Closing The Book

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One Last Icy look

There are places in your life that become more than just physical structures, but rather standing monuments that mark different periods of your life.  In Flushing Meadow, what’s now torn metal and dirt was once a monument all of us shared.  With each change in its look, came a new chapter in our lives.

Now THIS is a collapse

Today I found myself standing in 4 inches of mud, capturing some of the last images of what used to be our summer playground.  It was never aesthetically beautiful, but what lay between the bleachers was deeper than physical appeal, it was 35,000 hearts all pulling for the same thing.  It was pride in ourselves, reflected through blue and orange pinstripe uniforms.  It was the pride we have in being New Yorkers projecting across a diamond.

Tickets Available!

Say what you will about Shea Stadium, but it held all of us for years and years.  It deserved a better send off than being unceremoniously pulled apart by hard hats in the dead of winter, but it is what it is.  I wasn’t alone; there were ladies with pocket cameras, old men in Mets caps staring at the rubble, cars stopping and plenty of people coming to pay their respects to whatever period of their life Shea represents. 

I'm not a great speller, but I KNOW this is wrong

 For me Shea is standing in the visitor’s bullpen tunnel with my little brother in 82’, not wanting Nolan Ryan’s autograph because he wasn’t a Met (I hadn’t learned about Jim Fregosi yet).  It was pulling my dad back into the stadium during game six with one out because this time I would NOT let him beat the traffic. It was standing with my dad over the Red Sox bullpen, yelling at Bob Stanley.  It was the utter ecstasy of the wild pitch. It was finally giving in and leaving early, only to find that between the seats and the car, Mike Soccica had hit a home run that ended the 80’s.     It was cutting school and giving the box seat ushers $20 to let me in.  It was my youth and I could fill a stadium with these stories a million times over.  I’m sure you could too.

The scoreboard… what’s left

New memories will be obviously made, but every so often, when I take a loan out to watch a game at CitiField… I’m going to close my eyes and pretend I’m in the parking lot…. where my memories are.

They tell me it’ll be down by next Friday… bring some snow boots and go relive your youth one more time.  I don’t encourage everyone to risk their body and snake around the inner workings of a live job site, but park near it… look at the small untouched pieces and wait for game time… if just for a minute.

This used to be my playground

I knew the front office was a little hollow, but this is ridiculous

Posted By Nik Kolidas

Filed under: New York Mets 2009-2010, Nik Kolidas

Manny Manny Decisions?

Ladies and gentlemen, talk radio (along with every NY newspaper) is pushing the Manny train to Queens. I have posted a few different angles on acquiring Mr. Ramirez, but one issue that has yet to be addressed is this: who bats where if the Mets obtain him? It’s not as simple as dropping him into the clean up spot, as the balance of the lineup (i.e., lefty righty matchups) is important as well.

 

After “monkeying” with a variety of lineups, here is one that I think would work, given that the Mets would have the current cast of characters. I suggest that this would be the most “balanced” lineup, leaving the Mets less vulnerable to a string of lefthanded hitters that might have to hit against a lefty specialist (well those that are not suspended for cheating).

 

1. Reyes – duh.

2. Wright – here’s a change that few talk of. His ability to hit to the rightside is an asset as a two hitter, plus the number of fastballs that he would see would be sick. If you put him 3, Manny has to be 4, which means that Beltran is buried at 6^th (since he doesn’t seem comfortable in the 4^th spot). I’m not inclined to “waste” an out here with Castillo. Hope he proves me wrong, but he was very weak last year. You could switch him and Beltran, but Wright will run more (regardless of how he feels), so I am more comfortable with him here.

3. Manny – maximize his plate appearances. He can hit both righties and lefties, so two right handed hitters is less of a concern here.

4. Delgado – has proved that he is the only one that can handle the cleanup spot. The one concern here is that he and Manny would be two slow guys in a row.

5. Beltran – could be freaked out by the 4^th spot, plus could start the lineup over again in the 5 hole (with power). He would also provide some protection for Delgado, so he wouldn’t be pitched around.

