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New York Mets News

Gary Carter attends opening night
February 3
New York Post
 
"Brain cancer didn't keep Gary Carter from Opening Day. Carter, the head baseball coach at Palm Beach Atlantic University in Florida, made it to his team's first game last night, according to the Palm Beach Post. The paper reported the 57-year-old Hall of Famer, who was diagnosed with brain cancer last May and whose condition worsened last month, talked to his players and told them, "Let's get a win tonight," before Palm Beach Atlantic defeated Lynn University, 3-2 at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, Fla. "He wanted to be here for his guys, here for opening day," Carter's daughter Kimmy Bloemers told the paper. "It's a great day.""
Steven Cohen, Dodgers bidder, may buy a piece of the Mets
February 2
Los Angeles Times
 
"Steven Cohen, the billionaire investor trying to buy the Dodgers, is on the verge of becoming a minority owner in his hometown New York Mets. The deal would not preclude Cohen from pursuing the Dodgers, according to two people familiar with the transaction but not authorized to discuss it. Cohen has cleared a Major League Baseball investigation, the people said, which could bode well for his chances in the Dodgers sweepstakes. The league is more stringent in investigating majority owners than minority owners, but for now MLB has not found any grounds to disqualify Cohen from ownership."
Sources: Playoff expansion has issues
February 1
ESPN.com
 
"Baseball commissioner Bud Selig continues to talk confidently about expanding the baseball playoff field in 2012. But sources tell ESPN.com efforts to make that happen remain bogged down, all because of one thorny little complication: the details. Wednesday was supposed to be the day the commissioner's office finished a proposed schedule for the 2012 postseason and shipped it to the players' association for consideration. But sources told ESPN.com that deadline wasn't going to be met -- not because talks have broken down, but because fitting two extra wild-card pieces into the postseason puzzle has proven to be more involved than the commissioner has been willing to acknowledge. The new"
Mets, Daniel Murphy will embrace underdog role next season after losing Jose Reyes
February 1
New York Daily News
 
"Daniel Murphy is an optimist and his Mets teammate R.A. Dickey is a realist. While Murphy talked positively about moves the Mets made this season, a few feet away, Dickey was talking about the moves other NL East teams made. After losing Jose Reyes to the Marlins as the division rivals improved over the winter, and the Mets cut their payroll by about $50 million, Murphy and Dickey can agree that expectations of the Mets outside their own clubhouse will be low for this season. The Mets will use those doubters as a rallying point, said Murphy, who was honored along with Dickey at the 32nd Annual Thurman Munson Awards Dinner Tuesday night in Midtown."
Mets get 'Teuf' on Murphy
January 31
New York Post
 
"Daniel Murphy has become very familiar with recovering from knee injuries. Now, he'll try to learn how to avoid them. In 2010, his season ended when a collision at second base resulted in a torn right MCL. Last year, his season was cut short after tearing his left MCL on another play around the base. Murphy is set to be the Mets' starting second baseman again this year, and he will work extensively with new infield coach Tim Teufel to prevent the same results. "I know I've got to get better at everything around the bag at second base," Murphy said. "And [Teufel] has told me he's watched film of me, but he's also seen with his own eyes what I need to do and how to attack it.""
R.A. Dickey ready to turn thoughts to baseball, after offseason of film-making, writing and mountain climbing
January 30
New York Daily News
 
"Mountain climber, author and film star. In the past year, R.A. Dickey has done it all, and that includes pitching for the Mets. But now that he's reached the top of Mount Kilamanjaro, has an autobiography to be released on March 29 and has finished interviews for a documentary on knuckleballers, what does he have planned for this season? "Well there is nothing wrong with it just being about baseball, either," Dickey said over the weekend. "Don't get me wrong. I don't think I would have performed any better if I was not writing every night or doing interviews for the film, or getting ready for the climb. "But in any ordinary season, my family, who have been without me a lot while I was"
Johnny Damon, Raul Ibanez, Rick Ankiel and Kosuke Fukudome on Mets' wish list
January 30
New York Daily News
 
