It Ain't Over Till It's Over

Jim Leyland may be a long shot at this point, but he's not completely out of the picture. There is a chance that he may interview with the Mets after his interview with the Phillies. The article also mentions that Jim Tracy may become available if his contract talks with the Dodgers break down, although I cannot see Jim Tracy coming to the Mets. Despite all this, the Mets still hope to have a manager in place next week.

If Leyland is still out there and they have the opportunity to land him, get it done. Money should not be the issue here and he should not be passed up because he'll be more expensive. Omar needs to take advantage of this opportunity if it is there for taking. He is hands down the best candidate available.

From the Daily News:

But sources said Leyland has "significant interest" in the Mets and sees the job as having more .upside because of the team's apparent willingness to increase payroll and operate like a major-market club before its regional TV network is launched in 2006.

The Mets are expected to bring back Jaramillo and Randolph for second interviews and maybe Terry Collins as a long shot.

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Someone was asking for a Benson update and here it is:

Meanwhile, the Mets' top free-agent-to-be, Kris Benson, has not filed yet, but his negotiations have taken a backseat to the managerial search.

"We continue to have friendly dialogue," Benson's agent, Gregg Clifton, said. "We look forward to resuming full-fledged negotiations to keep Kris a Met, which is what he wants to do."

Brian Bannister has been very effective in the Arizona Fall League. He played for St. Lucie and Binghamton last season for the Mets in the minor league system.

He appeared in four of the Peoria Saguaros' first 17 games, posting a 1-0 record with a 3.18 ERA while striking out 14 in 11 1/3 innings. Bannister recently fanned six in a three-inning relief stint.

Bannister was a starter in the Mets minor league system but has only started in one game in the fall league. He has pitched 11.1 innings while striking out 14 and only walking two batters. Bannister should be vying for a spot in the AAA rotation this spring and could be fast tracked to the majors if he continues in the bullpen.

Now the the Red Sox curse has been lifted, ESPN ranks the top 55 remaining curses. Some funny stuff and thankfully this is list the Mets are left off of. But if they do not win soon, there is going to be some curse that someone makes up. I personally think it is a disease more than curse. Fred and Jeff are a cancer for this damn team.

Mike Lowell is staying a Marlin and this basically greatly enhances the probability that Carl Pavano returns to the Marlins.

Anyone that was hoping the Mets could possibly shake Sean Casey from the Reds or was targeting him for when he became a free agent can with until the 2007 season. Casey has inked through 2006 with the Reds.

Here is some good news for Met fans living in Cablevision country:

Cablevision might not be able to refuse to carry a proposed Mets network in 2006 as it did with the Yankees' YES Network during its first year, Cablevision CEO James Dolan said yesterday.

I do not think that any team's channel should be covered as basic cable. For $5-$7 a month, you should be able to get both as a package and pay if you want to see it. But since the YES Network already forced everyone's hand, the Mets Network will have to carried as basic cable as well since it set the precedence. Luckily there is no shot any other team in any other sport in this area can create their own network so it is not like this is going to be a case where a subscriber has to pay an extra $20 a month to cover all these sports channels.

The Yankees are looking to bring back Jon Leiber.

"Jon wants to come back," said his agent, Rex Gary. "The Yankees will either pick up his option or not, it's up to them. Jon wants to remain a Yankee."

They will pick up the option or not? F-in brilliant. Very insightful.

Balco VP states in memos that Barry Bonds has taken steroids.

"Bonds has received 'the clear' and 'the cream' from BALCO on a 'couple of occasions.' According to Valente, Bonds does not like how 'the clear' makes him feel."