Duda, Where's Sandy Alderson's Car Applesauce?: This title sounded a lot more clever in my head, but we are sticking with it

Meet the Mets

The Mets are all packed up and ready for Spring Training. Of course, since they can't afford to hire real movers, they had to put poor Mr. Met to work. They really should be careful. You know what happens when Mr. Met gets stressed out.

In stories recycled from July of last year, Johan Santana has been throwing long toss and may be ready to pitch off a mound soon. It's deja vu all over again. Hope Chris Schwinden is in the best shape of his life!

Mark Simon, ESPN's resident stat head, takes a look at what 2012 might hold for Lucas Duda. If you want more Lucas Duda talk, Eno and I recently discussed him on my podcast. (/cheap plug) And Ted Berg looked at whether or not Duda and Bay should be flip-flopped in the outfield corners. If that doesn't work, Bay can always play bass in Pearl Jam apparently. Andy Martino, master of scoops.

Toby Hyde was very busy yesterday, updating us on the potential Eastern League affiliate shuffle next year, and then profiling Josh Edgin and Matt Den Dekker as his #19 and #18 prospects. That Edgin ranking is very, very ambitious. Toby's seen him more than me, obviously, but I'm going to remain skeptical about 24 year olds at A ball (who aren't named Darin Gorski. GORSKI!) I have Den Dekker in the same general range, though I don't think his ceiling is quite as high as Toby does.

Hey, let's check in with Sandy!

Can't decide on a Valentine's Day gift for my wife: Spa day or iHOP gift card?

Eh, that was okay, but Sandy's set the bar awfully high. I'll just assume the stress of the drive is wearing him down a bit.

Dayn Perry tries to create a Mets meme using the expressionist art of Francisco Goya. Eh, it's no "probably vampires or something." And it's certainly no Ike Davis Dog.

Around MLB

The mystery team strikes again! The Oakland As swooped in and signed youtube and outfield sensation Yoenis Cespedes to a 4 year, 36 million dollar deal, after which Cespedes will be able to declare free agency. This was roughly the same money, but two less years than the Marlins were offering. This brings Billy Beane one step closer to fielding a team of all outfielders and gives him a cheap trade chip in a couple years if Cespedes blossoms into a star. Which I am skeptical of, but at least he's realtively cheap. This just goes to show how much the draft depresses salaries, when an unproven 26 year old outfielder who might need time in AAA gets three times as much guarenteed money as Bryce Harper.

For more on Cespedes, FanGraphs' Bradley Woodrum and Carson Cistulli have a podcast all about him. I always think Cistulli's voice should sound more like a British Classics professor, and I am always disappointed.

David Ortiz and the Red Sox avoided an arbitration hearing, settling for 14.575 million. But they are so freaking cheap, right Mr. Heyman?

FanGraphs also examines whether or not the Phillies have enough offense. Well, I certainly hope not.

If you have ever considered trying to snag a job in a major league front office, BTBS is starting a primer just for you. Just beware the frighteningly giant photo of the well-coiffed Alex Anthopoulous.

The Cubs and Red Sox are still negotiating over the compensation for GM Theo Esptein. This will probably get resolved right after we find out how many wild cards there will be this year.

Meanwhile, Jose Canseco apparently thought season two of Eastbound and Down was a documentary or something.

Baseball Nation mentions that PETA is taking the Marlins to task over their new stadium's aquarium. Frankly, I don't know who to root for here.

And Now, Your Mets Highlight of the Day to Tide You Over Until Spring Training: Lucas Duda pelts the Braves with baseballs

I'm actually pretty high on Duda's bat in 2012. I think he might even post a better wRC+ than Ike, but that glove is going to be an adventure in right field.

And Your Non-Baseball Link of the Day: "Man as Machine"

A look at the very, very early history of robotics.