According to Buster Olney at ESPN.com, the Mets, Red Sox, Braves, Yankees, White Sox, Rangers and Mariners, are among teams who will likely show up when free-agent RHP Freddy Garcia is able to audition.

…from what i can gather, the Mets will certainly be interested in garcia, who should be ready to pitch in the major leagues around the All-Star Break…he is already throwing from a mound and looking strong, though he still has a lot of work to do before such an audition can occur…

Prior to last night’s game, Willie Randolph told reporters that he talked yesterday with Mets COO Jeff Wilpon about the team’s lackluster play, adding:

“We talked about the team and how we can get better…We haven’t swung the bats collectively as a team and, once we start doing that, it will take pressure off our bullpen and starting pitching.”

…to which i am sure jeff must have thought, ‘Hmm, where i have heard that before.’…

In the Bergen Record, Bob Klapisch suggests that Randolph is quickly turning in to Captain Queeg, adding:

“The manager spoke to his team for 35 minutes and emerged with an assessment of the Mets’ play that can be described, at best, as incorrect. At worst, Randolph was being delusional…Randolph can’t affect repairs if he doesn’t acknowledge there’s something fundamentally wrong with the Mets.  To do that, he has to admit his entire managerial style is flawed, which is to say, the Mets have been ignoring him since 2006.  No chance Randolph goes down that path.  He’s too stubborn, too arrogant for that.  Better to look the other way, deny everything – and then cross the fingers.  Tightly.”

…as usual, klap has a finger on the real pulse of this team…

…that said, he connected a few dots for me, because i have been hearing the word Stubborn come from people connected to the team, when speaking about willie, for some time now…i never really understood what that was supposed to mean, but coupled to klap’s column, i understand the characterization a bit more now…

…the funny thing is, fans have been calling willie Stubborn since his first season…

Nevertheless, in the Journal News, Rick Carpiniello throws some reality on the fire, writing:

“The perception is that Randolph has lost control of his team, which, of course, is ludicrous. Even if it were true, those who are claiming it to be so have no way of knowing…Likewise, Randolph is painted with a brush of somebody without fire - which is also ridiculous - because he doesn’t blow his top. His team, they claim, is flat, unemotional, uncaring; even if we all know that teams usually look that way when they’re not hitting, not pitching, not fielding or not running the bases particularly well.”

For more opinion and information, I highly suggest you check out John Harper in the Daily News, Ken Davidoff in Newsday, and Joel Sherman in the New York Post, who writes:

“A manager is best served with allies in four areas: 1) clubhouse. 2) front office. 3) media. 4) fan base. Randolph is pretty much 0-for-4.”

At Baseball America, Jim Callis predicts that the Mets will select Stanford C Jason Castro in the the first round of this year’s MLB Amateur Player Draft, which will begin on June 5.

…i assume this is not the same Jason Castro who was on American Idol…i hope…

According to Callis, “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.”

…last winter, i picked up a lot of buzz suggesting otherwise…but, of late, Baseball America and Keith Law have both been saying the Mets will be ‘good citizens,’ which is disappointing to hear…i think it’s time to be a bit selfish…

In the Supplemental First Round, Callis predicts the Mets will draft Georgia RHP Ethan Martin.

…by the way, if you click on the player’s name above it will take you to their MiLB.com Draft Report page, which includes video and all sorts of details about each player…good stuff…

Click play below, to watch SNY.tv’s Ted Berg talk with Harold Reynolds about how the Subway Series is viewed outside of New York; and whether Billy Wagner’s comments truly impact a team; among other things:

Omar Minaya told reporters yesterday that Pedro Martinez is set to throw a 70-pitch simulated game in Port St. Lucie on Monday, after which he is likely to begin his rehab assignment.

…so, simulated game, two or three rehab starts, and i’m guessing we see him with the Mets again during the middle of June…but, one step at a time…

Tonight’s game between the Yankees and Mets has been postponed. 

As of now, there is no word on when the game will be replayed.

…hmm, do i smell a home-and-away, split-admission, bus-across-town double header like in 2000…hmm, any one, any one…

Instead, SNY will air the first ever regular-season Subway Series game, with Dave Milicki facing Andy Pettitte.

Or, in the meantime, check out Ted Berg’s coverage of yesterday’s broadcast by Gary Cohen, Ron Darling and Keith Hernandez from the Upper Deck at Shea Stadium, by clicking the play button below:

According to Brian Moritz at his blog for the Press & Sun Bulletin, Mets Double-A OF Fernando Martinez will be out three weeks with a strained right hamstring.

