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.

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 ]

Anthony DiComa over at mlb.com asks the question: with some of the injured Mets likely to return soon, who will be sent down?  DiComa feels Carlos Gomez will go first, then Ben Johnson.

I'm not entirely sold on Alou being the first one back, but as DiComa points out Gotay is doing well, which makes him being sent down when Stache returns less likely. I think regardless of who returns first of Stache, Green and Alou, Gomez will go down first.  As the young guy who got called up more because the guys ahead of him was hurt, he needs to be playing more.  He's got good speed, and shows signs of potential, but its hard to argue that he's ready.  I doubt they'd send Newhan down, but it'd be nice for him to go before Johnson, or at the very least before Gotay.  Assuming shipping Newhan to AAA isn't an option I think the ideal order of sending down would be Gomez first, then Johnson, then Gotay, regardless of order of returning Mets.

Speaking of which, I think we'll see Stache first, then Green, and Alou last. Just a gut feeling, I have no medical background (short of some shoulder injuries), inside information, or justification. I could very well be wrong. In which case, I'll pretend this post never happened.

Marty Noble over at mets.com is reporting that Smith and Sele will both be joining Chan Ho Park in the bullpen on the 25 man roster. The rest of the bullpen would then consist of Wagner, Heilman, The Show, and Feliciano.

While the article claims that nothing is set in stone, the fact that its appearing on the official team page as news, one would assume that barring any major problems or injuries (or a Sele or Park temper tantrum) thats the bullpen. This at least answers some questions, though still no word on if they plan on going with four starters for the first stretch, and if they do if they'll carry an extra arm in the bullpen (perhaps Sosa) or an extra bat on the bench.  Speaking of which, while its generally assumed Newhan is getting that last bench spot, still no official word there either.

Regardless, it seems that much like of the readers and posters here, the Mets brass believes Burgos needs more time in AAA.

Take it for what its worth but New York Sports Dog reports some of the whispers they’re hearing surrounding the Barry Zito and the Mets situation.

We have just heard that the Mets are raising the ante on signing free agent Barry Zito, and both sides seem amenable to “making a deal work.” The sticking point, we’ve been told, is the guaranteed 6th year. The numbers are reported to be just under $100M for 6 seasons.

After an initial meeting, both sides will meet for dinner before concluding negotiations tomorrow. According to our source, “if they come back without him tomorrow night, he won’t be a Met.”

He also says he got a phone call tonight and when asked the source whether or not a deal could be announced tonight, the answer was “yes”.

According to the Newark-Star Ledger, the Mets have had discussions with the Blue Jays about a deal that would send OF Vernon Wells to the Mets.

Any deal involving Wells would have to include Aaron Heilman, Lastings Milledge and either Mike Pelfrey or Phil Humber.

I know I'm in the minorty here, but with the way our bullpen is right now, I cannot trade Heilman. I know we won't be able to get any deals done if he isn't part of it, but you cannot expect Ambiorix Burgos and his 12 blown saves to replace Heilman in any capacity.

The NY Times reports that the Andy Pettitte will not retire before the 2007 season and that the Astros and Yankees are ready to make their offers on the southpaw.

The Astros would like to bring back Pettitte for a one year and $12 million. But the Yankees are prepared to offer him $15 million for one season and would consider making a two-year offer if Pettitte wanted it.

The agent Randy Hendricks did not elaborate on Pettitte's thought process. But he did confirm that Pettitte, 34, would not retire. “Andy has decided to play,” Hendricks wrote in an e-mail message.

Thanks to Matt @ Metsblog for the report.

Appearing on ESPN Radio in New York, ESPN’s Steve Phillips believes the Mets offered Lastings Milledge straight up for Rich Harden, and were countered with an offer for Joe Blanton for Milledge instead, which the Mets declined.

Interesting. The only ptchers on the A's staff i'd trade Milledge for are Harden and Haren. Blanton though, Im not to crazy about giving Milledge up in return. If this is true, Im glad the Mets declined Blanton for Milledge but hopefully they could work something out for Harden because he would be a great additon to the Mets rotaion.

CBS Sportsline is reporting that the A's and former Mets C Mike Piazza are close to completing a deal and it could be announced as early as Wednesday or Thursday.

Rotoworld speculates Piazza will recieve either a 1-year $8 million deal or a 2-year $15 million deal.

Hopefully this means Barry Bonds can sign with San Francisco and stop all these stupid Bonds to Boston rumors Steve Phillips made up.