Zvon

- Heilman will NOT make his scheduled start today vs Florida having been banished to the bullpen (at least for now) and that Brian Bannister makes the team as a starter I dont like this at all. Heilman wants it and has pitched well in winter ball and spring training and should be given that shot to start above Bannister. Why not do it the other way around, with Bannister waiting in the wings? Heilman pays his dues as a Met player, plays team ball - an opportunity arises where he asks to be given a shot, he does his best to show he has the stuff, and they give him the shaft. Nope- dont like it at all.

Im still glad we gave Lima a shot. He was worth a look-see. And so was that side view picture of his wife.

Do you think Bagwell is a Hall of Famer? Yea. Close but he gets the cigar. Do you think future voters will consider whether players took steroids when they are being considered for the Hall, or will they chalk it up to "well, everyone was taking them in that era"? I dont think voters should speculate, if thats what you mean. If there is documented proof, no matter how it comes to light, yes, it should be considered in a negative light. If future disclosures or investigations reveal that "everyone in that era" was on the juice, then none of them should find their way into the Hall. I certainly dont think everyone was.

Diamond Dad- Sorry I didnt respond to your Email. I just saw it now. I think you got the answers to your questions about position eligibility during the draft. Lemme know if this is all cleared up for you.

Its been enjoyable watching the Orioles play like a little league team in the field. And the Mets have brought their lumber. 14 hits so far. Me likey

Bret Sabermetric wrote: Milledge looked sick against Pettitte today. Not in a good way. More so Pettitte looked real good. He's gonna have a good season. (damn you willetP! *Z shakes fist*) I thought Bannister looked good, considering he didnt have the best stuff. I like seein a pitcher get out of jams. Shows moxie.

Drafts all done. Went quicker than I thought it would - around 2 1/2 hours. I got 11th pick but it could have been worse and Im happy with my team. If anyone interested I can post the entire draft order. ( I think only league members can view the draft results at yahoo) Its a long list though. GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!

1 DL-ouch. I thought the survey said 2. ".....Survey says!------------2!" see^ I guess one will have to do. Make for more forced moves roster wise.

nice^

Like Ive seen expressed here, theres no better time to plant seeds of thought in the opposition than spring training. But sometimes I do think Beltran thinks in these terms a wee bit more than he should. Giving himself up in a spot not exactly appropriate for a player being paid to hit and drive in runs. (A surprise bunt for a hit is a different story. Thats exciting.) Stealing a base at a time he feels would help the team (which is all he really is trying to do) but its really not necessary. Like when he tried to steal 3rd that time last year and was out. I cant fault him for these things, cuz i like seeing that style of play, but like Edge says you have to pick your spots and this should be done wisely.

oh-you can see it at the site-kool. Roster Positions: C, 1B, 2B, 3B, SS, OF, OF, OF, OF, Util, Util, SP, SP, SP, RP, RP, P, P, P, BN, BN, BN, BN, BN, BN, DL Stat Categories: R, HR, RBI, SB, AVG, W, SV, K, ERA, WHIP

Diamond Dad wrote: What are the final decisions about # of players, bench, stat categories? This is kinda important info for draft use. Maybe the definative answers to these questions are somewhere in this section but I cant find em. Lil help here commish? Anybody?

Yancy Street Gang wrote: This one designs T-shirts: This guys name is Jennifer?

Edgy DC wrote: Kinda cool, cept they did it all wrong. Clearly the green is the "Current Guys Row." Shea has been downgraded seriously, sharing the two cheap properties with the Apple. that aint rite. > Does it have a section of properties covering post season? The oranges on this one are 69,86,2000 (no 73 or 99, 2 classic playoff series )

="Edgy DC"]I'll do a photo update later, although my computer at home is acting slow and mean. Meanwhile, Anna Benson has gotten in a war of words with James Brady, of all people, whose opposition to guns she claims to find frightening. "I think that it is ridiculous that I am not allowed to protect myself in my private NY apartment because people like Jim Brady want to remove potential crime guns from the market." I think that came out before the vice president shot a guy. I'm not sure. Also, Kim Shamsky is preparing to release the book Sham on You reveailing details and detailing revelations on her marriage to Art. Her co-author is the same cat who co-wrote Sham's book on the 1969 Mets (he also apparently had a falling out with Art) and it promises to be a shocking read for all nine people who buy it. people like Jim Brady I guess shes referring to people who have been shot in the head. it promises to be a shocking read for all nine people who buy it. lmao. Does she think people care?!?

Bret Sabermetric wrote: ="Zvon"]And if they pay you should play-wherever they put you. Well, maybe, after a couple of embossed invitations, a few Spring Trainings to learn the new position, and when you're done pursuing whatever career numbers you want at your old position. If they ask you nicely enough, of course. Then maybe. I guess Im conflicted about this, cuz i hear what your saying. A players career is his career, and the road to the hall could very well depend on how you stack up aganst other players who played the same position. You invest time in that. It does matter. Im not saying Soriano is headed to the hall or anything. But it must be every players dream when they start to aspire to that, even if only as a footnote or a stat. And Ive been against this kind of manuever when applied to other players in the past. Maybe I just dont like Soriano. Maybe its the $$$, cuz I dont know of any player of that value who was forced to play out of position. More so I think its that he refused to play at all. He makes 10 mill to play a kids game.

