Sports News and Trade Rumors: Pro Sports Daily

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November 3

New York Post

"Mets right fielder Jeff Francoeur yesterday had the long-planned surgery to repair a torn collateral ligament in his left thumb, an injury he suffered making a diving catch Aug. 23 in Philadelphia. The surgery was performed in Atlanta, Francoeur's hometown, and the Mets say he is expected to be fully recovered in time for the start of spring training. Francoeur played the final six weeks with the injury, and it didn't hold him back. He hit .319 with 12 doubles, four homers and 17 RBIs in 36 games after tearing the ligament."

Tigers join Chapman sweepstakes

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October 27

SI.com

"The Tigers have joined the host of teams expressing interest in Cuban left-hander Aroldis Chapman, a source tells SI.com. The team has contacted Chapman's camp in attempts to schedule a meeting later this week or early next week, the source said. Chapman, a 21-year-old who has hit 102 mph on radar guns, has garnered substantial interest from major league teams since he defected July 1. His zipping fastball, youth, projectable frame (6-foot-4 and lean) and a shallow free-agent pitching pool are expected to make Chapman one of the most expensive players on the market this offseason. Several industry sources expect Chapman will command more than the $32 million the Yankees paid Cuban ..."

Mets not interested in Lackey or Bradley; Holliday tops their list

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October 26

SI.com

(scroll down)

"The Mets don't seem inclined to pursue top free-agent pitcher John Lackey, who will surely shoot for a $100 million-plus contract in light of A.J. Burnett's $82.5 million deal. They do want to add a solid starting pitcher (they may try a do-over on Randy Wolf), but their big-ticket target is most likely going to be a left fielder. Matt Holliday is believed to top their list, though Jason Bay will certainly suffice. Bobby Abreu is another top free-agent outfielder, while Carl Crawford could be available in trade. The Mets have no interest in taking on Milton Bradley's problems."

Mets meet Cuban defector, 100-mph hurler Aroldis Chapman

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October 24

New York Daily News

"Cuban defector Aroldis Chapman met the Mets at Citi Field Friday as part of his tour with agent Edwin Mejia to find a team for the 21-year-old lefthander. Chapman, whose fastball reportedly registers 100 mph, arrived in New York this week after establishing residency in Andorra , a European nation bordered by France and Spain , to avoid being subject to the draft. The Yankees have been tight-lipped about their interest in Chapman, but are thought to be more serious suitors than the Mets, and will meet with him this weekend before he talks with the Red Sox next week. It's unclear what type of contract Chapman will command as a free agent, but the interest of several ..."

La Russa will have options, if he wants them

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October 22

Foxsports.com

columnist Ken Rosenthal

"A year from now, four marquee franchises — the Braves, Cubs, Mets and Dodgers — all could have managerial openings. Tony La Russa isn't likely to be interested. Bobby Valentine might be. La Russa, 65, currently is deciding whether he wants to return to the Cardinals. He does not sound enthused about starting over with another club. If La Russa manages next season, it will be with the Cardinals. And even if he signs only a one-year contract, he probably would be unwilling to accept a multi-year deal with another club next winter. "Looking ahead, I don't see that I can ever make that commitment to someone," La Russa said Wednesday in a telephone interview. "The way I look at it now, when ..."

Cuban star could be meeting with Yanks, Mets

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October 22

New York Post

"Aroldis Chapman, the 21-year-old flame-throwing Cuban left-hander who defected during the summer, arrived in New York yesterday and is expected to meet with several teams over the next week. The Mets, Yankees and Red Sox are among the teams expected to have interest in signing him. Chapman, who established residency in Andorra after defecting while playing in the World Port Tournament in The Netherlands in July, was declared a free agent last month. He should find himself in a similar situation to that of Jose Contreras, who became the subject of a fierce bidding war between the Yankees and Red Sox back in 2002. Contreras wound up with a four-year, $32 million contract from the Yankees ..."

