Mets Morning News: Wild Card Fever Has Braves And Rangers Under The Weather (But Actually Eliminated)

Meet the Mets

The biggest Mets' news yesterday is that according to the Times' Richard Sandomir, ownership is trying to get the banks to refinance their SNY debt so that they have money to pay off other debts (Citi Field bonds, for example). Aside from the debt issues, the Mets may have some payroll problems, considering a lot of the money for 2013 is already accounted for, especially if Jason Bay and Johan Santana's buyouts count for 2013.

There's some better news, as Mike Puma in the Post says that the Mets are hoping to get deals with David Wright and R.A. Dickey done quickly, possibly even before the first pitch of the World Series. Sounds good to me!

In a depressing read, Toby Hyde says that the Mets are one of just eight teams who have not made the playoffs in the last six seasons.

The home of Mets' spring training and the St. Lucie Mets' games will have a new name, as Digital Domain has pulled out of their naming rights agreement.

Bobby Parnell is actually a very good option to be the Mets' next closer, as Howard Megdal explains.

Which free agent outfielders should the Mets be looking at this offseason?

Seedlings To Stars is reviewing their top 100 prospects list and they look at the two Mets' pitching prospects they ranked in the #51-60 area.

Around the Playoffs

In the inaugural Wild Card games, the Braves were defeated by the Cardinals 6-3, while the Orioles knocked the Rangers out with a 5-1 victory. In the Atlanta loss, Chipper Jones made a crucial throwing error that opened up a three-run Cardinals fourth inning. He also went 1-5 at the plate in his final game. The other crucial play in that game was the outfield infield fly rule call in the eighth inning that led to Atlanta fans throwing cans and bottles on the field. The Cardinals move on to the NLDS, where they'll match up against the Nationals.

In the Rangers/Orioles game, Joe Saunders somehow outpitched Yu Darvish, as the Ranger offense managed just a single run on nine hits. After the loss, Josh Hamilton hinted that he may be ready to move on from Texas. In the ALDS, the Orioles will play the Yankees.

Around the Majors

Reliever Pat Neshek is on the A's playoff roster following the death of his newborn son on Thursday night. We feel for you, Pat. I can only imagine the pain that you're in.

Coming off of a 96 loss season, the Twins let go of most of Ron Gardenhire's coaching staff yesterday, outside of Gardenhire himself and pitching coach Rick Anderson.

If anybody had interest in veteran catcher Chris Ianetta as an option for the Mets, you can take him off of your free agent board, as he signed a three-year, $15 million extension to stay with the Angels.

Matt Kemp underwent shoulder surgery yesterday and should be ready to start the 2013 season.

Terry Francona interviewed with the Indians for their managerial job on Friday morning.

The Rays released troubled reliever and former #1 overall draft pick Matt Bush after he spent the entire season on the team's restricted list because of an offseason hit and run accident.

Yesterday At AA

James Kannengieser takes a look at the forgotten stories of the Mets' second half, like when Miguel Batista said the Mets were the best team in baseball.

Jason Bay's batting average was miserable, says Eric. That might even be an understatement.

In This Date In Mets History for October 5th, Edgardo Alfonzo opens his first postseason with a bang.