The Mets and Chris Woodward agreed to a one-year, $825,000 deal for 2006. Woodward was the last arbitration-eligible player the Mets had yet to sign. He appeared in 81 games last season, but 34 of those were at first base. Expect that number to drop to zero with Carlos Delgado starting and Julio Franco backing him up.
Woodward's outfield opportunities will likely drop as well, with one of Victor Diaz and Xavier Nady the fourth outfielder and probably Tike Redman as a fifth outfielder. Further, Jose Valentin was given a Major League contract, so he and Woodward will split 2B, SS and 3B opportunities not otherwise used by Kaz Matsui, Jose Reyes and David Wright.