Wags is not gonna retire, agent says

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October 15

New York Post

"Billy Wagner is back in baseball before he really ever went anywhere. The lefty's agent issued a statement yesterday saying Wagner intends to pitch in 2010 -- despite Wagner telling The Post on Monday he was eyeing retirement. Wagner's agent, Bean Stringfellow, wrote in a text message that Wagner has "every intention of playing" next year. Stringfellow indicated to several media outlets that Wagner was venting -- frustrated after the Red Sox elimination from the postseason -- when he spoke to The Post. On Monday, Wagner responded to a question about where he might pitch next season by saying, "I don't plan on talking to nobody." Asked if that meant retirement, he responded: "Why wouldn't ..."

Reyes set for surgery today

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October 15

New York Post

"Jose Reyes finally set a date for long-overdue surgery on his torn right hamstring tendon, scheduling the procedure for today in Dallas. The Mets announced the day after the regular season ended that Reyes finally would have the surgery, which if done when the shortstop originally injured his hamstring in May likely would have allowed him to return later in the season. The surgery to remove scar tissue on the tendon, which is being performed Cowboys' team physician Daniel Cooper on the recommendation of the Mets' doctors, should enable Reyes to return in time for the start of spring training."

Hard-throwing Jenrry Mejia emerges as New York Mets top pitching prospect

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October 14

New York Daily News

"Jenrry Mejia felt ill and stiff the day he auditioned for the Mets at their old Dominican Republic complex in Boca de Nigua two years ago. "I don't know how I can throw today. I think I'll throw maybe 86 (mph) because I feel tight," he told the adviser who brought him to the tryout. The man recommended Mejia not get on the mound, but Mejia persisted. "I said, 'I'm here. I'm throwing. I don't care,'" Mejia recalled. "I didn't stretch. Nothing. I threw in the game, I think, 91 or 92." International operations director Ismael Cruz signed Mejia - who had drawn interest from Boston, Cincinnati, Florida, Kansas City and Texas - on the spot. For a bargain price of $16,500, no less. Now, Mejia ..."

Ex-Met Wagner eyes retirement, not 400th career save

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October 13

New York Post

"Billy Wagner may have thrown his last pitch in the major leagues. The former Mets pitcher told The Post yesterday he's planning to retire rather than pursue a closer's job -- and 400 career saves -- next season. Wagner allowed two runs in two-thirds of an inning for the Red Sox on Sunday in Game 3 of the ALDS before closer Jonathan Papelbon surrendered three runs in the ninth. The Red Sox season ended with a 7-6 loss to the Angels. "I don't plan on talking to nobody," Wagner said, when asked where he might pitch next season. Does that mean retirement? "Why wouldn't I?" he said. "I've got nothing else to [accomplish]." That's a different picture than Wagner painted before leaving the Mets ..."

Angels' ace John Lackey should hear pitch from Mets

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October 9

New York Daily News

"He has had a big-game reputation since he won Game 7 of the 2002 World Series as a 24-year-old rookie, yet John Lackey hadn't won a postseason start since that magical night. And last October he had raised eyebrows in his own clubhouse by complaining about a lack of offense after losing to the Red Sox. Suffice to say he has restored his reputation. On a night when the Angels needed someone to simply refuse to lose to the Red Sox and send a message that the past is the past, Lackey proved his worth in more ways than one. In one way, by throwing 7-1/3 shutout innings, he may well have set exactly the tone the Angels need to finally play their way past the Red Sox in the postseason. In ..."

Mets spare Razor ax in shakeup

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October 7

New York Post

"You wouldn't know it from the changes Jerry Manuel made to his coaching staff yesterday, but the Mets lost 92 games this season. That depressing fact seemed to escape Manuel as he announced just two firings and the puzzling decision to include third-base coach Razor Shines among a surprisingly large number of holdovers. Getting the axe were bench coach Sandy Alomar Sr. and first-base coach Luis Alicea, while pitching coach Dan Warthen, hitting coach Howard Johnson and bullpen coach Randy Niemann are receiving one-year contracts to return in their current positions after the Mets' fourth-place finish. Shines and catching instructor Sandy Alomar Jr. also are coming back, but in different ..."

