@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.

Sandy Alderson said Thursday that his team would consider Kazmir. “We look at everybody who hits the wire, and the same would apply to him,” said the GM, who is typically willing to shoot down speculation about players in whom he is not interested. (Andy Martino – New York Daily News)

My brother is a Mets fan, so I think I have an idea about how many of them are reacting at this news and it’s probably whiny, like they usually are. They’re most likely going:

We should have never gave him up
He’s a bum now we don’t want him now
We could have won a championship in 2006 if we had him (Kazmir 10-8 with a 3.24 ERA that year)

They’re most likely just dwelling on the past and what could have been instead of looking at today. They probably don’t realize that Kazmir could benefit this Mets team, IF they can fix his mechanics (a huge IF). The Mets have no rotational depth and a shaky bullpen; he could REALLY help this team out.

So will Alderson take the chance? That I don’t know. Martino of the NY Daily News says that “Alderson framed his interest as no more, and no less, than he would have for any available player.”

Sandy will do his research; he’s most probably talked to all his scouts and various baseball people to see what they think. The question in the end will be do we think we can fix his mechanics and tap back into his immense talent? It’s a question every general manager is asking his staff.

With the Mets current financial situation I’d make the move. With the Angels on the hook for his 2011 salary he’ll cost them almost nothing. Kazmir could be very, very high reward with very little risk.

“Really, I’m in second now?” he said, when informed of the latest voting. “How far behind?”

“About 600,000 votes,” he was told. (Tulowizki has 1,828,509, Reyes 1,241,553 and Rollins 999,537).

“Oh man,” he said, shaking his head.

“So this really matters to you?”

“Yeah, yeah it matters,” he said, eyes widening and head nodding. (Andy Martino – New York Daily News)

It’s nice to see a player care about the game and not just because his team could get homefield advantage. And we all know Reyes’ Mets have no chance in hell at making the World Series this year, even thou they are somehow in the Wild Card race.

So he must really want to play in this game right?

I highly doubt it. Reyes is off to a monster start in 2011, batting .343 with 3 homers and 28 runs batted in. He’s hit 20 doubles, 11 triples and stolen 22 bases already. Pretty impressive numbers, numbers that are on pace for a career year for the 28-year old. All numbers coming in a contract year.

You got it, a contract year. Reyes will be in the All-Star game, that’s without a doubt but how much more money can an All-Star start get him? It most likely won’t make his next contract higher but it will add some potential bonus money to his deal.

Now don’t get me wrong, Reyes is a guy who likes to have fun so he might actually be excited about the All-Star game. He might really find the chance to start to be “cool”. Unfortunately with today’s ballplayers and their knack for career numbers in contract years, you can’t help but think that it’s about money.

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If he does not make another start this season, the Mets will not be on the hook for beyond the $1.1 million base salary. Young’s bonuses, which could have maxed out the deal at $4.5 million, did not begin kicking in until his 10th start and 70th inning pitched. (ESPN New York)

Sounds like the Mets actually got smart with a contract for once, especially when you consider the injury history of Young. In fact his current trip to the disabled list is his second of the season, so even if he were to return when does trip number three happen? The Mets and every other team in baseball knew this, so I do have to tip my cap to them for protecting themselves in this deal. Even more so when you consider the financial situation of the organization.

Unfortunately this injury could keep the Mets from really making out on the field. Like I said, Young has been lights out this season. If he were able to stay healthy for an extended stretch and pitch at his current level he could have brought in a decent prospect from a contender.

Even if he returns they’ll be hard pressed now to get anything of value in return. So I guess if I were them, I’d be hoping for a season long DL stint. Hate to say it but they need to save some money and this could be their first chance to trim the payroll.

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