According to Rosenthal, “In theory, the Mets could assume enough of Castillo’s salary to make him, say, a $2 million a year player.  However, they’re already paying two closers… and two managers… Paying two second basemen – say, with the signing of free agent Orlando Hudson - would be a stretch.”

Rosenthal believes the Mets will next sign a starting pitcher, followed by a utility infielder, such as Alex Cora, David Eckstein or Craig Counsell.

Last month, WEEI radio in Boston said the Mets are pursuing Cora to be their utility infielder.

In 75 games for the Red Sox in 2008, the 33–year-old Cora hit .270 with a .371 OBP, while playing second base and shortstop.

In his 11–year career, he has played short, second, left field, third base and first base.

I know people will look at Cora’s age, but it is difficult to find a young utility infielder.  Also, I believe it is wise to have a veteran in this sort of role, because of the steady-hand and experience.

If the Mets end up with Cora, that’s fine.  If not, I won’t lose sleep over it.  That said, if the Mets are not going to sign Hudson, and are stuck with Castillo, I’d prefer they sign Eckstein over Cora, because he gets on base more frequently and he strikes out less, and I think his style of play and attitude would be good for the clubhouse.

By the way, Rosenthal also reports on Adam Dunn; the lack of action in St. Louis, and how it could impact Albert Pujols; the market for Jon Garland and 2B Brian Roberts; and the future of Kris Benson, who has not pitched in the majors since 2006.

Speaking of infielders…

The Padres have interest in Eckstein and free-agent Omar Vizquel, according to the team’s GM, reports MLB.com.

Lastly, the Phillies signed 2B Marcus Giles to a minor-league deal, worth $600,000, according to the Denver Post.

According to the report, ‘the Orioles are in hot pursuit as well.’

…also…

The Blue Jays have shown interest in trading for Astros 3B Ty Wigginton, as well as Rays infielder Jason Bartlett, according to the Toronto Sun.

“The Pirates have had several discussions with free-agent infielder David Eckstein,” reports the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

The O’s have signed infielder Cesar Izturis, says ESPN.com.

Rosenthal does not specifically name the five teams, though he speculates on the Padres, Pirates and Orioles as being involved.

…i have no reason to feel believe this will happen, but, if the Mets are able to trade Luis Castillo, or end up cutting him, and need to solve second base at a discount, i envision eckstein in the mix…if for no other reason, then it’s quite clear Omar Minaya wanted him to be the team’s second baseman last off-season, but eckstein was not yet ready to make a permanent shift from short stop…now he is…

…well, well, well…look who wants to play second…

Eckstein, who is a free agent, had been hitting .277 with a 354 OBP in 77 games with the Blue Jays, before hitting just .219 with a .301 OBP in 18 after being traded to the D’Backs.

In my interview with Omar Minaya in early October, he said of his efforts to sign a second baseman last season, “When we looked at the market place, we liked David Eckstein a lot.  We tried to do a deal with Eckstein and we couldn’t get it done.”

…from what i understand, he was their top choice…if you recall, the Mets invited eckstein to New York City, gave him the tour of Greenwich, etc., but, from what can gather, he did not want to play second…the Mets could not wait, so they locked in to Luis Castillo, who had an offer from the Astros, while eckstein ultimately took a one-year from the Blue Jays, where, oddly enough, he played six games at second…

…what’s worse, it feels like so many of castillo’s double plays occur during what could be a big rally…first and second, one out, castillo hits in to a double…over and over again, it seems…

…for what it’s worth, from what i can gather out of people close to the team, Mets GM Omar Minaya wanted to sign David Eckstein, not castillo…

…however, eckstein’s plan was to hold out a) for more money from another team, and b) the opportunity to remain at shortstop…in fact, there are lots of people who believe eckstein had zero intention of playing second base…anywhere…

…meanwhile, castillo had a three-year offer from the Astros, and, for the sake of not waiting around, the Mets gave castillo one more year and ended their search for a second baseman…

…and so now the Mets have a 33–year-old second baseman with bad knees, earning $6 million per season for the next four years…

For what it’s worth, Eckstein is batting .246 in 30 games for the Blue Jays, while starting at shortstop.

Also, in 34 games for the Braves, Ruben Gotay is batting .258 in just 31 at bats.

