As of Friday morning, this is what we know: Johan Santana, David Wright, Duaner Sanchez, Ryan Church, Brian Schneider, John Maine, Oliver Perez, Mike Pelfrey (complete with helmet after he flipped his golf cart), J.J. Putz, Daniel Murphy, Nick Evans and Eddie Kunz.
Next round: Jerry Manuel, Tim Redding and Freddy Garcia.
Next: K-Rod.
Pitchers and catchers officially report today, so look for that list to grow. I will continually update it as I find out who is in camp.
2/13/09
Cleaning out my To Do list
Sometimes if I'm short on time, or think something is noteworthy but don't feel like writing at that very second, I file a story away in a To Do list.
Well, it's time to clean it out. I'll post the link and my two cents.
For ESPN.com, Bob Klapisch notes that Francisco Rodriguez will be the lightning rod for the Mets in 2009 and it will hurt their image.
---
The Daily News caught up with Anthony Young a while back, and I thought it was a pretty good read. I bring this up for only one reason. In researching Young's career, in the seasons he went 2-14 and 1-16, his ERA was 4.17 and 3.77 respectively.
Steve Trachsel won 15 games for the Mets in 2006. He had a 4.97 ERA.
---
Jose Reyes: The leader?
I noted before that I love Reyes' high-fiving, dancing, exciting ways. But is he the leader of the Mets? Jerry Manuel believes so. Here's a quote via The New York Times.
And yes, I believe the team needs a "leader."
---
Keith Hernandez feels baseball nowadays is "tainted." How can you not agree?
---
Carlos Delgado in the Hall of Fame? Joel Sherman brings it up, and interestingly, I actually did a project on this.
We had to compare a current HoF'er to a current player and see if the current player belongs in the hall. Eddie Murray, the most recent first baseman in the Hall was pitted up against Delgado. Through a whole series of comparisons and break downs, we came to the conclusion that if he keeps playing a few more years, Delgado will make the hall.
We also came to the conclusion that Murray shouldn't really be in the Hall. He was a compiler, and that's the only reason.
---
Daniel Murphy is obsessed about hitting.
---
Jon Niese and Tim Redding are battling (along with Freddy Garcia) for the 5th spot in the rotation. They're also sharing a condo.
Hey SNY, I smell a sitcom!!
Well, it's time to clean it out. I'll post the link and my two cents.
For ESPN.com, Bob Klapisch notes that Francisco Rodriguez will be the lightning rod for the Mets in 2009 and it will hurt their image.
K-Rod's celebrating profile will be layered atop Jose Reyes' customized high-fiving after scoring an important run in a big game -- outside the dugout. Such gloating, which has been part of the Mets' legacy since the '80s, has been steadily irritating opponents for the past four years.Well...good! I still think the team needs some swagger, and I believe K-Rod will help bring that to Flushing. I like the abrasiveness he brings, and hopefully the players attitudes can shine through and fuel the team this time around.
---
The Daily News caught up with Anthony Young a while back, and I thought it was a pretty good read. I bring this up for only one reason. In researching Young's career, in the seasons he went 2-14 and 1-16, his ERA was 4.17 and 3.77 respectively.
Steve Trachsel won 15 games for the Mets in 2006. He had a 4.97 ERA.
---
Jose Reyes: The leader?
I noted before that I love Reyes' high-fiving, dancing, exciting ways. But is he the leader of the Mets? Jerry Manuel believes so. Here's a quote via The New York Times.
“Oh, I consider him becoming one — no question,” Manuel said Tuesday morning ... “I think that’s the next level for him, to add responsibility to him. That, to me, is maturation. You can be 50 years old and have no responsibility so you never mature. But if you have some responsibilities, then the maturation process takes over.”Unfortunately, I think the language barrier will hinder Reyes from becoming a "true leader" of the team.
And yes, I believe the team needs a "leader."
---
Keith Hernandez feels baseball nowadays is "tainted." How can you not agree?
---
Carlos Delgado in the Hall of Fame? Joel Sherman brings it up, and interestingly, I actually did a project on this.
We had to compare a current HoF'er to a current player and see if the current player belongs in the hall. Eddie Murray, the most recent first baseman in the Hall was pitted up against Delgado. Through a whole series of comparisons and break downs, we came to the conclusion that if he keeps playing a few more years, Delgado will make the hall.
We also came to the conclusion that Murray shouldn't really be in the Hall. He was a compiler, and that's the only reason.
---
Daniel Murphy is obsessed about hitting.
“The guy is obsessed,” said [J.J.] Putz, who lives across from Murphy in a hotel here. “All he talks about is hitting, hitting, hitting. It’s not a stretch to say that it consumes about 90 percent of his day.”Hopefully that other 10 percent is dedicated to learning to play left field.
---
Jon Niese and Tim Redding are battling (along with Freddy Garcia) for the 5th spot in the rotation. They're also sharing a condo.
Hey SNY, I smell a sitcom!!
2/12/09
No offer to Ohman
Will Ohman has received four offers from NL teams, but Cameron Smith writes, "Interestingly, none of those offers are from the Phillies or Mets"
There goes that.
There goes that.
Pitchers and catchers report today
A handful of players have been in camp for a few days now, but today is the official report day for all pitchers and catcher on the roster.
Because it's pitchers and catchers day, I present to you, Crazy Johan. This is from last season's spring training, but it's just too good to pass up.
You crazy, man. Crazy!
It's officially spring training. I'm a happy man.
Because it's pitchers and catchers day, I present to you, Crazy Johan. This is from last season's spring training, but it's just too good to pass up.
You crazy, man. Crazy!It's officially spring training. I'm a happy man.
