LAS VEGAS – Alright, the Mets have gotten their closer and if nothing else happens during the next day at the Bellagio, the Winter Meetings have to be considered a success.That said, there’s still more work to do to make this a successful off-season. Besides their bullpen makeover, which includes an eighth inning setup man, the Mets need at least one starter.With both Pedro Martinez and Oliver Perez free agents, there are obvious holes in the Mets rotation. As of right now, the team seems content to allowing Jon Niese a spot, one that Jerry Manuel said may be bestowed upon him based on his September, rather than earned in Spring Training.

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Posted under Commentary, Free Agency, Hot Stove, Nysd, Winter Meetings

LAS VEGAS – Just moments ago, Omar Minaya officially announced what everyone at the Bellagio knew for the last 36 hours: Francisco Rodriguez is now a Met.

“We have come to comepleted terms in filling our No. 1 need in signing Francisco Rodriguez to a three year contract with the New York Mets,” Minaya said. “Our goal, from day one, was to improve our bullpen and I can not think of a better reliever than Francisco Rodriguez.”

K-Rod set a Mjor League record in 2008 with 62 saves. He also converted 23 saves when entering the game with a one-run league and 22 more with a two-run cushion. He went 2-3 with a 2.24 ERA.

“I am thrilled to join the Mets,” Rodriguez said in a statement. “Mets fans are very passionate and playing in a new ballpark is going to be great. I am going to do everything I can to help bring a championship to Citi Field.”

Rodriguez, who wore Johan Santana’s No. 57 with the Angels, will switch the number around and go with No. 75 in Queens.

Posted under Free Agency, Winter Meetings

LAS VEGAS – Mets manager Jerry Manuel arrived at the Bellagio late last night [around 11:30 p.m.] in advance of his conference with the media at 4:00 p.m. today.

- The Yankees will reportedly offer Ben Sheets a two-year offer today.

- The Mets will meet with free agent reliever Chad Cordero today. They met with closers Brian Fuentes and Trevor Hoffman yesterday. They will probably want Cordero in a set-up role.

- The Red Sox seem to be interested in Brian Schneider.

- Adam Rubin reports in the Daily News, Fuentes could also recieve a two-year deal.

- There seems to be a lot of clubs asking the Mets about Aaron Heilman.

Posted under Free Agency, Hot Stove

Steve and I just finished our first Winter Meetings show, where we discussed the Mets and the Yankees and what’s going on from the Bellagio.

If you missed it, you can listen to the archive on the widget to the right or go to our page on Blog Talk Radio.

We will be doing another show tomorrow at 10 p.m. EST, so please tune in.

Thanks!

Posted under Pro Baseball Central

LAS VEGAS - According to reports, the Mets have offered K-Rod a three year deal. Although we have gotten no word yet.

Omar Minaya will be speaking with the media in a few hours. If there’s an announcement, it will probably happen then.

Other than that, I arrived at the Bellagio a few hours ago and will be having reports here, as soon as they come in.

Stay tuned and tune into Pro Baseball Central tonight at 10 p.m.

Posted under Free Agency, Hot Stove

Well, I am all packed up and ready to go with an early morning flight to Vegas. Please stay tuned to this blog starting tomorrow at around 2 p.m. for live reports from the Bellagio!

Also tomorrow at 10 p.m. PBC will have it’s baseball show live from Vegas.

Posted under New York Mets, Pro Baseball Central, Winter Meetings

I want to announce that John has left this blog for another venture. This was his decision and we wish him well as he pursues other opportunities.

That being said, I will keep this space running for the time being and over the next few months, I will be looking for other writers to join me as we bring you the Mets as they happen.

Right now, though, I will be running the NY Mets Report as the Hot Stove League heats up. Next month, I will be in Las Vegas for the Winter Meeting and will be blogging live from the Bellagio as the trades happen.

And for those of you who don’t know me. My name is Joe McDonald and I am going on my fifth season covering the Mets. Currently I am the Assistant Editor of Mets Inside Pitch magazine, the Managing Editor of NY Sportscene Magazine and the Editor of NYSportsDay.com. In the summer, I was always at Shea and this season I plan on being at Citi Field when they open the new joint.

Without any further ado, I would be more than glad to answer any questions you may have.

Joe

Posted under Site News