2011 Evaluation: Dale Thayer

Posted on November 23, 2011 by Joe Janish

Why waste a post on Dale Thayer, who pitched all of 11 games in relief? Why not? Continue reading →

Posted in 2011 Mets Evaluations | 1 Comment

Rangers Sign Joe Nathan

Posted on November 22, 2011 by Joe Janish

In case you missed it, the Texas Rangers have signed former Twins closer Joe Nathan to a two-year, $14.5M contract that includes an option for 2014.

Sorry Timo.

Apparently, Nathan was uninterested in the Mets’ generous and complex offer that consisted of an unlimited Metro Card, 10 copies of the Playing for Peanuts Uncensored 3-DVD set, gift certificates to the Shake Shack, 50 bags of popcorn, a poster signed by Dwight Gooden and Darryl Strawberry, and an undetermined amount of expired green stamps. But hey, you have to give the Mets’ front office credit for being creative.

With Joe Nathan off the market, I suppose the Mets will set their sights on Matt Capps, Frankie Francisco, and/or Fernando Rodney. Though, none of the three are old enough to know what green stamps are, and that could make the Mets offer appear less valuable.

In other news, former Mets captain of grission Ty Wigginton has been traded by the Colorado Rockies to the Philadelphia Phillies. A nice move for the Phils, who add Wiggy to a bench that already includes free-agent signee Jim Thome. Not too shabby — a solid one-two pinch-hitting punch for the late innings.

Another individual once associated with the Mets — Bobby Valentine — has emerged as the top candidate for the Boston Red Sox open managerial position. I can’t imagine a better fit for both parties.

As for the Mets, they are reportedly kicking the tires on Jack Wilson. Wow. Can you imagine? Talk about trumping all the above-mentioned news. It would be a quite a coup for the Mets if they can find a way to fit Wilson into their payroll … and of course, who would miss Jose Reyes if Jack Wilson were playing shortstop? Cross your fingers, and perhaps Christmas will come early for Mets fans!

Posted in 11-12 Offseason | Tagged , , , | 15 Comments

2011 Analysis: Josh Stinson

Posted on November 22, 2011 by Joe Janish

Like the last analysis, we have a very small sample size with which to make an evaluation on Josh Stinson. And like Chris Schwinden, Stinson was pitching at the end of a long season — for all we know, his unimpressive performance could have been due to fatigue. But, we’ll give it a go. Continue reading →

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2011 Analysis: Chris Schwinden

Posted on November 21, 2011 by Joe Janish

Due to a predetermined innings limit, Chris Schwinden was supposed to make only one Major League start — which turned out to be a 6-5 loss to the Atlanta Braves on September 8th. Although it was an inauspicious debut, it capped a feel-good story: the pinnacle of success for an overachieving non-prospect. Continue reading →

Posted in 2011 Mets Evaluations | Tagged , | 6 Comments

The Endy Chavez Encore and 10 Other Double-Duty Mets

Posted on November 18, 2011 by Dan Capwell

A recent NYDN article indicated that the Mets have “discussed” a reunion with OF Endy Chavez. FWIW, I am in favor of this deal and hope it gets done. One of my reasons for this is that if Endy dons the orange and blue again, he becomes an interesting part of Mets History—players who have had two tours of duty with the Mets.

Technically, this would be Endy’s third go round with the Mets. First he was in their farm system from 1997-2001. He returned and played for the big club from 2006 through the end of the 2008 season before departing to Seattle in the massive three-team, twelve player deal that December.

