Madden says the Mets are certain to reduce their $147 million payroll and should be counted out of the Lackey, Holliday and Bay sweepstakes. Madden goes on to say that second-tier free agents should be their focus with priorities being left-field and two starting pitchers, naming Jason Marquis specifically. We're not sold that the Mets will walk away from the premier free agents just yet.

Sheffield's family wants him to reach 3,000 hits for his career (currently at 2,689) and Sheff wouldn't rule out cranking 40 home runs next year. Delusional much? With the overall shift to younger players, Sheffield may not find the playing time he wants next year -- certainly not for a drive to 3,000 over the next few years. Looks like Sheff will be forced into retirement kicking and screaming at some point.

The Mets would reportedly only consider Guillen if they miss out on Jason Bay and Matt Holliday. With $12 million remaining in the last year of the contract, the Royals would have to eat a significant chunk of salary to even get the Mets to return phone calls. If there's a fit, the Royals would like a young outfielder in return and are eyeing Angel Pagan. We don't see a fit here; the Mets can just sign a second-tier outfielder for short money and retain Pagan either way.

Even though Matsui turned heads in the World Series, Damon is the better property going forward considering he can hold his own in the field. Agent Scott Boras is pushing for a four-year deal, but we can't see anything more than two years. The Yankees and Damon should be able to come to an agreement fairly shortly, freeing up resources to devote to the free agent market.

There was a report of Contreras reaching out to the Hanshin Tigers earlier this week, but the rumors hold more weight now that we learn his 16-year-old son is hoping to take part in an exchange program with a high school in Japan. The 37-year-old right-hander is expected to visit Japan next week, with the SoftBank Hawks and Hiroshima Carp as the most likely landing spots, based on geography, according to Newman.

Chapman's previous agent was Edwin Mejia of Athletes Premier International. Other clients of the Hendricks brothers include Kendry Morales and Andy Pettitte. There is no word as to the reasoning of the switch, but it would be logical to assume that the process will now be far more streamlined as the Hendricks are veterans in the business while Meija and API started in 2006. Still, the timing is a bit curious.

Castro has quickly established himself as the best Cubs prospect after his showing in the Arizona Fall League. Granderson, conversely, has been one of the best centerfielders in the game (against right-handed pitching) and is thought to be available. Rogers, who writes for the Chicago Tribune, says that Cubs GM Jim Hendry "appreciates" what Granderson brings to the table and wonders if new hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo could help address Granderson's platoon issues. If the Cubs won't give Castro up in a Granderson deal, it will be extremely tough to pull off.