May 13, 2013 Link Dump Paul Festa

Mets Sign Ankiel, Starts Tonight

Rick Ankiel already helped the Mets once – during the 2000 playoffs. Now they’ll hope he can help them again (in a more traditional sense).

The Mets signed recent Astros castoff Rick Ankiel today.

Terry Collins said the lefty-hitting Ankiel and righty-hitting Juan Lagares will platoon in center field. That’s a blow to Jordany Valdespin, who Collins said may play some second base if Daniel Murphy continues to struggle.

Apart from his arm, Ankiel doesn’t provide much of an upgrade in the outfield. His last really good offensive season came in 2008, when he hit 28 home runs. This year, he has a .715 OPS which is less than that of the other left-handed hitting outfielders Mike Baxter and Valdespin.

Looks like Sandy Alderson is trying to catch lightning in a bottle. Or maybe the team was secretly hijacked by Omar Minaya.

Andrew Brown was optioned to Triple-A.

So there’s that.

Tags: Alderson, Ankiel, Baxter, mets, murphy, Valdespin

Paul Festa

Paul is a freelance writer, blogger, and broadcast technology professional residing in Denver. A New Jersey native, he is a long-suffering Mets fan, a recently-happy Giants fan, and bewildered Islanders fan. He's also a fair-weather Avalanche and Rockies supporter. In his spare time, he enjoys the three Gs: Golf, Guitars, and Games.

Izzy May 13, 2013 at 7:22 pm

You have proven yourself to be a complete baseball idiot even mentioning Alderson’s horse manure moves with Minaya. In case you forgot Minaya turned a crap team into a winner in a year. Did you hate being a contender for several years, oris your hatred of Minaya so deep and based on non baseball things thy you need to be a revisionist of history to defend the worst GM in Met history. Shame on you Foesta. Truly disgusting post.
- Joe Janish May 13, 2013 at 11:08 pm
  
  Izzy, that’s completely uncalled for and inappropriate. You’ve made clear your bitterness for the Mets, and many of us share similar feelings. But this site is for intelligent discussion, not name-calling and personal attacks.
  
  You don’t like what Paul has to say? Fine, go ahead and disagree, but do it in a way that provides valid argument and encourages / adds to the conversation. Disagreeing just to disagree, belittle, and criticize is completely ineffectual and unacceptable here.
  - NormE May 14, 2013 at 2:30 pm
    
    Thank you, Joe.
    I enjoy this site because most of the commenters express their thoughts in a clear, respectful manner. We don’t all agree, but that happens on the world of fans.
    
    The truth is that Izzy often has valid points to make, but they get lost when he loses control and goes overboard in his expressive frustration. The message gets lost when it is abusive.
    
    As for Paul Festa: I always enjoy your input and your sense of humor.
Paul festa May 13, 2013 at 10:26 pm

I use my real name and my face when I post. I don’t hide behind a moniker like “izzy.” you wouldn’t have the guts to call me an idiot to my face. Get over yourself.
John D. May 13, 2013 at 10:54 pm

Its an attempt to improve on the margins and it is just that. Ankiel is probably better than Brown, even at this point in his career. Its what you do when your pipeline of outfielders (and position players in general) is dry. Obviously, the problem is they need much more than improvement at the margins. Unless you’re willing to give up significant pieces, you are not going to find an “answer” at this point in the season unless you have ready talent at AAA.
- argonbunnies May 14, 2013 at 12:04 am
  
  Agreed. Not sure if I see any value in improvement on the margins in 2013, though, as opposed to even a 1% chance of building future assets. Is the book really closed on Valdespin and Lagares ever being MLB starters? If not, they should be playing everyday somewhere…
  - John D. May 14, 2013 at 6:33 pm
    
    Argo, I agree. I think he’s a marginal improvement if he takes Brown’s role as a 5th outfielder, not as a platoon starter. Valdespin and Ligares should see more time. Its time to see what upside each has. Also, I’m wondering why they waste a roster spot on Marlon Byrd. He doesn’t bring much to the table and his careetr is just about over.
Frank May 14, 2013 at 12:18 am

Wow it’s gotten to the point that even a guy the Astro’s release immediately becomes a starter on the Mets.
david May 14, 2013 at 12:01 pm

Frank, the Astros release starts in CF – an elite position usually reserved for one of the best players on the team, think Mickey, Willie and John Fogarty. And don’t worry, we’ll lend you a glove. This type of mismanagement usually gets people fired. But I read that the Wilpons are pocketing all the TV money they get to pay Madoff’s trustee off. I am praying as hard as I can the Wilpons sell the team but I suppose not unless they can finagle a deal that lets them keep TV money or enough so Jeff never has to work an honest day in his life. Riddle me this – you think Neuwenheis makes that catch in the 7th? I do, in addition to the wrong glove Ankiel was in a bad position shading Wiggington to Right Center with a Rice on the hill and he got a bad jump. While I am at it, funny no platoon in CF (plenty of options but Kirk and Cowgill made sense based on splits and defense) to open the season even though it made total sense b/c Cowgill is the everyday guy. He’s in Vegas, and Lagares/Ankiel is what we get? Huh? Who in their right mind is running this show?
- Frank May 14, 2013 at 2:06 pm
  
  David, agree with you 100% on Kirk. For some reason I get the feeling that Collins despises him. He never really gave him a chance to play before he sent him down. And the excuse that Kirk strikes out too often! Lol. So does the whole team! & Ankiel has struck out in about half his plate appearences. Hoping Kirk can stay healthy for a whole season. Let’s see what these young guys can do before we get guys like Ankiel.

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