Jayson Stark reports that starting pitcher Rodrigo Lopez is considering offers from the Mets, as well as the Atlanta Braves and the Colorado Rockies. His is expect to decided which team he would like to play for by the end of the weekend.

Lopez, who was runner-up to the Rookie of the Year Award in 2002, played for the Arizona Diamondbacks last season and was arguable one of the worst pitchers in baseball who played a full season. He started 33 games and pitched 200 innings, 227 hits, 126 runs, 37 home runs, 56 walks, 116 strike outs, with a record of 7-16 and an ERA of 5.00.

I'm just going to assume all the offers he was given are minor league deals.

Lopez had Tommy John surgery in 2008, so by rule the Mets need to offer him at least a minor league contract.

He'd be able to fight for a spot on all three teams, but as a flyball pitcher he might be more inclined to come to Citi Field, which is a much more pitchers friendly park than Chase Field.

I wouldn't be against signing Lopez to a minor league deal even though he had a bad year last season. The people competing for the 5th spot in the rotation the better. It adds some much needed depth to the rotation which includes some pitchers with history of injuries.

Jon Heyman reports that Citi Field will be home to the 2013 All-Star Game. The Mets haven't hosted an All-Star Game since 1964, when Shea Stadium first opened. This is the longest any team has gone between hosting All-Star Games.

Chase Field, the home of the Arizona Diamondbacks, will be the location of this year's game. The Kansas City Royals will host the game at Kauffman Stadium in 2012.

Let's just hope that the Mayans were wrong, and the world doesn't end at the end of the year 2012, I really want to see the Mets host an All-Star Game.

It should be fun watching the Home Run Derby, might be some pretty low home run totals.

Andy Martino reports that the Mets and starting pitcher R.A. Dickey have avoided arbitration and agreed to a two-year deal with a club option for a third year. He also reports that the deal is worth $7.5M, plus incentives, a deal similar to something I was talking about it an article I wrote a few days ago. In that article I asked you if the Mets should give Dickey a contract extension right now. 81% of you voted "yes", 5% voted "no", and 14% voted that the Mets should wait until the end of the season to offer him a contract.

I like this move, as long as the incentives aren't that high. The biggest question is if Dickey can repeat his 2010 performance. I don't think he can, but he can still be an effective play for the Mets. I don't think he can post a 2.86 ERA again, but I do think he'll be a solid number three, or number two until Johan Santana comes back.

I just love Dickey's attitude towards the game. He's a fighter and plays with a lot of passion. I also feel like he can be a leader on this team, but I'm never too quick to call players leader because we're not there with them in the clubhouse.

In any case, I'm glad Dickey will be here for the 2011 season and beyond. Now it's time to give Angel Pagan a contract.

Adam Rubin reports that the Wilpon's are "exploring" options of adding minority ownership partners because they don't have a lot of money right now. And when I say a lot of money, I mean they could owe about a billion dollars. I'd like to help them out, but I don't get paid until next Friday. They're not selling the team though, only about 20%-25% of the ownership.

I seemed some fans are excited about the idea of having a new owner for the team. That's not going to happen. But even if it did should it really excite you that much? Sure, the idea of some new faces and throwing Mark Cuban's name around is fun, but would it really make that big of a difference? I'd fill in the bubble that has the answer, "Probably not." Most likely answer letter C, I usually go with that one. 

Do people think if the Mets just spend more money they'll be better? O.K. let's get this straight for the final time; SPENDING MONEY DOESN'T MAKE YOUR TEAM GOOD. The Chicago Cubs had the third highest payroll in baseball last year, and they were terrible. It's all about spending money wisely. Now with Sandy Alderson in charge, I don't think this will be a problem, but they don't need to spend more money. After this year they will have a ton of money coming off the books, when this happens Alderson will have more than enough money to put together a good team, and he might not even need the money.

Another thing, didn't the Mets have the fifth highest payroll in baseball last season? They are spending money people.

If the Wilpon's do find someone to buy 25% of the ownership it's only because they are having financial problems that could affect the future team. It has nothing to do with the team at hand right now.

People are always talking about spending money, and getting better players but there really isn't much the Mets should be doing right now. This offseason went down as expected, maybe even better. They weren't, and shouldn't have, gone out and spent millions of dollars on a new player. Giving out incentive laden deals and minor league contracts is what they should be doing.

The Mets have the big money players, they just aren't putting up big money numbers. The team's lack of success is because of the coaches and the players, has nothing to do with the ownership.

Pitchers and catcher due to report in 21 days (or something like that), which might be scaring some of the free agents that are left. With that being said, let's take a look at some of the free agents that are left. 

Hitters:

1. Vladimir Guerrero – DH
2. Troy Glaus – 1B/3B
3. Jose Guillen – OF
4. Pedro Feliz – 3B
5. Russell Branyan – 1B
6. Casey Kotchman – 1B
7. Nick Johnson – 1B
8. Bengie Molina – C
9. Orlando Cabrera – SS
10. Cristian Guzman – 2B/SS

Pitchers:

1. Andy Pettitte – LH (Starter)
2. Justin Duchscherer – RH (Starter)
3. Kevin Millwood – RH (Starter)
4. Juan Cruz – RH (Relief)
5. Manny Delcarmen – RH (Relief)
6. Chris Ray – RH (Relief)
7. Doug Davis – LH (Starter)
8. Jeremy Bonderman – RH (Starter)
9. Joe Beimel – LH (Relief)
10. Freddy Garica – RH (Starter)

It's also worth mentioning that Jermaine Dye and Jarrod Washburn are free agents, although they didn't play last season. They could make an impact on a team if they choose to play this year.

Sandy Alderson said the Mets are pretty much done making moves, but I could see him trying to add one more starter to give more competition in Spring Training. I would love to sign Duchscherer and stick with the theme of signing pitchers who had some very nice seasons, then had injury problems. Duchscherer has dealt with shoulder, back, and depression problems.

Or the Mets can play it safe and go for Millwood, a guy who stays healthy and can give you some innings. Plus coming from the Baltimore Orioles in the AL East, to a more pitcher's friendly park and lighter hitting NL league, his numbers could improve.

As far as hitters I don't think the Mets need to worry too much. Wouldn't mind adding Guzman, a guy who can back-up Jose Reyes and whoever is at second, while providing a decent bat off the bench.