First the Mets say they’re going to pay, then they say maybe not. They already have the second-highest payroll in MLB, and Jeff Wilpon claims the Mets will continue to spend as much as anyone to improve the team. But will they? And more importantly, should they?
Steve Serby has an entertaining Q&A with Wally Backman in today’s New York Post, which I encourage you to read. In case you missed it, Bart Hubbach posits Backman as a possible successor to Jerry Manuel. David Lennon presented “leftover thoughts” regarding the Backman hiring. Ben Shpigel of The New York Times gives his take … Read more
According to Adam Rubin of the Daily News, the Mets’ “Plan B” for a power-hitting left fielder is Jose Guillen.
No, that is not a joke.
The Mets have been linked to Guillen before, as Omar Minaya seems to have a fascination with the volatile and sullen slugger. It didn’t make sense to obtain him a year ago, and it makes less sense now, for the same reasons.
Before, it didn’t make sense because Guillen was
Free agents go on the open market today, and with a lack of trading chips, the Mets are expected to dive in deep to fill their multiple holes.
At minimum, they need at least one starting pitcher — maybe two; a catcher; a left fielder; a utility infielder; a LOOGY; a righthanded reliever; and a first baseman (though, that one’s up for argument).
With so many holes to fill and the Mets desperate to erase the 2009 season from memory, fans should fear the following.
This afternoon in an appearance on XM 175 MLB Home Plate (SIRIUS 210), former Mets catcher Paul LoDuca expressed a desire to return to the big leagues in 2010.
LoDuca missed all of 2009 due to injuries, but claims he is now 100 percent healthy, and ready to make a comeback.
The feisty catcher hit .318 in 2006 with the Mets, but dropped to .272 in 2007 before leaving the team as a free agent.
Here is what LoDuca had to say on XM:
According to Baseball America, the Braves have released former phenom outfielder Brian Barton.
Barton was considered a great athlete but went undrafted after a strong career at U Miami, as clubs believed he’d make use of his aerospace engineering degree rather than pursue baseball. However, he signed a $100,000 bonus (plus another $100K for schooling) with the Indians, and has been a prodigal nomad ever since.
The Beaneheads like Barton’s plate discipline and ability to
Stop the presses! The Mets have hired Dave Jauss as their bench coach for 2010!
I can envision people dancing in the streets upon hearing this extraordinary news.
Seriously, though, it’s an interesting choice. Clearly, Jauss is
As mentioned in an earlier post, the list of minor league free agents has been released, and there are more than a few intriguing men to consider.
Following are a few in particular that caught my eye, in no particular order.
