Unfortunately, both Manny Ramirez and Newsday seem to be misreading the current economic climate. At a time when both should be accepting the fate of their lower earning power, they instead have unrealistic expectations of their current realtime value within their markets. Manny Ramirez rejected the Dodgers’ third, and most likely last offer to the star slugger. Ramirez expects the Dodgers to continue to bid against themselves when by all rights they shouldn’t have to. The players [...]

This morning at CNNMoney.com, there was a featured story on CitiGroup and the bailout. Take note of the ads that were running on the webpage… I don’t think this whole CitiField naming rights fiasco is going away anytime soon… Hat tip to Deadspin…

A man becomes preeminent, he’s expected to have enthusiasms. Enthusiasms… What are mine? What draws my admiration? What is that which gives me joy? Baseball! A man stands alone at the plate. This is the time for what? For individual achievement. There he stands alone. But in the field, what? Part of a team. Teamwork… Looks, throws, catches, hustles. Part of one big team. Bats himself the live-long day, Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, and so [...]

Batter Up The Mets absolutely pounded the Marlins today led by shortstop Jose Reyes who batted third and hit a grand slam as well as a solo home run to cap off a big six RBI day. (We’re not worthy, we’re not worthy!) Reyes wasn’t the only one swinging the lumber today as Carlos Beltran had a two run blast and three RBI’s, and David Wright and Carlos Delgado each had two hits. Even Luis Castillo continued to impress with a [...]

Several sources are now confirming that Johan Santana will be skipped from Friday’s scheduled start because of a tender elbow. Ben Shpigel writes: Johan Santana, scheduled to pitch two innings in a “B” game against Team Italy tomorrow, has been scratched because of a tender elbow that Jerry Manuel said pops up from time to time. Citing the length of spring training, Manuel said they didn’t want to take any chances. “If this was the [...]

Unless the Mets plans go terribly awry this spring, two of the following will make the team between fifth starter candidates Freddy Garcia, Tim Redding, Jon Niese and even Livan Hernandez who has impressed so far with a lively fastball. One of those four will obviously be slotted right behind John Maine, but one other should make the bullpen as a long reliever. That means quite a battle for the remaining bullpen spots behind K-Rod, Putz, [...]

Jerry Manuel just revealed his lineup for todays game against the Marlins later this afternoon. Luis Castillo 2BOLIVER PEREZ PJose Reyes SSCarlos Delgado 1BDavid Wright 3BCarlos Beltran CFRyan Church RFDaniel Murphy LFBrian Schneider C Steve Popper added that most of the media was befuddled by the move… Most of the media is arguing the point here, awaiting Jerry’s explanation. Ben Shpigel of the NY Times offers that he wants to see him bunt. When I [...]

The Mets currently have two players listed as backup first baseman behind incumbent Carlos Delgado; Nick Evans and Marlon Anderson. Because Anderson has a guaranteed contract, it’s expected that he will be a lock to make the team, but I don’t believe that’s the case at all. Anderson is not owed that much, and if Nick Evans can prove his value to the team with a strong spring, the Mets won’t hesitate to bring him [...]

Coming into Spring Training, everybody has pointed out someone who has something to prove to the organization and to the fan base. Luis Castillo has been the number one player mentioned followed closely by Ryan Church and Daniel Murphy. For awhile, even I had to agree. I wrote endless blogs about how Castillo had better get his act together or he should be shipped out. No questions asked! Then I started to really think about what [...]

The Mets wasted no time in putting away the Baltimore Orioles in impressive fashion to begin the Exhibition Season. Surprisingly, it was Luis Castillo who led the charge with two big hits and four RBI’s. The game started off with a scare when Mets starting pitcher Sean Green left the game after getting just two outs in the first inning with a hand injury that was later diagnosed as a cut finger. He was followed by Pedro Feliciano and [...]

As the last bit of Shea Stadium rubble turned melted into what will be a parking lot for Citi Field last week, I couldn’t stop the memories of Shea that came flooding back to me, and in particular one of our greatest eras as Mets’ fans–the mid ’80′s.  We were just a few years removed from that ridiculous ad campaign, “The Magic Is Back,” only now the magic really was back.  And much of it [...]