Damion Easley had the following to say today to MLB.com, when asked if Jose Reyes’s celebrations irritate the opposition:
“Jose has to be himself.  If that’s what he needs to do to get more out of himself, then he should do it… But there’s backlash to that.  He has to understand there’s a consequence to it.”
Speaking [...]

The Mets dugout has been ripped out of Shea Stadium, according to these photos from WCBS880.com.

According to the Philadelphia Daily News, Pat Burrell turned down a two-year, $22 million offer to remain with the Phillies.
Burrell is eligible to be a free agent this off-season.
…hat tip to Hot Foot for the link…
Last December, I wrote the following on MetsBlog.com:
…a friend of MetsBlog, who i trust, recently bumped in to Phillies OF [...]

According to the Chicago Sun-Times, citing ‘several sources,’ the White Sox intend to trade RHP Javier Vazquez this off-season in exchange for a second or third baseman.
…thanks to Steve in NC for the link…
Vazquez was 12–16 with a 4.67 ERA with 200 strike outs in 208 innings pitched.  He had a 3.74 ERA in 2007.
He [...]

MLB teams can negotiate only with their own free agents between now and November 14.
However, while they can contact the representatives for other free agents, they can only ‘express interest.’  They are not allowed to negotiate financial terms of a deal until after Nov. 14.
From what I can gather, the Mets are able to add between [...]

The Mets have picked up Carlos Delgado’s 2009 option, which will reportedly pay him $12 million.
However, as I wrote in early October, despite picking up his option, it sounds like Delgado’s future with the Mets will depend on what other options exist in the market place, as he can still be traded to another team.
…in other [...]

According to Bill Ladson of MLB.com, RHP Chad Cordero refused assignment and is now a free agent.
Cordero had surgery in July to repair a torn labrum, missed the rest of the season, and is expected to be ready for Spring Training.
…i would not go nuts for cordero…i get that he’s been a very, very good pitcher, but you’ll [...]

The Brewers have chosen Ken Macha over Willie Randolph to manage the team.
Macha, the former A’s manager, inked a two-year deal.

Oliver Perez filed for free agency yesterday, as did Damion Easley and Matt Wise, according to the Associated Press.
The early buzz from New York is that Perez will initially seek a five-year deal worth more than $10 million per season, while eventually settling on a three– or four-year deal later in the off-season. 
I suspect the Mets will make a [...]

The Mets have come to terms on a one-year deal with OF Fernando Tatis worth $1.7 million.
Tatis, who was named the National League’s comeback player-of-the-year, batted .297 with 11 HR and 47 RBI in 92 games before his season ended due to a separated shoulder in September.
Earlier this week, Tatis told David Brown of Yahoo! [...]

Robert B sent in an e-mail asking…

“Why was Mets VP of Media Relations, Jay Horowitz, on the field when the Phillies won the WS?”

It was.  However, he has worked media relations during every World Series since the early 80s.
He, and other select people from other media departments, are invited to work during the World Series, regardless of what [...]

To check out more photos from the demolition of Shea Stadium, click here to see Michael Baron’s photos, plus click here, here, here, and here, for photos from the New York Times.

Albert S sent in the following e-mail, which read:
“Hey Matthew how come nobody’s is talking about making pedro next year closer.”
The Mets, media and fans can talk about it all we want.  The fact is, Martinez is a free agent, and unless he is open to the job it is not going to happen.  From what [...]

The Kansas City Star and MLB.com report that the Marlins are close to trading 1B Mike Jacobs to the Royals for pitching prospect Leo Nunez.
…Update…12:40 pm…
According to the Kansas City Star, the deal is official, the Marlins have acquired Leo Nunez.
Cubs 1B Derrek Lee has a no-trade clause and is not likely to be traded, suggests a reporter [...]

In a post to Amazin Avenue, Eric takes a look at long list of things that have happened since the Mets last won a World Series, during which over 50,000,000 fans have walked in to Shea Stadium, under the watchful eye of seven different GMs.
At Mets Minor League Blog, Toby Hyde takes a look at [...]