Mets Fans Forever

Author: Bob Bagley, contributor on baseball betting

The New York Mets are having good success at signing arbitration-eligible players this off-season. The team has six players who could submit salary proposals and ask for hearings today, Tuesday, January 21st. As of this writing four of the six have reached agreements with the team and have avoided arbitration. The four players are:

   1. Reliever Duaner Sanchez has agreed to a one-year contract for $1,687,500. Sanchez is 29 years old and has played 3 years for the Mets. He has yet to pitch a full season due to injuries sustained in a 2006 taxi accident. He did not pitch in 2007. Last season he was utilized as a setup man. He made 66 appearances, had a 5-1 record and a 4.32 ERA in 58+ innings. He was credited with 21 holds, 9th in the NL. His salary last season was $950,000.00 including bonuses.
   2. Reserve outfielder Jeremy Reed, acquired from the Mariners, signed a one-year deal for $925,000. He bats left-handed and fields respectably. Last year he earned $405,000.
   3. Outfielder Ryan Church got an $800,000 raise after playing for $2 million last season. He batted .276 with 12 homers and 49 RBIs in only 90 games in ’08.
   4. Outfielder Angel Pagan signed for $575,000 after a salary of $401,500 last year. He is recovering from surgery for torn cartilage in his shoulder.

     The Mets had gone 16 years without holding arbitration hearings until last winter, when they forked over $6.5 million to Oliver Perez. With the signing of the four players above, they must sign the two arbitration-eligible players left to start their streak anew. The two remaining players are:

   1. Pitcher John Maine earned $450,000 in 2008. He was 10-8 with a 4.18 ERA and 122 strikeouts.
   2. Relief pitcher Pedro Feliciano was 3-4 last season with a 4.05 ERA.  He yielded 57 hits and 26 walks while striking out 50 in 56 innings.

     Hopefully, the Mets can avoid arbitration with these two remaining hold-outs.

Q & A with Matt Cerrone of Metsblog.com

Author: Will Sommer

I recently asked Matt Cerrone of MetsBlog.com about how he became a blogger, Mets fan etc. If you haven't been to his site. Go their now!

WS: How did you become a fan of the Mets?

MC: Most everyone in my family is a Yankees fan – in fact, most all of my friends, including my wife, are Yankees fans.  So, in a contrarian move, I went the other way and chose the Mets.  Fortunately for me, I did so in 1985, just in time to see them win a World Series the following year.  Unfortunately for me, that was the one and only in my lifetime – so far.

WS: Are you going to miss Shea?

MC: Sort of.  I always struggle with goodbyes.  But, once over with, I have no trouble moving on.  So, right now, seeing Shea be demolished brick by brick, I can't help but be sad.  However, I will be more than excited for Citi Field on Opening Day, and will probably not give Shea a second thought.  I have a ton of great memories in my mind of Shea that nobody can take away from me, regardless of a new stadium.

WS: What are your thoughts on Citi Field?

MC: I was there for a tour early in the winter, and it's going to be a lot of fun.  It's tight, and I am super excited to experience that place in a big game, when it's rocking, and every one is so close to the field.  It's going to be fun.  I am concerned with how expensive it will be, and I worry that it may be ultra-corporate, like Yankee Stadium, but time will tell. 

WS: How did you start MetsBlog.com?

MC: I started MetsBlog.com as a project in a digital media class in college.  When the class ended, I stopped writing it.  In the weeks that followed, I received a number of emails from people outside the class, in New York, apparently, that had been reading it, asking me why I had stopped.  I figured, there is an audience here, and I enjoy it, so I'll keep it going.  I think I had, maybe, 100 readers.  Today the site can reach close to 300,000 hits in a day, as it did during the winter meetings last year, though a typical day is around 120,000 page views, which continues to surprise me.

WS: Do you ever get "scoops" for Mets Personal?

MC: I don't deal in scoops.  I mean, I talk to a lot of people, some in the organziation, some out, I talk with reporters, in-the-know fans, etc., and I try to just read the tea leaves, or synthesize what I hear.  This is why I tend to always begin sentences like, 'The buzz from,' or, 'From what I can gather,' because I simply try to inform my opinions by asking lots of people lots of questions.

WS: Did you ever envision your blog becoming this big?

MC: I didn't except weblogs to be this big, so no.  But, I work very hard, and have been working at this for five years now.  So, that, plus a lot of luck and a smart domain name have kept me going.  This is my fifth year writing MetsBlog.com, and my third season doing it as a full-time job.  I own the site, and have 100 percent editorial control, but thanks to a partnership with SNY, who I work for as a blog manager, managing their other blogs, I'm able to work on MetsBlog full time and I have no intention of stopping any time soon. 

WS: What would you say to fellow bloggers who want to be like you?

