Archie Bunker's Army

Well, if you consider NOT signing a dodgy-fielding first baseman with enormous power who hits equally well for average, a success, then I guess we can assess that Omar's magic touch is still in intact. Even though Carlos Delgado signed with the Marlins rather than the Mets and added insult to injury by claiming he chose to sign with the Marlins largely because they have the best chance of competing for a championship among the four finalists for his services, there are many different ways to spin this, some of them valid, some of them absurd. First of all, adding yet another long term, big money contract (Delgado ended up signing for $52 million over four years ) was probably not in the best interests of the Mets' long term interests. You can't buy everyone and even if you can, it doesn't necessarily buy success. Getting Doug Mientkiewicz instead of Delgado to fill first base, at first glance, seems like a pretty small consolation prize but as Baseball Ameri...

Since I'm growing weary at the slow pace of both the drearily sweeping broom of the potential Mike Cameron to the A's for Loco and a worn out reliever trade and even more weary with the Mets In Final Four For Delgado Sweepstakes non-news dairy product, I thought I'd break the snooze pattern of the news and have a reasonably brief and somewhat shallow look at where everybody else in the NL East stands to date. Atlanta Braves Record in 2004: 96-66, first place BIG off season moves involved getting outstanding and young starting pitcher Tim Hudson from the Oakland A's in response to our signing of Pedro. Hudson v Pedro will probably favour the Mets this season and according to Hudson, if he isn't signed by the Braves by March, he will be a free agent next season. So if the Braves don't ante up quick, this will be a one and out year for their future starting pitcher. They also got reliever/closer Dan Kolb from Milwaukee and Jorge Vasquez from Kansas Ci...

Does it seem like only yesterday that the fragile 32 year old centerfielder formerly known as Mike Cameron volunteered to move to right field to accomdate Carlos Beltran IF (snickersnicker) the Mets actually signed him? Ha. Cameron, no doubt, believed there wasn't a snowball's chance in Omar's Dominican Republic that the Mets would sign Carlos Beltran, as did most of the baseball world and thus, believed he had nothing to lose by making such a proposition. Not only did he have nothing to lose, but he might look a good team player in the process. Well, that little moment of myth-making can be laid to rest. That's right. Now, after being caught in a lie, the bitch wants to be traded . Apparently, he wasn't really willing to move to RF after all. It was all a practical joke. A simple misunderstanding. Apparently, he'd only been clearing his throat. Say it ain't so after all, Mr Cameron! Tell us your offer wasn't just a stream of self-servi...

Now that the Mets have Beltran in the Bag , the focus becomes on who they might sign next now that the free agent fever has hit them. Well, for starters, to fill their hole at first base, they are trying to set up a meeting with Carlos Delgado . All along the rumour has been that it was either Beltran or Delgado as the consolation prize. We didn't see it coming that the Mets might sign both . On first take, wow. Delgado's bat would really wreak havoc in concert with Beltran, and Piazza, Wright, Cameron and (if he stays) Cliff Floyd. He batted .269 with 32 homers and 99 runs batted in for Toronto last year, but also averaged 39.5 homers and 123.5 R.B.I in the previous six seasons. Beltran has already chimed in. "It would be seriously tremendous if we sign Carlos, too," Beltran was quoted as saying in the Puerto Rican newspaper El Nuevo Dia on Monday. "I would love it if that could be achieved because we are good friends, but I know he has to make the b...

Let's give a kick to the Yankees franchise whilst they're still down. Rather than get into a bidding war with the suddenly imposing pockets of the Wilpon family, King George and his Yankee Machine declined to bid on Carlos Beltran thereby allowing himself to be outbid by his crosstown rivals for the first time in his 32 years as The Boss. Steinbrenner ultimately decided early Saturday evening that he could not meet Beltran's price. The Yankees were concerned about boosting their already hefty luxury-tax payments. In any case, the most sought-after free-agent in baseball, outfielder Carlos Beltran has agreed to a 7-year, $119-million deal with Mets. Shea What?! is about right, whoddathunkit? In a sign either of his senility or his undying desire to rid the Cubs of Sammy Sosa, the usually coherent Phil Rogers of the Trib weighs in with the explanation that The Mets can still afford Sosa . Ha! More to follow, more to add, more to celebrate and more to sha...

