According to the report, if Green was to return in 2008, he was only willing to accept a deal from a team on the West Coast.

…so, for those who will gripe that green should have been retained as this team’s back-up first baseman, new york is not on the west coast…that said, good luck, shawn…you were much, much better for the Mets than i ever thought you would be…

…i know there are going to be fans who are disappointed in the decision to not offer arbitration to lo duca, because it means they will not get a compensatory draft pick when he signs with a new team…however, at the rate he is going, odds are good he will not land a long-term deal anyways, and so maybe there is concern he could accept, forcing himself back on the Mets…i can’t imagine he would ever do that, but, the bottom line is, there is now no room for him on this roster…

…also, from what i understand, the decision to part ways with lo duca may have had less to do with all the off-field issues, and more to do with a) his age, b) his initial contract demands, c) his health, and, d) the team’s desire to bring on the best possible defensive catcher they could find, which lo duca is not…

…nevertheless, this signals the official end of lo duca’s time with the Mets, and i wish him well…

…join the club…

Green, as quoted by Noble…

“It wasn’t easy to look people in the eye…We let everyone down - the fans, the staff, people who would have profited from our being in it…You feel so good as a player when you make people happy.  We thought we were going to, we were going to bring people so much joy.  We made people happy last year, just getting in for the first time in a long time.  They expected more this year, so did we.”

…two things, 1) i truly believe this team is going to learn and benefit from that painful finish, and 2) while i would not go into next season counting on green as a starting outfielder, i am totally comfortable with him assuming a similar role to what he played last season, i.e., part– to regular-time first baseman, outfielder and left-handed bat off the bench…i am sure he will pursue more playing time from another team, more towards the west coast, as he should…but, if no other option appeals to him, and he wants to stay in new york, i’d certainly welcome him back…

The Mets hold a $10 million option on Green’s contract for next season, or can buy him out for $2 million.

In 130 games for the Mets this past season, Green hit .291 with 10 HR, 30 doubles and 62 RBI.

Some players on the list include Moises Alou, Marlon Anderson, Ramon Castro, and Luis Castillo.

Noble writes of Marlon Anderson:

“…the two-year contracts subsequently afforded Julio Franco and then Guillermo Mota raised eyebrows and looked silly when Anderson was so productive for the Dodgers in the second half of the ‘06 season.”

“It would be difficult to imagine the Mets not pursuing Anderson now. He has a .329 average in 85 pinch-hit at-bats in two tours with the Mets.”

…if they let go of Marlon, who is by far the best pinch-hitter from recent memory for the Mets, i will be very disappointed…there are others on the list such as Jose Valentin, and Shawn Green that i don’t see being in the team’s plans for the future…

He will not be in uniform, but at the team’s hotel fasting.

Green is hitting .419 during September.

…odds are he would not have started tonight anyways, because they are facing a left-handed starting pitcher…nevertheless, given this situation, i really hope Carlos Delgado can return to action, as it seems like he can, because Jeff Conine is not hacking it…

…greeny, with his calm, cool demeanor, is one of my favorites on this team and it’s been great seeing him battle, just waiting for his pitch, during his most recent at-bats…and it’s interesting that he is doing this while playing in a part-time role, which doesn’t seem to affect him…

…honestly, i was worried green would have a hard time adjusting, but no matter the role, greeny is prepared, which is great to see…

…he’s also played a stellar first base since Carlos Delgado has been out…

Since Willie Randolph talked with Green, to tell him Lastings Milledge would get the bulk of playing time in right field, Green is is batting .333 with 11 RBI in 20 games since August 13.

Randolph, on Green, while talking to reporters after last night’s win, said…

“He did a great job of staying back on that pitch, and hitting a nice pitch up the middle.  He’s has some key hits for us lately, he’s playing well getting some work at first and in the outfield.  He’s very valuable.”

…not to mention he has looked very good while playing first base…i suspect he is just comfortable with who he is, and what his role is, and his succeeding…good for you, shawn, and happy new year…