Mets Claim Nieve
New York has claimed RHP Fernando Nieve off waivers from the Houston Astros. The 26-year old was 0-1 with an 8.44ERA in 11 games with the Astros last year. He was also 2-5 with 6 saves and a 5.72ERA in 36 games with Triple-A Round Rock of the PCL.

Crowded Camp
The Mets still have 52 players in big league camp with only 23 days until their Opening Day. A big reason for that is the World Baseball Classic, to which the Mets sent a league-high 16 players. The list includes four players – Carlos Beltran (3-3, HR, 2RBI), Carlos Delgado (1-4, 2RBI), Jesus Feliciano (2H) and Nelson Figueroa (1.1IP, 0R) -that contributed to Puerto Rico’s 11-1 thumping of Team USA on Saturday night.

Roster Moves
The list of players that have been re-assigned to minor league camp include:

C Josh Thole
RHP Valerio de los Santos
LHP Michael Antonini
RHP Tobi Stoner
LHP Adam Bostick
RHP Dillon Gee
OF Rob Mackowiak
OF Fernando Martinez
INF Jose Coronado
INF Michel Abreu

As far as Sunday’s game, a largely pro-Mets crowd went home happy with a 10-5 victory over the Marlins. New York scored six runs in the seven-inning, anchored by a two-run triple from Luis Castillo.

-Brad Bisbing

Bisons.com saw a famliar face here at Roger Dean Stadium…former Bisons infielder Dave Hollins.

The Orchard Park-native is a scout for the Baltimore Orioles and has been a regular at Coca-Cola Field over the past few years (think he might’ve had a hand in Jeremy Guthrie going to the O’s?).

One of the teams Hollins scouts for Baltimore is the Mets. So, you can expect to see even more of him at the ballpark this season.

Hollins played 983 major league games in 12 seasons, most of which came with the Philadelphia Phillies. A ’94 NL All Star, Hollins also had 27HR and 93RBI in 1992.

Hollins played 5 games with Buffalo in 2000 and 89 more the following season. He hit 16HR with 67RBI in 2001. He was also the Bisons 2001 Comeback Player of the Year.

-Brad Bisbing

We bolted Port St. Lucie down I95 about half hour to Jupiter. You wouldn’t know it walking around Roger Dean Stadium (spring home of the Florida Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals) because of ALL the Mets fans packing the park for a Sunday matinee.

The staff at the yard is visibly buzzing around dealing with the large crowds. It is apparent they were ready at the souvenir stands too because they are selling more items with an interlocking “NY” than a Fish.

Shameless plug – tune in to our second Buffalo Bisons Season Preview Show at 5 p.m. on WWKB-AM 1520. We talked to a number of people over the past 24 hours and have a solid list of guests (listed below) to help give the team shape.

~ Ben Wagner

When he visited Buffalo in December, Bisons skipper Ken Oberkfell promised an aggressive brand of baseball. He credited that managerial style to his leader when he was a player with the Cardinals, Whitey Herzog.

Thought I’d share some interesting numbers that prove Oberkfell and Herzog’s style.

The 1982 World Series Championship Cardinals were 92-70, despite hitting just 67 home runs in 162 games. That total was 14 fewer than any other team and only 28 more than Reggie Jackson’s baseball-best 39.

However, the Cards led the National League in triples (52), stolen bases (200) and times caught stealing (91). Even Oberkfell had 11 stolen bases…but in 20 attempts.

“With Whitey in St. Louis, we were always run, run, run,” said Oberkfell. “If you’re aggressive, you’re putting pressure on the other team and they might make mistakes. You are going to make mistakes too, but that’s part of the learning process.

It will be a change for Bisons fans…Buffalo was last in the IL last season with only 59 stolen bases. No Herd player finished the season with 10 steals.

Get ready for some aggressive baseball!

-Brad Bisbing

I don’t like to give all the secrets away, especially when we have big news but this is too good not to share. Tomorrow’s Season Preview Show (WWKB-AM 1520, 5-6 p.m.) has got everything a Bisons’ fan would expect to learn from a show designed to preview the season.

Here’s part of tomorrow’s lineup:

Mets V.P. and AGM: Tony Bernazard

Bisons Manger: Ken Oberkfell

Hitting Coach: Luis Natera

Pitching Coach: Ricky Bones

Sidebar: Not that I want to name drop, but… Sandy Koufax was in the Mets clubhouse before the game today. Yes, 165 game winner for Brooklyn and LA, seven time All Star in 12 seasons – that same Sandy Koufax.

I’ll admit it, I was awestruck.

~ Ben Wagner