Roundup

Mets say they are not interested in moving to New Jersey

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -- The New York Mets said Tuesday they are not interested in moving to New Jersey, throwing cold water on a proposal floated by Garden State officials.

Speaking at a lease signing ceremony Tuesday for the Xanadu sports and entertainment complex in the Meadowlands, New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority President George Zoffinger said his agency had contacted the Mets to discuss a possible move by the team to northern New Jersey.

"Major league baseball should be in northern New Jersey," Zoffinger said, noting the 670-acre Meadowlands Sports Complex in East Rutherford has room for a major league stadium. "We haven't heard back from the Mets in terms of their response."

Hours later, the team issued a statement amounting to: Thanks, but no thanks.

"To put all speculation to rest, the New York Mets announced today that they have no interest in moving the team from New York to New Jersey," the statement read. The Mets said they "appreciated the expression of interest on the part of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, but have declined an invitation to meet with them to discuss a possible relocation."

While northern New Jersey is an important part of the Mets' market, they remain committed to playing in New York, the statement said.

Carl Goldberg, chairman of the sports authority, said he's confident northern New Jersey eventually will land a major league baseball team.

"If it isn't the Mets, I think there are other franchises and other owners who will share our enthusiasm," he said.

Caminiti admits testing positive for cocaine

HOUSTON (AP) -- Ken Caminiti, the former San Diego Padre and National League MVP, admitted Tuesday he violated his probation by testing positive for cocaine last month and was sentenced to 180 days in jail.

State District Judge William Harmon, however, gave Caminiti credit for time he already has served in jail or a treatment center since he received three years deferred adjudication for felony cocaine possession in March 2001.

As a result, Caminiti, who already has spent 189 days behind bars, was expected to be released from jail sometime Tuesday evening, his attorney Terry Yates said.

If Caminiti successfully had completed his probation, the conviction would not have appeared on his record. Because he admitted to failing a drug test in September, a guilty verdict was entered in the case.

"Essentially, it is a wash," Yates said. "One of the reasons that Ken decided to go ahead and accept this adjudication now is because he has got some great opportunities."

Yates said Caminiti is considering doing some development work in Montana and his agent is talking to the Padres about an opportunity for Caminiti join the team next spring as a possible coach at the major or minor league level.

"He's got a lot of things he's going to pursue and he couldn't do that if he stayed here and continued to be on probation," Yates said. "We decided it was in his best interest to go ahead and get this behind him. Get on with his life. He's got a bright future. He really does. And he is looking forward to getting on with that future."

Caminiti has acknowledged he has a cocaine problem and continues to work to defeat it, his attorney said.

"He knows what he needs to do. It's just a matter of him doing it," Yates said. "We think that once he gets some things in his life, some positive things, like getting back into baseball, working with these kids in baseball and teaching them and working with them ... he won't need the drugs anymore."

Caminiti has failed four drug tests since going on probation in 2002 for possession of cocaine, according to his probation officer.

Casey has surgery on right knee

CINCINNATI (AP) -- Reds first baseman Sean Casey had arthroscopic surgery to clean out his right knee on Tuesday.

Casey is expected to be fully recovered in six to eight weeks, leaving plenty of time to get ready for spring training. Casey hit .324 and drove in 99 runs this season.

He will make $7.8 million in the final guaranteed year of his contract, which includes a team option for 2006 at $8.5 million.