Buffalo is expected to hold a press conference next Monday to announce it has become the Mets new Triple-A affiliate, reports the New York Daily News.

The Mets Triple-A affiliate had been the New Orleans Zephyrs for the past two seasons.

This is sad news for me, I really enjoyed catching the Zephyrs on my frequent trips to the Big Easy. I will continue to do so, but it was always sweeter knowing I was checking out some future Mets talent.

The folks who run the Zephyrs are great people and I wish them well with their new endeavors.

I will have Lynn Cohen, wife of Gary Cohen, on tonight to talk about the inspiration behind the garykeithandron.com website.  She will also talk about the guys charities as well as her most memorable Gary call of his career.

Tim Grubbs, New Orleans Zephyrs broadcaster, will give insight into the Mets new coaches as well as talk about players such as Val Pascucci, Jose Valentin, and Tony Armas among others. Its great insight as to what Mets fans can expect in terms of reinforcements from the AAA squad.

To listen live at 6pm click HERE or go to the NY BASEBALL DIGEST ARCHIVE to download the replay.

Recently, I was able to get a quick interview with New Orleans Zephyrs’ (Mets Triple-A Team) general manager Mike Schline.

Gary Grund, Hot Foot: Being the general manager of a minor-league team, what exactly does your job entail?

Mike Schline: I oversee the business operation of the team as well as serving as the point person for the players and coaches and being the liaison between the Mets and Zephyrs.

Grund: What is the toughest part about your job?

Schline: Definitely keeping the crowds coming in with new and fun promotions. Also, competing for advertising sponsorship with other local major sports teams like the Saints and Hornets.

Grund: What have the Mets done to help the city of New Orleans rebuild after Hurricane Katrina in 2005?

Schline: Last year, they donated several thousands of dollars to provide equipment for youth baseball in our city. They have also been great in encouraging their players to do all community work we ask them to do.

Grund: How often do you interact with the Mets major league club officials such as general manager Omar Minaya when the Mets are making a transaction?

Schline: I interact with Mets officials several times a week, more so involving the current players and what we need to provide them with. I do not have anything to do with players call ups or movement within the organization. Those decisions are strictly the Mets.

Grund: There were numerous rumors this offseason of the Mets possibly moving their Triple-A team to Syracuse in 2008. Obviously, the Mets will return to New Orleans for at least one more season this year. What is the latest on the Mets and Zephyrs? How long does the current agreement run?

Schline: The agreement runs through the end of 2008. All we can do is provide a great atmosphere which we do. I know for a fact that the players and coaches like it here. They have given nothing but great reports to the Mets on what it is like to be here. We are a warm weather city, which is good when teams in other places are being snowed out in April. We also just put in a brand new state of the art playing surface. We want the Mets back and hope that they return. They are very loved in New Orleans. Ultimately, it is up to them but we provide a great city, great field, and climate and will make it tough for them to find a better place to play. If the guys that are here, the manager, coaches, if they love it here then that is all we can hope for.

Grund: Which of the players on the Zephyrs’ roster right now should be a name that Mets fans should keep a close eye on?

Schline: P Adam Bostick, OF Caleb Stewart, P Willie Collazo, and 2B Argenis Reyes. We have a lot of guys that can help the Mets. I like this team a lot.

New Orleans Zephyrs (AAA)

Pitchers: Tony Armas Jr., Adam Bostick, Willie Collazo, Joselo Diaz, Nate Field, Nelson Figueroa, Ruddy Lugo, Ivan Maldonado, Tim McNab, Carlos Muniz, Robert Paulk, Jose Santiago

Catchers: Gustavo Molina, Mike Nickeas, Shawn Wooten

Infielders: Michel Abreu, Anderson Hernandez, Anderson Machado, Argenis Reyes, Fernando Tatis

Outfielders: Chris Aguila, Jesus Feliciano, Victor Mendez, Caleb Stewart

Binghamton Mets (AA)

Pitchers: Nick Abel, Salvador Aguilar, Edgar Alfonzo, Eric Brown, Eddie Camacho, Joe Hietpas, Eddie Kunz, German Marte, Jon Niese, Bobby Parnell, Jacob Ruckle, Jose Sanchez

Catchers: Rafael Arroyo, Salomon Manriquez, Salvador Paniagua

Infielders: Mike Carp, Jose Coronado, Nick Evans, Emmanuel Garcia, Jonathan Malo, Daniel Murphy

Outfielders: Ambiorix Concepcion, Jamar Hill, Fernando Martinez, Josh Petersen

Hat tip to NY Future Stars for the rosters.