6. Church/Pagan/Tatis – this would depend on who is pitching, but regardless, not comfortable enough with Schneider to bat him in front of our right fielder. I will say this, if the Mets decided to pick up Pudge, this would be his position – no question.

7. catcher- if Castillo is the second baseman, we need “more pop” here. That is, more pop than Castillo, which might even be the pitcher.

8. Castillo – only place for him where performance could exceed expectations.

9. Pitcher

 

I think what few consider is this – the Mets have several stars (Reyes, Wright, Beltran, and Delgado) that have to hit high in the lineup, with a mixture of middle range guys, two of which are lefty that “could’ clog the lineup. Adding Manny would be great, but would also complicate (in a good way) the mix. Get ready to manage OG, if we pick up Gangsta Manny.

 

Posted by Gene Anthony

Filed under: Gene Anthony, New York Mets 2009-2010

Ollie ollie oxen free!

As Mets fans, we have a reason to be nervous. Luckily, Omar has a chance to be the calming influence with one more signing.

He needs to sign Oliver Perez. Period.

The Mets have reportedly placed an offer on the table for Ollie and have now upped the ante-they’ve improved from their original thinking of a $30mil/3 year deal. Good news. I can’t imagine that Omar would let Ollie slip away, especially considering he’s the last real viable option for this team. As our friend Gene Anthony mentioned – Sheets, Wolf and Garland just really aren’t gonna cut it. And filling two spots in the rotation with Redding, Garcia, Niese and Parnell? Well, that makes me a little nervous.

But why shouldn’t re-signing Ollie make me nervous?

I recall sitting in the Upper Deck on April 11^th, 2007 to watch the Mets take on the Phillies. Game time temperature was struggling to get out of the 30s. As I sat there freezing, yet anxious to start the season, I watched on as Ollie struggled through 2 2/3 innings, allowing 3 runs and walking 7.

But then there was the June 29, 2008 Mets-Yankees game. On this beautiful summer day, I was witness to Ollie’s fierce A-game- 7 innings pitched, striking out 8 and allowing no walks.

With Oliver Perez, you take the good with the bad. But Ollie’s “bad” is still something I’d take over the “unknown” of Niese or Parnell.

We all remember yelling “Ollie ollie oxen free” on the playground as a child. According to Wikipedia, this phrase is used “…in hide and seek to indicate that players who are hiding can come out into the open without losing the game”.

Well, Omar….Ollie Ollie, he’s still free! You need to snatch him up while you can, call him out from hiding and assure him that he’s making the right choice.

Please don't burst our bubble, Omar.

Posted by Emily Doran

 

Filed under: Emily Doran, New York Mets 2009-2010

Git R Done (before it’s too late)!!!

Omar – it’s Gene. Yes, the guy that says “hello” to you every spring and thanks you for your dedication to the team. In fact, the same guy that pleaded with you to find a suitor for Kaz Matsui. Omar, it’s time to lock Ollie down before someone swoops in and sucker punches you. I understand the approach with Lowe, but if Ollie gets away, the alternatives (i.e., Sheets, Wolf, Garland, etc) are too much of a wildcard for my taste. Ollie is unpredictable, but more like a Leiter cutter (it can be very good even when it’s not at its best!).

 

From here, the other move that would allow the Mets to survive with rather unpredictable corner outfielders, and a semi-viable one, would be a LA Dodgers-type dump of Castillo. This would allow the Mets to pursue Orlando Hudson, which would bring more to the Mets (in my opinion) than a power hitting outfielder (ut uhm, MANNY- sorry Kay). Hudson is a very gifted hitter, defender, and runner, but he also brings intangibles. Yes, I know you don’t always win with these, but on certain teams (like ones that have tremendous talent but have trouble getting over the hump), they are worth their weight in gold. Hudson is a great clubhouse guy and he leads by example. He could also serve as a mentor to Jose, and give the Mets stability at second base that they have been craving since 2006.

 

BTW, despite internet rumors that the Mets might be stockpiling utility outfielders in hopes of a potential blockbuster trade for a pitching stud (e.g., Peavy), I really don’t see this happening. Don’t get me wrong, I would LOVE to see this happen, but just don’t see NY sneaking up on any deal like this ala the Braves or Cardinals – it just doesn’t happen. 

