A Few Choice Words For Mr. Reyes

According to Adam Rubin of ESPN New York, the Mets have not begun negotiations with Jose Reyes. Reyes told reporters that he expects negotiations to start in the next few days.

Reyes maintains that he wishes to remain a Met.

"I've always said that I wanted to stay here. But at the same time, I understand that this is a business, and we just need to wait and see what happens."

Now let's make something clear. Jose Reyes has control of this whole situation. He either accepts the Mets' offer and stays, or he chases the money and signs on with another team.

I have a few things I'd like to say to Mr. Reyes.

I'm tired of hearing about how much you want to continue to be a Met. If you are serious about it, quit dishing out the cliche responses, end this whole game, and re-sign.

If you decide to go out and test the market, I don't want to hear that sentence come out of your mouth again.

I've written on this site many times before that I lose respect for players who go after the money. 

The Mets are most likely not going to make you the best offer. I'm sure whatever the team offers, it will be worth a couple million and a few years. 

If that's not enough for you, then you can leave. 

You wouldn't be the first star to ditch his beloved team, the one he wanted to remain with his entire career, and I'm sure you wouldn't be the last.

To those who would argue that your leaving would be a disaster for the team, they'll get over it. Life goes on.

If you really want to stay, then accept what the Mets offer you and be happy. 

I know it sounds like I'm anti-Reyes with this post, but I'm not. You're one of my favorite players. I hope you return. What I can't stand, however, is the yearly cat and mouse game between players and organizations once free agency hits.

With that, Mr. Reyes, put your money where your mouth is and re-sign with the Mets. Ya know, since you want to stay here so bad. 

Santana To Finish Rehab This Weekend

Johan Santana's rehab will end this Saturday, October 8.

From now until Saturday, Santana will participate in long toss and a light game of catch before heading home for the winter to rest.

In a press release, general manager Sandy Alderson said, "Johan feels very good and is looking forward to 2012. We are optimistic that Johan will be able to begin and maintain a Spring Training schedule with all other Mets pitchers next February and will be ready for the start of the 2012 season."

In his last rehab start on September 30, Santana went four innings.

Mets Make Coaching Changes

If you're like me and the past few days have been hectic, allow me to catch you up on all the happenings in Mets land.

WHO STAYS, WHO GOES

Mets announced today the changes to the 2012 coaching staff. Hitting Coach Dave Hudgens and Pitching Coach Dan Warthen will both be back next season.

So who is not coming back? Well, everyone else. Bench Coach Ken Oberkfell, Third Base Coach Chip Hale, First Base Coach Mookie Wilson and Bullpen Coach Jon Debus will not be returning in 2012.

According to Adam Rubin, Hale has officially been named the Oakland A's bench coach. Wilson and Debus will most likely be given another role within the organization.

Tim Teufel will take over as the Third Base Coach, and Ricky Bones will become the newest Bullpen Coach.

Teufel served as the Buffalo Bisons manager last season, and Bones was the team's pitching coach.

CHEAP SEATS

On Tuesday, the Mets announced that it will be a little cheaper to go to Citi Field.

The team rescaled ticket pricing which will lead to cheaper tickets for season ticket holders in 2012.

Pricing for season ticket holders will change as follows:

·         80% of seats will have a reduction of approximately 5% or greater

·         57% of seats will have a reduction of 10% or greater

·         35% will have a cut of 20% or more

·         18% will have a drop of 30% or more

·         More than 15,000 seats will cost less than $25 per game

As for non-season ticket holders, you'll find out prices for single game tickets in March. Sit tight.

Young Mets Get Set To Start Arizona Fall League

The Arizona Fall League begins today, and there are quite a few Mets participating this year.

According to Adam Rubin, Class A St. Lucie manager Pedro Lopez will managing all of the Mets players on the Peoria Javelinas. Mets players include:

Robert Carson - LHP
Collin McHugh - RHP
Erik Turgeon - RHP
Taylor Whitenton - RHP
Juan Centeno - C
Wilfredo Tovar - 2B
Jefry Marte - 3B
Juan Lagares - OF

Reyes Nominated For 2011 Hank Aaron Award

Major League Baseball announced today that Jose Reyes is the Mets nominee for the 2011 Hank Aaron Award. The award recognizes the most outstanding offensive player from the American and National Leagues.

Reyes finished the season with a .337 batting average and walked away with the 2011 National League batting title.  He also tied the Major League lead in triples with 16, and the National League lead with 57 multi-hit games.

Through a press release from the Mets, Reyes said:

"It’s an honor to be nominated for the Hank Aaron Award. He is an all-time great who all the players look up to no matter where you grew up. He was, and continues to be, a true gentleman of the game and I think everyone should try to be like him on and off the field."

A panel of Hall of Fame players, including Roberto Alomar, Joe Morgan, Tony Gwynn, Paul Molitor, Willie McCovey, Billy Williams and Robin Yount, will join with fans to pick this year's award recipients.

Voting begins today, and ends October 9. The winner will be announced during the World Series.

To vote, go to MLB.com.

Mets To Get 12th Pick In 2012 Draft

According to ESPN  New York, the Mets will have the 12th pick in next June's first year player draft.

Want to know who the last player was to be picked 12th overall by the Mets? That would be our old friend, Lastings Milledge.

In case you're wondering, there is one positive about the Mets' record this season. Due to the fact that the Mets finished in the bottom half of the overall standings, the first round pick is protected. That means the Mets can go out and sign a Type A free agent this offseason without worrying about losing that pick in the 2012 draft.

If Jose Reyes was to leave and sign with another team this winter, the Mets would also gain two additional draft picks.

Whoever the Mets sign next year, I  hope they make that young man well aware of the no high-fiving fans rule.

Mets Morning News: Attendance, Minor League Free Agents

According to Adam Rubin, attendance for Mets games was down 8 percent this season.

Mets attendance declined for a third straight season, with the team drawing a total announced crowd of 2,352,596 in 2011. That figure was the team's lowest in seven years, since Art Howe's final season as manager.

Mike O'Connor and Pat Misch are now minor league  free agents.

Misch, 30, appeared in six games in relief for the Mets this season and allowed eight earned runs on 11 hits and four walks in seven innings. With Triple-A Buffalo, he was 8-9 with a 4.00 ERA in 22 starts spanning 141 2/3 innings.

O'Connor, 31, appeared in nine games in relief for the Mets and had a 2.70 ERA. He was 5-5 with a 5.22 ERA in 39 relief appearances for the Bisons. With Buffalo, lefty batters hit .207 and righty batters hit .333.