"Spring training is three weeks away, but the Mets' offseason work might not be complete. According to two team insiders, the club is looking for a veteran lefthanded bat for the bench, and is shopping in the aisle that includes Rick Ankiel, Kosuke Fukudome, Raul Ibanez and Johnny Damon. The latter two, while bigger names, appear less of a fit, because of a presumed desire for more at-bats and less defensive versatility. But Ankiel or Fukudome could provide Terry Collins with a lefty pinch-hitter, occasional platoon partner for Jason Bay and insurance against an injury to, or disappointing performance from, Bay, Lucas Duda or Andres Torres."
Mets sign Matt Tuiasosopo to minor-league deal
January 28
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"The Mets have stockpiled another infielder for their minor-league system, signing third baseman Matt Tuiasosopo to a minor-league deal. He will be invited to major-league camp. If the name rings familiar, you can thank his football-playing family. His father, Manu, played for the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers in the late 1970s and '80s. His older brother, Marques, quarterbacked Washington to a Rose Bowl victory in 2001, and played for the Jets in 2007."
Bernie Madoff trustee eyes $83 million 'profit' from NY Mets owners
January 28
New York Daily News
 
"The trustee overseeing the liquidation of Bernie Madoff's estate has asked a federal judge to order the owners of the Mets to turn over more than $83 million in allegedly fictitious profits they withdrew from their accounts in the two years before Madoff's massive Ponzi scheme collapsed. In a motion for partial summary judgment filed late Thursday, the lawyers representing trustee Irving Picard — whose original claim demanded $1 billion from the Mets' owners — said records show that Fred Wilpon, Saul Katz and their associates withdrew $83,309,162 in fictitious profits from 34 accounts between Dec. 11, 2006, and Dec. 11, 2008, when Madoff's scam collapsed. Attorneys for the Mets also filed"
Selig expects two one-game playoffs for this fall
January 28
Chicago Tribune
 
"Baseball appears ready for an extra round of wild-card playoffs by this fall, according to commissioner Bud Selig. "I really believe we'll have the (extra) wild card for this year," Selig said Friday at SoxFest. "Clubs really want it. I don't think I've ever seen an issue that the clubs want more than to have the extra wild card." The extra round would be one-game elimination in both the National and American Leagues to the teams who would have missed the playoffs as they are set up now. Some have argued for a best-of-three, but that appears impossible with the scheduled all but set for 2012."
Mets say even Irving Picard could not find fault with the in Bernie Madoff case
January 27
New York Daily News
 
"After U.S. District Court Judge Jed Rakoff dismissed most of the counts in Irving Picard's $1 billion lawsuit against the owners of the Mets in September, the trustee in the Bernie Madoff liquidation case embarked on an aggressive campaign to dig up dirt. Picard, according to filing made late Thursday by lawyers for the Mets' owners asking the judge in a summary judgment motion to dismiss the suit, served more than 100 document requests on the defendants and other parties. He took 20 depositions and even hired a private investigator to question acquaintances of the defendants."
Mets honor Franco
January 27
New York Post
 
"This is the year the Mets promote the bright lights of their past, because their present is so bleak. They announced yesterday that reliever John Franco is the newest member of the Mets Hall of Fame. When Franco was asked by The Post if he had any words of advice for the weary fans, he said he has faith that the Wilpon family will get the Mets going in the right direction ... someday. "I can tell you this; Fred Wilpon and Jeff Wilpon will do everything in their power to get this organization back to where it needs to be,'' Franco said. "Just be patient. We have some good players at the major league level and we have a lot of good players coming up in the minor league level. Knowing Fred"
No room for Izzy in Mets' bullpen
January 26
New York Post
 
"It doesn't appear there is going to be room in the Mets' retooled bullpen for Jason Isringhausen. Sources said the team "hasn't ruled anything out," but they don't expect him back. "There probably isn't a fit for him here," another source said. "He's been talking to other teams, and we think he'll wind up elsewhere." Isringhausen, 39, made an unexpected return to the majors — and his former team — a year ago when the right-hander showed up at spring training to get some work in to see if he could still pitch. The Mets' new regime was impressed — and in dire need of help in the bullpen — and Isringhausen came at the bargain-basement price of $500,000. It was a salary he said he wouldn't be"
MLB allows retired Tony La Russa to manage in All-Star game against Ron Washington
January 25
Dallas Morning News
 
