Well, I hate to be so Mets focused, but the big story today has to be that CitiBank is floating the idea that they might back out of their naming-rights deal with the Mets.  Many in the sports industry, as well as some low-level employees of the team have been saying for months that the contract is air-tight… the problem is the Mets would have to pay billions to hold Citibank to its contract if the bank decides it can’t pay.  Though many fans might, in theory, be happy that the bank might back out what it really means is that the team’s payroll will, no doubt be affected.  No one year $30 million deal for Manny Ramirez.  And while I do believe the Fred Wilpon line that his losses in the Madoff ponzi scheme won’t directly affect the Met’s payroll, I do think those losses leave little room for cushion, should Citibank actual bail.  If the Mets are smart, they will work out some deal with Citi for deferred payment, rather than having to go out and shop for a new naming rights sponsor… and let their be no doubt, they will shop that big old sign out.  Now of course, for the time being Citibank is saying that no money from the bailout will be used to pay bills… but perhaps without the naming rights deal, the bank might not need the bailout– said with no knowledge of how payments have been scheduled, etc.  What this really all means to the fans that rallied to ask for Manny Ramirez is they might be willing to go that one year if the Dodgers really don’t sign him, but there is too much cost uncertainty.  Heck, the Mets haven’t even sold all the seats from Shea Stadium yet!

A couple of other small tidbits– the Cubs are still cleaning house, ridding themselves of all their spare parts.  Its seems like a bad time to do it, since value will rise during spring training as a few players either don’t work out or suffer injuries or set backs that will make them unable to start the season.  Still, if you want to dump Rich Hill, I guess you can.  No one in the Cubs organization has to spend any time making sure he is showing improvement… he is now someone else’s problem.

Also, Manny turned down a 1-year $25 million dollar deal from the Dodgers.  Duh.  You might be able to get him with a 1-year commitment but it will have to be a dollar figure that makes him the highest paid player in baseball this year.  There is still some ego involved in this.