Many Mets fans have extremely passionate opinions about how well the Mets drafted and signed International free agents during the Omar Minaya era. It is a hotly debated topic, but after every heated debate, there are never any clear answers to how the Mets drafted during this period. Because of the lack of clarity, I felt this would be a great subject to research extensively. With help from Satish Ram, I compiled the draft results [...]

The Washington Nationals have signed former Met right-hander Chris Young to a minor league deal with an invitation to big league spring training. Young, 33, has spent the last two seasons with the Mets and in 2012 he went 4-9 with a 4.15 ERA in 20 starts but ended the season strongly posting a 2.73 ERA in five September starts Over his career, Young is 53-43 with a 3.79 ERA in 159 career starts. He [...]

“I am not asking for anyone to feel sorry for me. I am only asking that Topps and MLB not compound my punishment by deleting the truth of what I achieved.” “Please believe me, I have suffered very much for what I did, but I need to respond when what I did fair and square in baseball is taken away from me too. That is neither fair nor honest.” There is nitpicking, there is pettiness, [...]

According to a report, the Cubs are willing to eat $26 million of the remaining $36 million owed left fielder Alfonso Soriano over the next two seasons, the last of the eight-year, $136 million deal he signed before the 2007 season. The contract includes a full no-trade clause, which Soriano invoked last season when he rejected a trade to the San Francisco Giants, using the negative effect the cold weather would have on his knees. [...]

Tucked away in the mountains of Tehachapi, Calif. rests a modest cottage. Living in that cottage are John and Jill Nelson. These are my parents. In any given room, you can find the typical conventions of any old west-style household. There are paintings of horses on every wall, candle holders made from welded horseshoes on the dining room table and small pieces from alfalfa-hay flakes scattered across the 70s-style brown carpet. If you look deep [...]

Sandy Alderson told reporters that the 5th year option was the big issue with signing Michael Bourn, and also that indications changed whether or not they would keep the 11th pick after an arbitrator ruling. This according to Kevin Burkhardt. Original Post 2/12/2013 The long and dragged out pursuit is over, and the Mets came up empty. The Cleveland Indians have signed Michael Bourn to a four-year, $48 million dollar deal says Jon Heyman via [...]

1986 was a great year. Sure, there was Doc and Darryl, Keith and Kid, Mookie and Mitchell, slow rollers and swagger. But for me, personally, it was also one of the best years of my life. I turned 21 that November. I was now ‘legal.’ I started my senior year in college, my entire life and all my dreams lay ahead of me. I got to meet and party with the members of Van Halen at [...]

Hall of Fame second basenan Rogers Hornsby was once asked what he does all winter. He replied, “I’ll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring.” After champagne is poured in the locker room and the commissioner presents the World Series trophy to the winning manager, I start the countdown to Opening Day. There are a few ‘obstacles’ to get through. Perhaps an election. Thanksgiving. Christmas. New Years. And [...]

The business of baseball is a lot tougher to grasp than the dynamics of “on-the-field” play. As fans, we look at the end result of every decision made. Did he sign? Who did we trade? When was he drafted? Rarely do we get to see what happens behind closed doors. Recently, the injury of Alex Rodriguez has brought about questions regarding the insurance of a player’s contract. On top of that, the discussion of whether [...]