"The Mets, as expected, did not offer salary arbitration to any of their free agents, including Carlos Delgado and Fernando Tatis, at yesterday's deadline.

In the cases of Delgado and Tatis, both Tupe B free agents, failing to offer arbitration means the Mets will not receive draft-pick compensation if either signs with another team.

The Mets, however, remain interested in bringing back Delgado as a one-year bridge to top prospect Ike Davis at first base if Delgado can show general manager Omar Minaya that he is healthy again when Minaya goes to Puerto Rico this month to watch him play winter ball."