"Tony La Russa will come out of retirement to manage the National League team for the July 10 All-Star Game at Kansas City. La Russa will go against Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington, who will handle the American League team for the second consecutive season. La Russa retired shortly after St. Louis defeated the Rangers in the seven-game World Series."
Carlos Beltran tells Met fans: Time to get over 2006 and move on
January 25
New York Daily News
 
"There is no need to update Carlos Beltran's relationship status with the people of New York to "it's complicated" — that has remained unchanged since 2005. So if you have any feelings about his decision to sign with St. Louis, Beltran has a simple response: Get over it. "Actually, I'm not thinking about the fans, I'm thinking about myself," Beltran said at Tuesday's Baseball Assitance Team charity dinner at the New York Marriott Marquis in Times Square."
Rusty, Dolan team vs. hunger
January 23
New York Post
 
"Now stepping to the plate . . . No. 10 . . . Rusty Staub. The ex-Met — a gourmet chef and former city restaurateur — and Archbishop Timothy Dolan are teaming up for the archdiocese's Feeding Our Neighbors campaign, targeting the growing demand at local food pantries."
Mets "making a run at signing" free agent Cody Ross
January 22
Hardball Talk
 
"From ESPN's Jerry Crasnick comes word that the Mets "have an interest" in free agent outfielder Cody Ross and "are making a run at signing him." Ross went into this offseason in search of a three-year contract, but he has scaled back those expectations in recent weeks and might be resigned to accepting a one-year deal with a fairly low base salary if no other teams get seriously involved."
Gary Carter sends message
January 22
New York Post
 
"Gary Carter is too ill to travel, but the Hall of Famer received a standing ovation when his name was mentioned last night. Carter, who is fighting an uphill battle against brain cancer, sent a message via his children at an awards dinner. "I'll always have a special place in my heart for the city and people of New York," said Carter, in a message read by his son, D.J. "I'll never forget my first game in a Mets uniform on Opening Day in 1985 when I had the fortune of leading the team to victory with a walkoff home run. "The fans were always supportive of me on the baseball field and continue to support me and my family since I was diagnosed with brain cancer in May.""
Amazin'ly difficult task for Collins
January 21
New York Post
 
"Terry Collins faced a daunting task a year ago when he became Mets manager with the team's uncertain future. But at least he had Jose Reyes and Carlos Beltran to write into the lineup. Collins knows his job won't be any easier this time around and he intends to alter his approach as he gets ready for spring training next month. "With the name changes on our roster, we need a change," said Collins, who took to Twitter yesterday to address questions from fans. Those changes include the loss of Reyes — not to mention the traded Beltran — and little in the way of quality improvements. Collins said he hasn't decided who the Opening Day starter will be if Johan Santana isn't ready from his"
More tumors in Gary Carter's brain
January 20
New York Post
 
"Gary Carter's battle against brain cancer took another turn for the worse yesterday, when he received more bad news from a recent MRI exam. The test revealed the amount of tumors had increased, and the family will meet with more doctors soon to discuss what comes next. The family received the results from Duke yesterday and learned there "are now several new spots/tumors on my dad's brain," Carter's daughter, Kimmy Bloemers, wrote on a family website yesterday. "I write these words with tears because I am so sad for my dad." She also said Dr. Jimmy Harris was expected to go to Carter's house last night and "talk to the family about the next step.""
Harvey gets Mets spring training invite
January 20
New York Post
 
"For the Mets, who face what figures to me another ugly season, the future can't get here soon enough. If the Mets are going to get any better, Matt Harvey likely will have to play an important role. The team's No. 1 pick in 2010 was invited to major league spring training, along with outfielder Matt den Dekker. Harvey had a combined 13 wins and 156 strikeouts in Single-A and Double-A ball last season."
Mets GM Sandy Alderson part of group looking into world-wide draft for MLB
January 19
New York Daily News
 
