Have a good one.Enjoy your tryptophan-enduced sleep. I know I will.
11/27/08
11/26/08
Baby steps
Though this offseason seems to be moving as slow as molasses, thing are guaranteed to pick up soon as the Winter Meetings approach.
The Mets are taking their first steps toward a free agency signing, as they are planning to meet with the agents of Brian Fuentes and Francisco Rodriguez in the coming days. No money or years have been offered yet, but rumors have it that the Mets might be willing to dish out a four-year deal to land the closer they desire.
According to the running poll on the right, Mets fans are favoring Rodriguez by a nose, over Fuentes, Kerry Wood and Chicago White Sox closer Bobby Jenks. Two votes were notched for "Other," likely Huston Street, who the Mets could have had.
I believe the CC Sabathia sweepstakes is the hitch between most teams and the free agents their pursuing. Whatever Sabathia signs for, agents around the league will compare that to the possible offers and use that as a jumping off point.
Keep on waiting, because it doesn't seem like anything is going to happen anytime soon. Eventually, deal will get done, but we'll probably be waiting until December for that to happen.
The Mets are taking their first steps toward a free agency signing, as they are planning to meet with the agents of Brian Fuentes and Francisco Rodriguez in the coming days. No money or years have been offered yet, but rumors have it that the Mets might be willing to dish out a four-year deal to land the closer they desire.
According to the running poll on the right, Mets fans are favoring Rodriguez by a nose, over Fuentes, Kerry Wood and Chicago White Sox closer Bobby Jenks. Two votes were notched for "Other," likely Huston Street, who the Mets could have had.
I believe the CC Sabathia sweepstakes is the hitch between most teams and the free agents their pursuing. Whatever Sabathia signs for, agents around the league will compare that to the possible offers and use that as a jumping off point.
Keep on waiting, because it doesn't seem like anything is going to happen anytime soon. Eventually, deal will get done, but we'll probably be waiting until December for that to happen.
Somehow, this Citigroup thing is the Mets fault
Only Wallace Matthews could place blame on the Mets for the economic downturn.
In his latest column, Matthews writes:
The Mets should just say, "You know what, take your $400 million, I'm sure with this economy, companies will be lining up around the corner!"
You're crazy, Matthews. If a team turned down $400 million right now, they'd be insane. This isn't the Mets fault, and don't try to pin it on them. Citigroup screwed up, and was lucky enough to get our money to save their butts. As I said yesterday, think of it as one giant commercial. They can do whatever they want with their commercials, why should we be able to say what they do with their naming rights.
Downright silly.
In his latest column, Matthews writes:
The Mets should be embarrassed to emblazon their new park with the name of an outfit whose players performed even worse than the team did last year. They should be ashamed of using your money to advertise their (worthless) services. If they had any ethics, they would cancel the deal now and start looking for a sponsor that can actually pay its own bills.Right. Because it's the Mets fault Citigroup is laying off 52,000 and just got a check from the US gov't.
But they don't, and they won't.
The Mets should just say, "You know what, take your $400 million, I'm sure with this economy, companies will be lining up around the corner!"
You're crazy, Matthews. If a team turned down $400 million right now, they'd be insane. This isn't the Mets fault, and don't try to pin it on them. Citigroup screwed up, and was lucky enough to get our money to save their butts. As I said yesterday, think of it as one giant commercial. They can do whatever they want with their commercials, why should we be able to say what they do with their naming rights.
Downright silly.
11/25/08
Mets could have had Street from Colorado for Heilman and Feliciano
According to Joel Sherman, the Mets contacted the Colorado Rockies after they acquired Huston Street. The Mets offered Aaron Heilman, but the Rockies wanted Pedro Feliciano included as well, and the Mets walked away.
Going by this, the Rockies need a left handed pitcher. Why not offer Heilman and Scott Schoeneweis? He's under contract and a lefty that they need. They'll dump Street, and keep Manny Corpas as their closer, and everyone is happy.
If somehow, they can include Luis Castillo in this deal, and get a bag of balls in return, that would be a miracle.
