Your Friday morning dose of New York Mets and MLB news, notes, and links.
Meet the Mets
The Mets are spending! Sort of. They inked right-handed pitcher Miguel Socolovich to a minor league deal on Thursday. Socolovich is 27 years old and had a 0.79 ERA in just 11.1 innings during a stint in Japan last season. In 2012, he struggled in his MLB debut, but he's struck out more than one batter per inning in his minor league career.
Wait, the Mets actually are spending! Breaking this morning is the news that outfielder Chris Young is going to be a Met. Go here for more analysis.
How much more is there to spend for Sandy Alderson and company? Not that much, if this tweet from John Harper is to be believed. Adding only $25-30 million of payroll would make it difficult for the team to reach the $87 million mark.
Could the Mets free up some cash by TRAIDing a certain second baseman? If so, Eric Young would be happy to fill in at the keystone.
Meanwhile, number one trade candidate Ike Davis says that he'd rather remain with the Mets.
Mets agree to multi-year deal with All-Star pitcher?! Sorry, it's only Ron Darling. Better than nothing, I suppose.
Around MLB
MLBPA union head Michael Weiner passed away on Thursday following a battle with brain cancer. According to former Mets general manager Jim Duquette, Weiner was "the most reasonable guy in the union." Sad news.
That Alex Rodriguez thing is done... for now. We're waiting now for arbitrator Fredric Horowitz to make his ruling. That could be a while.
The Royals have signed former Met Jason Vargas to a four-year deal worth $32 million. That seems like a little long for a 30-year-old with a 1.39 WHIP last season. Before a one-year stint in Anaheim, Vargas was a decent innings-eater in Seattle for four years.
To make room for Vargas on their 40-man roster, Kansas City designatedGeorge Kottaras for assignment. He should be a nice, cheap backup catcher for somebody in 2014.
LOOGY news: The Giants have agreed with Javier Lopez on a three-year, $13 million dollar deal and the Tigers are bringing back Phil Coke for one year and $1.9 million plus incentives.
Finally, Ian Kinsler and Prince Fielder jokingly discussed trading themselves in a 2010 ESPN commercial. You totally made it weird Adam Scott! Also, former famous person Jose Canseco got pulled over with goats in his car. Here's another pic of the adorable "goat children."
Yesterday at AA
No one talked about goats. However, today is the three-year anniversary of Terry Collins becoming the manager of the Mets. And Happy Birthday to Sandy Alderson! MOAR TRAIDZ LES JOLKS!