Valadius

What about Shoeless Joe?

When's the next CPF gathering, while we're on that subject? I'd love to come.

Omar has reportedly just made an initial offer to Billy "Nightcrawler" Wagner.

Shea Stadium = I Had USA Mets

Rusty Staub = A Trusty Sub Kevin Mitchell = Ken, Hell Victim Todd Hundley = Only Thudded; Oddly Hunted

ESPN is reporting that Manny wants to go to a team out west, although not necessarily in the AL.

If his anagrams are any indication, Aaron Heilman might not be here long... Aaron Heilman = Armenian Halo; Aha, One Marlin; Learn In Omaha; An Animal Hero; Oh, Alarm Annie Ramon Castro = Smart Racoon; Actor Ransom

This brings up my absolute favorite topic in all of sports: division alignment, realignment, and team relocation and expansion. I used to spend many hours pondering this topic while the NBA, NFL, and NHL were going through their realignment periods, and frequently come back to MLB, because I don't think they're done. Here's how the Majors currently look: NL East Atlanta Braves Florida Marlins New York Mets Philadelphia Phillies Washington Nationals NL Central Chicago Cubs Cincinnati Reds Houston Astros Milwaukee Brewers Pittsburgh Pirates St. Louis Cardinals NL West Arizona Diamondbacks Colorado Rockies Los Angeles Dodgers San Diego Padres San Francisco Giants AL East Baltimore Orioles Boston Red Sox New York Yankees Tampa Bay Devil Rays Toronto Blue Jays AL Central Chicago White Sox Cleveland Indians Detroit Tigers Kansas City Royals Minnesota Twins AL West Los Angeles Angels Oakland Athletics Seattle Mariners Texas Rangers There are problems with this configuration as it is now. There are six teams in the NL Central and four in the AL West. One of the AL West teams, the Texas Rangers, have long been pushing the move to the AL Central, because of the time zone difference between them and the other AL West teams. A conservative outlook on change in the MLB would have no expansion take place. If the Marlins move to Las Vegas or another western city, such as Portland, here is what I propose: NL East Atlanta Braves New York Mets Philadelphia Phillies Pittsburgh Pirates Washington Nationals NL Central Chicago Cubs Cincinnati Reds Colorado Rockies Houston Astros Milwaukee Brewers St. Louis Cardinals NL West Arizona Diamondbacks Las Vegas? (Marlins) Los Angeles Dodgers San Diego Padres San Francisco Giants Ideally, however, there would be the same number of teams in each division. As it stands now, with 16 NL teams and 14 AL teams, it wouldn't work if applied throughout baseball. Also, some claim, 15 NL teams and 15 AL teams would mean that there would always be an interleague series occurring, diminishing the significance of those games. I say it doesn't have to be so. One team in each league would get a series off, allowing the teams to rest more often. But then, some might say, the duration of the season would be lengthened. Not necessarily, I say. Bring back the time-honored tradition of scheduled double-headers and that crisis would be averted.

Miguel Cairo = I, Cruel Amigo

I think it's ridiculous for the Veteran's Committee to only meet every two years, and for managers, executives, etc. to only be considered every four years. Come on now. Do it every year, so MAYBE these guys will get in before they pass away!

Here's an interesting player: Eduardo Perez, 36, 1B A late bloomer, he's this year's David Delucci, only right-handed. Perez is a perfect part-time player at either first base or DH because he mashes left-handed pitching (.897 OPS last year) and hits premier power pitching, which makes him a good late-inning bat off the bench. He popped 11 homers in only 161 at-bats last year. The past three times he was given 100 at-bats in a season he posted OPS marks of .745, . 843 and .865.

You know, when you pose against a background with a team logo on it, you're probably leaning towards signing there if you're a free agent: Billy "Nightcrawler" Wagner:

At least he's walking some.

