Ryan Braun Cleared But Nothing is Clear

Posted on February 25, 2012 by Joe Janish

By now you probably know that Ryan Braun will not be serving a 50-game suspension that was originally issued because his urine tested positive test for PEDs last fall. According to Braun, he was exonerated because “The truth is on my side.” That’s incorrect; he avoided suspension because his legal team poked a hole in the process of collecting his urine sample and sending it to the lab. In other words, Braun was not suspended because of a technicality that may or may not have had anything to do with the test itself. Continue reading →

Posted in 11-12 Offseason | Tagged | 11 Comments

Blog Roundup: Helicopter Fans

Posted on February 24, 2012 by Paul Festa

In this day and age of the new media, your favorite ballclub can’t do anything without it being scrutinized.  The fans and the media jumped on Jeff Wilpon, Sandy Alderson, John Ricco, and Terry Collins for taking a helicopter to Miami to watch Jeremy Lin and the Knicks play the Heat.  Perhaps it’s not unworthy of scrutiny considering how deep in the hole that Mets are.  But it’s probably a story that will eventually blow away like so much prop wash.

Time for some Blogsanity:

  • WFAN’s Eddie Coleman took video of the affronting aircraft.
  • Mets cetera comments on what Choppergate means to the struggling team’s image.
  • Metsblog, meanwhile, has a new picture of the construction of the new fence in right-center field at Citi.
  • Adam Rubin reports that the judge presiding over the $386 million clawback lawsuit against Wilpon n’ Family tossed 3 witnesses: one of whom was named John Maine (Not THAT John Maine).
  • MMO profiles infield prospect Danny Muno.
  • Daily Stache begins an early campaign to vote Ike Davis into the All-Star Game.

Check Mets Today early and often for all-star coverage of the Mets.

 

Posted in Around the Blogs | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

Three Ways Bobby Parnell Can Improve

Posted on February 22, 2012 by Joe Janish

A few weeks ago we discussed Bobby Parnell as question #3 in Mets spring training. The question was whether the fireballing righthander would take a step forward as a MLB pitcher — i.e., evolve into a bonafide setup man (or, dare I say, closer?) — or has he reached his ceiling?

I would like to believe there is more effectiveness trapped inside Bobby Parnell‘s right arm, and he need only focus on a few things to raise his game to a new level. In fact, three things: Continue reading →

Posted in 11-12 Offseason | Tagged | 14 Comments

Blog Roundup: First Week of “Spring”

Posted on February 21, 2012 by Paul Festa

Yes, it’s February, but MLB teams officially opened their Spring Training camps on Monday.  The time for speculation is growing short, while the moment of truth (Opening Day) fast approaches.

The Blogs are warming up:

  • MMO has an early mock draft.
  • The Bitter Bill says Jon Niese is breathing easier.
  • Adam Rubin feels the Mets need a healthy Johan Santana if they are to have any chance at all in the East.
  • Mets Fever is bearish on Zach Lutz‘s chances of making the team, especially since he’s wearing an O-Lineman’s number.
  • LoHud compares the Mets to a PBS drama.
  • Amazin’ Avenue has an old clip with some sage advice from Vin Scully.

Stay tuned to Mets Today for all your Spring Training coverage.

Posted in 11-12 Offseason, Around the Blogs | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Blog Roundup: First Week of “Spring”

Vote For Citi Field

Posted on February 21, 2012 by Joe Janish

Budget Travel magazine is accepting nominations for “15 Places Kids Should See Before 15.” I nominated Citi Field for obvious reasons: baseball is America’s Pastime, and where else can a kid meet Mr. Met?

Please go to the Budget Travel website and vote a “thumbs up” for Citi Field.

Regardless of how disappointed you are with the way the Mets are looking lately, or how you feel about the financial and legal situations, we are all Mets fans, we are all baseball fans, Citi Field is in fact a nice place to watch a ballgame, and wouldn’t we rather have a kid watch baseball in Flushing rather than, say, the Bronx or Philadelphia? Lord knows we don’t need any more Yankees fans or Phillies fans on this planet.

Go here to vote for Citi Field. Scroll down, find Citi field, click on the “thumbs up” button, and add in any comments if you wish.

Posted in 11-12 Offseason | Tagged | 5 Comments

Where is Jason Isringhausen?

Posted on February 20, 2012 by Joe Janish

This question comes from MetsToday reader “Bill M” :

I believe that Jason Isringhausen is still available to sign? He still has some gas in his tank and would be a great mentor for the young pitchers on the staff so why not sign him or at least invite him to spring training like last season??? He also came up through the Mets system and did a nice job last year until the problems with his back. A physical would let the management know if he is OK for this season? If no other team is interested he might sign for a fair price if he still wants to play?? Sounds like a no-brainer to me???

Interesting question, Bill. To you, it may be a no-brainer, but to the 2012 Mets, it’s Continue reading →

Posted in 11-12 Offseason | Tagged | 9 Comments

Mets Spring Training Question 1: Who Will Be the 25th Man?

Posted on February 19, 2012 by Joe Janish

With pitchers and catchers reporting to Port St. Lucie tomorrow, we have one more question that needs to be answered during Mets spring training: who will be the 25th man on the Opening Day roster? Continue reading →

Posted in 11-12 Offseason | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments

Mets Spring Training Question 2: Who Will Be the Second LOOGY?

Posted on February 18, 2012 by Joe Janish

With two days left before pitchers and Molinas (no, I never get tired of using that phrase) report to Port St. Lucie, let’s consider question number 2 to be answered during Mets spring training: who will be the second Left Handed One Out GuY in the bullpen? Continue reading →

Posted in 11-12 Offseason | 4 Comments