According to colleague Mike Puma, who is carrying the load on the Mets while I’m (technically) on vacation, the Mets are backing off somewhat on Derek Lowe unless Lowe’s asking price comes down. This makes sense, considering what the economy is doing to the free-agent market (Yankees excluded, of course). At this rate, with so many teams pulling out of the running, it’s a buyer’s market that could leave the Mets with a choice of Lowe or Oliver Perez — or perhaps both — at very reasonable dollars. Meanwhile, colleague Mike Vaccaro says the Mets should start acting and spending like the big-market team they are.
Lastly, colleague Kevin Kernandoes some catching up with Mets manager Jerry Manuel.