Mets May Sign Vargas As Soon As Today

Mark Hale at the New York Post writes about the Mets interest in Claudio Vargas and that a deal could be done soon:

The New York Mets are on the verge of signing free-agent right-hander Claudio Vargas to a minor-league contract, and a deal could be done as early as today, The Post has learned.

Vargas' agent, Bean Stringfellow, told The Post today that the Mets have offered Vargas a Triple-A deal and were one of four teams in the hunt. Stringfellow confirmed that the Mets are the favorite.

Well they definitely need the arms. It could be a good signing if he learns how to control himself on the mound.

How About Lofton?

Jim Baumach at Newsday writes about the possibility of signing Kenny Lofton:

If I were the Mets, I'd go a different direction. Kenny Lofton remains unsigned and the still speedy centerfielder has been productive wherever he has been (except that one year with the Yankees, which we wasn't all his fault).

Last season Lofton batted .303 with a .380 on-base percentage in 84 games as the Texas Rangers starting centerfielder. He had 16 doubles, 3 triples and 7 home runs. After landing in Cleveland as part of a trade-deadline deal, Lofton's numbers suffered a touch. He batted .283 with a .344 on-base percentage in 84 games. After stealing 21 bases in 25 chances with Texas, he had only two in five tries.

Adding Lofton to play left field would be an intriguing move by the Mets. It keeps Endy Chavez (also nursing an injury) as the fourth outfielder, which is where he is best suited, and makes speed even more prevalent in their lineup. With Jose Reyes, Luis Castillo and Lofton in the lineup, the Mets could evoke memories of the mid-1980s St. Louis Cardinals.

Garcia Visits Mets Camp

Jon Heyman at SI.com writes about Freddy Garcia and him being spotted at Mets Spring Training Camp:

The Mets haven't said anything about possible progress in contract talks, but they have long been interested in Garcia, who was spotted at their camp in Port St. Lucie, Fla.

The Mets were pleased by Pedro Martinez's speedy recovery after shoulder surgery and are hopeful they can duplicate that success if they sign Garcia. The 31-year-old Garcia had shoulder surgery last August, cutting short his season in Philadelphia, where he went only 1-5 with a 5.90 ERA in 11 starts. Garcia, a two-time All-Star, is hoping to be available to pitch by June or July.

Thanks to Mets Blog for the link.

Mets Sign Brady Clark

At SBRForum.com writes about the Mets signing of Brady Clark:

The New York Mets on Friday signed veteran outfielder Brady Clark to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.

The 34-year-old Clark split last season between the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres, hitting .262 with 11 RBI in 68 games. Brady was released by the Dodgers on June 18, then signed by the Padres on August 16.

This will be Clark's second stint at Shea Stadium, as he played 10 games for the Mets in 2002, hitting .417 with an RBI after arriving from Cincinnati in the Shawn Estes trade.

Mets Sign Johnson

At Mets.com they write about the signing of Ben Johnson:

The New York Mets announced today they have signed outfielder Ben Johnson to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.

Johnson, 26, batted .185 (5-27) with one double and one RBI in nine games last season with New York. He made five starts in leftfield and two in rightfield for the Mets. In addition, the 6-1, 229-pounder hit .271 (51-188) with 26 runs scored, 10 doubles, two home runs and 12 RBI in 53 contests with New Orleans (AAA) of the Pacific Coast League.

Pending Physical, Benson Is A Phillie

Ken Mandel at MLB.com writes about Kris Benson signing with the Phillies:

On the eve of pitchers and catchers reporting to Spring Training, the Phillies added veteran free agent Kris Benson to their inventory of arms.

The right-hander, the No. 1 overall pick in the June 1996 First-Year Player Draft, agreed on Wednesday to a Minor League deal, pending a physical.

The Phillies dispatched Chuck LaMarr, the team's director of professional scouting, to watch Benson throw twice near his Atlanta home. LaMarr reported that Benson was at "60-70 percent" of his velocity and might not be ready for Opening Day.

