This is priceless.
Via The Final Score.
I'm waiting for "THOMAS SEAVER IS IN WILPON'S BAWX!! SEAVER IS IN WILPON'S BAWX!!"
10/3/08
Jerry Manuel will be the Mets manager in 2009
The Mets and Jerry Manuel have agreed to a two-year deal, bringing the former interim manager back for the long haul.
According to Jon Heyman, the contract also includes a club option for a third year.
The numbers were leaked before at being a two-year deal worth $1.5 million, so I assume it's very close to that.
Welcome back, Gangsta. Here's to two (or three) more years of Gangsta in the clubhouse.
I guess this means I should learn how to say his name correctly.
According to Jon Heyman, the contract also includes a club option for a third year.
The numbers were leaked before at being a two-year deal worth $1.5 million, so I assume it's very close to that.
Welcome back, Gangsta. Here's to two (or three) more years of Gangsta in the clubhouse.
I guess this means I should learn how to say his name correctly.
Shea Stadium is coming down [Video]
Head over to Newsday to check out a video from inside Shea Stadium as the workers begin tearing the old place down, piece by piece.
What I'd like to know is, if the Mets are selling those seats, how is taking them apart and tossing them around like that going to keep them safe or organized?
What I'd like to know is, if the Mets are selling those seats, how is taking them apart and tossing them around like that going to keep them safe or organized?
Don't expect K-Rod
The Mets need a closer. One of the best closers in the game is a free agent this off-season. Too bad he's going to cost a fortune.
According to Jon Heyman, Francisco Rodriguez would command a five-year, $75 million contract.
Woah.
The Mets are unfortunately still paying Billy Wagner $11 million to get surgery and attempt a recovery for his career, not the Mets. He has thrown his last pitch as a member of the Mets, without a doubt.
I'd love to see K-Rod wearing orange and blue, but the Mets have a lot of fish to fry, and they can't blow it all on a closer, who earned the season saves record last year, but also struggled with putting runners on base. According to Jeremy Cothran, he was the fourth best reliever in the AL last season.
Omar Minaya would love to add him, but the Mets have to look elsewhere. Maybe Eddie Kunz can make an impact, maybe Brant Rustich can join the ranks, but the Mets still need to add a few key free agent acquisitions that won't break the bank.
One giant free agent or a bunch of smaller ones? Omar and the Mets have a lot of holes to patch in the bullpen.
According to Jon Heyman, Francisco Rodriguez would command a five-year, $75 million contract.
Woah.
The Mets are unfortunately still paying Billy Wagner $11 million to get surgery and attempt a recovery for his career, not the Mets. He has thrown his last pitch as a member of the Mets, without a doubt.
I'd love to see K-Rod wearing orange and blue, but the Mets have a lot of fish to fry, and they can't blow it all on a closer, who earned the season saves record last year, but also struggled with putting runners on base. According to Jeremy Cothran, he was the fourth best reliever in the AL last season.
Omar Minaya would love to add him, but the Mets have to look elsewhere. Maybe Eddie Kunz can make an impact, maybe Brant Rustich can join the ranks, but the Mets still need to add a few key free agent acquisitions that won't break the bank.
One giant free agent or a bunch of smaller ones? Omar and the Mets have a lot of holes to patch in the bullpen.
Feast on this tidbit: Bobby Valentine?
If Jerry Manuel and the Mets can't agree on a contract, an interesting name has popped up.
David Lennon, in Newsday:
I'd do anything to see him don that fake mustache and glasses one more time in the Mets dugout.
David Lennon, in Newsday:
But if negotiations do fall through, one of the names that could surface again is Bobby Valentine. The club's chilly relationship with Valentine has thawed during the past year, and the Mets' job is one of the few that might prompt him to leave Japan. Having him return to open Citi Field next April would be like the franchise welcoming home a prodigal son.I think Manuel will be back, but if he's not, I think Valentine is the next best option. He's a fan favorite, and is in that same calm, cool, collected vein of coaching that Manuel also subscribes to.
