The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim recently picked up team options on John Lackey and Vladmir Guerrero. They declined to pick up the option on the longest tenured Angel, Garret Anderson, who could be an option for the New York Mets.
Anderson has played the last four seasons split between left field and designated hitter, so stamina could be an issue. The Mets would look for him to play 140 games or so at his position, probably using Endy Chavez as a late-game defensive replacement and occasional starter.
In the game since 1994, Anderson has put together a pretty good career. He has a career .296 batting average, and he hasn't strayed far from that the last few years. In 142 games in '05, he hit .283 and in 141 games in '06, he hit .280. After only playing in 108 games in '07, he hit .297. Last season he hit .293 in 145 games.
Yes, he's old, but of the other options (Juan Rivera, among others), I think Anderson would be a better bet. Due to his age and career, he should be expensive. A two-year contract would be nice, and it would keep hot-shot Fernando Martinez in the minor leagues so he can grow.
I know the Mets should get younger, but LF is a big, open hole, and Anderson could be a serviceable option.
10/29/08
10/28/08
The Pedro quandry
Should the Mets re-sign Pedro Martinez? It's a tough one.
In short, I don't think they should. He can't stay healthy, can't get through six innings, and is going to want more than one season in his contract.
But, and there is always a but with me, he might be able to give you some quality innings. Nothing spectacular, but decent fifth starter type starts, allowing three runs over 5 2-3 innings or something to that degree. Would you take that out of Pedro Martinez?
With a one-year contract, worth a couple million, I wouldn't be against it. It would give security heading into spring training, if guys like Jon Niese and Bobby Parnell aren't as ripe as we all hope. He could also serve as a mentor to the young guns as they prepare to embark on their MLB career.
I don't think it would hurt to sign him again, for something short and something cheap, because he won't be breaking the Mets bank. He seems to enjoy pitching and being a part of New York City, so I figure he'd be willing to stay, maybe even for a bargain.
It truly depends if he even returns at all. He's in the twilight of his career, and with his father's passing this year, his heart may just not be in the game anymore.
I'd like to see him back, but won't be heartbroken if he retires or ends up elsewhere.
In short, I don't think they should. He can't stay healthy, can't get through six innings, and is going to want more than one season in his contract.
But, and there is always a but with me, he might be able to give you some quality innings. Nothing spectacular, but decent fifth starter type starts, allowing three runs over 5 2-3 innings or something to that degree. Would you take that out of Pedro Martinez?
With a one-year contract, worth a couple million, I wouldn't be against it. It would give security heading into spring training, if guys like Jon Niese and Bobby Parnell aren't as ripe as we all hope. He could also serve as a mentor to the young guns as they prepare to embark on their MLB career.
I don't think it would hurt to sign him again, for something short and something cheap, because he won't be breaking the Mets bank. He seems to enjoy pitching and being a part of New York City, so I figure he'd be willing to stay, maybe even for a bargain.
It truly depends if he even returns at all. He's in the twilight of his career, and with his father's passing this year, his heart may just not be in the game anymore.
I'd like to see him back, but won't be heartbroken if he retires or ends up elsewhere.
10/27/08
Mets corners are loaded
Giving a new meaning to the "hot corner."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.
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.
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.
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.
| Games | AB | Hits | Runs | 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:
From Bob Raissman:
Next team to take down: Joe Buck and Tim McCarver.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.
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.
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.
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.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.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.
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:
Some excerpts:
I'm liking this guy more and more every day.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.
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