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Pedro has publically expressed interest that he wants to return to the Mets.  With the signing of Tim Redding, and the pursuit of Lowe/Perez, there are questions as to where Pedro actually fits in the Mets future plans.  Assuming the Mets can’t get Lowe or Perez, Pedro could fill the back end of the rotation, but I suppose Pedro’s future with the Mets will depends on what happens with the Boras clients.  Pedro’s agent has plans to meet with the Mets next week.

The Mets were among several teams who watch former closer Chad Cordero throw during a pitching session this past week.  Other teams included the Tigers, Nationals, Brewers, DiamondBacks, and Rangers.   Cordero is only 26 and is the former Nationals closer, before injuring his shoulder this past year.  The 26 year old (27 when the season starts) has never had an ERA over 3.36 at the MLB level.  He was a dominant closer for Washington, and would be a welcome addition to the Mets bullpen.  Potentially, if healthy, Corder could be the 7th inning man, giving the Mets a solid option in the final 3 innings of a game with Cordero, Putz and K Rod.  On days that either Putz or K Rod need a day off, Cordero could slid up to the 8th inning (either Putz or K Rod would close the game).  It would also diminish Duaner Sanchez’s role in the bullpen, who was, let’s face it, often ineffective last season.  Depending on what the money and terms are, this could be a solid final addition to the Mets bullpen.

What I like about Cordero, is he can pitch to both RHB and LHB.  His career avg. against LHB is .217 and his numbers against RHB is .226.  Go for it Omar… if he is healthy, sign him!

Catchers
Brad Ausmus (40)
Paul Bako (37)
Gary Bennett (37)
Henry Blanco (37)
Johnny Estrada (33)
Sal Fasano (37)
Toby Hall (33)
Robby Hammock (32)
Paul Lo Duca (37)
Adam Melhuse (37)
Ivan Rodriguez (37)
Javier Valentin (33)
Jason Varitek (37)
Gregg Zaun (38)

Infielders
Rich Aurilia (37)
Miguel Cairo (35)
Sean Casey (34)
Eric Hinske (31)
Doug Mientkiewicz (35)
Kevin Millar (37)
Richie Sexson (34)
Mark Sweeney (39)
Daryle Ward (34)
Chris Burke (29)
Craig Counsell (38)
Ray Durham (37)
Damion Easley (39)
David Eckstein (34)
Mark Grudzielanek (39)
Orlando Hudson (31)
Tadahito Iguchi (34)
Jeff Kent (41)
Ramon Martinez (36)
Pablo Ozuna (34)
Luis Rivas (29)
Orlando Cabrera (34)
Alex Cintron (30)
Alex Cora (33)
Craig Counsell (38)
Nomar Garciaparra (35)
Tomohiro Nioka (33)
Juan Uribe (30)
Omar Vizquel (42)
Rich Aurilia (37)
Joe Crede (31) 
Ty Wigginton (31)

Outfielders
Moises Alou (42)
Garret Anderson (37)
Emil Brown (34)
Adam Dunn (29)
Cliff Floyd (36)
Luis Gonzalez (41)
Gabe Kapler (33)
Craig Monroe (32)
Jay Payton (36)
Manny Ramirez (37)
So Taguchi (39)
Jim Edmonds (39)
Gabe Kapler (33)
Scott Podsednik (33)
Bobby Abreu (35)
Emil Brown (34)
Cliff Floyd (36)
Jonny Gomes (28)
Ken Griffey Jr. (39)
Brad Wilkerson (32)

Starting pitchers
Matt Belisle (29)
Kris Benson (33)
Paul Byrd (38)
Roger Clemens (46)
Bartolo Colon (36)
Josh Fogg (32)
Freddy Garcia (33)
Jon Garland (29)
Tom Glavine (43)
Charlie Haeger (25)
Livan Hernandez (34)
Orlando Hernandez (43)
Chuck James (27)
Jason Jennings (30)
Kenshin Kawakami (34)
Jon Lieber (39)
Braden Looper (34)
Rodrigo Lopez (33)
Derek Lowe (36)
Pedro Martinez (37)
Mark Mulder (31)
John Parrish (31)
Odalis Perez (32)
Oliver Perez (27)
Andy Pettitte (37)
Sidney Ponson (32)
Mark Prior (27)
Kenny Rogers (44)
Curt Schilling (42)
Ben Sheets (30)
Kip Wells (32)
Randy Wolf (32)

