The Phillies have interest in free agent Hisanori Takahashi.

Takahashi was unable to reach a deal to stay with the division rival Mets. The 35-year-old pitched both as a starter and reliever in New York and is said to be willing to do either. The Phillies would almost certainly want him for their bullpen, which they're looking to upgrade.

Hisanori Takahashi will not be re-signed by the Mets.

The two sides have until midnight to strike a deal, but it's not going to happen. Takahashi wants a three-year contract, and the Mets simply aren't interested in committing to him for that many years. The left-hander has said that he's willing to pitch as a starter or in relief.

Jon Heyman of SI.com reports that Hisanori Takahashi is looking for a three-year deal worth up to $5 million per year.

The Mets, meanwhile, were hoping to sign him back on a one-year pact. The two sides have about 12 hours to work out an agreement and it seems unlikely that they're going to meet in the middle considering that the Mets view Takahashi as more of a long reliever than anything. The right-hander had a 3.61 ERA and 1.30 WHIP in 122 innings this past year for New York.

The Mets have until midnight Friday to work out a contract with impending free agent Hisanori Takahashi.

If the Mets can't get a deal done, they must release the 35-year-old right-hander. Takahashi registered a solid 3.61 ERA and 1.30 WHIP over 122 innings this season, working as both a starter and reliever, and he's likely to draw a good amount of interest if he lands on the open market. New Mets GM Sandy Alderson has expressed a desire to work out an agreement.

The Mets' initial contract offer to pending free agent Hisanori Takahashi was for one year and was loaded with incentives.

However, the offer was extended before new GM Sandy Alderson took over, and there's probably a good chance the Mets will now propose a sweeter deal. Takahashi is looking for a two- or three-year contract after posting a 3.61 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 8.4 K/9 rate over 122 innings as a starter and reliever this season.

The Mets' deadline to negotiate with pending free agent Hisanori Takahashi has been extended to November 5.

The deadline had been October 31, but Takahashi switched agents and the two sides have been granted an extra week to work out a deal. New GM Sandy Alderson is expected to make a legitimate effort to retain the Japanese import.

Mets GM Sandy Alderson said Friday that he expects to be given an extra week to work out a contract with free agent Hisanori Takahashi.

Major League Baseball agreed to give the Mets an extension last week on their window of exclusive negotiating rights with the free agent lefty. Takahashi posted a solid 3.61 ERA, 114 strikeouts and eight saves in 122 innings this season and will be a minor prize on the open market this winter.

The Mets have been granted an extension to negotiate exclusively with impending free agent Hisanori Takahashi.

This according to David Waldstein of the New York Times. Takahashi had the right to explore the free agent waters if the Mets failed to re-sign him by October 31, but the Japanese right-hander recently switched agents and it was decided Thursday that the Mets should get extra time to map out a contract offer. Takahashi had a 3.61 ERA and 114 strikeouts in 122 innings this year.

Hisanori Takahashi's new agent Arn Tellem confirmed to Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com that he is in talks with the Mets to extend a negotiation deadline.

When Takahashi signed a minor league contract in March, the Mets agreed to make the left-hander a free agent if a new deal was not reached by October 31. Per MLB rules, the Mets would be unable to re-sign him until May 15, essentially shutting the door on a possible return. The fact that Tellem is trying to extend the deadline signifies that Takahashi may prefer to stay in Queens.

Impending free agent Hisanori Takahashi has switched agents, a sign that he plans to shop himself on the open market this winter.

The Mets have exclusive rights on Takahashi until October 31, but talks have not gone smoothly and it sounds like the native of Japan may be ready for a change of scenery. He registered a solid 3.61 ERA and 114/43 K/BB ratio over 122 innings with the Mets this past season and should draw interest from multiple teams seeking a back-end starter or long reliever.

The Mets have until October 31 to re-sign Hisanori Takahashi, otherwise they won't be able to sign him until May 15.

When Takahashi signed a minor league deal in February, he had a clause inserted in the contract that says the Mets must release him by October 31 so he could become a free agent. Any player that's released after midnight on August 31 and before the following year's opening day cannot sign a major league deal with that same team until May 15. The Mets will likely try to bring him back, but if they don't sign him within the next week, it's a virtual certainty he'll end up elsewhere.

