<font color=goldenrod>You're probably in luck. It's really rare for Rule 5 guys to stick around the whole year. Usually if they underperform they only stick around if they're a team like the Pirates where it doesn't matter. I'd guess they decide whether or not to keep Emaus by Memorial Day.</font>

<font color=goldenrod>That was pretty surreal. Oliver Perez comes in with 2 men on on and gives up a long home run. Then another. Then he gets one out before walking a lefty. In a half-full spring training game, the ovation Terry Collins got when he came in to pull the hook was enormous. The boos as Perez jogged off the field were even louder.

As Perez left, the announcer questioned "was that his last pitch as a New York Met?"

My guess would be yes.</font> :love:

No offense, Vito, but I think this is a lost year for the Mets. Alderson just got in, so it's going to take some time to get the team back on the right track. Not to say that they can't, at the least, stay competitive and play .500 ball, but I don't see them competing with the Phillies, Braves, or Marlins for that matter.

With that said, I think they're going to give Emaus every chance to stick. His career OBP in the minors is 90 points (or close to it) higher than his career batting average at the same level. He also has averaged 25 doubles per year.

Outside of unspectacular power numbers, Emaus is the type of top of the order hitter Alderson looks for. Gets on base, can punch doubles, and could be a nice fill in at the 2 hole in the order. I think he will stick.

<font color=goldenrod>I think the Mets are gonna do whatever they can to stay competitive for as long as possible this year, because as soon as they totally fall out of it Citi Field is gonna be a ghost town.

But yeah, right around .500 is what I'm expecting. Working on my predictions right now and so far I have them finishing Phillies (impossible not to pick them unless you're trying to look like Nostradamus), Braves, Mets, Marlins (just really don't see the big deal with them), and Nats (who might finally get out of the cellar with a full season of Strasburg next year).</font>

The Mets won't go above .500 this season. It's incredible how things went so bad so fast. Just 5 years ago, they were World Series contenders, and now, not only are not a playoff team, the whole organization seems to be a big mess.

At least they have Sandy Alderson, so they can be sure that the baseball side of things will be in good hands.

<font color=goldenrod>Rick Peterson was interviewed by Francesa the other week and I found it incredibly interesting to hear his take on the 2007 collapse that sent the Mets into a tailspin they haven't recovered from. Basically he shat on Omar cause the Mets had no depth and had luminaries like Brian Lawrence making important starts down the stretch. Phil Humber had to make his big league debut in mid-collapse. Jorge Sosa, Scott Schoeneweis, and Aaron Heilman were sucking but needed to go out there every night since there was no other choice. It was ridiculous.

And it's a problem that wasn't quite so evident in 2006. Many of the replacement starting pitchers who had been called up that year sucked but were bailed out by the ricockulous offense and bullpen the Mets had. But once injuries set in in '07 and beyond, the lack of depth was exposed. Probably Omar's biggest downfall as GM.

Fortunately, depth seems like Alderson's strong point and unlike in years past I'm actually comfortable with the amount of depth in AAA once the need to call guys up arises. Think the Mets can at least stay in contention until late August/early September.</font>

Big deal with the Marlins is Hanley Ramirez is still growing as a player and is going to be entering his prime, so his numbers are going to be what carries the team. You also have Josh Johnson, a legit CY candidate, who's also still growing. Their pitching staff looks solid, Mike Stanton could very breakout as this year's big time power hitter, and they have Logan Morrison and Chris Coghlan hitting ahead of Ramirez and Stanton. The top and middle of their lineup is young and has tons of upside.

I think Alderson will right the ship over the next few years. He did the same for the Padres during his time here. Fans hated him, as he wasn't the best PR guy, and he was routinely baited on the radio and would get riled up by the radio hosts after they would ask sarcastic questions and what not, but the guy drafted pretty much every farm product that was on the team last and contributed to 90 wins was an Alderson draft; Latos, Headley, Blanks (even though he got hurt early), Hundley, Frieri.

