Archive for December, 2011
Can Mets Get Anything Worthwhile for David Wright?
My former “boss” Rob Neyer relayed a completely fabricated and untrue rumor about a David Wright trade to the Phillies. In the proposed deal, Wright would go to the Phillies in return for Domonic Brown, Vance Worley, and Phillippe Aumont. Personally, I’m not sure I’d do that deal, but all things considered — i.e., Wright’s [...]
New Year, New Beginning
With hours to go until the New Year, 2011 is taking its final bows, and 2012 is ready for its debut. Most people look upon the New Year as chance for a fresh start, a chance to evaluate their lives and set new goals – maybe look for a new job, find a new hobby, [...]
2011 Evaluation: Dan Murphy
What to do with Dan Murphy? That’s the burning question in Metsville. After posting a .320 AVG, .360 OBP, and .809 OPS, Dan Murphy has convinced many that he can hit. But can he field? The jury is out, as there are differences in opinion. Some point to his sparkling UZR as evidence of his [...]
2011 Evaluation: Ruben Tejada
This is the part of evaluations where I’d really like to be discussing Jose Reyes. Unfortunately, Reyes has moved on to greener pastures, so we won’t go through the pain and torture of analyzing his 2011 season — the first in which a New York Met won a batting title. Instead, we’ll skip to Reyes’ [...]
Sonnanstine and Corpas Off the Table
The Chicago Cubs have signed free agent pitchers Andy Sonnanstine and Manny Corpas to minor league contracts, inviting both to spring training. While I don’t believe either of them would have turned the Mets into a contender, I’m mildly surprised that
Can the Mets Find Investors?
As you probably know, the Mets are in severe financial straits and in dire need of cash. Toward that end, they’re trying to raise about $200M by convincing 10 investors to pony up $20M each, in return for the following: – 4% interest in the ballclub – “access” to Mr. Met (but not Mrs. Met) [...]
2011 Evaluation: Justin Turner
The biggest competition in Port St. Lucie last March was at second base, where Luis Castillo, Dan Murphy, and Brad Emaus auditioned for the starting position. Oh, there was mention of Justin Turner, but the scrappy utilityman was written off fairly early; even the names Luis Hernandez and Chin-lung Hu were ahead of Turner on [...]
Happy Birthday Rickey Henderson
It’s somewhat ironic that someone who was always stealing things was born on a day that’s all about giving, but Rickey Henderson was born on this day, December 25, 1958. Happy Birthday, Rickey! Other former Mets celebrating their birthday today include Ruben Gotay, Jack Hamilton, Al Jackson, Dennis Musgraves, and Orange, NJ native Tom O’Malley. [...]
Rumor: Mets To Cancel Spring Training
No need to count down the days to when pitchers and catchers report — the Mets may cancel spring training, according to a source close to The Situation.
Addendum To Mets’ Cutting GCL Club
After reading, watching, and listening to several perspectives on the Mets’ decision to eliminate their Gulf Coast League team, I have a few bullet points to present for conversation: – Various reports confirm that a GCL club costs less than $1M to operate. If the Mets have to find ways to skim such a relatively [...]
The Lesson of Generation K
This question was emailed to me by “Dan B”: Hey Joe, I keep hearing that we are basing this whole rebuilding phase around 2014 and our pitching prospects. Well, I lived through 1969 and our pitching prospects won us a World Series. I also lived through Generation K. I look at our current prospects and [...]
Mets Cutting Rookie League Team
According to Adam Rubin, the Mets are eliminating a minor league team: The Mets will eliminate their Gulf Coast League team based in Port St. Lucie for 2012, not Kingsport. The cost-saving move still leaves the Mets will eight affiliates, including two in the Dominican Republic, which is more than most organizations, the Mets noted. [...]
Will Mets Release Fernando Martinez?
According to Mike Puma of the New York Post, the Mets are considering “unloading” Fernando Martinez, and might even release the young outfielder. C’mon now, seriously?
Mets Outbid On Darvish
Looks like Mets fans will not get a Japanese superstar pitcher under their Christmas tree this year, as the Texas Rangers narrowly outbid the Mets for the right to negotiate with Yu Darvish.
2011 Evaluation: Ike Davis
Remember Ike Davis? He was the really tall first baseman with the big-fly swing. You may remember him from the early spring, when there was still a shred of hope for Mets fans.
