The New York Mets today announced they signed infielder Alex Cora to a one-year contract for the 2010 season with a vesting/club option for 2011.

“I am excited about coming back,” said Cora, who started 54 games at shortstop and 13 games at second base for the Mets in 2009. “We have a lot to prove as a team after what happened last year. As for me personally, there is unfinished business. I was hurt a great deal of the time and I really wasn’t able to perform like I know I can. I’m healthy now and I can’t wait to get to spring training. We all have something to prove.”

Cora, 34, underwent surgery August 20 to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb and had a second operation September 21 on his injured left thumb. Dr. Andrew Weiland, the Mets’ hand specialist, performed both surgeries at New York’s Hospital for Special Surgery.

Cora, who last played August 12, hit .308 (16-52) over his final 13 games and finished the season hitting .251 (68-271) with one home run and 18 RBI in 82 games with the Mets.

During his career, Cora has also played with the Dodgers, Indians and Red Sox. He has compiled a .246 lifetime batting average in 1,116 major league games.

It’s a good move. Although not an offensive power house, Cora is good utility man who can help the Mets off their bench.

The New York Mets have announced they have completed their 2010 major league coaching staff by naming Dave Jauss bench coach and Chip Hale third base coach. Razor Shines, the third base coach in 2009, moves to first base. Howard Johnson (hitting), Dan Warthen (pitching) and Randy Niemann (bullpen) return to their same roles on Manager Jerry Manuel’s staff.

The Mets also named Terry Collins, who is in his 40th season in professional baseball, the team’s Minor League Field Coordinator.

“Jerry and I both thought it was crucial that we explore changes to the staff to help us achieve our goal next year of returning a championship-caliber team to the field,” said Mets General Manager Omar Minaya.

Jauss, 52, spent the last two years as the bench coach for the Baltimore Orioles. In 2006-2007, he held the same position with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He spent 10 years with the Boston Red Sox as a coach, scout and administrator. Jauss was the first base coach from 1997-1999 with Boston and he was an advance scout with the Red Sox in 2004 when they won the World Series.

Manuel and Jauss worked together in the Montreal Expos organization from 1988-1989 when Jauss was a minor league manager and Manuel was the Minor League Field Coordinator.

Jauss graduated from Amherst College with a B.A. degree in psychology and has a Master’s degree in sports management from the University of Massachusetts.

Hale, 44, was the third base/infield coach for the Arizona Diamondbacks the past three years. An infielder, Hale spent portions of seven seasons with the Minnesota Twins and the Los Angeles Dodgers from 1989-1997. He posted a career .277 batting average in 333 games.

Hale compiled a 392-305 record (.562 winning percentage) in six seasons as a minor league manager for Arizona. In 1986, Hale hit .345 to help the University of Arizona capture the College World Series title.

“Innovative and creative are two words that I would use to describe both Dave and Chip,” said Manuel. “That’s what impressed me during the interview process with each of them. Dave was schooled under Felipe Alou in Montreal, and Felipe always stressed speed and the running game. Dave will be an exceptional resource.

“Chip learned from Tom Kelly in Minnesota where everything is about fundamentals, fundamentals and fundamentals,” added Manuel. “The third base coach is such a critical position and we think it’s a great plus that he comes to us with a ready-made knowledge of the National League.”

Collins, 60, who managed the Houston Astros from 1994-1996 and the Anaheim Angels from 1997-1999, will oversee all on-field aspects of the Mets Minor League Spring Training, Mini-Camps and Instructional League. In addition, he will be involved in all phases of minor league on-field operations, including instruction, discipline as well as player and staff evaluations.

Collins compiled a 444-434 record as a manger (.506 winning percentage). This year, he managed Team China in the World Baseball Classic and won the country’s first game in WBC history. He directed the Duluth Huskies in the Northwoods Summer League in 2009.

In 2007 and 2008, he was the manager of the Orix Buffaloes in the Japanese Professional League.

During his career, Collins also was the bullpen coach with the Pittsburgh Pirates (1992-1993), an advance scout with the Chicago Cubs (2000), a bullpen coach and third base coach with the Tampa Bay Rays (2001), a Field Coordinator for the Los Angeles Dodgers (2002-2004) and the Director of Player Development for the Dodgers (2005-2006)

He was an infielder for 10 seasons in the minor leagues with the Pirates (1971-1975) and the Dodgers (1975-1980) before beginning a 10-year career as a minor league manager in 1981.

The New York Mets will open their 2010 Spring Training schedule Tuesday, March 2 vs. Atlanta at 1:10 p.m. at Tradition Field in Port St. Lucie, Fla.

