2007 OFF-SEASON NEWS

February 15  Mets signed OF Bryan Clark to a minor leagues contract and invited him to Spring Training. 

February 13  Mets signed Olinda Saenz to a minor leagues contract and invited him to Spring Training. 

February 12  Mets signed Tony Armas Jr. to a minor leagues contract and invited him to Spring Training. 

February 8  Mets signed OF Ryan Church to a 1-year $2 million dollars, avoiding arbitration. 

February 2  Mets resigned P. Jorge Sosa to a 1-year $2 million dollars, avoiding arbitration. 

February 1  Mets reached agreement with Johan Santana on a landmark contract.  The contract is for 6 years worth $137.5 million dollars with a vested option for year 7.  Mets also will raise his salary this season by $7 millions.  The total worth of the contract is $150.75 million dollars.  Santana is now the highest paid pitcher in baseball history.  Santana who passed his physical, was 15-13 with a 3.33 ERA with 235 strikeouts last season.  Johan, 28, owns a 93-44 record with a 3.22 ERA and 1,381 strikeouts in his career. 

Mets avoided arbitration with P. Pedro Feliciano by signing him to a 1-year contract worth $1.025 million dollars. 

January 30  Mets claimed P. Ruddy Lugo off from the Athletics.  Lugo was 6-0 with the Devil Rays and the Athletics last season. 

January 29  Mets acquired 2-time Cy Young award winner Johan Santana from the Twins for 4 prospects.  The deal is contingent on two things; if the Mets can reach on a contract extension with Santana and if Santana passes a physical.  Mets have until 5 pm Friday to get an agreement with Santana.  The 4 prospects are P's Phillip Humber, Kevin Mulvey, Deollis Guerra, and OF Carlos Gomez.   Santana reportedly wants a 6 or 7 year contract worth over $100.     

January 23  Mets signed P. Ricardo Rincon to a minor leagues contract and invited him to Spring Training. 

Mets resigned OF Endy Chavez to a 2-year contract worth $3.85 million dollars, avoiding arbitration. 

January 19  Mets avoided arbitration with P. Aaron Heilman by signing him to a 1-year $1.2 million contract. 

January 17  Mets signed Inf. Jose Valentin to a minor leagues contract and invited him to Spring Training. 

Mets named Tom Nieto as the First Base Coach, replacing Rickey Henderson. 

Former Mets pitcher Don Cardwell died.  He was a member of the 1969 miracle Mets team. 

January 9  Mets resigned P. Duaner Sanchez to an 1-year contract worth $850,000.  Sanchez missed all of last season due to a broken shoulder. 

January 5  Mets acquired OF Angel Pagan from the Cubs for 2 minor leaguers.  Pagan, originally drafted by the Mets, hit .255 with 9 hrs and 39 rbis last season.  Angel can play all 3 outfield positions.  

December 19  Mets signed P. Matt Wise to an one year contract.  Wise was 3-2 with a 4.19 ERA and 1 save with the Brewers last season.  Wise pitched in career high 56 games. 

Mets declined arbitration to Johnny Estrada, Juan Padilla, and Ben Johnson making them free agents. 

Mets signed C's Raul Casanova, Gustavo Molina, and P. Nate Field to minor leagues contracts and invited them to Spring Training. 

November 30  Mets acquired OF Ryan Church and C Brian Schneider from the Nationals for OF Lastings Milledge.  Church batted .272 with 15 hrs and 70 rbi last season.  Schneider is known more of a defensive catcher batted .235 last season.    

November 28  Mets acquired P. Brian Stokes from the Devil Rays for cash considerations.  Stokes was 2-7 with a 7.07 ERA in 59 games last season in his first full season.    

November 20  Mets obtained C Johnny Estrada from the Brewers for P. Guillermo Mota.  Estrada, 31, batted .278 with 10 hrs and 54 rbis last season.  Johnny is also a three time All-Star.

David Wright finished fourth in the MVP voting.  

November 19  Mets resigned 2b Luis Castillo to a 4-year contract worth $25 millions.  After he was acquired from the Twins, Luis battled .296 in 50 games. 

Negotiations with Yovit Torrealba broken down and he is not coming to the Mets.  

November 17  Mets shore up their catching situation by signing Yovit Torrealba and resigning Ramon Castro.  Torrealba signed a 3-year deal worth $14.4 million dollars.  Yovit hit  .256 last season with the Rockies but had career highs in the primary offensive categories.  The deal is pending on Yovit's physical.  Castro received a 2-year contract worth $4.6 millions.  Ramon hit .285 with 11 hrs and 31 rbis last season

Mets resigned utility man Marlon Anderson to a 2-year contract worth $2.2 millions.  Anderson hit .319 with 3 hrs and 23 rbis in 43 games after he was acquired from the Dodgers. 

Third baseman David Wright and Center fielder Carlos Beltran won the Silver Slugger Award at their position.  

November 6  Third baseman David Wright and Center fielder Carlos Beltran won the Gold Glove at their position.  For Wright it is his first, and for Beltran it is his second as a Met.

November 1  Mets exercised the option on OF Moises Alou meaning he will be back in 2008.

Mets also resigned Utility Man Damion Easley to a 1-year, $950,000 contract. 

October 20  Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez had a bunion removed from his right foot and should be ready for Spring Training. 

October 9  OF Carlos Beltran had arthroscoptic surgery on his both knees, but he should be ready by Spring Training. 

P. Tom Glavine declined his 2007 option, making him a free agent.   

October 3  Manager Willie Randolph will be back to manage the club in 2008.  There was some speculation that his job might be in jeopardy after the historic collapse, but GM Omar Minaya quickly put an end to the rumor after he met with ownership.