Download:

There's no need any more for the Mets to give Boras because the Rangers did. One team is enough. Boras won't be intimidated by a deadline. I don't expect Boras to cave and grab the Rangers' offer, without first giving the Mets and the other players a chance to beat it. Given that, the Mets [...]

Here's something the Mets should consider before throwing millions of dollars at Barry Zito.

His career record is 102-63, which is 39 games over .500. Pretty good.

However, his record over the past four years is only nine games over .500, which you'd take from a No. 4 or No. 5 pitcher. It is not what you [...]

A federal appeals court ruled this afternoon government investigators are entitled to names and urine samples of nearly 100 players who tested positive in 2003. Undoubtedly, the names will soon be leaked to the media and it should be an interesting summer.

The samples were collected by MLB to ascertain the level of steroid use and [...]

I just scanned the list of available free agents and I noticed Steve Trachsel's name. He hasn't been linked to anybody. Fifteen wins, you'd somebody would talk with him.

I suggested yesterday the Mets issue a deadline to agent Scott Boras on Barry Zito. They have not, but the Texas Rangers did, saying they want something done by this weekend.

In an email to the The Ft. Worth Star-Telegram, owner Tom Hicks wrote: "We've made a very strong offer. If we don't have agreement with [...]

The more I think about it, and the more I read, the less I am inclined to think the Yankees are interested in Barry Zito, even if they unload Randy Johnson. Again, if the Yankees really want him, they have the money to get this done right now.

Meanwhile, the Mets are either dragging their feet [...]

If the Yankees are successful in dumping Randy Johnson (give GM Brian Cashman kudos if he does) and they make a run at Barry Zito, they will get him. The Yankees have the resources not only to make an offer, but take the hit if it doesn't work out.

The Yankees, however, have given no indication [...]

Greetings …

I hope you all enjoyed the Holidays. The Mets were quiet over the weekend and figure to be slow this week, also. That's not to say things haven't happened. Texas acquired pitcher Brandon McCarthy from the White Sox and Jeff Suppan is off the board, headed for Milwaukee. Both impact the landscape for Barry [...]

Thanks for the well wishes. I wish you and your families nothing but health and happiness during the holiday season. Enjoy this time together with those you love. John

If the Mets are serious about Jeff Suppan they'd better hurry. Milwaukee made a four-year offer this afternoon, thought to be around $10 million a season.

Here is a telling comment from Brewers' GM Doug Melvin: "My gut feeling is, they're going to wait until Zito." Melvin could be miscalulating, but what if he's not? If [...]

The Mets' Zito Posse is home, and it is unlikely they've made an offer. They are digesting Boras' salary demands, which we know will be excessive.

Jeff Suppan is the best FA pitcher left on the market other than Zito, so it makes sense the Mets would check him out. He's a little better than .500 [...]

I wrote, that it is always the money, and despite several posts in disagreement, I stand by that. Yes, there are other reasons why a player would leave a team as a free-agent. Among them:

1. A chance to play fulltime, but playing fulltime over part time would always entail a bump in pay. How could [...]

The Mets' delegation had productive talks with Scott Boras and Barry Zito, which is to say they'll talk again. In case Zito falls through, or to give Boras something to think about, they also spoke with the agents for Mark Mulder and Jeff Suppan.

The Rangers say they have not offered Zito a $100-million package, but [...]

The Mets and agent Scott Boras are talking today in LA. The Giants and Seattle are believed to have had discussions with Boras at the winter meetings, but nothing formal since. It stands to reason if they have interest they'll be some sort of meeting, which means it doesn't get done this week.

After that come [...]