Fighting words
Remember when the Braves used to be the rival for the Mets? Or when the Mets had fights with the Marlins? Well, that?s hard to recall now that the Phillies keep jabbing at the Mets ? the latest poke coming on WFAN-AM on Thursday when the Mets were finishing up their work at the winter meetings. Cole Hamels, appearing on the station?s midday show, was asked about the Mets? collapses and if the Phillies considered the Mets choke artists. Long story short, he does.
"Last year and this year I think we did believe that," Hamels said.
"Three years ago we didn?t because they smoked everybody, and I think we all thought they were going to win it all. Unfortunately that didn?t happen. ? But, yeah, that?s kind of what we believed and I think we?re always going to believe that until they prove us wrong.
"For the past two years they?ve been choke artists."
Minor interest
The Mets surrendered three minor-leaguers in the J.J. Putz deal, but held on to their biggest chips ? Fernando Martinez and Wilmer Flores.
"Every team asked," one Mets official said. "We had a lot of interest in them and good offers, but we?re not dealing them."
Marquis name?
The Mets and Cubs were reportedly discussing a deal to bring New York native Jason Marquis back to New York. Marquis, who has won in double digits for five straight seasons, could be expendable ? although the Cubs? efforts to land Jake Peavy hit a roadblock ? or a wall ? at the winter meetings Thursday.
? Steve Popper
Interest in DeRosa
When Mark DeRosa?s name surfaced as a potential component of the Cubs-Padres deal for Peavy, other teams? antennae were raised by the possibility of the right-handed hitter?s availability.
The Minnesota Twins need a third baseman, and were trying to land the versatile DeRosa, a former standout quarterback at Bergen Catholic.
The Reds and Phillies also are interested in DeRosa, who turns 34 during spring training.
Last year with the Cubs, DeRosa hit .285, and established career highs in home runs (21), RBI (87) and on-base percentage (.376). Most recently, Peavy has been linked to interest by the Angels, according to a report.
Former pinstripers
On the ex-Yankees front, the Rangers now are unlikely to get a deal done with Detroit for Gary Sheffield, according to a report, though it could be revisited later.
The Giants and Randy Johnson continue to show mutual interest. Carl Pavano could sign on to become a member of the Blue Jays starting rotation by today, according to a source.
? Pete Caldera
