PLAYER AND TEAM NEWS DURING THE 2013-14 OFF-SEASON

February 12 The Mets signed pitcher Jose Valverde to a minor league contract with an invitation to Spring Training.

February 6 Hall of Famer and legendary Mets broadcaster Ralph Kiner passed away at his home in Palm Springs California, he was 91 Kiner died of congestive heart failure. Ralph broadcasted Mets games ever since the team’s inception in 1962 through 2013. The television booth at Citi Field is named after him. As a player, he hit 369 home runs in his 10 year career, mostly with the Pirates.

Mets Chairman and CEO Fred Wilpon:

“Ralph Kiner was one of the most beloved people in Mets history — An original Met and extraordinary gentleman. After a Hall of Fame playing career, Ralph became a treasured broadcasting icon for more than half a century. His knowledge of the game, wit, and charm entertained generations of Mets fans. Like his stories, he was one of a kind. We send our deepest condolences to Ralph’s five children and twelve grandchildren. Our sport and society today lost one of the all-time greats.”

SNY:

“Ralph Kiner was a giant in every sense of the word.   His impact on Mets fans over 52 years in the booth is immeasurable.   We will not only miss his insights and knowledge of the game, but more importantly, his engaging personality and huge heart.  Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Kiner family.”

"Ralph Kiner was one of the greatest sluggers in National League history, leading the Senior Circuit in home runs in each of the first seven years of his Hall of Fame career," commissioner Bud Selig said in a statement. "His consistent power and patience in the heart of the Pirates lineup made him a member of our All-Century Team and, in many respects, a player ahead of his time.

BUD SELIG, THE COMMISSIONER OF BASEBALL:

"I am grateful that I recently had the opportunity to visit with Ralph, whose lifetime of service to Baseball will always be treasured by the fans of Pittsburgh, New York and beyond. On behalf of Major League Baseball, I extend my deepest condolences to his five children, his 12 grandchildren, his friends throughout our game and his admirers everywhere."

Personality I grew up listening to Ralph and Kiner’s Korner, and I learned baseball history from Ralph. I will miss him and he is “going going gone good-bye”

February 3 The Mets signed pitcher Kyle Farnsworth to a minor league contract with an invitation to Spring Training.

February 1 The Mets signed outfielder Matt Clark to a minor league contract with an invitation to Spring Training.

January 24 The Mets signed pitcher Daisuke Matsusaka to a minor league contract with an invitation to Spring Training.

January 22 The Mets signed first baseman Lucas Duda to a $1.6375 million dollars contract, avoided arbitration.

January 18 The Mets signed pitcher John Lannan to a minor league contract with an invitation to Spring Training.

The Mets signed shortstop Omar Quintanilla to a minor league contract,

The Mets avoided arbitration with pitcher Dillon Gee by signing him to a $3.625 million dollar contract.

January 17 The Mets signed second baseman Daniel Murphy to a $5.7 million dollars contract, avoided arbitration.

The Mets avoided arbitration with pitcher Bobby Parnell by signing him to a $3.7 million dollars contract.

The Mets and outfielder Eric Young Jr. avoided arbitration by agreeing to a $1.85 million dollars contract.

January 16 The Mets and first baseman Ike Davis avoided arbitration by agreeing to a $3.5 million dollars contract.

January 15 The Mets avoided arbitration with shortstop Ruben Tejada by signing him to a $1.1 million dollars contract.

January 8 Former Mets pitcher Tom Glavine has been selected to the Baseball Hall of Fame with 91% of the vote. Glavine won 305 games, 61 and #300 with the Mets. For second year in a row catcher Mike Piazza didn’t get selected to go into the Hall of Fame. Piazza got 62.2% of the vote and 75% is required. Piazza entered the Mets Hall of Fame last September.

January 6 The Mets signed catcher Taylor Teagarden to a minor league contract with an invitation to Spring Training. Teagarden spent last season with the Orioles.

December 24 The Mets claimed pitcher Ryan Reid off waivers from the Pirates. Reid appeared in seven games last season.

December 16 The Mets confirmed the signing of pitcher Bartolo Colon.

December 12 The Mets selected pitchers Seth Rosin and Jon Velasquez in the Rule 5 Draft. Then the Mets dealt Rosin to the Dodgers for cash.

December 11 Multiple reports indicated that the Mets will sign pitcher Bartolo Colon to a two year $20 million dollars contract. Colon, 40, went 18-6 with a 2.65 ERA last season with the Athletics. The deal is pending a physical.

The Mets resigned pitcher Jeremy Hefner to a minor league contract.

The Mets announced the Curtis Granderson’s deal.

December 8 The Mets and outfielder Curtis Granderson have agreed to a four year $60 million dollars contract, pending a physical. Last season with the Yankees, Granderson hit .229 with 7 home runs in an injury plagued year. However in two years prior Curtis hit 83 home runs combined. The team has not confirmed the signing yet.

December 3 The Mets non-tendered Jordanny Valdespin, Justin Turner, Jeremy Hefner, Omar Quintanilla, and Scott Atchinson, making them free agents.

November 22 The Mets signed outfielder Chris Young to an one year contract worth $7.25 million dollars. The deal is contingent of Young passing a physical. He has a career batting average of ,235. His best season was in 2010 with the Diamondbacks where he hit .257 with 27 hrs and 91 rbis.

November 4 The Mets officially announced that they reached agreement with Clear Channel Media and Entertainment, which owns WOR-710, to be their radio home starting in 2014. The deal is for 5 years. WOR-710 is a 50,000 watts station and can be heard in 93% of New York.

November 1 The Mets declined the option on Johan Santana for 2014, making him a free agent. Santana pitched the only Mets no-hitter on June 1, 2012.

No Mets won a Gold Glove.

October 23 Pitcher Matt Harvey underwent successful Tommy John Surgery and should be ready for 2015.

October 18 According to sources the Mets will have a new radio home starting in 2014. The Mets are close to agreeing on a multiyear deal with Clear Channel Media which owns WOR-710. An official announcement could come next week.

October 17 The Mets lost outfielder Mike Baxter on waivers to the Dodgers and pitcher Robert Carson on waivers to the Angels. The Mets also outrighted pitchers Greg Burke and Sean Henn off the roster.

October 4 The Mets announced that pitcher Matt Harvey elected to have the Tommy John Surgery on his elbow and will miss the entire 2014 season. Originally Harvey hurt the elbow in August and tried to rehab it but that didn’t work.

September 30 As expected the Mets resigned Manager Terry Collins to a two year contract plus a club option in 2016. Also the entire coaching staff will get new contracts. Collins has a 225-261 record with the Mets.