 

Posted by Gene Anthony

Filed under: Gene Anthony, New York Mets 2009-2010

So… Jeff, does Omar want to finish 2nd too?

Jeff Wilpon says OMAR doesn’t want Manny Ramirez. Let me repeat that. Jeff Wilpon says OMAR doesn’t want Manny Ramirez. “

I wasn't going to eat your best shirt, but someone else made me do it

“I know the perception out there again is that ownership said no,” Wilpons said today in an interview at Citi Field. “I don’t have the opportunity to say no because Omar hasn’t’t brought it to me as an option. Omar and the baseball staff aren’t interested.”

This is exactly what’s wrong with the management of this team. They twist reality until it chokes to death and then tries to sell it on a fan base that’s clearly 2 steps ahead of them at all times.

Really, first of all I heard with my own two ears Omar tell WFAN “ask ownership” when asked if he had the payroll flexibility to get Manny after saying he loved the Manny’s bat. So Jeff is telling us that Omar thinks Tatis is better than Manny Ramirez.

I would have gotten us off the Island, but the professor said it wasn't a good idea.

 

OOOOOOOOOOoooooorrrr maybe Jeff & Fred told Omar he has 10 million more to spend and you can do what you like with it. We’re short two pitchers, so obviously he can’t pick up Manny. Tim Redding is obviously our 5th starter… because Omar thinks it’s a good idea or because there’s no more money???? Really Jeff, we’re not stupid. How is the baseball staff not interested the best right handed hitter in baseball? Sure…

 

Posted By Nik Kolidas

Filed under: New York Mets 2009-2010, Nik Kolidas

What’s it gonna be?

Dead Team

Sometimes I think of Met fans as a bunch of white blood cells valiantly trying to overtake the evil Wilpons from wrecking the team’s history and future.

 

It’s their business and our passion and rarely has a fan base and ownership been so far apart on their taste. Fred wants to redraft the Mets into the Brooklyn Dodgers and Met fans want him to go to LA with his favorite team and leave our team alone.

Hey what can I say? I just don't care...

While reading the always fantastic Kranepool Society, it fanned my flames again regarding the Wilpon’s distaste for the Mets brand and love affair with the Dodgers. I should get over it, but the more I sink into it, the more it distasteful it becomes. How is it that we have an owner who’s a fan of another team? Isn’t that the ultimate joke on Met fans everywhere? Faith And Fear In Flushing breaks down this point with utter precision and Tim Marchman (formally of the Sun) echoes the point as well. I also know from talking directly with folks high up in SNY that much of the Met front office (not the GM) and marketing department consists of either Yankee fans or people who aren’t baseball fans at all. Also, (sadly) focus groups have told SNY that nobody will watch Met programming… that’s why there is almost none of it. WTF is going on here?

All I can say is that if I walk into $itifield and it’s Dodgertown USA, I’ll throw up a little and walk out.

Posted By Nik Kolidas

Filed under: New York Mets 2009-2010, Nik Kolidas

Outfielder Corey Sullivan signs with Mets

According to the Denver Post reserve outfielder Corey Sullivan has signed a one-year deal with the Metropolitans. Regarded as a defensive specialist, he should fill in the roll left by the departure of Endy Chavez in the J.J. Putz trade.

The Newest Met

The 30 year old Sullivan has been up and down the last 4 years. He hit .284 as a rookie in 2005 and .286 in 2007, but only played 18 games last year hitting .217. I will try to find out if issues were injuries or inabilities.

Don’t expect power from Corey either, as he has only 8 career home runs. This moves appears on the surface to be purely for defense in the new spacious walls of Citifield.

One question does come out of all this: What are the Mets going to do with Jeremy Reed? The (yes another) lefthand hitting Sullivan would be performing the same role expected of Reed. Do the mets plan to go into 2008 with 6 outfielders in Murphy, Tatis, Church, Beltran, Reed and Sullivan, or is there another move on the way?

Stay Tuned.

