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

In his MLB INSIDER column, Ken Davidoff wrote the Mets spoke to the Texas Rangers about catcher Gerald Laird. The catcher heavy Rangers are looking for MLB ready young pitching.

Davidoff goes on to say, the Mets were 12th in the NL in catching offense but second in defense.

Personally, I think the Mets should stay with Brian Schneider and Ramon Castro and be more concerned with pitching needs.

Posted under Hot Stove, New York Mets

The Mets scheduled a telephone news conference for tomorrow to announce a new contract for general manager Omar Minaya. After Minaya, the Mets are then expected to finalize a contract for manager Jerry Manuel.

I’m sure plenty of you have thoughts on this, many of them heated as the Mets lost on the final day of the season for the second straight year.

This season brought several defining moments in Minaya’s career, beginning with the trade for two-time American League Cy Young Award winner Johan Santana from the Minnesota Twins. Minaya also traded prospect Lastings Milledge to Washington for outfielder Ryan Church and catcher Brian Schneider.

The Mets, and Minaya, were criticized for their handling of Church’s concussion, and for circumstances surrounding the firing of manager Willie Randolph.

Minaya’s first order of business will be signing manager Jerry Manuel to an extension and patching a bullpen that blew 29 save opportunities.

Posted under New York Mets

I like it. Ramon Martinez is back at second base. He’s the best alternative with Damion Easley not 100 percent. Catcher Brian Schneider, who didn’t play last night because of a sore back returns to the lineup.

Here’s the METS lineup vs. Florida:

SS Jose Reyes
LF Daniel Murphy
3B David Wright
1B Carlos Delgado
CF Carlos Beltran
RF Ryan Church
2B Ramon Martinez
C Brian Schneider
RH Mike Pelfrey

Posted under New York Mets

-He’s pitched a good game and he’s pitched a poor one. The Mets are hoping Jon Niese has another good one in him and the first one wasn’t a fluke. It looks as if he’ll go Saturday. It’s not official, but he seems to have the inside track over Brandon Knight or Nelson Figueroa. Who would you go with?

-If tonight gets rained out, the Mets will have a day-night doubleheader Saturday. Assuming, of course, the weather holds up. There’s no guarantee of that, either.

-Brian Schneider didn’t play last night because of soreness in his back. He can only benefit if tonight gets rained out. No word of his status if they do play.

-Damion Easley said last night he should be available to play in the field tonight. Sorry. Right now, I’m sticking with Ramon Martinez.

-The Daily News’ Peter Botte reports Dwight Gooden will be at the closing ceremonies Sunday.

Posted under New York Mets

Well, what do you know, Ramon Martinez is playing second base. After last night, play the guy who has a chance of making something happening. Luis Castillo is just frustrating to watch.

Here it is, the lineup the Mets hope will save their season.

METS

SS Jose Reyes
LF Daniel Murphy
3B David Wright
1B Carlos Delgado
CF Carlos Beltran
RF Ryan Church
2B Ramon Martinez
C Brian Schneider
RHP Pedro Martinez

Posted under New York Mets

So far, it really doesn’t matter who the Mets put at second base. Neither Argenis Reyes nor Luis Castillo have produced. You know, I felt a sense of comfort with Damion Easley at second base. I’m not saying he’s the answer, but he’s better than either one of them. When the Mets are constructing their bench over the winter, I hope they don’t overlook Easley.

Here’s tonight’s lineup:

METS

SS Jose Reyes
LF Daniel Murphy
3B David Wright
CF Carlos Beltran
1B Carlos Delgado
RF Ryan Church
C Brian Schneider
2B Argenis Reyes
LH Oliver Perez

Posted under New York Mets

 

 

METS

SS Jose Reyes
LF Daniel Murphy
3B David Wright
1B Carlos Delgado
CF Carlos Beltran
RF Ryan Church
2B Luis Castillo
C Brian Schneider
LH Jonathan Niese

Posted under New York Mets

Daniel Murphy back in the two hole tonight against Tim Redding. Carlos Delgado and Carlos Beltran got going last night. The Mets are waiting for David Wright to bust out again.

Jose Reyes showed signs last night of breaking his September funk.

Here’s tonight’s lineup:

SS Jose Reyes
LF Daniel Murphy
3B David Wright
1B Carlos Delgado
CF Carlos Beltran
RF Ryan Church
2B Argenis Reyes
C Brian Schneider
LH Johan Santana

Posted under New York Mets

Finally, Daniel Murphy is back in the lineup, batting second and playing left field in place of the injured Fernando Tatis. Murphy has been a spark plug since he joined the Mets when the team was in Houston last month. His numbers have been good, but he’s seen limited time since Ryan Church’s return.

Argenis Reyes is playing in place of Luis Castillo.

Here’s the lineup:

METS

SS Jose Reyes
LF Daniel Murphy
3B David Wright
1B Carlos Delgado
CF Carlos Beltran
RF Ryan Church
2B Argenis Reyes
C Brian Schneider
RH Brandon Knight

Posted under New York Mets