Mets Offseason Report Card

Ok sure, there isn't much to report yet.

It's nice to see the Republican mouthpiece, clubhouse bigmouth and all around nice guy-but-still-a-douchebag-who-can't-pitch-past-five-and-a-third-innings-an-outing Al Leiter Get Shown the Door. The Mets already have an ageing lefty who can't pitch more than six innings under contract. His name is Tom Glavine. So we don't need another. Good night Leiter. Take you're Republican act somewhere else where they might appreciate it. It only works for Schilling because he won a World Championship for the Red Sox. Leiter has won nothing for the Mets.

I THINK it's good that they signed Kris Benson back for a three-year, $22.5 million contract. Of course, if he spends the next three years like he spent most of the last three, ie; ineffective, hurt or both, well, he'll make a nice 5th starter behind Glavine, (fill in the blank), Trachsel, and (fill in the blank). It isn't just because I want to see more of his bimbo wife Anna or hear them regale us with more of their sex in the outfield sagas (imagine walking around rightfield and having to think of Kris and Anna going it at it, burn marks in the turf all around you...)

Of course, if the Mets want to fill Shea with fit birds, well, why not get ahold of Barry Zito? Apparently, the unreasonably fit Alyssa Milano has dumped or been dumped by Carl Pavano (nix him off must-sign list for stupidity alone) and is now dating Barry Zito. Zito for Human Hammy Reyes, anyone?

I'd still like to see them make a reclamation project out of Kevin Millwood.

Not sure what to make of the recent Pedro Hoopla. It certainly isn't as crazy as portrayed. I've always thought of Pedro as a real whiner and real injury prone, a bad influence on a team. On the other hand, seeing him pitch back in the NL, with no DH, in a pitcher's park like Shea, giving the Mets a 1-2 punch of Pedro and Glavine for starters, well, I can't say as I wouldn't mind seeing it happen.

At this point, it's hard to say how realistic it really is though. Negotiating ploy? It isn't hard to believe that it makes sense for Pedro to go the NL. He's won his World Championship for the Red Sox and defeated his "daddy" demon from the Bronx. Tantalisingly close to King George and the Pinstripes yet far enough away to stay safe. Who knows? Depending on how much and how many years, it seems like not a bad idea.

That reminds me, considering other rumours, I've not really weighed in on the Sammy Sosa Sweepstakes. I'm not concerned about his "bad attitude" in Chicago, nor necessarily his progressively dwindling numbers. He'd be a great publicity and excitement coup at Shea and even he had his one revenga season to prove the Cubs wrong, he might be worth it...for a season. What frightens me is being saddled with more than a season, fat paychecks once he's proved his point and primarily, Sosa's hitting .129 with 1 homer and 6 ribbies at Shea over the last three years. Of course, I remember how much a deal was made of Manny Ramirez's numbers at Fenway when he went to the Red Sox and look at how that turned out.

Bottom line is, under the right circumstances, (no long-term deal and the ridding of either Cliff Floyd, Mike Piazza or both), having Sammy Sosa around for a season or two wouldn't be the same as having Fat Mo around. I'd take a chance on Sammy.

There are still rumours about a $10 million a year deal for 1B Richie Sexton. He strikes out ALOT is all I'll say. 806 strikeouts to 341 walks lifetime. Is that the kind of team Omar is trying to assemble? Strikeout Sammy, Strikeout Sexton, and alot of puffery in between? I dunno about a long term $10 million deal for Sexton. Seems to me, the money would be better spent elsewhere. Either Sammy OR Sexton, sure, we can endure one whiffy bat, let's just not start a trend.

*****

Offerings on Sky 3 for NFL matches were a bit of a snooze yesterday - in theory Minnesota vs Jacksonville should have been good, two teams with winning records fighting for playoff advantages but the 27-16 Viking victory was really nothing to write home about. Maybe it is my continued disdain for artificial turf although frankly, the turf at the Dome seemed a little moist in places. Sure, Randy Moss is exciting to watch and seeing two black starting QBs face each other is still a novelty but really, for my money, watching Channel 5's coverage of The Raiders Stunning Upset of the Broncos in a blizzard was far more exciting (beautiful snow photo by the way). Snow, wind, dirt. Real football conditions, not artificial turf, fake lights, piped in air. When will these bastids learn? The clown coverage, in particular Phat Buffalo MacGuire in the studio, did their best to denigrate the Raiders when they were down 0-10 shortly before the half but give the Raiders credit. They and the Redskins are two of the best worst teams in the NFL.

By the way, in case you missed it, how about this lucky bastard? How do you survive a fiery crash of a private plane that kills two people? Nice one, Dick. Does this mean more crap programming from NBC for the foreseeable future?

*****

It was quite a thrill yesterday to see the Puds Top Arseholenol in the closing seconds of the match. The Puds well outplayed the French Gooners in the first half and deserved their 1-0 lead. When Arsenal equalised in the second half, I thought, "that's it" only a matter of time before they go down 2-1 or the game ends in a 1-1 draw, which in truth, would have been a moral victory for Liverpool considering their injuries. But to see this last second goal drain the air out of Arsenal's sails and leave them a full five points behind Chelsea for the top of the tables.

Quite a thrill indeed. Ever since that whingeing loss to Man U which ended their record streak of loss-less matches and saw them cry like little girls, Arsenal's mystique is being challenged on a weekly basis. They are no longer the kings. They are no longer to be feared. They are the little french squealers exposed en fin.

Good for Liverpool and even better for Chelsea!