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Mets Release Ron Villone, Jose Valentin

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According to Matthew Cerrone of MetsBlog, the Mets released lefty reliever Ron Villone today.  Villone, 39, allowed eight hits and six runs in five spring innings.  Cerrone guesses Pedro Feliciano will be the team's only southpaw reliever when they break camp. 

Cerrone also reports via SNY that the Mets released infielder Jose Valentin.  He hit .267/.320/.378 in 48 spring plate appearances.  In February, Adam Rubin of the New York Daily News learned that Omar Minaya wants Valentin to be a player and unofficial coach at Triple A Buffalo.

Mets Retain Freddy Garcia

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According to Ben Shpigel of the New York Times, the Mets reassigned starter Freddy Garcia to minor league camp today.  Garcia softened his stance on the minors, as he'll work at extended Spring Training or else head to Triple A as a member of the Mets organization.  The move solidifies Livan Hernandez as the Mets' fifth starter, at least for now.

Freddy Garcia Not In Mix For Fifth Starter Job

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Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post suggests Freddy Garcia is no longer in the mix for the Mets' fifth starter job, which Livan Hernandez has all but locked up with the demotion of Jon Niese today.  Hubbuch says general manager Omar Minaya didn't even mention Garcia when discussing the No. 5 starter job.

Garcia is on a non-roster deal, but Hubbuch told me he said on the first day of camp he's not willing to pitch in the minors.  So the situation should come to a head soon.

Hubbuch adds that GM Omar Minaya "once again specifically ruled out signing Pedro Martinez."

Pedro Hopes For Return To Mets?

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According to Newsday's Jim Baumbach a friend of Pedro Martinez's says the righty still hopes to sign a deal with the Mets, though the Dodgers also appeal to him. This afternoon Jon Heyman reported that the Mets have offered Pedro a deal worth $1-2MM, so it appears Pedro can return if he's willing to lower his asking price.

Baumbach adds that Pedro isn't selling the house he owns on the New York-Connecticut border in case he can work out a return to the Mets. Last Tuesday, his return seemed unlikely, but a lot changes in a week. 

Heyman On Pedro, Pudge, Andruw

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SI.com's Jon Heyman has a new column.

  • Heyman believes the Mets offered Pedro Martinez a $1-2MM base salary, but he's still looking for $5MM.  Not happenin'.   ESPN's Jayson Stark suggests Pedro is asking for $6-8MM.
  • Heyman takes Astros GM Ed Wade to task for seemingly lying to MLB.com beat writer Alyson Footer about the team's pursuit of Ivan Rodriguez. The Pudge deal will be official once his physical is complete.
  • Andruw Jones must decide by Friday whether to stay with the Rangers (presumably he'd head to Triple A if he does not opt out).  In talking to MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan, Andruw said he doesn't know yet and needs to talk to Scott Boras.

Mets To Dump Freddy Garcia?

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6:24pm: According to Brian Costa of the Newark Star-Ledger, Mets manager Jerry Manuel stopped just short of naming Hernandez his fifth starter on Wednesday.

"I tell you what, he was pretty good today," Manuel said. "He has a good presence about him on the mound, in the dugout, teammates seem to really – it's like he brings a little bit different energy for us. So I would have to say that he's put himself in a real good position."

2:53pm: The New York Post's Bart Hubbuch writes that "it's probably safe to say Freddy Garcia won't be long for Mets' camp."

It's just speculation at this point without word from manager Jerry Manuel or GM Omar Minaya, but it's pretty clear that the Mets have better rotation options.  Garcia gave up four runs on four hits in just one inning Wednesday against the Braves and is still, as Hubbuch writes, "throwing what amounts to batting practice with his surgically repaired right shoulder."

Livan Hernandez and Jon Niese are both enjoying decent spring campaigns, and Tim Redding's contract should eventually land him a spot on the squad.  Dumping Garcia would save the Mets around $8.5MM in potential incenctives.

Odds & Ends: Suzuki, Zambrano, Nationals

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Links for Tuesday…

Astros Agree To Terms With Ivan Rodriguez

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1:08pm: ESPN’s Steve Phillips says the Astros reached an agreement with Rodriguez on a one-year, $1.5MM deal with another $1.5MM in performance bonuses.  Scott Boras’ offseason is over, aside from Byung-Hyun Kim and Eric Gagne.

12:54pm: A deal with the Astros appears close, according to Jose de Jesus Ortiz of the Houston Chronicle.  GM Ed Wade admitted he’s re-engaged with Scott Boras on Pudge.

11:28am: According to SI.com’s Jon Heyman, Pudge is in serious talks with the Astros.

10:05am: Free agent catcher Ivan Rodriguez may sign soon.  A look at his rumored suitors:

Heyman On Pedro, Manny, Crede

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The latest from SI.com’s Jon Heyman…

  • Heyman sees the Pedro Martinez sweepstakes as between the Dodgers and Mets, but he might have to come down to the $2.5MM range.  The Mets don’t seem thrilled with Tim Redding, who "came to camp with a sore shoulder and 20 pounds overweight."
  • If Manny Ramirez opts out after the ’09 season, he’ll seek a three-year deal.  Heyman suggests Manny may be better off staying in L.A. than signing with a New York team.
  • Heyman spoke to one White Sox person who questioned Joe Crede’s ability to play on the Minnesota turf.
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