It appears that the Mets are willing to take my advice and do what needs to be done, shake up their roster.

They’ve already gone ahead and given some of the underperforming comfortable vets notice by benching their main offender in Carlos Delgado, and shown that if they can get production from others, they’re more than willing to give them the opportunity (see Fernando Tatis, Endy Chavez)

“In The Know” Dan Graziano (copyright Matthew Cerrone, of Mets Blog) writes at the Star Ledger that the Mets are now looking to take it a step further and have already begun investigating some deals to bring in fresh blood. According to Graziano, based on information from officials with three major-league teams, the Mets are making inquiries into a number of players such as Kevin Millar, Jason Bay and Xavier Nady.

Graziano cites the 2004 Boston Red Sox as an example of a team that floundered until a radical July makeover that included trading Nomar Garciaparra to the Cubs gave them a shot in the arm that led them to their first World Championship in 86 years.

You’re welcome, guys. Anytime you need a little help, I’m here for ya.

According to the Boston Globe, recently released Red Sox pitcher Julian Tavarez told former teammate Bartolo Colon that he wants to pitch for the Mets.

Bartolo Colon is a good friend of Julian Tavarez. He said his old buddy wants to pitch for the Mets. At least that would his first preference, but there’s no indication yet whether the Mets or any other team are willing to sign the free agent righty.

Tavarez appeared in nine games this season for the Sox. In 12 innings of work he gave up 18 hits, 9 ER and 6 K.

Jon Lester, who battled cancer last year, threw the 18th no-hitter in Red Sox history just moments ago.

Four of the last six no-hitters have been thrown by the Red Sox. Clay Buchholz tossed a no-hitter for the Sox just last year, giving the Sox two pitchers under 25 years old that have tossed a no-hitter in their rotation.

Lester fought Lymphoma last year and battled back to pitch the Red Sox’s World Series clinching Game 4.

Can we just get one? Please??? Congrats to Lester, quite a story.

When Red Sox manager Terry Francona chats with Mike and the Mad Dog from time to time, he always comes across extremely likable. Here he causally tells the ESPN Sunday Night Baseball audience how he has no problem taking on Big Papi.

Hat Tip to Awful Announcing for the video

The Red Sox and A’s have finished their mini series in Japan, each team won one game.

A short recap of each game:

Game 1-Sox 6 A’s 5

• Manny Ramirez went 3-4 with four Rbis, and was the games MVP
• Huston Street blew the save in the ninth, tossing up a meatball to rookie Brandon Moss who found out he was starting for an injured JD Drew minutes before the game.

Game 2- A’s 5 Sox 1

• Rich Harden went six strong with nine k’s, allowing only a home run to Manny Ramirez.
• Emil Brown hit a three run home run off Jon Lester, leading the A’s to victory.

According to ESPN.com, the Red Sox players are preparing for a boycott the opening series of the MLB season in Japan.

According to the report, the players are being paid $40,000 in order to go on the lengthy 18 day trip, and the coaches were originally set to receive the same amount. However, word came that the coaches wouldn’t be paid, so there will be a players-only meeting on how to handle the situation.

According to the report, the money isn’t as important to Terry Francona but other coaches who are going on the trip. For other coaches besides Francona, $40,000 could be up to two-fifths of their salary.

Update: 12:15pm

According to ESPN.com, the Red Sox players unanimously voted to skip their final spring training game and skip boarding their plane to Japan, scheduled to depart this afternoon. This is all in protest of MLB stiffing the Red Sox coaches of $40,000 they should be owed for going on the trip to Japan.

In the article, Jayson Stark writes how the players are doing the right thing by standing up for their coaching staff, while in the end they will ultimately have to board the plane due to the potential international ramifications.

Update: 1:10 pm

An hour after the scheduled start of 12:07 pm, the Red Sox seem prepared to take the field and the speculation is that the situation has been resolved and they plan to board the plane to Japan later today.

Can’t say I’ve seen anything quite like this before. They definitely have the right to be angry, because according to the report it was originally agreed that the coaches would be getting paid. If this is true, and the MLB is just revoking the money–not cool MLB.

Update 7:30pm Dan

Its now being reported by multiple sources that the dispute has been resolved. According the the AP, the league will pay $20,000 to the Boston coaches, trainers, etc while the Red Sox will pay the difference to bring them up the $40,000. There is no word if a similar deal will or has been reached for the coaching staff of Oakland.

Foxsports.com is reporting that if Red Sox OF Coco Crisp does not get the job out of Spring Training, he could ask for a trade. Crisp was the starter for the bulk of last year, but was replaced for the final six games of the postseason by OF phenom Jacoby Ellsbury.

Tony Massorotti of the Boston Herald reports that Boston Red Sox SP Curt Schilling may miss the entire 2008 season because of a significant shoulder injury.

The injury is not exactly known, but it is believed the injury is to the rotator cuff or the labrum and may require surgery. Also, it is not known if the injury has lingered from last season or the injury occurred after his first injury healed. The Red Sox have inquired about voiding his one-year contract, but it is not known how far they have taken the idea. The threat of voiding his contract has created a conflict between Schilling and the team.

Its a good thing the Mets got the Johan deal done before this came out, because I would have to think the Red Sox would have become highly motivated buyers in light of this news.

Julie Donaldson, former Mets Weekly host, is heading to Boston to join the WHDH Channel 7 news team, the Boston Herald reports.

The former Miss Florida will appear for the first time next Thursday from Fort Myers, Florida when pitchers and catchers are due to report for spring training.

So long, Julie. I have friends in Boston claiming you’ve already unseated Kathryn Tappan as the hottest sports chick in Beantown.

Hat tip to Meni for the news.