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In the sixth, what would have been a lazy fly ball a year ago was nearly a home run for Jason Bay.

"It actually went a little farther than I thought it would," Bay said after the Mets' 1-0 win over the Braves. "I hit it well, but I caught it way out in front. If the wind would have caught it a little bit more than I would have had a chance."

In his two years as a Met, Bay has had little chance so the new Cit Field dimensions could -- could -- make Bay a little more valuable.The sixth-inning flyout resulted in an out, but it showed how Bay might be able to up his home run total to a more respectable number than last year's 12.

The eight-foot blue wall in front of the cool Party City Deck is 358-feet from home plate compared to the old black 16-foot wall that was 371-feet deep.

"It doesn't change my approach," Bay said. "It doesn't change anything I'm trying to do. At the end of the year, if you have five or six fly balls that were doubles or outs before [now are home runs]. At the end of the year, it puts your numbers at a different spot. There are more hits and there is more confidence. It is a little bit of a trickle down effect."

David Wright played down the impact on his mindset, but when it was pointed out to him that Chipper Jones thought it would help, Wright relented a little.

"It is not going to hurt us," Wright said. "You are asking a hitter if you like the fact that they brought the wall in. The obvious answer is yes."

In trying to clarify comments he felt were misconstrued in an article in the New York Times, agent Scott Boras texted Mets COO Jeff Wilpon, Boras said Tuesday.

Boras, as he had earlier in the day to Adam Rubin, insisted he was not specifically talking about the Mets when he made comments on a panel Monday.

"When you're seeing franchises in major markets not pursuing to the levels that the revenues and the fan base and the market provide, then I think you have an ethical violation of the game," Boras said, as quoted by the Times.

Boras did not deny the accuracy of the quote, but said he never mentioned the Mets and was not talking about them specifically. That is the message he relayed to Wilpon.

I've known Fred Wilpon for more than a decade, but that is sort of an untrue statement.

There has always been a standoffish quality to him. This may have been partly because I was the beat guy for the New York Post for a few years or it could be how he is with most reporters. One thing that always stuck out about Fred is that when things weren't going well he was much harder to get on the phone than when the Mets were winning.

Still, some like to say Fred is a good man -- and I have no reason to doubt that, nor really any first-hand reasons to say that it is certainly true. He has always kept at a distance.

One thing I am certain of is that he really has a sincere love of owning the Mets. He loves the game and loves being the man in charge of the Mets. He also loves the idea of passing it down from generation to generation.

At this point, it seems to me he is putting his love of the Mets ahead of your love of the Mets. He wants Jeff, his son, and then Jeff's sons to own the team.

You want them to field a competitive teams that can actually pay great players so you can see winning baseball.

That is why my teammate Adam Rubin's excellent piece on how the Wilpons will either end up keeping or losing the team will certainly be the most important thing you read on the team today and possibly this year.

It is a must-read if you are interested in this subject. This is how it ends, quoting Dr. Joel Maxcy, an associate professor and member of Temple University's Sport Industry Research Center.

In the interim, the Mets' payroll could continue to operate on austerity as it will in 2012 -- meaning the team's success primarily will depend upon production from the farm system, as would be the case with a middle- or small-market team.

"It could work," Maxcy said. "Maybe the Madoff settlement is less than expected. Maybe revenues are greater than expected. Maybe the $200 million is raised through the [minority ownership] shares and everything works out. Maybe the team is much more competitive on the field next year than expected -- a good team with a low payroll -- and the economy picks up and so forth.

"But it's certainly a precarious situation that typically, you would say, it would be better for the Mets if a new owner were able to purchase the team."

My teammate Adam Rubin has gone in-depth explaining about the Mets' financial difficulties. It gives the clearest picture yet of this complicated situation. Adam also, along with our buddies at ESPN Stats & Info, has figured out the Mets are likely going to have the largest payroll drop in the history of major league baseball.

If you are interested in what is happening with the Mets and what could happen in the future, these two stories are worth your time.

Part II comes tomorrow when Adam looks into if the Wilpons can remain in control.

In the meantime, I have to pull out this quote. It is from the first piece on the financial mess and it is from Jeff Wilpon in 2008.

"The individual partners lost some money at Madoff, but it doesn't affect the Mets," Wilpon, the team's chief operating officer, maintained in December 2008. "It doesn't affect the Citi Field project. It doesn't affect [regional sports network] SNY or any of our operating businesses.

"How is that possible? We have other money. Just because you guys don't know how much money we have, we have other money and other funds outside of this. It's called diversification."

New Mets' Hall of Famer John Franco said that maybe in the future he would like to extend his on-field presence in the Mets' organization, but for now he is satisfied that he is able to watch his son, J.J., play as a second baseman for Brown University.

Franco, 51, spends much of his time these days flying around the country, following J.J.'s games. J.J., who used to run around the Mets' clubhouse as a little kid, is a sophomore. Before going to Brown, the Mets drafted J.J. in the 42nd round.

For John, watching his son is like coming full circle, remembering how his father used to follow him as a kid. He said his late father would have had a "big smile from ear-to-ear" if he were here to see John inducted into the Mets' Hall.

