…i had interest in the Mets signing lohse to provide some depth to the starting rotation, but not for the $4.25 million he reportedly received from the Cardinals…

…thanks to Peter Wade for the link…

Rosenthal adds, “The buzz among scouts on the East Coast of Florida is that the Cardinals are pursuing Lohse, but sources indicate that the team is not interested.”

…the buzz among scouts on the East Coast…i love it…

…if Orlando Hernandez will be on this team, than i just don’t see how the Mets can tie themselves up with a guaranteed contract for lohse…if, however, el duque is not on the team – and i have no idea how that would happen, short of him disintegrating, which does seem more and more possible every day – only then does a one-year deal for lohse start to make a whole lot of sense…

Speaking of Hernandez, according to the New York Post, he told reporters yesterday that a toe ligament and painful bunion on his right foot are keeping him from pitching batting practice or in a game.

…seriously, i am losing count of what ails this guy…first it’s a bunion, then it’s a dislocated toe, back to the bunion, plus a ligament, plus a root canal…i mean, how does he even get out of bed in the morning…i’m in pain just reading about it…

…seriously, i know this guy gets his clients the occasional mega-deal, but i’d love to know, on average, how much does he cost his players by waiting, and waiting and waiting like this…

According to Olney, “The only way that the Mets will take Lohse, sources say, is if he hands himself on a cheap financial platter to New York,” otherwise, “The team is fully committed to go to spring training with the pitchers they already have, now that Johan Santana is in the fold.” 

…thanks to Jason B for the link…

Wilson has played first base and outfield through most of the last few season, though he started his career as a catcher.

In just 24 games last season with the Braves, Wilson hit .172.

In 2006, during 359 at-bats for the Yankees and Pirates, he hit .250 with 17 HR and 49 RBI while striking out 122 times.

…i followed Mets GM Omar Minaya around for a bit yesterday at the press conference for Johan Santana…i heard him speak to a few different groups of reporters, and on two different occasions he said that this is the team he will go to spring training with…

…in one case, he was essentially asked about Kyle Lohse and Livan Hernandez, and he gave the same response without actually commenting on the two specific players…

…in other words, as of today, this is the team he will go to spring training with…however, my sense is that, if a player like livan or loshe, or even a bat, can be had on a minor-league deal, the player could be invited to camp…but, it just doesn’t sound like any more guaranteed contracts will be dished out, nor should they…

In a post to his blog for the

According to Kubatko, Baltimore likely discussed one-year deals with both pitchers.

Yesterday, in the Chicago Tribune, Phil Rogers wrote that the Phillies and Mets could wind up in a bidding war for Lohse. Meanwhile, last Friday, in a report for ESPN.com, Jayson Stark wrote that the Mets continue to express interest in Lohse, even with Santana in their sights.

However, during a conference call to announce the acquisition of Johan Santana, which you can read more about by clicking here, Mets GM Omar Minaya told reporters that this is the team he will go to spring training with.

…as i wrote yesterday, i have no interest in seeing lohse signed to a long-term deal, but i’m intrigued by what he could do for the roster if he can be had for just one year…

However, in the Chicago Tribune, Phil Rogers writes that the Phillies and Mets could wind up in a bidding war for Kyle Lohse.

Last Friday, in a report for ESPN.com, Jayson Stark wrote that the Mets continue to express interest in Lohse, even with Santana in their sights.

…this is interesting…first, i have no interest in seeing lohse signed to a long-term deal…however, he once told reporters that he had three teams interested in him, while seeking at least a three-year deal…that market has to be shrinking…and so, if the Mets can acquire lohse on a short-term deal, (1) it means Mike Pelfrey will most likely get an entire season at Triple-A, which he needs, and (2) Orlando Hernandez can shift to the bullpen, which means (a) a deeper bullpen, (b) the Mets can throttle el duque back and forth based on his health, and (c) when he takes his standard mid-summer vacation, it will be easier to absorb…

For what it’s worth, according to ESPN Deportes, the Astros will have two scouts watching Bartolo Colon pitch Wednesday in the Dominican Republic.

