Mets Notes: Tuiasosopo, Payroll Drop-Off, Lucas Duda, Rick Ankiel

The New York Mets have signed Matt Tuiasosopo to a minor league deal, according to Baseball America (h/t Adam Rubin).

Other notes around the club have the team possibly facing the largest payroll drop-off ever, a sabermetric look at prospect Lucas Duda over at Amazin' Avenue, and reports that the Mets are looking at lefty outfielders like Rick Ankiel:

• Mets sign Tuiasosopo - Adam Rubin | ESPN New York
  "Tuiasosopo, 25, appeared in 71 games with the Seattle Mariners from 2008-10, hitting .175 with five homers in 193 ABs. He has played plenty of positions at the major league level -- first base, second base, third base, shortstop and left field. He hit .226 at Triple-A Tacoma last season."
• Mets could have largest payroll dropoff ever - Adam Rubin
  "After general manager Sandy Alderson revealed the organization lost $70 million last year, the Mets appear poised to have the biggest one-year payroll drop in MLB history -- roughly $52 million. That would surpass the former record: $48.4 million by the Texas Rangers from 2003 to 2004, according to ESPN Stats & Information."
• Wheeler, Harvey and Familia Rank Among MLB.com Top 100 Prospects - Amazin' Avenue
  "All three possess good picher's builds. Each has dominated at some level and all three feature at least some semblance of a decent change-up. But what it all comes down to is that second pitch..."

• Project: Lucas Duda - Amazin' Avenue
  "Using the best heat maps, batted ball maps, advanced statistics, and batting coach insights that we can muster, let's see what issues Duda might have at the plate in 2012. Along with Ike Davis, he might be the Mets best shot at a young, cost-controlled middle-of-the-order bat, so his development this year should be of great interest. On a team needing more positive on-the-field story lines, Duda provides hope."
• Mets Rumors: New York Is Looking At Lefty Outfielders - MLB Daily Dish
  The New York Mets are looking at a variety of left-handed outfield options, according to Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com. The five names that Crasnick specifically mentions are Johnny Damon, Kosuke Fukudome, Rick Ankiel, Juan Pierre and Raul Ibanez.
• New York Mets Complete Organizational Chart - MLB Daily Dish
  A complete, live chart of the New York Mets organization -- leadership, rosters, salaries, arbitration and options, as well as prospect rankings.