…first off, back when eckstein was linked to the Mets, the talk was that he had been seeking a similar, but more expensive, deal than the four-year, $24 million given to Luis Castillo…turns out, he gets a one-year, $4.5 million deal…yes, that’s a big difference…fact is, though, the market for his services shrunk, so much so that i am not surprised he had to take a one-year deal…the Mets could not have had eckstein back in november for the same one-year deal, when there were other options and destinations available…the Mets didn’t want to take a chance on waiting, though, so they locked up castillo as quick as they could…i still have no problem with castillo the player, it’s the four-year deal i don’t understand…

…from what i could gather, eckstein essentially turned down the Mets, a) because they were not willing to give him more than castillo, on years and dollars, and b) because he was a bit apprehensive about switching back to second…so, it sounded to me like both sides only had minimal interest at best…

…thanks to jason b for the link…

According to a recent report for the Denver Post, citing ‘a source close to the negotiations,’  the Cubs are ‘pressing hard’ to sign Matsui - and could offer him a three-year deal worth rough $15 million.

In an earlier report, Rosenthal wrote that, in addition to the Mets, the Astros, Indians, Padres and Dodgers may also show interest in Castillo.

Meanwhile, earlier this week, at MLB.com, Marty Noble wrote that free agent David Eckstein appears to be the Mets primary target for second base.

…the buzz from new york, of late, has been that both castillo and eckstein are seeking four-year contracts, similar to what was given to Julio Lugo by the Red Sox last off-season…

…cerrone posted similar information earlier today about the pursuit of eckstein and it’s becoming more and more clear that he is the team’s first choice at second base…

Noble also mentions that D’Backs 2B Orlando Hudson is an option, but he who would require a trade and the Mets clearly prefer to save their chips for pitching.

…cerrone and i have differing opinions on eckstein - as he’d likely be my last choice out of the available options..…his ‘hustle’ just doesn’t equal his production and the stats support that…

…that being said, since the Mets lived with castillo for a few months this past season, and do not see him as a top priority, it makes me wonder about his health - or if they soured on him - since it appears eckstein and castillo are both looking for similar four-year, $30 million deals…

Today, in the Daily News, Adam Rubin writes that Mets officials dined with Eckstein in Greenwich, ‘in the hopes he’ll fill the second base vacancy in Flushing.’

…for what it’s worth, from what i can gather, eckstein grew up a Yankees fan, but has several close friends who are Mets fans…so, despite his own decisions as a young man, at least he keeps good company…i kid, i kid…

…i’m actually a big eckstein fan, and very much hope he ends up being this team’s second baseman…to me, he’s Lenny Dykstra on the infield, sporting a world series ring…

According to Rubin, Eckstein is seeking a four-year deal, similar to what was accepted by Julio Lugo with the Red Sox last winter.

Earlier this week, in the New York Times, Ben Shpigel wrote that Luis Castillo could also command a four-year deal.

…if they both want four years, and the Mets determine that Ruben Gotay is not the answer, which it’s pretty clear they do not, and they have to choose between eckstein and castillo, i hope they choose eckstein, if for no other reason than i am panic-stricken of castillo’s knees, regardless of whether he had surgery on them a few weeks ago…i mean, i have never seen a baseball player look like that, hobbling around all of the time, and i mean all of the time, be it on deck, standing in the field, rounding third or in the locker room, yet then be able to run hard, and well, on command…eventually, that’s going to catch up with him and the team who signs him…

…that being said, the Mets were reluctant to give lugo a four-year deal last winter, so i must imagine they are hesitant about giving a similar deal to either eckstein or castillo…

In 117 games for St. Louis this past season, Eckstein hit .309, with a .356 OBP, while putting the ball in play roughly 85 percent of his plate appearances.

…by the way, it appears the Daily News has revamped the look and functionality of their website…nice job, guys…i like it…

The Mets are mentioned by Molony as a possible destination, along with the Twins, Padres and Dodgers.

…at the very least, the Mets should talk to iguchi and use him for leverage, as Luis Castillo wanting four years is a bit much, and i’m not sold on David Eckstein by any means…if he’s willing to accept a friendlier contract than castillo or eckstein, it may be worth considering since the second-base market is so thin…