Report: Mets make offer to Kelvim Escobar [Twitter]

Arangure went on to quote Kelvim Escobar as liking that Johan Santana, Francisco Rodriguez and Henry Blanco were all Mets and that he wants to play with fellow Venezuelans.

As a bullpen arm, Escobar could be a good low-risk, high-reward player, something the Mets will probably see a lot of in spring training.

Lackey to Boston? What it means for the Mets

As Ed Price first reported, John Lackey will be undergoing a physical with the Boston Red Sox.  This, as I’m sure you can deduce, means that they are close on a deal.

What does that mean for the Mets?

Obviously, this throws a wrench into the possibility of signing the top-tier pitcher for the Mets.

As I wrote today, the Mets shouldn’t be counted out of Lackey and Jason Bay, so it should be the same for the Red Sox.  Though they could so it, they probably won’t.

This leaves the Mets as the top suitor for Bay.  A mystery team has supposedly offered a five-year deal to Bay.  Some say it’s the Mariners.

If Bay is being bid on by only two teams, that might mean it won’t cost a bidding war over Bay and he might be able to sign for a “bargain.”

But if Bay goes elsewhere, and Lackey signs in Boston, where does that leave the Mets?

Pelfrey, the head case?

A few people are calling for a psychiatrist to take a look into Mike Pelfrey’s cranium.

But this isn’t news.  If you may remember in early September…

"I was so upset, I had to get outside," Pelfrey said Wednesday afternoon. "I had to get some fresh air. I had to breathe."

Once he found himself standing in the middle of the parking lot, Pelfrey began running laps, each about 13 blocks long, as his teammates struggled through the late innings of an 8-3 loss to Colorado.
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"If you had talked to me in the sixth inning," Pelfrey said, "I would have done something I would have regretted."

Am I worried?  No, not at all. 

Are you?

Bay and Lackey?

As you likely know, the Mets have extended a four-year, $65 million deal to free agent Jason Bay.

I don’t love the deal and I really hope the Mets are not the rumored team that have offered Bay five years.  (Is that you, Seattle?)  But, with the offered deal, the Mets might be able to swing another free agent on the market.

Not that I’m condoning it, but with the money the Mets save on the deal (by going for Bay over Scott Boras-client Matt Holliday), it is in the realm of possibility they could also sign John Lackey.

Yes, the Mets want to stay within a reasonable distance of their payroll from 2009.  Yes, adding Lackey and Bay would probably be silly, devoting so much of the payroll to these two players (and add in Johan Santana for an even bigger chunk).

Likely? No. Plausible? Slightly. Going to happen? Doubt it.

But as JP said in Angels in the Outfield, “It could happen!”

Link: Johan’s home

Head over to The New York Times to read a fascinating story about Johan Santana’s annual pilgrimage back to his hometown in Venezuela.

SNY was on hand to tape the events, so I’m sure we’ll be seeing it at a later date.

I love Johan more and more each day.

Poll Results: Do you trust Omar Minaya?

My latest poll shows that fans don’t trust Omar Minaya much at all.  But are you really surprised?

Next poll: What ticket plan will you get next season?

Mets non-tenders [Twitter]

From Newsday’s David Lennon…

Sounds about right

Where’s Everth Cabrera when we need him?

Alex Cora leaves winter-ball game with back discomfort

According to Beisbol Invernal, via MetsBlog, Alex Cora was forced to leave a game for Criollos de Caguas with apparent back pain.

Reads Google Translator…

The Creoles also seen leaving the pitch with back discomfort alleged in the second inning for his valuable 'infielder', Alex Cora, who started last night in defending the run. He was replaced by Danny Gonzalez.

I love that ‘infielder’ is in quotes, as if he’s some sort of imposter.

But he’s worth $2 million with a vesting option for another $2 million, right Omar?

Mets re-sign Elmer Dessens

In a long-rumored deal, the Mets have re-signed Elmer Dessens to a minor-league deal.

Dessens, 39, signed a split contract that would earn him $700K in the majors and $90K in the minors.  There are also bonuses worth up to $150K with $30,000 paid out for each of 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 relief appearances.

Stickin’ to them like glue, eh Dessens?