E-mail from a fan

The following is an e-mail from a fan, sent out to a whole lot of people. For some reason, I was one of those people, and he even mentions my e-mail in the tirade.

I don't even know where to begin explaining this e-mail, but I think the word "racist" is the best fit. Here's what I read, at 8 a.m.:

While there is talk a certain Congressman wants the name Citigroup out of Citi Field, I have something to say about that. With the way the METROPOLITANS NOT METINOS have allowed Omar "I PREFER LATINO CRONIES ON MY METINOS" or "MY EMPLOYEES TAKE SIESTAS" or "MY EMPLOYEES TIRE in SEPTEMBER" or "MY ENTIRE TEAM SUCKS" to ruin this team with all his Latino bums who are on the team because they are Latino first but can't play (unlike when the Dodgers broke the color barrier; Jackie Robinson could PLAY FIRST) do not let OMORON name the stadium, or he'll call it METINO FIELD! For putting these Latino bums instead of good Latino ballplayers who won't complete another September MET DOWN, Fred COUPON EXTENDED OMORON'S CONTRACT!

In addition, Kudos to Adam Rubin for his web site and screen name to contact the website. It's called THEROPOLITANS@GMAIL.COM Note that's Ropolitans as in METROPOLITANS!

Go to www.petitiononline.com or GOOGLE "FIRE OMAR MINAYA!" for instant access, and sign the petition to FIRE OMAR MINAYA!

The answers are clear! DO NOT EXTEND OMORON'S CONTRACT! FIRE OMAR MINAYA! HIRE TONY BERNAZARD, OR BRING BACK STEVE PHILLIPS! BRING BACK DAVEY JOHNSON! LET MARTINEZ THE BUM GO (MINAYA WANTS HIM BACK)! TRADE FELICIANO THE BUM (MINAYA GOT HIM BACK)! TRADE SANCHEZ THE BUM (MINAYA WANTS HIM BACK)! TRADE PEREZ THE BUM (MINAYA GOT EL TWISTADOR BACK)! TRADE ARMAS THE BUM! TRADE GARCIA THE BUM (MINAYA DECIDED HE'S READY)! TRADE CASTILLO THE $18 MILLION BUM! TRADE CASTRO THE BIGGEST BUM OF THEM ALL! TRADE EL DUQUE THE BUM! LET AYALA THE BUM GO!

FIRE OMAR MINAYA! FIRE OMAR MINAYA! FIRE OMAR MINAYA! FIRE OMAR MINAYA! FIRE OMAR MINAYA! FIRE OMAR MINAYA!

Alrighty then.

I'm not quite sure why he gives kudos to Adam Rubin for having...my e-mail?

I love how in that last "The Bum" tirade, half of those players are no longer on the Mets.

Tidbits: F-Mart shut down, Ruelas on board, milestone for me

A few tidbits before I go out to cover three seperate sporting events for The Quinnipiac Chronicle up at the TD Banknorth Sports Center.

• Fernando Martinez, who might be the next Bobby Abreu, has been shut down for three weeks after straining his elbow in the Carribean Series. This kid just cannot stay healthy. I'm worried.
• The Mets have signed Heriberto Ruelas to a minor league contract. Ruelas is fresh off 44 appearances with Mexico City from the Mexican league.
• And last night, I passed the 100,000 visitor mark. I know that seems like a low number for over two years of this, but I was very, very slow to get off the ground. The last few months have been spectacular, and I hope this trend continues. Thank you to everyone who visited.

Fernando Martinez: The next Bobby Abreu?

From Jayson Stark's Rumblings and Grumblings:

Fernandomania: One scout says the best-looking young player he saw in the Dominican Republic this winter was much-ballyhooed Mets prospect Fernando Martinez.

"He looks to me like he can be a young Bobby Abreu," the scout said. "His discipline at the plate is good. He worked counts. He hung in against left-handers. He did a lot of good things. He may be 20 years old, but he doesn't look like it, the way he handles himself. He really plays under control."

Too bad he just can't stay healthy.

Pedro Feliciano avoids arb

Pedro Feliciano and the Mets have agreed to a one-year deal, believed to be worth $1.65 million, according to Adam Rubin.

This would be a $572,500 raise over last seasons salary.

Feliciano was the last Mets player left in arbitration.

The State of the Mets -- 2/6/09

The fourth edition of The State of the Mets.

Today I focus on Oliver Perez, Manny Ramirez and what Omar Minaya has to do for the rest of the off season.

Enjoy.

(YouTube link here)

Another crazy Spanish language story

Here's another gem from Impacto Deportivo:
Se soltó el loco; Manny Ramírez podría botar a Scott Boras
or
Came off the loco, Manny Ramírez could throw to Scott Boras

Here's the translation of Impacto Deportivo, from Google Translator:

Scott Boras, who once was separated from his duties by Alex Rodriguez, it could suffer the same fate with Manny Ramírez.

It is hoped this Wednesday at Impactodeportivo.com.do, Ramirez is quillao with Boras.

Boras has been estimated that a very hard time to ask and that is moving away to the teams.

Ramirez could take control of a future negotiations as soon as this weekend.

The gist of that is Manny Ramirez is considering firing Scott Boras and would begin negotiating for himself.

As if the story wasn't crazy enough...

Mets sign Elmer Dessens

The Mets have signed pitcher Elmer Dessens to a minor league deal, according to the Denver Post (via MLBTR).

Dessens is guaranteed $72,000, but could earn up to $600,000 with incentives.

He has pitched for eight different teams in his 12 year career, most recently with Atlanta. A career 4.56 ERA, and a season ERA that hasn't dipped below 4.50 since 2005, Dessens can work as either a reliever or a starter.

Enjoy Buffalo, Elmer.

Scratch Sheets

A torn flexor tendon in his right elbow is standing between Ben Sheets and a major league contract.

News broke today that Sheets will get surgery to repair his injured arm, and might be able to pitch this season -- in August.

So count out Sheets for now, but you never know. Say Oliver Perez goes down in August and the Mets need a boost in the rotation. A rehabbed Sheets wouldn't be the worst option.

Hey, you never know.

A right-hand bat or a left-hand arm?

The Mets may be targeting Rich Aurilia, according to Ken Davidoff.

Aurilia has seen time at all four outinfield positions over the last few years, with the bulk of his time being at first base with his range and speed now diminished. Last season with the San Francisco Giants, Aurilia hit .283, had an OBP of .332 and slugged .413.

He'd be a nice addition, but with all the people the Mets have brought on this off-season, where's that extra arm they so sorely need?

Davidoff goes on to note that they have some interest in the available lefties (Will Ohman, Joe Beimel, etc.) but believe they can fill the role internally, possibly with Casey Fossum or Tom Martin.

Though they shouldn't lean on either of those guys, hoping for a full, productive season out of them, the possibility of mixing and matching could work. It may not be the best move, but it's better than nothing.

Ex-Met: Uncle Cliff signs with San Diego

I thought San Diego was in a rebuilding phase? Maybe they're counting on Uncle Cliff Floyd to mentor their young guys.

Floyd and the Padres have agreed to a one-year deal.

Good luck, Uncle Cliffy!