John from Metstradamus has a conversation with Xavier Nady on his couch.
Meanwhile Sam over at Amazin’ Avenue does a fantastic job breaking down the Mets top 10 prospects.
Also, Matthew Artus, in a post to his blog for the Star Ledger, hopes that Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s cheering for the Mets becomes more sincere when they’re back [...]

Dylan Hernandez in today’s Los Angeles times believes that the Dodgers will try and trade outfielder Juan Pierre now that Manny Ramirez has decided not to opt out of the final year of his contract.
…the Dodgers didn’t miss a beat with Ramirez suspended and Pierre in his spot…the thought on Pierre is that his skills [...]

Ed Ryan, in a post to his blog for Mets Fever, discusses the market for free agent catchers and that Matt Treanor, Yorvit Torrealba, and Ramon Hernandez have all had their options declined by their respective teams.
…of the three, i believe that Hernandez is the most attractive…i wouldn’t think that Treanor, who became a free [...]

Yesterday, Metsblog reader “therambler” asked:
“I’d be curious to know if you think an offer of Mike Pelfrey, Ike Davis, Reese Havens, and Fernando Martinez would be enough (or be too much) to get Adrian Gonzalez from the Padres? I think that it is a slightly better package than what the Red Sox would offer (probably [...]

Peter Gammons of ESPN.com wonders whether or not the Red Sox might consider trading Josh Beckett.
Gammons believes Beckett will travel to Boston in the coming weeks and see how the Red Sox feel about giving him a contract extension.
Beckett, who will turn 30 in May, has a $12 million vested option for 2010, but can [...]

Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times says that Manny Ramirez is returning to the Dodgers in 2010.
…that squelches the “Manny to the Mets” rumors this winter…
Hernandez says that Ramirez’s agent, Scott Boras, informed Dodgers GM Ned Colletti that his client will not opt out of the final year of his contract.
…it’s probably a wise [...]

Tim Bontemps of the New York Post says that Cuban Defector Aroldis Chapman is considering both the Yankees and Mets as possible landing spots.
Chapman’s agent, Edwin Mejia, told Bontemps that his client has met with both organizations, and that the dialogue will continue, but says his client likes New York.
In late October, Bart Hubbuch of [...]

Alex Cora and Ramon Martinez have filed for free agency.
Cora played in 82 games with the Mets and hit .251 with one home run and 18 RBI, missing a significant portion of the season due to a torn ligament in his thumb.
Martinez injured his hand sliding into home plate in early June after initially replacing [...]

Tim Dierkes, in a post to MLB Trade Rumors, examines both the trade and free agent market for right fielders.
Among the names Dierkes mentions are Jermaine Dye who’s option was not picked up by the White Sox, Vladimir Guerrero, and Brad Hawpe.
…i think all of these players would be considered as second options if the [...]

Adam Rubin, in a post to his blog for the Daily News, is reporting that the Mets have now officially declined the option for reliever J.J. Putz.
In addition, the Mets announced that they have exercised the $500,000 option on Mike Pelfrey.

In a report for MLB.com, Todd Zolecki says that the Phillies have exercised their option on Cliff Lee.
The option will pay Lee $9 million in 2010, after which he can be a free agent if the two sides cannot work out an extension.
…this is obviously a no-brainer, as he has emerged as one of the [...]

Andy Martino, in a report for the Philadelphia Inquirer, says that the Phillies will not retain Brett Myers.
Myers told Martino:
“I officially won’t be a Phillie next year.”
In eight seasons with the Phillies, Myers went 73-63 with a 4.40 ERA in 240 games, and had numerous off-the-field issues including a verbal altercation with Cole Hamels earlier [...]

In a poll to MetsBlog yesterday, here, roughly 4,000 people who voted were split, 50–50, when asked if Matt Holliday is worth a seven-year deal, which would pay him $17 million per season.
…i can certainly understand why people would not be comfortable giving that kind of cash to Holliday, but i have to agree with [...]

Dan from the Mets Police remembers the ticker tape parade held for the Mets on October 28, 1986.
Meanwhile, Paul over at Mets Fans Forever dissects the Mets outfield, and feels Carlos Beltran is the “one sure thing.”
…without question Paul, provided his knee can hold up…even though i like Jeff Francoeur, Beltran is the only one [...]

Adam Rubin, in a post to his blog for the Daily News, lists the Mets top 10 Prospects from Baseball America, and 20 year old Jenrry Mejia is their top prospect.
Following Mejia in order are Wilmer Flores, Fernando Martinez, and Ike Davis, with Josh Thole ranking eighth on the list.
…with all of this talk about [...]