When I heard the Mets picked up a lefthanded pitcher named Marshall for the bullpen, I was kind of hoping his first name was Sean.
Instead, it is Jay.
Jay Marshall was claimed off waivers from the Oakland Athletics and added to the 40-man roster (which now comprises 39 players). Whether he’ll be the “second LOOGY” to Pedro Feliciano remains to be seen.
Marshall has had success at every level of the minors, including the hitter-happy PCL, but Continue reading
While it’s true the Mets are still in the market for a 2010 starting catcher — and all signs are pointing to the venerable Bengie Molina — they should also be concerned about who might be the backstop in Flushing through the next decade.
Yes, Josh Thole is the guy everyone has targeted to be the Mets’ catcher of the future, but Thole has some gaping holes in his game and incomplete skills development. In other words, as much as I love the kid, there’s still much projection and a lot of hoping and wishing contributing to the excitement surrounding him. It would behoove the Mets to look into some competition / plan B possibilities.
According to Pittsburgh Post-Gazette journalist Dejan Kovacevic: Continue reading
Enough is enough. If I hear, read, or see one more complaint about Jason Bay’s defense, I’m going to scream.
Since the day after the World Series ended, Jason Bay’s defense has been on trial. His deficiencies in the field have been brightly exposed by every negative stat, scouting report, and fan comment that could be unearthed. According to seemingly hundreds of sources, the Mets would do better to place a stone monument in left field rather than Jason Bay.
We get it, OK? Jason Bay’s “thing” is not defense. Now let’s move on to realistic considerations. Continue reading
Highly touted lefthanded flamethrower Aroldis Chapman has signed with the Cincinnati Reds for $30M over 5 years.
The 21-year-old Cuban defector had been likened to #1 overall draft pick Stephen Strasburg in terms of age, skill set, and peak potential, and wound up receiving double the money Strasburg received. Strasburg, of course, did not have the benefit of negotiating a deal from all 30 teams.
The Mets were never much of a factor in the Chapman bidding. Like fellow countryman Noel Arguelles, I’m not sure the pressure-cooker environment of New York City would be the best place for a very young defector to begin his pitching career and life in the United States.
Does that mean the Mets can never sign a talented young ballplayer? Of course not, but right now, an athlete with Chapman’s skills would immediately be tabbed as some kind of a savior to a struggling, high profile franchise such as the Mets. There are few young men who can handle that kind of pressure from the fans and media while also adjusting to life in the USA. Look no further than the expectations hoisted upon the shoulders of 20-year-old Fernando Martinez to get an idea of what someone like Chapman or Arguelles would have to endure. Then, remember that F-Mart has been in the organization for a few years, and had the opportunity to adjust to pro ball and the US while the Mets were doing well — i.e., no one was in a rush to get Martinez to the bigs as long as the team was winning with Beltran, Delgado, Wright, Reyes, etc. in place. Today, though, the Mets are coming off their worst record in a half-decade, have little in the way of prospects, and are desperate for quality pitching. There would be pressure not only a young stud like Chapman or Arguelles to do well, but there would also be pressure on the Mets front office — specifically Omar Minaya — to rush him up to the big leagues (see: Pelfrey, Mike).
The Red Sox made official the signing of third baseman Adrian Beltre, and at the same time announced the trade of Casey Kotchman for Bill Hall. Hall can play every outfield and infield position, but has played more MLB games at the hot corner than anywhere else.
These announcements virtually guarantee that incumbent 3B Mike Lowell will be traded as soon as possible. Continue reading
MLB.com is reporting that the Royals have signed 19-year-old righthanded pitcher Noel Arguelles to a five-year, $7M Major League contract.
Despite his young age, the Cuban defector has extensive international experience and is highly touted as.
According to Royals GM Dayton Moore:
“He’s 6-4, 225 and very athletic, very competitive,” Moore said. “He’s got an above-average fastball and changeup, a curveball and slider. He’s certainly a top pick if he was in the Draft this year.”
“We feel he’ll be a top-of-the-rotation pitcher at some point in his career,” Moore said.
It didn’t appear that the Mets were ever a major player in signing Arguelles, which is too bad considering the final price tag. The dollars seem relatively cheap for a young pitcher with his skill set, and the only downside is that KC will have to carry him on their 40-man roster regardless of whether he’s ready for the bigs (considering the Mets have wasted 40-man spots on people like Robinson Cancel in the past, that wouldn’t have been a major issue). Though, New York may not have been the best place for Arguelles to develop. The spotlight would be over him from his first pitch in A ball, and the pressure to promote him would have been incessant — similar to when Mike Pelfrey was drafted. With Kansas City Arguelles will have the time to develop at his pace, in a relaxed atmosphere.
MMMEeeetss zzazasign RRRRRRRRRRussa;ldkja; Adddddd
Sorry … I was shaking with so much excitement when I heard the news that the Mets signed Russ Adams that I could barely type!
Yes, it’s true — the Mets have finally landed a low-cost, lefthanded-hitting, super-utilityman who can ably man both middle infield positions as well as fill in at 3B and the OF if necessary.
Oh wait, didn’t they already sign Alex Cora? Well then I guess Russ Adams is the “backup to the backup”, as Jerry Manuel might say.
Which further begs the question: if someone with Adams’ skill set is available for a paltry minor-league deal and MLB-minimum salary, what was the point of signing Cora to an extravagant and guaranteed $2M contract (with an option, no less) ?
Oh, right … Adams doesn’t have nearly the same “influence in the clubhouse”. Whatever.
I like this signing. Adams is a hustling, athletic performer who never quite fulfilled the promise attached to his status as a former #1 pick, but is fine as a bench man / AAA depth. His hitting is only so-so but he has shown good discipline / strike zone judgment, is fundamentally sound, and can play all areas of the game. His arm might be a little weak to play shortstop over a long period of time but it’s fine for second base and he’s otherwise solid on defense. There was a point early in his career that scouts compared him to Brian Roberts, and he was an everyday player for the Blue Jays as recently as 2005.
Today we will find out what players have been voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, and among the candidates is former Met Roberto Alomar.
Many consider Alomar to be the very best defensive second baseman in baseball history. That alone should get him into the HOF, but he also has offensive stats to support the argument. He finished his 17-year All-Star career with 2724 hits and an exact .300 average, as well as a .374 OBP and .814 OPS — pretty damn good numbers for any second baseman, but particularly impressive for one with his prowess in the field. He was an All-Star a dozen times and won 10 Gold Gloves. He should be a shoo-in for the Hall. But, he may not make it in this year. Continue reading