The Nationals on Friday traded outfielder Ryan Church and catcher Brian Schneider to the Mets for right fielder Lastings Milledge.

Johan Santana has company on the trade market.

The Mets need pitching, and they'd love to land Johan Santana.

Speculation in MLB circles swirled Wednesday that the Mets, who desperately need to obtain a frontline starter this winter, were considering parting with Jose Reyes to obtain Johan Santana in the wake of a separate pending Twins deal yesterday that would send Minnesota's shortstop, Jason Bartlett, to Tampa Bay along with pitcher Matt Garza and reliever Juan Rincon for outfielder Delmon Young, infielder Brendan Harris and outfield prospect Jason Pridie.

In the process of stockpiling arms to fill the voids in their porous bullpen, the Mets acquired reliever Brian Stokes from Tampa Bay Wednesday.

The New York Mets apparently aren't out of the Johan Santana Sweepstakes, as the Minnesota Twins continue to ponder what to do with their free-agent-to-be pitcher.

The Mets acquired righthander Brian Stokes from the Rays for cash considerations on Wednesday.

The Mets made a strong run at Orioles' left-hander Erik Bedard at the General Managers' meetings, but at the time Orioles' President of Baseball Operations Andy MacPhail was not ready to make a move.

The New York Mets apparently aren't out of the Johan Santana Sweepstakes, as the Minnesota Twins continue to ponder what to do with their free-agent-to-be pitcher.

With Alex Rodriguez refitted for pinstripes, Johan Santana's status as a lame-duck Minnesota Twin likely will be the story line that dominates the rest of baseball's offseason.

Duaner Sanchez's right foot is touching the rubber for the first time since March.

MLB approached the Marlins a few weeks ago about playing a few home games in Puerto Rico, and if the offer is right, the team said it would be receptive.

The Mets tried to trade for Freddy Garcia last December, but the Phillies made a better offer and got the hulking righty from the White Sox.

Sentencing has been delayed until early next year for Kirk Radomski, the ex-New York Mets' clubhouse attendant who looms as a key figure in the Major League Baseball steroids investigation headed by former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell, according to court documents obtained by ESPN.

When the Yorvit Torreabla talks broke down, Omar Minaya looked upon the trade market to fill his need for a catcher and found his man in Milwaukee’s Johnny Estrada.

The Mets found a solution to their catching problem today, and they unloaded one of their least successful players from their 2007 club, as well.

The field of free-agent starting pitchers is mediocre at best, and the available catchers aren't even that good.

David Wells is one name that is expected to be pitched to the Mets.

Second baseman Luis Castillo decided to stay with the Mets, reaching a preliminary agreement Sunday night on a multiyear contract.

Yorvit Torrealba may not be joining the Mets after all.

Thinking -- and acting -- outside the box, as GM Omar Minaya says he likes to do, the Mets are pursuing a career shortstop to play second base and provide some of the fire the team lacked last season.

Free-agent catcher Yorvit Torrealba will agree to a three-year contract with the New York Mets on Thursday, according to Torrealba's agent, Melvin Roman.

The New York Mets expressed interest in Orioles' catcher Ramon Hernandez.

Catcher Yorvit Torrealba, a linchpin in the Rockies' drive to the World Series, is zeroing in on a three-year offer from the New York Mets worth as much as $15 million.

The Mets have zeroed in on Yorvit Torrealba, who played for the National League champion Colorado Rockies, and could offer him a multi-year deal worth as much as $5 million annually, which would be a hefty raise from the $1.

Ramon Castro and the Mets closed in on a two-year contract Tuesday that would keep their second-string catcher in New York.

During David Wright's recent conversation with Omar Minaya, the Mets' GM told him that he should get set to occupy the hot corner next season.

Andrew Mongelluzzi, Paul Lo Duca's rep, told The Post Monday in regards to the Mets that "it's been real quiet.

Mets Gold Glove third baseman David Wright said he is not insulted by the suggestion he would have to move to another position should his team sign free-agent Alex Rodriguez.

The Mets have interest in free-agent starters Kyle Lohse and Carlos Silva and have been scouting 32-year-old Japanese righthander Hiroki Kuroda, who can be a free agent, at the Asia Series in Japan.

While the Minnesota Twins have said they will try to sign pitcher Johan Santana to a contract extension before the start of the 2008 season, there's a strong possibility that the small-market team will be unable to come to terms with the two-time Cy Young Award winner.

The market could intensify for free-agent second baseman Luis Castillo.

The Angels are baseball's exception: They openly admit they'd love to sign Alex Rodriguez.

The Mets like Oakland's Joe Blanton.

Pinch-hitting specialist Marlon Anderson is staying with the Mets, agreeing Tuesday to a $2.

Brian Cashman's top priority of getting Jorge Posada and Mariano Rivera re-signed remains the same, but at least one of those Yankee stalwarts isn't inclined to make it that easy on the Bombers.

Omar Minaya arrived at the general managers' meetings shortly before 3 p.

The Mets are interested in free agent Jorge Posada and could also still bring back Paul Lo Duca.

The Mets remain open to the idea of pursuing Alex Rodriguez, but they have reiterated to David Wright that they are very happy with him as their starting third baseman.

The disappointment of the Mets' shortfall behind him and with his 42nd birthday five months away, Tom Glavine has all but decided to extend what almost certainly is a Hall of Fame career.