MFS62

Edgy MD wrote: Well, that's a new whipping boy. He's been removed from the (my) projected 25, but he hasn't been waived or anything. I know. It is your projection He's not a whipping boy. I just think there are now more and better options to do the things he can do. And to me, that means the team is now better. He has survived a long time with those (limited) skills. And the fact that better options are here means he can be sent on his way with a kiss on the cheek and best wishes for success elsewhere. He hustled and did the best he could. And I've never come down on a player for doing that. Later

I won't believe Eric Campbell is gone until I see a stake driven through his heart. (Or at least read it in the MLB transactions that he has signed with another organization) Later

Edgy MD wrote: I'm not sure what MFS62 means about MLB expanding rosters. Roster size has been set at 25 since 1914, hasn't it? Wasn't there something under discussion about making the rosters 28 players for part of the year? I was suggesting that if this were extended to the full year, it would placate the union and allow MLB to let the players who are still in the majors under that silly rule slowly fade away into the sunset. BTW, I remember the rosters being more than 25 players for the first few weeks of the season. Then, when minor league seasons started, the rosters dropped back to 25 players. This gave the major league teams more chances to evaluate fringe players and prospects in real game situations. This was probably necessitated by the old option rules that had a limit of three options/ recalls - period. NOT as many options as necessary during three years. So teams had to be more judicious with the number of times they would option a player, and they felt the extra games they could see a player in action were necessary. But the commissioner has now said he wants to keep the leagues different. So it looks like roster expansion would have nothing to do with the elimination of that rule. Later

Centerfield wrote: MFY fan that lives in my building this morning: "I don't know what's wrong with Cashman. Look at the Mets. Coming off a World Series, they go out spend and sign a star player in his prime. We'll get him when he's 35 and washed up. We can give him Beltran's uniform." I would just look at that person, and smile. Later

Benjamin Grimm wrote: Also be aware that "story of the year", while a valid criteria, isn't the only criteria to use. The only instruction is to vote for the cover you like best, for whatever reason. Ben, it wasn't my only reason. I also liked the expressions on the players and the guy wearing the bag out of embarrassment. Later

As historians look back on the winner many years from now, they will remember that the Cespedes acquisition was the story of this year. Conforto will have that honor for many years to come. Later

The vodka tasted just as good when celebrating that the silly rule will not be coming to the NL for the foreseeable future. Later

Edgy MD wrote: Manfred says "No change for the foreseeable future." That was thrown in just before the closing credits on SNY's Geico sports show last night, almost like an afterthought. When I heard it I broke into my happy dance. And it makes sense. The reason I had read for not getting rid of the rule was that the Union would complain about "loss of jobs" (yeah, I know. They're usually higher paying jobs). But I think MLB took some wind out of those sails by expanding the rosters, adding more jobs. If I had my druthers, I'd keep the expanded rosters and eliminate the DH (it pains me to have to type that aberration) over time ...at all levels of baseball. Any rule that made Joe Torre look smart could not be a good thing. Later

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Pretty sure Terry will hit Walker second no matter what. I might even slot Wright 7 or 8 until he proves he's actually David Wright. Combining both of those thoughts, and assuming Wright cannot return to anything close to his previous form, my lineup would look like: RF Granderson L 2B Walker S LF Conforto L CF Cespedes R 1B Duda L C d'Arnaud R 3B Flores R SS Cabrera S P Later

That Moldovan wheat vodka was good. I may have it again today to celebrate that the guy came to plow my driveway. Later

WAITAMINIT!!! I turned on the TV this morning and the Mets had NOT traded Carlos Torres for Mike Trout. When asked about it, Jeff Wilpon (in an interview while on his private island) said there wasn't enough money left in the budget. I knew the Wilpons were cheapskates all along. Later

Thanks Wilpons. Make this deal your legacy. Sell the team. Later

Not enough seats at CitiField. Later

themetfairy wrote: Of course, we should all be drinking Cuba Libres today. And I actually have some Cuban rum to go with mine! Did Fredo or Johnny Ola tell you about them? Anyhow, enjoy! Later

Happily, this thread just became moot. Later

G-Fafif wrote: The tears of Nationals fans. They have had two bad days (the signing away of Cespedes and the snow storm) rolled into one. Tears are a tad too salty for me. Maybe I'll crack open the Moldovan wheat vodka I wanted to try. (Yes, that was NOT a misprint. It was at my local Stew Leonard's wine shop.) Later

This snowstorm is a plot by the fucking Yanks to keep the Cespedes signing off the front pages. Great move. Great contract. Sandy for President. Later

I feel bad about Torres. During his tenure with the Mets, I felt he was the glue that held the staff together. He worked as a starter, in long relief, as a setup man and as a closer. He did everything Terry needed at the time and for the most part did it well. His spot will probably be filled by Logan Verrett. But I hope the team finds a way for him to stay around. Later

batmags, I saw that article earlier today. Just got home and I was looking for it again so I could post it here. Thanks. Funny, it doesn't feel wrong to use the terms "sewage" and "Jeff Wilpon " in the same sentence. Later

Benjamin Grimm wrote: This was posted three hours ago: @Buster_ESPN Sources: Mets, Cespedes discussing an opt-out clause after the 1st year of a three-year deal. Would allow him to test market again Fall '16. If the Mets can't sign him to a longer term contract, this would be the best of all possible worlds. It would keep him out of the hands of the Nats. Voltaire would be so proud. Later

Despite the good guy image he projects when interviewed on WFAN, Heyman is a YLDB to the core. The next positive thing he writes about the Mets might just be his first one. He was probably smiling as he typed that with only one hand on the keyboard. Later.

WOW! They should have signed him years ago!!! Later

I like Edgy's thought that this will allow Gilmartin to develop as a starter. Later

Centerfield wrote: It's a tough thesis. He has to justify a 144 differential in career OPS that Lagares (.661) gives up to Cespedes (.805) Paul O'Neill (ptui) had an increase of .102 in his OPS when he played for the MFYs when compared to his OPS with the Reds. It can happen when a player moves to an environment that makes him comfortable. And his move was at the age of 30. Yeah, I know, the short porch. But he liked the challenge of playing in New York, and Cespedes has said he likes it, too. Who says he couldn't keep it up? Later

Giving Terry Collins another reliever is like giving an arsonist another book of matches. But Sandy has been trying to give him some good ones, so maybe he won't have to burn them out.* Later * = yes, that was intentional. Sorry.