Hisanori Takahashi said Thursday that he is not demanding a multi-year deal from the Mets but would like to test the free agent waters.

Takahashi will get his first taste of MLB free agency this winter and wants to take advantage. The 35-year-old posted a solid 3.61 ERA and 114/43 K/BB ratio over 122 innings with the Mets this past season and should draw multiple offers. The Mets, then, will have to decide whether to match those proposals. Takahashi projects as a Type B free agent.

Patrick Newman of NPB Tracker passes along a Japanese media report that says Hisanori Takahashi would prefer to stay with the Mets, but would like a multi-year contract.

Because of the uncertainty in the Mets' bullpen, the club will probably try to re-sign him, but a new general manager may have different priorities. Takahashi, who turns 36 in April, posted a 3.61 ERA and 114/43 K/BB ratio in 122 innings with the Mets this season, his first year stateside. The southpaw also went a perfect 8-for-8 for save chances. He projects to be a Type B free agent this winter.

Hisanori Takahashi said Wednesday that he is open to either starting or serving as a reliever in future seasons.

The 35-year-old impending free agent should have a say in what role he serves in 2011, depending on which team he signs with. "Right now, I'm kind of comfortable. I have confidence as a closer, in the bullpen," said Takahashi. "But I still do like starting." The Mets have not indicated whether they will make an effort to re-sign him, partly because of a shaky management situation.

Hisanori Takahashi earned his second save in two days with a flawless ninth Wednesday against the Nationals.

Takahashi has recorded five saves in all since Francisco Rodriguez went down, and he hasn't given up a run since Aug. 11. It looks like he'll finish the season as the Mets' closer.

Hisanori Takahashi tossed a scoreless ninth inning Tuesday night as he notched his fourth save in a 4-1 win over the Nationals.

Takahashi's stuff has played up in the pen, where he makes a decent closer. As a former starter, he even has dual eligibility that can really help in the right leagues. There's no reason not to roster him right now.

Mets general manager Omar Minaya told David Waldstein of the New York Times that the team would like to re-sign Hisanori Takahashi.

"We've been very happy with him," said Minaya. "He's done everything we've asked of him, and he's shown the ability to pitch in New York. I'm sure we'll sit down after the season and, hopefully, we can work something out." The 35-year-old left-hander has been a pleasant surprise in his first season stateside, posting a 3.95 ERA in 12 starts and 28 relief appearances, averaging 8.4 K/9 and 3.3 BB/9. The Mets have used him as their closer recently, however Takahashi may want to see if he can find a chance to start elsewhere.

Mets manager Jerry Manuel said that he will continue to use Hisanori Takahashi as his closer unless a matchup dictates otherwise.

Manuel discussed the ninth-inning job when he was asked about the status of the hard-throwing Bobby Parnell. "We've got to try to do what we can to win games still," said Manuel. "But there will probably come an opportunity for him to save games if we think going into that later inning that he's a better matchup than, say, Takahashi." The Japanese left-hander has only managed one save since taking over for K-Rod, but he sounds like the one to own in mixed leagues.

Mets manager Jerry Manuel said that Hisanori Takahashi will likely remain the closer.

"For the most part he'll be the guy if he's fresh and the matchups look favorable for him," said Manuel. "He'll be the guy that we'll close the games with." Takahashi earned his first major league save in a win over the Astros on Monday night. This situation could change, but go ahead and grab him in mixed leagues.

Mets manager Jerry Manuel announced that Hisanori Takahashi will remain in the bullpen.

"All I hear is, 'He's been so good out of the 'pen.' Well, if he's been good out of the 'pen, I need an eighth-inning guy," said Manuel. "Let's see if I can get him to do that." Takahashi pitched a scoreless eighth inning in Tuesday's win over the Rockies, so that's apparently enough of an audition for Manuel. Raul Valdes and Pat Misch are the two most likely candidates to replace Takahashi for Saturday's start against the Phillies.