OFF-SEASON NEWS

January 29  Mets signed P. Jorge Julio to a 1-year $2.5 million contract, avoiding arbitration. 

January 24  Mets traded P. Kris Benson to the Orioles for P's Jorge Julio and John Maine.  Julio was 3-5 with a 5.90 ERA in 67 appearances last season.  Julio had 0 saves in just 2 save opportunities, but he saved 83 games from 2002-04.  Maine was 2-4 with a 6.60 in 11 Major League appearances.  However, this trade had a lot to do with Kris Benson's wife, Anna, who speaks openly about sex and she isn't shy either.  The breaking point was at the Mets Christmas party when Anna wore a very low cut red dress.  The party was for kids and not for men at a strip club. 

Mets also signed Japanese P. Yusaku Iriki to a 1-year contract.  Iriki went 3-5 with a 3.35 ERA in 28 games last season in Japan.  He can start and relieve.   

January 17  Mets resigned P. Victor Zambrano to a 1-year $3 million contract, avoiding arbitration.  

January 14  Mets resigned C. Ramon Castro to a 1-year $800,000 contract.  Castro hit .244 with 8 hrs and 41 rbis in 99 games last season.  Castro will serve as a backup to Paul Lo Duca this season.  

January 4  Mets traded P's Jae Seo and Tim Hamalack to the Dodgers for P's Duaner Sanchez and Steve Schmoll.  Sanchez will be used primarily as the setup man; he was 4-7 with an 3.73 ERA and 8 saves last season.  Schmoll was 2-2 with 5.01 ERA and 4 saves last season.  Mets are stocking up with relief pitchers. 

Mets also signed 2b Bret Boone to a minor league contract and invited him to Spring Training.  Boone, who appeared to be on the decline, hit only .221 with 7 hrs and 37 rbis last season with the Mariners and Twins. 

December 28  Mets signed P. Chad Bradford to a 1-year contract worth $1.4 millions.  Bradford was 2-1 with a 3.86 ERA with the Athletics and Red Sox last season.  Chad who is a side-armer, will help to bridge the gap between the starters and Billy Wagner.  

December 23  Mets signed OF Endy Chavez to a minor league contract and invited him to Spring training.  Chavez batted .216 with 11 rbis with the Phillies and Nationals last season. 

December 19  Mets signed P's Darren Oliver, Pedro Feliciano, and Jose Parra to minor league contract and invited them to Spring Training. 

Mets also released P. Kaz Ishii.  

December 9  Mets signed IF Julio Franco to a 2-year contract worth $2-2.5 million dollars.  Franco, 47, hit .275 with 9 hrs and 42 rbis last season with the Braves.  Franco had played with 9 different teams and he wants to play until he is 50 years old.  Julio is a great pinch hitter and a good guy in the clubhouse. 

December 8  Mets signed IF Jose Valentin to a 1-year minor league contract.   Valentin was injured most of last season with a knee injury, so he only batted .170 with 2 hrs and 14 rbis with the Dodgers.  Valentin can play all of the infield positions and be a great player off the bench. 

Mets also selected P. Mitch Wylie from the Giants in the Rule V Draft.  

December 5  Mets obtained C. Paul Lo Duca from home Marlins for 2 minor league prospects.  Lo Duca hit .283 with 6 hrs and 57 rbis last season.  Lo Duca, 33, is a good contact hitter and a good guy in the clubhouse.  Paul has 2 years left on his contract worth $6.25 million per.  

November 29  Mets and Billy Wagner agreed to a 4-year $43 million contract.  The contract also includes a full no trade clause and a club option for the fifth year that will push the contract over $50 millions.  Wagner is one of the best closer in the game; last season with the Phillies, he posted a 4-3 record with an 1.51 ERA and 38 saves.  Wagner struck out 87 in 77.2 innings and for his career he has 284 saves.  Wagner, 33, is excited about coming to New York and playing for a contender.  What's next?  Is Manny next, the Mets do need a catcher, stay tuned. 

Mets also acquired OF Tike Redman from the Pirates for cash considerations. 

November 24  Mets acquired 1b Carlos Delgado from the Marlins for 1b Mike Jacobs and minor league pitching prospect Yusmeiro Petit.  Marlins also will give the Mets 7 millions to offset Delgado's contract. Delgado is the prototype cleanup hitter; he hits for average and power, last season he batted .301 with 33 hrs and 115 rbis.  Delgado, 33, averaged 30 hrs and 100 rbis for the past 9 years.  There are 2 potential problems; last year the Mets tried to sign Delgado as a free agent, but Delgado didn't like the way Omar Minaya negotiated with him .  Also, Delgado refuses to stand for God Bless America; he doesn't like the U.S.A. politics after 9/11 and surrounding Iraq.  However, as long as Delgado hits, everything will be fine.      

November 17  Mets traded OF Mike Cameron to the Padres for 1b/OF Xavier Nady.  Nady hit .261 with 13 hrs and 43 rbis last season.  Nady is versatile, he can play first base and all 3 outfield positions.  Or Nady can be used in another trade. 

October 18  Relief Pitcher Felix Heredia was suspended by MLB the first 10 days of next season for illegal use of steroids.