Mets Notes

TRUMP HAS INTEREST IN METS

Real estate mogul Donald Trump is interested in buying a majority share of the Mets.  Trump has asked to meet with the Wilpon family about purchasing the team.  The Wilpons have denied that such a conversation took place.

Trump is the latest person among a host of well-known personalities to express interest in the team.

MADOFF SAYS WILPONS ARE INNOCENT

Convicted ponzi scheme artist Bernie Madoff has stated that Fred Wilpon, Jeff Wilpon, and Saul Katz were oblivious to his illegal dealings.  In the wake of the Madoff scandal and a subsequent lawsuit Fred Wilpon has expressed an interest in selling a 20 to 25 percent stake of the team.  Former New York Governor Mario Cuomo has been appointed as a mediator in the case.

Madoff trustee Irving Picard has sued Sterling Equities for $1 billion.  Madoff only spoke briefly about the Mets and said that if anyone should be getting sued, it's the banks who supported his illegal enterprise.  Some well-known media figures, such as Donald Trump, have offered to purchase a controlling interest in the team.

Fred Wilpon became the sole owner of the Mets in 2002.

PAULINO NOT IN CAMP

Mets C Ronny Paulino is not yet in Spring Training camp due to visa problems.  Paulino signed a one-year, $1.3 million contract to platoon with C Josh Thole in 2011.  Mets manager Terry Collins expects the problem to be cleared up soon.

IZZY SIGNED TO MINOR LEAGUE CONTRACT

The Mets have signed RHP Jason Isringhausen to a Minor League contract and invited him to Spring Training.  Isringhausen worked out for assistant GM J. P. Ricciardi recently but his chances of receiving a Spring Training invite were unknown.  No major press release was made regarding Izzy's signing but he was added to the list of Non-Roster Invitees expected to participate in Spring Training with the Mets.

WILPONS WILL NOT SELL CONTROLLING INTEREST IN TEAM

Mets COO Jeff Wilpon has stated that his family will not sell a controlling interest in the team despite rumors to the contrary.  He reiterated that Sterling Equities has considered selling a 20 to 25 percent stake in the team.  Donald Trump and Martin Luther King III have both expressed interest in the team but have also both reportedly wanted more than a 25 percent stake.

This is one of the first times that Jeff Wilpon has spoken publicly about the lawsuit against his family.  Wilpon said that he has been concerned over the immediate negative reaction toward his family since news of the lawsuit broke.  Madoff has stated that the Wilpons were oblivious to his illegal enterprise.

Wilpon said that GM Sandy Alderson will be allowed to spend money reasonably throughout the 2011 season and beyond despite questions about the team's resources.  One monetary issue which has been discussed wildly by Mets fans is the potential contract extension for SS Jose Reyes.

K-ROD WANTS REDEMPTION

When RHP Francisco Rodriguez signed with the Mets for $37.5 million after the 2008 season he was flying high.  He hit his low-point last season, assaulting his girlfriend's father, injuring his right thumb in the process, and seeing his contract voided by the Mets.  K-Rod reported to camp on Wednesday and waited for the long journey of redemption to begin.

K-Rod will continue to attend anger management classes in Port St. Lucie, Florida and in Queens.  There has been some speculation regarding how K-Rod will be used this season, but most fans expect him to be used as traditionally as a closer can expect to be used.  Rodriguez hopes to regain his intensity on the field while controlling himself off of it.

K-Rod is still driving his expensive cars and wearing his Oakleys, so his arrogance is still there, and that may be good for the Mets and it may be bad for the Mets.  Rodriguez is hoping to be able to balance his fiery on-field persona with his newer, more subdued, off-field persona.

FRAZIER DEAD AT 88

Former Mets manager Joe Frazier is dead at 88.  Frazier managed the Mets in 1976 and part of 1977.  In parts of four seasons the right fielder had a career batting average of .241 with ten home runs.