When's the home opener?
Just to reiterate, I am very happy about Cameron. According to UZR (ultimate zone rating), he's worth 30 runs over an average defensive CF. That's huge, and even bigger for the Mets because of all the flyballs the pitching staff gives up.
I also just learned that Wigginton had a -24 UZR last year. Pretty bad. I guess we're sticking with Wiggs for the next 2 years until David Wright is ready, but it might have made sense to sign Ventura (he got $1.5 from the Dodgers).
The Tigers have supposedly offered Sanders $6/2. There's now way I'd give him a 2 year deal at his age. The Tigers are going crazy in their attempt to reach mediocrity: Vina, Rondell, offer to Tejada.
According to the Post: "White Sox are viewed as the front-runners for righty Sidney Ponson with a three-year, $18 million offer." That's way too high. maaaan.
Assuming no Vlad, I'm sticking with my offseason plan of Cruz, Alvarez or Lidle, and Arthur Rhodes if he's reasonably priced. But I'm fine with Weathers as closer (raise his trade value, trade midseason if we're out of the race) and I wouldn't be outraged by Heilman as 5th starter. Maybe Rick Peterson can work his magic on him.
I still think it was a mistake not getting Batista.
By the way, my estimate is that the Mets would currently go into the season with a payroll around $80 mill, so I don't see why Vlad at around $15 would be implausible.