In the Associated Press, Omar Minaya was intentionally vague when asked about his plans for the Mets catcher in 2008. When asked how Paul Lo Duca falls into those plans he gave this answer:

“We have Plan A, Plan B, Plan C,” general manager Omar Minaya said. “He is definitely in our radar. Where he is, I’d rather not comment on that.”

He was unclear about his intentions on Luis Castillo as well:

“Castillo is a guy that we said we’re talking to but I don’t want to kind of say where,” Minaya said. “I just don’t want other clubs to kind of know who we’re targeting or as far as the level of interest because that would put me at a disadvantage.”

Minaya also said he has not had any discussions with Tom Glavine.

Here’s some Hot Stove buzz to get you started with your morning coffee…

• MLB Trade Rumors hears that the Mets are interested in Ervin Santana, Chris Capuano, Claudio Vargas, and Noah Lowry. I happen to think Lowry would be a nice addition to the back end of the Mets rotation.
• MTR also reports that Luis Castillo is pushing for a 4-year deal. I suspect thats more than the Mets will be willing to offer, but stranger things have happened.
• In case you missed it, the Mets may be more interested in Livan Hernandez than previously suspected. Matthew Cerrone discusses this on Mets Blog via Ben Shpigel’s article yesterday in the New York Times.
• The Palm Beach Post is reporting that the Dodgers and Angels are the front runners for Miguel Cabrera. The Marlins want Howie Kendrick, Nick Adenhart, another pitcher, and an outfielder from the Angels. The Dodgers are being asked for Chad Billingsley, Clayton Kershaw, Andy LaRoche, James Loney, and Matt Kemp.
• The Braves will meet with Tom Glavine today who is expected to look for a deal similar to the one Greg Maddux received, one-year for $10 million.
• No surprise, the Marlins are going the cheap route on their free agent spending, reports the Palm Beach Post.
• File under : Is anyone actually buying this crap? Metro Canada reports the Blue Jays are targeting Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte. Is this part of their best buddies retirement tour? Please guys, just go away already, thanks.
• Scott Boras told the Detroit Free Press that returning to the Tigers is Kenny Rogers first priority. Whew, thanks Scott! I was losing sleep wondering where Kenny Rogers would be playing next season.
• The Houston Chronicle reports that the Astros intend to go after free agent reliever Francisco Cordero. Luke Scott and Chris Burke may be used as chips to get a pitcher via trade. GM Ed Wade said he intends to be aggressive this off-season and some of his other targets include Tadahito Iguchi, Scott Linebrink, Kaz Matsui, Jason Jennings, and Jon Lieber.
• The Star Ledger reports the Yankees have opened serious discussions with Mike Lowell.

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.

Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com believes the Angels have emerged as a most intriguing possibility for Marlins 3B Miguel Cabrera to land through a trade. The Dodgers, Red Sox and Yankees all have interest as well, however the Red Sox are trying to re-sign Mike Lowell and the comments from Yankees’ representative Hank Steinbrenner saying that he would not trade one of the big three young pitchers.

Rosenthal also adds that the Washington Nationals would like to sign CF Andruw Jones but will likely have a tough time chalking up the money it will take to get him. He also notes that he sees the Giants and White Sox as two potential suiters with the Dodgers a possibility. The Padres would be more involved with him if his price dropped.

The Phillies believe that CF Aaron Rowand may command a four-year, $52 million contract. Both the Astros and Mets remain interested in free agent 2B Luis Castillo. The Indians, Padres and Dodgers could also enter the mix pending decisions within their franchise. The Twins are one of the teams attempting to trade for Red Sox CF Coco Crisp, but the Red Sox are demanding too much in return it appears. Teams with too many starting pitchers may look to the trade market to get rid of them. Indians starter LHP Cliff Lee, Brewers RHP Dave Bush and LHP Chris Capuano are amongst the possible choices.

Rosenthal ends on one final note. The Washington Nationals would like to trade for another young major league-ready starter. Mets 2nd-round draft pick in 2006 Kevin Mulvey is among one of the choices that Rosenthal adds, with the other being the Twins Kevin Slowey.

With the Mets in need of bullpen help. Could we be looking at a trade for one of the Nationals relievers? Chad Cordero or Jon Rauch could help this team in the bullpen and the Nationals are looking to get younger. The Nationals reportedly have interest in OF Carlos Gomez as well.

Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports reports that the Mets will face stiff competition from the Houston Astros when they look to re-sign Luis Castillo.

The Astros are looking to replace Craig Biggio, who retired this season, and Rosenthal’s sources say that they will make a ’strong run’ at Castillo.

Six Mets filed for free agency today, Marlon Anderson, Luis Castillo, Paul Lo Duca, Ramon Castro, Damion Easley and Shawn Green. It is unlikely that Easley will be pursued by the team, however Castillo is being targeted as a reacquisition.

Not terrible much to add…if Green and Castro are brought back its most likely as bench players not starters. Of that group I’d assume Castillo and Anderson are the ones the team will put the most effort towards bringing back. With Easley’s injury being as severe as it is I don’t see much of any team giving him a chance till he’s healthy enough to better judge his recovery.

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.

Adam Rubin reports that Castillo had some knee surgery done, having his bad knee cleaned out and both knees rotated. He is expected to be good to go by years end, and the team will be actively attempting to bring him back.

 I’m fine with this, I like Gotay, especially his bat, but Castillo is a significant upgrade defensively, a solid #2 hitter, and it allows the brass to focus more on pitching (especially if Tommy ends up retired/elsewhere).

Duaner Sanchez will be pitching in winter ball this December, he will pitch in the Dominican.

The name is familiar…Duaner…Duaner…hmm.. 

In today’s Journal News, John Delcos quotes Omar Minaya saying that all of Willie Randolph’s coaches are likely to return.

In the article Delcos also discusses the Mets second base situation. Luis Castillo and Damion Easley would like to return to the Mets. Jose Valentin, coming off knee surgery, is likely to be nothing more than a possible spring training invitee