Moises Alou is staying with the Mets, and Damion Easley will return next season, too. The Mets exercised their $7.5 million option on Alou's contract Wednesday, bringing back the 41-year-old left fielder who was limited to 87 games this season because of a quadriceps injury. New York also re-signed Easley to a $950,000, one-year deal. The backup infielder and outfielder provided a boost off the bench in 2007 before a badly sprained left ankle ended his season on Aug. 18.

The Cardinals hired John Mozeliak as their new general manager Wednesday, promoting him to replace the fired Walt Jocketty. The 38-year-old Mozeliak had been the Cardinals' assistant GM for the last five years. He got a three-year contract. The hiring signified a stay-the-course stance for the Cardinals, coming off a disappointing 78-win season a year after winning the World Series.