Mets COO Jeff Wilpon says Omar Minaya and Jerry Manuel deserve another chance

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October 5

Trenton Times

"Mets COO Jeff Wilpon called this season "totally unacceptable" but said general manager Omar Minaya and manager Jerry Manuel deserve another shot to win in 2010. Standing beside Minaya in a news conference at Citi Field, Wilpon said the Mets will be changing their "medical protocols" after the team was widely criticized for its handling of injuries this year. Wilpon declined to specify what those changes will be, but said the Mets will not make any changes to its medical and training staff. Wilpon said much of the problem was related to the "poor job" of communicating with the public about injuries -- which Wilpon took responsibility for -- and said he would oversee the "improvement in ..."

Minaya might hire fired GMs

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October 5

New York Post

columnist Joel Sherman

"Omar Minaya reached out to Kevin Towers and J.P. Ricciardi over the weekend to express his support after the two were fired as general managers and also to lay the groundwork to speak to both soon about possible jobs in the Mets' organization, The Post has learned. Minaya views both as friends whose strength as talent evaluators would be assets at a time when the Mets are trying to improve both their roster and the process by which they judge players. It is an intriguing and potentially nervy move by Minaya. Towers with San Diego and Ricciardi in Toronto were long-serving GMs before being dismissed. If one or both come to the Mets, they would be arriving at a time when Minaya is not in ..."

Jose expects to start '10 on time

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October 2

New York Post

"Jose Reyes is vowing to make a quick recovery from his latest hamstring setback. How quick? "I'll be ready for spring training," Reyes guaranteed to The Post. Reyes also revealed the injury he suffered Tuesday was just a partial tear of the right hamstring muscle, a development that likely means the shortstop won't need surgery for that specific ailment. Six weeks or more of rest and therapy -- not surgery -- is usually recommended for hamstring injuries unless there is a complete tear. Reyes, however, might soon need surgery to reattach his completely torn right hamstring tendon and remove scar tissue that has built up around the tendon since he tore it in early June. Asked by a Post ..."

Jason eyeing NY homecoming

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September 22

New York Post

"Jason Marquis apparently holds no grudge toward the Mets for their lack of interest in him last winter. Jeff Francoeur told The Post yesterday that Marquis, whom he considers a close friend, desperately wants to pitch for the Mets next season, even as the veteran right-hander focuses on helping the Rockies clinch a wild-card berth. "He'd love to come here," Francoeur -- who indicated Marquis broached the subject to him and David Wright earlier this month when the Mets played at Colorado -- said before last night's 11-3 Atlanta win at Citi Field. "He'd be a great fit. He's from Staten Island. He's a New York type of guy. He'll probably be coming off the best season he's ever had." The ..."

Delgado's Mets days may be done

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September 19

New York Post

"Carlos Delgado may have played his last game as a Met. The first baseman, who will be a free agent this winter, admitted yesterday that a return this season is highly unlikely. Delgado's surgically repaired hip acted up last week when he tried to run, the latest setback for the 37-year-old. "I was trying to run again outside this week and it didn't feel very good afterwards," Delgado said. "We don't have very much time. I don't want to rule anything out. "We'll see how it is over the weekend, and I guess we'll have to make a decision." Mets manager Jerry Manuel sounded pessimistic when asked about Delgado before last night's game with the Nationals at Citi Field. "I think time is running ..."