I'd do anything to see him don that fake mustache and glasses one more time in the Mets dugout.
10/2/08
Carlos Delgado will be your first baseman for 2009
Mets fans suffered through a year of futility before he busted out in July and August. For the sake of the Mets, one can only hope he can recreate his August numbers through the entirety of 2009.
The Mets are close to picking up Carlos Delgado's $12 million option, choosing to keep him around instead of buying him out for $4 million.
I think I can live with it. Hopefully he's not hitting .223 with 13 home runs and 68 RBI at the end of September 2009.
This solves at least one big problem for Omar Minaya. He will not be spending $200 million on Mark Teixeira.
The jury is still out. We saw both sides of Delgado in 2008. The really terrible, slumping Delgado, and the freaking amazing, out-of-his-mind hitting Delgado. I'll take the happy medium.
The Mets are close to picking up Carlos Delgado's $12 million option, choosing to keep him around instead of buying him out for $4 million.
I think I can live with it. Hopefully he's not hitting .223 with 13 home runs and 68 RBI at the end of September 2009.
This solves at least one big problem for Omar Minaya. He will not be spending $200 million on Mark Teixeira.
The jury is still out. We saw both sides of Delgado in 2008. The really terrible, slumping Delgado, and the freaking amazing, out-of-his-mind hitting Delgado. I'll take the happy medium.
Bringing back Omar Minaya
Omar Minaya received a three-year extension, carrying him at least to 2012, with team options for '13 and '14.
I'm all for it. In Omar We Trust, as they say.
Yes, the Mets have missed out on the playoffs the last two years. Yes, the bullpen has been the thorn in their own side, and not much was made to resolve that fact last off-season. But here the Mets are, just one game out of the playoffs for another year. Is that good enough to keep bringing him back?
Minaya has a very, very difficult job to do this off-season. Looking at the team from a pessimists perspective, Omar might need to fill two starting pitcher spots, at least three or more bullpen spots, a first baseman, maybe even a second baseman, a left fielder, and almost the entire bench, sparing a fourth-outfielder.
Though people will call for one, a youth-movement is not coming. The Mets are set to open their brand new stadium, Citi Field, next season, so don't expect them to field a team of 24-year-olds fresh out of the minor leagues.
Minaya has done a spectacular job reshaping the franchise, for better or for worse is up to you. You cannot forget that baseball is a business, an entertainment money-maker. I have no problem with "Los Mets" because the money pours in from there. Also, we've read much about how African-Americans are shying away from baseball, while the Latino countries are simply pumping out baseball players as fast as they can.
It's a product of the city, the business, the niche. As long as they perform, it's fine with me.
It also seems he's learning his lesson with veterans. After Tom Glavine, Pedro Martinez, and Moises Alou, though they were all serviceable for a time, they all faltered when the team really needed them. The influx of call-ups like Daniel Murphy and Nick Evans might be enough to signal a change in the "Omar Doctrine."
The Mets have a lot of money to spend this season, somewhere between $40 to $50 million. It's going to be a long off-season, full of Minaya rumors, and he better be ready to catch some flak if the Mets three-peat the "collapse." If, god-forbid, it happens again, I can guarantee Minaya will be jobless next October 1.
Still, I like what he's done, especially with trash-heap guys like Fernando Tatis. The Johan Santana trade will be a gleaming gold star on his resume, and I wouldn't be surprised to see Manny Ramirez in left next season. He has his favorite players, and they're all pretty well known. Omar has a playbook, but it's almost paid off three straight years.
Is almost good enough? Guess we'll just have to wait and find out. Hopefully we don't have to wait until 2012.
I'm all for it. In Omar We Trust, as they say.
Yes, the Mets have missed out on the playoffs the last two years. Yes, the bullpen has been the thorn in their own side, and not much was made to resolve that fact last off-season. But here the Mets are, just one game out of the playoffs for another year. Is that good enough to keep bringing him back?