Posted By Robert Z

Filed under: New York Mets 2009-2010, Robert Z

News & Notes

Three quick notes from me this morning…

Bring Me Your Players Fredrick!

 

First of all with the news that 14 players are leaving Port St Lonesome and going to play for contrived teams in a stupid idea called the WBC, I’d like to refer back to an old post of mine and salute Bud Selig for making little bitches out of Thurston & Lovey Wilpon once again. I suggest on opening day, everybody hurls a pair of panties on the field.

 

 

Enjoy THIS!

 

Ben Sheets’ son is named is Seaver.

I’m just sayin’

 

 

 

Damn

 

Finally, the only people on earth that don’t think the Mets need 2 more starters are Thurston, Lovey and the Phillies management. I’m withholding serious criticism until I actually see a rotation with Tim Redding in the 5th spot, but I refuse to believe I went to sleep and woke up a Pirates fan.
 

Posted By Nik Kolidas

Filed under: New York Mets 2009-2010, Nik Kolidas

Another Year for Dirty!

The Mets and Duaner Sanchez agreed on a 1,687,500 one-year deal. This, to me, is a very good move for the team. Let’s hope that we see more of the 2006 Dirty, and less of the one from the last part of 2008. That being said, unless it is an optical illusion, his mechanics in the picture look like crap. His front half is flying open and his stride looks way too long. Mechanics like this will wear his shoulder out. Hopefully, Met coaches are taking a look at the NY Daily News (where this picture appeared).

 

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/mets/2009/01/19/2009-01-19_duaner_sanchez_and_mets_agree_to_oneyear.html

 

posted by Gene Anthony

Filed under: Gene Anthony, New York Mets 2009-2010

Ya Gotta Believe is Dying

Poor Tug Mcgraw.

It’s bad enough he’s stuck in the middle of a border war escalating by the season between NY and Philadelphia, but a message by the late Mets pitcher is slowly being buried next to him.

New York Mets fans have been through a lot the last three seasons. It seems like ever since Aaron Heilman left up a fat changeup and Carlos Beltran looked at strike three that the franchise has been on an up and down roller coaster. We’ve seen the previous ace go down in injuries, and a perfect storm bring in a better one. We’ve seen Brooklyn’s Own canned out west and a Gangsta bring new life. We’ve seen closers exploding at others while their body imploded. With every Pelfrey came a Brian Lawrence. With every Good Ollie there’s been a Bad Ollie. We’ve seen future Hall of Famers go from nearly waived to nearly MVP. We saw a team last year that for every bad blown save, every disheartening loss they came back the next day.

Except one.

Two years in a row with the season on the line in the last game, and both times they lost. To the same team. Losing the division to the same rival.

And just for good measure, Florida and Philly took out both NY football teams just so that the knife will not only go through the heart, but get wedged stuck in there.

It has taken it’s toll on many in the fan base.

There are many people among the blogosphere and in many baseball forums who have become disheartened with Mets management. Despite Omar fixing the main problem by bringing in not one but TWO closers (with the most significant player lost being Joe Smith, a good but not overly needed situational Righthander) many feel the Mets are toying with the fan base.

Where is Manny?

Where is Ollie?

Why didn’t we give the 4th year to Lowe?

There are even those that will say the Mets do not want to win, because of an article that claims some clubs may prefer to come in second, so they will have high attendance and viewers without spending on a full payroll.

Let’s put some holes into this. First, the Mets have the third highest payroll in baseball, behind the Red Sox and the Yankees. Despite being in the same city, the Mets are not in competition with their Bronx Bretheren. They play them six times a year. That is as far as competition they would have with them unless they meet in Subway Series II.

The Mets are not happy they came in 2nd place. The amount of revenue they would make from Playoff Ticket Sales, TV advertisement and ratings, merchandise and concessions for just a single round of the playoffs far exceed the extra millions they would make on the payroll. However, you cannot bank on that revenue.

The fact this argument is up shows me how little the fan base believes this team will win. Despite a core of Johan, Wright, Reyes, Beltran, and newly acquired K-rod and Putz.

