"Yeah, hi, Chris. It's Edgy in Baltimore." "Calling in from a long way out, there, Edgy. What can I do for you?" "I read today that the Mets released Erik Goeddel, Tyler Pill, Travis Taijeron, and Phillip Evans. Also, Wuilmer Becerra. Am I saying that right?" I'm looking at the producer and he's nodding." "So they're gone?" "They're not released, Edgy. What this is is something that happens every winter. They've been removed from the roster, presumably to make room for some better players coming up under them, or to be brought on board later." "So the Mets get to keep them?" "Well not so fast. They have to pass through waivers. Another team can claim them if they have room on their roster." "Because Pill looked bad, sure, but he was rushed through in the middle of a crisis. And Evans looks like he can hit a little. He's fat but he gets around." "I hear you, Edgy, but look, the Mets won 70 games. And if they are going to do better, it's not going to be done by getting too sentimental about these spare parts on a losing team." "But they protected Tommy Milone?" "Wait ... what?" "Tommy F. Milone." "I hear you. I frankly hadn't even THOUGHT about that guy. He's really still on the roster?" "He is! Tommy Milone! Alternated injury with futility all year." "I got nothing for you, Edgy." "The guy started five games, relieved in six, won zero, put up an 8.56 ERA, and HE'S the guy they don't want to expose to waivers? Did he got to high school in Brooklyn or something?" "Look, they put me on the air because presumably I know a thing or two about baseball. That's the working assumption. But if you're asking me what the Mets are thinking, I simply cannot enlighten you." "OH, WE'RE THE METS! WE DON'T WANT TO EXPOSE TOMMY MILONE TO WAIVERS! SOME OTHER TEAM MAY STEAL TOMMY MILONE!" "Next caller, you're on the air ..."