Mets are Stalkers?
It’s been pointed out by The Trolley Dodger that the Mets have been stalking the Los Angeles Dodgers for some time now.
Taking a look at the Mets 40-man roster, you’ll see nine former Dodgers: Guillermo Mota, Aaron Sele, Sandy Alomar Jr., Paul LoDuca, Jose Valentin, Shawn Green, Pedro Martinez, Duaner Sanchez, and the recently added Marlon Anderson — who’d been released by the Dodgers a few weeks ago.
But it doesn’t end there. Willie Randolph played for the Dodgers, as did Rickey Henderson, and Guy Conti was previously on the coaching staff of the Dodgers.
And of course, there is the matter of the Brooklyn Cyclones playing in the Dodgers’ original hometown, and CitiField’s design based on Ebbets Field.
About the Author
Joe Janish began MetsToday in 2005 to provide the unique perspective of a high-level player and coach -- he earned NCAA D-1 All-American honors as a catcher and coached several players who went on to play pro ball. As a result his posts often include mechanical evaluations, scout-like analysis, and opinions that go beyond the numbers.
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But, the Mets are the ‘new Dodgers’ anyway. Our existence is due to the fact the Dodgers (and Giants left NY).
Which itself is why a black flag should hang where the 1988 pennant should have been.
And why Piazza’s jersy should be retired when we play the Dodgers. And We should re-acquire Mike for this playoff run add him to the 40 man and see if he is worthy of a Sept roster spot.
Piazza for September … hmm … if he was able to play 1B or the OF, maybe … but he was godawful as a catcher when he left, and couldn’t have improved. I’d rather put Castro behind the plate, and likely get similar offensive performance (at least, in spurts).
I really think that if the transition of Piazza to 1B had been handled differently, he’d still be with the club (damn Art Howe!). It still amazes me that a guy who played 1B his entire life before pro ball could go back to the position and look so completely out of place.
1. Yes. There is talk that A’s could release him, or trade him. He could be the 3rd catcher injury not with standing, and provide PH power in Sept. Plus in the WS could be activated to DH. Just random thoughts. castro has power, but he is NOTY Mike Piazza. His power is still game changing . The issue is health (and PR).
2. On another note: 11 days and counting and the deadline sweeps are open. Dotel, Greinke, cordero are premium names.
To be contoversial, I think given the price of middle relivers (see Sho & bradford) not to mention closeras, Joe Smith becomes a huge trade chip to us. say Dotel for Joe Smith? Joe would probably be sent to NOLA if he wasnt being showcased, plusEddie Kunz is probably a higher ceiling type replacement. Formerly Heilman was more actively shopped, but to me it makes more sense that Joe is probably more valuable to a KC or Tampa as he will be under control (fiscally) much longer. Just lighting fires.
3. I was right on Newhan. I think Millz is bait too. Gomez might be stashed on IR until Spring.
Piazza is SO bad behind the plate, but I’d take him in a heartbeat over Alomar Jr. But at what cost? Surely the Red Sox or other AL teams are willing to give up something more substantial than the Mets. And, I get the feeling that Omar has no interest in seeing Piazza back in a Met uniform … just my feeling.
Dotel moves somewhere, no doubt about it. I’d give up Smith for him, absolutely. Cordero will cost too much. I think David Weathers would be here if he weren’t from the Duquette era.
LMillz is bait, but for who? Joe Blanton? Eric Gagne? Javy Vazquez? I think there was a better chance of Milledge moving last year at this time than this year — unless Omar is willing to do a major deal.
Bingo:
Omar has bait: joe Smith, Millz, devaney, Pelfrey, Camacho, Ryan Cullen, Ahern, Coles
What will he use, or will there be a deal he likes is another question.
What is credible is what HAS materialized. Last yr he strengthened the pen with Rohern and G Mota, now that Sho has turned a corner he deserves credit there. But he usually has given up few premium prospects (unlike his previous job-or the previous GM). Last yr he balked at a deal for Zito, then the deal for Oswalt collapsed. So he WILL make a deal. But UNLIKE duquette we wont know that deal unytill it happens.
Remarkable that the Kaz deal was out there 3 days BEFORE black Friday and soundly condened .
I think A deal for Jose Guillen would not be costly either and could be a clincher.
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/
Mets update is there.
I’m not high on Guillen because of the history of attitude and clubhouse issues, and I suspect Omar feels similarly.
How about getting Reggie Sanders for next-to-nothing? Even if he doesn’t hit, I like his ability to be on World Series teams. A little luck can’t hurt.
Guillen can hit (all day) Sanders is past. Remember Preston Wilson esq was a difference maker for the Cards.
‘Trouble makers’ Barrett and bradley, hand delivered two wins for their new team this week against us……….
New business: i am appalled by the nonsense concerning trades out there;
Pelfrey may npot have lit up the Manhatten landscape but
I expect him to be traded this Aug/off season, and I expect he WILL suceed elsewhere as some many Mets wseem to do. The latest success (after Brian Bannister) is Lenn DiNardo. DiNardo was good enough to be selected to play for the US as Millz and Bannister have done also. Other notables from this USA team include Sheets. I see a blooger thinks Gomez and Pelfrey would not fetch Oswalt. Maybe not. But throw in a long shot prospect or Johnson and I think its a deal.
I seem to remember one Scott Kazmir being available because he was a short, wrong build, bad delivery pitcher and an injury timebomb- executed in the NY media.
Guillen can also cry and moan and complain all day, and I don’t think the Mets will think he’s worth the expense or the potential trouble. I could be wrong.
I agree, Pelfrey is gone and he should go while value is high. Houston will want more than three unproven youngsters in return for Oswalt — especially after the PR fallout from the Jason Jennings deal gone wrong.
I thought Kazmir was available because Duquette was a numbskull?
Got a space in there, like Shea Stadium, not SheaStadium, it’s Citi Field, two words.
http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/nym/ballpark/citifield_overview.jsp
Thanks for the tip!
Citi Field