Meet the Mets
Leading off this morning, it sounds as if the Mets minority sales sell-a-thon is going swimmingly, at least according to the Daily News who says that the team is close to raising $100 million through the sale of five $20 million shares. The deals, which would help pay off $350 million of team debt, are expected to close within the next month. Further, the Daily News states that the investors have already been vetted and approved by Major League Baseball and that there could be more interested parties soon thereafter. Would it be hyperbolic to call this a nightmare come true? Because to me, this just seems like the can is only being kicked further down the road.
Hey, here's some good news: the Mets brought back Miguel Batista on a minor league deal! What, that doesn't get you excited? Well, then this has just been a gigantic swing and a miss. In all seriousness, Batista will serve as decent AAA depth. Meanwhile, the team also brought in reliever Fernando Cabrera and shortstop Sean Kazmar on minor league deals.
Ike Davis says that he's healthy and ready to go for spring training. Really. Let's hope he's ready. A full, healthy season of Ike at first base would be a gigantic lift for the team.
There was lots of Fernando Martinez talk on Tuesday. Over at Rising Apple, they took a look at his timeline with the Mets organization, while Toby Hyde put a masochistic spin on that by looking at his lengthy injury history. And Chris Cwik at FanGraphs wonders whether Fernando is worth a waiver claim.
Finally, FanGraphs put out its Mets top 15 prospects list.
Around the Majors
Remember when Bud Selig was going to retire after 2012? Well, it looks like the kibosh has been put on that idea, as his contract will likely be extended through 2014.
Ryan Madson will be wearing red again in 2012 but he'll be wearing a "C" on his hat instead of that horrible "P". The former Phillies closer agreed to a one year, $10 million deal with the Reds. That team's going to be scary good in 2012.
The Dodgers and FOX settled their lawsuit over the team's tv rights on Tuesday, which will allow the sale of the club to move along.
The Orioles agreed to terms with Taiwanese lefty Wei-yin Chen on a three year deal worth $11.3 million. The 26-year old pitched with the Chunichi Dragons of the Japanese Central League the last four years.
Over at FanGraphs, they took a look at the Hall of Fame cases for Larry Walker and Lee Smith.