MLB Odds & Ends

*I had an offseason plan for the Mets which was due to be published last week. However, all indications are that compensation for Type B free agents will be eliminated. This was a major part of my write-up. So...back to the drawing board for me. I'll have an updated version of this article out in the next few weeks.

*On October 31st, the Braves declined their 2012 team option on Nate McLouth ($10.65m) thus making him a free agent. As bloggers, we wasted waaaaay too much time dissecting the 2009 trade that sent him to Atlanta from Pittsburgh for these three scrubs: Jeff Locke, Charlie Morton, and Gorkys Hernandez.

At least the Pirates saved themselves some cash in the deal. For just under $14m, what did Atlanta get from Nate "The Not Great At All" in that timeframe? 124 R, 21 HR, 76 RBI, and 23 SB in 848 ABs. Not good.

*Old friend Timo Perez of early-2000s New York Mets fame was suspended 50 games for failing a drug test. Good to see he's still playing despite the fact he hasn't gotten a Major League at bat since September 29, 2007, roughly around the last time Nate McLouth was a decent player.

*How pathetic are things in Oakland these days? Rumor had it that Billy Beane met with Sir Sidney Ponson last week, presumably to talk about bringing in the fat man to pitch for the A's.

*Former San Diego Padres minor leaguer 1B / OF Craig Cooper is still unsigned. A solid source told me he would jump at the opportunity to compete for a roster spot in Spring Training as opposed to trading mortgage-backed securities.