Mets' John Maine cleared for Sunday return after throwing simulated game Thursday

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September 11

Trenton Times

"John Maine took his last step before returning to the Mets when he threw 20 pitches in a simulated game Thursday at Citi Field. Maine faced Wilson Valdez and Jeremy Reed before the Mets' series finale against the Marlins and declared himself good to go Sunday at Philadelphia. Maine, who has been on the DL since June 7 with what the Mets call "weakness" in his right shoulder, will start the first game of a day-night doubleheader Sunday at Citizens Bank Park. "I feel fine," Maine said. "I haven't had many times to go out there and pitch yet coming off the injury, but whether it's a simulated game or a real game, it's good to go out and throw." Pitching coach Dan Warthen stood behind Maine as ..."

Sheff coming 'back'

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September 11

New York Post

"In a surprising revelation, Gary Sheffield might return this season. Last Sunday, manager Jerry Manuel said that Sheffield, who has been suffering from back spasms, was unlikely to come back this year. "I would say he's pretty close to being out," Manuel said. But Sheffield's back apparently has improved. Though the 40-year-old hasn't played since Aug. 28, he resumed batting practice yesterday and said that he felt OK. Sheffield said he would see how he feels today but could potentially play this weekend versus the Phillies. Manuel, for his part, said yesterday that Sheffield can return this year if there are no setbacks. The Mets have 23 games remaining. Sheffield, who will be a free ..."

Carlos Delgado could return to NY Mets for last two weeks of season

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September 10

Newark Star-Ledger

"Carlos Beltran is back. John Maine is on his way back. Next up: Carlos Delgado? Mets manager Jerry Manuel said Wednesday that Delgado's status has been "upgraded" and that the first baseman could return for the last two weeks of the regular season. Delgado, who is coming off hip surgery and a strained oblique muscle, hasn't played since May 10. Manuel said the oblique is no longer an issue. Delgado was at Citi Field for a team photo but was not available to comment. He is 37 and will be a free agent this winter, so he has no shortage of motivation to return, even if only for the last week or two."

Jose Reyes wants to play again this season

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September 10

New York Daily News

"Jose Reyes pledged to try to return for the final week of the season, if only to have peace of mind during the winter that he'll be fine for 2010. The shortstop, who was at Citi Field Wednesday with another long-absent core player, Carlos Delgado, for a team photograph, added that he's disturbed with what he believes is the perception that he's dogging it. Reyes has been on the disabled list since May 26 with what is now diagnosed as a torn hamstring tendon. He could face surgery if his latest comeback bid fails. "I hear it. People tell me, too," Reyes said about the whispers questioning his toughness and desire. "I don't know why people say that. People know when I'm healthy, that's ..."

Delgado could still return

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September 10

New York Post

"The Mets may have nothing meaningful to play for the rest of the season, but Carlos Delgado does. It was only Sunday that Jerry Manuel said the soon-to-be free agent had a "very slim" chance to play again this season, but the manager amended his previous prognostication prior to last night's loss. "That's been upgraded," Manuel said. "Seeing him do a few things, I think we are looking at maybe the last two weeks as a possibility for him playing." Delgado, who was at Citi Field yesterday for team pictures, was unavailable for comment. He briefly played in the field during batting practice, taking throws at first base from second baseman Luis Castillo and throwing balls to home. The first ..."

Beltran set for return after rehab stint

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September 8

New York Daily News

"The Mets are expecting good news Tuesday. It may be too late to change their ultimate fate, but the return of Carlos Beltran is plenty welcome for a club that's suffered one misfortune after another. "It'll be a lift, and something positive is always welcome around here," David Wright said. "You have to feel good that he's doing well enough and feeling healthy enough. Now he has a chance to feel good about himself at the end of this year and heading into spring training." Beltran last played for the Mets on June 21 before a bone bruise below his right knee forced him onto the disabled list. He'd toughed it out for nearly a month after a May 26 cortisone injection to treat the injury, but ..."