Relievers
Brandon Lyon (29)
Takashi Saito (39)
Luis Ayala (31)
Joe Beimel (32)
Joe Borowski (38)
Shawn Chacon (31)
Chad Cordero (27)
Lance Cormier (28)
Juan Cruz (30)
Elmer Dessens (37)
Brendan Donnelly (37)
Scott Elarton (33)
Randy Flores (33)
Casey Fossum (31)
Keith Foulke (35)
Eric Gagne (33)
Tom Gordon (41)
Eddie Guardado (38)
Matt Herges (39)
Jason Isringhausen (36)
Tyler Johnson (27)
Jon Lieber (39)
Aquilino Lopez (34)
Guillermo Mota (35)
Will Ohman (31)
Al Reyes (38)
Dennys Reyes (32)
Juan Rincon (30)
Ricardo Rincon (39)
Rudy Seanez (40)
Brian Shouse (40)
Russ Springer (40)
Ken Takahashi (41)
Julian Tavarez (36)
Mike Timlin (43)
Ron Villone (39)
Kip Wells (32)
Matt Wise (33)
Jamey Wright (34)

Source: MLB Trade Rumors.com

Mark my words, the winner of this game will appear in the Superbowl.  The Giants are the defending Super Bowl champs, who posted the best regular season record for the NFC, and have had plenty of time off to rest and recover for a playoff run.  The Eagles, are the under dog, who miraculouesly made their way into the playoffs, and are in a position where they will not have home field advantage the entire playoffs.  They are also the hot team, who has now won 5 of the last 6 games including last weeks game against the Vikings.

The Eagles and Giants met two times this past season, and split the series 1-1.  Both games were close and could have gone either way.   The Giants have 2 great offensive weapons in Eli Manning and Brandon Jacobs.  The Eagles have 2 great offensive weapons in Donavan McNabb and Brian Westbrook.  Both teams have receiving corps who are filled with over performers.  Both teams have great defenses.

It will be the best playoff game of the weekend and probably the post season.  So as I said, the winner of this game will go to the Super Bowl.

That’s my 2 cents…. I’d love to hear yours!

Model and Jets Gameday Host - Jenn Sterger

As I reported a couple of days ago, the Mets were in pursuit of free agent starting pitcher Tim Redding.  Redding, the 31 year old journeymen who has pitched with the Nationals, Astros and Yankees, was 10-11 last season in Washington.  The contract is a 1 year, $2.25 million dollar deal.  Redding can also earn an additional $750,000 in performance bonuses (no word yet on what exactly they are).  There is a rumor that there is also a club option for a 2nd season, should the Mets want to retain him for 2010.

Here is the thing, a lot of people are questioning signing a 31 year old SP, who had an ERA near 5 last season, and has a career record under .500.  But mark my words, this is a good pick up for the Mets.  A couple reasons why…

1) This allows Niese to compete in spring training for a job, without it being handed to him.  Most likely, Niese will start the season in AAA, due to this signing (which will let him blossom.)   However, if there is an injury, or Redding doesn’t perform, then Niese gets the call up.

2) IF the Mets don’t end up signing Lowe, Perez or Pedro, this gives the Mets a 4th starter in Redding, and Niese fills the 5th slot.

3) Redding will eat up innings.  In his career, to the best of my research, I can not find one time he has ever been injured.  Sure, he has been benched, or sent down due to poor performance, but never injury.  In his 2 seasons where he made 30+ starts he has reached approximately 180 innings.  The Mets could use that from a 5th spot in the rotation, to give their bullpen a rest.  Expect him to give you at least 6 innings each time out which would be great.

4) His record against the Phillies:  3-1 with a 3.41 ERA.  1-0 with a 0.69 ERA at Citizen Bank Park.  and he was 1-0 with a 1.50 ERA at Shea Stadium last season (granted it was against the Mets, and also they will be playing at Citifield this season, but it shows he can pitch in front of a large NY crowd).

 That’s my 2 cents… I’d love to hear yours!