Mike over at MetsBlog points out that Jose Reyes will not be picked as ESPN's NEXT superstar.

This is great news considering 2 years ago, Kaz Matsui was their NEXT pick. Definitely check out this link and feel free to laugh!

Here's an excerpt:

"Some people say Kazuo is a type of player combining the best of Ichiro with the best of Hideki Matsui, both speed and power."

The guys over at Baseball Prospectus put together a quick synopsis of the National League East's offseason activity.

With the Toronto Blue Jays signing Victor Zambrano to a minor league deal, the Scott Kazmir era has finally come to an end.  It is now time for Mets fans to finally let go of the Scott Kazmir for Victor Zambrano trade resentment and move on. Jim Duquette is gone, Omar Minaya is here, Victor is gone, and Pedro helped the Mets recruit the team we have today, even if it was unintentional. Kazmir had a couple major pitching-related inuries last year so perhaps he was thrown into the major league mix too early on for his young arm. Either way, the Mets made it one game away from the World Series last year, yet fans won't let go of the fact that a trade was made years ago that cost us one pitching propsect.  True, Kazmir is a good pitcher and the trade is one of the most lop-sided of all time, but it is in the past and the 2007 season is soon to begin. Time to let it go Mets fans and start supporting our new pitching propsects who are set to battle it out in spring training for a spot in our TBD rotation.

According to Mark Pratt at the Associated Press, Curt Schilling said Monday he will not retire at the end of the 2007 season as previously indicated and plans to pitch in 2008.

The right-hander's contract with the Red Sox ends after the 2007 season, but he said he was in discussions for an extension. If Schilling, who acts as his own agent, can't work out a deal in Boston, he will pitch for another team -- but not the Yankees.

The last thing the Mets need is another old pitcher.

3rd baseman David Wright stopped by the WFAN studio today and spoke with Joe Benigno & Evan Roberts.

On the playoffs:
"You can talk to as many veterans as you want and if they say it's just another game, they're full of crap..."

On the Mets' failure to sign Zito:
"Now we need these young guys to step up...as you know we go as far as our starting pitching takes us...and they're gonna come in trying to win a job this spring training"

On bittersweet moment when the NL East Champs flag is raised: "I think there'll be alot of guys coming in later that day so they don't have to see it (haha)...but hopefully we take care of business this year...it will make us angry and take it out on them on the field"

On Jimmy Rollins' comments: "I think everyone in our club shies away from that kind of talk...but it makes you wanna get out there and beat 'em that much worse."

On "Brass Monkey" being his plate song: "I usually pick 3 songs a year, one a little hip hop, one a little rock, and one old school ..I confer with my 3 younger brothers and they kind of help me out."

On HR #'s falling off after the derby: "Well, 20 hr in the 1st half for me was above average, if i can just hit with a high average and hit to the corners, I could care less about home runs, I just want to help team win"

On fame: "Its great, getting to experience things like awards, magazines, the off the field perks... but baseball comes first"

On Yankee-hating: "I dislike the braves and the phillies more than i dislike the yankees...i love the subway series...when u play a team 19 times a year, there becomes a true rivalry."

On steroid use in MLB: "You should be kicked out of the game...Its America's past time and we should keep the game drug free...if Bonds fails a drug test there should be an asterisk next to the record...I told Mota he is hurting our team...it was very selfish but I think he knows that, I hope he's learned his lesson and can hopefully step up down the stretch for us."

On Jose Reyes: "He's a phenomenal talent, phenomenal teammate, not even close to reaching his ceiling yet...he's a true 5 tool player...might have a couple MVP's by the time his career's over with."

On Willie's contract extension: "He's a huge reason we were able to accomplish what we were able to accomplish last year...great player's manager"

On Shea Stadium being replaced: "I am gonna miss it but new is always good...but Shea will always hold a special place."

The ever-professional Wright, as always, was diplomatic but not so much that he didn't emphasize his passion for beating everyone in the NL East again.

GQ again though David?!

At RotoWorld.com, site editor Matthew Pouliot does a comprehensive analysis of his top ten prospects for each National League East team.

Making the list for the Mets in order is Mike Pelfrey, Fernando Martinez, Philip Humber, Carlos Gomez, Deolis Guerra, Mike Carp, Joe Smith, Kevin Mulve, Jon Niese, and Alay Soler.

On Pelfrey, Pouliot comments:

On #2 Martinez, he writes:


Each team's top 10 prospects from 2003-2006 are also listed.

This article is a must read if you would like to find out more on every NL East team's top prospects, and to observe the current state of the Mets' farm system.
I was just a little surprised that Alay Soler made the list, but he did show some ability at times in '06, after he got settled in of course.

Based on pouliot's commentary, it's good to see that the mets seem to have the upper hand in terms of the farm system which hopefully continues to build in depth.

At the Journal News, John Delcos recaps yesterday afternoon's charity event at Chelsea Piers for 300 awestruck children in a charity fantasy camp, which helped raise money for the construction of the Kylie and Louis R. Cappelli Pediatric Emergency Center at White Plains Hospital Center.

David Wright, Jose Reyes, John Maine, Aaron Heilman, Orlando Hernandez, Paul Lo Duca, Ben Johnson, Lee Mazzilli and Howard Johnson were in attendance.

Many flew in from out of town. Reyes, for example, came in yesterday from the Dominican Republic.

The Mets led the children through through hitting, fielding and pitching drills; posed for photos; and scrawled their signatures on bats, balls, pictures and caps.

It's always great when the mets get together for these events

I'm always intrigued as to which players show up, and am glad to see so many made an effort to make it out yesterday