--3B David Wright intends to represent the United States in the World Baseball Classic in March. Alex Rodriguez's decision to compete for the Dominican Republic opened a spot for Wright. Wright did not participate in the inaugural WBC in 2006 because A-Rod and Chipper Jones manned third base for Team USA.
--Mets owner Fred Wilpon was among the victims in the alleged Bernard Madoff Ponzi scheme that may have defrauded investors of $50 billion. Chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon said the family's personal losses, and losses by their business, Sterling Equities, would not affect the operation of the team. --RF Ryan Church suggested the offseason has been a welcome break to put a pair of concussions he suffered last season behind him. He's been working out normally at the Washington Nationals' complex in Florida, minutes from his home. He's also thrilled his younger brother Matt is back from a second tour of duty in Iraq.
--RHP Brant Rustich, the Mets' second-round pick (93rd overall) in 2007 after serving as a closer for UCLA, gutted through last season with an undiagnosed stress fracture of the humerus bone in his right arm. Rustich, who has the organization's best slider, is expected to pitch in 2009 without needing surgery.
--RHP Dillon Gee, the Mets' 21st-round selection in 2007 from Texas-Arlington, has been performing solidly in winter ball in Puerto Rico. In his first nine starts for Ponce, the 22-year-old Gee was 4-0 with a 2.31 ERA.
BY THE NUMBERS: $14 million -- Combined salary of Francisco Rodriguez and J.J. Putz in 2009. They will make a combined $20.6 million in 2010, which may make it difficult for the Mets to keep the tandem together for a second season at the back end of the bullpen.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "He'd have to get off playing well and do a lot of things well, somewhat regardless of the outcome of what the entire team is going through. It would be critical for him to play very well individually. I think that's going to be big for him. That has to be big for him." -- Manager Jerry Manuel, on how 2B Luis Castillo will need to get off to a hot start in 2009 after a dismal season to win back the fans.