Martinez missed multiple weeks last year with a hand injury.

Prior to tonight’s game, Mets GM Omar Minaya was asked if Willie Randolph is in ‘danger of losing his job,’ to which he responded, “No,” adding, “I’m very supportive – and continue to be supportive – of Willie Randolph.”

Meanwhile, Randolph told reporters that he called this afternoon’s team meeting, because he is disappointed with how the team has been playing.  According to Randolph, the team’s lack of consistent hitting continues to be their biggest problem, however, he has confidence that they’ll get better.

At the same time, David Wright told SNY that there are no issues in the team’s clubhouse, while Billy Wagner told reporters that he in no way meant to single out Carlos Delgado when suggesting that other players should have stepped up and talked with media after yesterday’s game.

Lastly, Delgado stood in front of his locker and told reporters that the meeting was good, as it allowed for the opportunity to address a few items that needed to be discussed.

…jeez, man…team meetings…interviews with WFAN…Kevin Burkhardt and SNY are doing on-air, one-on-ones with more or less every one, it seems…and they’re all basically regurgitating the same talking points, i.e., no worries, every one is cool, players will talk but reporters need to get to them with questions, etc…i love good messaging…nice work, media department…

Willie Randolph talked with WFAN’s Mike and the Maddog today, and had the following to say…

…whether he should be going out to argue with umpires more than he does…

“Oh, man, those guys have no clue.  Well, I guess people look at what they see and they think that’s the way it is.  First of all, I do get on umpires.  If I see a play that I think is really one sided I’ll go out and argue every time.  Some times, you know, just for the sake of arguing, that to me is totally overrated…I respect umpires, I don’t believe in going out and showing any one up just for the sake of show…Listen, I back my team every day.  And, look, they don’t show me on the bench when I’m tripping from the dugout, you know, you don’t see that part of me.  You don’t see me walking up and down the dugout, rooting for my guys, teaching them, pushing them, prodding them to get going.  They only show me when some one gives up a hit or makes an error, and they show my face and I’m not going to show my players up.  So, that’s the perception you get from me, is what they show when something goes wrong.  Outside of that, I’m as animated and as much in the game as any manager in baseball.  You look in every dugout, guys, and you see some managers sitting there like a bump on the log.  They’re just sitting there, DOING NOTHING.  You look at me, and I’m the total opposite.  I’m on the top step, I don’t hide in the dugout, and I’m up and down doing my thing, pulling for my players.  So, that perception that is out there is unbelievable.”

…about leadership, and whether the team has or needs a leader…

“There are different types of leaders, you don’t have to be a rah-rah guy.  You can’t always be Lenny Dykstra.   Sometimes guys just play and lead in their own way.  I think we have some leaders on our team.  Beltran played hurt last year a lot, that’s a form of leadership.  So, yeah, I think it’s overrated at times, but I think that when you have a team that’s good you have a combination of different kinds of leadership…They’re not your typical kinds of rah-rah, gung-ho, in your face kind of guys…I do not think out team (needs a guy like that).  We have guys who play with a certain demeanor.  Okay?  That is sometimes mistaken for being passive or not gritty or not tough not getting after it, that is so unfair, because our guys care.  They play hard.  They work hard every day.  When you’re losing every one looks like they’re not doing as much.”

…if he is aware of some reporters and some fans requesting that he be fired…

“Listen, I’m a human being, I live in this town, I remember when talk radio first started…yes, it does sting a bit, because you think about where your heart and soul is and what you’re trying to do as far as winning, and no one likes to hear that stuff.  But, believe me, guys, I understand that goes on with the territory.  I am not concerned with what people feel about me because I’m here to do a job.  Would you like to be liked, like most people?  of course.  But, believe me, when I’m on the field, when I’m out there leading my ball club, that does not enter my mind…It’s unfortunate that people who don’t understand the game, or who know what we’re dealing with, are calling for people’s livelihood.  That’s really unfortunately, when you can call for some persons livelihood when you have a family and people who depend on them, but that’s a way the game has changed and it’s really kind of sad.”

Randolph also talked about Billy Wagner’s comments, and his players talking to reporters, among other things.

To listen to Randolph’s entire interview, go to WFAN.com.

The Game:

Weather permitting, the Mets (20-19) open a three-game series versus the Yankees (20-22) tonight at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, starting at 7:05pm EST.