The Rockies are likely still listening to offers on Street, so hopefully Omar Minaya is racking up the phone bill with calls to Denver. If he can land Street and rid the team of Heilman and maybe Schoeneweis or Castillo (or both!) then I, and many other Mets fans, will be very happy. Street might not be the best option for closer, but he's damn well better than anything the team currently has.
If the No. 1 scapegoat for the last two seasons is off the team in the process of bringing in a young closer, then Minaya will have earned his extension in my eyes. At least until the next deal.
Going by this, the Rockies need a left handed pitcher. Why not offer Heilman and Scott Schoeneweis? He's under contract and a lefty that they need. They'll dump Street, and keep Manny Corpas as their closer, and everyone is happy.
If somehow, they can include Luis Castillo in this deal, and get a bag of balls in return, that would be a miracle.
The Rockies are likely still listening to offers on Street, so hopefully Omar Minaya is racking up the phone bill with calls to Denver. If he can land Street and rid the team of Heilman and maybe Schoeneweis or Castillo (or both!) then I, and many other Mets fans, will be very happy. Street might not be the best option for closer, but he's damn well better than anything the team currently has.
If the No. 1 scapegoat for the last two seasons is off the team in the process of bringing in a young closer, then Minaya will have earned his extension in my eyes. At least until the next deal.
Citigroup and their naming rights
So far, this off-season is pretty boring.
The most exciting thing going on in Mets land right now is whether or not Citigroup should retain the naming rights to Citi Field after getting bailed out by the US government. Remember when baseball was an escape from everyday life, where you could focus on nothing but the game and the players and their passion for the game? Yeah, I can barely remember it either.
Citigroup is rumored to be laying off 52,000 employees, but will keep the $400 million deal to brandish their name on the Mets new ballpark, with American taxpayers money. Now, to them, it's just an advertisement. If they went about buying $200 million worth of commercials and billboards, no one would even bat an eye, but because it's naming rights to a stadium, people seem to be in an uproar.
I understand it's "America's money," but if you think about it in terms of commercials, we (American taxpayers) would have no say in how their commercials would look, sound or say. As frustrating and bizarre this might be, Citigroup has the right to do whatever they please with the name, because thanks to the US gov't and us, they now have some money to play with -- it's their money now.
Sorry to be brash, but it's the cold, hard truth.
But, if the naming deal does fall through, I've been a proponent of having it be MetLife Field. It only makes sense.
The most exciting thing going on in Mets land right now is whether or not Citigroup should retain the naming rights to Citi Field after getting bailed out by the US government. Remember when baseball was an escape from everyday life, where you could focus on nothing but the game and the players and their passion for the game? Yeah, I can barely remember it either.
Citigroup is rumored to be laying off 52,000 employees, but will keep the $400 million deal to brandish their name on the Mets new ballpark, with American taxpayers money. Now, to them, it's just an advertisement. If they went about buying $200 million worth of commercials and billboards, no one would even bat an eye, but because it's naming rights to a stadium, people seem to be in an uproar.
I understand it's "America's money," but if you think about it in terms of commercials, we (American taxpayers) would have no say in how their commercials would look, sound or say. As frustrating and bizarre this might be, Citigroup has the right to do whatever they please with the name, because thanks to the US gov't and us, they now have some money to play with -- it's their money now.
Sorry to be brash, but it's the cold, hard truth.
But, if the naming deal does fall through, I've been a proponent of having it be MetLife Field. It only makes sense.
11/24/08
Mets Rumor Rundown: Rafael Furcal has an offer from the Mets
A few sources are citing an article in El Caribe quoting Rafael Furcal, who says he has an offer from the Mets. He's currently leaning toward a deal with the A's, but just the fact that the Mets made an offer is fairly telling.
And this is only days after Omar Minaya said he's ready to go into 2009 with Luis Castillo as his second baseman.
Furcal has a four-year, $48 million contract offer from the A's. The LA Times writes "Furcal said he has also received a substantial offer from the New York Mets, who want him as a second baseman."
That would free up the Mets to package Aaron Heilman and Luis Castillo to Kansas City for Jose Guillen or David DeJesus. Works for me!