This is interesting. I also got this as a gift, but back in 2001. And its different. Boardwalk = Shea Stadium Park Place = Tom Seaver Pennsylvania Ave = Mike Piazza North Carolina Ave = Robin Ventura Pacific Ave = Edgardo Alfonzo The yellows are all managers, Valentine, Hodges and Stengel Baltic Ave = Mr Met Mediteranean Ave = The Home Run Apple I didnt know they changed the boards like that. Thats kinda kool.

ABG wrote: Maybe worth discussion on its own merits, regardless of the effect on the Mets. Maybe.... cause the guys acting like a selfish dork, and it looks like the worst thing that will happen to him is he'll get traded. I mean, the days of players being just thought of as mere property arent really over. Its just that now owners have to pay millions for that property. And if they pay you should play-wherever they put you.

thank u-srry. feel free to delete this edge

Soriano refuses to play outfield for Nationals VIERA, Fla. -- Alfonso Soriano refused to play the outfield for the Washington Nationals in what was supposed to be his spring training debut Monday night, and general manager Jim Bowden said his biggest offseason acquisition will go on the disqualified list if he doesn't agree to switch positions this week. "The player refused to take the field, which we believe is a violation of his contract," Bowden said. Soriano, a four-time All-Star second baseman, was listed as batting leadoff and playing left field on a lineup sheet posted in the Nationals' clubhouse before Monday night's 11-5 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers. But when the Nationals took the field in the top of the first, Soriano wasn't out there. With play just about ready to start, left field was empty. Confused players and fans looked toward Washington's dugout. The only person to emerge, however, was Nationals manager Frank Robinson. He approached plate umpire Mike Estabrook and made a defensive switch, moving Ryan Church from center field to left and putting Brandon Watson in center to replace Soriano at the top of the lineup. The Nationals already have an All-Star second baseman in Jose Vidro, so they told Soriano they want him to move to the outfield, and he indicated he doesn't want to do that. But Monday provided his most concrete -- and visible -- objection. "I just hope they can fix the situation," Washington outfielder Jose Guillen said. "That's up to the people upstairs and Soriano. I think everybody's a grown-up man here. I just hope for the best for the team and those guys, and that they can fix the situation. But that's pretty much not my business." When Soriano first reported to camp last month, the question of whether he would accept the switch was left open until his return from the World Baseball Classic. Soriano played for the Dominican Republic, which was eliminated in the tournament semifinals Saturday. He joined the Nationals on Monday and worked out with teammates in the afternoon, but he wouldn't speak to reporters. The Nationals acquired Soriano from Texas in a December trade that sent outfielders Brad Wilkerson and Terrmel Sledge and pitcher Armando Galarraga to the Rangers. After the deal, Washington made it clear that Vidro would keep his spot at second; Soriano made it clear that he wasn't happy. Soriano lost his arbitration case this winter and is due to be paid $10 million this season, still a record for the highest salary awarded in arbitration. The Nationals are off Tuesday, then travel to play the St. Louis Cardinals in Jupiter on Wednesday. If Soriano refuses to play in that game and again at home against the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday, the Nationals will take action. "We told him if we get to Thursday, and he refuses to play left field, we told him at that point we will request that the commissioner's office place him on the disqualified list, at that time -- no pay, no service time," Bowden said. "If he refuses to play and goes home, and the commissioner's office accepts our request to place him on the disqualified list, then at that point, if he were to sit out this year, he would not be a free agent, he would stay our property because his service time would stay the same." Robinson sat down privately with Soriano for 20 minutes before the game Monday to explain the team's position. "If he's going to play here, he's going to have to be out in left field," Robinson said. "He said he's ready to play, he needs to play, he's ready for the season, and I penciled him in the lineup in left field." Robinson said the meeting with Soriano was civil, but the player's position was clear. "He's very sensitive, and he has a mind-set," Robinson said. "He lets you know how he feels." Trading Soriano, already a possibility, becomes more likely now -- with less than two weeks remaining before opening day. "He's going to play left field. He needs to be out there now the next couple of weeks to play, and if he's not going to play for us, we need to know so we can go forward," Bowden said. "We obviously will field offers, but we're not going to give the player away. If we can make a deal that makes sense, we will."

Yancy Street Gang wrote: Me too. If Wagner has to miss a few weeks (or more) let Heilman close and put Bannister in the rotation. We'll be fine. We do have a bit of depth and some options if it comes to that. But Im gonna just hope Wags gets well real soon. I would really like to see a full healthy team out of the gate. We got 2 weeks....... *Z crosses fingers*-OW!-hurt my tendon sheath.

Willets Point wrote: Congratulations to Japan the first ever World Baseball Classic champion. What an awesome tournament. It was enjoyable. But its baseball- how could it not be?

Willets Point wrote: Rats! I was hoping Cuba would have the tying runs on base in the bottom of the 9th, just for the drama. Me 2, cuz i really dont care who wins. And Cuba came out sluggin...but they are down to their last out.

Japan breakin it open. 9-5.Wow.