"Major League Baseball's International Talent Committee, which is discussing the possibility of a worldwide draft and includes Mets general manager Sandy Alderson, met for the first time on Jan. 9, a person familiar with the schedule told the Daily News on Wednesday. MLB and its Players Association later issued a joint news release confirming that the committee - which, in addition to Alderson, includes MLB executives Rob Manfred and Kim Ng, Tampa Bay exec Andrew Friedman, and union officials Michael Weiner, Stan Javier, Tony Clark and Rick Schapiro - had begun its work."
U.S. District judge turns away appeal from Irving Picard, trustee for the victims of Bernie Madoff in suit against NY Mets owners
January 18
New York Daily News
 
"The trustee recovering money for the victims of the Bernard L. Madoff Ponzi scheme struck out again Tuesday against the owners of the Mets. U.S. District Judge Jed S. Rakoff said in a 14-page opinion that the trustee, Irving Picard, cannot appeal Rakoff's earlier ruling sharply limiting the financial exposure of the team's owners to $386 million in the controversial lawsuit Picard filed against Fred and Jeff Wilpon and Saul Katz."
Pelfrey, Mets avoid arbitration, agree to $5.6M deal
January 18
New York Post
 
"For the Mets, it's another winter without having to worry about arbitration hearings. The team yesterday avoided arbitration with Mike Pelfrey, Andres Torres, Ramon Ramirez and Manny Acosta by agreeing to terms with each player. Oliver Perez in 2008 was the last Mets player to actually go to arbitration. Pelfrey will receive $5.68 million, and Torres and Ramirez — whom the Mets acquired from the Giants last month for Angel Pagan — will receive $2.7 million and $2.67 million, respectively. Acosta will get $875,000. Pelfrey, who finished 7-13 with a 4.74 ERA, was the biggest financial gainer of the bunch, jumping from $3.93 million."
Mets avoid arbitration with Pelfrey, three others
January 17
New York Post
 
"For the Mets, it's another winter without having to worry about arbitration hearings. The team on Tuesday avoided arbitration with Mike Pelfrey, Andres Torres, Ramon Ramirez and Manny Acosta by agreeing to terms with each player. Oliver Perez in 2008 was the last Mets player to actually go to arbitration."
NY Mets starting pitcher R.A. Dickey completes grueling journey and gets to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro
January 15
New York Daily News
 
"Ten days after departing his Nashville home, Mets' knuckleballer R.A. Dickey and his fellow hikers reached the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro, some 19,340 feet above the African continent. "God is good," the 37-year-old Dickey wrote to a friend not long after scaling Uhuru Peak early Saturday, along with friends Kevin Slowey of the Colorado Rockies and Dave Racaniello, the Mets' bullpen catcher. Dickey made to the trek raise money and awareness for a charity called Bombay Teen Challenge, which aims to fight human trafficking in the red light district of Mumbai. The journey to the highest point in Africa took the hikers some 40 miles and 13,000 in vertical ascent. Dickey had to fight extreme"
If you think today's NY Mets are bad, then you must not remember the 1962 squad of Casey Stengal, Richie Ashburn and Marv Throneberry
January 15
New York Daily News
 
"Buried deep in the epic futility, Casey Stengel's riotous one-liners and the feel-good rebirth of National League baseball in New York in 1962, there are lessons for today's Mets, or at least for Met fans. As the club and its faithful brace for rebuilding, it's worth remembering that no matter how bad it gets this year, the 2012 Mets are unlikely to equal what happened on the field 50 years ago, when their first team was their worst team. "The great thing about baseball is that it's a new game every day, which is a lot different than a lot of things in life," says Jay Hook, the pitcher who got the first win in Met history. "I never thought we were as bad as we turned out to be. I thought"
Bobby V not impressed by new Yankees
January 15
New York Post
 