Are there questions? Certainly. Delgado might revert to the 1st half of 2008 again. Tatis may lose what he had last year and Murphy could suffer a sophomore slump. Maine could be held back by injuries. Pelfrey could regress. K-rod and Putz could struggle under the NY Spotlight.

However, that is not the only way to look at this team. Delgado ended the year strongly and through his career the slump ending in 07 and continuing in 2008 was his only prolonged slump of his career. An argument could be made he’s more likely to have a good year than to regress.

John Maine was hurt throughout most of 2008. He pitched in pain nearly every game, and gutted it out for over 2/3 of the season. He still had 10 wins despite not pitching since August 23rd. This is the same John Maine who pitched a near complete game the 2nd to last game of 2007. He will only be 28 this May. There are reasons to believe that he will have a better year.

Mike Pelfrey was a 1st round pick, projected to possibly be Ace potential. He might regress, but who is to say he will not take a step forward? Perhaps while the fans may not believe, management does and HE could be why the Mets passed on Lowe, and are treading carefully with Ollie. The #2 starter might be here already.

Tatis and Murphy CAN repeat their 2008 performances, the chances of Murphy particularly surpassing them are very good indeed. K-rod and Putz are likely to make those 30 blown saves into 25 – 30 wins.

Every team has questions coming into a season, and the offseason is not over yet, the building’s foundation is up but the roof is not finished.

Ya Gotta Believe may be dying, but I know there are many fans like myself who will NOT let it die. We have seen too many teams in recent years with less resources, less stars, less money invested into a team win championships to believe that the Mets cannot, or are not trying.

If you want to say they cannot find, but when the Mets do raise their next banner at Citifield, whether it be this year, next or another 20, do not say you always believed it will come.

Either Ya Gotta Believe or You Don’t.

Tugger, it’s tough but we’re still believing.

 

Posted By Robert Z

Filed under: New York Mets 2009-2010, Robert Z

Multitasking

Omar’s plan appears to be centered on securing up the starting pitching, which is definitely a concern for all Mets’ fans. In fact, Omar has repeatedly stated that he wants to address this before making any other moves. While I certainly agree with his desire to fill the void, I also feel as if he should delegate some authority here and work on outfield help concurrently. I understand that the outfield move (financially) may be predicated on who is picked up to start, but I am also concerned that waiting for a starter may result in missing out on the right leftfielder. Also, as Metsblog reports, deals for a starter may take awhile http://www.metsblog.com/2009/01/17/starting-pitcher-dont-expect-perez-to-sign-soon/ time that might cost them a left field slugger. As time goes on I am becoming more and more intrigued with picking up Manny (for the right price and a short term deal).  Given that the Mets are lefty heavy with Church, Delgado, and Schneider, I do not think Dunn is a smart move.

 

posted by Gene Anthony

 

Filed under: Gene Anthony, New York Mets 2009-2010

Bill Wagner must be feeling better

Hi There!

Bo Duke popped out of the General Lee this week and felt confident Boss Hog and Rosco were far enough away to give him time to talk. Bo loves to talk. He’ll talk about anything… weather, girls, favorite soft drink, favorite TV Show (I heard he likes the “Gossip Girl”), favorite finger (rumor is that it’s “Thumkin”, but this is not confirmed)…. you name it and Bo Duke Wagner likes to talk about it. Most other athletes would just be home rehabbing, but Wagner must have gotten edgy on the treadmill a few days ago and forgot that he’s not actually on the team right now.

Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate that he puts his employers on the hot seat, adding to the public pressure to get the Wilpons to let Omar finish the team. I just don’t see how you can turn your back on people giving you that much money for doing nothing. I actually agree with everything he says, but he really needs to leave the crazy talk to us irrational Met fans.

“Mets may have to think in terms of two additional arms for the rotation.”

No shit Sherlock. We are all hoping not to have a “Madoff Special” in the 5th spot.

I'm Billy Wagner, remember me?

