--LHP Johan Santana finished third in the National League Cy Young Award balloting, behind San Francisco's Tim Lincecum and Arizona's Brandon Webb. Santana said through a team spokesman that he is recovering well from surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee, which was performed days after the season, and should be fine for spring training.
--1B/OF Nick Evans was off to a slow start in winter ball in Puerto Rico. Playing for Mayaguez, Evans was hitless in his first four games, spanning 14 at-bats. Evans is projected to begin 2009 with Class AAA Buffalo despite logging 109 at-bats as a rookie with the Mets last season. --Paul Kinzer, who represents free agent closer Francisco Rodriguez, sees his client as a good match for the Mets. "They have options and Frankie is going to have options, but that seems like a nice fit," Kinzer said. "They need a top closer, and he performs well on the big stage. I think it's a good fit. It seems like a good place. We'll see how things work out."
--Razor Shines was hired to coach third base for the Mets next season. Shines, a longtime minor league manager in the White Sox system, managed the Phillies' high Class A team in Clearwater, Fla., in 2008. The Mets retained pitching coach Dan Warthen, hitting coach Howard Johnson and bench coach Sandy Alomar Sr. They named Randy Niemann bullpen coach, succeeding Guy Conti. The first base coach has yet to be hired.
--OF Fernando Martinez, the Mets' top outfield prospect who was limited to 86 games at Class AA Binghamton last season because of right hamstring trouble, is playing unhindered in the Dominican Republic. Playing for Escogido, Martinez was batting .370 through 16 games.
BY THE NUMBERS: 49 -- Suites sold by the Mets, out of 49. The Mets, who are moving into new Citi Field next season, recently sold their final luxury suite. The suites cost from $250,000 to $500,000.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "The Mets are in it? Great. Bring it on." -- A high-placed Yankees source to the New York Daily News, after receiving word the Mets appear interested in pursuing free agent LHP CC Sabathia.
