The Alay Soler Era Is Over

Alay Soler has been released, according to Adam Rubin (Hat Tip - Metsblog).

Boy, I really had high hopes for this guy when he was called up.  I honestly thought he could do some damage, just based on his resume in Cuba.  My optimism seemed founded when he had back-to-back outstanding starts late last summer.  Alas, he just couldn't put it all together.  It seemed like keeping his emotions in check was his biggest issue.

I still fear he might get picked up by someone else and come back to beat us in a big spot.  Maybe we should have kept him in N'Owlins for insurance?

Transplanted Ex-Mets Update: Jeromy Burnitz

See Ya Later, 'Nitz!

Twice ex-Met Jeromy Burnitz has retired. My two memories of Jeromy Burnitz are 1. Seeing him get booed mercilessly by the Shea Faithful, and 2. laughing when I read him quoted as saying he was sure he'd never be accused of steroid use due to his underwhelming physique.

Burnitz was a first round draft pick by the Mets in 1990 but was shipped off to Cleveland for Dave Mlicki in 1994. Mliki, of course, has a special spot in the Mets Hall Of Fame for one magical night when he shut down the Yankees in the first ever Subway Series game, a regular-season affair at Yankees Stadium in 1997. I was at that game and it is one of my fondest Mets Memories. But, I digress...

Burnitz returned to the Mets in 2002 via trade with Milwaukee for the esteemed trio of five tooler Alex Ochoa, Mike Piazza's BFF Lenny Harris, and... Glendon Rusch.

Burnitz wore out his welcome in 2003 and the Dodgers took him of our hands in exchange for Victor Diaz. Remember that guy? He was the 2000's version of Butch Huskey.

Best of luck, Jeromy....