“How [Martinez] has changed the organization and put them back on the map, it’s awful hard for me to see them not having loyalty to bring him back”

WFT? I really love watching Petey pitch, the midget and his “guy next door with twins in the hot tub” behavior… but LOYALTY? As much as I am all over Fred & Jeff for being constantly unimaginative and passive, Pedro should be writing them a thank you note for stealing 40 million dollars. I’d like to see him back personally, but the guy should come to Spring Training on a minor league deal and make the team based on his pitching.

“Only if Oliver gets scared and signs,” Wagner said. “But right now I don’t see any reason for Oliver to get scared. There’s definitely a market. They’ll find it.”

Wait... where ya going??

Billy Wagner is not someone you want standing with you when you’re in a fight (the singing & dancing kind obviously). “Billy.. do you think I can take this guy?” “Are you kidding, you’re so weak and he’s so big. He’s going to really hurt you. Well…. good luck”. Hey Billy… go somewhere and shut the hell up please. If Olle gets “Scared” it’s better for you and your big August coming out party. Maybe Omar gets to buy a hitter if Olle comes cheap you idiot.

*sigh* It’s good to be a Mets fan.

posted By Nik Kolidas

Filed under: New York Mets 2009-2010, Nik Kolidas

The Down Lowe

First off, not sour grapes at all. In fact, I applaud Sir Omar for not biting on a Pedro Part II, by agreeing to a four deal. The Braves signed Lowe today and they truly needed this deal way more than the Mets, especially since Larry cried publicly about his organization. That being said, Lowe is NOT worth 15 million per year. What cracks me up is that Lowe wanted to pitch in the northeast and play for a winner. Excuse me? The Nationals would have been a better team to sign with than the Braves, since they (with the upgrades) look better on paper than ATL. Not for nothing, but my bullshit meter is going off right now.

 

 

I would love to hear a player, ala Jerry Maguire, just say once – I wanna get as much dough as I can. If the Mets were going to spend Johan money on a pitcher this year I would hope that it would be on someone much better than Lowe. Lowe has never even been the most feared pitcher on any team that he has played for and stud money should not be spent on him. Next order of business for Sir Omar is to sign Ollie, AND knock on the Manny door and see if he answers. 

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3829521

 

posted by Gene Anthony

 

added to By Nik Kolidas….

And now… the plan starts to come together…

Introducing Omar’s Plan

If this is what he has in mind, then well played sir!  

That’s the way to be big market…

Filed under: Gene Anthony, New York Mets 2009-2010

Don’t look, but Harriet “Bud” Tubman will be showing up at Spring Training to free our stars from St Lonesome

Fuck yeah! No more Stokes!

Yohan is fired up and that is a good thing. This statement.. “I know there was a lot of expectations and a lot of people expecting a lot of things from me. I was the same way, but at the same time I knew changing leagues, I had to go through a learning process. And that took me a little time, but then I made my adjustments and went from there.”  This tells me that he’s expecting to dominate from the start this year and I can just imagine what a comfortable Santana can do with our new pen all year.

 

 

This is the statement that has me a little worried though: “We’re going to regroup and get together”.

Hey guys... remember that orgy we had with John Tutor's wife?

On January 9th, our brand new 8th inning fireballer signed up for the waste of time called the WBC. He joins every impactful player on our team in leaving camp and playing against each other.

Darryl Strawberry once said that Spring Training is the place where a team bonds and forms “chemistry”. I realize the WBC is fun for some people to watch and the little South American villages get all randy over it, but what does this do for me as a Met fan except risk injury, risk chemistry and maybe supply me with a Delgado peeking early? I know people will tell me that it’s not all about America and what we want, but really, why as a Met fan should I give a rats ass that some guy somewhere wants to see our players play hard before they’re ready for fake teams in a contrived tournament?  More importantly, why does the management of our team… people who spend millions on these players, want to see this?

Heya there Freddie boy. I need to you to send some of them Mets ya got over here. I need to use them for something....

The Mets should ban their star players from playing, but god forbid the Howells irritate Commissioner Bud. So instead David Wright, Carlos Beltran, Carlos Delgado, Pedro Feliciano, Jose Reyes, Johan Santana and Francisco Rodriguez will all leave camp and not return until the season is about to start. Yeah, that sounds right. Who’s going to bond? Tatis and Tim Redding? I hope they all come back in once piece. God speed to Yohan’s magic arm.