I have faith Alderson will help get the Mets going. I think the only guy who figures into their future right now is David Wright. I think Alderson is going to let Reyes and Beltran go when the time comes, and collect the draft picks that the Mets will be compensated.

Onto other topics, Opening Day in San Diego is next week, and, despite my seats' view being equivalent to that of a Goodyear blimp view, I'm super excited to attend an Opening Day for the first time since that heralded 1998 season.

Mets cut Oliver Perez loose.

<font color=goldenrod>YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!

and the Phillies signed Castillo LOL. Great day.</font>

With the Mets' luck, Castillo will play great with the Phillies.

That is if he gets a call up. If I am not mistaken it was just a minor league deal.

Yeah, it is, but with Chase Utley still being injured, and the second base situation still not 100% defined, he's got a shot.

Oh, right I keep forgetting that Utley is still injured. I have got a question. Who do you think will get the fifth spot? Because that was Werth's spot and I think I may have read they still haven't found the guy who could bat fifth in place of Werth.

That does seem like a hard thing to do. Jayson Werth had quite a bit of power I could only imagine that with his ability to hit as well as well as he could can't be easily replaced.

<font color=goldenrod>I can't see Castillo lasting long if he makes the team. As soon as Utley is healthy they'll probably cut Castillo loose because he's a useless bench player. If he had any range or could play more than one position maybe but as he is now he's a terrible bench option.</font>

Yea, Castillo is there soley to fill in for Utley while he's hurt. I can see him being kept for the duration of the season also, since no one knows how healthy utley is going to be and having Castillo on the bench as an option would be a wise move.

Perez will probably get picked up by some team needing relief/starting pitching help. The Diamondbacks seem like a likey fit, seeing as Perez came up under the Kevin Towers era, and KT is quick to jump on bargain bin arms who are looking to bounce back.

The Pirates also seem like they'd bite.

Looks like Drabek and Litsch (who I HATE) have locked down to last two spots in the Jays rotation. Was really hoping Scrabble would have grabbed the 4th spot from Litsch but he blew in the pre-season. Ah well. Litsch will suck ass in no time.

Don't rule out the Jays. Toronto always seems to have some shitty left handed innings eater on their roster ala Brian Tallet or Dana Eveland. Especially since Litsch sucks and I expect Drabek to be on a pitch limit. Zach Stewart and Henderson Alvarez aren't ready yet.

Yea, but Perez is not even good or consistent enough to be a shitty innings eater. If you can get 5 or 6 out of him, it's a miracle. I don't think the AA would bite on Perez.

Brian Tallet was 2-6 with a 6.40 era in 34 games pitching 77.1 innings last year lol. Greatest stat: 20 home runs given up in those 77.1 innings. Cito kept throwing hm out there. Became a running joke because Cito stated he was an "innings eater.

Cito Gaston's proven time and time again he's an idiot. Last year, instead of giving Arencibia time when he got called up to get his development going, he chose to start John Buck, a departing catcher who had zero future with the org, just so Buck had a chance to hit a menaingless number in homeruns (20).

Tallet might be better suited as a lefty specialist, though I don't know what his splits are so I'm just speculating.

He kept playing Buck to keep him as a Class B free agent so the Jays could get a comp pick for him. Tallet was much better against lefties than righties.

If the numbers proved that Tallet was effective as a specialist, it's Gaston's fault for running him out there against everyone. That's what stats are for. It's not Tallet nor AA's fault for Tallet's overall stat line. Gaston's the one putting him out there, and Tallet is just doing what he's told.

And Buck was going to be a class B free agent regardless of games played. It's based on the previous two years, and by mid August, and ALL of September, there was zero reason as to justify not playing Arencibia.

I read an article or chat somewhere that quoted Gaston wanting to give Buck a chance to hit an arbitrary, and meaningless, number of homeruns, just for the sake of it.

