously. 

More names and news as it becomes available….

The club is close signing INF Alex Cora to serve as the primary back up middle infielder, according to ESPN’s Peter Gammons among others

Mets Ace Johan Santana appears to be a no go for the World Baseball Classic as the team is said to be preventing the lefty from playing after off-season knee surgery

After losing Derek Lowe to the rival Braves, it appears that LH Oliver Perez is the team’s #1 priority with Randy Wolf #2 to fill the final spot in the Mets rotation.

The playoffs are in full gear and it’s been interesting how the NFL Playoff Brackets have played out so far. Who would have thought when the NFL Playoff Schedule came out that we’d be sitting on a Steelers/Cardinals Super Bowl.

The United States entry into the World Baseball classic has added 5 players  over the past 3-4 days but lost a superstar catcher in the process. Minnesota Twins star Joe Mauer will not play in the 2nd annual event. However, Colorado Rockies C Chris Iannetta committed. Joining him are Rockies teammate OF Brad Hawpe, Relief pitchers JJ Putz of the New York Mets and Jonathan Broxton of the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres ace Jake Peavy.

The Everyday lineup appears to be very strong as well as the relief corps. The rotation needs 2 of these three to round it out— Toronto Blue Jays Roy Halladay, Boston Red Sox Jon Lester and San Francisco Giants LH Tim Lincecum. This team  looks like a serious contender  right now.

The New York Mets added a 5th starter Monday as ex-Washington Nationals RH Tim Redding signed a 1 year/2.25 million dollar deal. He went 10-11 with a 4.95 era for the last place Nats. The Rochester,NY native appears to be a great fit and was excited to sign.

The bad news? Free agent SP Derek Lowe, widely believed to be the #1 target of the Mets, finalized a deal with their arch rival ,The Atlanta Braves. The deal is for 4 years at 60 million, compared to the reported 3/36 offered by NY.

Various Baseball sources are reporting the Mets and RH SP Tim Redding are close to a 1 yr/2 million dollar deal. Redding was 10-11 with 4.95 era over 182 for the last place Washington Nationals. If this happens, you can look for the Mets to sign one of the  Scott Boras’ clients Derek Lowe(offered 3/36 mill) or ex Met Oliver Perez. Free agent Randy Wolf(12-12,4.30) would be a fall back option.

Florida Marlins set-up man righthander Matt Lindstrom(ex-Met) announced today he will play for Team USA in the 2nd annual World Baseball Classic. The power armed hurler was 3-3 with a 3.14 era over 57 and a 1/3 innings. He will be used as a situational righty or scenarios that require a strikeout(105 Ks over 124+ career innings)

Detroit Tigers star CF Curtis Granderson announced he will play for Team USA today. With Indians superstar Grady Sizemore also on the team, one of the two will play either corner spot or they will platoon.

AL CY Young winner and Cleveland Indians ace Lefty Cliff Lee declined his invitation to the team, sighting his huge 2008 work load. Unconfirmed reports have new Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim closer Brian Fuentes also signing on for Team USA.

I know it is almost 2 weeks past Christmas but all Team USA fans need two presents under the tree—- Roy Halladay and Tim Lincecum!

The United States got a probable #1 starter for the World Baseball Classic when Houston Astros ace Roy Oswalt signed on Monday. Oswalt was 17-10 with a 3.54 era and struck out 165. He carries a 129-64 career record and has won 20 games twice while being widely regarded as one of the top big game pitchers in baseball.

His Astros teammate 1b-OF Lance Berkman declined playing for Team USA and informed Manager Davey Johnson within the past week.

After two straight years of collapses, it’s hard to get a little too excited about the Mets.  That is, until they fortified one of their biggest weaknesses from last year.  The pen cost them some games but now with the addition of super closer Francisco Rodriguez and set up man J.J. Putz, I’m feeling pretty good about those small seventh inning leads.  Now the big concern is the rotation.  Derek Lowe, while I’m hardly excited about him, remains elusive even though the Mets sent him a three year deal.  Scott Boras is in town so hopefully by weeks end, we have both Lowe and Olver Perez in the fold for 2009.

Jay F. will be providing most of your day to day updates from here on out and I hope you enjoy his writing as an avid Mets fan.  In the meantime, I’ll be focusing my efforts on a new project.  Similar to the 1986 New York Mets diary I wrote up a few years ago, I’ll now be documenting the other Mets championship back in 1969.  Hope you enjoy it.

Christmas came and went and I got the boy a new baseball glove for Christmas.  I’m pretty leery about buying my baseball equipment online, but I found a fantastic website called Baseball Rampage that had a great selection.  I was even able to talk to someone live who answered all of my questions.