Yeah, I know there was been talk that Billy Wagner is on the way back. I just don’t buy it. Less than a few weeks ago he had “swelling” in his elbow. I don’t know how that can clear up in a short few weeks, and even if it does, how effective will Wagner be?
* Chris Coste, signed 11/30/09
* Mike Hessman, minor league OF,1B,3B (per Adam Rubin)
* Bob Melvin, signed to be a Mets Major League scout. (12/8/09 per Anthony DiComo)
* Clint Everts, Bob Nightegale of USA Today says the Mets have signed 25–year-old, minor-league free-agent RHP Clint Everts.
* Elmer Dessens, (free agent, minor league deal, Jerry Crasnick) (Matthew Cerrone reports the Mets resigned Dessens to a minor league contract. He can earn $700k if he makes the 40-man roster)
* Ryota Igarashi, (NPB Tracker reports the Mets have an agreement to sign the right handed relief pitcher.)
* Kelvim Escobar, (Francisco Blavia of Lider en Deportes broke news on Christmas Eve that the Mets were close to signing free-agent relief pitcher Kelvim Escobar. Joel Sherman later confirmed those reports. Today, Jerry Crasnick provides details of Escobar's contract. He will receive $1.25 million guaranteed from the Mets and can earn an additional $125,000 if he makes the Opening Day roster. 7pm 12/26)
* RA Dickey, signed a Minor League contract with an invitation to spring training (1/5/2010)
* Jason Bay, (Mike Francesa on WFAN said the Mets prefer Jason Bay to Matt Holliday and they will make an offer to Bay today. 1:43pm 12/10/09) (The offer is $65mm over 4yrs, $5mm more than the Red Sox offer. 2:30pm 12/10/09) (The Angels have backed off on Bay, according to the LA Times, Matt Pignataro reports) (Ken Rosenthal reports that Bay has rejected the Red Sox latest offer. 4pm 12/12/09) (Rob Bradford of WEEI reports a Major League source told him an unnamed team has exceeded the four year offer 6pm 12/12/09) (David Lennon has been told the Mets have not exceeded their 4-year offer 7pm 12/12/09) (Gordon Edes tweets: Bay’s agent, Joe Urbon says negotiations are on going and a decision from Bay is not expected to happen this weekend. 9:35pm 12/12/09) (Buster Olney disputes reports that the Mets have a five-year offer out to Bay, and said their offer is essentially worth as much as the one he rejected from the Red Sox 12pm, 12/17) (Mike Francesa reveals that the Mets will sign Bay 12/29) (Bay admits at press conference they agreed to the 4 year, $66mm deal on Christmas Eve. Bay can earn a 5th year option for $17mm if he reaches certain milestones 12/6 )
* Bobby Livingston, Mets sign LHP Livingston to a minor-league deal, per Mark Sheldon.
* Gary Matthews Jr., Jon Heyman reports the Mets will trade relief pitcher Brian Stokes to the Angels in return for Matthews. The Angels will pay off all but $2 million dollars in his remaining $25 million dollar contract.
Acquired By Others:
* John Lackey, (Dave Lennon reports the Mets will meet with his agent later this week. 12/7/09 3:30PM ET. Sherman reports Mets will meet Lackey reps tomorrow. 12/7/09 4:59PM ET) (Mets have "renewed interest" in signing Lackey after looking at prices for lesser talent, per Jon Heyman 12/8 5pm) (Buster Olney writes “There are signs they may have made a significant offer to free-agent LHP John Lackey.” however David Lennon tweets that the Mets have not made an offer to Lackey and are focused on Jason Bay at this point. 4:30pm 12/12/09) (Ed Price reports that Lackey underwent a physical with the Red Sox. 1pm 12/14) (Jon Heyman says the Red Sox and Lackey have agreed to a five-year, $85 million deal. 3:15pm 12/14)
* Randy Wolf, (Signed a 3 year deal for $29 million with Brewers, per Tim Brown at Yahoo Sports 5pm 12/8)
* Roy Halladay, (Jon Heyman says Phillies quietly in on Halladay 12/9 10am) (Angels reported to offer 3 prospects for Halladay, per Heyman 12/9 12pm) (Angels want Joba or Hughes from Yanks for Halladay, per Heyman 12/9 3pm) (Red Sox won't give up buchholz or casey kelly for halladay, per Heyman 12/8 4pm) (Heyman reports that Halladay has been traded to the Phillies in a three team deal, Cliff Lee to Mariners, unknown player to Jays 3:55pm 12/14)
* Matt Holliday, (According to Jon Heyman, the Mets will meet Holliday's agent Scott Boras tomorrow, Dec 17th. 1pm, 12/16) (Cardinals sign Holliday to 7 year, $120 million dollar deal, per ESPN)
* Bengie Molina, (FOXSports.com reports Mets increasing their pursuit of free agent catcher Bengie Molina - 12/7/09 4:00PM EST | Joel Sherman at NYPost reports the Mets will likely meet with his agent tonight. 12/7/09 4:57PM ET) (Dave Lennon believes years and money are too high for Mets) (Mets have yet to make an offer because they don't know the market for him and don't want to outbid themselves 12/9/09 11AM ET) (Mike Francesa on WFAN said Mets would make an offer to Molina today 12/10/09 1:30pm) (Ken Davidoff reports that Molina wants a three year deal. It doesn't appear Molina is drawing interest from any other teams at that price; the Mets essentially seem like they're waiting for Molina to blink 10pm 12/14/09) (Molina rejected the Mets last offer, which was rumored to be 2 years at 6 million per, and took $5.5 million to re-sign with the Giants 1/19/10)
Mainstream Mentions With Mets:
* Bronson Arroyo, Mark Healey of Baseball Digest hears the Mets are in "serious talks" with the Cincinatti Reds for Bronson Arroyo and others. 11pm, 12/16
* Juan Rivera, Mets have interest per Brian Costa
* Josh Willingham, Mets asked Nats and were told he was not available, per @washingnats
* Joel Piniero, (Wants four year deal, will meet with Mets, per Mark Hale at NYP) (Mets will not pursue Piniero according to Peter Gammons, Matt Pignataro reports.)
* Jason Marquis, (Mets persuing Marquis, per FoxSports' Jon Paul Morosi 6pm 12/8)
* Kelvim Escobar, (Joel Sherman at the NYPost reports Mets will check on FA Escobar 5:30 PM ET)
* Mark De Rosa, (Jayson Stark tweet 12:45am 12/8)
* Corey Hart, in exchange for John Maine, per Bart Hubbach
* Yorvit Torrealba, free agent, met with agent. Very real possibility according to David Lennon. 12/8) (Rockies close to offering a 2 year deal, per Bart Hubbach)