"While most of the baseball world is congratulating the Yankees for their two bold moves Friday night, Bobby Valentine isn't completely sold. The new Red Sox manager sees holes in the games of both Michael Pineda and Hiroki Kuroda, the main pieces the Yankees added. "Pineda, when I saw him the first half [of last season], he looked unhittable," Valentine told reporters when asked about the 22-year-old, whom the Yankees got from the Mariners in exchange for their top offensive prospect, Jesus Montero. "Second half, he looked OK. [The Mariners] saw a lot of him and they traded him." Valentine also is skeptical of Kuroda, who has spent his four major league seasons in Los Angeles, but will no"
Johan Santana offers no timetable for return
January 13
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"Soon after completing a long-toss session at the Mets' complex in Port St. Lucie, Fla., ace Johan Santana was willing to say that his surgically repaired left shoulder "feels fine. Everything is fine." But he declined to predict whether he would throw a bullpen session during the team's first scheduled spring training workout next month — let alone make a prediction about his presence as the team's Opening Day starter. "It's going to be tough for me to guess," Santana said during a conference call with reporters this afternoon. "Because I don't know how I'm going to feel in two months." Three weeks ago, Santana began his offseason throwing program — earlier than ever, he explained. He"
Santana long-tosses, unsure of spring return
January 13
New York Post
 
"Just like Sandy Alderson, Johan Santana knows he will have to wait until he tests his arm in spring training to find out how much his left shoulder has recovered from his Sept. 14, 2010 surgery. "My arm will let me know how I feel," Santana said. "Time will tell. We'll see how it feels. I cannot tell you what's going to happen five or six weeks from now." The Mets left-hander long-tossed yesterday in Port St. Lucie and said his arm felt good, and he expected to be ready for the start of spring training next month — but has learned after numerous setbacks not to make any predictions."
Source: Mets to complete minority stakes sales soon
January 13
New York Post
 
"Fred Wilpon, the embattled Mets owner, smiled broadly yesterday as he shook hands with other executives on his way out of Major League Baseball's quarterly owners meetings. He said he understood why many fans hope he'll sell the team, but he remained adamant about his desire to maintain majority control. The Mets expect to complete the sale of at least five minority stakes in the team within the next month, according to a person familiar with the matter. That will provide an infusion of at least $100 million, more than half of which will be used to pay off a $25 million debt to MLB and a $40 million bridge loan to Bank of America. The Mets still hope to sell an additional five to seven"
Hopeful Mets see Johan's tank as half-full
January 12
MLB.com
 
"Relinquishing his air-conditioned quarters in favor of a sweltering September afternoon, Mets manager Terry Collins trudged down to Sun Life Stadium's visitors' bullpen in Miami, eager for the spectacle to begin. Members of Collins' training and coaching staffs were already there. By the time Johan Santana began throwing his warmup pitches, several teammates had joined the burgeoning audience. Clustered toward one end of a near-empty stadium, this was hardly the largest crowd to watch Santana on his road back from left shoulder surgery, but it was easily the most entranced. These were the folks with the most invested in Santana's shoulder. These were the folks most eager to see him"
Astros claim waived F-Mart
January 12
New York Post
 
"Fernando Martinez is officially an ex-Met. The one-time top prospect was claimed off waivers by the Astros yesterday. Although multiple teams put in claims for the 23-year-old, Houston, with the worst record in the league last season, got the outfielder. Martinez was a huge disappointment for the Mets, who viewed him as a potential star. But an inability to stay healthy, as well as a lack of conditioning, plagued him. A year ago, he lasted only 11 games with the Mets, hitting .227 with a homer and 2 RBIs. And he played in just 63 games in the minors, in part due to an arthritic knee."
Mets receive good news on Ike Davis
January 11
Newsday
 
"Finally, some good news for Mets fans: Ike Davis said Tuesday he is "good to go" for spring training after more than two months of hard rehab on the freakish left ankle injury that cost him most of the 2011 season. "I'm there now," he said after a two-hour workout at Fischer Sports Physical Therapy and Conditioning near his Phoenix-area home. "Right now it's not, 'I wonder if I can play.' It's 'I'm ready to play.' " Davis, who has been working out three to four times a week since Halloween, was injured when he collided with David Wright on an infield pop-up on May 10 at Coors Field in Denver."
Mets close to raising $100 million in minority shares of club
January 11
New York Daily News
 