Although with King George's greedy clutches waiting in the background it is no done deal, the Mets chances of signing Carlos Beltran just grew enormously as Beltran rejected the Astros final offer . There are rumours that the Cubs and Yankees are still in the running with the Mets but to date, only the Mets and Astros had shown any certain intrest by offering a contract and with the Astros now out of the picture, the Mets are the favourites. The Yankees, of course, with Steinbrenner loath to allow the Mets any crosstown splashy publicity which would take the spotlight off of him and his signings, continue to loom ahead and there is always the chance that they will jump into this chase before it is over. However, not having made any offer to Beltran and allowing the possibility of Houston to have signed him without bidding a cent on him, seems an indication that the rumours of the Yankees finally showing a modicum of fiscal restraint might possibly be true. The Cubs are ...

Well, they're getting closer in that at least they're unloading catchers now. Unfortunately for the Mets, they unloaded backup catcher Vance Wilson , a sort of Del Gilbert of the early 21st century, and chose to keep the selfish, overpaid and underachieving catcher, Mike Piazza in his stead. Wilson was the Mets' representative to the players union and was an active presence in the clubhouse, taking on a leadership role despite his limited playing time. "Vance Wilson is a professional backup catcher," Tigers president Dave Dombrowski said. "He is one of the best in the business at his role in addition to being a quality individual in the clubhouse." Ironically, the catcher they chose to keep, Mike Piazza, also had limited playing time and has NO presence to speak of in the clubhouse, other than as facial hair stylist extraordinaire, and leader of the Worst Defensive Catchers in the World Association. Whereas Piazza regularly throws out a...

The stakes are rising quickly. With only four days left for the Astros to resign their free agent Carlos Beltran, the Mets officially met with Beltran in his native Puerto Rico for a reported four hour session. It was also rumoured that they offered $100 million as an opening bid. Lest one think this expedition stops at ONE Carlos, it should be noted that Met special assistant Tony Bernazard dropped this particular bombshell that the other Carlos; the slugging first baseman Carlos Delgado, is also being chased on this trip. "Our interest is centered on Carlos Beltran and Carlos Delgado," Bernazard told the media. "We are still trying to determine if we should sign one or both." One or both ? Certainly too delicious to contemplate, netting a pair of Carlos' in one season. In the meantime, speculation continues to run rampant that the Yankees can't afford Beltran any more with the recent acquisition of The Unit and won't be a player in...

Well, the calendar turned, one day closer to the Astros' January 8th make or break day with Beltran and the Mets still have not announced the signing of Carlos Beltran. However, they have a plan . "Continuing his home visits tour, general manager Omar Minaya will head a Mets contingent that will visit Beltran in Puerto Rico on Tuesday, the latest example of the aggressive face-to-face recruiting style Minaya employed to steal Pedro Martinez from the Red Sox last month." Hmmm. Wonder how the plane was able to take off with all those sacks of cash on board. "Minaya plans to sell the idea of Beltran's becoming the club's biggest marquee attraction. According to a person familiar with the situation, Minaya also will cite the many marketing opportunities available as the city's newest Hispanic star." Well, it certainly won't be the hard sell on Mets historical tradition, will it? Even Bobby Valentine got into the act when he did ...

The Mets announced the signing of free agents SS Chris Woodward and P Manny Aybar to minor league contracts. Of Woodward, we can safely say that Hamstring Jose's job isn't in any great jeopardy. He's 28 yet still unsung, but he's not really too terrible. His best season was 2002 when he hit .276-13-45 in 90 games for the Jays. On the one hand you can say he's pretty versatile on the field, having played SS, 2B, 1B and 3B over his career. His fielding percentage isn't sparkling but who knows, with all fragility of Reyes in mind, this isn't a terrible pickup. ESPN says : "He's fit, wiry and athletic with strong hands, contributing to above-average bat speed, which can produce surprising pop. Nonetheless, he can be overpowered up in the strike zone and is vulnerable to breaking stuff low and away." Fit and wiry, I like that. It won't stop the world from spinning but it won't cause its destruction either. Aybar, on the o...