I still think Castillo should start packing his stuff. I don't think he'll make it to spring training with this team. I'd like Furcal, who has also had his fair share of injuries. I hope Minaya doesn't sign an older, injury prone second baseman to another long-term contract.
And this is only days after Omar Minaya said he's ready to go into 2009 with Luis Castillo as his second baseman.
Furcal has a four-year, $48 million contract offer from the A's. The LA Times writes "Furcal said he has also received a substantial offer from the New York Mets, who want him as a second baseman."
That would free up the Mets to package Aaron Heilman and Luis Castillo to Kansas City for Jose Guillen or David DeJesus. Works for me!
I still think Castillo should start packing his stuff. I don't think he'll make it to spring training with this team. I'd like Furcal, who has also had his fair share of injuries. I hope Minaya doesn't sign an older, injury prone second baseman to another long-term contract.
11/23/08
Mets might miss out on free agent market -- move on to trading
It seems the Mets might have to raise their bids for some of their free agent pitching targets -- namely Derek Lowe -- or will have to turn to trades to fill their needs.
John Harper has a column in today's Daily News highlighting the Mets mistaken gauging of the free agent market. With the Yankees and Red Sox both bidding for Lowe, who wants five-years, $15 million per, and the Mets don't see themselves outbidding.
Whew. Five years for a 35-year-old is silly. He's good, but not that good. But again, this is a Scott Boras client, so the demands will be high but will eventually come down.
Harper also notes the possibility of a trade with the Rays. They're looking to move Edwin Jackson, and sort of fancy Aaron Heilman. Still, that wouldn't be enough to get the trade done, and Ryan Church might have to get involved. Which would mean the Mets would likely sign Raul Ibanez.
I don't like the sound of this. I really think Church could be a main-stay in right field for a while for the Mets, as long as he doesn't run into anyone else. I'd love to ship Heilman elsewhere, especially for a starting pitcher, a young one at that.
I doubt the Mets make a big splash this off-season. I'd rather see them build with great situational and under the radar type players. Build from the ground up.
John Harper has a column in today's Daily News highlighting the Mets mistaken gauging of the free agent market. With the Yankees and Red Sox both bidding for Lowe, who wants five-years, $15 million per, and the Mets don't see themselves outbidding.
Whew. Five years for a 35-year-old is silly. He's good, but not that good. But again, this is a Scott Boras client, so the demands will be high but will eventually come down.
Harper also notes the possibility of a trade with the Rays. They're looking to move Edwin Jackson, and sort of fancy Aaron Heilman. Still, that wouldn't be enough to get the trade done, and Ryan Church might have to get involved. Which would mean the Mets would likely sign Raul Ibanez.
I don't like the sound of this. I really think Church could be a main-stay in right field for a while for the Mets, as long as he doesn't run into anyone else. I'd love to ship Heilman elsewhere, especially for a starting pitcher, a young one at that.
I doubt the Mets make a big splash this off-season. I'd rather see them build with great situational and under the radar type players. Build from the ground up.
11/22/08
Playing for Peanuts [ep. #2]
I'll be out most of the day, so please enjoy the second episode of "Playing for Peanuts." To order a DVD of the entire series, please check out the link below.
VIEW MORE EPISODES
VISIT PLAYING FOR PEANUTS - WEBSITE and BLOG
VIEW MORE EPISODES
VISIT PLAYING FOR PEANUTS - WEBSITE and BLOG
11/21/08
Castillo begged to stay with Mets
$18 million over the next three years. Luis Castillo. Second base. New York Mets.
While I don't like that sound of that, it seems us Mets fans better all get used to it.
According to Joel Sherman in an "exclusive" article, Castillo "requested an offseason meeting in which he implored Mets officials not to trade him and also pledged to re-dedicate himself to offseason training to assure he is in top condition next season."
That's all well and good, but he can train all off-season and he'll still be a slap hitter. He'll still run like someone just bashed his legs with a baseball bat, Tonya Harding / Nancy Kerrigan style. He'll still get hurt after making a routine play. He'll still need to miss a start because of his injuries at least once a week.
