Mets baseball blog

Mets interested in injury prone Sheets

Ben Sheets hasn't pitched in the majors in more than a year, but that will not keep the Mets from keeping an eye on the former All-Star right-hander this winter.

The oft-injured Sheets, who last pitched with the Brewers in 2008, has been sidelined since February because of surgery to repair the flexor tendon in his forearm, but he expects to be healthy by spring training. Continue

Marquis on radar, behind Lackey and Pineiro

Jeff Francoeur wasn't kidding when he told The Post this summer that free-agent right hander Jason Marquis badly wants to be a Met in 2010.

Marquis backed that up this week, telling The Post he considers the Mets "a perfect fit" while expressing his admiration both for their lineup and Citi Field.

"It would always be nice to come back home and represent your hometown [as a member of the Mets]," said Marquis, who grew up in Staten Island and still lives there. "This is where I'm from, so to come back here and play in front of friends and family would be an honor." Continue

Mets serious about Chone Figgins

Though they are fixated on adding a power bat such as Matt Holliday’s or Jason Bay’s, the Mets are in the words of an involved party “absolutely in” on free agent Chone Figgins.

One Mets official said Figgins would be “hard to fit” into their current situation. Translation: It would be a whole lot easier if they could trade the two years and $12 million left on Luis Castillo’s contract to create money and a second base opening for Figgins.

“Castillo is definitely in play,” an NL executive said. For example, the Mets talked to the Diamondbacks about flipping Castillo for catcher Chris Snyder, a discussion that now appears dead. Continue

Mets release Livan

There was a time this season when Livan Hernandez was the Mets' most dependable pitcher aside from Johan Santana. Those times now seem like ancient history, and now, so is Hernandez.

To make room for former closerBilly Wagner, who was activated for the first time this season and pitched a scoreless inning in the Mets' 3-2 loss to the Braves, the Mets released the struggling Hernandez Thursday. (Daily News)

Mets trade Church for Jeff Francoeur

The Mets just announced minutes ago that they have traded Ryan Church to the Braves for Jeff Francoeur.

Like Church in New York, Francoeur was no longer in favor in Atlanta, hitting .250 with five home runs and 35 RBI in 82 games.

Minaya said Francoeur, 25, makes sense as another righthanded bat and, as a former Gold Glove winner, to help with the outfield defense in right. (Newsday)

Mets add headache Sheffield

Gary Sheffield is back in the Big Apple.

The Mets have agreed Friday afternoon to sign Sheffield, who was released on Tuesday by the Tigers.

Detroit still owes Sheffield $14 million for this season, so the Mets are only obligated to pay him the major-league minumun of $400,000.

The Daily News first reported in Friday's editions that the Mets were going to "discuss" addding the 40-year-old slugger with 499 career home runs.

Now that those discussions have turned into a reality, Sheffield will likely take playing time away from either Dan Murphy or Ryan Church. But neither corner outfielder seemed upset over Sheffield's arrival Friday afternoon. Continue

Mets interested in Sheffield?

As the Mets broke camp, this news broke, too: slugger Gary Sheffield's availability intrigues team officials, the Daily News has learned.

Rufus Williams, who represents Sheffield, would not disclose whether the Mets had contacted him. And with the team flying to New York after their game Thursday afternoon, it was believed an internal meeting had yet to take place among team brass.

But "it's got to be discussed," a source with ties to the team said. Continue

Late ride gets more expensive for Sanchez, released by Mets

Duaner Sanchez's road back with the Mets from a July 31, 2006 traffic accident on I-95 in Miami ended with his release Tuesday.

The reliever was informed when he arrived at the complex on Tuesday morning.

"We looked at it, really, his overall performance based upon last year to where he is now," Gm Omar Minaya said. "We really didn't see the improvement we felt was needed to be effective in the major leagues. I thought he was improving some. We sat down and talked about it yesterday, late after the game." Continue

Mets sign 68 year old Livan Hernandez to minor league contract

Mets GM Omar Minaya said on Feb. 3 that there would be no more "big moves" prior to the Mets breaking camp in Port St. Lucie this week, but he didn't say anything about making another call to arms.

Despite a glut of pitchers competing for the No. 5 spot in manager Jerry Mauel's starting rotation - including Freddy Garcia, Tim Redding and rookie Jon Niese - the Mets acquired veteran right-hander Livan Hernandez. Continue

Mets seeking good Ohman

After saying last week that they wouldn't add a prominent reliever, the Mets reversed course yesterday and reportedly offered a contract to former Braves left-hander Will Ohman.

Ohman, 31, was also offered a deal by the Phillies and two other teams and could make up his mind as soon as today, according to Fox Sports. Mets pitchers and catchers report tomorrow.

The Mets were reluctant to pursue Ohman last week because adding him would mean their bullpen was complete and would all but eliminate any competition in spring training. Continue