Mets bullpen getting an overhaul (and I’m not talking about players)

The Mets are in the process of renovating the bullpen at Citi Field, according to Brian Costa of NJ.com.

Costa writes that the San Diego Padres complained about how the bullpen was set up.  And if you watched any games this season, you know how tough it was for the broadcasting crew to figure out who was throwing in the pen.

The bullpens will be set up so that the pitchers will throw toward the field, instead of side to side like last season.  The pitchers will be throwing from under the bridge out toward the outfield.

A Wally in Brooklyn?

Wally Backman will be names manager of the Brooklyn Cyclones on Tuesday, according to Mike Silva from New York Baseball Today.

The press conference should be Tuesday, according to Silva.

Backman was last named as a manager for the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2004 for just one day. It was reported that he failed to report a '99 DUI arrest and he was promptly fired.

I’m glad to see Backman back with the Mets organization. He’s quite a character and should make for some fun in Brooklyn in the coming months.

The ‘Ropolitans Radio [Ep. 3]

Tune in to WQAQ.com to listen to The ‘Ropolitans Radio from 12-1 p.m.

Twitter Poll: Who is the most exciting prospect?

I took to Twitter to ask my followers which prospect excites them the most.

Here are some responses…

mattclausen said: Thole....guady BA numbers, smart hitter....will play perfectly in Citi

pattigibbons said: Ike Davis. He shows well-rounded promise as an infielder and as a hitter.

trmbonemulligan said: Ike Davis without a doubt. Maybe its just the hype but I feel like he could be another Delgado

kramtelak said: The prospect that nets the Mets Halladay.

I’m frightened by the point trmbonemulligan brings up.  Is Davis just hype?  Obviously, it’s too early to tell and we’ll only find out when he starts playing more and at a higher level.

I truly hope Davis isn’t just another product of the hype machine.  I’ve already penciled him into the lineup in the coming years.

Does that mean I’ve bought into the hype?

Why Chone?

Chone Figgins has quickly become one of the hottest names on the free agent market this off-season.  According to reports, the Mets may be interested in Figgins for second base if they’re able to deal Luis Castillo, or possibly elsewhere.

But why?

Figgins is a much better third baseman than he ever will be at second, left field or right field.  According to FanGraphs, Figgins’ UZR (ultimate zone rating) last season at third base was listed at 16.7, second in the AL.  His career UZR at third is an unbelievable 23.4.

Figgins has spent a good amount of time in the outfield, as well.  He has played 307 games in the outfield, but isn’t the best fielder.  His UZR in those 307 games is –12.6.

He’s a utility guy, able to fill in at pretty much any position and not kill your team.  He’s worth a shot, especially with the Phillies interested in Figgins to fill in at their vacant third base position.  Maybe the Mets should sign him just so they don’t have to face him.

Matt Holliday will use the Mets to make more money elsewhere

The Mets brass met with Scott Boras last night.  Matt Holliday, of course, was the topic of choice, according to many reports.

But it’s just a tease.

Boras, Holliday’s agent, believes that he deserves “Mark Teixeira money.”  Teixeira signed a 8 year / $180 million contract with the Yankees in 2008.

With the Mets in the current predicament that they’re in (reeling after three disappointing years), they are the perfect candidate for an agent like Boras to help springboard his client into the higher pay bracket.

Boras will meet with the Mets and we will hear of numbers and contract deals.  Boras will turn around to the other teams and use these numbers to help drive up the price of Holliday.

Sure, the Mets might be able to swing a deal for Holliday as their leftfielder for the next few years, but I don’t count on it.

Do you want Bernie Madoff’s sweet personalized Mets jacket?

How awesome is this jacket?  It’s so 1980s it hurts!

But seriously, if you want this jacket, on Nov. 14 at 10 a.m. go here.  And bid, bid, bid!

Sherman: Mets could be interested in Varitek [Updated]

Update – 5:15 p.m.: Hooray!  “Mets have no interest in Varitek” by Joel Sherman.  Well isn’t that strange. Because…

Original post: Is Jason Varitek staying on the Red Sox?  NESN thinks so, Joel Sherman does not.

Either way, there is no way I would want him on the Mets next season.

Yes, the Mets need to add a catcher.  Yes, the market is fairly slim this off-season.  But no, he should not be on the Mets.  Please move along.

Hey, V-Tek, please pick up your player option for next season like NESN is reporting.  It will help me sleep better at night.

The Mets and Sesame Street [Videos]

Happy 40th birthday, Sesame Street.

Watch Keith Hernandez, Mookie Wilson and Ron Darling on the classic TV show.

Awesome.

Link: Rubin chock full of info

Adam Rubin’s latest blog post is teeming with info from day one of the GM Meetings in Chicago.

In brief…

• Matt Holliday and Jason Bay are likely too expensive.
• Mike Cameron is a longshot.
• The Mets really want to trade Luis Castillo.
• The free agent catching market is terrible.
• The Mets want to re-sign Alex Cora.
• Tim Redding and Jeremy Reed will probably be non-tendered.
• Johan Santana and Jose Reyes are healing.  Santana will pitch on his normal winter schedule, while Reyes is now walking sans-crutches.

For more, head over to Rubin’s blog.