According to Wallace Matthews of ESPN-NY, Scott Hairston has decided he will play for either the Yankees or the Mets — and he’ll make his final decision within the next few days. What might be going into his decision?

I know many Mets fans were hoping to get Nick Swisher under the Christmas tree, but it wasn’t meant to be.

In case you missed it, the following 2012 Mets are now free agents: Scott Hairston, Jon Rauch, Ramon Ramirez, Ronny Cedeno, Kelly Shoppach, Tim Byrdak and Chris Young. Which of these seven wonders would you bring back in 2013, if you were GM? Let’s take a look at each …

Mets 4 Marlins 3

Since this game was not broadcast on a television station I could watch, and I couldn’t attend the game in person, I’m taking for granted that Howie Rose and all the tweeters weren’t lying when they said the Mets won.

Mets 7 Marlins 3

Finally, the Mets meet a team that is more fundamentally flawed, and deeper in the tank, than themselves.

Nationals 5 Mets 3

As a result of this loss, Gio Gonzalez remains the only NL pitcher with 19 wins.

Nationals 5 Mets 1

The Mets’ offensive futility in Flushing is now reaching historical proportions.

Tonight, the Mets open a series in Cincinnati against the Red Legs and their mustachioed Mr. Met clone mascot.  The Reds quietly own the second-best record in baseball (behind only the Washington Nationals), and lead the NL Central by 5 games over the Pittsburgh Pirates.  So, the struggling Mets have their work cut out for them.  Maybe it’s time to break out the Underdog t-shirts and hope for the best.

On to the Blogs:

• Kranepool wonders why the Wilpons won’t just level with us fans about their current situation.
• Trash Talk Sports puts into words the frustration we Mets fans always feel around this time of year (NSFW Language).
• Bleacher Report slide-shows some of the best things about being a Mets fan.
• Metstradamus credits the late Gary Carter, who never cussed, for coming up with the ultimate F-Bomb.
• Rant Sports believes the Mets will put Scott Hairston on waivers, and trade him sooner than later.
• Daily Stache, meanwhile, wonders why the Mets haven’t traded Hairston yet.

Mets Today is staying put, so stay tuned for the continuing adventures of our beloved Mets.