Minaya has a very, very difficult job to do this off-season. Looking at the team from a pessimists perspective, Omar might need to fill two starting pitcher spots, at least three or more bullpen spots, a first baseman, maybe even a second baseman, a left fielder, and almost the entire bench, sparing a fourth-outfielder.
Though people will call for one, a youth-movement is not coming. The Mets are set to open their brand new stadium, Citi Field, next season, so don't expect them to field a team of 24-year-olds fresh out of the minor leagues.
Minaya has done a spectacular job reshaping the franchise, for better or for worse is up to you. You cannot forget that baseball is a business, an entertainment money-maker. I have no problem with "Los Mets" because the money pours in from there. Also, we've read much about how African-Americans are shying away from baseball, while the Latino countries are simply pumping out baseball players as fast as they can.
It's a product of the city, the business, the niche. As long as they perform, it's fine with me.
It also seems he's learning his lesson with veterans. After Tom Glavine, Pedro Martinez, and Moises Alou, though they were all serviceable for a time, they all faltered when the team really needed them. The influx of call-ups like Daniel Murphy and Nick Evans might be enough to signal a change in the "Omar Doctrine."
The Mets have a lot of money to spend this season, somewhere between $40 to $50 million. It's going to be a long off-season, full of Minaya rumors, and he better be ready to catch some flak if the Mets three-peat the "collapse." If, god-forbid, it happens again, I can guarantee Minaya will be jobless next October 1.
Still, I like what he's done, especially with trash-heap guys like Fernando Tatis. The Johan Santana trade will be a gleaming gold star on his resume, and I wouldn't be surprised to see Manny Ramirez in left next season. He has his favorite players, and they're all pretty well known. Omar has a playbook, but it's almost paid off three straight years.
Is almost good enough? Guess we'll just have to wait and find out. Hopefully we don't have to wait until 2012.
10/1/08
Ambiorix Burgos is a terrible person
This is just awful.
Ambiorix Burgos, who has been at the center of controversies already this season, has allegedly struck and killed two people during a hit-and-run.
According to the Daily News, Burgos was driving a Hummer in the Dominican Republic, when he struck two people, then fled the scene.
He is also wanted for a gun possession charge.
Brugos was arrested earlier this month after allegedly assaulting his girlfriend in New York. He also had his "bling" stolen during spring training.
The Mets should cut their losses and release him immediately. This should not be tolerated.
Ambiorix Burgos, who has been at the center of controversies already this season, has allegedly struck and killed two people during a hit-and-run.
According to the Daily News, Burgos was driving a Hummer in the Dominican Republic, when he struck two people, then fled the scene.
He is also wanted for a gun possession charge.
Brugos was arrested earlier this month after allegedly assaulting his girlfriend in New York. He also had his "bling" stolen during spring training.
The Mets should cut their losses and release him immediately. This should not be tolerated.
Johan Santana is better than you and me
His last start: 9 IP, 3 hits, 0 runs. All on a torn meniscus.
Johan Santana had surgery on his left knee, and had been playing through pain for the last month. He did not alert the team to the situation, nor know how bad the injury actually was, as he did not want to cause a stir.
I've been through this same injury, on my right knee. I haven't been able to find if they were able to sew the meniscus back together, or if they had to cut it out. For me, they had to remove the damaged part. The sewing back together led to a longer recovery time, so it's something we may be able to find out if he makes any appearances with the team.
Hopefully they repaired it, as any team would want their $137.5 million investment to be playing with all his normal body parts.
The pain of a torn meniscus is something you can cope with. It's a dull, stinging pain as you put pressure on the leg, at least where mine was torn. Walking was fine for me, but anything quicker than that, even a light jog, brought the pain back. I couldn't imagine what pitching must have been like. Ouch.