Gary Sheffield, Carlos Delgado doubtful to return this season

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September 7

New York Daily News

"Any Met fans still holding their breath to see Gary Sheffield or Carlos Delgado back in the middle of the lineup should stop. Jerry Manuel is doubtful either injured slugger will play again this season. When asked about Sheffield, the manager said, "I don't foresee him playing." And he described Delgado as "pretty close to being out" for the rest of the season. That would also mean their tenure as Mets is probably over. Each becomes a free agent after this season. Sheffield is batting .279 with a team-high 10 home runs in 95 games, but hasn't played the field since coming out of a game on Aug.26 (he pinch-hit on Aug.28). The team termed his injury "back spasms." Manuel said he tries to ..."

Johan promises to return by spring training

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September 5

New York Daily News

"Johan Santana was explaining the timetable for when he expects to resume pitching following Tuesday's elbow surgery, when Jerry Manuel walked by the conversation taking place outside the Mets' clubhouse. "Tuesday," Manuel chirped in from the back of the scrum. Santana smiled and mustered an "I wish" in response, but the ace lefthander is done for the season after having bone chips removed from his left elbow. The best news the two-time Cy Young winner could offer was to express confidence that he fully expects to be "good to go" when spring training begins - and optimism that next season can't possibly be as littered with injuries as this one has been for the Mets. "One thing we have to ..."

Johnson unsure if he'll be back

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September 5

New York Post

"Howard Johnson hasn't received any assurance that he'll be back next year as hitting coach. In fact, all the Mets coaches are operating without that certainty. "They haven't told anybody anything," Johnson told The Post yesterday. Principal owner Fred Wilpon has gone on record saying GM Omar Minaya will be back next season, and Jerry Manuel has been endorsed by Minaya to return as manager. But team coaches apparently still are TBD. Manuel told The Post yesterday he unquestionably wants his coaching staff back, but asked if they had gotten any assurances, he said, "Not that I know of." He figures their futures will be determined within the next two weeks. Minaya didn't return an e-mail from ..."

Mets deny Madoff scam will force sale

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August 29

New York Daily News

"Duped? Yes. Forced to dump the Mets? Nope. At least that's the organization's response to a claim by the author of a new book about scammer Bernard Madoff. Erin Arvedlund, who penned "Too Good to Be True," pegged the Wilpons' losses to Madoff at $700million - the same figure Fred Wilpon's friend Larry King used in a magazine article earlier this year. That loss is too steep for the Wilpons to be able to retain ownership of the Mets, Arvedlund concluded. "It's qualified by when," Arvedlund told Reuters about the timetable for the Wilpons selling the team. "It's possible they would have to sell by next year." The speculation was met by a forceful denial from the Mets Friday. "The author ..."

Report: NY Mets' Billy Wagner will use no-trade clause to block deal with Boston Red Sox

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August 25

Newark Star-Ledger

"Billy Wagner will invoke his no-trade clause Tuesday and block a deal that would send him from the Mets to the Red Sox, Fox Sports reported on its web site. Boston claimed Wagner off waivers Friday, giving the teams until early Tuesday afternoon to work out a deal. But Wagner said after Monday's game that he expected to remain with the Mets, and The Boston Globe quoted an anonymous source Tuesday morning as saying the deal was "probably dead.""

As Red Sox deadline looms, Mets pitcher Billy Wagner likely to stay

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August 25

New York Daily News

"Billy Wagner believes there is a strong chance he will remain a Met after Tuesday's deadline to complete a trade with Boston passes. "My gut tells me I'm going to Florida right now (with the Mets)," Wagner said after working the eighth inning of Monday's 6-2 loss to the Phillies. "This time tomorrow, I don't know. But unless something changes with Boston, I'll probably be a Met." The former All-Star closer confirmed before the game that as a condition of waiving his no-trade clause, he had asked the Red Sox to agree to decline his 2010 contract option and to not offer him arbitration once he becomes a free agent. According to FOXSports.com, Wagner's agent Bean Stringfellow said that ..."

