Valadius

"Brick, where did you get that grenade?" "I don't know."

If Jeff Wilpon takes over from his dad, I have a feeling he'll become an M. Donald Grant-type figure.

LOL Yancy!

Overbay kind of reminds me of Olerud, actually.

In other news: Jose Mesa signed with the Rockies. Tony Womack was traded to Cincy with cash for two minor leaguers.

.272-5-21 in 62 games, 169 at-bats.

Far too often. But one can hope.

This is a minor league deal. DALLAS (AP) -- Jose Valentin and the New York Mets agreed to a minor league contract on Thursday with an invite to spring training. The 36-year-old infielder will try to earn a backup role next year with the Mets. He hit .170 with two homers and 14 RBIs in 56 games with the Los Angeles Dodgers last season. Valentin was out from May 4 to July 31 with torn ligaments in his right knee after a collision at home plate with Washington catcher Brian Schneider. Valentin hit at least 25 homers every season from 2000-04 with the Chicago White Sox. He is a .241 career hitter with 228 homers and 736 RBIs.

Last I checked, they could use a second baseman or a shortstop.

I could see Seattle taking Matsui.

Isn't today the potential Grudzy day?

Am I right in thinking he'd be the oldest Mets player ever?

You HAVE to be kidding me.

What was the atmosphere like on those early Mets teams? Who, throughout your career, was your favorite teammate and why?

Someone all too familiar...

I was wondering where "Hottie" came from.

In one day, John Olerud leaped to the #1 most looked-up player of the last 30 days. WOW.

Brewers send Overbay to Toronto December 8, 2005 DALLAS (AP) -- The Toronto Blue Jays turned their attention to offense on Wednesday night, acquiring first baseman Lyle Overbay from the Milwaukee Brewers for right-hander Dave Bush, pitching prospect Zach Jackson and a player to be named. The Blue Jays, who are expanding their payroll from $45 million to $75 million this season, have been one of the most active teams at the winter meetings. They already added starter A.J. Burnett and gave closer B.J. Ryan a five-year, $47 million contract that is the richest ever for a reliever. Overbay, a left-handed hitter who is eligible for arbitration, batted .276 with 19 homers and 72 RBIs last year. His departure clears the way for top prospect Prince Fielder to take over at first base in Milwaukee. Bush was 5-11 with a 4.49 ERA in 25 games (24 starts) for Toronto this year. Jackson, a left-hander, was the 32nd pick overall out of Texas A&M in the 2004 draft. He moved through three levels of the minors and had a combined 16-8 record with a 3.92 ERA.

Also offered arbitration: Bernie Williams and Al Leiter, MFYs.

Wow! Did not see this coming, especially with Vidro in place. Thank God we can stop speculating on his coming here... at least for a while.

You know what this also means? No more Cairo!!!

DALLAS (AP) -- Mike Piazza's days with the New York Mets are over. The Mets declined Wednesday to offer salary arbitration to their longtime catcher, cutting ties with one of the best hitters in franchise history. The move was no surprise, and now the 12-time All-Star is likely to join an American League team that can use him as a designated hitter. The Los Angeles Angels, Minnesota Twins and Toronto Blue Jays are among the clubs that could be interested. "One of the greatest offensive forces that the Mets have ever had," general manager Omar Minaya said at baseball's winter meetings. "He's just been a special player that will probably go down in history as, without a doubt, one of the greatest hitting catchers in baseball." New York refused to offer arbitration to any of its former players who became free agents, including former closer Braden Looper. The team has offered a contract to 41-year-old reliever Roberto Hernandez and was waiting to hear back from his agents. But if Hernandez and the Mets didn't agree to a deal by the midnight EST deadline Wednesday, he also will not return. Players who became free agents and weren't offered arbitration cannot re-sign with their former clubs until May 1. Those offered arbitration have until Dec. 19 to accept and can re-sign through Jan. 8. With the 37-year-old Piazza slowed by injuries the past three years, his production at the plate has declined dramatically. Plus, he has long had trouble throwing. He became a free agent after last season, when he hit .251 with 19 homers and 62 RBIs in 113 games. It was his lowest batting average since he hit .232 in 69 at-bats with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1992, his first season in the big leagues. Piazza was acquired in a trade with Florida in May 1998, eight days after he was shipped from the Dodgers to the Marlins in a blockbuster deal that also included Gary Sheffield, Bobby Bonilla, Charles Johnson and Todd Zeile. Piazza led the Mets to the 2000 World Series, which they lost to the crosstown rival Yankees, and became the career home run leader for catchers. "Mike Piazza's been a great player, a great teammate, a great citizen," Minaya said. "At the time when we got him, I was an assistant general manager. I've been very fortunate to watch Mike Piazza, and we're going to miss Mike Piazza being a New York Met." The Mets have been one of the busiest teams in baseball this offseason, adding first baseman Carlos Delgado, All-Star closer Billy Wagner, catcher Paul Lo Duca and utilityman Xavier Nady. Looper spent two seasons as the Mets' closer, going 4-7 with a 3.94 ERA and 28 saves in 36 chances this year. Hernandez did a nice job as a setup man last season, when he was 8-6 with a 2.58 ERA and four saves in 67 games.

Nope. Sandwich pick in the draft.

Thank you Zvon. That means a lot.

Braves closers (with the exception of John Smoltz) haven't turned out well recently, have they?