Says this column: http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/6968872/new-york-mets-release-jason-bay I didn't know this: ... former Mets GM Omar Minaya gave him a $17 million option for 2014 that vests if he reaches 600 plate appearances in 2013, or 500 PAs in both 2012 and 2013. New GM Sandy Alderson has done a nice job of clearing some salary this season, and it would be a disaster for New York if that option vests. And there's more on the Mets: http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/6967863/the-new-york-mets-2011-fate-2012-prospects I don't usually care what Jim Bowden says, but this part was interesting: ...the bold move they should make this winter besides re-signing Reyes is to try to dangle minor league infielder Wilmer Flores as the centerpiece in a trade for Reds catcher Yasmani Grandal. The Reds already have another promising young catcher in Devin Mesoraco, and Grandal, their 2010 first-round pick, doesn't really have a future in Cincy. Flores is a promising 19-year-old who held his own this year in the Class A Florida State league while being young for the level. Grandal, 22, hit .305/.401/.510 with 31 doubles, 14 home runs while moving quickly from Class A to Triple-A this year. The Mets have had a revolving door behind the plate ever since Paul Lo Duca left, and although Josh Thole is a nice player, he's not a future All-Star like Grandal. Sandy Alderson, the team's vice president and general manager, did a tremendous job in dealing Carlos Beltran at the trade deadline to San Francisco in exchange for the Giants' top pitching prospect, Zack Wheeler. It is this type of trade, as well as perhaps acquiring Grandal, that would make a successful offseason for the Mets and vault them back into contention rather than spending lavishly on free agents as they've done in the recent past. -- Jim Bowden