No AIDS for Alomar
A weird story just got weirder.
Roberto Alomar and his new girlfriend, Maripily Rivera (whose photos I cannot publish on this website), are claiming that he is a picture of health, and does not have "full blown AIDS" as his ex-girlfriend is claiming in a $15 million lawsuit.
Alomar has his own Web site, RobertoAlomar.com, complete with a store and a blog. He released a statement yesterday. It read:
Roberto Alomar and his new girlfriend, Maripily Rivera (whose photos I cannot publish on this website), are claiming that he is a picture of health, and does not have "full blown AIDS" as his ex-girlfriend is claiming in a $15 million lawsuit.
Alomar has his own Web site, RobertoAlomar.com, complete with a store and a blog. He released a statement yesterday. It read:
This is a very private, personal matter and I greatly appreciate all the support I have received in the past few days from my family, friends and colleagues in baseball. I am in very good health and I ask that you respect my privacy during this time.As for the lawsuit, it is filled with lies and I am deeply saddened that someone I cared for would make such terrible accusations and try to hurt me in this way.
According to the Daily News, Rivera called the accusation "a vile lie."
Weird stuff.
Weird stuff.
2/11/09
No Schneider in WBC
Scratch another Met off the list.
Brian Schneider will likely not be playing for Team USA in next month's World Baseball Classic, according to Bart Hubbuch.
Better for the Mets, I think.
Brian Schneider will likely not be playing for Team USA in next month's World Baseball Classic, according to Bart Hubbuch.
Better for the Mets, I think.
Angels sign Abreu for...what??
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim have signed Bobby Abreu to a one-year deal, worth $5 million plus incentives.
And the Mets couldn't match that?
The Mets obviously had money to spend this off-season, and to be content with a fingers-crossed, hope he can do what he did last year pick off the scrap heap, and a young singles hitter playing out of position manning left field is just silly.
$5 million for a competent outfielder (possibly a little afraid of the wall) who hit .296/.371/.471 last season. In 156 games, he also hit 20 home runs and drove in 100 RBIs. He's knocked in over 100 RBI in seven of his 11 full seasons, including the last five years in a row.
And yet he slipped through the Mets fingers because they weren't willing to pay him a little more than double what Tim Redding will earn pitching mop-up duty this season. (Redding's career ERA is a few points shy of five.)
Omar Minaya, caught looking.
And the Mets couldn't match that?
- Tim Redding -- $2.25 million
- Alex Cora -- $2 million
- Fernando Tatis -- $1.7 million
- Marlon Anderson -- $1.15 million
- Jeremy Reed -- $925,000
- Cory Sullivan -- $600,000
- Angel Pagan -- $575,000
The Mets obviously had money to spend this off-season, and to be content with a fingers-crossed, hope he can do what he did last year pick off the scrap heap, and a young singles hitter playing out of position manning left field is just silly.
$5 million for a competent outfielder (possibly a little afraid of the wall) who hit .296/.371/.471 last season. In 156 games, he also hit 20 home runs and drove in 100 RBIs. He's knocked in over 100 RBI in seven of his 11 full seasons, including the last five years in a row.
And yet he slipped through the Mets fingers because they weren't willing to pay him a little more than double what Tim Redding will earn pitching mop-up duty this season. (Redding's career ERA is a few points shy of five.)
Omar Minaya, caught looking.
Report: Nats sign Dunn [Updated]
According to the Washington Post, the Nationals have signed Adam Dunn, possibly to a two-year deal.
As if their outfield wasn't crowded already.
Update: The deal is two-years, $20 million.
Jim Bowden makes no sense.
As if their outfield wasn't crowded already.
Update: The deal is two-years, $20 million.
Jim Bowden makes no sense.
Thanks a lot, A-Rod
For taking the spotlight off of Citi Field.
I had it up to here reading about the naming rights for the Mets new stadium. And I'm already sick of all this Alex Rodriguez talk, but that's another story entirely.
Everyone seems to be making it out that the Mets have done something wrong or are going to be hurt by the deal with Citigroup. In no way, shape or form should the name on the outside of the stadium affect the play on the field. So don't try to skew it that way.
The Mets are built to be a pretty decent team as of now. Still, there are some question marks but one of them should not be the name brandished around the new park.
A-Rod, however bittersweetly, has shifted the glaring hot spotlight back to the Bronx. Enjoy that circus, Fletcher and JSchil.
I had it up to here reading about the naming rights for the Mets new stadium. And I'm already sick of all this Alex Rodriguez talk, but that's another story entirely.
Everyone seems to be making it out that the Mets have done something wrong or are going to be hurt by the deal with Citigroup. In no way, shape or form should the name on the outside of the stadium affect the play on the field. So don't try to skew it that way.
The Mets are built to be a pretty decent team as of now. Still, there are some question marks but one of them should not be the name brandished around the new park.
A-Rod, however bittersweetly, has shifted the glaring hot spotlight back to the Bronx. Enjoy that circus, Fletcher and JSchil.
Bizarre story no. 2 of the day
The Daily News reported a weird one about the way the Mets handled the last game of the season today. Somehow, they managed to top that with a story about Roberto Alomar and AIDS.
Baseball great Roberto Alomar has full-blown AIDS but insisted on having unprotected sex, his ex-girlfriend charged Tuesday in a bombshell lawsuit.When I woke up this morning, I think this ranked dead last on the list of things I would read about.
---
Nine days later, the couple went to see a disease specialist who discovered a mass in the retired second baseman's chest, the court papers say.Alomar's skin had turned purple, he was foaming at the mouth and a spinal tap "showed he had full-blown AIDS," the suit says.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)