There was lots of action on this off-season Thursday. Some of it was really surprising.

"Oh, the family's fine Omar, and by the way - I had another knee surgery yesterday." Well, it didn't go quite that way between Omar Manaya, Carlos Beltran and agent Scott Boras listening in on the other line, but it isn't pretty. The Mets are in the middle of a mess. Again.

It seems as though Carlos Beltran had an exam of his surgically repaired knee this past Tuesday in Colorado. Dr. Steadman determined that surgery was required. Allegedly, and according to agent Scott Boras (there's that name once again,) workmen's compensation papers were sent to the Doctor by Mets trainer Ray Ramirez. However, the Mets indicate they wanted time to evaluate Dr. Steadman's recommendation before deciding if Beltran should have the additional surgery or seek another opinion. Without giving the Mets time for the other opinion, Beltran had the surgery on Thursday, surprising the Mets.

Beltran is is the 6th year of a 7 year 119 million dollar contract. He represents a huge investment to the club. At this time, if David Wright's 2009 numbers are now his norm, he also represents their only real power hitting threat. But now the Mets may have to wait up to 12 weeks to get Beltran back on the field in playing condition. Boras thinks it will be less. Regardless, it appears Beltran will once again be missing in action when the lineup card is presented to the home plate umpire as the Mets begin the 2010 season.

The Mets say they are keeping their options open regarding taking action on Beltran's contract status. Does that mean they'll void the contract? How can they? Who would play center field from late April till the end of the season? What other recourse do they have? Stay tuned. With this additional surgery, what will Carlos Beltran be able to accomplish once he returns? He did show signs of life after coming back late last season. This could be a blip on the radar or a legitimate hiccup that deflates any optimism he and the club had for a full recovery and a return to form.

Brad Lidge had another off-season surgery as well. This time he had work done on his right knee. Lidge had arm surgery in November and now the knee. So, the second surgery in 3 months might set him back for the start of the Phillies season.

The Phillies still like Ryan Madson (and so do I) and they picked up Danys Baez recently to bolster the pen. Madson is a pitcher on the rise. He has electric stuff with the ability to throw strikes. He had an outstanding second half in '09 and he raised some eyebrows in Philly. It says here he has a great shot at being the Phillies closer even if Lidge recovers well. The Philadelphia brain trust may have had enough anxious moments sweating through the 9th inning with Brad Lidge.

The Diamondbacks made an outstanding move in signing Free Agent first baseman Adam LaRoche for one year with a mutual option for a second year. LaRoche is a 30 year old non-elite first baseman in a game of elite first basemen.
However, Adam LaRoche is very much an upgrade over the 9 first basemen who played for Arizona in '09. To begin, he offers outstanding, above average defense. That's something the DBacks have not had for years. He will hit between 25 to 30 (maybe even more) home runs in Chase Field and drive in runs from the left side of the plate. He should hit his career average of .274, a figure far better than Brandon Allen at this stage of Allen's development.

Signing LaRoche triggers a chain of events that impacts a number of DBacks players. Conor Jackson will battle Gerardo Parra for the left field position. Allen will be sent back to AAA for more seasoning. Eric Byrnes may very well be released. There will not be room on the roster for Byrnes with Jackson in the mix for an outfield position. The man on the hot seat will be center fielder Chris Young. If Young spins another .180 out of spring training or in April, look for Parra to move to center and Jackson to be stationed in left on a permanent basis. So, one move and lots of other ingredients of the of the ultimate recipe get added and subtracted. The end result should be a much improved product for 2010.

The mutual option can really work in LaRoche's favor. If he has a good year in '10 he can demand more money from the DBacks or take himself back on the Free Agent market. It makes great sense from a player's perspective.

Media reports have indicated that LaRoche turned down a deal worth more money from the San Francisco Giants. Of course we have no way of knowing if that's true. However, the DBacks did make a sound investment that offers left-handed hitting protection between Mark Reynolds and Justin Upton or the other way around. It all should result in more runs being scored and a definite upgrade in defense at first base. Outfield defense is still shaky with either Jackson or Parra in left and Upton in right. Chris Young may have to remain in center to protect the flanks. He's a very good center fielder and they may have enough offense now without him.

And finally today, the Detroit Tigers added Jose Valverde to their bullpen as their closer. It means that the Tigers will forfeit their # 1 pick in the June first year player draft to the Houston Astros. Valverde gets two years from the Tigers.

Valverde gives them a closer with a track record of throwing strikes and doing the job efficiently. He's an upgrade over Joel Zumaya, Fernando Rodney and Brandon Lyon; all guys that hung out in the Tigers pen last season.
Can Daniel Schlereth close games? Isn't he already on the Tigers roster? Why did they need Valverde?
Good questions, Bernie. The DBacks certainly thought Schlereth could close when they drafted him with a #1 pick in 2008. But they backed off because of some control and command issues they saw in brief major league stints. It certainly wasn't as if Schlereth was a finished product. By the time Valverde's contract is up in the 2012 season, Daniel Schlereth should be in the mix for the Tigers closing role. He has a power arm and his command is on the rise. I really like his demeanor on the mound and I think he has a very bright future.

So, all in all, big things are popping up all over. I'll be at the Professional Baseball Scouts Association Dinner Saturday night in Los Angeles. I'll share any tidbits with you I might pick up.