…so, it’s trade for santana or sign hernandez or Kyle Lohse, i guess…which would suggest that Orlando Hernandez will be in the starting rotation, either way…

On Friday, the Rocky Mountain News wrote that the Mets are ‘close to a deal’ with Hernandez.

By the way, according to MLB.com, free-agent Bartolo Colon showed little interest in an incentive-laden deal from the White Sox.

…if colon is holding out for a guaranteed contract, and roster spot, at roughly $8 million per year, i’ll pass…

Joe and Popper discuss the recent steroid reports; the Lastings Milledge trade; and the off-season’s lack of activity.

During the exchange, Popper says a Mets official recently scoffed at reports about his team having offered a four-year, $40 million deal to free-agent RHP Kyle Lohse.

For what it’s worth, last month the New York Post wrote…

“It’s believed the Mets have made an offer…but it’s not known if it is for the $10 million per he is seeking.”

During his recent appearance on SNY’s Mets Hot Stove, FoxSports.com’s Ken Rosenthal had the following to say about the Mets and Lohse…

“I think Lohse is certainly a player they’re interested in – and while he hasn’t done much in his career, the Mets like his stuff. They like his durability, his age and they like the fact that he competed down the stretch for Philadelphia…He, essentially, is this year’s Gil Meche: a guy with a world of ability, who hasn’t put it together yet…My problem with him would be giving him three or four years at big money.”

…by the way, steve should really have a ring tone that raps, “I love it when you call me Steve Popper,” if he doesn’t already…i mean, come on, it’s a natural fit…

“I think Lohse is certainly a player they’re interested in, and while he hasn’t done much in his career, the Mets like his stuff, they like his durability, his age and they like the fact that he competed down the stretch for Philadelphia…He, essentially, is this year’s Gil Meche: a guy with a world of ability, who hasn’t put it together yet…My problem with him would be giving him three or four years at big money.”

By the way, SNY’s Mets Hot Stove airs live at 6:30 pm and again at 11 pm every Monday.

Lohse is now willing to accept a three-year deal with a vesting option, as opposed to the four-year deal he had been rumored to be seeking, reported Rosenthal over the weekend at FoxSports.com.

During a recent appearance on XM’s MLB Live, Lohse said that at least three teams are interested in signing him.

In 34 starts for the Reds and Phillies last season, the 29–year-old Lohse was 9–12 with a 4.63 ERA, while striking out 122 batters through 192 innings.

Additionally, Rosenthal had the following to say about the A’s, and whether they’ll trade Joe Blanton…

“I think what they’re waiting for is Santana to get traded or not, Erik Bedard to get traded or not, and then they’ll be sitting with a pitcher that others teams want.”

In a report yesterday for MLB.com, an A’s source said he expected Blanton to be Oakland’s opening day starting pitcher.

Last season for the A’s, Blanton was 14–10 with a 3.95 ERA through 34 starts, during which he allowed an average of just one walk per start.

He made at least 32 starts in each of the last three seasons.

He is eligible for salary arbitration this off-season, and the two after that, and is eligible for free agency after 2010.

During a recent appearance on XM’s MLB Live, Lohse said that at least three teams are interested in signing him.

According to a report last month in the New York Post, “It’s believed the Mets have made an offer to the 29-year-old for four years, but it’s not known if it is for the $10 million per he is seeking.”

However, the following day, in a report for Newsday, Ken Davidoff wrote that the Mets ‘do not seem particularly interested’ in free-agent starting pitchers Livan Hernandez, Carlos Silva or Lohse, ‘unless their prices drop.’

In 34 starts for the Reds and Phillies last season, the 29–year-old Lohse was 9–12 with a 4.63 ERA, while striking out 122 batters through 192 innings.

Rosenthal also details the latest with the A’s, and the market for free-agent Pedro Feliz.