The Mets announced the signing of Rick Peterson to a three-year contract yesterday, solidifying his place in Flushing and his stature as one of the game's most-valued pitching coaches. "I'm absolutely ecstatic here," Peterson said of the signing. Terms were not disclosed. "Rick has done a great job with the pitchers," GM Omar Minaya said in a statement. "He has a personal approach for each guy and I think his success over the last three years speaks for itself."