Benjamin Grimm

Another unused retrocard:

I voted for the 600's, but wouldn't be too surprised if he made it into the 700's. I would be surprised if he hit 800 or more.

I know the odds are against us still remembering the existence of this thread at the end of the 2017 season, but I'll put it out there anyway. How many regular-season games do you predict Jose Reyes will play during the course of his new six-year contract, from 2012 through 2017? If he were to play 162 games in each of the six seasons, [crossout:3g03aqaa]I'll soak my sneakers in vinegar and then eat them[/crossout:3g03aqaa] he will have played 972 games.

That's... THE LAST STRAW! FUCK!

Jon Heyman says that the Mets are one of five teams in on Mark Buehrle. Sandy Alderson says that's not true.

They really have to rethink that Pagan/Pelfrey money.

Marlins' Pujols offer: 10 years, more than $200 million By Bob Nightengale, USA TODAY The Miami Marlins are intent on altering the direction of their franchise, and took the largest step in that direction late Monday night by offering Albert Pujols a 10-year contract, according to two officials with direct knowledge of the negotiations. The officials could not comment on the negotiations because they are ongoing. The offer is worth in excess of $200 million, which is more than the nine-year, $195 million deal the Cardinals offered Pujols at the outset of the 2011 season. The Marlins' offer is an increase over their previous nine-year offer. The Cardinals have scheduled a meeting Tuesday afternoon with Pujols' camp, in which they could increase their last offer. They have made it clear they want to keep Pujols. But it's not known how willing they are to budge from the original offer. The Chicago Cubs are also in the Pujols sweepstakes. General manager Theo Epstein declined to confirm the Cubs made an offer, but the two sides have held a meeting. The Marlins have spent $133 million on free agent acquistions already this winter, more than the combined total of every other team. Shortstop Jose Reyes agreed to a six-year, $106 million deal and reliever Heath Bell signed a three-year, $27 million contract. Pujols, 31, batted .299 last season with 37 homers and 99 RBI.

He's probably huddled away somewhere trying to muster up some optimism. I was wondering if he'd be predicting a division title for the Mets again this year.

Yeah, I think this is a deal that the Tigers want (understandably) but hopefully one that leaves the Mets disinterested. Pagan is eligible for arbitration, and the estimate is that he'll get around $5 million. I think it would be foolish for a budget-conscious team to pay Angel Pagan $5 million.

John Harper (I think) said this morning that the Mets have about $20 to $25 million that they can spend this winter on players, but that about $10 million of that will go to Angel Pagan and Mike Pelfrey. And I still have to wonder... why? Is that really the best way to spend $10 million? I think you have to consider the non-tender.

I would think you can get a guy who's not better than Pagan, but cheaper, without trading Daniel Murphy.

Wow, those new Marlins batting helmets are very innovative.

Sandy said on Mets Hot Stove last night that the Mets offered Jose a incentive-based package that would have paid as much as the Marlins will pay him, but only if Jose remained healthy. I don't know when (or if) that offer may have been made, but that's what Sandy said.

Sherman is also apparently saying that the Padres and Blue Jays are also interested in Murphy.

D. Benjamin Satkowiak, Yahoo Sports wrote: One team which has been extremely quiet on the first day of winter negotiations is the Detroit Tigers. For most of the day, nothing outside of the already rumored position acquisitions was heard from general manager Dave Dombrowski's camp. However, at approximately 2:19pm (CST), Joel Sherman of the New York Post issued a tweet, which has since been corroborated and enhanced by several media outlets, which report the Tigers have spoken with the Mets on a possible deal involving Detroit outfielder Andy Dirks swapping teams with the Mets' Daniel Murphy. As a utility infielder in 2011, spending time at first, second and third base, the 26-year-old Murphy had a .320 batting average with 6 home runs, 49 runs-batted-in and just 42 strikeouts in 423 at-bats. Murphy was well on his way to a breakout season, before a torn MCL ended his year in early August. In 78 games for Detroit, Dirks had a .251 average with 7 home runs and 28 runs-batted-in. When injuries forced a horde of Tigers' reserve players to step into starting roles, Dirks was on of the brighter performers. His ability on both sides of the ball began to develop rapidly, earning him the respect of the team, and the faithful Tiger fans. Sherman also noted, in his tweet, that the Mets' affection toward Dirks is based on his potential of being a vastly better option than their current one, Angel Pagan. If this does turn out to be one of Dombrowski's first offseason moves, it doesn't appear to be a horrible one. Murphy is a solid performer at all three infield bags. Though I am a fan of Dirks and his ability, the Tigers have options in the outfield and, all things considered, the infield addition is a far more pressing matter. I never heard of Andy Dirks until a few minutes ago, but it seems to me that Murphy should be able to bring back a better return.

His vocabulation is verifiedly unsurmounted.

Maybe Vic pronounces "entire" with a southern accent. "En-tarr"

David is aging Next pennant race is far off Trade now for some youth

How about a haiku? They seem to be all the rage lately.

Maybe they actually thought they had a chance of resigning him, and didn't want to jeopardize that by dealing him.

I don't disagree with what Dickey is saying; I'm just tired of his "pretending to be an intellectual" schtick. He may have a good vocabulary for a ballplayer, but that doesn't mean we have to be impressed with how smart he is. I'd be more impressed with him if he'd speak in plain English without trying to talk like Hank McCoy.

THAT would suck!

All right, let me be the first to say it: R.A. Dickey is an idiot.

I wonder if Mets Hot Stove Report tonight will be all about how great Ruben Tejada is.

Pagan 423 Murphy 301 Nobody else has more than 200. (Although if he comes back, Endy Chavez is at 223.)