Though the chance of Pwdro Martinez pitching before the All-Star break is quite slim, the pitcher himself is no longer so. While rehabilitating his surgically repaired right shoulder, he has added 10 pounds of self-described muscle. "That's one of our strategies," Martinez said Saturday in the Dominican Republic, where he made an appearance at a charity softball game staged by former Red Sox teammate David Ortiz. The Associated Press reported as much and also quoted Martinez as saying he is "aiming for July or August as the return date." The Mets have said they expected his return in August.

The San Francisco Giants appear to be the frontrunners for Barry Zito. An official involved in Zito negotiations said that the Giants' offer may exceed the $100 million mark. The Yankees were in touch with the Giants about Randy Johnson, but made it clear that they weren't interested in the 43 year-old veteran southpaw. The Mets appear unwilling to budge from the $75 million strata.

During a career that spanned 16 seasons, Bobby Bonilla was one of the most feared switch-hitters in the game. And, as evidenced by the fact that he appeared in the postseason with five different teams from 1990 to 2000, Bonilla was a winner. Now, five years after his retirement, Bonilla is hoping to be immortalized in the hallowed halls of Cooperstown.

Cliff Floyd has apparently narrowed his choices to the Cubs and Orioles. While playing in his native Chicago would be preferable, the Cubs' willingness to sign him may be contingent upon trading another corner outfielder.

A day after dining with Barry Zito, Mets officials met Wednesday with another free-agent pitcher, Jeff Suppan. The NL East champions are seeking to boost a rotation led by Tom Glavine and Orlando Hernandez.

Mets executives planned to visit Barry Zito in California on Tuesday for a recruiting visit designed to persuade the pitcher to sign with New York. Mets chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon and general manager Omar Minaya were to head the team's delegation, which was to leave New York on Tuesday morning and meet with Zito later in the day in the Los Angeles area.

Omar Minaya hopes to speak with Barry Zito and Scott Boras this week. On which coast the face-to-face meeting takes place and exactly when it'll occur could be resolved today, the Mets GM said. "We will have dialogue this week," Minaya wrote in an E-mail. David Wright and former A's pitching coach Rick Peterson are among the Mets ready to sell the 28-year-old pitcher on New York. Zito already has visited Texas.

Mets manager Willie Randolph would love to see Barry Zito pitching for his team next season. "I like what we have, but Barry's one of the best pitchers in the game, and if the organization sees fit that we can fit him into our budget, then we'd love to have him," Randolph said Wednesday at the Mets' annual holiday party. "He's the best pitcher on the market right now, and I think he could help our ball club. It would be nice to have him under our tree," he said.

The Mets didn't offer Victor Zambrano a contract by Tuesday night's deadline, making the injured pitcher a free agent. The Mets planned to continue negotiations with Zambrano, acquired from Tampa Bay on July 30, 2004, for Scott Kazmir. By not offering a contract, the Mets can get around baseball's rule that says they must offer at least $2.4 million, 80 percent of his salary this year. Also, the Mets agreed to a $1.25 million, one-year contract with Dave Williams. Acquired from Cincinnati on May 25, Williams was 3-1 with a 5.59 ERA in five starts and one relief appearance with New York.

Club officials said that the Rangers have made a formal offer to free agent pitcher Barry Zito and his agent Scott Boras. The New York Mets and the San Francisco Giants are also pursuing Bary Zito aggressively.