Posted By Nik Kolidas

Filed under: New York Mets 2009-2010, Nik Kolidas

Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay – Mets Sign Redding

The Mets signed their second highest paid starter today for 2.25 million dollars – Tim Redding.  To me, this is a good and safe one-year deal.  In many ways, this reminds me of another 30 year old starter that the Mets took a chance on that was not a big strike out guy, gave up hits, some homeruns, but kept his team in the game. This guy later went on to put it all together and be one of the better, if not the best, Met starters – Rick Reed. 

 

 

While I admit, he is no Lowe (who I still think that the Mets will get – all it will take is a Bon Jovi recorded presentation and $1 more than the Braves), Redding is a good move for the following reasons:

 

1. The current sure starters are Santana, Pelfrey, and Maine – that’s it. In actuality, the Mets need two starters.  Redding was essentially the “Ace” of the last-place, no run scoring Nationals, but he did win 10 games. That’s the same number as Maine and just three less than Pelfrey. Who knows what will happen with a team that scores runs and plays defense.
2. The Mets are really not sure what they have in Pelfrey and Maine. Pelfrey had a very solid season, but he has yet to truly prove himself, while Maine is coming off an injury.
3. The deal is only for one-year and almost nothing (don’t tell the rest of America) financially.  In many ways, this reminds me of “chances” that successfully run  teams, like the Cardinals and Braves, take.
4. This almost guarantees that fans won’t see the likes of Lima, Vargas, Sosa, Park, etc.
5. If you really want to bitch, at least the Mets are not doing something like this
   http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3822641

 Posted by Gene Anthony

 

Counter Point – (Nik Kolidas)

I just know it Spike! It's the Mets...

When i first heard about Tim Redding becoming the Mets second highest paid starter (ignoring the disturbing fact that a major market team has only one starter being paid over 3 million dollars) I was upset. After looking at his career stats which include an appearance with the hated Yankees I was even more disappointed. He’s had two decent years (far apart from each other) and does not “eat innings”. In fact, he’s only cracked 100 innings 3 times in 8 seasons and one time it was exactly 100. I can think of many pitchers the Mets should be considering for the five spot and Redding is down there with Randy Wolf, who while being awful… at least had a good run once.

Then the NY Post calmed me down a little. Perhaps Redding is the Darren Oliver of this year and just a fill in for injured starters. He seemed to want to be on the team really bad. There are a few ways this can go..

• They want John Niece at 5 and Redding will be backing him up (bad idea)
• They want Lowe & Perez and want to use the idea of Redding as leverage, while earmarking him as the long man (Excellent Plan)
• They want Lowe/ Perez at 4 & Pedro at 5 with Redding as his backup (not so terrible as we’d be three deep at 5)
• They want Redding at 5 with Niece as his catty (Great idea for the Pirates)

Backup has arrived!

Seriously, I’m going to reserve judgment until pitchers and catchers… but simply put, on a major market team, Tim Redding is a mop up man/ fill in starter.

Counter Point

By Nik Kolidas

Filed under: Gene Anthony, New York Mets 2009-2010

I aint’ got Noooooo money honey!

Hey... didn't the Romans build pyramids too?

Here is a little food for thought. Honestly, I’m not sure how this changes anything about the off season, but I’m interested to get some feedback from someone NOT writing a post at 7AM. A lot of people were worried about money the Howells might have lost to the world’s greatest used car salesman and how it might effect the Mets. I know I know…. it’s shocking to see that someone other than the Mets marketing department was stealing money from Mets ownership. Madoff must have come after them with a catchy slogan (like “Catch the Rising Funds”) and maybe a signed Cookie Lavagetto jersey.

Hey... you're not Fred!

Well, not so fast. Lately, there’s been speculation that our fearless owners might not have lost what we all feared and this morning we find a fascinating tidbit from Fox News talking about how some long time investors actually profited from Madoff’s stolen funds and don’t know how to proceed going forward for fear of the government taking some of it back. Either way… you have to love the good karma filtering through $itifield from the start.