There has been buzz recently about the Mets possibly moving their Triple-A affiliation to Syracuse. In the New Orleans Times Picayune, Zephyrs general manager Mike Schline spoke about the uncertainty of the Mets remaining in New Orleans beyond this season.

“First of all, the name makes a difference,” he said. “And the Mets are a big name. And how much interest a team takes in its Triple-A franchise makes a big difference as well. The Mets took a very active interest, both in the community and in making sure that we stayed stocked with talent.”

“We had a great year here last year, both on and off the field,” said Mets Director of Minor League Operations Adam Wogan, who also was at Wednesday’s gathering. “Our guys loved being in the city, and we built some very solid relationships.”

I’m torn, because I know lots of local fans are excited about the Mets Triple-A team playing close to where they live. I grew to really love the fact the Mets had an affiliate in New Orleans, and look forward to making another trip down to see them this year. I know how much the people down there appreciate having the Mets affiliation, and would love to see them stay.

Jeremy Cothran of the Star-Ledger is reporting that the Mets are showing “very real interest” in moving their Triple-A farm team from New Orleans to Syracuse, according to Sen. Charles Schumer, who is actively lobbying for the move.

Schumer said he spoke with Mets owner Fred Wilpon about the potential move of the baseball team’s Triple-A affiliate from New Orleans to Syracuse for the 2009 season. He said Wilpon agreed it seems like a perfect fit for the Mets.

I agree this would be a great fit for the Mets. It would put three of their six minor league teams in the state of New York, with the Brooklyn Cyclones, Binghamton Mets being the others. A move to Syracuse would also put their Triple-A team in the same division with the Scranton/Wilkes Barre Yankees of the North Division in the International League. It would make for an interesting rivalry to say the least.

Mets Bullpen Coach Guy Conti, top prospect Kevin Mulvey, Mr. Met, Mets Director of Minor League Operations Adam Wogan, Zephyrs manager Ken Oberkfell, and Zephyrs hitting coach Jack Voigt will take part in a cocktail party at Pat O’Brian’s, in New Orleans, home of the Mets Triple-A affiliate Zephyrs on Wednesday, January 16th, 2008 from 7PM – 9PM.

Tickets to the “Meet the Mets” cocktail party can be purchased by calling the New Orleans Zephyrs at (504) 734-5155.

I’m looking forward to taking another trip to New Orleans this year to check out the Zephyrs. Last time down, I was fortunate enough to interview Carlos Gomez.

I love that the Mets decided to affiliate down in The Big Easy. It’s a great town not only because of the party atmosphere, but because of its rich culture. Mets fans have a chance to check out their future stars while helping to contribute to the rebuilding of New Orleans. Not a bad deal.

MiLB.com takes a look back at the Mets minor league team highlights of 2007. Among the best moments are…

• Jonathan Malo belted a walk-off grand slam in the ninth inning to rally St. Lucie past Jupiter, 7-4.
• Anderson Hernandez driving in an RBI single in the bottom of the ninth and then hitting a walk off homer in extra innings to defeat Omaha.
• Jason Vargas takes a no-hitter into the seventh inning against Salt Lake.
• Seven Gulf Coast Mets combined to toss 14 hitless innings in a 1-0, 17-inning loss to the Cardinals.
• Binghamton’s Brett Harper and Mark Kiger were selected to the postseason Eastern League All-Star Team. Harper finished with a .296 average, 26 homers and 88 RBIs — all career highs. Kiger, who was promoted to Triple-A New Orleans on Aug. 19, hit .312 with 10 homers and 50 RBIs in 114 games for Binghamton.
• On three days’ rest, Brooklyn’s Nick Waechter threw a one-hitter against Hudson Valley.
• St. Lucie’s Jonathan Niese allowed one hit over six innings against Brevard County, beating them 8-0, in Game 1 of their Florida State League.
• Kevin Mulvey fired seven shutout innings to put the Zephyrs into the Pacific Coast League Championship Series with a 6-0 win over Nashville.