Either way, if Tallet is up to task, they can use him as a specialist rather than throwing Perez out there.

Tallet signed with St. Louis. Plus,. the Jays already had Downs as a lefty specialist. I HATED Tallet with a passion. It pretty much means the Jays gave up on a game when he entered.

The composition of the jurors, identified publicly only by number, judging Barry Bonds in his trial on perjury and obstruction charges:

• Juror 56: Woman, 57, nurse.
• Juror 42: Woman, 19, college student.
• Juror 36: Woman, 25, aid-giver to developmentally disabled.
• Juror 6: Woman, 30, autism support specialist.
• Juror 97: Woman, 27, phlebotomist.
• Juror 69: Man, 68, temporary shipping clerk.
• Juror 66: Man, 60, data center engineer.
• Juror 3: Woman, 51, client service administrator.
• Juror 19. Woman, 26, food server.
• Juror 90: Man, 57, IT manager.
• Juror 73: Woman, 28, nurse.
• Juror 21: Man, 68, retired cashier.

-- Associated Press

I don't think this is good for Barry. Of the 12 jurors, 8 are women, and it'll probably be easier for them to buy the whole "Barry Bonds wanted to hit more home runs, so he took these magical substances called Steroids, which make you instantly get more muscular, and hit more home runs" deal.

It wouldn't make a difference. Bonds has been absolutely hammered in the media. if they read the Sports Illustrated article discussing his insecurities in not being recognized, his racism, and his affair where he bought the chick a house, on top of pissing all over Hank Aaron, who is heralded, they'd have a certain view of him regardless.

I think Bonds is done for.

pics of all the women 30 and under?

Some MLB news:

Mark Cuban drops out of the Mets ownership bidding after loosing intrest in becoming a part owner and being prevented repeatedly of owning a majority stake in the team. Donald Trump still in the bidding but will drop if he isn't allowed the chance to bid for a majority stake in the team.

Cuban's quote:Yankees decide that Jeter will share his lead-off spot regardless if Jeter likes it or not with Girardi swapping the lead-off hitter based on the throwing arm of the pitcher.

Giants believe their closer Wilson will be available for Opening Day. His injury got downgraded to mild side strain.

White Sox confident Jake Peavy will return soon after rehab from his current injury but do expect him to miss the first 3-4 starts of the season.

Red Sox believe an extension for Adrian Gonzalez will occur no later than April. The Red Sox didn't want to get hit by the Luxury Cap tax so any deal done will have to occur after Opening Day week and wanted to see him play a bit after recovering from surgery late last year.

I'm pretty sure the parameters and and agreeance on a long term deal were hammerd out months ago for AGon. They're just biding their time, right now.

And I pray for Jake Peavy's health. Love that guy.

I think Tyler Colvin is going to have a very big year. I'm thinking, 30+ hr, 310 average 125 rbi, 20 steals

It's better than my prediction of E5 hitting 40 home runs this year.

Of course, if they'd read that or any article, they wouldn't be eligible for the jury in the first place.

<font color=goldenrod>Ollie Perez to the Nationals, minor league deal.</font>

I think he has too many holes in his swing for 30 hr. He struck out over 100 times last year in over 400 at bats. 125 RBI is a ton.

<font color=goldenrod>Mets play the Marlins today, Monday, and Wednesday before meeting them in a real game next Friday.

Come on.</font>

Yankees trade Sergio Mitre to the Brewers for Chris Dickerson.

A. It was bound to happen.

B. I guess this injury to Granderson is worse than expected.

Dickerson is a good egg. Wish he could play consistently with talent.

Emaus had a big game last night. Looks like he's staying with your Mets Vito.

Yankees sign Kevin Millwood to a minor league deal.

Hmmmm? Last minute entry to the 5th starter battle. Looks like Nova got the 4th spot all locked up.

The Yankees should be a fantastic laugh this season. Genuinely excited for it.

Genuinely excited to h8 you Sean.