The Mets have come to terms with free agent infielder Alex Cora. The deal is reportedly for one year and two million dollars.

I like this signing, prior to this, Luis "bad knees" Castillo was the only second baseman on the Mets' 40 man roster. Cora is a 33 year old scrappy utility infielder who never puts up big numbers, but plays good defense, and is a suitable backup. Read More...

In case you missed tonight's game, you can find the highlights by clicking here.

That's right. The Braves completely and utterly beat the crap out of the Mets yet again on Wednesday night. Tonight's Pontiac Game Changing Performance goes to Luis Castillo. Castillo's non-play was the beginning of the end for the Mets tonight. Like it mattered.

It's hard being a Mets fan right now. There's two things to be happy about right now.

Ryan Church could be returning to the lineup on Thursday.

Johan Santana is pitching tomorrow. Perhaps we could give him some run support, boys. Just a thought.

Thanks.
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Some nights it's time to drop the funny business.  Thank god the Mets won that game tonight. For the sake of Carlos Beltran & Aaron Heilman...it's a good damn thing they won that game.

The New York Mets crushed the Florida Marlins on Wednesday night, winning 13-0. The Mets win their first series of the season, going 2-1 in Florida.

It was over when: The Mets stepped onto the field. Seriously. They took a 3-0 lead in the 2nd inning and never looked back.

Good: Uh...where to start? David Wright had another 3 RBI game and Ryan Church drove in 3 runs as well. Jose Reyes had 2 RBI and Carlos Beltran had an RBI and his first home run of the season taken away by the umps. Even Carlos Delgado had a RBI tonight. Wow. Meanwhile, Oliver Perez was spectacular in six innings, striking out eight without giving up a single run. Nelson Figueroa was impressive in his first appearance as a Met. I could go on but if you're reading this, you can read the box score.

Bad: Luis Castillo didn't drive in any runs tonight. Seriously. That's it. The Mets won 13-0. You name something bad.

Ugly: The Florida Marlins. Period. The Mets should beat this team at least 70 percent of the time this season. Anything short of that is a failure. This is a AAA team out there and the Marlins have no business out there with the Mets. You almost feel sorry for Hanley Ramirez. Ok. You don't.

Grade: A+ Read More...

Willie Randolph was on Mike and the Mad Dog this afternoon.
-Said that Pedro was in MRI machines as they were speaking (this was around 5 p.m. this afternoon. So much for Pedro having that MRI first thing in the morning.)
-Randolph fully expects Pedro to go on the DL.
-Hinted that Nelson Figueroa will be added to the rotation. It is being reported that Figueroa is on his way to Miami (according to Metsblog).
-Mike Pelfrey looked great in the bullpen today according to Randolph. And you guys were worried.
-Said that the Mets will in no way hurry El Duque back. Yeah, cause we wouldn't want to rush an injured and aging pitcher back to the rotation.
-Randolph praised the Mets bullpen for their work in the first two games of the season.
-Reassured fans that the clubhouse is indeed emotionally intact after Pedro hurt himself. I, for one, am sick of hearing about how Pedro's injuries will cripple team morale. It's the second game of the season. If losing Pedro Martinez is crippling to anything regarding this team, it's going to be a very long season.
-He continued his praise of John Maine, even saying that Maine has a little swagger going for him.
-Duaner Sanchez may be back before May.
-Also, Luis Castillo has one leg shorter than the other. I can't make this up, friends.

Randolph of course said more but nothing earth shattering. Perhaps we'll learn more about Martinez during tonight's game. Read More...

Continuing with our breakdown of the 2008 Mets, today we take a look at the situation at second base.

Second Base:

First String: Luis Castillo
Another no brainier here, the Mets just signed Castillo to a long term deal worth $25 million over the next 4 years. That's a hefty contract for a 32 year old second baseman with knee problems. Castillo certainly doesn't have the wheels he used to, but the Mets more than make up for Castillo's decreased speed with Jose Reyes and David Wright. Castillo still has plenty of speed and a good enough eye at the plate to be an effective number 2 hitter. He's a consistent .300 hitter who will steal 20 bases, score a lot of runs, and can take plenty of pitches to give Reyes an opportunity to swipe some bases. And his defense in the field is phenomenal. The only issue with Castillo this year will be staying healthy. He had arthroscopic surgery on his knee at the end of last season, and hopefully his knees will be 100%. Should Castillo's knee problems resurface, look for Ruben Gotay to be an excellent fill in on days when Castillo needs rest.