"The Mets are close to finalizing the sale of at least five $20 million shares in the team, a move that would help pay off $350 million in club debt, baseball officials familiar with the transactions told the Daily News. Major League Baseball has vetted and approved the investors, and the team is expected to close those sales and raise more than $100 million within the month, the officials said. With that, the team would raise enough capital to repay $25 million owned to MLB, a $40 million bridge loan to Bank of America and other club debts and operating expenses that have emerged in the wake of the Bernie Madoff Ponzi scheme scandal."
Mets bring back 41 year old Batista
January 11
New York Post
 
"Miguel Batista will turn 41 next month, one day before pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report to Port St. Lucie for spring training. And the right-hander will be there with the Mets, who signed him to a minor league deal yesterday after he finished the 2011 season with them. Batista split last season between the Cardinals and the Mets, going 5-2 with a 3.60 ERA in 35 games — including five starts. After being released by the eventual World Series-champion Cardinals in June, the Mets picked him up on July 5 and brought him back to the majors Aug. 26."
NY Mets waive one-time golden prospect Fernando Martinez
January 10
New York Daily News
 
"It did not take long for the Mets' new regime to decide that Fernando Martinez would not be a part of the future; by mid-summer, team officials were privately calling the former top prospect a bust. So news that the Mets had waived Martinez and reliever Daniel Herrera, first reported Monday by ESPN, carried a strong whiff of anticlimax. Still, in inviting 29 teams to claim Martinez, the Mets publicly conceded what they had long since concluded internally: Martinez's long history of injuries, which included arthritic knees at the age 23, outweighed his potential. Two bench moves necessitated the decision: The Mets last week agreed to terms with outfielder Scott Hairston and infielder Ronny"
Mets, vet shortstop Ronny Cedeno agree to 1-year deal worth $1.2 million plus incentives
January 7
New York Daily News
 
"The Mets added a veteran backup shortstop Friday, agreeing to a one-year deal with former Cub, Pirate and Mariner Ronny Cedeno, according to two baseball sources with knowledge of the contract. Cedeno is slated to earn about $1.2 million plus incentives next season as insurance for Jose Reyes' replacement, Ruben Tejada. Cedeno's deal is pending a physical exam, both sources said."
Mets, Cedeno reach deal
January 7
New York Post
 
"A day after saying there was little more to do than fill up the bench, Mets general manager Sandy Alderson took a step in that direction yesterday, with the team agreeing to a one-year deal with Ronny Cedeno, pending a physical. Though at this point, it seems the Mets are loaded with bench players. Cedeno, who will be 29 next month, likely will back up Ruben Tejada at shortstop. His deal with the Mets is believed to be worth a little more than $1 million. The Venezuelan native was the starting shortstop in Pittsburgh a year ago, hitting .249 with two homers and 32 RBIs and also spent time with the Cubs and Mariners."
Mets retain financial firm, owners Fred Wilpon, Jeff Wilpon, Saul Katz maintain team will not be sold
January 6
New York Daily News
 
"The Mets have retained CRG Partners, a firm that worked with the Texas Rangers during the bankruptcy and sale of that franchise -- but people close to Fred Wilpon, Jeff Wilpon and Saul Katz maintain that the Mets owners are steadfast as ever in their belief that current financial difficulties will not force them to sell the team. The Mets released a statement Thursday night confirming their association with CRG, which was first reported by the website Amazin Avenue. "Mets Limited Partnership engaged CRG Partners to provide services in connection with financial reporting and budgeting processes," the statement said."
Mets GM expects Santana to be ready for spring training
January 6
New York Post
 
"Mets GM Sandy Alderson said Thursday he expects Johan Santana to be ready for spring training, that the left-hander has been throwing for three weeks and should be "ready to go." Alderson created a stir last month when he said he was unsure if Santana would be back by the beginning of the season. In a conference call Thursday, Alderson spoke with cautious optimism regarding Santana, who is coming back from September 2010 surgery to repair a torn anterior capsule in his left shoulder. "I didn't want to set off alarms the last time I talked about this, but we are talking about someone coming off a long rehab and I think, ultimately, the question is going to be answered in spring training,"
Mets re-sign Hairston
January 6
New York Post
 
