Oli' Submits Salary Request

Oliver Perez and Agent Scott Boras have submitted there 2008 salary demands to the Mets in hope of avoiding a salary arbitration hearing. Boras asked for 6.5 million and the Mets countered with 4.7 million.

I think we should offer him something closer to 6 million and keep him happy for at least the 2008 season. Being that he has such a hard-nosed agent like Scott Boras, it will be hard to have him sign a long-term deal past 08' without him hitting the open market. If we have to exceed his demands now to keep Boras in our good graces then we must because if Perez pitches as well as he did this year again in 08', I want him on this team for awhile

Fernando Martinez Still Holding Deal Up?

Ken Davidoff of Newsday sites that he has someone "in the industry" close to the Santana talks that believes the Mets and Twins are still talking and Martinez is believed to be the sticking point still. Last week it was reported that if he was added onto the Mets original offer of Carlos Gomez, Deolis Guerra, Kevin Mulvey, and Philip Humber it would be a done deal.

If we are gonna throw in a guy like Martinez I believe we deserve someone else back in return. Such options are Juan Rincon, Matt Guerrier, Denys Reyes. 5 for 1 is a awful heavy price to pay for a guy who we are not certain will even for sure resign with us. If we had a window to discuss a extension to his contract I would however have to consider doing the 5 for 1 swap, but still push for one of those RP.

The "Stache" re-ups on Minor League deal

Jose Valentin has resigned with the Mets on a one year minor league deal.

He shouldnt be much more then a call-up every so often when someone like Easley gets hurt. He does possess a certain clubhouse leadership type role though that could win him a spot on the bench in spring training. Kind of like Julio Franco did.

TWINS MAY LIKE METS PROSPECTS AFTER ALL

According to Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune the Twins may indeed like what the Mets have to offer. He goes on to write that even though the fans may not like the Mets prospects, in the end it could work out for the Twins best interests.

He believes that the Mets are calculating offers with the Twins that would be one of the two outfielders (Martinez,Gomez) and 3 of our young pitchers. The only problem is that they happen to like Martinez most but also need a CF like Gomez to step into Torii Hunters shoes. So in the end the may just go with the guy they have now in Jason Pridie and ask us for Martinez, Guerra, Humber, and Mulvey. But then again they may still insist that we give them Gomez as well. If I were Omar Minaya I would be asking for someone else in return such as RP Juan Rincon. I guess we will have to wait and see if Mr. Christensen is right or not. Time will tell.

Why Not Just Go After Bedard?

With all the current hype over getting Johan Santana I think Mets fans and management are starting to forget that a pitcher who can be a ace is still available, and hes controllable for another 2 seasons!...Erik Bedard is still on the market ever since he denied a contract extension from the Orioles a few months ago.

Its been said it would take Martinez, Gomez, Guerra, Mulvey, and Humber to get Santana. Santana is my favorite pitcher in baseball and even I think thats a little too steep for him. But then again I would still have to consider it. On the other hand Erik Bedard is on the market and Baltimore is currently talking a trade with the Mariners for prospects Adam Jones, Jeff Clement, and possibly reliever George Sherrill. Both Jones and Clement are better then what we have to give up minus Martinez. The Mets best bet however would be to take there offer of Gomez, Guerra, Mulvey, and Humber (which was offered for Santana) over to the Orioles. I strongly believe that would be enough to land Bedard. And we still get to keep Fernando Martinez, our most prized prospect.

TWINS WEIGHING OFFERS

ACCORDING TO JON HEYMAN OF SI.COM THE TWINS ARE WEIGHING ABOUT 5-10 OFFERS FROM THE METS, RED SOX, YANKEES, AND POSSIBLY ONE DARK-HORSE TEAM (RANGERS, PHILLIES, MARINERS, REDS).

I believe that right now there is not alot of talk concerning Johan Santana going on and a conclusion to this saga might not happen for some time. The Mets are currently considered the front runners with the Red Sox interest waning and the Yankees changing there mind in the media daily. New GM Bill Smith (Twins) will take his time in trade talks and picking the right deal knowing that this deal will forever be the one hes looked upon on over his career. Expect talks to drag out for a few more weeks if not longer.

BENS AMAZING METS BLOG BACK

I WILL BE POSTING ALL THE NEW METS INFO AGAIN STARTING TODAY...IM SORRY I DIDNT DO THIS SOONER...IVE BEEN BUSY WITH SCHOOL...ENJOY..GO METS!!!