30-year old righty reliever Dale Thayer has elected to become a free agent. Thayer pitched in 11 games (0 starts) for the Mets last year and he was 0-3 with a 3.48 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP. He also pitched in 54 games (0 starts) in AAA-ball for the Mets last year and he was 4-3 with 21 saves, a 2.66 ERA and a 0.97 WHIP. Thayer might become a decent reliever for some team in 2012.

The Mets have released 32-year old righty reliever Ryota Igarashi. Igarashi pitched in 45 games (0 starts) for the Mets in 2011 and he was 4-1 with a 4.66 ERA and a 1.84 WHIP. He pitched in 79 games (0 starts) in his two years with the Mets and he was 5-2 with a 5.74 ERA and a 1.71 WHIP. Igarashi just couldn’t throw strikes as he walked 46 batters in his 69 innings with the Mets. This is absolutely no loss for the Mets.

The New York Mets have eight potential free agents after the World Series is over. Here is who I see staying and leaving out of this bunch:

Jose Reyes: 28-year old switch-hitting shortstop Jose Reyes played in 126 games for the Mets in 2011 and he was 181 for 537 (.337 avg, .877 OPS) with 101 runs scored, 7 homers, 44 RBIs and 39 stolen bases. Reyes is going to be one of the highest paid free agents this winter, so the Mets will have to ante up big time if they want to keep him. PREDICTION: LEAVING

Scott Hairston: 31-year old righty swinging outfielder Scott Hairston played in 79 games for the Mets last year and he was 31 for 132 (.235 avg, .773 OPS) with 20 runs scored, 7 homers, 24 RBIs and 1 stolen base. PREDICTION: STAYING

Willie Harris: 33-year old lefty swinging OF/2B Willie Harris played in 126 games for the Mets last year and he was 59 for 240 (.246 avg, .668 OPS) with 36 runs scored, 2 homers, 23 RBIs and 5 stolen bases. PREDICTION: LEAVING

Chris Young: 32-year old righty starting pitcher Chris Young only pitched in 4 games (all starts) for the Mets last year and he was 1-0 with a 1.88 ERA and a 0.96 WHIP. PREDICTION: LEAVING

Chris Capuano: 33-year old lefty starting pitcher Chris Capuano pitched in 33 games (31 starts) for the Mets in 2011 and he was 11-12 with a 4.55 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP. He was a wanted man at the trade deadline but the Mets kept him around….so they like him. PREDICTION: LEAVING

Jason Isringhausen: 39-year old righty reliever Jason Isringhausen pitched in 53 games (0 starts) for the Mets last year and he was 3-3 with 7 saves, a 4.05 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP. PREDICTION: LEAVING

Miguel Batista: 40-year old righty starter/reliever Miguel Batista pitched in 9 games (4 starts) for the Mets last year and he was 1-0 with a 1.88 ERA and a 0.96 WHIP. He pitched in 35 games (5 starts) overall for the Cardinals & Mets in 2011 and he was 5-2 with a 3.60 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP. PREDICTION: STAYING ON A MINOR LEAGUE DEAL

Ryota Igarashi: 32-year old righty reliever Ryota Igarashi pitched in 45 games (0 starts) for the Mets last year and he was 4-1 with a 4.66 ERA and a 1.84 WHIP. PREDICTION: LEAVING

The Nationals took 24-year old righty reliever/starter Elvin Ramirez in last year’s Rule 5 Draft. He spent his whole season on the 60-day disabled list as he had shoulder surgery. The Mets have accepted Ramirez back from the Nationals. Ramirez has pitched in 108 games (51 starts) in his first five years in the minors and he is 14-23 with a 4.08 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP. The Mets were happy to get Ramirez back because he has a big time heater when he’s healthy.

27-year old switch-hitting 2B/SS Luis Hernandez has elected to become a free agent instead of returning to the Mets in 2012. It’s hard to blame him as he wasn’t called up by the Mets in 2011 despite all of the injuries they suffered. He played in 121 games in AAA-ball for the Mets last year and he was 97 for 404 (.240 avg, .612 OPS) with 43 runs scored, 6 homers, 54 RBIs and 7 stolen bases. Hernandez played in 17 games for the Mets in 2010 and he was 11 for 44 (.250 avg, .707 OPS) with 4 runs scored, 2 homers, 6 RBIs and 1 stolen base. His second home run that year came in his last AB of the year as he hit it with a fractured foot. That being said, the Mets shouldn’t miss Hernandez at all going forward.