What a gamer. The more I know about Santana, the more I respect him. As David Lennon wrote, the "Santana legend grows."
Johan Santana had surgery on his left knee, and had been playing through pain for the last month. He did not alert the team to the situation, nor know how bad the injury actually was, as he did not want to cause a stir.
I've been through this same injury, on my right knee. I haven't been able to find if they were able to sew the meniscus back together, or if they had to cut it out. For me, they had to remove the damaged part. The sewing back together led to a longer recovery time, so it's something we may be able to find out if he makes any appearances with the team.
Hopefully they repaired it, as any team would want their $137.5 million investment to be playing with all his normal body parts.
The pain of a torn meniscus is something you can cope with. It's a dull, stinging pain as you put pressure on the leg, at least where mine was torn. Walking was fine for me, but anything quicker than that, even a light jog, brought the pain back. I couldn't imagine what pitching must have been like. Ouch.
What a gamer. The more I know about Santana, the more I respect him. As David Lennon wrote, the "Santana legend grows."
My playoff predictions
Since the Mets are MIA from the playoffs, I figured I'd make a few picks and predictions on what will happen in the first round.
NL:
Milwaukee Brewers vs. Philadelphia Phillies
LA Dodgers vs. Chicago Cubs
AL:
Boston Red Sox vs. LA Angels of Anaheim
Chicago White Sox vs. Tampa Bay Rays
MIL vs. PHI
I'm taking Philly here. The Brewers had to scrape together a starting rotation for the last week of the season, and now with Ben Sheets struggles, they'll have to continue to hope and pray for good starting pitching. Philly caught fire late, and has been rolling near the end. Their bullpen is far superior, as is their starting pitching, and offense. Philly in three.
LAD vs. CHC
Tough one. Cubbies in five. I think this will be the toughest fought out match-up. The Cubs are really good, so are the Dodgers. The Cubbies can rely on both their starters and their bullpen, plus they have a nasty offense. The same argument can be made for the Dodgers.
BOS vs. LAA
Angels in four. The Sox are good, but I think the Angels are going all the way. Their SP hasn't been the same, but it's kind of tough to pitch when you've locked up the division in early September. The Sox will miss not having Josh Beckett until game three. Angels are going to win it all, beating the Cubs in the WS.
CHW vs. TB
Tampa in four. A good run for the Pale Stockings, but it's going to have to end. They won three games against three different teams to close the season, but the Rays are going to come out and be running on all cylinders. Tampa is nasty. Go Scott Kazmir?
Thoughts? How do you see the playoffs breaking down?
NL:
Milwaukee Brewers vs. Philadelphia Phillies
LA Dodgers vs. Chicago Cubs
AL:
Boston Red Sox vs. LA Angels of Anaheim
Chicago White Sox vs. Tampa Bay Rays
MIL vs. PHI
I'm taking Philly here. The Brewers had to scrape together a starting rotation for the last week of the season, and now with Ben Sheets struggles, they'll have to continue to hope and pray for good starting pitching. Philly caught fire late, and has been rolling near the end. Their bullpen is far superior, as is their starting pitching, and offense. Philly in three.
LAD vs. CHC
Tough one. Cubbies in five. I think this will be the toughest fought out match-up. The Cubs are really good, so are the Dodgers. The Cubbies can rely on both their starters and their bullpen, plus they have a nasty offense. The same argument can be made for the Dodgers.
BOS vs. LAA
Angels in four. The Sox are good, but I think the Angels are going all the way. Their SP hasn't been the same, but it's kind of tough to pitch when you've locked up the division in early September. The Sox will miss not having Josh Beckett until game three. Angels are going to win it all, beating the Cubs in the WS.
CHW vs. TB
Tampa in four. A good run for the Pale Stockings, but it's going to have to end. They won three games against three different teams to close the season, but the Rays are going to come out and be running on all cylinders. Tampa is nasty. Go Scott Kazmir?
Thoughts? How do you see the playoffs breaking down?
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