Archie Bunker's Army is not holding its collective breath on the availability or success of the Victor Zambrano, he of the infamously stooopid Zambrano for Mets superstah future flamethrowing pitching phenom Scott Kazmir . Zambrano, rumoured to be the bottom rung of next season's Met starting rotation, we THOUGHT was plagued by a dodgy right elbow but no, 'tisn't the elbow that had the Mets brass so concerned that they flew him to New York from Venezuela to have him looked at, it is the ankle . It appears Zambrano told friends his ankle still bothered him a great deal. But now, with the magical wave of a wand, Zambrano is back throwing bullpen sessions. Herculean, that is, dodgy elbow, dodgy ankle and hanging by a string. Not to beat a theme to death but I'm still wondering to myself why Omar didn't take a swing at grabbing free agent Wade Miller before the Red Sox did. Miller won 45 games in three years for the Astros before going down for the season t...

It's being reported that with the injury to centerfielder Mike Cameron, the Mets are now considering Eric Byrnes . Byrnes batted .283 with 20 homers and 73 RBIs in 143 games with the A's in 2004, stealing 17 bases in 18 attempts which is more than adequate to replace Cameron but the problem is, it might take top prospects Yusmeiro Petit or Lastings Milledge to get them. Hmmmm. I guess losing future ace Scott Kazmir in a sloth-minded trade for damaged goods to Tampa Bay wasn't enough of a giveaway of future pitching prospects to teach the Idiot Collective a lesson. On the upside, Byrnes is known for his all-out play, exactly the sort of hustle and character the Mets should be looking for, but would probably be better suited to a 4th outfielder role rather than a starter. In fact, he's perfect for the job of replacing Cameron but not at the costs mentioned. For that price, this is probably more wishful thinking than reality. Another one making the rounds is...

Whilst the Carlos clock kept ticking, the Mets resolved their what 43 year old will play first base whilst Rome burns and Omar fiddles . Andres Galaragga is not the blueprint to success but although Galaragga missed the bulk of the 2004 season, as he received treatment for a recurrence of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, he's a great presence to add to the bench. He played seven games for the Angels in September, going 3-for-10 with a homer and two RBIs. I don't need to remind anyone, that spells .300-60-120 over a season. In some corners, they still must get Carlos . Even if we kick the Shea Hillenbrand tires . Really: Shea? Has there ever been a more appropriate player for the Mets? Not to mention, cheap solution at first...Hillenbrand, 29, batted .310 with 15 homers and 80 RBIs. The best news of the day is that there are 41 new free agents to pick from .

Some might call it mere coincidence that in the middle of the first rumours of a Met low-key hunt for centerfielder free agent supahstah Carlos Beltran, the Mets own starting centerfielder, Mike Cameron, goes down for at least the beginning of the season with a sudden wrist injury. Archie Bunker's Army calls is fate in the race to chase The Carlos. Yes, the story is true, after arthroscopic surgery on his left wrist, it was revealed that Mike Cameron will miss beginning of season and the Mets officially have no centerfielder to start the season just at the same time the hunt begins for the best centerfield free agent in baseball. Hmmmm. Further still to Cameron's surgery, since he will not swing a bat for three months, it's a pretty safe bet that even once he starts playing, offensively, he's going to be a bigger non-factor than even last season's .231 batting average would indicate. Immediately, even if it is only foreplay at the fore of the Met mind, ...

The dust has settled down following the big Pedro Parade, Pedro continues to unload on his former team , and pepper the air with Pedroisms and perhaps now, as we adjust, it's time to address the other issues, time to finish filling in the holes, to make this a team to be reckoned with. The usual suspects are involved of course. All along, the possibility loomed but now that they've got Pedro acting as their spokesmodel, the Mets appear to be joining the race for Beltran , albeit in a softly, softly mode. The plan is apparently to fly low under the radar and involves waiting to see how much ridiculous King George Steinbrenner is willing to bid - if the price stays within range of the $81 million the Astros are rumoured to have offered, the Mets might well make a run at Carlos. Of course, not satisfied with his 6 starting pitchers, such a move would likely trigger an outrageous offer from King George, who will not be happy enough finally getting Randy Johnson. The mo...

