During the Mets 8 to 6 loss to the Phillies last night, Third Base Coach Luis Aguayo sent Endy Chavez home on hits by David Wright, but was thrown out at home in both the third and seventh innings with no outs.
Manuel, on Aguayo, talking after the game said:
“Those weren’t very good decisions at that [...]

This past weekend, the Mets signed 30–year-old free-agent OF John Rodriguez to a minor-league contract. 
Rodriguez, who was 1 for 3 in his first game for Triple-A New Orleans yesterday, hit .298 in 158 career games for the Cardinals in 2005 and 2006. 
He spent all of 2007 with Triple-A Memphis. 
Meanwhile, the Mets bench is hitting [...]

As noted over the weekend, Carlos Beltran had the following to say to reporters when asked about his team’s chances, now that they have acquired Johan Santana…

“With him, I have no doubt we’re going to win our division. I have no doubt about that…So, this year, tell Jimmy Rollins we are the team to beat.”

According [...]

Endy Chavez arrived to camp yesterday with lingering pain in his ankle from an off-season injury in the Dominican Winter League.
Chavez, who described his ankle as ‘weak,’ told reporters that he expects to be ready for the start of the exhibition schedule.
In early October, Carlos Beltran had both of his knees ‘scoped’ to repair damage [...]

In his blog for the New York Post, Bart Hubbuch makes a few key notes regarding Carlos Delgado’s first day in camp.
Hubbuch writes:

“Delgado appeared to be in terrific shape – the veteran first baseman appears leaner and stronger.”
“[He] might be the favorite in the “best player’s car’’ derby, showing up today with a tricked-out red [...]

Several Mets currently on the 40-man roster, as well as, other non-roster invitees have participated in various winter leagues this off-season.
Here is a rundown of how each player performed this winter.

OF Endy Chavez, .476 (10-for-21), 2 RBI, 1 3B, 2 SB in six games
2B Ruben Gotay, .261, 12 RBI, 6 2B in 115 [...]

According to the Associated Press, the Mets and OF Endy Chavez avoided arbitration and agreed to a $3.85 million, two-year contract extension – he will earn $1.8 million this season and $2.05 million in 2009.
Chavez had been eligible for arbitration this coming season, after which he would have been a free agent. 
…so, endy had requested a salary of [...]

Lawrence from NJ asks…

“When is Aaron Heilman a free agent?  How about Endy Chavez, Ryan Church and the team’s other young players.”

Heilman, Chavez, Church, Pedro Feliciano, Oliver Perez and Jorge Sosa are all eligible for salary arbitration this off-season. 
In fact, all six filed for arbitration yesterday.
…however, in standard Mets fashion, i expect all six to [...]

The Cubs have signed free-agent RHP Jon Leiber to a one-year contract, reports Ken Rosenthal at FoxSports.com.
In a recent report for the Rocky Mountain News, Lieber expressed interest in pitching for the Mets, among other teams.
According to Rosenthal, “The signing of Lieber could signal a trade of right-hander Jason Marquis or the return of righty [...]

According to the team’s website, Mets OF Endy Chavez injured a ligament in his knee and his ankle while running from third to home on a sacrifice fly during a Winter-League game in December.
…thanks to Mets Fan in Mexico for the translation…
Chavez hit .476 in six games this winter, but has not [...]

Jason B sent in the following question…
“Do you know if Angel Pagan has any options left – or was his acquisition to keep Endy Chavez hungry and working hard to win his reserve outfield spot?”
…yes, pagan has options left, and so he can essentially be promoted and sent down from the minor leagues at any [...]

According to the Daily News, The Cubs are shopping RHP Jason Marquis, ‘and apparently like Endy Chavez.’
…well, they can like him, but they’re not getting him…
Marquis won at least 12 games in each of the last four seasons, while compiling a 4.54 ERA and averaging 33 starts per year.

If a player has not negotiated a contract and is in the fourth, fifth or sixth season of his career, he will either be offered a one-year salary by his team, or, depending on his salary demands, he will be offered salary arbitration, or he’ll be non-tendered, meaning he immediately becomes a free agent.
MLB teams have until [...]

Following the game, the Mets explained to reporters that Endy Chavez left the team earlier in the night after his sister died in a local hospital following a lengthy illness.
Chavez flew back to Venezuela last night to be with his family, and will most likely miss the remainder of the regular season.
…this would explain why [...]