Let The Bidding Begin!

[NetShrine]

Monday, May 21
Viera considered one of Cuba's best left-handers
SportsTicker

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Cuban left-hander Rolando Viera has defected in search of a major league career, according to Joe Kehoskie, a representative of international players.

Viera is considered one of Cuba's best southpaws. He has a multitude of pitches and throws between 89-91 miles per hour, Kehoskie said.

The 5-foot-10 Viera was suspended at the completion of Cuba's season for "suspicion of a desire to defect" and flied out of the country earlier this month on a visa. His whereabouts cannot be disclosed, Kehoskie said.

Viera pitched for Cuba's best team, Industriales, and went 18-10 with a 3.12 ERA over his last two seasons. Kehoskie said he has an "arsenal of above-average and well above-average offspeed pitches."

According to Kehoskie, Viera is undergoing a rigorous throwing and conditioning program.

Kehoskie said Viera is 27, although many believe Cuban defectors lie about their age to help their chances of signing for significant money in the major leagues.

Viera would follow in the footsteps of Cuban defectors like Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez and his half-brother, Livan Hernandez, both of whom have achieved success on the field and riches off it.

[BuzzBuzzard]

George will open up the check book once again. Mel could be out of a job unless he can pick up Spanish in a hurry.

[NetShrine]

Hey - don't harp on the Stein's old rep.

It's the Rocks, Dodgers, Red Sox et al that are throwing the checkbook around these days.

BTW, last time I checked, the Mets only had 3 guys in their line-up (Payton, Benny, Fonzie) that were "home grown."

Timo came from overseas. Ditto Ordonez. Ventura and Zeile from the checkbook. Piazza via trade (followed by the checkbook).

Shoot - even Leiter, Reed, Appier, Trachsel, Rusch, Franco, Cook, Benetiz, Wendell, White - heck, the whole Met staff just about - came from outside the organization.

At least the Yankees "grew" Posada, Jeter, Williams, Pettitte, Rivera...............the heart of their team.

[BuzzBuzzard]

And Tino, Knoblauch, Brosius, O'Neill, Rodriquez, Clemens, Mussina (and a few others I am sure) came from where?

You can't count Piazza against the Mets. If you trade for him and then sign him when he becomes a FA, it is no different than signings a home grown product once he becomes a FA (Jeter).

George has a rep, like it or not.

[NetShrine]

Originally posted by BuzzBuzzard
And Tino, Knoblauch, Brosius, O'Neill, Rodriquez, Clemens, Mussina (and a few others I am sure) came from where?

Rodriguez? He's the 25th guy on the team? Who cares?

Tino, Knobby, Brosius, O'Neill and Clemens all came via trade - - for some quality big leaguers (most of the Yankee system): Russ Davis, Sterling Hitchcock, Eric Milton, Christain Guzman, Kenny Rogers, Roberto Kelly, David Wells, Graeme Lloyd, etc. No different from Piazza with the Mets.

Mussina was a straight Free Agent.

[BuzzBuzzard]

Originally posted by NetShrine
Timo came from overseas. Ditto Ordonez. Ventura and Zeile from the checkbook. Piazza via trade (followed by the checkbook).

Shoot - even Leiter, Reed, Appier, Trachsel, Rusch, Franco, Cook, Benetiz, Wendell, White - heck, the whole Met staff just about - came from outside the organization.
I don't want to turn this into another Mets/Yankees thing, but you started.

Timo did come from overseas and is hundreds of thousands of dollars under the league average. If he's pulling in $500,000, I'd be shocked. Leiter was traded for. Reed was a scab. Rusch was traded for. Franco was traded for. Benitez was traded for. Wendell was traded for. White was traded for. Appier and Trachsel combined make less than Hampton is making. No offer to A-Rod, no offer to Manny.

They've had their share of free agents, but the fact that they make so many trades for veterans is why so little has come from inside the organization.

[Jen]

Oh dear, here we go again. :D

[NetShrine]

Nah, don't worry - Buzz and I are too old for this. I pass.

[Jen]

BUT NET! You can't pass, you're on the winning side of this argument! (Sorry Buzz!)

[BuzzBuzzard]

At the end of the day, I think we are at a draw (and I'll claim victory because of George's rep).

[ChrisCary]

Buzz,

You discount players brought over in trade for the Mets but name them on The Yankees.
Which is it?

PS: I guess you gotta claim victory where you can.

[BuzzBuzzard]

Players brought over in a trade are players brought over in a trade. Didn't mean to want both sides of the argument.

Thanks for the picture. Made my day. As if this rain (albeit we need it) was not bad enough. I am the biggest Tim Wakefield fan ever today. Let's just hope that knuckleball knuckles.

[ChrisCary]

I happen to also be a big fan of the knuckleballer.

[BuzzBuzzard]

I guess you will be conflicted this evening?

[ChrisCary]

I'm always conflicted.



Cans are easier to carry in but I don't like that metallic taste

[NetShrine]

Originally posted by Jen
BUT NET! You can't pass, you're on the winning side of this argument! (Sorry Buzz!)

That's why I passed - too easy. :D

[Jen]

Guess he told you, Buzz! :loud:

[BuzzBuzzard]

It's all in one ear and out the other with anything 'Shrine has to say.:bore2:

[NetShrine]

Originally posted by BuzzBuzzard
It's all in one ear and out the other

Hmmm.........

shortest distance between two points...........

x-rays of Buzz' head show nothing............

.........it's all starting to make sense. :rolleyes:

Let's play nice now.

[bagger015]

May the biggest wallet win. Probably will. :)