Benjamin Grimm

I think that name goes back further than that. He may have been involved in some of the R.A. Dickey rumors from last winter.

And even if we decide to concede that the Yankees are the smartest team in the universe, and that Ellsbury is better than Granderson, well... Ellsbury is off the table. It's too late for the Mets to sign him. That doesn't mean that Granderson isn't the second best available outfielder in the universe.

Well, I've read that second base is his "natural position." I assume they know that because they tested his DNA.

I'm trying to think whether or not the Mets ever had a player named "Nick Kringle".

Kris Benson!

If it does, then this guy is really bad. Arruebarruena may not be great, but if he's cheap and better than Ruben Tejada, then why not take a chance on him? The Mets don't exactly have a "glut" at shortstop.

...can he also play shortstop?

If they do sign Arruebarruena, he'll set a new club record for lengthiest last name. The 13 letters in his name would pass Jason Isringhausen and Doug Mientkiewicz, each with 12.

Mets to scout Cuban shortstop Erisbel Arruebarruena this weekend, sources Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/mets/sources-mets-scout-cuban-defector-arruebarruena-article-1.1537726#ixzz2mYwRoJzK A new possibility for shortstop has emerged for the Mets, as the team plans to send scouts to a showcase this weekend for Cuban defector Erisbel Arruebarruena, according to major league sources. The 23-year-old Arruebarruena, who has drawn comparisons to Detroit's Jose Iglesias, was the starting shortstop for Cuba's World Baseball Classic team this year. Baseball America's Ben Badler was first to report his defection last month, and intention to play in the United States. The publication ranked Arruebarruena as the no. 10 prospect in the tournament not signed to a major league team. "At 6 feet, 195 pounds, Arruebarruena has clean hands, quick actions and good body control," Badler wrote. "He's a below-average runner, but his quick first step and instincts give him good range. He has a quick transfer and a plus-plus arm with accuracy, which allows him to make throws from deep in the hole and turn 4-6-3 double plays with ease." Arruebarruena's offensive abilities are not as strong, and he might need time in the minor leagues. "The bat," Badler wrote, "is a major source of concern with Arruebarruena, even more so than with Iglesias and more along the lines of Marlins Cuban shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria." The Mets have been seeking a change at shortstop, though they could end up granting Ruben Tejada another chance. Jhonny Peralta emerged as their first free agent target, but he signed with St. Louis. The Mets then non-tendered backup shortstop Justin Turner, leaving Tejada and Wilfredo Tovar as the top in-house options. Arruebarruena's representatives at Praver Shapiro Sports Management did not immediatetly confirm details, but a person planning to attend the showcase said it will be a two-day affair, this Friday and Saturday, at the Yankees complex in the Dominican Republic.

Things are starting to get "intense". Mets, Granderson are talking about deals ranging from 3 to 5 years Former Yankees outfielder Curtis Granderson and the Mets are engaging in talks as the club tries to solve its outfield issues. Word is the Mets are offering a three-year deal, with Granderson believed to be seeking five, at least at the start. A likely solution could be a four-year deal. Granderson is likely seeking close to $17 million annually. The Mets seem to prefer him, if only slightly, to Nelson Cruz for two reasons: 1) he's left-handed and could provide a batting-order complement to franchise player David Wright, and 2) he's a proven performer in New York. The Mets, who previously signed Chris Young to a one-year, $7.25 million deal, would not have to surrender a No. 1 pick since they possess the 10th and final protected pick. The Mets showed interest in Shin-Soo Choo but after saying they didn't see a $100 million player on the market after Robinson Cano, it woould appear their chances to sign Choo are close to nil, barring a change of heart. Mets general manager Sandy Alderson met with Granderson last week in San Diego. The Mets met with Cano, but that is seen as a long-shot play. They could show interest if the price falls below $200 million, though, one person suggested. Granderson led the majors by hitting 84 home runs between 2011-12 but was derailed last season by two pitches that hit him, finishing with only seven homers and a .229 batting average. Adam Rubin of ESPNNew York suggested talks were "intensifying."

I'd be okay with a fourth year for Granderson. It's not ideal, but it seems that you have to take a risk on the back end of a contract to land some free agents. Sometimes it kills you, but sometimes it doesn't. You just have to hope that the early years of the contract are good enough to offset the last year or so.

