Buffalo is expected to hold a press conference next Monday to announce it has become the Mets new Triple-A affiliate, reports the New York Daily News.

The Mets Triple-A affiliate had been the New Orleans Zephyrs for the past two seasons.

This is sad news for me, I really enjoyed catching the Zephyrs on my frequent trips to the Big Easy. I will continue to do so, but it was always sweeter knowing I was checking out some future Mets talent.

The folks who run the Zephyrs are great people and I wish them well with their new endeavors.

Jim Callis of Baseball America has just posted his new list of the Mets top 10 prospects, in a recent edition of Ask BA.

Here’s how the new list shakes out in light of the recent draft.

The Mets’ conservatism in the draft and their willingness to include prospects in trades for veterans has depleted their farm system. Coming into the season, we rated their minor league talent the 28th-best in the game, ahead of only the Astros and White Sox.

Armed with two extra picks as compensation for the loss of free agent Tom Glavine, New York was in position to add some talent via the 2008 draft. Assuming they sign all of their top choices, I see four of their recent draftees cracking a midseason Top 10 list:

1. Fernando Martinez, of
Still young and talented, but his lack of production may mean he’s overhyped.
2. Ike Davis, 1b
Hulking lefthanded slugger can handle the outfield and pitch, too.
3. Reese Havens, ss
More likely a third baseman or possibly a catcher, stands out with approach and pop.
4. Jon Niese, lhp
Quietly having success in Double-A at age 21, he owns three solid pitches.
5. Dan Murphy, 3b
Having a breakout year with a .325 average and eight homers in Double-A.
6. Mike Carp, 1b
Back on track in Double-A after slumping in 2007, he’s hitting .351 with nine homers.
7. Eddie Kunz, rhp
New York’s top 2007 pick has held his own in Double-A in his first full season.
8. Brad Holt, rhp
2008 supplemental first-rounder can touch 96 mph, needs a reliable second pitch.
9. Javier Rodriguez, of
2008 second-rounder is a lean athlete with speed and projectable power.
10. Nick Evans, 1b
Another Double-A masher (.295, nine homers), he destroys lefthanded pitching.

Four of the Mets 2008 picks crack the list and a few new names appear, Dan Murphy and Nick Evans, who had a cup of coffee with the Mets recently.

For more questions and answers with Jim Callis, including one about why the Mets should have selected Friedrich and Gillespie at #22 and #33 instead of Havens and Holt, head over to Baseball America.

Former Met OF Raul Gonzalez was signed to a minor league contract with the Mets today, the Associated Press reports.

Gonzalez played for the Mets in the 2002 and 2003 seasons.

Gonzalez hit .278 in 41 games with Vaqueros Laguna of the Mexican League this year before getting released May 5. Gonzalez is headed to Port St. Lucie for extended spring training, after which he is expected to report to the Triple-A New Orleans Zephyrs.

Recently on Baseball America, Jim Callis wrote the following:

“New York has the financial wherewithal to spend as much as any team does on the draft, but it apparently will stick to slotting once again in 2008.”

I contacted Jim and asked him to elaborate on why the Mets were going to continue with their practice of drafting within slot, despite the need to restock their farm system with top talent.

“Thats their decision. It makes very little sense to me, but maybe they fear they won’t get an All-Star Game for the new park. Even then, I’d still be aggressive. But I think the majority of teams will toe the line again this year.”

I am really scratching my head at this one. Apparently the revenue from an All Star Game is more important to the Mets than the future of their franchise. The Mets are in desperate need to replenish the farm so this is disappointing news.

For an explanation of draft slotting, and why teams wrestle over complying with it, check out Jeff Passan’s article on Yahoo! Sports.

Every week, I will try to keep everyone updated on some of our top prospects, as well as veterans who could make an impact down the road.

AAA-Zephyrs

• IF Fernando Tatis is batting .214, but has hit 5 home runs in 42 ABs
• LHP Adam Bostick is 1-0 with a 3.18 ERA in 17 innings pitched, with 13 Ks.
• 2B Argenis Reyes is batting .308, with no homers and 3 RBI

AA-B. Mets

• OF Fernando Martinez is batting .267 in 45 ABS, with a homer and 3 RBI
• CL Eddie Kunz has a 6.23 ERA in 4.1 innings, with 3 Ks and 3 saves.
• LHP Jon Niese has flourished so far, with a 0.57 ERA through 15.1 innings, allowing just a single run.
• RHP Bobby Parnell has a 6.48 ERA through 8 innings, allowing 6 runs.
• 1B Mike Carp is off to a torrid start, posting a .476 average and 4 homers through 11 games.
• 3B Danny Murphy is hitting .463 with 9 RBI through 11 games in 41 ABs

In an article for mlb.com, Jonathon Mayo assesses the state of the Mets minor league system in the post-Santana era.

Mayo also notes his 10 prospects to watch in 2008, a few who are under the radar, as well as an ‘07 draft recap and predictions for the upcoming season.

Mayo does a great job of profiling the mets system, as well as pimping the talents of Fernando Martinez. Not like mets fans needed another reason to be excited for the imminent arrival of Martinez in the OF.   

MiLB.com takes a look back at the Mets minor league team highlights of 2007. Among the best moments are…

• Jonathan Malo belted a walk-off grand slam in the ninth inning to rally St. Lucie past Jupiter, 7-4.
• Anderson Hernandez driving in an RBI single in the bottom of the ninth and then hitting a walk off homer in extra innings to defeat Omaha.
• Jason Vargas takes a no-hitter into the seventh inning against Salt Lake.
• Seven Gulf Coast Mets combined to toss 14 hitless innings in a 1-0, 17-inning loss to the Cardinals.
• Binghamton’s Brett Harper and Mark Kiger were selected to the postseason Eastern League All-Star Team. Harper finished with a .296 average, 26 homers and 88 RBIs — all career highs. Kiger, who was promoted to Triple-A New Orleans on Aug. 19, hit .312 with 10 homers and 50 RBIs in 114 games for Binghamton.
• On three days’ rest, Brooklyn’s Nick Waechter threw a one-hitter against Hudson Valley.
• St. Lucie’s Jonathan Niese allowed one hit over six innings against Brevard County, beating them 8-0, in Game 1 of their Florida State League.
• Kevin Mulvey fired seven shutout innings to put the Zephyrs into the Pacific Coast League Championship Series with a 6-0 win over Nashville.

MiLB.com completes the rest of their list of top 50 prospects recently. Here are the top 10 prospects in all of baseball, according to MiLB.com

1. Jay Bruce
2. Evan Longoria
3. Cameron Maybin
4. Clayton Kershaw
5. Joba Chamberlain
6. Clay Buchholz
7. Colby Rasmus
8. Andrew McCutchen
9. Homer Bailey
10. Adam Miller

Fernando Martinez checks in at the 17th best prospect in baseball, the only Met to crack the top 50.