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In a conference call with reporters today, Keith Hernandez said Omar Minaya called him last week to, as he put it, ‘Get this whole ball rolling,’ so he could work with Daniel Muprhy on his defense at first base.

He said he and Murphy also worked together yesterday, and he’s more than happy to work with him again at various points during Spring Training, though he doubts there will be time to connect during the regular season.

Murphy said they worked on his footwork around the bag, and talked a lot about in-game situations.

Hernandez said he only worked with Murphy on fielding, saying hitting is Howard Johnson’s responsibility.  He said he also worked with Todd Zeile before, as well as John Olerud, ‘who, obviously, didn’t need any help at all.’

Murphy said, in time, he believes he can be an asset to the Mets at first base.

Hernandez also worked with Nick Evans, who, he said, ‘Does a good job around the base.’

In the end, Hernandez feels Muprhy did an admirable job last season, being asked to learn first base, mid season, in New York, and he is surprised at how well he handled the transition. 

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Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com believes free-agent RHP Chien-Ming Wang has been offered a contract from two teams.

However, according to Rosenthal, “The Dodgers are lagging, and the Mets are further behind.”

Rosenthal says Wang will make a decision within 7 to 10 days.

…i have heard anywhere from 10 to 16 teams have watched wang pitch this winter, so there is no shortage of people looking to sign him… even still, i mean, the Mets should at least offer him a minor-league deal…

…what part of wang do the Mets not like, i wonder… is it that he’s only 29 years old… or, is it the back-to-back 19–win seasons… or, maybe it’s the history of pitching big games in New York City, against teams like the Angels and Red Sox… ugh…

Wang made just nine starts and 12 appearances last year for the Yankees, going 1-6 with a 9.64 ERA in 42 innings pitched, before having season-ending shoulder surgery in July.

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Here is video of Keith Hernandez working with Daniel Murphy and Nick Evans in St. Lucie today:

…this is fascinating to me… keith is mic’d in the video, so you get to hear his instruction, and his offer to help more in the future… this is great to see… frankly, i’d like to just see keith playing the position, talking about how he played, etc., i think that would be interesting in and of itself…

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In a post to Twitter, Anthony DeRosa said, “I’m hearing that the Mets are filming a buddy cop movie with Daniel Murphy and Keith Hernandez.”

…i love that keith is wearing sunglasses… because, you know, the sun shines on him all day…

Updated at 3:35 pm:

Here are pictures of Keith Hernandez working with Daniel Murphy today in St. Lucie:

To read more from this post, click here.

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The Mets claimed OF Jason Pridie off waivers from the Twins, according to Minnesota reporter Kelly Thesier of MLB.com.

The 26–year-old Pridie, who hits left-handed, is a career .276 hitter in 885 games in the minor leagues, with a .319 OBP, during which he has played all three outfield positions and two games at third base.

In late 2007, Aaron Gleeman wrote the following:

“He’s still young, has enough speed to play center field, and has occasionally shown the ability to hit, but Pridie’s plate discipline is sub par and his power is modest.”

Last week, in a post to TwinkieTown, Jason projected Pridie to be on the Twins opening day roster, acting as a back-up outfielder to Denard Span.

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The Mets equipment truck has left Citi Field, on its way to Tradition Field in St. Lucie.

Updated at 1:50 pm:

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Sherman also says the Mets re-engaged the D-Backs about C Chris Snyder.

However, the Mets asked Arizona to pick up nearly all of Snyder’s $4.75 million 2010 contract, which the D-Backs declined to do.

… from what i recall, the D-Backs want a major-league pitcher in return for snyder… way back when, of course the Mets tried to push Luis Castillo, but, like everyone else, the D-Backs were not interested…

Snyder, who hit 16 HR in 2008, but missed 100 games due to back surgery in 2009, will earn at least $11.5 million over the next two seasons, after which he can be made a free agent.

Original Post at 9:21 am:

Joel Sherman of the New York Post explains how, with just a few simple moves, Omar Minaya can still improve his roster for 2010, such as spending $12 million on free-agent C Rod Barajas, 1B Russel Branyan, RHP Kiko Calero, LHP Jarrod Washburn and 2B Felipe Lopez.

To read more from this post, click here.

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… at least it’s not the actual dropped pop-up from the Yankees game…

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