I think so too. But for the moment, anyway, Tovar does have an opportunity in front of him. All he has to do is have a better spring than Ruben Tejada (who likes to show up late, fat, and lazy)* and he's a starting major league shortstop. * Yes, I know I'm exaggerating. What's Ruben gonna do about it? File a grievance?

Lefty Specialist wrote: Wow, that's some awesomely stupid money for Ellsbury. If they get two full good years out of him I'll be surprised. If this also makes Carlos Beltran less likely to be a Yankee, that's good news too.

I think the Mets feel that they already have two closers: Parnell and Black.

I assume it's too late to add some of the players who are currently exposed to the Rule 5 draft?

Sources: Wally Backman to remain with NY Mets organization BY Andy Martino Wally Backman�s future with the Mets grew into a topic of speculation, both inside and outside the organization, as it became clear last year that the front office intended to offer Terry Collins a contract extension. But for all that talk, nothing will change: The Mets offered Backman a chance to return next year as the manager of Triple-A Las Vegas, and he will do so, two sources told the Daily News. Backman, highly regarded by players, returned to the Mets in 2010 to manage the Brooklyn Cyclones, and was a finalist to succeed Jerry Manuel after that season. But Collins got the job, and remained in favor with ownership and the front office. In September, he agreed to a two-year contract extension, with a club option for 2016. That leaves Backman without an obvious managerial opportunity in New York, but he will continue at Las Vegas for at least one more season. In 2013, Backman�s team won its division, finishing 81-63.

I think Hefner is expected to miss all of 2014. I'm surprised that he was non-tendered; he has a few years left of team control and he could eventually provide cheap rotation depth. Who pays his medical bills now that he's a free agent? I imagine his continuing rehab won't be cheap. Does the players union cover that? I don't imagine anyone will sign him until he's a lot closer to being ready to pitch.

Wasn't Arencibia one of the two catchers that were rumored as possibly coming to the Mets in an R.A. Dickey trade with the Blue Jays. Or am I thinking of someone else? I remember that d'Arnaud was considered the better of the two, but for a while it looked like the Mets might get the other guy.

Frayed Knot wrote: I like to think he killed a man, it's the romantic in me. Nice!

Reports say Granderson and Alderson met with each other yesterday.

Tommy Hanson sounds like the bad boy in high school that the girl you have a crush on is attracted to.

smg58 wrote: I'll go on record saying I'm more comfortable with Mejia and Montero filling out the rotation than I am with our current outfield (Chris Young included). Naturally it doesn't have to be an "either or" as far as what we can improve on, but none of us really knows how much the Mets have to spend, and Young and Arroyo's combined salaries would get us one of the front-end outfielders. Not that I'm against adding pitching depth (FK expressed it well), but I'd be looking for 6th stater/long relief types unless I knew I could load up the outfield AND still have significant resources left over to address pitching. Like I've said before, Montero has more AAA experience than Wheeler did at the time of his call-up and pitched significantly better than Wheeler at Vegas. And Mejia pitched very well for us last year while dealing with an injury. Health remains a concern with Mejia, of course, but I don't think of him as a minor-leaguer at this point. The problem is the innings limits. Wheeler and Montero (and Syndergaard) won't be allowed to pitch enough innings to get them through the season. I'm not sure, but I think Mejia will also fall into that category. They're going to have to find somebody. It doesn't have to be an expensive multi-year guy like Arroyo (that's at least arguable) but the way I see it, right now Gee and Niese (and maybe Torres) are the only starters who can pitch from April through the end of September. And of course, there's no guarantee that any of them will be able to do that either. There are a lot of innings to be eaten, and not enough diners at this point.

Are any of them shortstops?

Not so fast... Adam Rubin wrote: NEW YORK -- Shortly after a source indicated New York Mets general manager Sandy Alderson planned to meet with free-agent right-hander Bronson Arroyo at the pitcher's home or at the winter meetings, a team official downplayed the interest, saying the club is "not super high" on Arroyo. The team source said the Mets now may or may not meet with the pitcher. Alderson had spoken on Wednesday with agent Terry Bross, expressing interest in setting up an in-person chat at the pitcher's home or at the winter meetings.

For a moment I wondered why a Detroit Tiger was at Shea, but then remembered that it was the home of the Yankees for two years back then.