The Lineup:

• SS Jose Reyes
• DH Marlon Anderson
• 3B David Wright
• CF Carlos Beltran
• RF Ryan Church
• LF Moises Alou
• 1B Carlos Delgado
• C Brian Schneider
• 2B Luis Castillo

The Pitchers:

LHP Johan Santana (4-2, 3.10 ERA) starts for the Mets. In his last start on May 10 versus the Reds Santana earned a victory allowing three runs on 10 hits and a walk while striking out five over 6.0 IP. Santana’s 2.27 ERA in Interleague play is the lowest among pitchers with at least 100 innings. He is 3-0 with a 2.66 ERA in eight career games, five starts versus the Yankees.

RHP Darrell Rasner (2-0, 3.00 ERA) takes the hill for the Yankees. Rasner earned a win in his last start on May 10 versus the Tigers surrendering two runs on four hits and a walk with a strikeout over 6.0 IP. In his only career start versus the Mets on May 19, 2007, Rasner allowed two runs on two hits without recording a out, as he left the game due to injury.

The Notes:

The Mets are 25-35 all-time versus the Yankees in the regular season.

Carlos Delgado’s 138 RBIs during Interleague play ranks him second all-time. He is batting .257 (65-for-253) with 12 HR and 43 RBI in his career at Yankee Stadium.

Joe Smith has stranded 15 of 16 inherited runners this season. He has 10 strikeouts in his last 4.0 IP.

David Wright is batting .323 (21-for-65) with 5 HR and 15 RBI in his career versus the Yankees. he is batting .202 against right-handed pitching this season.

The Yankees have the highest all-time winning percentage (.589) during Interleague play. They are 4-7 versus left-handed starters this season.

Derek Jeter is batting.381 (94-for-247) in his career versus the Mets. He is 5-for-17 (.294) with 3 2B in his career versus Santana.

How To Catch It:

Tonight’s game can be seen locally on and heard locally on WFAN.

The Bleachers:

For a live chat, head over to The Hot Foot Bleachers.

…like cerrone, i am over this whole subway series carnival and interleague in general…it’s lost its appeal…i know most fans use these games as some sort of bragging rights, but honestly i’d rather the Mets play game within their own division…until fans stop buying tickets to these game, i’m sure we’ll continue to see the Yankees on the Mets schedule six times a season…

…however, this is an important series for the Mets, as all of the new york media focuses on this series…if the Mets, who i believe have much more pressure on them and have more to prove than the Yanks do this weekend, continue their uninspiring play, all hell could break lose and this team could implode…

…enjoy, and as always, Let’s Go Mets…

According to Adam Rubin, at his blog for the Daily News, Nelson Figueroa has cleared waivers and is expected to report to Triple-A New Orleans.

Rubin also discussed Jorge Sosa, who the Mets still have time to try and trade.

David Wright told reporters today that the Mets intend to hold a player’s only, closed-door meeting prior to tonight’s game to discuss Billy Wagner’s post-game remarks, among other things.

…from what i can gather, the meeting will occur after batting practice, just before the game, and wagner will lead the discussion and apologize and explain his comments to his teammates…

Prior to the game, Carlos Delgado told reporters that a) he did not speak to reporters yesterday because he was forced to leave the park quickly due to a family emergency, and b) Billy wagner aplogized to him for suggesting he was avoiding reporters.

In a post to Brooklyn Met Fan, Adam gives a quick review of Playing for Peanuts, a documentary, television series, which is airing on SNY.

The show is about Wally Backman’s return to managing in the independent league for the South Georgia Peanuts.

In Adam’s opinion, SNY must be showing this in an effort to soften Backman’s image – while trying to make him a more viable candidate to replace Willie Randolph.

I doubt this very much, actually.  SNY is probably just trying to fill content.  I mean, it was on today in the middle of the day, which is hardly prime-time viewing, and I was totally unaware it would be on.

Also, for what it’s worth, I have seen no evidence that Backman will ever be considered as manager of this team, seriously.  From what i understand, a) Backman torched his bridge from Shea, and it will not be rebuilt – no matter how badly some Mets fans want to see him return, and, b) from what I understand, most all of MLB sees him as a total loose cannon, who, while entertaining, can be very, very unprofessional in a day and age when team’s have way too much money on the line.

I understand why some fans want to make him an icon, or want to believe his passion is a good thing.  However, fact is, there are hundreds and hundreds of professional baseball teams and he has been unable to latch on to any of them.  I mean, he quit the only job he could get, which was managing an Independent League team.  Add these things together, plus consider this record, and I can’t see him back at Shea.