The 35-game exhibition schedule begins Tuesday, March 2 when the Mets host the Atlanta Braves, the first of 18 home games in Port St. Lucie, Fla.

Tickets for Mets Spring Training games will go on sale at Tradition Field Saturday, January 23 at 10 a.m. Tickets and information are available online at mets.com or traditionfield.com or by calling 772-871-2115. Game times for all Spring Training games are subject to change

The Mets, in conjunction with Spring Training USA, also today announced the launch of the 2010 Amazin’ Getaways spring training trip packages with three departures from New York scheduled for: Thursday, March 11; Friday, March 19, and Friday, March 26.

Each package includes a Meet and Greet with a Mets player or coach along with a custom Mets sports merchandise bag.   Amazin’ Getaway packages start at $594 (including tax) per person and includes hotel accommodations, rental car, and game tickets. A limited number of fans can sign up for the Mets VIP Spring Training Batting Practice Experience at Tradition Field.  Trips depart from the three New York area airports. For more information about Amazin’ Getaways visit www.mets.com/amazingetaways or call (888) 419-5556.

A division of Sports Marketing USA, Spring Training USA has been in business since 1991 and currently works with 17 Major League Baseball teams to provide fans with the unique opportunity to see and meet their favorite team during Spring Training action.

The Mets will start their 2010 Major League season Monday, April 3 at 1:10 p.m. vs. the Florida Marlins at Citi Field.

2010 NEW YORK METS SPRING TRAINING SCHEDULE
Tuesday, March 2, Atlanta Braves, Port St. Lucie, 1:10 p.m.

Wednesday, March 3, Atlanta Braves, Disney, 1:05 p.m.

Thursday, March 4, St. Louis Cardinals, Port St. Lucie, 1:10 p.m.

Friday, March 5, Florida Marlins, Port St. Lucie, 1:10 p.m.

Friday, March 5, St. Louis Cardinals, Jupiter, 1:05 p.m.

Saturday, March 6, Washington Nationals, Viera, 1:05 p.m.

Sunday, March 7, Washington Nationals, Port St. Lucie, 1:10 p.m.

Monday, March 8, Florida Marlins, Jupiter, 1:05 p.m.

Tuesday, March 9, Houston Astros, Port St. Lucie, 1:10 p.m.

Wednesday, March 10 , Atlanta Braves, Disney, 1:05 p.m.

Thursday, March 11 , Boston Red Sox, Port St. Lucie, 1:10 p.m.

Friday, March 12, Minnesota Twins, Ft. Myers, 1:05 p.m.

Saturday, March 13, Detroit Tigers, Port St. Lucie, 1:10 p.m.

Sunday, March 14, Florida Marlins, Jupiter, 1:05 p.m.

Monday, March 15, St. Louis Cardinals, Port St. Lucie, 1:10 p.m.

Tuesday, March 16 , OFF

Wednesday, March 17, Boston Red Sox, Ft. Myers, 1:05 p.m.

Thursday, March 18, Florida Marlins, Jupiter, 7:05 p.m.

Friday, March 19 , Minnesota Twins, Port St. Lucie, 1:10 p.m.

Saturday, March 20, St. Louis Cardinals, Jupiter, 1:05 p.m.

Sunday, March 21, University of Michigan, Port St. Lucie, 11:10 a.m.

Sunday, March 21, Houston Astros, Kissimmee, 1:05 p.m.

Monday, March 22, Washington Nationals, Viera, 1:05 p.m.

Tuesday, March 23 , Atlanta Braves, Port St. Lucie, 1:10 p.m.

Wednesday, March 24 , Houston Astros, Port St. Lucie, 1:10 p.m.

Thursday, March 25, St. Louis Cardinals, Jupiter, 1:05 p.m.

Friday, March 26, Florida Marlins, Jupiter, 1:05 p.m.

Saturday, March 27, Washington Nationals, Port St. Lucie, 1:10 p.m.

Sunday, March 28, St. Louis Cardinals, Port St. Lucie, 1:10 p.m.

Monday, March 29, Florida Marlins, Port St. Lucie, 1:10 p.m.

Monday, March 29, Washington Nationals, Viera, 1:05 p.m.

Tuesday, March 30, St. Louis Cardinals, Port St. Lucie, 1:10 p.m.

Wednesday, March 31, Florida Marlins, Port St. Lucie, 1:10 p.m.

Thursday, April 1, Washington Nationals, Port St. Lucie, 1:10 p.m.

Friday, April 2, Tampa Bay Rays, St. Petersburg, 6:05 p.m.

Saturday, April 3, Baltimore Orioles, Sarasota, 1:05 p.m.