Billy Wagner still in works

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August 25

Boston Herald

"The Red Sox' attempt to pry reliever Billy Wagner from the Mets was expected to go down to the 1 p.m. deadline this afternoon. Wagner, claimed off waivers by the Red Sox late last week, made it clear after the Mets' game yesterday that he will void his no-trade clause only if the team trading for him will agree to not exercise his 2010 option worth $8 million. "I don't want to end my career as a setup man," Wagner said. "I'd like to have that option." The Red Sox want Wagner as a set-up man for closer Jonathan Papelbon. Initially, the Red Sox were led to believe that the Mets were not looking for much in return from any team willing to take Wagner and the remainder of his $10.5 million ..."

Wagner Expects To Stay A Met

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August 25

New York Post

"Bye-bye Billy? Probably not. Billy Wagner had no clear answer about his future employment as he departed Citi Field yesterday, but was expecting he would remain Mets property heading into tonight's game at Florida. "Unless something changes, I'll probably be a Met," Wagner said after his team's 6-2 loss to the Phillies. The lefty reliever was claimed off waivers by the Red Sox last week, and the teams have until 1 p.m. today to work out a deal, providing Wagner agrees to waive his no-trade clause. But Wagner won't make that concession unless he receives a guarantee from the Red Sox that his $8 million option for next season won't be exercised and he won't be offered arbitration by the ..."

Wagner Considers Staying a Met

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August 25

New York Times

"The left-handed reliever Billy Wagner said that if the situation remained the same before Tuesday's deadline, he would probably stay with the Mets, even as the Red Sox and the Mets were trying to work out a trade for him. "Unless something changes with Boston, I'll probably be a Met," he said. Wagner said he wanted some assurance that the Red Sox would not overuse him as he continued his recovery from ligament-replacement surgery last September. "You wouldn't want to put them in a situation, and I don't need to go up there and feel like I've got to impress somebody coming off 11 months of Tommy John," he said, referring to the surgery. "I've come back and worked hard to get this far. To go ..."

Santana Will Miss Start and Probably Have M.R.I.

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August 25

New York Times

"Through all the injuries that have plagued the Mets this season, the team could take some solace that Johan Santana, their star left-hander, had been immune to this seeming curse. That is no longer the case. Santana has been pitching through discomfort in his valuable left elbow but will not make his scheduled start Tuesday against the Marlins in Florida. Instead, he will visit the team orthopedist, Dr. David Altchek, and most likely have a magnetic resonance imaging test on the elbow. The hope is that Santana has bone chips or spurs that can be cleaned out eventually and not a more serious injury. Either way, as the Mets flounder through the season - they are 57-68 after a 6-2 loss to ..."

Wagner wants option declined

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August 24

ESPN.com

"Billy Wagner wants to be a closer next season, regardless of the team. That's why the New York Mets reliever says Boston must guarantee it will decline his contract option for 2010 before he would approve a potential trade to the Red Sox, who already have an All-Star closer in Jonathan Papelbon. Wagner has a no-trade clause in his contract, which includes an $8 million option for next year with a $1 million buyout. If his option is declined, he can become a free agent in the offseason and sign with any team. Wagner confirmed Monday that Boston placed a waiver claim on him last Friday. The Mets have until Tuesday to trade him to the Red Sox, pull him back off waivers or assign him to Boston ..."

Deal for Wagner hits potential roadblock

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August 24

MLB.com

"The Red Sox and Billy Wagner reportedly need to resolve some issues in order for the veteran reliever to waive his no-trade clause and clear the way for a deal with the Mets. Agent Bean Stringfellow told FOXSports.com that his client's conditions for waiving the no-trade clause were not being met by the Red Sox, meaning a deal before a Tuesday deadline could be in jeopardy. If there is no deal before Boston's waiver claim runs out Tuesday, the Mets could choose to pull Wagner off waivers, losing the right to trade him the remainder of the season. Or, they could choose to allow the Red Sox to claim without compensation and Wagner would be transferred to the Red Sox. According to the report, ..."

