Mets utility man Nick Evans will soon begin three to four weeks of therapy and rehabilitation after doctors confirmed he suffered a mild strain of his right quadriceps.

The Mets offered salary arbitration to Oliver Perez on Monday, thereby assuring themselves of compensation should the free-agent pitcher opt to sign with a different club.

How David Cone's achievements, image as a Hessian and five World Series rings will resonate with those casting Hall of Fame ballots is yet to be determined. Cone is among 10 players new to the ballot this year. But he appears to be a candidate who will elicit support out of respect and not only for his statistical achievement.

In this week's post-Thanksgiving mailbag, beat reporter Marty Noble digs into some Mets history and gives his perspective on which offseason was the best -- and then, for leftovers, answers questions about Mark Teixeira, the 2008 NL MVP and more.

Of the Mets' 11 free agents, the club is expected to offer salary arbitration only to Oliver Perez and perhaps Luis Ayala prior to Monday's midnight deadline.

In the search for a closer, free agency isn't the only option for the Mets, who may seek the Astros' Jose Valverde, the Rockies' Huston Street, the Mariners' J.J. Putz or Bobby Jenks of the White Sox.

As the Mets look for a replacement for injured closer Billy Wagner, they are reluctant to pay more than they consider fair value for the top available relievers on the free-agent market.

The organization TeamMets encourages fans of the popular club to give back to the community, and the players and front office are charitable themselves.

Jerry Manuel, father of four, grandfather of one and manager of 25, has no way to count his blessings -- "many, many" is how he characterizes all that are his.

The Mets have continued preliminary discussions with the agents representing the players they seek to acquire, notably Francisco Rodriguez and Brian Fuentes.

The agent representing free-agent shortstop Rafael Furcal said a report claiming his client had received a $48 million contract offer from the Oakland Athletics was incorrect but did confirm Furcal has been offered a four-year deal from an unspecified team.

In his latest mailbag, Marty Noble discusses which big-name free agents the Mets should pursue this offseason and answers other fans' questions.

Fans can watch on MLB.com/Live the Mets' dramatic walk off win, highlighted by Lenny Dykstra's homer, in Game 3 of the 1986 National League Championship Series.

Perhaps it would be wise not to become too attached to the name associated with the Mets' new home. What now is Citi Field conceivably could have a different identity even before it opens in April because of the recession.

Aaron Heilman wants out of the 'pen and into the rotation, or, if that can't be arranged, out of the Mets. His either-or preference has been communicated to the club with the underlying hope that his assignment, not his team affiliation, will be changed.

An MRI administered on Thursday in Manhattan determined that Daniel Murphy has suffered a Grade 2 strain of his right hamstring.