Castillo is the albatross of Omar Minaya's tenure. He was the face of fans anger and distrust of the team.
But, after this meeting, the Mets seem pleased with Castillo's fight and willingness to make amends. Sherman notes that Rey Ramirez, the Mets trainer, has been overseeing Castillo's workouts. Castillo will also play winter ball.
He has three years left on the contract, but I doubt he starts, or even plays all of them with the Mets. His knees are rebelling against him, and it's only a matter of time before the pain and recovery time are too much to handle. He's only 33, but injuries do that to a player. He's no longer the player he once was, even from the first day he came to the Mets.
I think the Mets will suffer through one more year of him, see how he does, and try to ship him elsewhere at the end of next season. Minaya will rue the day he signed him to the ridiculous contract unless some sort of miracle happens. I don't expect the fan distaste to dry up, even with a hot start to '09.
Good luck, Castillo. I hope you prove me wrong and become an integral part to this team over the next few years. But I doubt it.
While I don't like that sound of that, it seems us Mets fans better all get used to it.
According to Joel Sherman in an "exclusive" article, Castillo "requested an offseason meeting in which he implored Mets officials not to trade him and also pledged to re-dedicate himself to offseason training to assure he is in top condition next season."
That's all well and good, but he can train all off-season and he'll still be a slap hitter. He'll still run like someone just bashed his legs with a baseball bat, Tonya Harding / Nancy Kerrigan style. He'll still get hurt after making a routine play. He'll still need to miss a start because of his injuries at least once a week.
Castillo is the albatross of Omar Minaya's tenure. He was the face of fans anger and distrust of the team.
But, after this meeting, the Mets seem pleased with Castillo's fight and willingness to make amends. Sherman notes that Rey Ramirez, the Mets trainer, has been overseeing Castillo's workouts. Castillo will also play winter ball.
He has three years left on the contract, but I doubt he starts, or even plays all of them with the Mets. His knees are rebelling against him, and it's only a matter of time before the pain and recovery time are too much to handle. He's only 33, but injuries do that to a player. He's no longer the player he once was, even from the first day he came to the Mets.
I think the Mets will suffer through one more year of him, see how he does, and try to ship him elsewhere at the end of next season. Minaya will rue the day he signed him to the ridiculous contract unless some sort of miracle happens. I don't expect the fan distaste to dry up, even with a hot start to '09.
Good luck, Castillo. I hope you prove me wrong and become an integral part to this team over the next few years. But I doubt it.
11/20/08
Minor Update: Carp added to 40-man, Murphy has strained hammy
A few Mets minor league updates.
Mike Carp has been added to the Mets 40-man roster. It currently stands at 34 players, which it of note because today is the final day players can be added before the Rule V draft.
I think we finally might see Carp make it to the big leagues next season. It will be Carlos Delgado's final year with the Mets, so they might want to see what they're looking at with their best first baseman prospect. Carp was much more highly regarded a few years ago, but has had two down years.
Should be interesting if he can actually hit at the major league level.
On an injury note, Daniel Murphy has been diagnosed with a Grade 2 hamstring strain, which will keep him out of winter ball.
Murphy will skip winter ball to train for spring training. Murphy knows he has a great shot at making the club from Day 1, so he knows where to focus and work. He's definitely already a fan favorite. Hopefully he can put up similar numbers.
Mike Carp has been added to the Mets 40-man roster. It currently stands at 34 players, which it of note because today is the final day players can be added before the Rule V draft.
I think we finally might see Carp make it to the big leagues next season. It will be Carlos Delgado's final year with the Mets, so they might want to see what they're looking at with their best first baseman prospect. Carp was much more highly regarded a few years ago, but has had two down years.
Should be interesting if he can actually hit at the major league level.
On an injury note, Daniel Murphy has been diagnosed with a Grade 2 hamstring strain, which will keep him out of winter ball.
Murphy will skip winter ball to train for spring training. Murphy knows he has a great shot at making the club from Day 1, so he knows where to focus and work. He's definitely already a fan favorite. Hopefully he can put up similar numbers.
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