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.

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.

The Mets have signed outfielder Willie Harris to a minor league deal with an invite to Spring Training, according to Adam Rubin. Harris broke into the league back in 2001 when he was 23 with the Baltimore Orioles. The past three seasons he has played for the Washington Nationals.

Harris isn't a great offensive player, but it's his defensive that keeps him in the league, and the Mets know this too well. Rubin called Harris the Mets "nemesis" because he's made multiple plays in key situations of the game to rob the Mets.

Harris might be the answer to the Mets fourth outfielder problem, and could shack up my current projected 25-man roster.

Jon Heyman reports that the Yankees have signed free agent relief pitcher Rafael Soriano. The deal is said to be three years, with him making $35M. Heyman also reports, that Soriano can opt out of his contract after the first and second years of the deal.

Soriano came into the league in 2002 and played his first five seasons with the Seattle Mariners. He then went to the Atlanta Braves in 2007 where he was mainly used as a set-up man until his last year there in 2009, when he compiled 27 saves. In 2010 he went to the Tampa Bay Rays and had his best year, with a 1.73 ERA and 45 saves. He was an All-Star for the first time and finished 8th in the AL Cy Young Award voting and 12th in the AL MVP voting.

Soriano well be the Yankees set-up man for Mariano Rivera, but could become the team's closer if he retires within the next three years, which seems highly unlikely.

Soriano becomes the 5th highest paid relief pitcher in baseball, trailing his teammate Rivera, Brad Lidge, Francisco Rodriguez, and Joe Nathan.

This might be the final piece for the Yankees who were focused on adding to their bullpen this offseason. The Yankees bullpen will look something like this come Opening Day.

Rivera – Soriano – Joba Chamberlain – Dave Robertson – Damaso Marte – Pedro Feliciano – Boone Logan

Compare that to the Red Sox's bullpen:

Jonathan Papelbon – Daniel Bard – Boddy Jenks – Scott Atchison – Dan Wheeler – Hideki Okajima – Tim Wakefield

Whose bullpen would you rather have?

Dave Gershman reports that the Mets have sign left-handed relief pitcher Taylor Tankersley is a minor league deal with an invitation to Spring Training. This signing adds to the list of pitchers the Mets have signed this offseason with a recent history of elbow surgery. Tankersley has pitcher all four of his years in the bigs with the Florida Marlins.

In 2006 he had a 2.85 in 41 innings and the next year he had a 3.99 ERA in 47.1 innings. In 2008 he was bad, posting a 8.15 ERA in 17.2 innings. He then missed all of the 2009 season with an elbow injury, and came back in 2010 and put up a 7.50 ERA in 12 innings.

I hope the Mets don't think this is the answer to their left-handed relief pitcher problems. The Tank is still relatively young, 27, but based off of his numbers he might be done.

Veteran lefties like Joe Beimel and Ron Mahay are still available if the Mets want to pick up a better option for their left-hander in the bullpen. I don't think the Mets will be happy with just The Tank.