Bill Madden of the New York Daily News says the Mets will have about $20 million to spend this offseason.
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.
Gary Sheffield is dedicated to playing in 2010.
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.
Adam Rubin of the New York Daily News believes the Mets "may be overestimating the interest" in second baseman Luis Castillo.
Castillo batted .302/.387/.346 in 2009, but he's now 34 years of age and has two years, $12 million left on his current contract. With Orlando Hudson and Mark DeRosa on the free agent market, and Dan Uggla reportedly available via trade, the market for Castillo could be pretty thin.
Mets general manager Omar Minaya plans to travel to Puerto Rico in December to watch Carlos Delgado participate in winter ball.
Minaya hasn't dismissed re-signing Delgado to play first base next season. Limited to just 26 games in 2009 due to an oblique injury and hip surgery, he hit .298/.393/.521 with four home runs and 23 RBI. The 37-year-old could be a cheap source of power, but he'll have to show he's healthy first.
According to Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post, Mets GM Omar Minaya said Friday that he "wouldn't rule out" a contract extension for Jeff Francoeur.
Francoeur, who turns 26 this winter, was impressive during his time in New York this past season, batting .311/.338/.498 with 10 home runs, 20 doubles and 41 RBI in 289 at-bats. He's under team control until the 2012, but the Mets would like to lock him up through his arbitration years.
According to Jon Heyman of SI.com, general manager Omar Minaya has spoken with the Dodgers about Luis Castillo.
Minaya said that a few teams have shown interest in Castillo, which would have been unthinkable last winter. The Mets are in a better place this fall after Castillo batted .302/.387/.346 in 2009. The 34-year-old second baseman still has two years and $12 million left on his contract. Juan Pierre, who is slated to make $18.5 million over the next two seasons, would be a comparable swap.
Carlos Beltran would like to see Carlos Delgado return to the Mets next season.
"Honestly, I would love to (have Mets bring him back)," said Beltran. "At the same time, that depends on the team, what kind of direction they're going to take, what kind of player they're planning to play at first base. But Delgado's a guy, if he's healthy, you're going to get a lot of contribution - 30 home runs, 100 RBI. You're going to get that from Delgado...it's safe to invest the money because he (takes) care of himself." Limited to just 26 games in 2009 due to hip surgery, the 37-year-old first baseman hit .298/.393/.521 with four home runs and 23 RBI. He plans to play winter ball in Puerto Rico to round himself back into shape.
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