Mike McCann's Field of Fotos

The hottest baseball story over the past 24 hours has been the rumored Mets/Mariners deal that would send Robinson Cano back to New York. With Seattle going into "rebuild" mode and the Mets sorely in need of a big bat, a trade more than makes sense. Now, we await details -- and probably won't hear it finalized until Monday. Of course, Citi Field isn't Yankee Stadium; Jay Bruce, Jayson Bay and many other "imports" learned first-hand that it isn't home-run friendly. The cooler nights, larger dimensions, damper conditions from being adjacent to Flushing Bay have frustrated a lot of players who came to the Mets mid-career. It's no secret Cano was sorry he left the Bronx five years ago to sign a longer and more lucrative contract with the Mariners. After a 2018 PED-related suspension, Cano and the Mariners were likely destined for a divorce. We'll soon learn whether Flushing is a good enough substitute for the Bronx as the place to re-invigorate ...

While searching for yesterday's photo with Billy Wagner, I took a first look in a long time at my photos from the Mets' June 12th, 2008 game with the D'backs. A day game really shows the contrast between the (relatively) open outfield of Shea and the circular confines of its successor Citi Field. Enjoy the moment, soak in the sunshine and the view of the field (and yes, that's Wagner on the mound in the fateful top of the 9th) on a perfect early summer's day ten years ago. Below, a pre-game image -- with Citi Field now dominating the view, enticing you with the promise a new Mets era beginning the following season.

The Mets sign reliever Billy Wagner to a four-year, $43 million deal that makes him baseball's highest paid closer. In three-plus seasons with New York, Wagner would compile 101 saves -- but not on the afternoon on June 12th, 2008 , when I took this image. Entering the 9th inning with a 4-2 lead on the Diamonbacks, Wagner gave up two runs and left with the score tied -- costing Johan Santana a win after he rolled through seven shutout innings. Arizona won the game 5-4, scoring a run in the top of the 10th off Aaron Heilman.

Finally, some significant free agent movement on Monday. And it came from an unexpected source, as the Braves signed 3rd baseman Josh Donaldson to a eye-catching contract. Coming off an injury-plagued season where he played just 52 games, the 2015 American League MVP agreed on a one-year deal. A limited commitment for him and the Braves, who'll get a player eager to prove he's still one of the game's best hitters. Heading into his age 33 season, Donaldson believes he can still play at the level that made him the 2015 AL MVP with the division winning Blue Jays. And while it's a hefty price tag for the Braves, there's not the risk involved with a long-term deal. Donaldson, should things go as planned, will also serve as the savvy veteran alongside Freddie Freeman to help rising young stars Acuna, Albies and Enciarte make it deeper into October. The Braves other Monday signing was a homecoming -- catcher Brian McCann spent the first nine years of his career w...

...you share it with Matt Carpenter . The versatile Cardinals infielder has become more of a power hitter in recent years. Last year, he belted a career-high 36 home runs. Getting on base has always been his specialty; he's walked 80 or times in five seasons -- and over 100 times the last two years. Pretty good productivity from a 13th round draft choice. Also getting their cake and candles today, a pair of players-turned-broadcasters: Harold Reynolds played a dozen seasons in the majors, but is more widely recognized for his work with ESPN, FOX and MLB Network, where he co-hosts the off-season morning show Hot Stove. Bob Walk broke in with the 1980 Phillies -- where he started and won the opening game of that fall's World Series. He later pitched for the Braves and Pirates -- on whose TV-radio team he's worked since 1994. Two Hall of Famers were born on this date: Lefty Gomez , the legendary Yankee pitcher of the 1930s and early '40s. This four-time 20-...

One of the real treats of sitting in the bleachers is having the action come toward you. You're not behind or seemingly alongside the batter. Instead, you can see his joyful reaction when he KNOWS he crushed one. From August 16th at Citizens Bank Park, Rhys Hoskins watches this ball soar, high and far... Now the fans take over: the kid with glove outstreched cheering -- but probably realizing that he's a few sections away from where that ball's going to land. Just to the left of dead center, the guy in the black Phillies tee shirt wound up with the ball -- and gave it to a young phan who will take that magical memory home with her and cherish it forever.

July 6th, 2018, as Hudson Valley hosts Staten Island in the New York-Penn league.