Mets to Sign Zito!

Not really. Brought you in didn't I? Now you know how I felt when I read the Post this AM.

So I purchase my NY Post this morning, and see the back page headline "Execs: Mets likely ot land Zito", along with Amazing (using the Oakland A's logo as the "A") and a sub headline. SO I go inside the paper to read the story by Joel Sherman, and basically, he asked 8 people who they thought would sign Zito, none connected with the Mets, and 5 said the Mets, with 1 each saying the Yanks, Angels and Rangers. Sherman went on to say the Yanks do not view Zito as worth the dollars Boras is asking for, and that the Mets have yet to make an offer.

Now, I understand things are a little slow on the Hot Stove right now, but is Sherman out of his mind? This "story" was nothing more than conjecture. There is no information from the Mets organization, this is simply the opinion of 5 exec's, who are unidentified. The back page headline does a disservice to Mets fans, as does the story itself. Instead of waiting for some real news, the Post decides to mess around a bit. As if their credibility is not bad enough in light of their support for the OJ bullshit going on right now, they run this crap.

The Mets did make one move, signing Damien Easley to a 1 year deal for $850,000. Easley more then likely replaces Chris Woodward, who had a poor season last year playing with a torn labrum. The lesson is, get the surgery. This is two years running now where Mets players had resisted surgery in the hopes of being able to still help the team. The organization needs to manage this a bit better as we move forward. Nice move with Easley, I like it. Not a game changer, but a little more bench depth.

Oh, and the Mets announced their schedule for 2007 finally. They open in St. Louis (I'm hoping they piss all over the Cards celebration). They then go to Atlanta. The Home Opener is April 9 against Philly. They also of course face the Yanks twice. They also play the other 3 AL playoff teams, in Detriot, and at Shea vs. Oakland and Minnesota. Not an easy interleague schedule. The Yanks appear to get Pittsburgh, Arizona at home, and play at Colorado and SF (the schedule is not yet on their site, I pieced this together). But there is no Yankee bias.

Other random thoughts:

1. Make me give two shits about Michigan v Ohio State. Talk about overhype. I predict one team is going to blow the doors off the other, making all this weeks prep look like Super Bowl hype.

2. Note to NBA players regarding the new ball. You used it during the All Star Game last year, and none of you bitched. Now you are going to file a lawsuit about improper work rule changes? Are you out of your freaking minds? The poor babies have to use a new ball. Give me a break.

3. You may not have noticed, but since starting 0-3, the Isles are 8-3-2. Ted Nolan is doing a fantastic job.

4. Tell me how the (notso)Giants can be favored to do any damage with half of their D-Line hurt?

5. Nice story by Filip Bondy in the News today, killing, I mean killing the (notso) Giants for the trade that netted them Manning. Eli is fading, just like he did at the end of last season.

6. In an interview the other day upon joining the Patriots, Vinny Testaverde was asked "What are you doing here?" Vinny's response - "I don't know". I'm sure Belichicken got a warm fuzzy over that.

7. Note to Tom Glavine. Shit or get off the pot. Ask the wife point blank, and get an answer.

8. Note to Gary Sheffield - did you ever think that maybe the Boss doesn't want to talk to you? You know, he really doesn't like it when players are outspoken.

9. A-Rod claims he loves NY and wants to stay. Of course he does. His image would take too much of a hit if he asked for a trade. And we all know how much he loves his image.

10. So I get to the train station the other day and notice advertisements for "Driven" the new cologne from Avon and Derek Jeter. Not just one sign, but two. I'm just glad that I wasn't in the middle of eating a bagel, or else I might have been "Driven" to throw up.

11. More on "Driven" - No truth that Jeanne Zelasko sprays her pillow with it.

12. The NBA union signed an exclusive deal with a supplements supplier who guarantees that their products will not contain banned substances like steriods. Hunter did not consult with the league, claiming that since the league did not consult with the union on the ball, dress code and other issues, there was no need for them to do so here. Ooh, you got them Billy. I'm sure David Stern is quaking in his boots over this. To quote the great Ralph Malph "Nice comeback Pots."

Have a nice weekend all.