Phillies Close To Deal With Benson

Scott Lauber at Delaware Online writes about the Phillies and Kris Benson being close to a deal:

Clifton, reached Tuesday by phone at his office in Scottsdale, Ariz., said Benson may sign with the Phillies by today, just in time for the club's pitchers and catchers to hold their first workout Thursday at the Carpenter Complex. Benson, 33, had surgery last March to repair a torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder and hasn't pitched since 2006.

"Both sides are saying, 'You want this, we want this,' " Clifton said. "We're in that mode now, and we're having conversations back and forth. From years of doing this, I'd say we should know something in the next 24 to 36 hours, judging from where things are now."

Mets Sign Olmedo Saenz

Marty Noble at Mets.com writes about the Mets signing of Olmedo Saenz:

In what could be identified as yet another "last move before we start Spring Training," the Mets signed right-handed-hitting veteran pinch-hitter Olmedo Saenz to a Minor League contract and invited him to their soon-to-open camp. A day after the club signed Tony Armas Jr. to compete for the long relief assignment filled by Darren Oliver and Aaron Sele the two last seasons, it signed Saenz as a free agent, seemingly to serve in the role filled by Julio Franco in 2006 and by Franco and later Jeff Conine last year.

Seanz, who turned 37 in October, rarely was used in defensive situations last season, his fourth with the Dodgers. He had 75 plate appearances as a pinch-hitter last season. His 14 hits in that role were the fourth most in the big leagues. He batted .222 with two home runs, 12 RBIs, two sacrifice flies, and nine walks. He played merely 81 innings -- 75 at first base -- in his 92 games, starting eight games at first base and none at third. He didn't commit any errors at either position, but is hardly considered a quality defender.

Mets Sign Armas Jr.

At Rotoworld they write about the Mets signing Tony Armas Jr.:

Mets signed RHP Tony Armas Jr. to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.

Not that he had much chance anyway after posting a 6.03 ERA last season, but Armas picked the wrong place to win a rotation spot given the Mets' pitching depth following the deal for Johan Santana. Barring an injury, his best chance to win a spot on the Opening Day roster will likely come as a long reliever.

Orioles Sign Trachsel

Over at CBS 13 Baltimore they write aboutthe Orioles signing Steve Trachsel to a Minor League Contract:

The Orioles announced that they have signed RHP Steve Trachsel to a minor league contract with an invitation to their major league spring training camp.

Trachsel, 37, began last season with the Orioles before being traded to the Chicago Cubs on Aug. 31. He combined to go 7-11 with a 4.90 ERA in 29 starts between the two teams. He went 6-8 with a 4.48 ERA in 25 starts for the Orioles after signing the day before the start of spring training, and allowed three or fewer earned runs in 17 of his 25 starts for the Orioles and 2 of 4 starts for the Cubs.

Mets Interested In Wilson

At Rotoworld they write about Craig Wilson and hw the Mets are interested in the first baseman/outfielder:

The New York Post reports that the Mets are interested in Craig Wilson.

The 31-year-old Wilson struggled mightily last season, but would still be useful as a bench bat or platoon starter against left-handed pitching. He could be an occasional platoon-mate for Carlos Delgado at first base, but is unlikely to have fantasy value and may have to settle for a minor league contract.

Livan Wants To Be Nats Opening Day Starter

Bill Ladson at Nationals.com rites about Livan Hernandez and how he now wants to pitch for the Nationals and be their opening day starter:

Wednesday, Hernandez said he would like to play for the Nationals and be their Opening Day starter on March 30 against the Braves at the new Nationals Park.

Hernandez, 32, indicated that he wants to play where he is happy and he enjoyed his time with the Nationals/Expos for three-plus years. His time with Washington came to an end on Aug. 7, 2006, when general manager Jim Bowden traded him to the Arizona Diamondbacks for pitchers Matt Chico and Garrett Mock. The Nationals were looking to rebuild their farm system when the trade was made.

"I was the Opening Day starter when the Nationals came to Washington [in 2005]. It would be nice to have that same feeling [at the new park]. Sometimes, it's not about the money. It's how you feel," Hernandez said by phone. "I would love to go to Washington. There are things to do over there. Maybe the [Nationals'] budget [is low]. I'm willing to work with anything."