So how have other encore performances worked out for the Mets? We’re glad you asked!
1. Rusty Staub (1972-75, 1981-85): This is the best recycled player the franchise has had to date. After a four year stint with the Mets where he hit 62 homers and drove in 307 runs, the Mets shipped Le Grande Orange to Detroit for Mickey Lolich after the 1975 season, easily one of the worst deals in franchise history. Six years later, Frank Cashen undid that move and Staub returned to the Mets as a free agent. In 1983, he tied an NL record with eight straight pinch-hits and in that same season also tied the Major League record of 25 RBIs by a pinch hitter. He lasted until 1985, providing veteran leadership for a team on the rise. One of the more beloved Mets, he was later elected into the Mets Hall of Fame.
2. Lee Mazzilli (1976-82, 1986-89): Boy, I seem to blog about Maz often and for good reason: he has a fascinating history as a Met. His first stint from 1976 through 1981 coincided with one of the worst periods in team history. He was dealt to Texas before the 1982 season for Ron Darling and Walt Terrell, a deal largely credited (by me at least) in sparking the franchise’s resurgence. In 1986 the Mets picked him back up on waivers from the Pirates and he played an important part of their championship team. He hit .306 the next year and his career with the Mets continued until 1989.
3. Dave Kingman (1975-77, 1981-83): Dave clubbed 62 home runs for the Mets, some of them legendary, during his first two and a half seasons with the club. He also struck out 344 times in 1,208 ABs, couldn’t field a lick and was a surly clubhouse presence. He was shipped to San Diego as part of the June 15 1977 “Midnight Massacre.” The Mets re-acquired him before the 1981 season for Steve Henderson, another one of the trade principles from that fateful June evening. It was more of the same: Kong hit 52 homeruns and struck out 334 times in 1,136 at bats. His personality hadn’t changed and the Mets were glad to see him go after the 1983 season.
4. Tom Seaver (1966-76, 1983): The Worst Trade in Mets History (a.k.a the Midnight Massacre) sent their Franchise Player to Cincinnati in 1977. (Kingman went to San Diego in a separate deal that same night). Cashen undid that move by trading back for him in 1983. Tom lasted a season with the Mets, going 9 and 14 before being exposed a free agent compensation draft and getting claimed by the White Sox. I will always wonder why the Mets couldn’t have traded a prospect or two to the Sox instead and kept him. Seaver later moved to Boston and created a “what if” scenario, as an injury kept him off the Bosox active roster during the 1986 World Series.
5. Kevin McReynolds (1987-1991, 1994): Forgot this one? Kevin came to symbolize all that was wrong with the late 1980’s Mets and was run out of town in 1991. His replacement was Vince Coleman, who came to symbolize all that was wrong with the early 1990’s Mets until he was run out of town after the 1993 season—to Kansas City for McReynolds. K-Mac hit .256 during the strike-shortened 1994 season and then called it a career.
6. Jason Isringhausen (1995-99, 2011): Nice story last year, but is probably moving on again. His first go round with the Mets is worth a post in itself.
7. Tim Foli (1970-71, 78-79): Ah, Crazy Horse. Traded for Staub and then had his contract purchased by the Mets from the Giants in 1978. Later traded again, this time to Pittsburgh in early 1979 for Frank Taveras; a move that I loved at the time. He helped Pittsburgh win a World Series the next year.
8. Mike Jorgensen (1970-71, 1980-83): Traded with Foli and Ken Singleton for Staub prior to the 1972 season. Came back to the Mets in 1980 with Ed Lynch in a deal for Willie Montanez (not a bad trade!) The Mets sold his contract to Atlanta in 1983 on the same day they acquired Keith Hernandez from the Cardinals. Nice Upgrade.
9. Bill Pulsipher (1995-98, 2000): Can’t miss prospect that missed. Twice.
10. Bobby Bonilla (1992-95, 1999): Hard to believe, but his second stint with the Mets was worse than his first. The Mets are now paying him a million a year until around 2025.

Honorable Mentions: Kelly Stinnett, Alex Trevino, Ray Sadecki, Al Jackson, Bob L. Miller and David Cone.

Did I miss anyone?

Posted in 11-12 Offseason | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 14 Comments

Blog Roundup: Uniform-mania!

Posted on November 18, 2011 by Paul Festa

While the Jose Reyes talk settles into an eerie lull – like the fifth inning of a close ballgame – the talk around Metsland is the introduction of new uniforms for 2012.  They have a retro look, and feature a 50th anniversary sleeve patch.  We Mets fans are very particular about our uniforms.

Will there be uniformity among the Blogs?:

  • Mets Police led the charge for a more traditional look (as well as Banner Day, which will make its return in 2012), and is happy to have his Mets back.
  • Faith and Fear says the changes are almost perfect (the last paragraph is a thing of beauty).
  • Kranepool Society talks about his experience at the press conference to announce the 50th anniversary celebration (and new uniforms).
  • Real Dirty has a slew of pictures and videos from the press conference, including this “blogger all-star” interview with David Wright.
  • Mr. Met is my Brother looks at the 50th anniversary from the perspective of a teenager.
  • Mets Fever has the teamwork to make the dream work, and a link to a making-of documentary of the “Lets Go Mets” 1986 music video.

Have a great weekend, and keep checking out Mets Today for all the latest.

Posted in 11-12 Offseason, Around the Blogs | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Pridie Gone, Evans and Buchholz Free

Posted on November 18, 2011 by Joe Janish

The Oakland Athletics have signed Jason Pridie, who was waived by the Mets a few days ago and exercised his right to become a free agent.