Second String: Ruben Gotay
Gotay showed signs of brilliance when given the chance to play every day following the injuries to Jose Valentin. During June and July when Gotay was given a lot of playing time he batter .364 and .397 respectively. Gotay was playing so well, that some Mets fans were actually upset when they acquired Castillo, because they felt Gotay lost the opportunity to prove himself. Expect Gotay to get plenty of playing time, both off the bench and to give Castillo days off.
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According to Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com, citing ‘major-league sources,’ the Mets and 2B Luis Castillo are close to agreeing to a four-year, $25 million contract.

The Astros, Nationals, and Cubs all had expressed interest in Castillo, whom the Mets acquired from the Twins at the non-waiver deadline for two minor leaguers.

Four years might be considered a risky move with Carlos Baerga, Roberto Alomar, and Edgardo Alfonzo as our previous 2nd basemen, but this was our only way to retain him. Castillo has proven he can play and succeed here. (unlike Eckstein who wanted more money and had a shaky 2006 season) So let's hope the recently 'repaired' knees hold up! Read More...

The most recent rumor coming out of Mets camp has been their interest in SS David Eckstein.

Eckstein who was the starting shortstop for the 2002 World Champion Angels and the 2006 World Champion Cardinals (man it still hurts to say that), could play second base for the Mets is he is willing to switch positions.

The Mets, who have also shown interest in re-signing current second baseman Luis Castillo, are rumored to be favoring Eckstein over Castillo, both of whom are 32 years old, this is probably due to Castillo's knee problems, which have plagued him for the last few seasons.

Since Castillo's game is so heavily dependent upon his speed, the Mets fear that if Castillo's knees continue to be a problem, other aspects of Castillo's game may be affected.

Otherwise, Eckstein and Castillo are very similar players, both are top of the order players with good eyes at the plate, they both hit consistently around .290 to .300 every year, and both have the reputation for being scrappy players who always seem to find some way to get on base. Defensively, Castillo had a higher fielding percentage last season, however Eckstein played shortstop, which is a more difficult position. Both are generally considered good fielders.

Both players will likely command 4 year deals worth approximately $30-35 million.

The Mets are also rumored to be interested in the Diamondback's Orlando Hudson if they are unable to sign Eckstein or Castillo. Hudson is not a free agent, so he would cost the Mets a prospect or two.
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It's the middle of November, and you know what that means... baseball's Hot Stove season is heating up (no pun intended).

Before we get all the talk of who is a free agent, who is "available", and who can afford the big name players underway, lets take a quick look at some of the current Mets who are free agents this off season.

Free Agents

Moises Alou: In 2006, Mets signed Alou to a one year deal worth $8.5 million, with a $7.5 million option for 2008, which the Mets have already exercised. Alou will be playing for the Mets once again in 2008.

Marlon Anderson: The Mets have signed Anderson to a 2 year contract worth $2.2 million. Anderson will continue to be a clutch bat off the bench for the Mets in 2008.

Luis Castillo: Omar Minaya has said the Mets will do their best to re-sign Castillo, but the Houston Astros have also shown interest, Castillo could receive a 4 year deal, which the Mets are unlikely to match. If the Astros are willing to give a 4 year deal to a 32 year old with knee problems, they can have Castillo.

Ramon Castro: According to the Daily News The Mets have just wrapped up a deal with Castro for 2 years worth just over $4 million. Castro is expected to either backup or split time with Yorvit Torrealba, who the Mets appear to be close to signing.

Jeff Conine: The 41 year old Conine has finally called it a career, retiring after 16 seasons in the majors. Conine was a two time all star, and won two World Series championships with the Florida Marlins.

Damion Easley: The Mets have re-signed Easley to a one year, $950,000 deal. Easley will likely backup for Castillo or Gotay at second base, and will also be used as a pinch hitter.

Tom Glavine: Glavine appears to be headed back to Atlanta to pitch one more year. Glavine has stated that he is willing to take less money to play in Atlanta. The Mets have not shown considerable interest in Glavine.

Shawn Green: It appears the Mets will not exercise their $10 million option on Green, and have shown little interest in bringing him back for 2008. Green may be headed back out to the west coast, where he'll try to hit 3 more home runs to surpass Hank Greenberg and become baseball's All Time Jewish Home Run King. SHALOM.

Brian Lawrence: The Mets have declined Lawrence's $4 Million option for 2008, Lawrence was designated for assignment before the end of last season, and is unlikely to return to the Mets.

Paul LoDuca: After failing to lure Jorge Posada away from the Yankees, the Mets were expected to turn their attention back to LoDuca. Instead, Omar Minaya has focused his sights on Rockies Catcher Yorvit Torrealba. LoDuca's agent has stated that he does not intend to sign with the Mets anytime soon. The LoDuca situation has gone from bad to worse, and now it appears clear that the Mets will not re-sign Loduca

Aaron Sele: Sele filed for free agency last month, he is not expected to return to the Mets. It is possible that he may retire if he is not signed by another team to a major league contract.