Well, the stone dropped in the NL East water, still rippling from the signing of Pedro by the Mets, is quickly followed by another. As the Mets were ushering in the Pedro Period , their biggest rivals, the Atlanta Braves, were pulling off a coup of their own, trading for Oakland pitcher Tim Hudson . Hudson, 29, has been one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball over the last five seasons. His 81 wins from 2000 to 2004 tied for the most in the American League and tied for fifth among all big-league pitchers. Hudson owns a 92-39 career record with a 3.30 ERA. His .702 career winning percentage ranks third in Major League history among pitchers with at least 100 career decisions. It was Atlanta's second big trade in a week. Last Saturday, the Braves acquired All-Star closer Dan Kolb from Milwaukee -- which allowed them to move John Smoltz back into the rotation. Now they've got a rotation of Hudson, Smoltz, John Thomson, Mike Hampton and Horacio Ramirez, certainly ...

Yes, of course, before the world gets too giddy, Pedro's still gotta pass the Mets physical with what's rumoured to be a torn labrum. There's nice commentary and history on the pesky torn labrum at Mets Daily : "Remember Rob Nen? In 2002, Nen underwent surgery in an effort to clean up particles in his shoulder. Doctors discovered Nen had a torn labrum. The one-time closer with a 97-mph fastball is still in recovery. He hasn't throw a baseball since surgery. Nen's torn labrum has put his career in limbo. The torn labrum is still a mystery to doctors. Those medical specialists concentrated on sports-related injuries are unsure how to treat it, repair it, even the diagnosis is in question." As I always say, an event isn't really an event until you've performed a google search about it and searching "Pedro MRI" nets this : "Which brings us to that physical exam. Question is, will the team and the Great Pedro each be happy a...

"He ain't going to no Mets," former Red Sox teammmate David Ortiz assured The Boston Globe just days ago. Just when it seemed like it was safe to conclude the winter meetings for the Mets were going nowhere further than the Rule V selection of Henry Owens from Pittsburgh's Altoona affiliate, along comes Pedro . This is perhaps the biggest splash of the winter meetings. After days of laying the groundwork, as he called it, The Omar has finally spoken. Even at $52 million over four years, irrationally perhaps, I don't care what happens in the end, two years or two months down the road from now with Pedro. When you compare what the Mets got last season for their brightest young arm in Scott Kazmir, (answer to that punch like is a Zambrano full of holes), getting Pedro didn't cost a thing. Let the Wilpons spit money like blood, they've made us suffer long enough with their idiotic investment, year in and year out, of their opinions and their lack of...

After Saturday's brief flurry of activity, the winter meetings returned to it's more speculative form on Sunday. This could be because Omar Is Laying the Groundwork For Future Deals . Groundwork, as we all know, is usually very quiet and tiring work, especially on the voice and eyes. "A lot of groundwork's been done here," Minaya said Sunday. "My voice is tired, my eyes are tired. I would say that we've explored as many options as possible." Well, if making insinuations that Sexson and Alou are in the bag , or chasing the same old Pedro dog day in and day out even after it's clear to everyone in the baseball world but Omar by now that Pedro used Omar as a his dancing media monkey to get the Red Sox to increase their offer, can be considered "groundwork", well, he's been quite a busy lad. Realistically, all he's done in the last several weeks is lay the groundwork for our disappointment. However, Minaya is als...

Abbott : Well, let's see, we have on the bags, Who's on first, What's on second, I Don't Know is on third... Costello : That's what I want to find out. Abbott : I say Who's on first, What's on second, I Don't Know's on third. Costello : Are you the manager? Abbott : Yes. Costello : You gonna be the coach too? Abbott : Yes. Costello : And you don't know the fellows' names? Abbott : Well I should. Costello : Well then who's on first? Abbott : Yes. Costello : I mean the fellow's name. Abbott : Who. Costello : The guy on first. Abbott : Who. Costello : The first baseman. Abbott : Who. Costello : The guy playing... Abbott : Who is on first! Costello : I'm asking YOU who's on first. Abbott : That's the man's name. Costello : That's who's name? Abbott : Yes. Costello : Well go ahead and tell me. Abbott : That's it. Costello : That's who? Abbott : Yes. from Abbott and Costello's...