Free agent P AL Leiter has signed a one-year (or 3000 pitches, whichever comes first) deal with the Florida Marlins. Leiter, 10-8 with a 3.21 ERA for the Mets last season, is expected to become a broadcaster for the Marlins in 2006, which means skills honed while doing Fox post-season work will eventually be showcased to hundreds of South Florida baseball fans.

Free agent Jon Lieber, one year removed from watching “Cheaters” re-runs all afternoon, has parlayed his strong 2004 campaign with the Yankees into a 3 year, $21 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies. One can only hope that Lieber, along with Jaret Wright and Brad Radke, remember to send Kris Benson a Christmas card, if not Benson’s agent.


(Joey Greco : enjoyed Lieber’s attention, but much happier now that the right hander is doing something constructive with his afternoons)