10/27/08

Mets corners are loaded

Giving a new meaning to the "hot corner."
The NY Post is reporting that both David Wright and Carlos Delgado have been given permits to have guns in their respective homes. Delgado filed to carry a handgun, but was denied.

It should be noted that Wright has probably been around guns for most of his life, as his father is a police chief in his home state of Virgina.

Reader photos

Since I posted my "favorite photo from Shea," I've gotten a few e-mails from readers and friends with their own pictures.

Here is an album from commenter Buzz from the last game and ceremony at Shea Stadium.

And here are three photos from my good friend Kay. The first is her favorite picture from the old stadium, also dealing with the seats. The other two show her tattoo on her ankle, and her dog, both of which you can see on Brooklyn Met Fan.

If you ever have anything you want to submit, feel free to send an e-mail to TheRopolitans@gmail.com.

Not taking a Holliday

Matt Holliday is rumored to be available (again), so do the Mets take a look at this power-hitting left fielder? I say no.

My main reason to say "No" to Holliday is his home / away splits. He's lucky enough to play in Coors Field in Colorado, a place where the ball takes off, no matter what Major League Baseball does to try and counteract the thin air.

This took me all of 14 seconds to look up, and I hope Omar Minaya does the same before he considers trading for Holliday, who is entering the last year of his contract.

GamesAB
HitsRuns
2B
HR
RBI
BB
SO
AVG
OBP
SLG
OPS
Home 359 1,353 483 285 106 84 307 129 230 .357 .423 .645 1.068
Away 339 1,303 365 194 82 44 176 122 275 .280 .348 .455 .803

Too much disparity there for me.

He's playing in a stadium that greatly favors the hitter, and it shows. In only 20 less games away from Coors, he has nearly half as many home runs. His RBI's are almost in half as well.

His average drops nearly 80 points, as does his on-base percentage. Slugging is a completely different story, as it drops nearly 200 points.

Still, I'll return to my old mainstay: If you can get him for cheap, then go get him. If not, just walk away.

10/26/08

Oh, happy day

Great news. Simply great news.

From Bob Raissman:

Could the 19-year "Sunday Night Baseball" broadcasting partnership of ESPN's Jon Miller and Joe Morgan be coming to an end? And will their ESPN Radio call of the Rays-Phillies World Series be the final chapter?

Well-embedded baseball moles contend the answer is "yes" to both questions. Both Morgan and Miller have two years left on their ESPN contracts, but that would not prevent a change.

Sources said Morgan could be shifted to the network's midweek baseball telecast, where he would work with a new play-by-play partner.

Next team to take down: Joe Buck and Tim McCarver.

Mets aiming Lowe?

He's old(er), but he's consistent. Derek Lowe seems to be the Mets current target.

According to Joel Sherman, the Mets will look to Lowe and Brian Fuentes during this offseason.
The Mets plan on targeting Derek Lowe and Brian Fuentes in the free agent market, an NL executive who has talked to team officials told the Post.

The Mets are promising to be creative and explore many avenues. But Lowe (a dependable innings eater) and Fuentes (a proven closer) fit the Mets' top two needs, and are going to be pursued by the organization this offseason.

Lowe is 35-years-old, but he's been consistent and healthy. A long contract won't be the best option, but something in the 3-year range, with a team option would please me.

Fuentes is another guy I wouldn't sign for very long, but would love to have. He will be a lot cheaper then Francisco Rodriguez, so that is a plus.

Not totally infatuated with either of them, but they will be welcome additions to the club, if the Mets can land one, or both of them.

10/25/08

Oct. 25, 1986: Game 6 of the World Series

Twenty-two years ago today...well...we all know what happened.

Link: Q&A with Fernando Tatis

Big League Stew talked to Fernando Tatis, after winning the MLBPA Comeback Player of the Year.

Some excerpts:

Q: When you got to the Mets organization, they already had David Wright, who plays the same position as you, third base. Did you worry that it would keep you out of the majors even longer?

FT: You know, David Wright is one of the greatest players in the big leagues. I was not worried about it because I put it in my mind that if I didn't make it with the Mets, I'm going to make it to the other teams. I was not really worried about, too, because there were other positions that I could play. I was so happy that they gave me the opportunity to play first base and right field and left field. That was great for me.

---

Q: How does your shoulder feel?

FT: My shoulder feels a lot better. I feel pretty good. It's becoming stronger. I'm going to start playing ball in the Dominican Republic. I played three practice games already, practice games, and it's coming along really good so far.

Q: Do you expect to be 100 percent for spring training?

FT: Yes, that's my goal. That, and to become a better teammate.

I'm liking this guy more and more every day.

My favorite photo from Shea Stadium

I took this at the last game I attended at Shea Stadium. Aug. 11, 2008, when the Mets took on the Pittsburgh Pirates.

I just love this photo. It's one of my favorites from my "portfolio."
Click for full size.

10/24/08

Too expensive?

The Mets may have money to spend, but it looks like they're not going to spend it all in one place. Smart move.

(Ed. note: This might be the 942,398th article I've written about this, and don't expect it to stop. Things are generally speculation, but speculation leads to discussion, and discussion is always fun.)

According to Ken Davidoff, the Mets realize that both Manny Ramirez and Francisco Rodriguez may be too expensive.
The Mets have convinced themeslves that Francisco "K-Rod" Rodriguez just isn't worth the money he wants to close.
---
The Mets, moreover, have no intention of pursuing Manny Ramirez at this point. Too old, too expensive, too potentially disruptive.
We're all going to have to wait until after the World Series until real news starts pouring in, but this seems about right to me. The Mets have too many holes to fill to go out and spend the majority of they money on one player (especially one who only pitches one inning a game, if at all.)

I'd much rather see them pick up a bunch of good players, instead of one "great" player. Makes more sense in the situation they're in, even if it really hasn't been the style lately.

10/23/08

Help out a Phillies fan

Stay with me. I know you never though you'd see those words on this blog, but she's a good fan, and she deserved it.

Over on PhilliesNation.com, they're running a contest for a pair of tickets to the World Series. I'm throwing my support behind Maria. Believe me, she deserved it.

Head over to Phillies Nation and vote for whomever you want, but I highly suggest Maria!

Still, go Rays!