Though they were unsuccessful in their pursuit of slugger Albert Pujols, who signed with the Los Angeles Angels Of Anaheim today, the Miami Marlins have plenty to be happy about this offseason; yesterday they introduced the keystone of the new team, their $106 million star Jose Reyes. Reyes told reporters that the Marlins really made him feel wanted—they even arranged a midnight meeting the night he became a free agent. Reyes sounded particularly disappointed that the Mets made almost no effort to keep him in town, which general manager Sandy Alderson later addressed: “If you’re asking whether I should have sent him a box of chocolates, perhaps I should have done that. But on the other hand, the box of chocolates would have cost $106 million.” more ›

Former Mets manager Bobby Valentine is now an ESPN analyst and the director of public health and safety for Stamford, Connecticut. But now the rumor mill is churning after ESPN reported he met with financial backers to possibly buy part of the Mets. Valentine said last night, "I've talked to a number of people interested in purchasing part of the Amazin's, but I'm not formally with any group that is actively pursuing this venture," but can't Mets fans dream? more ›

What do former Yankees manager Joe Torre and new Mets general manager Sandy Alderson have in common? It certainly isn't good timing: while Torre took the reins of the Yankees at the start of their resuscitation as the best team in baseball, Alderson took over in the midst of the Madoff mess, and is suffering through it now. But according to reports, Torre will be named the new as MLB's executive vice president for baseball operations, the job Alderson held before getting cajoled into the accepting the Mets job. more ›

As happy as we are about new Mets manager Terry Collins, we couldn't help but feel a little disappointed that there was no room anywhere for former manager Bobby Valentine. But it seems that Valentine might not have had any time for the job anyway: since he left the Mets in 2002, Valentine has been a true jack-of-all-trades. And he just added one more bizarre job to his resume: public servant. more ›

As the Mets continue contract talks with manager Jerry Manuel, former manager Bobby Valentine told ESPN 1050 he'd be open to coaching the Mets again. In an e-mail, Valentine, who is coaching the Chiba Lotte Marines in Japan, wrote, "I love it here, but I am an American and love great challenges. I was a in a Met uniform in the '70s, '80s, '90s, 2000, and would love to be there in the next decade." Valentine's name had been mentioned earlier this year when Willie Randolph was in the hot set. more ›

While the Joe Torre situation drags on and on and on, at least one candidate apparently doesn’t want the job. According to a friend of Mattingly’s “he does not feel ready for the manager's job and is uncomfortable with replacing Joe Torre.” Furthermore, he has told a member of the Steinbrenner family his feelings. While Don's agent denies the report, Mattingly is absolutely right to be wary of taking this job. He is easily the... more ›

Joel Sherman, Professional Scrabble® Player more ›

Randy Kim, NBA.com more ›

The Yankees departed for Japan yesterday, and it seems like they might be the most pampered players in the game. As if getting instructed on every detail for the flight wasn't enough, the players will also get rubdowns from three massage therapists. Players will also have many things with them for entertainment, from dominos, to gospel music, to books. While there, players will get a $25,000-$30,000 stipend. Jim Caple's got it right when he says, "it's just a little jetlag!" Perhaps they should contact Bobby Valentine who seems to be having fun in Japan. more ›