Jose Valentin: The Mets have declined their $4.3 Million option on Valentin. He is not expected to resign with the Mets.

Well, there you have it, in the coming weeks, the site will be heating up again, so be sure to check back here as often as possible to get up to the second updates on the Mets progress this off season.

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There is a large majority of the staff at Global NYM not fortunate enough to attend Mets games on a regular basis, including myself. So when you decide to go to Shea you usually pick the game in advance and hope for a good one. Last night, I got lucky...again.

A year ago I was caught the game against the Cardinals in which the Mets staged that ridiculous comeback that was completed by Beltran's walk-off. Last night was just as good. Next week I'll be back on a more serious note. Today I'm on a bit of a time crunch with some sketchy free interent. So here's a few thoughts from my night at Shea...

There was a guy in the section next to me who became frustrated in the 9th when Wagner loaded the bases. At one of those moments when it's relatively quiet, he stood up and billowed, "CAN ANYONE PITCH ON THIS TEAM?!!" That's exactly what I felt at that moment.

The amount of boos last night were incredibly misdirected by those in attendance. Booing Sosa and Wagner was not really that necessary.

The weather was beyond disgusting. If we would have lost that game, it would not have made me happy that I sat in the rain to also lose feeling in my toes.

The Mets powers that be tried to convince me that last night's attendance was approx. 48, 000. Were you watching? There were not 48, 000 seats filled. It's too bad though...they missed a good one.

Excuse me Mr. Vendor...the pretzels at Shea are not slammin', jammin'. Yes those are the exact words he used.

Who is this guy named Carlos Beltran? And where was he from April until August? Stellar night from Beltran after being named NL Player of the Week.

If Castillo had not earned his full set of stripes after his big hit against Atlanta, then he is now officially outfitted in the orange and blue.

If you have too many drinks from a pineapple while in the Dominican Republic, you too may be able to belly flop like Moises Alou.

It felt like I was watching a different team at times last night. They fought back, at home, and refused to die last night. The pitching was mediocre again, but this team finally flexed it's offensive muscles. Hopefully the Mets can keep building the momentum and get into a real nice groove heading down the stretch. I'll be at today's game as well, which will have a tough job of outdoing last night's. My heart's got a bit of a soft spot for walk offs. Read More...

The trading deadline has passed and the Mets made one key move, with the acquisition of former Twins 2B Luis Castillo, for prospects Drew Butera, and Dustin Martin. The interesting part of the trade is that we essentially got one of the best second basemen in the game, for two minor leaguers most Mets fan have never even heard of. While Castillo isn't the player he used to be, he can provide some speed at the top of the lineup, and some solid defense.

I like this trade for a few reasons. The first being that Ruben Gotay is still young enough that if he does not play everyday this season he has a good shot to do so next year; especially if Castillo decides to not resign. Second, Castillo is someone with experience who has been to the big game before. Third, if Castillo stinks up the joint he will most likely not be back for a second season.

While we all thought the Mets would make quick work of the Nationals last week, they played what wound up being a disappointing series. It harkens back to the days of the Montreal Expos, when most Mets fans remember them beating us more than any other NL East team. So while the losses were disappointing, they were somewhat expected in my eyes.

The upcoming week contains some important games for the Metropolitans. The Cubs, who have straightened themselves out nicely since mid June, get a visit from the Mets. Following the Cubs are the Braves and Marlins; two home series, which can always prove to be fun. Hopefully the Mets take the momentum that they have built up (somewhat) over the last few weeks and continue through these dog days of August. Read More...

A number of sources including MetsBlog and MLB Trade Rumors are reporting that the Mets have acquired second baseman Luis Castillo from the Minnesota Twins in exchange for minor leaguers Drew Butera and Dustin Martin.

This seems like a good trade for the Mets, it brings a veteran second baseman who still has decent speed, a good on base percentage and an above average glove, to replace the unproven Ruben Gotay, who the Mets believe can one day be the future second baseman. From what I gather, the Mets weren't very high on Butera or Martin anyway, so this upgrade comes at a small price.

In other news, the Braves have been busy today, acquiring First Baseman Mark Teixeira, and appear to be close to landing former Met Octavio Dotel. The Braves gave up two big prospects in Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Elvis Andrus for Teixeira, which tells me the Braves are looking to make a serious push for the playoffs this season.

Omar better have something in the works for a big time reliever within the next 24 hours to counter the braves moves, otherwise we could be looking at a closer race than we anticipated. Read More...