How Mets fans view Luis Castillo [Image]

Link: Part V of blogger roundtable

Head over to NJ.com to check out the fifth and final portion of the blogger roundtable.

Today we answered, “If the Mets do not sign John Lackey, which other free-agent pitcher do you think would be the best fit for them?”

My answer is kind of a mess, but you’ll get the point.

Thanks to Brian Costa for setting this up.

Showdown: Santos’ OBP vs. Molina’s OBP [Graph]

The Mets need a catcher.  Bengie Molina is available.  The Mets will likely be interested.

Say the Mets sign Molina and pair him with Omir Santos as the Mets catchers in 2010, can you imagine the battle to keep their combined OBP above .600?

Here is a chart with Santos’ and Molina’s OBP for every year from 2001 on, Santos’ first year in pro ball.  All numbers for Santos are minor league stats except for 2009.

Please, no.  Don’t let it happen.  I don’t want to see a two-man battle for futility.

Phrases I hate during hot stove season

Here is a list of phrases I find are overused and stupid during this insane season of hot stove baseball

• Rumor
• Interested in
• Could
• Look at
• Anonymous sources
• Major-league sources
• Insider(s)
• Pursue
• Possible
• Likely
• Unlikely

Example: According to my anonymous major-league sources, INSERT TEAM NAME could be interested in INSERT PLAYER NAME.  Insiders say it’s possible TEAM NAME could look at pursuing PLAYER NAME as a possible addition to their team.  It’s not known if he is likely to be available for a decent price, but it’s unlikely he gives any team a bargain.  Right now, it’s just a rumor.

I apologize in advance if I use these in any major way in any posts from here on out.  I try not to rumor-monger, but sometimes I lapse into some bad blogging judgment.

‘69 Mets locker room after winning the World Series [Video]

This is just too cool.

This seems to be the NBC feed, with no commercials, which is awesome.

Also, note the insanity on the field.  Could you imagine if they still allowed that?

Link: Roundtable Part IV

Head over to NJ.com for Part IV of the blogger roundtable.

Today we answered, “Could you live with Daniel Murphy starting at first base if the Mets sign Matt Holliday or Jason Bay to play left field? If not, what should the Mets do at first base?”

Thoughts?

A message from Wally [Video]

Link: Part III of blogger roundtable

Head over to NJ.com to read Part III of the Mets blogger roundtable.

Today we answered, “If the Mets spend big on one free agent this winter -- and, obviously, there are only three high-priced options here: Matt Holliday, John Lackey or Jason Bay -- who do you think it should be and why?”

Click here to read Greg and Jason’s answers from Faith and Fear in Flushing, Eric’s from Amazin’ Avenue and mine from here.

Report: Mets hire Jauss as bench coach

The Mets will announce a hiring of Dave Jauss as Jerry Manuel’s new bench coach, according to Ken Rosenthal’s sources.  A Daily News report also tabbed Jauss for the Mets last week.

Jauss was hired by Manuel in 1988 as a manager in the Montreal Expos system.

He has worked as first base coach for the Boston Red Sox from 1997-99 under Grady Little.  He also worked as minor-league field coordinatior from 2000-01.  In ‘01, he served as the Red Sox bench coach.  In ‘02 he directed player development and from ‘03-‘05 he worked as an advanced scout.

From ‘06-‘07, Jauss worked as a bench coach under Little in Los Angeles.  In ‘08-‘09, he served as the bench coach for the Baltimore Orioles.

Coaching News: Backman in Brooklyn, Teufel in Binghamton and Alomar Jr. in Cleveland

Three coaching moves for the Mets organization today.  Two in and one out.

• Wally Backman was officially announced as the manager of the Brooklyn Cyclones, a minor league affiliate to the Mets.
• Tim Teufel, another ‘86-er, was hired as manager of the Double-A Binghamton Mets.
• And Sandy Alomar Jr., who was the catching instructor for the Mets last season, has been named first base coach for the Cleveland Indians.