In a update to his live blog for the New York Post, Joel Sherman explains, “The Mets talked several weeks ago to the Red Sox about dealing Schneider, and hopefully signing Jason Varitek”

However, when the red Sox offered arbitration to Varitek, ‘the Mets turned away from that scenario because they didn’t want to give up both the money necessary to sign Varitek and the first-round draft pick they would have to surrender in compensation.’

Original Post:

The Mets and Red Sox are in talks regarding Brian Schneider, according to two industry sources, reports the Washington Post.

Last month, in a post to his blog for SI.com, Jon Heyman said there were ‘indications,’ based on conversations with other team executives, that ‘the Mets appear open to trading either Ramon Castro or Schneider.’

Speaking of catchers…

The Rangers could still trade C Jarrod Saltalamacchia, according to ESPN and FoxSports.com, despite already trading Gerald Laird to the Tigers on Sunday.

“Some Mets people are concerned about their catching.  But some in their hierarchy don’t like that the best free-agent options… Pudge Rodriguez and Bengie Molina don’t exactly make them younger.”

Meanwhile, in today’s New York Post, Joel Sherman believes that the Mets could have interest in free-agent C Jason Varitek, if his demands drop from a four-year deal to a more reasonable two-year deal.

According to Sherman, “There are some Met officials who believe they need a better game-caller than Brian Schneider to shepherd their pitching staff.”

That said, according to Evan Grant in the Dallas Morning News, the Rangers will listen to offers for all of their catchers, including Max Ramirez, Gerald Laird and Jarrod Saltalamacchia.

However, in all cases, writes Grant, the Rangers will want a top-flight, proven, under-contract, young pitcher in return, such as Red Sox RHP Clay Buchholz, according to the Boston Globe.

By the way, according to Ken Davidoff in Newsday, the Rangers are interested in RHP Aaron Heilman, who will turn 30 later this month, and who is not eligible for free agency until after 2010.

Lastly, Sherman explains, if the Mets decide to trade Schneider, the Reds might be interested, among other teams.

Last week at SI.com, Jon Heyman wrote that the Mets had discussed trading for Molina.

Adam Dunn is open to playing either first base or outfield, according to the Arizona Republic, and though he’ll sign with any city, he prefers to be in the National League.

Lastly, according to the Boston Herald, free-agent C Jason Varitek is seeking a four-year, $52.4 million deal, like the one given to Jorge Posada by the Yankees last off-season.

That said, the Rangers are willing to trade C Gerald Laird, according to one baseball source, reports the Boston Globe.

According to Evan Grant in the Dallas Morning News, the Rangers will actually listen to offers for all of their catchers, including Max Ramirez, Laird and Jarrod Saltalamacchia.

However, in all cases, writes Grant, the Rangers will want a top-flight, proven, under-contract, young pitcher in return.

Additionally, the Mets have discussed trading for Giants C Bengie Molina, writes Heyman.

Speaking of catcher, according to Heyman, Boston will offer C Jason Varitek a two-year deal, but not the four-year contract he is looking for

Varitek, as well Brad Ausmus, Josh Bard, Paul Lo Duca, Pudge Rodriguez, among others, are all free agents.

As such, the Mets have discussed trading for Giants C Bengie Molina, writes Heyman.

In 145 games in 2008, the 34–year-old Molina hit .292 with 16 HR and 95 RBI while batting clean-up for the Giants.

Molina threw out 34 percent of runners attempting to steal against him last season, his highest rate in five years.

He will earn $6 million in 2009, after which he is eligible to be a free agent, though he has talked about wanting an extension.

…i like molina…but, i remember talking to a few people in san francisco, a few years back when he was a free agent, who noted how sensitive he is…he does not take criticism well, from fans and reporters, this person noted…this may or may not be true…however, considering the new york market, this may be something to consider…

…that said, the Giants have a young catcher Pablo Sandoval, who was essentially Barry Zito’s personal catcher down the stretch, starting over molina, so it stands to reason that molina can be had…

…i wonder if a deal for molina and Randy Winn could be struck…

Speaking of catcher, according to Heyman, Boston will offer C Jason Varitek a two-year deal, but not the four-year contract he is looking for, suggesting, instead, they may try to trade for Rangers C Gerald Laird or Jarrod Saltalamacchia.

…if the Mets intend to upgrade from Brian Schneider, it’s going to have to happen with a trade, as the top free-agent catchers include Brad Ausmus, Josh Bard, Paul Lo Duca, Pudge Rodriguez and the 36-year-old varitek, who hit just .220 last season and, as noted above, wants a four-year deal…

Heyman also reports on the Yankees and CC Sabathia; whether Coco Crisp will stay in Boston; the cost of Matt Holliday; Mark Teixeira; and where free-agent Ken Griffey Jr. could end up.

In a weekend report for FOXSports.com, Ken Rosenthal writes that the Mets ‘inquired about’ Molina, ‘and they could attempt to revive the talks by offering newly acquired Johnny Estrada and perhaps another player.’

However, according to Rosenthal, ‘it is unclear whether the Giants want to trade Molina.’

Last season, in 134 games for the Giants, the 33–year-old Molina hit .276 with 19 HR and 81 RBI, while throwing out 30 percent of runners who attempted to steal against him. 

He has $12 million and two years remaining on his current deal.

…the Mets do not want to part with one of their best prospects to get O’s C Ramon Hernandez or Rangers C Gerald Laird, which is what it will cost…at least  as of now…however, if the Mets can spin estrada and a lesser prospect to the Giants to get molina, while picking up all of his salary, that would be a nice move…

By the way, Rosenthal also provides tidbits on the Reds and Ryan Freel; the market for Aaron Rowand and Andruw Jones; and Miguel Cabrera; and Randy Wolf, who is drawing interest from the Padres, Phillies and Astros.

Regarding catcher, Dierkes suggests that Rangers C Gerald Laird, Indians C Kelly Shoppach, Giants C Bengie Molina and O’s C Ramon Hernandez could all be available in a trade.

The 30–year-old Hernandez hit .290 during 2005, .275 during 2006, and just .258 with nine HR and 62 RBI in 106 games last season for the Orioles. He has $15 million and two years remaining on his current contract, which also includes an $8.5 million club option for 2010.

Meanwhile, Molina, 32, hit .276 with 19 HR and 81 RBI in 134 games for the Giants this past season. He has $12 million and two years remaining on his current deal.

…it’s still early for this type of talk, but i think it’s a logical assumption that the Mets could have interest in molina or hernandez, if for no other reason than they were on their short-list at catcher two off-season ago, as well…by the way, you’re gonna hear a lot about hernandez’s close relationship to Rick Peterson, dating back their days in oakland…i have no idea yet if this is as true as the rhetoric…

Regarding second base, Dierkes writes that, if the team does not want to bring back Luis Castillo, “I’d first learn the asking price for Orlando Hudson, Mark Ellis, and Freddy Sanchez.”

According to the Arizona Republic, during a radio interview in July, Hudson indicated that he would not be surprised if he got traded from Arizona at some point in the next season or two. He is eligible for free agency after the 2008 season.

The 29–year-old Hudson hit .271 during 2005, .287 during 2006, and .294 with 10 HR and 63 RBI for the D’Backs this past season. He has played in at least 131 games during each of his last five seasons, during which he won two Gold Gloves.

Dierkes also offers up his opinion on the starting rotation and outfield, while noting that the team’s biggest luxury is cash and prospects in the way of Mike Pelfrey, Philip Humber, Mike Carp and Fernando Martinez.