"I'm truly honored and humbled about being inducted into the Mets' Hall of Fame," Franco said. "Growing up, as a kid in Brooklyn, and starting out in the PAL and always rooting for the Mets and working my way through high school and college, having a good career here in New York, it is an honor for me, to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, rooting for the team that I grew up rooting for and now am a member of their Hall of Fame. I am very honored that I was selected."

Last year, Franco worked with Bobby Parnell, but it doesn't appear as if he will have an extended on-field role in the near future.

"Right now, I'm pretty happy with what I'm doing," Franco said. "I'm doing a lot of stuff off-the-field for the organization. I volunteer my services whenever they need it for on-the-field services with any of the players. I have the luxury of doing both and I have the luxury of watching my son play college ball."

Franco, who has always maintained a strong relationship with Fred Wilpon, believes the Mets have the right ownership in place.

"I can tell you this," Franco said. "Fred Wilpon and Jeff Wilpon will do everything in their power to get this organization back to where it needs to be. Just be patient. We have some good players here in the organization at the major league level and we have good players coming up in the minor league level. Knowing Fred the way I know Fred, he will do everything in his power to bring back a winning team here at Citi Field."

I'll tell you what Johnny said on the conference call in a little bit. In the meantime, here is the release where you can learn about Johnny's career. Since he is in the team's Hall of Fame, I'm guessing most of you know the info. However, it is sort of interesting to see how the Mets' Hall of Fame is chosen. Franco will be inducted on Sunday, June 3rd, prior to a game against the World Champion Cardinals.

Here is the release:

FLUSHING, N.Y., January 26, 2012 – The New York Mets today announced that John Franco, the club’s all-time leader in saves and games pitched, will be inducted into the Mets Hall of Fame during the Mets Hall of Fame Induction ceremony presented by Citi Sunday, June 3 prior to the 1:10 p.m. game against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Franco saved 276 games for the Mets over his 14-year career (1990-2004) with the team, the second-longest in franchise history behind Ed Kranepool’s 18 years of service. The four-time All-Star compiled 424 saves during his career, the fourth-most in major league history and the most by any lefthanded reliever.

“It’s a tremendous honor to be elected to the Mets Hall of Fame,” said Franco, who is currently in his fourth year as a Club Ambassador with the Mets. “I would like to thank Fred Wilpon, Saul Katz, Jeff Wilpon, the Hall of Fame Committee, all of my managers and coaches and of course my teammates. My entire family is looking forward to June 3.”

“John set a very high standard during his career both on and off the field,” said Mets COO Jeff Wilpon, who serves as Ex-Officio for the Selection Committee. “It’s great that during our 50^th anniversary season we can have John – a true New Yorker in every sense – inducted into the Mets Hall of Fame.”

The Brooklyn native appeared in 695 games with the Mets and earned the National League Rolaids Relief Award twice (1988, 1990). Franco was named the Mets’ team captain on May 4, 2001 and was also honored on the 40^th Anniversary All-Amazin’ team.

The Mets Hall of Fame now has 26 members. The previous Hall of Fame members in order of the year they were inducted are: Joan Payson (1981); Casey Stengel (1981); Gil Hodges (1982); George M. Weiss (1982); Johnny Murphy (1983); William A. Shea (1983); Ralph Kiner (1984); Bob Murphy (1984); Lindsey Nelson (1984); Bud Harrelson (1986); Rusty Staub (1986); Tom Seaver (1988); Jerry Koosman (1989); Ed Kranepool (1990); Cleon Jones (1991); Jerry Grote (1992); Tug McGraw (1993); Mookie Wilson (1996); Keith Hernandez (1997); Gary Carter (2001); Tommie Agee (2002); Frank Cashen (2010); Dwight Gooden (2010); Davey Johnson (2010) and Darryl Strawberry (2010).

The seven-member Mets Hall of Fame committee is comprised of a combination of Mets front office staff and media members with long-standing connections to the club. The members are: Dave Howard, Executive Vice President, Business Operations who has been with the organization for 20 years; Jay Horwitz, Vice President, Media Relations who enters his 33rd season with the team; Tina Mannix, Executive Director, Marketing who has been with the Mets for 11 years; former Mets pitcher and original Met Al Jackson, a pitching consultant who is in his sixth decade with the Mets; Marty Noble, the Mets.com writer who has covered the team for over five decades; Gary Cohen, a New York native and voice of the Mets on SNY, who is entering his 24^th season of broadcasting Mets baseball; and Howie Rose, a Queens native and radio voice of the Mets on WFAN who has covered the team since 1987.

The Mets Alumni Association Presented by Citi was launched in 2010 as part of the organization’s ongoing commitment to honor its history and serve the community. Dozens of Mets players spanning all eras visit Citi Field throughout the season, interacting with fans at the ballpark and participating in community events around New York City.

Teammate Jerry Crasnick tweets that that the Mets are monitoring the left-handed outfielder market. The names Crasnick included were Johnny Damon, Kosuke Fukudome, Rick Ankiel, Raul Ibanez and Juan Pierre.

If the Mets find a few coins in the cushions, whom would you want the Mets to go after?

