11-12 Offseason – Page 20

Pedro Martinez and the Mets

December 4, 2011December 4, 2011 by Paul Festa

Two years after he threw his last pitch, Pedro Martinez plans to announce his retirement from major league baseball. There’s no question Pedro was one of the game’s most dominant pitchers in his prime. He won a total of 219 games and won 3 Cy Young Awards along the way. What’s more impressive is that … Read more

What Would You Ask Sandy Alderson?

December 2, 2011 by Joe Janish

Last night, I had the opportunity to ask Mets GM Sandy Alderson any question in the world via a blogger conference call. Hmm … the answer to world peace? cure for cancer? what it’ll take to sign Jose Reyes? Nah, I gave him a softball … and it was slightly incoherent, which I’ll blame on asking it while simultaneously fighting rush hour traffic on the Long Island Expressway (a.k.a., “my daily deathtrap”):

How Long is Mets Rebuilding Plan?

December 2, 2011 by Joe Janish

Assuming you believe the Mets are in a “rebuilding phase”, how long do you think the rebuilding plan will last? And why / how did you arrive at that time frame? The reason I ask is because there seems to me to be a wild variance among fans as to what constitutes “rebuilding” and a … Read more

2011 Evaluation: Josh Thole

December 1, 2011 by Joe Janish

OK, here’s the post where at least half of Mets fans decide they hate me, because they think I hate Josh Thole.

Let’s get one thing straight: I like all catchers, therefore I like Josh Thole. Second, I like Josh Thole as a ballplayer because he works very hard, hustles, and gets as much out of his talent as he possibly can. Despite the fact I like Josh Thole, I can’t let that cloud my evaluation of him as a Major League catcher. That said, in 2011 Josh Thole did not make me believe that he is, or could become, a starting catcher on a championship club.

Mets Hot on Dotel?

November 30, 2011 by Joe Janish

Anthony Di Como is reporting that the Mets may be “in the running” for reliever Octavio Dotel.

If so, they’re at least a year too late — and probably, still a dollar too short.

Nick Evans Signs with Pirates

November 30, 2011 by Joe Janish

Nick Evans has signed a minor-league contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates, presumably with an invitation to spring training. Good move for Nick, who — ironically — may have an opportunity to platoon with lefthanded-hitting Garret Jones at first base. I say “ironically” because it was less than two weeks ago that I compared Evans to … Read more

Red Sox Hire Bobby Valentine

November 30, 2011 by Joe Janish

In case you haven’t heard, former Mets utilityman Bobby Valentine has been chosen by the Boston Red Sox to be their manager in 2012. Valentine also managed the Mets at one point — if memory serves correctly, he was in the dugout the last time the Mets went to the World Series. Personally, I’m thrilled … Read more

Would You Trade Fernando Martinez for Chris Tillman?

November 29, 2011 by Matt Himelfarb

According to Roch Kubatko of MASN, the Orioles “would be willing to” trade right-hander Chris Tillman. If you recall, Tillman, who will be just 24 next year, was, not too long ago, one of the most highly regarded pitching prospects in the game. Drafted in the second round of the 2006 draft by Seattle, the … Read more