Mets Morning News: Team will buy out Santana, look in-house for first base help

Jeff Wilpon spoke to the media again, and had more to say bout the state of the Mets. When asked about potentially adding to the mix at first base, he said the following:

"Why would I sign a high- priced guy at that position? I'd rather use that money and fill somewhere else where we really don't have anybody right now.''

Wilpon also added a few players to the list of guys that have solidified roster spots for next year, and we got word on one player that likely won't be with the team next year. Unsurprisingly, the Mets intend to pay Johan Santana his buyout as opposed to picking up his option.

For those of you that spend the majority of you winter bunkered down in your mother's basement watching the MLB network, there will be a familiar face keeping you company this year. Ron Darling has joined the network as an analyst.

Roster spots are at a premium again, as all of the players on the 60-day DL have been reinstated.

Yesterday at AA

Episode 40 of Amazin' Avenue Audio is available for your listening pleasure.

The Piazza for best position player was handed out yesterday, and it was a unanimous choice.

We continued our series of free agent profiles with the softest, least grissiony player of the bunch. Note to Mr. Wilpon...signing Carlos Beltran will give the media someone that isn't you to #Blame for the Mets issues.

November 1 has been a quiet day in Mets history, as it has for the vast majority of the league.

Around Baseball

Did anyone see the ridiculously large bottle of Champagne David Ortiz was working on after Game 6? It was kind of expensive.

Larry Granillo made his case for David Ortiz getting into the hall of fame, but I'm still not overly impressed. If the voters are going to keep out better designated hitters than Ortiz as well as far better players who haven't even been reliably linked to PED use, Ortiz has no business even being discussed.

Nelson Cruz will receive a qualifying offer. Jacoby Ellsbury, Stephen Drew, and Mike Napoli will as well.

Matt Lindstrom won't be hitting the market. Chris Capuano and Mark Ellis will. Joining the pair will be Rafael Betancourt.