David Wright is on schedule to return to the Mets' lineup

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August 24

New York Daily News

"David Wright has started to lightly run, and the third baseman expects to be activated from the disabled list when he's eligible next Tuesday with the Mets in Colorado. Wright, who suffered a concussion nine days ago when he was beaned by San Francisco's Matt Cain, will not accompany the Mets to Miami after today's game. The Mets open a three-city trip tomorrow against the Marlins, then face the Cubs at Wrigley Field before heading to Denver, where Wright is due to rejoin his teammates."

Omar Minaya will return next season

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August 24

New York Daily News

"GM Omar Minaya will remain with the Mets in that capacity, a high-ranking official confirmed to the Daily News Sunday. Mets officials declined to speak publicly about the topic a day after principal owner Fred Wilpon said in a published report that Minaya "absolutely" would return next season. Minaya got a three-year extension through 2012 last offseason, worth roughly $1.1 million per year. He has been the Mets' GM since succeeding Jim Duquette in September 2004. The Mets will need to devote any available money this winter to on-field talent, since they will have several holes to fill with limited dollars. There should be a net of roughly $30 million coming off the payroll. But the ..."

Papelbon not sold on Wagner deal

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August 24

Boston Herald

"The Red Sox' pursuit of Billy Wagner reportedly hit a stumbling block last night. And closer Jonathan Papelbon wasn't so sure that was a bad thing. Asked before the Sox' 8-4 loss to the Yankees if he thought the team should acquire the left-handed reliever from the Mets, Papelbon had mixed feelings. "It's a tough decision, because do you disrupt what we have now or do you make it better?" he said. "It's a tough decision, and I'm glad I don't have to make it." What makes the decision "tough" in Papelbon's mind appears to come out of a sense of loyalty he feels to the current bullpen. As in, if it's not broke, why fix it? Sox relievers have been mostly productive since the arrival of Daniel ..."

Billy Wagner willing to change Sox

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August 23

Boston Herald

"Mets reliever Billy Wagner will waive his no-trade clause to join the Red Sox if the team can swing a deal for him by Tuesday, his agent said last night. Bean Stringfellow, who represents Wagner, said his client's main concern is pitching for a winner this year. After that, the 38-year-old would like to close, because he needs only 15 more saves to become the fifth pitcher ever to reach 400. However, Stringfellow stopped short of saying Wagner would ask the Sox not to pick up his $8 million option for 2010 as a condition of any trade. "Certainly, the Red Sox would give him a chance to win a World Series, and this year that's first and foremost," Stringfellow said. "From where we sit, ..."

Billy Wagner could be headed to unfamiliar territory

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August 23

Boston Herald

"If the Mets and the Red Sox execute a trade sending Billy Wagner to Boston, Wagner won't see too many familiar faces in his new clubhouse. Of the Sawx's current traveling group, only one person has been a Wagner teammate: Red Sox first-base coach Tim Bogar, a former Met, played with Wagner on the Astros from 1997 through 2000, the period when Wagner established himself as an elite closer. "I remember when he first started working on his slider," Bogar said. As a first-year member of the Red Sox staff, Bogar said he wasn't consulted on Boston's waiver claim; it has been a long time, after all. But Wagner had that closer's swagger even back then, and Bogar has no doubt that the Red Sox would ..."

A Phillie again? Wagner says no

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August 22

Camden Courier-Post

"Eleven months removed from elbow surgery and one day after making a successful return to the majors, New York Mets reliever Billy Wagner was claimed off waivers Friday by the Boston Red Sox. The Phillies didn't have any interest. But even if they did, Wagner said he wouldn't waive his full no-trade clause to return to the Phillies, even for the last month of the season. The Mets, who have fallen out of playoff contention, are trying to dump some of Wagner's remaining salary and obtain a prospect to add to their depleted farm system. "No," Wagner said of whether he'd ever consider a return to the Phillies, for whom he was the closer in 2004 and 2005. "That (stuff) was hard enough for two ..."

