Archive for January 2004

Seo Back in 38, Looper to 40

Photos from the Met Caravan in New York this week revealed potential number-switching for 2004. Jae Seo arrived at Grand Central wearing No. 38 and Braden Looper in No. 40. This represents a bit of a switch — Seo actually made his Met/MLB debut in No. 38 back in 2002 but that number was subsequently issued to Pat Strange, who wore it last year as well as Seo took No. 40.

Looper in the meantime appeared earlier this month at the Met Minicamp in No. 46, but perhaps due to our warnings below, thought better of it. (Thanks to Phillip for the tip!)

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Zeile Returning; Karim Filling

The Mets are expected to announce one-year contracts for infielder Todd Zeile and outfielder Karim Garcia in the next few days. The left-handed hitting Garcia has failed to nail down a regular job with several clubs so far and so fits right in to the Mets’ right-field situation. His presence seems to suggest a righty-swinging platoon partner is on the way. Garcia wore No. 28 for the Yankees last year but is unlikely to want to remind us or himself of that in Queens.

Zeile, whom the Mets strenuously disposed of just two years ago will re-join the team as a reserve and pinch-hitter, roles Met fans who recall 2001 are reasonably sure he’s ready for. It will be interesting to see whether Zeile resurfaces in his old Met No. 9 jersey (currently belonging to Ty Wigginton) or takes the available No. 27 he wore most frequently in his career. Zeile by the way would become the 28th player in team history to re-join the Mets after playing MLB elsewhere.

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Vald en Route?

Few would have guessed that Vlad Guererro would still be looking for work when January arrived, much less in Flushing, but here we are. Jim Duke’s courageous procrastination on the right-field front and the rotten baseball economy has allowed the Mets to make an offer to the superstar free agent, whose customary No. 27 is available provided the Mets don’t do an even nuttier thing and invite Mike Glavine back to camp. Go Duke!

(Updated Jan. 11): Hey, Vlad! BOOOOOOOO!!!!!

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Ya Gotta Bereave

1944-2004

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Sooper

The Mets have come to an agreement with former Marlins bullpenner Braden Looper, pending a physical and his willingness to surrender his traditional uniform number. Looper wore No. 41 for the Marlins, which ain’t for sale in Flushing, but that’s not all he’ll need to change: Until now, he’s always been a Met-killer. Update Jan. 6: Looper met the press today wearing the dreaded No. 46.

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