On SI.com, Jon Heyman handicaps the race to acquire free agent Alex Rodriguez. He pins the Mets at 10 to 1 odds and makes this interesting comment.

“A-Rod has wanted to be a Met forever (his favorite player growing up was Keith Hernandez)”

Heyman gives the Anaheim Angels the bets odds at 4 to 1.

Image courtesy of ImKeithHernandez.com

The following players declared free agency today…

Baltimore:
Benson, Kris (SP)

Boston:
Mirabelli, Doug (Catcher)

Cincinnati:
Guardado, Eddie A. (RP)

Colorado:
Hawkins, LaTroy (RP); Matsui, Kaz (2B); Redman, Mark A. (SP)

Kansas City:
Thomson, John C. (SP)

San Francisco:
Klesko, Ryan (1B)

While I realize that this ship has sailed, the Mets could do a hell of a lot worse than Kaz Matsui. The Mets have such a long line of second basemen that found greener pastures elsewhere. Jeff Kent, Melvin Mora, Kaz Mat, etc…

Here’s a rundown of the latest Hot Stove news around the league…

The San Francisco Giants acknowledge their interest in A-Rod. [ SI.com ]

The Houston Astros and Milwaukee Brewers contacted Curt Schilling.
[ MLB Trade Rumors | Milwaukee Journal Sentinel ]

Yankees have yet to make Jorge Posada an offer. [ NY Daily News ]

List of Scott Boras Clients. [ MLB Trade Rumors ]

Torii Hunter to meet with Chicago White Sox. [ Chicago Sun Times ]

MLB Trade Rumors ranks Japanese pitches who could jump to MLB this off season [ MLB Trade Rumors ]

Would A-Rod fit on the Red Sox? [ Boston Herald ]

What about A-Rod in Dodger blues? [ San Francisco Chronicle ]

A-Rod hopes the Yankees reconsider their stance. [ NY Daily News ]

Ken Griffey Jr. a Brave? [ Atlanta Journal-Constitution ]

Andy Pettitte : I will either play for Yankees or retire. [ Newsday ]

Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports points out that the Mets could have $33.5 million dollars off their payroll this year with a number of players declaring free agency and potentially another $37.3 next year.

Partial list of 2007 free agents

LHP Tom Glavine $10.5 million last season
C Paul LoDuca $6.25 million
2B Luis Castillo $5.75 million, pro-rated
2B Jose Valentin $3.8 million
RF Shawn Green $3.7 million (Mets’ contribution)
RHP Jorge Sosa $1.25 million
LHP Dave Williams $1.25 million
RHP Aaron Sele $1 million

Partial list of 2008 free agents

1B Carlos Delgado $16 million next season
RHP Pedro Martinez $11 million
RHP Orlando “El Duque” Hernandez $6.5 million
RHP Guillermo Mota $3.8 million

Rosenthal notes, the Mets obviously would need to pay for replacements for these players but they have several young, cheap in-house options such as Mike Pelfrey, Philip Humber and Kevin Mulvey for the rotation along with Carlos Gomez and Lastings Milledge available for the outfield.

In addition to these contracts coming off the books, the Mets will earn $20 million a year from Citibank for naming rights in 2008 along with approximately $30 million from shared MLB revenues.

This does not even factor in SNY revenue, the flood of revenues the Mets will be earning with the new ballpark, and many other cash streams. All things considered, the Mets appear to be in a very good financial position to throw their weight around when it comes to going after free agents in 2007 and beyond.

How aggressive they plan to be with this wealth remains to be seen.

When asked what the Mets biggest off season priority should be, Mets fans chose pitching by a wide margin.

The poll was taken on Mets.com and as of this time 47% of fans said bullpen help was the biggest priority with the starting rotation not far behind, garnering 46% of the vote. Catcher (4%) and Second Base lagged far behind (2%)

I agree 100%

While I want the Mets to add an arm or two to the rotation, I feel the bullpen is the Mets biggest weakness. There appear to be more impact players available as relievers than starters this offseason via free agency.

After the jump, the full list of free agent starting pitchers, closers and middle relievers. (more…)