Mets Update - Tuesday

...So, is anyone else getting sick of hearing all these opinions about a book that no one has even read yet? I listen to WFAN religiously, and from 7:45 this morning until 7pm tonight, it was non stop on the whole Joe Torre book situation.

Can we at least wait until we read the actual book, before we start making judgments and accusations into Torre's character, agenda and overall Yankee legacy?

Anyway, on to more important things - I'll give you the topic first, and then the update:

Oliver Perez - There are contradicting reports from both Anthony Rieber at Newsday, who says the Mets and Perez are "A little bit closer" to a deal; And Jon Heyman at SI.com, who says "Talks have slowed in the last day or so". In all honesty, I'm sure it's possible that both are true. How so you ask?

Well, in my opinion it's true that talks may have slowed the last day or so, which would lead you to believe that they are farther apart than we thought last Friday, but as the days wind on it's becoming painfully obvious that the market for Perez seemingly starts and ends with the New York Mets. Because of that, Boras and company may have to come to terms that the 5/$75 million deal Ollie was initially looking for just isn't there. Ultimately, that would bring them a little bit closer to reaching a deal, just as Rieber says in Newsday.

Rieber also goes on to say that the mets are "Having dialogue" with the agents for Sheets, Garland and Wolf. Breaking news, I know :-)

Manny Ramirez - Apparently the market for Manny Ramirez is starting to "Heat up" as noted in an article for MLB.com by Ken Gunrick.

Scott Boras is quoted as saying: "We are negotiating with several teams," The process has begun and we'll see where it takes us."

From the articles author, Ken Gunrick:

"Boras said interest in Ramirez has perked up over the last week, but he would not specify the number of clubs involved. He said he remains in regular contact with general manager Ned Colletti of the Dodgers, who tried to re-sign the left fielder with an initial two-year, $45 million offer (plus an option) that was ignored and withdrawn. "

Matt Cerrone of MetsBlog.com, who's opinion I take very seriously since he pretty much called the entire Johan Santana deal last year 2 months before it happened, said that he has a feeling that the Mets may not be completely out on Manny.

The following blurb comes directly from Matt at MetsBlog.com:

i know what Omar Minaya has said, and i know what Jeff Wilpon has said, but i still get this small, tiny feeling that Manny Ramirez is not totally a dead subject for the Mets… again, this is just a hunch, because i have never been told, by people i trust, that it’s a dead issue… instead, i always get the stock answer, that the team is focused on pitching… which is not necessarily a flat no.

don’t get me wrong, i still think he’ll end up with the Dodgers, because it’s a perfect marriage on so many levels – even though i believe he prefers to play in New York… i just have to think Scott Boras will have at least one substantive conversation with minaya about ramirez before all is said and done, if for no other reason than boras is clearly waiting to see what the Mets do before locking manny in to a deal some place else.

Mets signed 3 minor league players - On top of the signing of Rob Mackowiak, the Mets also signed 2 other minor leaguers. They are right handed pitcher Kyle Snyder and left handed pitcher Jon Switzer. They all received spring training invitations and will have the opportunity to make the team out of spring training.

Jerry Manuel interviewed and speaks about team and Manny - Here is a quote from Jerry Manuel on Manny Ramirez from MLB.com:

“It’s rare that you get that type of talent. Would you like to add that? Yeah. Would you like to add something else? Yeah. But hey, we have to deal with what we have… And we have a pretty good team. We feel like we have enough tools to make it to the playoffs.”

Does it sound like he wants Manny?