metirish

] "Umpires do a really nice job," he said. "I think that's the way baseball has been played since inception. I don't see any reason to change it." Yep,that's right Lou,they didn't have instant replay back in the day...

I won't be buying it,even though I am sure I would score in November if I did..

Yeah,it should be interesting year for them, of course if they win it all then Torre stays...will be interesting to see if Girardi is critical of the team when it warrents it....

] ''Bell is probably the one guy that we certainly feel that has tremendous upside,'' general manager Kevin Towers said. ''The guy has always had really good strikeout-to-walk ratios in the minor leagues.''

patona314 wrote: girardi as the 06 met manager and randolph as the 06 marlin manager... what do think the results would have been? Well now come on,that's impossible to even speculate on.

I thought Mattingly was the manager in waiting,or is that just media boosting?

From the Mets blog on Newsday.... ] The 6-1, 220-pounder constructed a .341 (15-44) batting average away from PETCO Park last season.

I've no problem with him winning,Leyland wins in American League.

Heath Bell will probably be very happy to get a new start. Ben Johnson bio from Padres site.... ] Benjamin Joseph Johnson (Ben)...enters the 2006 season as the Padres' No. 4 prospect according to Baseball America

BY KEN DAVIDOFF Newsday Staff Writer November 15, 2006, 11:54 AM EST The Mets traded relievers Heath Bell and Royce Ring to the San Diego Padres for pitcher Jon Adkins and outfielder Ben Johnson, Newsday has learned. The announcement is expected to be made later today.

I think Boras would figured out quickly if he was being jerked around, I wonder if Selig has some sort of ultimate authority where by if it was found that Boston were not negotiating in good faith he could reopen the bidding but ban Boston from it.

I suppose we got Castro instead of him...his sponsor on baseball reference has this to say.... ] still the active leader in lowest batting average for hitters with 1,000 or more career at bats.

I wonder if this is true,from a Klapisch article. ] And then there's organizational momentum: In terms of attracting free agents, the Mets believe they're now a match for any team, including the Yankees. "We're hot. It's hot to be a Met, we've got a good thing going on here," said one club official. "A couple of years ago, we couldn't get Henry Blanco to come here, and that was even after we offered him more money than anyone else. He still said no. That's all changed." If it's true then things certainly have changed.

Joel Sherman in the Post has this.... ] If you want an idea about how aggressive Omar Minaya is as GM and how high he shoots for talent, consider that in internal meetings with his staff, Minaya has broached the idea of trying to acquire star center fielder Vernon Wells from Toronto to play left field next to Carlos Beltran. The Mets had not yet broached the idea with the Blue Jays. In addition, Toronto officials indicated if they were to trade Wells, they would want starting pitching in return that is more certain than the Mets' enticing but not yet proven arms such as Mike Pelfrey, Phil Humber, John Maine or Oliver Perez. The Blue Jays are trying to re-sign Wells, who can be a free agent after the season. They are not likely to be able to do that, but since they have hopes of contending in 2007, the Jays might just decide to keep Wells and make a decision in July based on where they are in the standings whether they would trade him or not.

Seems to me that this guy will be under an a huge spotlight,at least Ichiro was way out in Seattle,this guy might go to Boston and asked to be the ace of that staff.....and the difference between the bids for Ichiro and this guy is obviously huge...hope he makes it.

Orestes Destrada is a great name,not to mention the fact that I have seen his name all over the place since this news broke..never heard of the guy before.

They have about 10 threads on the subject,can't be bothered to read through it all but from what I am reading so far they are happy as pigs in shit.

A discount for what?, I doubt Boras will take that into account,it's not like he had anything to do with the bid....if I 'm a Sox fan I'm wondering if there is any money left to fill much needed other spots.

WOW...figure $60 million at least on a contract,would he become the most expensive pitchere ever if you add in the bid and what Boras will get him?

Damn,it was only last week someone here wondered what Rey was doing these days....

Yes, the news clip showed both posing like those guys pose in GQ...

No pics yet but just heard it on the news......

] HOUSTON -- The Houston Astros hired Dave Wallace as their pitching coach Tuesday, replacing the fired Jim Hickey. Wallace, 59, had been Boston's pitching coach since 2003. He previously served in the same capacity with the Los Angeles Dodgers from 1995-97 and the New York Mets in 2000.

1. Barry Bonds (SFG), OF - LAA 2. Roger Clemens (HOU), P - Retires - again 3. Ray Durham (SFG), 2B - Boston 4. JD Drew (LAD), OF - Boston 5. Cliff Floyd (NYM), OF - spring training invitee with Mets 6. Nomar Garciaparra (LAD), 1B - Indians 7. Tom Glavine (NYM), P - Mets 8. Carlos Lee (TEX), OF - Cubs 9. Greg Maddux (LAD), P - Braves 10. Gary Matthews Jr. (TEX), OF - Boston 11. Juan Pierre (CHC), OF - Marlins 12. Jason Schmidt (SFG), P - Seattle 13. Barry Zito (OAK), P - Mets 14. Mark Loretta (BOS), 2B - Giants 15. Trot Nixon (BOS), OF - LAA 16. Sean Casey (DET), 1B - Tigers 17. Shannon Stewart (MIN), OF - Toronto 18. Craig Wilson (MFY), IF - Reds 19. Steve Trachsel (NYM), P - Brewers 20. Jay Payton (OAK), OF - Braves 21. Gil Meche (SEA), P - MFY 22. Vincente Padilla (TEX), P - Houston 23. Ted Lilly (TOR), P - Dodgers 24. Alfonzo Soriano (WAS), OF - Phillies 25. Jose Guillen (WAS), OF - Marlins 26. Eddie Guardado (CIN), P - Texas 27. Julio Lugo (LAD), IF - Mets 28. Octavio Dotel (NYY) - Pirates 29. Moises Alou, OF (SFG) - Mets 30. Chris Woodward (NYM) - Toronto 31. Randy Wolf (PHL) - St.Louis 32. Dave Roberts (SD) - Orioles 33. Woody Williams (SD) - Reds 34. Jason Marquis (STL) - won't get signed 35. Jeff Suppan (STL) - Rockies _________________

From it's site.... ] The bank has been operating in Ireland for over 40 years and is the largest foreign bank in Ireland by employee number.