You're Invited (Dec. 24): The Mets yesterday announced that nine players had been signed to minor league contracts and been invited to Spring Training. They include ancient slugger Andres Galarraga, who will turn 44 this summer -- younger than The Francos at least (thanks Paul). It's possible that the Big Cat makes the team, perhaps as the righthanded swinging half of a first base platoon, but he won't be wearing his familiar No. 14 here. That's retired.

Rehabbing Met bullpen veterans Grant Roberts 36 (photo at right by David Whitham); Scott Strickland 28 and Orber Moreno 49 were also retained with minor league contracts, as was outfielder Gerald Williams 21. Bringing back Williams would seem more pointless than usual, but for the news that Mike Cameron 44 is having surgery and will likely miss the first month of the year.

Also joining the mix to spell Cameron will be speedy backup Kerry Robinson, notable here for the fact he used to wear No. 0 while with the Cardinals. (Former Expo Ron Calloway, signed to a Major League deal earlier this week, will also be in the outfield mix.Calloway wore No. 22 in Montreal/San Juan).

Other signees include pitcher Juan Padilla, a minor league vet who's had coffee with the Yankees and Reds; Luis Garcia, a first baseman-outfielder who hit 32 HRs last year in the rare air of the PCL with the Dodgers' organization; catchers Andy Dominique, a chunky minor league vet who made his debut last year with the Red Sox while Varitek served a suspension for getting in A-Rod's girlish grill; and Ramon Castro, the former Marlins backup fighting a rape charge. Along with the news the Mets had re-signed veteran catcher Vance Wilson 3 to a 2005 contract, it appears a deal or two involving Jason Phillips 23 or That Piazza Guy may happen sooner or later.

Finally, there's Marlon Anderson, No. 8 on your old Cardinal and Phillie rosters, a utility backup in the mold of Desi Relaford.

These guys will all report when Spring Training begins in six long weeks or so. Till then, Happy Holidays!

Pete's Sake (Dec. 16): The Mets are expected today to introduce Pedro Martinez at a press grip-and-gin and present him with jersey No. 45, which he'll try on over a suit as flashbulbs pop. Whether the Mets really ought to be fooling again with these kind of high-risk moves is debateable, but we have little doubt that Pedro will provide some excitement. His taking of No. 45 likely solidfies John Franco's bid to be the first player in Met hstory to warm up a jersey number for two future Hall of Famers.

One Pitcher Leiter (Dec. 8): So long and good luck to Al Leiter 22 and all his grunts, broken bats and full counts. It may have been time to part ways but we'll remember Al as the pitching soul of brief but fun few years in Met history and realize that even as his skills declined, he still gave his team a chance to win most nights. The Mets also failed to offer arbitration or a new contract to streaky rightfielder Richard Hidalgo 15 and reliever Ricky Bottalico 20, leaving Omar Minaya with the frightening mandate to make a flurry of deals this weekend at the Winter Meetings. They did reach agreement with Mike DeJean 35, who pitched pretty well in New York at least until a broken leg sidelined him.

Heredia In, Stanton Out (Dec. 7): The Mets made their first trade of the offseason Friday, swapping disliked lefthanded relievers with the Yankees. Old and overworked Mike Stanton 32 is back in the Bronx, where he belongs, and battered ex-Yankee Felix Heredia comes to Shea. Few Mets fans ever warmed to Stanton, perhaps because they got tired of seeing him pitch nearly every day, and with a no-trade contract and a big salary, it's a miracle the Mets got anything for him. Let's hope Heredia can be used judiciously and effectively. Felix wore 45 with the MFYs, and that number is technically available, but...

Winter Meetings (Dec. 7): Baseball's annual swap meet begins later this week. In case you were wondering: Pedro Martinez wears 45; Richie Sexson 11; Carlos Delgado 25; Magglio Ordonez 30 and Carlos Beltran 15.

We neglected to reveal the worst-kept secret in baseball when Kris Benson 34 finally re-signed.