…the Mets were interested in bringing in Varitek last off-season, and i thought at the time, it would have been a good move to do that…

…now i wouldn’t be in support of such a move if he was to be the full time catcher…they cannot depend on Varitek for more than 100 games behind the plate as he will soon be 38…i can’t imagine that he would sign with the Mets as a platoon or part time catcher if he doesn’t sign in Boston in the same capacity…

In 109 games this season, Varitek hit just .209 with 14 home runs and 51 RBI, after hitting just .220 with 13 home runs and 43 RBI in 2008.

The Red Sox hold a $5 million option on Varitek in 2010, with a $3 million buyout.

According to Rosenthal, ‘Club officials are divided on how strongly to pursue Varitek,’ with some seeing him as ‘a potential difference-maker for their pitching staff,’ while others are ‘alarmed by his .220 batting average last season.’

Rosenthal says, for the Mets to land Varitek, ‘they would need to move catcher Brian Schneider,’ who several teams are interested in.

Last week, the Washington Post said the Mets and Red Sox had discussed a deal that would send C Brian Schneider to Boston.

Later that day, though, in report for the New York Post, Joel Sherman explained, “The Mets talked several weeks ago to the Red Sox about dealing Schneider, and hopefully signing Varitek”

However, when the Red Sox offered arbitration to Varitek, Sherman explained, ‘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.’

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.’

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.

The Dodgers will turn to free-agent OF Bobby Abreu or Pat Burrell, among others, if they are unable to retain Ramirez, reports the Boston Globe.

In a separate post, Heyman describes talks between the Cubs and Padres involving Jake Peavy as on ‘life support,’ according to a person familiar with Chicago’s thinking.

However, on his blog for ESPN.com, Buster Olney writes, ‘Peavy is going to be traded, and what will be left is a team looking at a long rebuilding process.’

Heyman also reports here that CC Sabathia expects the Brewers to up their offer from five years to six.

…from a Mets perspective, if the Brewers can re-sign sabathia, they may be inclined to ramp up efforts to sign a free-agent closer, like Francisco Rodriguez, thus putting pressure on the Mets to do the same, and weakening Omar Minaya’s position…

Lastly, also according to Heyman, here, C Jason Varitek is also planning to reject salary arbitration.

…jeez, maybe they should just call these the Heyman Meetings…i hope he has an unlimited cell phone plan…

…just so long as jake doesn’t go to the Braves, gentlemen…

The A’s are at the top of the list for Rafael Furcal, writes the Contra Costa Times, while SI.com says the Giants, Cubs, Dodgers, Braves, and a mystery team also remain involved.

Speaking of the A’s, they and other teams have asked the Nationals for Nick Johnson’s medical records, suggesting he could be traded, reports FoxSports.com.

…lots of walks and lots of injuries, sounds like the A’s to me…

Though it hasn’t happened yet, the Phillies are still expected to re-sign free-agent LHP Jamie Moyer, writes MLB.com.

The Blue Jays still feel there is a chance they will re-sign free-agent RHP A.J. Burnett, according to ESPN.com, even though they’ll have less to spend, as the Toronto Sun explains.

The Red Sox plan to offer salary arbitration to Jason Varitek, according to the Boston Herald.

…meaning he will cost two draft picks, if he signs with a new team…

Lastly, the Yankees are skeptical of the Angels’ interest in free-agent RHP CC Sabathia, writes Jon Heyman at SI.com.

…the idea being, the Angels are a) bidding up the price on the Yankees, while b) trying to spook Mark Teixeira in to re-signing, since reports continue suggest they can only afford one of the two…

“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.