Benjamin Grimm

Number on the front. (Note the 50th Anniversary patch.)

My sense is that he might take a little less money to stay in New York over going to Detroit or Milwaukee, but Miami is probably a different story.

That's "only" $15 million per year. I don't see how it would blow the Mets out of the water.

If Jose plays 90 games per year over the next six years, and is paid close to $20 million per year to do it, it would be far better for the Mets if he did that for someone else. That, I think, is the key. If he's healthy, the Mets are better with him. And if his injury rate accelerates, which it very well might, they're better off without him.

Sandy isn't saying that he thinks Jose will return, nor that he thinks he'll be gone. He's preparing us for his loss, but not telling us to give up hope that he'll stay. In other words, he's acknowledging that it can go one way or the other, which may very well be true. (We, the fans, have no real idea of what the Mets can and can't spend.) Having said that, I agree with the approach that Edgy is spelling out. I'd be fine with the Mets going cheap at several positions in 2012 if it means keeping Jose and David for the long haul. They have a shot at being cheap and fairly productive at first base and second base (and shortstop if Jose leaves). Give Thole a chance to mature, or get a journeyman veteran to catch, or both. I don't have a strong preference there. Centerfield? Ditch Pagan and get a stopgap if you think Angel will be seriously overpaid. If you can keep him at an acceptable price, do so and hope that his 2012 will be more like his 2010.

Unless Albert goes to the American League. Who are the seven who are ahead of Kemp? Alex Rodriguez, Manny Ramirez...

Remove all the line feeds. You need it to be one big fat paragraph.

Adam Rubin wrote: Mets to unveil uniform changes Wednesday November, 11, 2011 by Adam Rubin The Mets have called a news conference for next Wednesday to unveil uniform changes and other 50th-anniversary plans. Rumblings are the primary home uniform will be close to the 1960s version -- with pinstripes, a Mets script logo in blue and orange (and no black shadow) and blue hats. The black uniform tops should remain as an alternate jersey, but be worn only occasionally. The bright white jersey without pinstripes also should be around (also minus the black shadow on the lettering), but the pinstriped version should primarily be worn. The Mets also are expected to have a patch on the uniform commemorating the 50th anniversary -- basically the commonly used city skyline and "50th anniversary." Word is the bobbleheads in 2012 also may be past Mets greats. As we mentioned in Thursday's chat, Banner Day even may make a comeback, although that was just educated speculation and not guaranteed. No word yet on whether the blue cap will have a blue or orange button. I don't mind the orange, but if it were up to me, it would be blue.

Yeah, I suppose that's a definite possibility. I don't think he's in "I wanna get out of New York" mode like Darryl was, but he may have no interest at all in places like Detroit and Milwaukee. Maybe if the Marlins make him a good offer, and the Mets won't top it/match it/come close, he'll be done shopping.

That's a bit hard to believe. Unless Jose's plan all along was to be a Marlin (like it was with Darryl and the Dodgers) I would think that there's still a way to go with this.

Are you going to use this information to update the 2012 projected roster? If you do, I want credit for it!

SteveJRogers wrote: No, it just clarifies a point that was made that certain forumites brought their First World ideology to the table on. In the future I'll use CERTAIN FORUMITES then. Yes, how I envy you for your wisdom.

The back head? Do Japanese players have more than one head?

Did you catch this line from that link? By the way, Rubin also hears the team may bring back banner day next season.

You look about two years younger.

Too late!

I seem to remember posting something here about being concerned for Josh Thole's safety in Venezuela. I don't recall when that was, or what prompted that concern...

They're not too bad. I kinda like the orange cap with the yellow brim.

Best: David Wright, Tommie Agee Worst: Len Dykstra ?

Well, yeah, but even if they tell us that they have a lot of interest from "minority investors", if their off-season moves are limited to things like coaxing Tom Hausman out of retirement, very few of us will be lulled into thinking everything is okay.

Last Play at Shea will be on Showtime this month.

With or without Reyes, I think the infield will be comprised of guys who played for the Mets in 2011. (At least to start out.) Wright and Davis at the corners, Tejada and Murphy (or Tejada/Murphy and Reyes) in the middle. Like Ceetar said, catcher and center field are the likely places to upgrade. Edgy DC wrote: I think wheeling and dealing isn't really about being creative. At least, not necessarily. It tends to be about acknowledging that, at some level, you've lost faith in your own creative process. Yeah... maybe. But the presence on the Mets roster of Pagan, Thole, Bay, and others are not the result of Sandy Alderson's creative process, but Omar Minaya's. If Sandy decides to ditch them, it doesn't mean he's flip-flopping; it means he's putting his plan ahead of that of his predecessor.

And it's a bit of a letdown to find out that the press release is about blue paint.

I'm coming to accept that he'll be gone, and if it doesn't work out that way, I'll be very pleasantly surprised.

Jerry Cram's parents should have named him "Marc".