Buster hears: Mets close to Chris Young

Our auditory expert, Buster Olney, has heard that the Mets and Chris Young are nearing a deal.

Young, coming off an injury shortened season with the San Diego Padres (Paul DePodesta, anyone?), appeared in only four games. The 31-year-old walked 11 and allowed 10 hits in 20 innings last year.

A career with a 1.209 WHIP in 751 2/3 IP, Young has had trouble with injuries throughout his career (John Maine, anyone), with 179 1/3 innings being his highest in his career.

A good, solid signing, likely on the cheap. Fills a hole in the rotation, which was sorely needed.

I’m happy with this, if it goes through.

Davidoff on Feliciano, and why I like it

If Pedro Feliciano accepts arbitration tomorrow night - I'll say it's 50-50 - then that'll pretty much blow the little spending money they have. Which is fine; Terry Collins will surely use Feliciano more intelligently than Jerry Manuel did, and then the Mets will have themselves a July trade chip if they don't contend.

-Ken Davidoff

Couldn’t agree more.

The Mets don’t have money to spend. $4 million might hinder them, but $4 million isn’t going to be the game-changer to fix the team.

Feliciano will be fine if he stays, and is a chip to trade come midseason. If he doesn’t accept, the Mets get a sandwich draft pick.

I have no problems with this.

What I’m thankful for…

I’m thankful for Sandy Alderson.

I’m thankful for J.P. Ricciardi.

I’m thankful for Paul DePodesta.

I’m thankful for Terry Collins.

I’m thankful for a new beginning for the Mets.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! Let’s go Mets!

Terry Collins on managing [Quote]

“There's only 30 of these jobs. They're very difficult to get.
They're very difficult to do.”

-Terry Collins

‘Is it spring training yet?’

Howie Rose forgets his mic is on during the Isles game.

I guess someone told him the Mets hired a manager.

Terry Collins: By the numbers

According to reports, Terry Collins will be named the next manager of the New York Mets.

Unclear on who Collins is? Here’s some easily digestable information…

69: Inches tall.

61: Years old.

10: Years playing professional baseball.

0: Games in Major League Baseball

671: Minor league games.

.255: Career minor league batting average.

6: Career home runs in the minors.

1: Chinese national team coached (2009 World Baseball Classic).

2: Seasons as manager of Orix Buffaloes of Japan.

6: Seasons managing MLB teams.

444: Career MLB wins.

434: Career MLB losses.

2: Highest finish in division.

5: Times team managed by Collins finished second in division.

0: Playoff games managed by Collins.

Poll: Who should be the next manager?

Cross Hurdle off the short list

And then it was two…

Clint Hurdle has (mistakenly) agreed to a 3-year contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates to try and drag that team out of the cellar.

It seems only Bob Melvin and Terry Collins remain candidates for the Mets managerial opening.

I’m good for either. No strong push either way for me. I think they’re fairly equal. Both have experience and track records, but none of them scream “Oh, pick me! I’m better!”

So, who do you have? Melvin or Collins? Terry or Bob?

Let’s hear your case in the comments…

DePodesta’s name removed from ‘Moneyball’

Jonah Hill of "Knocked Up" and "Superbad" fame as Peter Brand, the A's resident computer whiz. Paul DePodesta, the real-life Peter Brand, asked to have his name removed from the film.

-Jerry Crasnik

If I was being portrayed by Jonah Hill, I wouldn’t want my name attached either.

And I still have no idea how this is being made into a movie.

I don’t have a favorite for manager

I was all for Sandy Alderson from the get-go. I’m glad they’ve brought on J.P. and Paul. But now the Mets are looking for a manager, and I don’t really care who they hire.

Is that weird?

I think pretty much any of the candidates that they’ve hired will be fine. Wally Backman is the wild guy, Terry Collins is a front office favorite. Clint Hurdle is one of many with experience. Bobby Valentine still seems to be a fan favorite.

And I don’t really care.

Put the names in a hat, shake it up and pick one. Move forward from there.

The more important moves are who the players are on the field. A manager can only do so much, and the ones the Mets are considering all seem roughly on par with each other.

Do you have a favorite? If so, who and why? Maybe you can swing my position.