Rusty already?

From The Post:

Spanking-new, $850 million Citi Field is already beginning to rust.

A Post reporter spotted brown water from a rusty beam creeping down the wall of the front entrance of Citi Field's main gate in Flushing, Queens, on 126th Street.

Obviously, this would only warrant it's own story, or a mention at all, in the New York Post. Not that there is anything wrong with that, I'm just saying...

I find it hard to believe that the steel they are using is already rusting. I'm no architect (though I'd rather be an architect than a city planner), but if something is rusting a mere two years after you put it up, that can't be a good sign.

Still, I doubt that this was rust.

Mets still confident

Ken Davidoff:

The Mets remain confident that they'll eventually land one of their top two choices to upgrade the starting rotation - either Derek Lowe or Oliver Perez.

He then goes on to look around baseball for teams that were searching for starters this year, and brings up quotes and signings that show the market for these two isn't very good.

Still, I'm yet to hear any Ben Sheets rumors for the Mets. Obviously, no team would sign this guy long term, due to his knack for getting hurt, but a two-year deal may make sense for a few, the Mets being one of them.

When Sheets is healthy, he's a top-notch pitcher, but that is a big "if." Still, a two-year deal, worth, say $8 million per year. He made $11 in 2007, but his injuries should limit the amount of money he gets paid.

Lowe, Perez and Sheets are still on the market, and the Mets absolutely need another starting pitcher. As of right now, Lowe is far and away the most popular choice in the current poll, garnering 43 percent of the overall votes. Sheets is in second with 25 percent and Perez has picked up 18 percent.

I'll take any of them.

Pedro, the Marlin? [Updated]

Now that the Mets have Tim Redding in the fold, the possibility for Pedro Martinez returning to the Mets is slim to none. (With the smart bet on the latter.)

Pedro has turned his sights elsewhere, and if this lead pans out, the Mets may be seeing him fairly often.

According to sources, Martinez is in talks with Florida and is "in the beginning stages of negotiating a contract with the Marlins."

All this comes a day after The Post ran this story: Pedro Lobbies For Mets Return.

In an exclusive interview with The Post, Martinez said he's open to pitching just about anywhere in 2009, but the Mets are far and away his first choice.
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"I went over to the Mets with something in mind, to win a World Series in the National League, and I haven't achieved that," said Martinez, who just completed a four-year, $53 million contract.
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"I just pray that [Fred Wilpon] bounces back and we can give him the World Series that he deserves."

He's such a likable guy, but his illustrious career is definitely in the fading stages. Enjoy Florida, or wherever you end up.

UPDATE: Not so, according to the Miami Herald.

"Multiple sources tell us nothing is afoot on that front, that either the Marlins aren't interested in the 37-year-old pitcher or they don't feel they can afford him."

Tim Redding: By the numbers

Here is a By The Numbers look at the Mets newest acquisition, Tim Redding.

30: Age.

34: Career wins.

51: Career losses.

4.92: Career ERA.

3.64: Season best ERA. (2007 with the Nationals in 15 games)

476: Career strikeouts.

182: Most innings pitched in a season. (2008)

767: Hits surrendered.

96: Home runs allowed.

20: Intentional walks issued.

2: Balks.

.148: Career batting average.

5: Career doubles.

.938: Career fielding percentage.

13: Sacrifice hits in 2008. (4th in the NL)

10: Wild pitches in 2008. (6th in the NL)

100: Earned runs allowed in 2008. (4th in the NL)

20: Round Houston Astros selected Redding in 1997 MLB Draft.

1: Season with more wins than losses. (3-1 with Houston in 2001)

Thanks to Baseball-Reference for some of these stats.

Hello, Tim Redding

The deal is official. Tim Redding the your newest New York Met.

Jon Heyman was right, as the deal was worth $2.25 million, but Redding has the chance to earn up to $3 million, according to Adam Rubin.

Redding went 10-11 with the lowly Nationals last season. Against the Braves, Phillies and Marlins, he posted a 6-5 record. 3-1 against Philadelphia, 1-1 against Atlanta and 2-3 against Florida.

The Mets won two and lost one to Redding.

Jon Niese may not even factor into the rotation now, but he'll be the perfect guy to come up if a pitcher gets injured. You never know, though, with a strong spring training, anything is possible.

Mets, Redding close to deal

According to sources, the New York Mets and free agent Tim Redding are closing in a one-year deal.

Jon Heyman believes the deal to be worth $2.25 million. Ken Davidoff has it costing the Mets another $250,000.

Smart move, Mets. Maybe this isn't the exact order you'd like to sign your free agent pitchers, but it's better than nothing.

I like it. Now where is my Honeymooners-Redding post...

Holy $hmoly

From the Daily News...

Yes, the Mets also want some $80 million in additional funding for their new Citi Field, but there are some big differences.

The City Council authorized the Mets to use that money, but the team never borrowed the full amount. The cost of Citi Field, including parking facilities, has increased by only about 15% above original projections - to a total of $700 million.

Yankee Stadium, on the other hand, has zoomed from an original price tag of $800 million in 2005 to $1.3 billion today.

And that's not counting the Yankee parking garages, which are being built by a separate nonprofit. They also have jumped in price to more than $340million.

The Mets are in the same town and are using the same unionized labor force. Yet Yankee Stadium will end up costing about twice as much as Citi Field.

(Emphasis is mine.)

I don't hate the Yankees or anything, but that's pretty ridiculous.

Video: Meet the Mets, punkified (and butchered)

Via Big League Stew...

Slightly NSFW due to the use of the s-word in the intro.

Honestly, this song is terrible. If you need to cleanse your ears with the classic, click here.

Link: Hot Stove Daily: New York Mets

Jeff Passan takes a look at the Mets off season moves and gives them a bit of a reality check. Read the article here.

Braves emerge as suitors for Lowe

After catching the short end of the John Smoltz stick, the Atlanta Braves are looking to make a splash and add to their weak rotation.

Derek Lowe and the Braves brass met at Turner Field down in Hot-lanta in an effort to woo the free agent sinkerballer.

Here's the report from the AJC:

“We had a nice talk, went pretty good,” [Bobby] Cox said. “Derek’s in great shape, ready to go. Who knows? Hopefully we can get close with him.”
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Cox has known Lowe since managing an all-star team that toured Japan eight years ago. Lowe was on it, and Cox left quite an impression with him. Boras said Sunday that the pitcher had great respect for the manager and was sincere in his interest in the Braves.

On Wednesday [Frank] Wren arranged the meeting with Lowe, a Florida resident, and Cox. Hours later, Wren was notified that Smoltz would sign with the Red Sox. Chipper Jones called Lowe on Wednesday to make a recruiting pitch, shortly before Smoltz called Jones to tell him he was leaving the Braves.

Great, so now if the Mets lose out on Lowe, they'll likely be forced to face him at least five times a year. Figures that would happen...

The Mets need to make a move, and quick. No more waiting around for something to happen. Blitzkrieg Boras and Lowe with another $2 million per and a fourth year. Let's get this over with, Omar Minaya & Co. There are still more holes to fill.