Earlier today, Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz was suspended for 25 games in a violation of the league's performance-enhancing drug policy. In a phone interview, General Manager Ruben Amaro said that he doesn't think that the suspension will prevent future negotiations on a contract extension, according to Matt Gelb and Bob Brookover of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Amaro also said that the club may look at other catching options, but it won't be a frontline piece. We learned earlier tonight that the Phillies signed Humberto Quintero to a minor league pact, but the deal was apparently reached before the news on Ruiz was known. Here's more out of the NL East..
- A lucrative contract extension between the Mets and David Wright could come with significant deferrals, similar to previous deals for Johan Santana and Carlos Beltran, writes Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. Earlier tonight, Wright and agent Seth Levinson told MLBTR that they are dissatisfied with today's slew of reports on his negotiations.
- A Mets source told Mike Puma of the New York Post (Twitter links) that a contract extension for R.A. Dickey would "almost definitely" eliminate the possibility that he is traded this offseason. Dickey said in an interview this morning that talks are progressing between him and the club.
- Left-hander John Lannan is expected to be non-tendered by the Nationals and William Ladson of MLB.com (via Twitter) opines that he would be a solid fit for the Mets.