Nightcrawler apparently likes what he sees, soon to get an offer from the Mets: Mets set to make offer to closer Wagner NEW YORK (AP) -- The Mets want Billy Wagner to come to New York, and the bullpen ace sounds as if he likes their sales pitch. After two days of meetings with the pitcher and his wife, Sarah, the Mets were set to offer Wagner a contract Tuesday as they try to improve one of their biggest weaknesses from last season. "They're not just trying to put a competitive team on the field, they're going to put a winning team on this field," Wagner said. General manager Omar Minaya believes Wagner is the pitcher to help them do it. "It's a judgment thing," Minaya said at Shea Stadium. "To be a closer I think itself is something that's difficult. But I do believe he has it to be able to do it in this town. "The ability to bounce back, that's what makes closers special." Wagner was 4-3 with 38 saves and a 1.51 ERA last season for Philadelphia, which wants to re-sign him. After spending most of his career with Houston, his two seasons with the Phillies showed the left-hander he could handle pitching in a tough city. "I think if I had an opportunity to play in New York four or five years ago, I probably wouldn't have been as receptive to it," Wagner said. "After the trade of going to Philadelphia and playing there, I believe that's made it that much easier to handle the media, the pressures." Wagner had lunch and dinner with a number of Mets officials Monday, including Fred and Jeff Wilpon and manager Willie Randolph. Minaya, who wouldn't detail what type offer the team would make to Wagner, knows it will be difficult getting him to leave Philadelphia. "It's tough for a player to leave a team that he's already accustomed to, so we have to work even harder," Minaya said. "You have to give a reason why." Wagner mentioned some of the reasons, including his family being comfortable and him being able to reach 400 saves -- he has 284. He also wants to play on a winning team, and the Mets are showing him they expect to be one. "And that's exciting when you know the resources and the things that they're capable of doing," Wagner said.

I've used Baseball Mogul and LOVED it.

Unable to Get a Stadium, Marlins to Pursue Relocation MIAMI (AP) -- The Florida Marlins will look into relocation as early as the 2008 season, after years of unsuccessful attempts to secure a baseball-only stadium in downtown Miami. Marlins president David Samson said Tuesday the team has received permission from Major League Baseball to investigate its options in other cities. Samson added owner Jeffrey Loria's primary intention is to keep the team in South Florida. "There will be no deal in the city of Miami," Samson said. The Marlins' lease with Dolphins Stadium is in effect until 2007. The team has a series of one-year options that could keep it there through the 2010 season. Samson said the team will not extend its current lease at Dolphins Stadium under any circumstances. "We simply must play in a baseball-only facility," Samson said. Samson wouldn't get into specifics of any trades, but said there would be an immediate "significant market correction" to the team's payroll. Samson said some cities have called the Marlins to discuss possibilities, but he wouldn't reveal any details. Marlins officials met in December with Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman. "What does this mean? It does not mean that the Marlins are necessarily leaving South Florida. It does mean, however, that we need to seriously explore all of our options, including those in other markets," team owner Jeffery Loria said in a statement read by Samson. Loria was in Europe. The team has lobbied for its own stadium since original owner H. Wayne Huizenga sold the team to John Henry in 1999. The team's latest ballpark plan, 38,000-seat stadium with a retractable roof that would be built next to Miami's Orange Bowl, came apart this spring. The ballpark had an estimated cost of $420 million to $435 million, and the financing plan included $60 million in state funding. While money was approved in April by the Florida House, the state Senate refused to go along. Then, South Florida government officials and the team didn't meet a June 9 deadline established by Bob DuPuy, baseball's chief operating officer, for a detailed update on the funding plans. Miami Mayor Manny Diaz didn't immediately return messages seeking comment. Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Alvarez said he will "continue to be supportive of the team's efforts to build a stadium in South Florida." Meanwhile, the Marlins appeared to have begun to pare their payroll, which was at around $60 million on opening day last season. The Red Sox and Marlins reached a preliminary agreement Monday night on a trade that would send pitcher Josh Beckett and third baseman Mike Lowell to Boston for three prospects. The trade wasn't finalized because physicals were pending, according to a baseball official who requested anonymity. The 25-year-old Beckett, eligible for salary arbitration, is expected to earn between $4 million and $5 million next year and can become a free agent after the 2007 season. Lowell, 31, is owed $9 million each of the next two seasons.

Ron Santo, Roger Maris, Joe Torre, Maury Wills, Johnny Pesky, or Joe Gordon, perhaps?

Gil Hodges, who remains the only person (except Bruce Sutter, who should get in this year or next) to garner at least 60% of the vote and not eventually get into the Hall. With that statistic in mind, knowing that everybody except Hodges who's crossed that threshold has made it in, should the BBWAA and the Hall of Fame amend the threshold to 60%? If they're just going to make it in anyway, why not spare these players the anguish of waiting another year or two?

I think I remember going to a game at Shea that season and Rich Becker doing something well, but my memory might be off.

Ding ding ding!

Wagner will be an X-Man too... *hint hint*

If we get Wagner, I already have a great nickname for him. Stay tuned...

Exactly, Seawolf. Exactly. Wait a minute... this is the last year of the labor deal??? DAMMIT!!!!

I've got that one working somewhat as well! New York Mets Forum, Circa October 2001: http://web.archive.org/web/20010813103329/pub19.ezboard.com/fmetsonlinenewyorkmets It seems that it had also moved to metsonline.net by November 2, 2001.

http://web.archive.org/web/20041019134217/p079.ezboard.com/fthecranepoolforumfrm30