He-Lowe again, Derek?

Another 180-degree turn in the Derek Lowe sweepstakes.

On Wednesday, I linked to a Ken Rosenthal column saying that free-agent-to-be, Derek Lowe, was against playing on the East Coast.

Rosenthal rebuked his own statement today.

In a recent item, I started that the Yankees shouldn't be confident of landing right-hander Derek Lowe in free agency, saying that some rival clubs believe that Lowe wants to stay on the west coast. Lowe told me that my information was wrong, that he actually wanted to go east. He backed up that remark by telling the Boston Globe's Nick Cafardo that the Red Sox were his first choice.

So, there is still hope for the Mets too, I guess.

It all depends if the Mets want to re-sign Oliver Perez, or let him go and seek an outside source.

Game 7 against the Red Sox

The Tampa Bay Rays dropped another game to the Boston Red Sox last night, and the teams will head to Game 7 of the ALCS to decide who gets to play the Phillies in the World Series.

That got me thinking, and thanks to the wonders of the internet, I found what I was looking for. Oct. 27, 1986. The Boston Red Sox at the New York Mets. Game 7 of the World Series.

Here's the box score and play-by-play of that game.

Now, I was not alive for this, as I was born two years later, but I thought I knew as much about the series as I could. I was wrong.

I had no idea Jesse Orosco had an RBI single in the bottom of the eighth inning.

Orosco came in for the bottom of the eighth after Roger McDowell allowed two runs to score. Orosco stranded a runner on second while recording three consecutive outs.

He had to hit in the bottom of the eigth to stay in for the ninth inning, as his spot in the order came up fifth. He singled to center field, driving in Ray Knight.

Interesting. Learn something new every day.

(Go Rays.)

Jake Peavy may be coming to the NL East

Seems like the Braves are the early leaders in the Jake Peavy trade talks.

According to MLB.com, the Braves are preparing a package of players to pitch to the Padres in return for the 2007 Cy Young winner. Peavy has a no-trade clause, but is said to be open to waiving it to play in Atlanta. Peavy is from Alabama.

A bunch of minor league prospect have been rumored, along with players like Kelly Johnson or Yunel Escobar.

The Braves seem poised for a good year, as they have a bevy of prospects who are just about major league ready. Watch out for them next season.

I really hope they don't land Peavy. I'd be much happier to see the Yankees trade for the 27-year-old. Obviously, I'd prefer the Mets, but I don't think they have the minor league talent to pull that off.

FJM takes on Jerry Manuel

Aww shucks. So far the Mets have been left relatively untouched by the critical mind of Fire Joe Morgan. Until now.

FJM pretty much rips apart some of the latest Jerry Manuel comments about "clarity" and "statistical numbers."

Either way, they do present some good ideas for batting practice. Four and five are the best.

4. Kidnap Carlos Delgado's kids and hold them at gunpoint while Carlos takes BP. "You like pressure, Carlos? This is what the playoffs feel like." Then, after Carlos strokes a home run, shoot one of the kids. Just in the leg, though. Remember, it's just a game.

5. Strap Luis Castillo to a speeding train. "Unless you hit in the clutch, Castillo becomes the meat in a train sandwich." Everyone comes through, and you reveal that you basically just wanted Castillo gone anyway.

So true about Castillo. So true.

Happy birthday, Joe McEwing

Today, Oct. 17, it Super Joe McEwing's birthday.

McEwing had his best season with the Mets in 2001, when he hit .283, posted an OBP of .342, and slugged .449 while driving in 30 runs and scoring 41 times in 116 games.

That season he appeared as (get ready):
Assorted OF position (62 games)
CF (2)
LF (48)
RF (25)
3B (25)
SS (12)
2B (5)
1B (3)
DH (1)

Talk about a utility guy.

Happy Birthday, Super Joe! You'll always be a fan favorite.

Giving up hope

I treat every game like the playoffs. Be it the third game of the season, or the end of September. That's why I was disgusted to see Boston fans, the self-proclaimed "greatest fans in the world," walking out after only a few innings of the ALCS.

The Rays jumped out to a big lead, and were up 7-0 at one point. Fans were standing up and heading to the exits. Come on people!!!

• It's the ALCS. You probably paid through the nose for these tickets. Get the most out of them.
• It was a nice night out. What else are you going to do? Beat traffic in the fifth inning?
• What happened to believing in your team?!?!?!?!?!?!?

So frustrating.

Just be happy your team made the playoffs, made it through the division series, and they're still alive in the championship series.

I found the Mets bullpen

Rough loss for Tampa Bay last night.

See? Other teams have major bullpen issues too.

Scott Kazmir may have been traded, but he was an honorary Met last night. 6 IP, 2 hits, 0 runs, 3 BB, 7 K. And then the Rays lost 8-7.

Sound familiar?

Randolph to the Nationals? Acta to the Mets?

Seems like Willie Randolph is a hot commodity in the baseball world. As is Manny Acta.

Even though Randolph will be paid by the Mets to sit at home and do nothing, Ken Davidoff says he's itching to get back to managing. Some teams that are interested are the Milwaukee Brewers, Seattle Mariners, and even the Washington Nationals, who already have a manager in Manny Acta.

Acta, you most likely remember, was with the Mets as a third base coach for some time, and seemed in line for the next managerial job with them before he signed with the Nationals.

From Davidoff:

Acta has huge supporters in the Mets front office, including COO Jeff Wilpon, general manager Omar Minaya and vice president of development Tony Bernazard. Many executives in the industry interpreted the Mets' tepid, two-year, $2-million contract to Jerry Manuel as a sign that, should the Mets falter in 2009 and Acta become available, the Mets could easily replace Manuel with Acta.

An update on Bernazard: He was not selected as one of the finalists for the Seattle GM job.

These seems like a confusing game of managerial musical chairs. I think Manuel will stick, barring a terrible start or half season with the Mets.

I never really loved Acta, but he was only a third base coach, something the Mets seem to have a hard time finding a decent one these days.

Mr. Met loses his head

During last nights coverage of the Presidential Debate, Mr. Met was seen shaking hands and making friends. Unfortunately, FOX News caught some behind the scenes images akin to finding out Santa Claus isn't real.

Not for the weak of heart...


Major h/t to Deadspin.

AFL update from Eddie Kunz

He likes Daniel Murphy at 2B. Did you expect him to say different?

Eddie Kunz is blogging his time in the AFL, and he posted his second update last night. Here's what he had to say:

I have pitched 4 innings so far and felt really great! All my pitches are working for me and I am doing alot better with my control as well. I have closed out all 4 games and got 2 saves out of 2 tries.

Now with the question of what do I think of Murphy at 2B? I like him there he has great arm and reacts really well! I have confidence in him all the way.

He loves the exclamation point!

Good to see him throwing and feeling fresh. I think he has a definite shot to be the set-up man next year. I think the Mets will spring for a proven closer, but the bullpen and it's roles are wide open for the taking.

And to Murphy at second: I'm glad Kunz likes him and trusts him (or so he says). I'd love to see him there next season, too. Don't think it will happen, though. The Mets have to move Luis Castillo first. That will be the toughest task.