Valadius

Heard from no one have we.

No problem. Always ready to help out.

Other initialed MLBers: D.J. Carrasco (Royals) J.D. Closser (Rockies) J.J. Davis (Rockies) R.A. Dickey (Rangers) J.D. Drew (Dodgers) J.J. Furmaniak (Pirates) J.J. Hardy (Brewers) A.J. Hinch (Phillies) D.J. Houlton (Dodgers) J.P. Howell (Royals) A.J. Pierzynski (White Sox) J.J. Putz (Mariners) J.C. Romero (Twins) C.C. Sabathia (Indians) J.T. Snow (Giants) B.J. Surhoff (Orioles) T.J. Tucker (Nationals) C.J. Wilson (Rangers)

Nitkowski recently signed a minor league deal with Pittsburgh.

The impending sale of the Nationals is going to net the other clubs at least $10 million each. So there's definitely money to spend.

Every out-of-work manager deserves a second chance after being fired for one managerial mistake.

As do I. Tell us Zvon, about Jim Fregosi & Son.

Matt Perisho?

Dave Williams?!?!?!?!?!?!? DALLAS (Ticker) - The Cincinnati Reds made a move to improve their pitching, but it cost them one of their most popular players to do it. ESPN 1000 Radio in Chicago is reporting that the Reds have dealt first baseman Sean Casey, who led the team with a .312 batting average this past season, to the Pittsburgh Pirates for lefthander Dave Williams. The trade will not be announced until both players pass a physical. The 31-year-old Casey, who owns a career .305 average, has played all but six games of his major league career with Cincinnati, joining the team before the 1998 season. He began his career with the Cleveland Indians. In Williams, the Reds get a 26-year-old who won 10 games last season and would have finished with a winning record for the first time in his career if not for losing his final three starts. He finished the season with a 10-11 record and a 4.41 ERA, striking out 88 in 138 2/3 innings. This trade makes less sense than... well... Mike Cameron for Xavier Nady.

Great Met, certainly.

I was at that Washington game... the birth of the Jake-Monster.

Giants get Kline for Hawkins December 6, 2005 DALLAS (AP) -- Left-hander Steve Kline was acquired by the San Francisco Giants from the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday for right-hander LaTroy Hawkins and cash. The swap of relievers followed the decision by left-handed reliever Scott Eyre to leave the Giants and sign with the Chicago Cubs. "It's no secret that we were looking to add a left-handed reliever to our bullpen, and Steve Kline has a track record that is right up there with the top lefties in the game," Giants general manager Brian Sabean said. Kline, who is 33, pitched under Giants manager Felipe Alou with the Montreal Expos and was 2-4 with a 4.28 ERA last season -- with a 2.83 ERA after the All-Star break. He has a 29-34 career record with 36 saves and a 3.40 ERA. Hawkins, who turns 33 on Dec. 21, was acquired by the Giants on May 28 from the Chicago Cubs for right-handers Jerome Williams and David Aardsma. He went a combined 2-8 with six saves and a 3.83 ERA. Last week, San Francisco signed right-hander Tim Worrell to a $4 million, two-year contract.

Or Never-Met.

That wouldn't make much sense. Who trades a free agent they JUST signed?

The scouting directors, though an incomplete list, is very telling.

RIP Herb Moford.

Before Piazza, there was Olerud. It was Olerud's name and number on the back of my first Mets t-shirt.

Olerud tells Red Sox he's retiring DALLAS (AP) -- First baseman John Olerud, a soft-spoken former batting champion and two-time All-Star, has retired after 16 seasons, the Boston Red Sox said on Tuesday. Olerud, 37, was an All-Star in 1993 and 2001 and a .295 career hitter with 255 home runs and 1,230 RBIs in 2,234 games. He has played for Toronto (1989-96), the New York Mets (1997-99), Seattle (2000-04) and the Yankees (2004). He won Gold Gloves in 2000, 2002 and 2003. Olerud won the AL batting title in 1993 with a .363 average and helped Toronto win its second consecutive World Series title. He had surgery in November to repair torn ligaments in his foot and was on crutches until January. He signed a minor league deal with the Red Sox on May 1 and went from extended spring training to a minor-league rehab. He batted .289 in 87 games for Boston last year.

That's extraordinarily funny, but come on now. I like coming up with funky nicknames.

Omar is insane. He has been quoted as saying he views Lo Duca as a #2 hitter.

The Second Duke of Brooklyn.

The deal has been finalized.

The Duke of Brooklyn.

Carlos Delgado - June 25th Paul Lo Duca - April 12th Billy Wagner - July 25th Tike Redman - March 10th Xavier Nady - November 14th Wagner takes care of our lack of July 25th-ers.

Preston Wilson, Geoff Goetz, and Ed Yarnall for Mike Piazza was one of Steve Phillips' finest moves.