Mets' Wagner May Go to Boston

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August 22

New York Times

"Subplots are more captivating than the actual baseball played these days at Citi Field, where the focus Friday was on two returning players and one who may be on his way out. As Pedro Martinez was finishing discussing his first time back in Queens since he signed with the Philadelphia Phillies, Gary Sheffield was at once obfuscating and clarifying the circumstances surrounding his one-day absence from the Mets' lineup. Across the clubhouse, Billy Wagner seemed resigned that a team other than the Mets would reap the rewards of his yearlong rehabilitation from elbow surgery. The day after touching 96 miles an hour in his first major league appearance since last Aug. 2, Wagner was claimed off ..."

Reports: Mets put former closer Billy Wagner on waivers

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August 20

New York Daily News

"When Billy Wagner drove his big pickup truck to the parking lot at Citi Field on Monday, the guards did not seem to recognize him. He had to talk his way in. After 11 months away from the team and the 38-year-old former Mets closer said that it felt a lot like getting traded in the middle of the season. It was a prescient comment considering that during Wednesday night's game, the Mets put the lefthander on waivers, according to reports. After an 11-month rehabilitation from left elbow surgery, the lefthander feels the pressure to prove himself to his teammates in the Mets clubhouse and to any potential new teams as the Mets try to move him before the Aug.31 waiver trade deadline. If a ..."

Former Mets' Billy Wagner open to move to contender

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August 18

New York Daily News

"Billy Wagner didn't want to discuss trade speculation, saying he was "a New York Met today." But the former closer, who is returning 11 months after undergoing Tommy John surgery, told the Daily News Monday that he would not stand in the way of a deal by the Aug. 31 deadline that would make him eligible for a contender's postseason roster. Wagner's four-year, $43 million contract - which includes an $8 million option for next season with a $1 million buyout - has blanket no-trade protection, but he wouldn't make that an obstacle. The Tigers and Red Sox are among the teams that could use Wagner out of their bullpens. Upon entering the clubhouse yesterday afternoon, Wagner called out to the ..."

Optimism For Beltran's Return

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August 15

New York Post

"Manager Jerry Manuel used some words yesterday that have been as foreign as Sanskrit around the Mets this season. "That was good news for us," he said. "Very good news." The very good news concerned Carlos Beltran who, before the Mets' 3-0 victory over the Giants last night, shagged fly balls without problems in the outfield for about 20 minutes, a routine he intends to repeat today. And if there are no complications from the right knee bone bruise that landed him on the disabled list and out of the picture since June 22, then the Mets can start gauging when he will return. So yeah, catching some flies off the bat of a coach is a big deal. A "bone bruise" once led to microfracture surgery ..."

Mets' Ricco: A threat to Minaya?

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August 11

Foxsports.com

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"There is growing industry buzz that the Mets might force general manager Omar Minaya into an advisory position and replace him with assistant GM. John Ricco at the end of the season. The Mets are not even considering such a change at this time, according to a major-league source. But don't be surprised if Ricco continues to assume a more visible role with the team, particularly in dealing with the media. Minaya is not detail-oriented and does not always communicate effectively. His performance at the news conference announcing the firing of assistant GM Tony Bernazard might have been the lowpoint of his tenure. Minaya later apologized to New York Daily News beat reporter Adam Rubin for ..."

Watch out Omar Minaya: Numbers man John Ricco could be next Mets general manager

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August 11

New York Daily News

"High-ranking personnel within the Mets organization believe John Ricco ultimately will emerge as Omar Minaya's successor as GM, the Daily News has learned. Ricco, 41, joined the organization as assistant GM in April 2004 after spending 12 years working for the commissioner's office at Major League Baseball. Using his experience at MLB, where he helped oversee arbitration and waivers among other tasks, Ricco is the point man in the Mets' front office for rules compliance as well as statistical analysis and the financial ramifications of maneuvers. Ricco is currently representing the Mets' front office during the Diamondbacks-Mets series that opened Monday night. He recently has been leaned ..."

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