Here’s a rundown of Hot Stove news this afternoon…

Ken Rosenthal on Fox Sports reports that the Cubs are considering Luis Castillo along with Kaz Matsui to fill second base. The Mets and Astros are talking to Castillo as well.

Marty Noble, on MLB.com, writes that David Eckstein — not Luis Castillo — appears to be the Mets’ primary target for second base. However, as Hot Foot relayed from Adam Rubin on the New York Daily News this morning, Eckstein may want more than what the Mets are willing to offer.

Rubin writes that Eckstein is seeking a four-years, $36 million deal, similar to what Julio Lugo received last year from the Boston Red Sox.

Adam Rubin at the New York Daily News reports that David Eckstein is seeking a deal in the neighborhood of what Julio Lugo signed with the Red Sox last year: four-years, $36 million.

The Mets are likely to balk at that price, which is more than what Luis Castillo is expected to demand.

The New York Daily News reports that David Eckstein, Omar Minaya, Willie Randolph and other team executives dined in chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon’s neighborhood in Connecticut Friday night.

The 2006 World Series MVP is looking for a contract like the four-year, $36 million deal Julio Lugo signed with the Red Sox last December, which is larger that what Luis Castillo is believed to be after.

Buster Olney, on his ESPN blog, gives a list of 10 free agents who could be good value signings.

Tony Clark, Matt Clement, David Eckstein, Kenny Lofton, Mike Lamb, Reggie Sanders, Jeremy Affeldt, Kris Benson, Shannon Stewart, and David Wells are the players that Olney believes could be the best bang for any team’s buck.

Olney thinks Tony Clark could fit on the Mets as a bench player. He also points out that Clark has the third highest home run rate, behind Alex Rodriguez and, wait for it…Ramon Castro. Clark had a .563 slugging percentage in 32 at-bats last season.

The Mets have been reported to have some interest in David Eckstein,  whose batting average in each of his last three seasons is .294, .292 and .309.

Affeldt might be a good pick up for the Mets, who need to upgrade their bullpen. Right-handers hit .211 against him last season, left-handers .250.

The clock strikes the witching hour and the deadline for teams to have exclusive negotiating rights has passed. The big deal last night was Jorge Posada returning to the Yankees with a 4 year, $52.4 million deal. Lets look at some of the players who are expected to reach the open market today.

• The Mets are not expected to make offers to Paul Lo Duca and Luis Castillo until they have a chance to look at other options such as Yorvit Torrealba, Jason Kendall, Orlando Hudson and David Eckstein.
• The Palm Beach Post reports that the Marlins are looking to upgrade over Miguel Olivo, and may join the Mets in kicking the tires on Lo Duca and Torrealba as well.
• The Red Sox were unable to reach an agreement with Mike Lowell before the deadline. They reportedly offered a three year deal. What happens with Lowell now will have implications on where Alex Rodriguez and Miguel Cabrera will land. The Dodgers, Angels, Yankees and Phillies have all expressed interest in Lowell.
• The Twins do not seem optimistic they can resign Torii Hunter. The Twins will have some tough decisions to make if Hunter leaves, including if they can afford to trade Johan Santana on top of losing Hunter and not have Twins fans marching in the streets looking for new GM Bill Smith’s head. The White Sox, Rangers, Nationals, Royals, Braves and Dodgers are believed to be interested in Hunter’s services.
• The most prized member of a weak free agent market for pitchers, Carlos Silva, is unlikely to receive an offer from the Twins and will likely be pursued by the Mets, Phillies, Angels, Royals, Tigers and Mariners.
• A number of relievers will hit the open market, barring some midnight madness. Scott Linebrink, Jeremy Affeldt, Ron Mahay, Eric Gagne and Francisco Cordero among the most notable names on the list.
• The Yankees have reportedly offered Mariano Rivera a three year, $40 million deal. At this time it appears that Rivera will be hitting the open market and is likely to be one of the most sought after free agents available. The Phillies were once thought to be interested in Rivera but with the addition of Brad Lidge that seems to be dead issue.

No, not about how the season ended, but rather guessing who might play second for the Mets next season.

In today’s Newsday, Ken Davidoff considers the Mets second base possibilities. Luis Castillo is still very much is in running for returning. David Eckstein and Padre Geoff Blum are mentioned as well. Matthew Cerrone at Mets Blog recently mentioned the Mets might want to consider inviting free agent Marcus Giles to camp if he doesn’t receive offers.

I still think Castillo is the best option, with Eckstein just behind him. I wouldn’t want Giles starting but I would certainly consider putting him on the bench along with Gotay as a back up option.