Merry Christmas Mets fans. Omar "Santa" Minaya delivered this year's gift in the form of Kelvim Escobar. Not much of a gift you say? Stop being a humbug. It's better than nothing right? Well, just barely better than nothing.

Escobar hasn't pitched much in the major leagues over the last couple of seasons. So this is one of those reclamation projects ala Oliver Perez. Given the results of the Perez experiment I'm not exactly hopeful. Escobar doesn't fit the age bill either. He'll be 34 next season which means his arm has been around the block a couple of times in 12 years since his rookie year. Two years ago he did win 18 games for the Angels. But that was his best season ever. Then he had shoulder surgery in 2008 and was injured attempting to come back in 2009. Oh brother.

The story linked below says that the Mets are looking at him as a reliever, perhaps to replace J.J. Putz. Note to Omar. If the Mets can add a true power bat (still possible) and a bonafide starter (not likely) then the bullpen won't be such a big deal.

Report: Kelvim Escobar, New York Mets agree