Interesting the Pridie was able to find employment so quickly. Just as interesting, that the great genius Himself — Billy Beane — is who signed him. Makes you wonder: did the brilliant Mets front office blunder? Which of Pridie’s stats is Beane looking at and deeming a market inefficiency? Is Pridie the next Scott Hatteberg? Inquiring minds want to know …

In all seriousness, I like Pridie and believed it made sense for the Mets to keep him around. But, the fact they let him go makes me believe that the Mets will tender a contract to Angel Pagan, since there are no other centerfielders in the organization with MLB experience (OK, maybe you can count Fernando Martinez and Jason Bay). Not that Pridie would have had a shot at starting in 2012, but he was a solid backup. What do you think? Is this a move designed to insure that Captain Kirk Nieuwenhuis moves up the totem pole and gets a legit shot at MLB playing time in 2012? If so I’m happy with that plan.

In other news, both Nick Evans and Taylor Buchholz have officially declared free agency. That doesn’t necessarily mean that they will flee Flushing. But it does mean they are free to explore all options. I know that Evans is not likely to become an everyday player for a championship team, but I do believe he has value to someone. I can see him turning into a Garrett Jones — getting a chance to play fairly regularly for a bad team, putting up surprising power numbers, and making a decent living for himself as part-time MLBer. I also still think he should consider donning the tools of ignorance, just to add some value as an emergency backstop.

As for Buchholz, there is still a question as to whether he will pitch for anyone in 2012, since he is still dealing with depression. I believe that a healthy Buchholz can be a solid middle reliever. But, I also put his need to heal from his mental issues over my desire for him to pitch for the Mets, and if to become mentally healthy it makes more sense for him to play elsewhere, I’m not going to begrudge the guy nor get upset about him leaving. Obviously I have no knowledge of the details of his challenges but I do know that New York is one of the most stressful places in the world to live and work — even if one is not a MLB player. Buchholz seems like a nice kid with legit talent so I hope he gets through this and is able to play baseball again, be it in New York or elsewhere — if that’s what he wants to do.

Two other former Mets free agents are in the news: Omar Minaya and Bobby Valentine. Both, apparently, are being considered for jobs with the Boston Red Sox. Interesting, no?

Posted in 11-12 Offseason | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

The Mets Make Fan-Friendly Changes

Posted on November 17, 2011 by Paul Festa

Heading into their 50th anniversary season, the Mets have made a noticeable effort to become more fan-friendly.  They’ve announced several changes this offseason that show they are listening to their fans.

The Walls

Citi Field's new dimensions.

First, the Mets redesigned the outfield wall in Citi Field to make it fairer, particularly for David Wright and Jason Bay, who seemed spooked by the original dimensions of the new ballpark.  And conventional wisdom states that offense sells tickets.  The walls will also be colored Mets blue, a feature most fans have clamored for since Citi opened.

Banner Day

Returning by popular demand is Banner Day.  This was a distinctly Mets tradition that started in 1963 and ended in 1996.   Fans would parade around the field at Shea Stadium with signs ranging from words scrawled on a bed sheet with a marker to carefully-designed placards, all of which allowed fans to express their singular passion for their team.  Think of it as Twitter in poster form.  (As such, the 2012 edition of Banner Day could be quite interesting.)

Uniforms

The new jerseys.

To the delight of traditionalists, the Mets have introduced new uniforms for 2012 that are reminiscent of the original uniforms of the 60s and early 70s.  The black and blue cap has been eliminated, and the black jerseys will only be worn on occasion.  The black drop shadow has been removed from the ivory pinstripe, snow white, and road grey uniforms.  These three uniforms will be worn with the all-blue hat with orange “NY” logo.

50th Anniversary Patch

The 50th Anniversary patch will be worn on the uniform sleeves and on the back of the caps.  It’s a classy design that erases the memory of the tacky Citi Field inaugural season sleeve patch.

New Ticket Plans

The team has a new 15-game plan that, according to the press release, “provides fans the flexibility to pick the games they want.”  They will also offer four 20-game plans, two of which consist of weekend games and holidays.  Five-game plans start at $50.

Shannon over at Mets Police has a tremendous analysis of the new plans.  Sounds like the jury is still out on how affordable these plans will be.

*****

The Mets have done a lot of things wrong over the past few years, and have received justifiable criticism in return from the fans and media alike.  When it comes to celebrating their 50th anniversary, they’re doing it right, and should be praised.

Will it make up for a mediocre on-field product while the rebuild takes place?  No.  Will it make the experience at Citi Field more enjoyable?  Yes.

Mets fans are a loyal, passionate breed.  They’ve been through the wringer countless times and stuck by their team.  They deserve to be heard, and the Mets are finally listening.

 

Posted in 11-12 Offseason | 18 Comments