Mets Still Interested In Lohse

At Rotoworld they write about the Mets and them still being interested in Kyle Lohse:

According to ESPN's Jayson Stark, a baseball man who had spoken with Mets GM Omar Minaya said the team could end up with both Johan Santana and Kyle Lohse.

Santana's addition alone figures to secure tham a spot as the highest payroll ever for an NL team. Adding Lohse at another $7 million-$9 million per year would just be a drop in the bucket, we suppose. Lohse isn't any better than an of the Mets' starters, assuming the Santana acquisition gets done. However, he can take on a lot of innings, something that can't be said about any of the Mets' non-Santana starters. His addition could result in Orlando Hernandez opening the seaon in the pen.

Brewers Sign Cameron

Tom Haudricourt at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel writes about the Brewers signing Mike Cameron:

I just got it confirmed that the Brewers indeed have signed free-agent centerfielder Mike Cameron. The deal is for one year plus a club option for 2009 but I haven't learned the financial numbers yet.

Last year in San Diego, Cameron batted .242 with 21 homers and 78 RBI in 151 games. He is a three-time Gold Glove winner.

Mets Back Off Of Colon

At Rotoworld they write about the Mets and them backing off of Colon:

ESPN's Buster Olney says he heard free agent Bartolo Colon was on the verge of signing with the Mets last week, but the team backed off after taking a closer look at the condition of his right arm.

With White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen in attendence, Colon allowed three runs and six hits in five innings in his postseason start in the Dominican Winter League on Thursday. He struck out two and walked none.

Mets Close To Deal With Valentin

At MLB Trade Rumors they write about the Mets and Jose Valentin being close on a deal for 2008:

El Nuevo Dia is reporting that infielder Jose Valentin is close to re-signing with the Mets. He talked to several teams, but decided to take a nonguaranteed backup role with New York.

A few months ago, MLB.com's Marty Noble suggested the Mets would only re-sign Valentin if he was able to play the outfield. Valentin dealt with a partially torn ACL and fractured tibia in '07, and hopes to be 100% in February.

Colon Missed Two Starts

At MLB Trade Rumors they wrote about Bartolo Colon missing two starts in the Dominican Winter League:

A friend in the Dominican Republic notes that Bartolo Colon has missed his last two starts. Maybe he's done showcasing and now awaits an offer; I'm not sure at this point. Word a few days ago was that Colon had yet to crack 90 mph.

Now Livan Would Love To Pitch For The Marlins

At Rotoworld they write about Livan Hernandez and how he would love to pitch for the Marlins:

Free agent Livan Hernandez said he'd love to pitch for the Marlins, but "they don't have any money."

Except they do have plenty of money, and they'll almost surely be one of baseball's most profitable teams next year. They just don't want to spend it on players. The Hernandez front has been quiet for weeks now. The Mets seem to be pursuing Kyle Lohse over him, and there hasn't been anyone else that he's known to have talked to lately.

Mets Are Best Bet For Colon

Gerry Fraley at The Sporting Newswrites about Bartolo Colon and where he will likely end up next season:

Colon won the Cy Young in 2005, when he went 21-8 with the Los Angeles Angels and pitched more than 200 innings for the eighth time in nine years. He worked during that season with personal trainer Nao Presinal, whose involvement with an equipment bag full of steroids and syringes seized by Canadian customs agents in 2001 is detailed in the Mitchell report.

Colon emerged from that season with a partially torn rotator cuff and has not been the same since, pitching only 155-2/3 innings in the last two seasons. Colon's performance with Aguilas of the Dominican Republic winter league will help determine what kind of deal he gets.

Best bet: the New York Mets. General manager Omar Minaya took a bigger gamble in 2002, when, as Montreal GM, he obtained Colon from Cleveland.

Prior Signs With Padres

Joe At Mets Today writes about Mark Prior signing with the Padres:

As many had expected, Mark Prior signed with the San Diego Padres.

We don’t yet know the details, but it’s likely a one-year deal.

It makes a lot of sense from Prior’s point of view. First, he’ll be pitching in a decidedly pitcher’s park; second, he’ll be in a nice warm climate; third, he won’t be counted on to be an ace; fourth, he’ll have a fairly good bullpen behind him; and finally, he was born and raised in San Diego and continues to make his home there.