@matthewcerrone: #Mets fans, Terry says Frank Francisco is still the team’s best option at closer and he will continue in that role.

Remember yesterday Collins refused to make a statement about the teams closer role after Francisco’s loss in which he gave up three runs without recording an out. Yes he got ejected but he wasn’t going to last much longer. Terry refused to make a decision on the spot because of that I will give him credit.

“We’ll address it,” Collins said. “I have eight options,” he replied, when asked if he has other options in the bullpen to be his closer in place of Francisco. “But, I’m not going to address that right now, when emotions are running high. (Mets Blog)”

Even though I give him credit for sleeping on his decision I again have to say I think it was the wrong decision. I think it’s going to be a decision that costs the Mets in the long run.

As part of the 50th anniversary of the Mets, the team this year is bringing back banner day, which was last held in 1996. Dwight Gooden and Rusty Staub (both on the team in 1984) as well as the WFAN broadcasters Howie Rose and Evan Roberts will be judges for the event, which will be held on Sunday, May 27, before the Mets play the Padres. (New York Times)

The process of judging has changed to reflect the times. The Mets will involve social media in choosing the winners. On the day of the even the judges will pick three finalists and instead of them choosing the winners the fans will pick vote via text, Twitter or Facebook. The winner will receive a trip to next years Spring Training.

So Mets fans rejoice the day you’ve all wanted to return is back, so get your thinking caps on! You can get more info at the Mets website.

Here’s some past photos from Banner Day.

The team is quietly preparing to offer third baseman David Wright a long-term contract extension at some point later this year—perhaps as soon as this summer—according to a baseball official briefed on the Mets’ thinking.

The Mets hold a $16 million option to retain Wright for 2013, so there is no urgency for them to begin discussing an extension with his representatives. But they are likely to do so before next winter, the official said, because if they cannot reach an agreement, the Mets would have to consider trading him in the offseason. (Wall Street Journal)

The good news for fans is that they really do sound serious about trying to keep David. General Manager Sandy Alderson even said, “I certainly do not foresee, under any circumstances, David being a topic of discussion at the trade deadline.”

His main reasons are:

• Wright sounds genuine in his desire to stay in New York, not like Jose Reyes who just wanted the biggest paycheck he could get.
• With the option year the team has more then enough time to negotiate and if they get it done now could get a discount (unlikely but could).
• And finally that Wright is well, the face of the franchise.

I’m not sure if Wright will stay in New York but if he keeps playing this way I don’t see how the Mets could let him walk. For the fans sake hopefully he does stay.

@JonHeymanCBS: #mets have talked to ronny cedeno as well as jack wilson for infield opening. both players have other options, as well

Hearing about Cedeno actually adds some intrigue to the search. If I had to choose between the two I’d go with Ronny. Neither are that great of players but when it comes to a backup infielder utility/role I like the youngster. That’s right youngster, Ronny is only 28 and slightly more productive the Wilson but also able to help in the outfield.

I’m just not sure if the Mets are a team that Cedeno is interested. Ronny has other teams looking at him, mainly the Mets division rival the Atlanta Braves. A team that can pay him more but more importantly give him a better chance at winning in 2012 and beyond.

@ajcbraves: Ronny Cedeno still in play, and #Braves are among teams interested in him. He’s been on their backup SS/utility list all along.

With the Mets recent history, I feel they’ll end up with the older, washed up Jack Wilson.

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@SI_JonHeyman: according to @enrique_rojas1, marlins offer to reyes is up to $111M for 6 yrs, me: very unlikely mets or brewers play at that level

Jon is pretty spot on in what he says here about the New York Mets and Milwaukee Brewers unlikely to play at that level. It’s the exact reason why I think that a deal will be completed very shortly if this rumored increase is true, even with Reyes upcoming visit with the Brewers.

Reyes is scheduled to meet with Brewers general manager Doug Melvin but I don’t see the point. If the Brewers are unwilling to spend $120 million over six years to keep a bonafide slugger like Prince Fielder then why would they pay $111 over six for an injury prone shortstop?

When it comes to the Mets it’s just too damn money. Rumors have had them to be around $80 million over five years. With the Marlins looking like contenders in a new stadium I don’t see why Reyes would leave so much money on the table to stay in the New York. It would be just well umm stupid.

I’d expect a deal done by the end of the Winter Meetings.

@KenDavidoff: The #Mets met with the representatives for free agent RHP Frank Francisco.

