Meet the Mets
The Mets have started to move on their managerial search. First up for interviews are two in-house candidates: Bob Melvin and Dave Jauss. At this point, it's pretty obvious that big name candidates are not going to get much attention from Sandy Alderson, especially since the two biggest names attached to the Met job are Bobby Valentine and Joe Torre. Valentine still has issues with Fred Wilpon and Torre seems content with being retired from managing.
There is some player news today as well. The Mets exercised Jose Reyes $11 million option for next year and seem to be open to long term contract negotiations.
Interestingly, Sandy Alderson has requested a meeting with Carlos Beltran. No word yet on whether Beltran has accepted and what this meeting is about. No matter what, it would be nice to see the team improve its communications with Team Beltran.
Johan Santana has filed a motion to dismiss the Florida civil case arising out of his weird golf course tryst/alleged sexual assault.
The Mets will be lowering ticket prices for next season. You can also look forward to some of these amazin' fan promotions.
J.P. Ricciardi insists that the Mets will be competitive in the international player market and will be willing to pay overslot for draft picks.
Gotham Nation's Mark Healey disapproves of Adam Rubin's treatment of Wally Backman.
Ted Berg talks with Ron Darling on the Baseball Show and also says yes to Duda for Garza.
Around MLB
The Giants had a victory parade and McCovey Chronicles has pictures to prove it. You think those people are happy, how about Mad Dog.
Ryne Sandberg has declined a return to the Cubs organization and will probably start looking for a Major League job.
Eric Chavez, that guy who played third base pretty well for the A's at one point, has been cut.
Yu Darvish decided to stay in Japan for 2011 but is planning a MLB debut in 2012.
Newly minted full-time Marlin manager Edwin Rodriguez thinks his team has a decent shot next season.
If you think that baseball is inherently unfair, you might want to take a look at the World Series from the last decade.
And, finally, sad news today as former Tigers and Reds manager Sparky Anderson has entered hospice care.