The Mets just announced that John Franco has been elected to the team's Hall of Fame. There is a conference call at 1 p.m. I'll report back after that.

The Mets Hall of Fame now has 26 members. The previous Hall of Fame members in order of the year they were inducted are: Joan Payson (1981); Casey Stengel (1981); Gil Hodges (1982); George M. Weiss (1982); Johnny Murphy (1983); William A. Shea (1983); Ralph Kiner (1984); Bob Murphy (1984); Lindsey Nelson (1984); Bud Harrelson (1986); Rusty Staub (1986); Tom Seaver (1988); Jerry Koosman (1989); Ed Kranepool (1990); Cleon Jones (1991); Jerry Grote (1992); Tug McGraw (1993); Mookie Wilson (1996); Keith Hernandez (1997); Gary Carter (2001); Tommie Agee (2002); Frank Cashen (2010); Dwight Gooden (2010); Davey Johnson (2010) and Darryl Strawberry (2010).

In the meantime, what do you think of Franco being chosen to the team's Hall of Fame?

If the Mets are going to surprise the NL East this year, then Johan Santana probably must lead them. As you know, Santana hasn't pitched in more than a year because of his shoulder surgery so to expect him to comeback and pick right where he left off -- a sub-three ERA -- seems a tad unrealistic.

Santana is a superior competitor, though, so he shouldn't be underestimated. He strikes me as a guy that even if he never regains his top notch stuff will still be successful. He may not be an All-Star, but he likely still could be a 13-15 win guy with an ERA a tad below four.

So here you go, your question of the day:

What do you think Johan Santana can produce in 2012?

Mets' pitchers and catchers may be reporting on Feb. 20, but the next most important dates in the team history are actually Feb. 16th and Feb. 23.

Feb. 16th is the deadline for submission of final reply briefings for a ruling by Judge Rakoff' whether the Wilpons are only on the hook for two years and $83 million as opposed to the $295 million over six years that Irving Picard currently seeks. This is a chance for Picard to try to have an important partial victory on Judge Rakoff's playing field.

If Judge Rakoff so chooses, he could have a packed house for the oral arguments on the subject on Feb. 23rd. Shortly, thereafter, he could issue a final opinion and order.

So Feb. 16th and Feb. 23rd are the vital dates. But in this game is always feels like it is not over until it is over because ... they can still appeal more if they so choose after a trial and to other other courts.

Still, in terms of the future ownership of the Mets, these two Febuary dates are very significant. Even with Bud Selig in their corner, it is unclear if the Wilpons could survive a major loss in this case without being forced to sell the team.

There is a belief among some that settlement talks are going on. Even with the Wilpons owning the upper hand based on last week's and earlier Rakoff rulings and the possibility that they may only (relative term) lose $83 million, they may want to avoid having their family and business finances exposed to the world in such a trial.

In the end, no one knows for sure if there will be a trial that is set right now for March 19th.

"Because of the complexities of issues and hardening of positions by the adversaries, I think the likelihood is there will be a trial," said lawyer Michael J. Kline of Fox Rothschild LLP in Princeton.

Who is satisfied with the Wilpons' ownership? OK, don't all raise your hands at once.

So with the Wilpons' failing ownership acknowledged, here is my question of the day.

What would you do if you owned the team?

(Note: These blogs make it into the team's clips so Fred, Jeff or Sandy may read them so maybe you will give them a good idea.)

Mike Piazza says that if he is elected to the Hall of Fame, he will wear a Mets hat. Here is his recent interview with MSG.

If Piazza is elected, he won't actually choose which hat because the Hall makes the decision. He is eligible next year.

The Mets have invited RHP Matt Harvey and CF Matt den Dekker, my colleague Adam Rubin informs. However, Zack Wheeler -- the young righty acquired in the Carlos Beltran deal -- was not invited.

Wheeler only finished the year in A-ball so he is not as polished. Plus, as one team outsider put it, the Mets would have to spend more on meal money and accommodations. Port St. Lucie can be quite pricey that time of year.

Well, just like the rest of us, when you need to raise some cash, the Wilpons are having a garage sale. They are auctioning off pieces of their stadium.

You can have a portion of the soon-to-be defunct wall that had the Wheat Thins ad, the Verizon ad, the Delta ad and the Lincoln ad on it. The Mets are opening the bids around $800 to $1K for each of these. Consider there is barely any history associated with them -- they are not exactly Fenway's Citgo sign after three years -- it is hard to believe there is a huge market. But when you need cash, you need cash.

What might be more appealing are pieces of the 1988 NL East Division wall banner, the 2006 NL East Division wall banner and the 2000 NL champion wall banner. At least they represent winning something, not companies who paid money to advertise on a wall.

As any of us who have ever had a garage sale know, every dollar matters so step right up and help your team get rid of the junk memorabilia they don't need anymore.

Questions of the Day: Would you buy any of this stuff? How much would you pay for it? And why?

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie famously wouldn't run for president, but he will campaign for the Mets GM job if Sandy Alderson wants to step to the side.

Christie, whom we are assuming is a Mets fan, made his statements here on MSNBC's Morning Joe. He was half-joking.