The New York Mets today announced they will wear a new pinstripe home uniform next season inspired by the early years of the franchise. The design combines new and old elements of Mets uniforms.  The Mets created the retro uniform following research and positive responses to the jerseys the 1969 World Champion Mets wore during their 40^th anniversary celebration in August.

The natural color and pinstripes were staples of the original Mets uniform when the team debuted in 1962.  The Mets will also continue to wear their white uniform at home with the black jerseys as an alternate.

The new pinstripe jerseys will go on sale this Friday, November 27 at the Mets Team Store at Citi Field and will kick off the store’s special Thanksgiving Sale.  The jersey will also be available the same day on Mets.com.

From 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., the new pinstripe jersey will be 20 percent off, Season Ticket Holders will receive 40 percent off all regularly priced merchandise, and all fans will get 35 percent off regularly priced merchandise.  The new pinstripe jersey will be 15 percent off from 10:00 a.m. until the store closes at 5:00 p.m.

After 10:00 a.m., the following schedule will apply for regularly priced items:

• 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.: 30 percent off


• 12:00 p.m. –   2:00 p.m.: 25 percent off


• 2:00 p.m. –   5:00 p.m.: 20 percent off

The sale continues Saturday, November 28 and Sunday, November 29 with fans receiving 20 percent off regularly priced merchandise, and 10 percent off the new pinstripe jersey with a purchase of $200 or more.  The Mets Team Store, located next to the Jackie Robinson Rotunda, is open seven days a week from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. during the holiday season.

Beginning Friday, November 27, the new jersey will also be available at Modell’s Sporting Goods stores; the Mets Clubhouse stores at the Roosevelt Field Mall and on 42^nd Street across from Bryant Park in Manhattan; and Keyspan Park in Brooklyn.

According to a New York Post article, Carlos Beltran is lobbying for the Mets to bring back Carlos Delgado. Delgado, meanwhile, has announced he will play Winter Ball to allow scouts and agents to evaluate him after he had surgery and was out most of the season. He is a free agent and is a big question mark for the Mets.

The Daily News is reporting that the Mets are looking hard at trying to obtain Chone Figgins or Orlando Hudson and unloading Luis Castillo.

The National League Golden Glove winners have been announced and not a single Met made the list. The Nationals’ Ryan Zimmerman beat out his childhood friend David Wright for third base. Nobody else was healthy enough to be considered really. Here is the complete list.

The following Mets have filed for free agency: Elmer Dessens, Alex Cora, Carlos Delgado, Ramon Martinez, J.J. Putz, Brian Schneider and Gary Sheffield.

Fernando Tatis is the remaining eligible player yet to file.

You probably won’t see most of these players with the Mets again next season.

The Mets decided not to pick up the $9.1 million option for Putz. That’s a good decision, because he’s always wanted to be a closer anyway and it’s just too much money to spend on a setup man.

Schneider and Sheffield are definitely gone. Schneider was a good signal caller but just has no pop in his bat any more and the Mets need an offensive catcher. Sheffield is too injury prone and will do better with an American League club who can use him as a DH.

The likeliest player to return is Cora. He served as an everyday player with all of the injuries to the Mets’ core, but he is essentially a good backup. Hopefully, his thumbs will heal in time for Spring Training. If he doesn’t get picked up in free agency, it’s a good shot you’ll see him again in a Mets uniform.

Martinez could end up competing in Spring Training but ultimately returning to Triple-A.

That leaves the biggest question of all. Whither Delgado? If the Mets can make a move to get a solid offensive outfielder, then the need for Delgado would greatly diminish.

Daniel Murphy still needs work but could serve as an everyday first baseman if needed. Another problem with Murphy is his hitting. He started strong but was exposed as being a .260 batter once he started playing every day. He needs to improve in this area in addition to the Mets getting a bigger bat elsewhere.

The general manager meetings in Chicago end today and there has been a lot of talk about the Mets looking into acquiring a heavy hitter and some pitching.

The New York Post reports that Omar Minaya spoke with super-agent Scott Boras for 45 minutes yesterday about outfielder Matt Holliday, whom Boras is calling a franchise player worth close to the amount Mark Teixeira got from the Yankees. The Mets, who need a starting catcher, also are reportedly trying to acquire Bengie Molina or Chris Snyder from the Diamondbacks.

However, The Daily News reported that the Mets most likely aren’t in the market for Grade A+ free agents, settling instead for second-tier talent.

The proposed three-way deal to send Luis Castillo to the Cubs, Milton Bradley to Blue Jays and Lyle Overbay to the Mets doesn’t seem to be going anywhere now. The Mets should try to make some kind of trade to deal Castillo since his stock is so high from a solid 2009 season.  That is, as long as it’s not a similar deal that gave an aging, fragile player like Castillo a four-year contract with the Mets.