Mets Today - The Hot Stove Edition

According to the several sources, including the New York Times, the Mets have offered Derek Lowe a three-year, $36M contract.
If the Mets can get Lowe that cheap, I’ll be amazed. I find it hard to believe that no other team in MLB can afford a 3/36 deal for Lowe. If I were Brian Cashman, for [...]

According to various sources, the Mets are interested in adding Randy Wolf to their 2009 starting rotation.
To me, that’s a nice idea — IF the plan is to make him the #5 starter. His lefthandedness is a big advantage in the NL East, and his veteran status suggests that he’s unlikely to crap the bed. [...]

It appears that three teams are in the midst of a bidding war for A.J. Burnett.
The Braves, Red Sox, and Yankees have all reportedly made offers to the fragile but gifted righthander, who is seeking a five-year deal in the neighborhood of $75M+.
One must wonder if the Yankees and Red Sox really want Burnett, or [...]

Jon Heyman says that Omar Minaya will meet with Francisco Rodriguez and his agent Paul Kinzer tonight (Sunday) in Las Vegas.
So far, no one can confirm a sighting, but my guess is they are behind closed doors in Omar’s suite at the Bellagio.
Supposedly, the Mets will offer something in the neighborhood of 3 years [...]

According to John Harper of the Daily News, the Mets did not expect there to be so much demand for Derek Lowe, and that they’re moving on to cheaper options. From the article:
The Mets aren’t conceding anything yet, but privately they admit they didn’t expect Lowe to be in such high demand, and they worry [...]

According to various sources, the Minnesota Twins are ready to make an offer to Casey Blake, a free-agent infielder / outfielder whom Joe Torre credited on many occasions as being nearly as important to the Dodgers’ entrance into the postseason as Manny Ramirez.
The question is, where are the Mets on Blake and why does it [...]

The Yankees, Red Sox, Braves, Phillies, Orioles, and Blue Jays are all in pursuit of A.J. Burnett, according to various sources.
Supposedly, the Yankees are going after Burnett fairly hard, and would like to sign both him and C.C. Sabathia this winter — and may also extend an offer to Derek Lowe. I for one wouldn’t [...]

Word is that Pedro Martinez plans to pitch in 2009. He may as well, since he’s finally healthy.
Now the question: should the Mets bring him back? I think they’d be crazy not to — on a one year contract with heavy incentives.
Currently the Mets have exactly two healthy starters returning to their rotation — [...]

According to David Lennon of Newsday, the Mets will be making contract offers this week to Francisco Rodriguez AND Brian Fuentes.
So if they both say yes, I guess the Mets will have both a setup man and a closer. Perhaps that suggests that they don’t see Fuentes as a closer? (Keep fingers crossed!)

Several sources are suggesting that the price for Francisco Rodriguez is falling quickly, and the Mets would do well to wait him out.
At five years, $75M, K-Rod is a risk, due to his violent throwing motion and the 408 career appearances in his young career. At, say, three years and $40M, signing him is a [...]