Jose

Offerman

Both opted for free agency. Offerman was everything the Twins could have hoped for this year, finishing with a 759 OPS in 172 AB. The team may have some interest in bringing him back.

The day after he hits his first home run of the season? We doubt this is a sign that the Phillies are planning to keep Ryan Howard after Jim Thome returns. Instead, Endy Chavez can take Offerman’s pinch-hitting role after Kenny Lofton returns to center field.

Offerman will be assigned to Triple-A Norfolk after playing in some extended spring games. The Mets should have better options if they find themselves in need of a bench player, but maybe he’ll find his way into a pinch-hitting role in August or September.

Offerman is hitting .298/.365/.383 in 47 at-bats. He’ll serve as a pinch-hitting specialist, giving him no fantasy value.

Pretty discouraging news for someone who hit just .176 in 51 at-bats from the right side last season.

Nice analogy. Offerman went 3-for-4 Thursday, but was thrown out by two steps after a slow gallop around the basepaths. ''He was running low, son. He was like one of those trotters. Breaking down,’' Manuel said. Manuel said it was still a positive day for Offerman because of his hitting.

Well, 50% of Jose Offerman has to be worth at least 25% of the average major leaguer. He’s trying to make the team as a pinch-hitter.

Offerman was hitting .167/.189/.167 in 36 AB since joining Norfolk, but injuries had left the Mets with few alternatives. He’ll get a couple of starts against lefties and be used as a pinch-hitter while Doug Mientkiewicz is out. No fantasy value.

''My time in the minor leagues has passed,’' Offerman said. As a five-year veteran, he can demand his release if they give him a minor-league assignment. His options are retirement or hoping he gets picked up by another team. He may have seen his last major league at-bat, and if so, just like Ted Williams’ final swing, Offerman’s was a home run.

Offerman had been unable to find work since being released by the Expos this spring.