With so many big name closers on the market I’m surprised the Mets are talking to Francisco but then again I’m not. Remember they’re a team trying to cut payroll soon but yet trying to improve.

They’re rumored to be going after relievers like Francisco and Matt Capps, guys with proven track records as closers but won’t cost much. My guess general manager, Sandy Alderman tries to sign a couple guys. Let them battle for the closer spot in spring training with the other guys rounding out the pen.

Wouldn’t be a bad idea to build up depth with the rotation they’ve got.

The Mets are clearly down on Angel Pagan. But the organization plans to tender the arbitration-eligible outfielder a contract rather than cut him loose at the Dec. 12 deadline, SI.com reported.

Pagan earned $3.5 million this past season, so his salary could be $4.5 million or more in 2012 assuming he returns.

That means the Mets likely will shop him before the non-tender deadline. And, while the report stated the Mets plan to tender Pagan a contract otherwise, that conceivably could be posturing so that the Mets don’t lose all leverage in pursuing a trade. (ESPN New York)

If the Mets were doing this to not lose trade leverage then I’m not too sure what they’re thinking. Pagan will get a raise of at least one million and once it reaches that $4.5 million or more amount how much would teams really offer in a trade? I’m not sure if it would be enough to warrant the risk of getting stuck with a contract of a guy who may not be as good as they once thought.

If the Mets are indeed going to tender a deal then I’d say make him a contract and hold off on trade negotiations. I’d bring him in and let him play, just like they’ll probably do with David Wright.

I’m quite sure Pagan’s numbers would improve with the renovations at Citi Field. Throughout his career he’s payed better at home (save the 2011, possibly down season) and those new dimensions could make his numbers at home look even better. If that were the case his trade value could take a major jump or the Mets get a nice bargain.

Personally, I never thought of Pagan being that good of a player but if the Mets were going to tender him, then I truly believe they should just keep him for a while.

“We haven’t ruled anything out,” the official said. “We need a closer. It is a long way down the road. We haven’t had those meetings yet. But, for us, I wouldn’t rule anything out.”(ESPN New York)

A second Mets official said: “A lot would have to line up for (a return to) come true. He didn’t leave on the worst of terms. We made the trade more because of money. It is not an absolute no. It is possible, not probable.”(ESPN New York)

By the sounds of those statements I would say that it’s not something the Mets want to do but if he’s the best available and at the price they want to spend then they’ll jump on it. There’s just one issue, is a return to Flushing what Rodriguez would want? Is it something he’d consider after how it all ended?

“Of course,” Rodriguez told Newsday. “I don’t have no hard feelings for nobody. They did what they had to do. They needed to unload a lot of money and I was making too much money. But you never know what’s going to happen one year from now, two years from now.”(ESPN New York)

Here’s why I think K-Rod he could be back in New York season. Yes it’s something I do think is a legitimate possibility, a long shot but a possibility.

For how bad things people thought they were between the team and K-Rod they really weren’t. The very public handling of his off the field issues, mainly the assault of his girlfriends’ father AT Citi Field is what make people think it was worse then it was.

His trade to Milwaukee was more about dollars and cents then issues between club and player. That’s proven by the fact that the team is willing to entertain the thought of a return. I think what they have to look at is not previous issues but his performances.

Rodriguez had the worst years of his career while playing in New York. During his time there he had the highest ERA totals of his career as well as a drop in saves. The drop in saves is actually no surprise as he was playing for a team that just wasn’t that good.

Once he left the organization for Milwaukee he was rejuvenated and put up some of the best numbers of his career with a 1.86 ERA over 31 appearances, striking out 33 in 29 innings. On top of that he’s pitching lights out in the playoffs striking out six over three innings so far.

Do the Mets want to bring someone back who was pretty inconsistent with them to begin, then imploded when shit hit the fan?

Personally, if the price is right and K-Rod’s not getting the offers then he could be back in Flushing. Unfortunately for the Mets I don’t think either will happen, someone’s going to offer him closer money as he’s proven he can still do the job if given the chance.

Johan Santana has returned to Port St. Lucie, but a return to the mound will wait about another week, a team official said.

Santana then would need time to ready himself to return to a minor league game. He was shut down days after tossing three scoreless innings on July 28 for Class A St. Lucie. (ESPN New York)

My guess he’ll probably take a few more bullpen sessions before touching the mound. Once he does that then probably two or three rehab starts then it’s back to Citi Field and the big leagues.