Of Bullpen Grooves, Talking Boobs & Brooklyn Moves...

Some comments on recent moves by Los Mets...

Bye, Bye, Benson(s)...
I got a kick out of hearing Anna Benson complain that her husband was "thrown" out of town because of her actions. First of all, if Kris had pitched up to his potential (that of a first overall pick) we would have had the Kris & Anna show in NYC for at least another 2 years. He didn't, and so his wife's actions now become a negative where before they weren't an issue. Second, I know that before I was self-employed, if my wife had called up my boss and complained about the actions of another of my co-workers, I'd be on the hotseat waiting to be fired. No boss likes to hear an employee's spouse complaining about another employee, especially not when that employee (Delgado) is going to cost the organization $15 mil per year! However, after her particularly classless outfit at the Mets Holiday party, combined with Kris's above 4 ERA and inconsistency, it's no surprise that they are now part of the Orioles organization now. Jimmy D got Kris back, and perhaps he hopes that Kris will have a wandering eye in Baltimore and Anna will have to pay off on her promise from the Howard Stern Show. In the meantime, I'd be VERY reluctant to play Santa Claus at the Mets party, as John Franco, Mike Cameron and now Benson are all ex-Mets...and all 3 played Santa...bah humbug!

Hello, Julio!
Okay, we are certainly hoping that there is strength in numbers when it comes to the Mets bullpen. Adding Jorge Julio's 98 mph heater to Wagner & Sanchez has created an opportunity for real dominance from the 7th - 9th innings. I can't remember having so many arms on the team at once who can groove it in over 95 mph. Hopefully, either Heilman, Soler, Bannister or someone yet to be acquired will do a great job in the 5th position in the rotation. Look for another trade, as we have way too many arms in the bullpen, and I'm not talking arms a la Baldwin and Erickson like last year or the year before...now Mr. Peterson REALLY has his hands full- if he can make this bullpen click, he is entitled to all of the accolades he's already received (and then some)...

Bye, Mookie, Hello George
Well, as we bring more ties to the '86 Champs back to the organization (Strawberry, Darling, Hernandez, etc.), we lose one of the greats as Mookie Wilson is not coming back as manager of the Brooklyn Cyclones. As much as I love Mookie (and loved hearing Letterman say his name), the guy replacing him, George Greer, might be the most talented minor leauge manager we've ever hired. Greer coached at ACC powerhouse Wake Forest for 17 seasons, and even coached former Mets Darling and John Franco as manager of the Cotuit Kettleers in the Cape Cod League. For more on Greer, click this link from the Cyclones site:
http://www.brooklyncyclones.com/news/?id=2607
For now, let's hope Mookie lands on his feet, preferably with the Mets. It would be a shame to celebrate the 20th anniversary of that legendary team with Mookie in another organization.

Mikey P- PLEASE Don't Go to Phils or Yanks...
It would really be horrible to see Mike Piazza in either a Phils or Yanks uniform- and that seems to be exactly what is about to happen. Cashman is keeping mum, but in an article by Jon Heyman in Newsday, he didn't rule out the possibility. And, of course, Piazza is from Phillie and his family still lives there. I would rather see him go to the Blue Jays or A's, as the worst thing would be to see him play against us on a major division rival or see him grab headlines across town. If only we'd have signed him for another year, let him get to 400 homers, and get 300 at-bats or more, we wouldn't be going through this now. I think any fan wants what is best for Mike, and he has earned the right to play wherever he wants- I just wish it was with us!