With the inspiration of Deadspin editor AJ Daulerio, apparently a Tampa Bay Rays fan has started a petition to get former Mets and Rays pitcher Victor Zambrano to throw out the first pitch of their first playoff game in franchise history. They intend to send the petition to the Rays president, Matt Silverman.

Most Mets fans know the story. Zambrano was traded to the Mets in the deal that sent stud pitching prospect Scott Kazmir to the Rays. Kazmir went on to be an instrumental part to the turnaround of the Rays franchise, while Zambrano is rocking the minor league benches. Here is how it all came about…

They now face a strange predicament: Who to throw out the first pitch of their first ever playoff game? Rays president Matt Silverman said, “MLB asked us who it’d be. We realized nobody in the history of the franchise had done anything to be worthy of the honor.” Well, the goal of this here petition is for the Rays to have Mr. Zambrano himself throw out the first pitch. Is there a better choice? If one person can be given credit for the Rays’ turn of fate, why not Zambrano? Sign this petition if you’re a Rays fan, a baseball fan or if you just love irony (or hate the Mets.)

Yeah, that’s a low blow.

The Yankees have signed former Met Victor Zambrano to a minor league deal. He was 0-6 with a 9.45 with the Colorado Rockies affiliate earlier this year.

Ha, enjoy Yanks.

According to Rotoworld, former Mets SP Victor Zambrano was among a group of many who received spring training invites from the Colorado Rockies.

Mets fans will always hate him, but in all fairness–its not his fault he was traded for what would have been the future of our rotation.

I’ve moved on from the traumas of that deal though, as Mets fans we face new dramas and tragedies annually.

Victor Zambrano admits he wasn't quite up to 100% when pitching for the Mets, according the the Daily News, and expressed his regret for not living up to expectations. He told reporter Jesse Spector:

Zambrano is currently trying to get a spot on the rotation for the Toronto Blue Jays.

I doubt there's a Met fan out there that will be surprised to learn Zambrano might not have been fully healthy.  Or one that misses him as much as he misses the Mets.  I think management at Shea needed to release him more to signal the final end of that era of bad signings and trades. Maybe if he can stay healthy he might even prove to be a decent fifth starter in Toronto, but its probably best for him that he does it there, because short of emerging as an Ace, there's little he could have probably done at this point to win over the fans in Flushing.

Adam Rubin at his Daily News Blog, reports that the Mets have non tendered Victor Zambrano, making him a free agent.

Rubin also writes that the Mets and Dave Williams have agreed to a one year contract for 2007.

I'd like to sign Zambrano to some sort of contract whether it be a minor league contract, incentive-laden, or a cheap deal with the Mets. He admitted he was hurt even before he came to the Mets, and now that he got his surgery, I think we should take a chance on him and see if he could come back strong and pitch well.

As for Dave Williams, I think theres a good chance he can win the long relief job in the bullpen next year. He pitched very well with the Mets in 2006, and he should be fighting for a rotation spot or a long relief role in 2007.

UPDATE: 9:03pm. Rotoworld reports the contract Williams has signed is worth $1.25 Million for one year.

Our parent blog, Metsblog.com, is reporting that the great Zambrini has
gone down with a hurt hammy. This is music to Hot Foot's ears, as we
are no fans of the Z. This brings up the possibility of Hot Foot's
ideal rotation….

Pedro
Glavine
Trax
Heilman
Bannister

Hot Foot loves the sound of it. First Matsui, now this, its almost too good to be true.