Bye, Cliff

[Gwreck]

Sticking it out, day after day, as the only true power threat in the lineup.
Playing hurt and not going on the DL until Piazza came back.

The tangible and visible joy when playing next to his friend Mike Cameron in the outfield.

His glorious 2005 season when -- finally healthy all season -- the numbers equaled potential.

The big homer in his first postseason start.

He'll leave with the Mets and their fans owing him a debt of gratitute fnot just for playing hard every day but als for -- I believe -- having a large role in shaping the future of this team by the nature of his friendship and mentoring of David Wright.

One of my favorite Mets of all-time.

[Guest metsguyinmichigan]

Well said!.

A classy person and a great Met. It's a shame we couldn't find a role for him.

[Guest Yancy Street Gang]

Has he signed anywhere yet? I've been out of touch.

[Guest Johnny Dickshot]

Here here.

Raise your Rheingold to Clifford, whom I would have guessed to have been the last guy to become a True Met.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Cornelius carried water for a lot of Mets, black, white, Latin, and Hugonaut, even as they carried his bags. I shouldn't leave out Asian, because he tried to help Matsui find his purse.

He couldn't think of enough generous things to say about Xavier Nady, even though the Mets through his friend over in acquiring him.

Not bad for somebody who came to town and got drawn into criticizing Valentine on day one.

Participating though I may be, I get a little queasy starting a de facto "Memories of Cliff" thread while he hasn't moved on yet.

[seawolf17]

I feel the same way... I'm going to defer comment until we know he's gone.

[Gwreck]

I thought declining him arbitration = de facto gone.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Not any longer, according to the new labor agreement.

[Guest Yancy Street Gang]

Even under the old agreement, once they declined to offer arbitration they would still have had until January 8 to sign him.

[Guest sharpie]

Per ESPN there's interest from other clubs:

] Cliff Floyd is being pursued by the Cubs, A's and Mariners.

[metirish]

I think Cliff would like to go home and play for the Cubs.....

[Frayed Knot]

In Cliffy's case, not offerring him arbitration pretty much signaled the club's intentions even though it no longer officially ends things, and the Alou signing was the action which really put the cherry on it.

[Guest cleonjones11]

All hail Cliff wherever he may roam

[MFS62]

Since the A's just signed Piazza, unless they want to platoon at DH, I don't think there a spot for him there.

Later

[metirish]

Your not going to pay Pizza $8.5 million to platoon him....

[MFS62]

Exactly my point.

Later

[Guest cleonjones11]

Piazza is unsigned as of tonight

[duan]

I'd be MUCH happier with Floyd as a hitter then Shawn Green.

[Willets Point]

duan wrote: I'd be MUCH happier with Floyd as a hitter then Shawn Green.

Seconded.

[Guest Rotblatt]

]Seconded.

Thirded.

[Guest Edgy DC]

All things being equal of course.

But Green is under contract.

[Frayed Knot]

Now all you have to do is convince Cliff & Shawn to assume each other's contract status and we'll be all set.

[seawolf17]

That, and we'd have to convince Cliff's body that it's really 23 years old. I loved Cliff, but it was time for him to go.