"The Mets re-signed backup outfielder Scott Hairston on Thursday. Hairston, who flew into New York for a physical on Tuesday, hit .235 with seven home runs and 24 RBIs in 132 at-bats. Hairston, 31, missed the final month of last season with an oblique injury."
Mets sign SS Omar Quintanilla, who drew 50-game suspension in 2010 after testing positive for banned substance
January 4
New York Daily News
 
"The Mets on Tuesday signed a potential backup for shortstop Ruben Tejada — but the new acquisition will haul performance-enhancing drug related baggage to Port St. Lucie next month. Omar Quintanilla, inked to a minor league deal with an invitation to big-league spring training, is a 30-year-old middle infielder who has played for Colorado and Texas. A career .213 hitter in parts of six major-league seasons, Quintanilla was 1-for-23 last year with the Rangers. While playing for Colorado's Triple-A team in 2010, he drew a 50-game suspension after testing positive for a banned substance, the stimulant Methylhexaneamine."
Source: Mets sign Quintanilla
January 3
ESPN.com
 
"Needing options as a backup middle infielder who can handle shortstop behind Ruben Tejada, the Mets have signed Omar Quintanilla to a minor league contract, a major league source told ESPNNewYork.com. Quintanilla, 30, appeared in 11 games for the Texas Rangers last season. He went 1-for-22 (.045) with a triple, two RBIs and nine strikeouts. At Triple-A Round Rock, Quintanilla hit .298 with five homers and 25 RBIs in 208 at-bats."
Mets 2011 in Review
January 1
New York Post
 
"Ollie and Louie get the boot Oliver Perez and Luis Castillo were owed a combined $18 million for 2011, but that didn't stop general manager Sandy Alderson from dumping both in spring training, if for no other reason than attempting to placate an irate fan base. Perez and Castillo were glaring examples of money misspent during the Omar Minaya regime, with Jason Bay still on the books. Anybody seen Johan? The most optimistic forecasts had Johan Santana arriving in June to bolster the Mets' rotation. Then it became the All-Star break, August, September and never. Santana was limited to one minor-league rehab start in his comeback from surgery to repair a torn capsule in his left shoulder. The"
Sources say R.A. Dickey will go forward with charity climb up Mount Kilimanjaro
December 28
New York Daily News
 
"R.A. Dickey will go forward with his charitable plan to ascend Mount Kilimanjaro next week, despite the Mets' objections, multiple sources said Tuesday. A person close to Dickey confirmed the Mets sent a "procedural" letter to agent Bo McKinniss "just to cover themselves legally" over the summer, when the knuckleballer first began publicly discussing the excursion. Dickey is scheduled to earn $4.5 million in 2012 in the second year of a two-year, $7.8 million deal. The letter stated the Mets reserve the right to void Dickey's contract if he is injured as a result of the climb."
NY Mets' Daniel Murphy turns to faith in offseason to cope with last season's knee injury
December 24
New York Daily News
 
"Sure, there were dark days for Daniel Murphy. His knee ached. He wondered, "Why me?" He has flashed back to last season's batting race and thought perhaps of an opportunity lost, even though he also knew his teammate, Jose Reyes, was "killing the ball — I've never seen someone that hot." Maybe Murphy would not have become the first Met to win the batting title instead of Reyes. And maybe he would not have kept up his torrid hitting for the final seven weeks or so. Still, it was hard sometimes for Murphy not to feel that another season was stolen from him by another serious knee injury. But those times are gone now. Murphy says he won't brood, won't obsess over the two knee injuries that"
Mets $crap Fla. farm team
December 21
New York Post
 
"The Mets will have one fewer minor league affiliates next season. In a move designed to trim costs, the team yesterday announced the elimination of its Port St. Lucie affiliate in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League. The Mets still will have Rookie teams in Kingsport, Tenn., and at their facility in the Dominican Republic. Mets players who would have spent next season in the Gulf Coast League will be dispersed among Kingsport and the Dominican Republic."
Source: Mets eyeing Young Jr.
December 20
ESPN.com
 
"The Mets have expressed interest in Colorado Rockies outfielder/second baseman Eric Young Jr., a major league source told ESPNNewYork.com. Sending Justin Turner to Colorado might get the potential deal done, the source added."