Mets GM Omar Minaya said he had “full autonomy” in an interview on SNY yesterday.  Really?  Why wasn’t he at the Carlos Beltran press conference?  Does he or the Wilpons sign the checks?  Why is he only content with getting Jason Bay?  What reality is he living in?

Yankee GM Brian Cashman doesn’t have autonomy.  He was interviewed on The Michael Kay Show on ESPN 1050 this afternoon.  He talk about the budget that the Steinbrenners gave him.  He made an offer last week for $6 million year including $3 million deferred but rejected by Damon.  Where else was Johnny going to get this?  Cincinnati?  Oakland?  Detroit?  Kansas City?

Johnny MIGHT get the money elsewhere.  But, his best chance at baseball immortality is to stay with the Yankees and get 3,000 hits.  Hall of Famers make lots of money in retirement at card shows.  So Johnny make more in 2010 elsewhere but he’ll make less in 2020 and beyond as a possible Hall of Famer (after retiring in 2014 or so).  Can his body hold up for five seasons with other teams instead of four seasons with the Yankees?  Where else is he going to be able to hit in between players like Jeter and Teixeira? 

Cashman complimented Johnny’s talent but he was “tired of waiting” and “couldn’t agree on market value”.  “I’m sorry I didn’t address his value,” Cashman added. 

Johnny now counters that he is open to a mid-season trade with the Yankees.  It’s a shame it came down to this. 

Posted by a saddened Tank in Hot Stove Land.

Randy Winn signed a one year, $2 million contract with the Yankees today pending a physical.  This all but eliminates the possibility of Johnny Damon returning to the Yankees as the Yankees budget hit the $200 million mark which is something that GM Brian Cashman wants to avoid.  Unless something drastic like a major trade happens, Johnny Damon played his last game as a Yankee.  This all could have been avoided if Johnny and his agent Scott Boras moved quicker and less greedy.  It’s a shame as Johnny is a great guy to have around the clubhouse and a productive player.

In good news, Johan Santana had a good throwing session in Port Saint Lucie yesterday. 

There are rumors about John Smoltz coming to the Mets.  I don’t another over-the-hill Brave is the answer for the Mets.  The Mets need more pitching now.  In the meantime, I have not renewed my Mets partial ticket plan.

Posted by The Tank.    

Johan Santana is expected to throw off the mound this week for the first time since his surgery. 

Johnny Damon to the Yankees talks are back on.  Time is running out for Johnny.  I hope he does the right thing and returns to the Boogie Down Bronx.   

Let’s hope things work out for Johan and Johnny.

Posted by The Tank.

The Mets traded Gary Matthews Jr. for only $2 million for 2 years on Friday for Brian Stokes.  The Angels will eat the other $22 million that he is owed.  Matthews isn’t a savior but can hold the fort with Angel Pagan in center field until Carlos Beltran returns.

The Mets have been managed like this.

 http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/273344/flowchart1.png

Mets Decision Making Flow Chart courtesy of Linda and posted by The Tank knowing the Mets still need pitching..

Free agent catcher Bengie Molina signed a one year deal to return to the San Francisco Giants.  He originally wanted a three year deal from the Mets who countered with a two year deal. 

Why did Bengie balk and take millions less?

(A) He wasn't sure who's the boss in Queens.  Is it Omar (probably not), Assistant GM John Ricco (maybe), or the Wilpons (hey, they sign the checks)?

(B) He doesn't trust the Mets medical staff.  I can’t blame Beltran for opting for the surgery regardless of what the Mets think. 

(C) He didn't want to deal with an unstable clubhouse and coaching staff.

(D) All of the above.

(E) None of the above.

The Tank's Bottom Line: All of the above.

Posted by The Tank who still hasn’t renewed his 2010 Mets partial ticket plan.

Carlos Beltran will be out for 12 weeks according to ESPN 1050 and the Mets.  BTW, he had the surgery on his own in Colorado without telling the Mets.  WTF!  A-Rod had his surgery in Colorado but in full communication with the Yankees.  This should tell you about the state of the Mets right now.

Johnny Damon played a spacious center field at Yankee Stadium.  He won’t be able to DH and get a half day off for the Mets.  But, beggars can’t be choosers and both need each other. 

The Tank’s Bottom Line: Johnny can deal with the pressure of New York and Boston.  The only issue is if his body will hold up.  Pitchers and catchers report in about a month.  Omar has to sign Johnny or someone else now!  Tip #2: Close the communication gap. 

Posted by The Tank.

Jason Bay was announced as a Met today after passing a physical.  There was some concern about his shoulder which maybe why the Red Sox passed on him.  Bay is the offensive shot in the arm the Mets need.  The Mets also need to finalize the Benji Molina deal which I think will happen.  The Mets still desperately need starting pitching. 

The Tank’s Bottom Line: Johnny Damon maybe out of time as the Mets were the last major market team that had a need for a left fielder.  Will he sign with the Yankees?  Unlikely because the Yankees are about $3 million under their $200 million limit and Damon has turned down a two year $14 million offer.  Scott Boras needs to work with the Yankees to get an incentive laden contract as Andy Pettitte got for the 2009 season.  It’s a shame that greed is getting in the way of Damon returning to the Yankees.

Posted by The Tank

The Mets finally did something and signed Jason Bay to a four year, $66 million contract.  Bay had been rumored to sign with the Mariners as he is from Seattle and his wife is from Vancouver.  There was some talk about returning to Boston.  Anyway, the Mets took a big plunge and trying.  Is it enough?  No, they need more but it’s a good start.

Posted by the Tank.

The Mets had their annual Holiday party a couple of weeks ago.  Why?  No reason to party.  They should have been working hard to sign players.  Look at this list of transactions.  Are you impressed?  Neither am I. 

Steve and Kathleen visited NYC this past week.  I was planning to travel with Steve to Queens to overthrow Omar as the Mets GM and install Steve as the Mets GM.  Steve had to go back to Hong Kong so Omar is safe for the moment.

I received a call from the Mets a few days ago to renew my partial 15 game season ticket plan.  They extended the deadline from December 22 to December 31.  I am in no rush to renew it as I have other bills to pay and want to see a better product on the field.

Posted by a disappointed Tank.

Adam e-mailed the SATT Council of Baseball Experts on Tuesday that the Yankees traded Melky Cabrera for Javier Vazquez in a multi-player trade. 

It would be a shame to lose Melky but you have to give to get.  I like Gaudin more than Vazquez because he's younger.  But, you can never have enough pitching and Vazquez is going into the last year of his contract. 

As of now, the 2010 Yankees starting rotation appears to be CC, AJ, Andy, Vazquez, and Joba or Hughes.  I think Joba would be a the fifth starter and Hughes would stay in the bullpen.  Gaudin would become a long man and/or an emergency starter. 

Where Do We Go From Here: Will Johnny Damon return to the Yankees OR stay a special WWE guest host as he was on Monday night RAW?  Boras and Damon need to close the deal ASAP.  Time will tell.  Keep the Faith!

Posted by The Tank.