On the baseball front, Mets Geek has an interesting perspective, wondering if Omar has done all he can analyzing and anticipating this years market. I tend to agree, but we’ll know for sure once the dominos have all fallen.

Posted By Nik Kolidas

Filed under: New York Mets 2009-2010, Nik Kolidas

Enjoy 4th place

Where's everybody going?

 

This is kind of a fun read if  memories of the late 90′s Mets teams give you heartburn.

Chipper, Who Hates Players Who Talk, Keeps Talkin’…. And Hates The Braves

Nice to know his mind is 15 games out

 

 

 

 

Thanks to the always great MLB Trade Rumors for the link

posted by Nik Kolidas

Filed under: New York Mets 2009-2010, Nik Kolidas

Dude… Something most unusual is afoot at the Circle K

Something is going on…

 Hmmmmmmmm…

 

Omar is up to something. Maybe it’s wishful thinking, but this mlb report that implies Manny was not NOT discussed at this little meeting between Boras & Omar tells me that Omar still hasn’t given up on moving the Wilpons in the Manny direction. I don’t expect the Mets to be jumping in the deep end, but if the Dodgers sign another bat then there might not be any place for poor ol’ Manny to go but right field at $iti Field.

I said no more napping during games!

The more I think about Perez vrs. Lowe, the more I wonder how smart it is to let a 26 year old lefty with skills walk away in exchange for a somewhat more consistent pitcher who wants a ton of money and is more then a decade older. I’m just saying if Omar “settles” for Perez… all is not lost.

I just took a massive rotunda on 3rd base

 Dodger Park in Flushing got christened today by man’s best friend. I wonder if our second baseman will have trouble dogging it by the bag when he smells the piss of another similar dedicated professional. I hear the dog has good range…

Posted By Nik Kolidas

Filed under: New York Mets 2009-2010, Nik Kolidas

Can You Go Home?

It appears as if Jason Giambi is heading back to Oakland. www.prosportsdaily.com/comments/asgiambi-reunion-pending-physical-189990.html 

 

This brings up something that I have been pondering for over a week. – can a MLB player go home?  Many sport fans have players that they absolutely loved on their team that they have dreamed about coming back.  If you follow internet forums, like nj.com, which I (and other founding members of this blog) have posted on for years, Xavier Nady is certainly on that list for Mets fans.  The Xman, who now resides in Hell, provided many glimpses of greatness in just over a half a season with the Mets.  In fact, if Dirty had not been so anxious to hook up “food” in South Florida, Nady might still be in the Mets’ outfield (though that trade did bring Oliver Perez), and the Mets might have won a championship or two.  Another player on that list, that IS currently available, is Ty Wigginton, the guy that preceded D-Wright.  Wiggy was a gritty, hard-nosed, “knockaround guy” (see below post), that fans loved.    

 

When we conjure up these thoughts of bringing a player “home”, it makes me think – are there success stories?  That is, are there examples of MLB players that have come back to a team that have done very well the second time around, or are we trying to pick up the prom queen on our 20 year reunion?  Personally, I was elated when the Mets brought back Lee Mazzilli in 1986, and maybe he was great (in his own way).  Staub was certainly excellent as a pinch hitter as well during his second tour.  Seaver, well it just wasn’t the same, even though the Mets should have kept him for his 300^th win.  What I would like to hear are examples of guys that “lit it up” the second go-round (for any MLB team) – help me out.

 

BTW, if this site does not provide me with more money and 2009 luxury boxes, there are two other sites, per Boras, that have expressed “interest” in my services.  A rumor, and it is just that, is that it might be Matt

http://www.metsblog.com/ or Adam http://brooklynmetfan.com/ .

 

posted by Gene Anthony

 

Filed under: Gene Anthony, New York Mets 2009-2010

Aint’ No Sunshine When She’s Gone

Shea it aint’ so!

I wish they’d take it down already…. it’s painful to watch

posted by Nik Kolidas

Filed under: New York Mets 2009-2010, Nik Kolidas