A Few Holiday Gifts Courtesy Of The New York Mets

The countdown to Christmas (and Hanukkah) has begun. As you rush around trying to find the perfect gifts for your friends and family, check out some of the lovely items offered from the New York Mets.



I'm not quite sure what this is, or why you'd get it. The New York Mets Forest Face is like the Mr. Potato Head for trees. If you are interested, you can find the real Mets Mr. Potato Head here. Who wouldn't want this thing staring back at them as they look out their window? It's going for $24.99.






Next up is the New York Mets Garden Gnome. Standing at 11.5" tall, this little guy looks a lot like some of our Mets do during the season, like a deer in the headlights. Perfect accessory to any Mets fans lawn. Also going for $24.99.


New York Mets Comfy Throw. Yup. It's a Snuggie. $19.97 for one of these bad boys.







Then there's the Topperscot New York Mets Elite Nutcracker. These things are just creepy looking. I'd give this one to a family member you're not real fond of. $24.99.






Haha. Yes, this is a John Maine bobblehead. Why would anyone want this? I don't know, but it's there and it's only $11.97.

As GM Of The New York Mets, These Are Free Agents I Would Look Into

As much as I would love to see Albert Pujols, Prince Fielder, and C. J. Wilson in a Mets uniform next season, I am going to take a more realistic approach. With a limited budget, the Mets’ top targets are not going to be the players who set the market, but rather those players who have upside. I believe that Sandy and his crew will be looking into incentive laden contracts, much like the Chris Capuano and Chris Young deals they signed last season, just hoping for more results like Capuano, and less like Young.

After scanning the free agent list, these are some guys I would target that will be within the Mets budget.

-          Pudge Rodriguez

• The Mets need a back-up catcher. I know many of you would have preferred Ramon Hernandez, but I think Pudge is better for the Mets in both the short term, and long term. Seems confusing right? He is 40 years old and in an obvious decline as a ballplayer. However, despite those two seemingly very important things, Pudge might be the best leader of any free agent available. He would be a great mentor for Josh Thole, and an even better leader, and teacher for the Mets young pitching staff. Maybe Pudge is the cure that Mike Pelfrey has always needed. With Niese, Gee in the rotation and Wheeler, Harvey, Familia and Mejia all so young and on the way, Rodriguez would be a tremendous source of experience and knowledge, to aid in their development. While I don’t know how much money he is looking for, he may not find a better situation to find some playing time, sitting only 156 hits away from 3,000. He hit only .218 last year, but he still generated 0.4 WAR in only 137 at-bats. Current Mets backup Mike Nickeas hit .189, and Thole hit a solid .268 but only generated 1.0 WAR in 386 at bats, so Pudge adds value here. In addition, with the Mets looking for a catcher who hits lefties well, throughout his career, Pudge has been more productive hitting against left handed pitchers, hitting .289 against them over the past five seasons. On a one year deal, there is very limited downside, with great long term upside potential.

Bobby V Is Heading Up To Boston

According to ESPN Boston, the Red Sox and former Mets manager Bobby Valentine have reached an agreement, making Valentine the team's new manager.



That means Bobby V and his fake mustache are heading up to beantown.

Mets: A Whole Lot Of Nothing Happening Here

No news is good news, right? 

There has been absolutely nothing, zilch, nada happening with the Mets the past few days. Until something fantastic comes along to share with you, I'll just fill you in on a little gift I received this weekend.

My aunt and uncle have been going through all of the stuff in their attic and my uncle ran across a few Mets goodies.

One of the items was the New York Mets 1986 Yearbook. The second was the book, If At First...A Season With the Mets, by Keith Hernandez and Mike Bryan.

I'll be sitting down to read Hernandez's and Bryan's book in the next few days. I have to be honest with you, I haven't read too many books regarding the Mets.

With that, I ask you this question: What is the best book you have ever read about the Mets?