Edgy MD

Maybe. They would have done even better if they kept Beltran.

Ceetar wrote: Edgy DC wrote: I'm just surprised and delighted to see ceets suddenly pooping on the notion of the importance of a big shot closer. Nothing's changed in my evaluation. And a year ago I was operating under the assumption the payroll would be 120-130, which would basically fit K-Rod's option on top of what we're gonna end up having now. Oh, poop.

I'm ready to vote Sandy Executive of the Year on restraint alone. Seriously, though. Two teams are under a mountain of debt. One accepts that it has to operate under austerity, trims tens of millions in payroll, lets expensive contracts expire, and patiently lets the market come to them, even as their popular leadoff-hitting, batting-average-champion enters free agency. The other enters chapter 11, yields control of the team to the league, and starts spending money like they have their own press. What a country!

I'm just surprised and delighted to see ceets suddenly pooping on the notion of the importance of a big shot closer.

Frayed Knot wrote: Also has chosen to wear #25 for his "friend and old roommate" Tony Conigliaro (sez the NYTimes) although it's not clear exactly where their careers crossed paths. Apparently during an abortive comeback with the '76 Pads.

The place, not the guy. Ground has been broken. Woo-hoo! Sewers!

Sawx fans shouldn't be linking to these columns as examples of why their team went wrong, but to celebrate that the move has provoked a wave in the ocean of YLDBs. Let 'em hate.

Check out Bobby Valentine, Omar Minaya, and Anna Benson all returning to the limelight (but not the Mets) at the same time. It's like the family reuniting at the holdiays.

Even if the job was ceremonial, nothing is merely ceremonial when it comes to Bobby V., as my avatar photo suggests. Meanwhile, Keith Olberman absolutely creams Valentiine, focusing on one play from the 2000 World Series. Was the call questionable? I distinctly recall questioning it myself at the time. Was it "the dumbest World Series managerial move since Casey Stengel completely messed up his 1960 pitching rotation"? Get a grip, Boston Market Boy. A more level-headed look comes from Matthew Callan at Amazin' Avenue.

Adam Rubin tweets: "Whatever salary Omar Minaya gets from the #Padres will be deducted from the roughly $1.1 million #Mets owe ex-GM in 2012." Is he serious? That's wonderful!

New Padres development staff announced, and it's sick with Mets: Managing the AA San Antonio Missions: Managing the High A Lake Elsinore Storm is Shawn Wooten, who spent his last professional playing days as New Orleans Zeph in the Mets system, but I can't find a card. His hitting coach with the High A Lake Elsinore Storm: (The current price on that card is "$0.01" at E-Bay.) Managing the Low-A Ft. Wayne TinCaps: And his pitching coach with the Low-A Ft. Wayne TinCaps: Coaching for rookie-ball Peoria: Pitching coach for the DSL Padres: Also joining the Pads.

Absoluteyesly.

That Mets Merized post about Posada misses the point. He argues that Posada is a better defender than all the Mets current catching options, and that it's folly for the Mets to turn him away because they are shopping for a better defensive catcher. I would dispute that he would be the best defensive option if he joined the Mets tomorrow, but accepting that argument for argument's sake, the point is that the Mets aren't comparing him to their current options on hand. Rather they are acknowledging the defensive limitations of the house options and are therefore looking for better defenders than they are... and better than than Posada is. If you want to show the Mets' folly don't try to establish the shortcomings of Thole and Paulino. The fans and the management know this (even if they aren't necessarily with you on distant third option Nickeas). You should be comparing Posada to other catchers on the catching market. That's who they rejected Posada in favor of. Moreover, they're clearly looking for value, value, value --- somebody you're buying low for the hint of seasons to come, rather than buying high for the shadow of seasons past. Posada ain't that guy. OE: Moreover, both Posada's agent and the Mets deny that there was ever contact. (Not that they don't have an interest in denying it, true or not).

Wall Street Journal looks at the wrap story. (Fixed!)

Yeah, well I'm not the Rays and I don't want to be. Minimizing your actions with what LWFS calls "vague and trivial terms" seems to me to be indifferent enough to count as "Ben Roethlisbergering" around bars. It also makes the "event" far less isolated. You know, look the other way at Ben Roethlisbergering around bars long enough, guys start thinking that they can get away with Jordan van der slooting around the Caribbean. It's really simple. I don't want to root for men who do horrible things. Neither does at least one Rays fan. Good.

Nobody is suggesting that he be banned, and it's a cheap distortion to suggest that that's the issue. But I wouldn't want him representing my team or city on the field of honor until he's borne the weight of his transgression through a much darker valley then his words have imply he has walked.

An interesting post from Lefty Specialist about a lefty who could never quite qualify as a specialist.

I guess it would become harder to justify withholding votes from those known steroid abusers on the outside.

Yeah, I'd have to look closer, but I don't remember Smith as the paragon of the multi-inning save that you do. At least, not for the lion's share of his career.

Jeff Bagwell Barry Larkin Edgar Martinez Tim Raines Alan Trammell Got nothing against Murphy getting in. Kinda lingered a while over Javier Lopez too.

themetfairy wrote: I did decide last season that he was our most photogenic Met. That and a Metrocard will get you on the subway.... Sorta had a Mitch Gaylord thing going --- handsome and bratty, with a nameless discontent that keeps him too aloof to fully sublimate his atheticism in the team, or any cause higher than himself and his demons. Was he truly petulant... or just misunderstood? Maybe he'd've done better if, when he came to the plate, we played the music of Mr. Mister, Andy Taylor, Stevie Nicks, Graham Nash, John Parr, INXS.

And a necessary one for a Phillie OH!!

Dear David, Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Seriously... gracias, hombre. Love, Angel

Wow! And he never wore another one himself. Great memofact.

Number two seemed like a re-write of number one.