MC: Do not try and be Peter Gammons, and do not try to be a beat writer.  The media has plenty of these people.  The beauty of blogging is that it is a tool of empowerment - so be honest, be yourself and take advantage of this unique opportunity to express your opinion in a way that only you can.

In terms of technical advice, I would suggest the blogger be simple. There is so much information online, on radio, on television, and so on, that most readers are not looking for something to read – they are, instead, looking for something not to read.

WS :Do you ever get nervous interviewing Omar Minaya, or just being on TV?

MC: I have come quite close to blacking out before my appearances on the Mets pre-game show.  I was nervous the first time I interviewed Minaya in person.  I tend to not be nervous around players, expect for Keith Hernandez.  I'm getting used to it.  But, the thing is, I'm a fan.  I'm not a professional reporter, nor do I want to be.  I love this team, so to have the opportunity to speak with Minaya or David Wright, etc., is exciting.  I hope I never lose that feeling, actually.  It's what makes this job fun and unique. 

WS: Who is your favorite Met player ever?

MC: It depends on when you are ask me.  It rotates between Keith Hernandez and Darryl Strawberry, sometimes Mr. Met, and, when I'm nostalgic for 1988, I'll say Gregg Jefferies.

The Sheets Dilemma

Author: Will Hernandez

 Ben Sheets reportedly wants guaranteed money to sign a contract with the New York Mets.  Apparently, 198 innings pitched in 2008 deserves a two-year contract worth $9 million per season. It seems Sheets has a very short memory. 

Sheets hasn’t pitched more than 200 innings in a season since 2004, his best statistical season. The 2004 Milwaukee Brewers were a terrible team that finished 67-94 and 37 ½ games out of first place. Poor run support contributed largely to Sheets’ 12-14 record, but his other numbers were stellar. In 34 starts, he finished with a 2.70 ERA, had 264 strikeouts against only 32 walks (8-to-1 ratio), tossed five complete games, and had a 0.983 WHIP. This all came a year after trouble with a bulging disc in his back. And then Sheets fell off the radar the next three seasons. 

The righthander battled a number of injuries from a series of ear infections to shoulder tendonitis and missed the playoffs last year with flexor tendon tear. He put up great numbers and started the All-Star Game for the National League, but wasn’t there when the Brewers needed him most as C.C. Sabathia was asked to do the impossible. There is no denying Sheets’ talent when healthy. He’s worth the $18-million, two-year deal he’s reportedly seeking. But an incentive-laden contract is what he’s worth at the moment and Sheets needs to bend on his demands. 

At the moment, the Mets starting rotation is Johan Santana, Mike Pelfrey, John Maine, open spot, and either Tim Redding or Jon Niese. Obviously, the Mets have a hole to fill. It appears Oliver Perez and Scott Boras are asking for a ton of money, reportedly five years for $60 million, and they are going to drag negotiations for at least the next week. If the Mets are going to sign Sheets, it has to be on their terms and with a backup plan. Do they also sign Freddy Garcia to a minor-league deal as insurance in case Sheets goes down? Does Pedro Martinez suddenly become an option is Sheets signs. Though the Mets may need some insurance for Martinez. 

It’s been some time since the Mets have been missing this big a piece of the puzzle so close to the start of spring training. Omar Minaya may need some persuasion to look past Perez to Sheets, who when healthy, can provide more consistency than Perez. Time is running out and the Mets need to make a move.

Added By Will Sommer:

The picture above I photoshopped. So it may be poor.

 
 
 
 
 

Are the Mets Failing?

Author: Pete Spaziano

The New York Mets are failing the fans this off-season and failing them in a big way.

The Mets should, by now, have added Derek Lowe and Ben Sheets, or Ollie Perez and Ben Sheets...not one of them, two of them!

Also, the Mets, by now, should have unloaded Luis Castillo at all/any costs and signed Orlando Hudson.

Thirdly, the Mets should absolutely make sure they sign Manny Ramirez.

The Mets have an anemic lineup and Ramirez would invigorate them for sure.

If they go into the Spring looking like they do now, they'd be lucky to finish in third place behind the Phillies and Marlins, possibly falling to fourth behind Atlanta.

I'm sick to death with the cheap-factor going on here with the Wilpons.

If they believe this team is built to win now, you either do what is necessary and make sure you get two more pitchers, lose Castillo, sign Hudson and aquire Manny...or they're just fluffing the fans and really don't carea if they win.

How can we get excited about Alex Cora and Castillo at second?

I think i just threw up in my mouth just thinking about it.....

If the Mets miss the playoffs again, I can only hope that the Wilpons, will sell the team to someone who wants to win.

What to do Next?

Author: Will Hernandez

In four weeks, New York Mets’ pitchers and catchers will report to Tradition Field in Port St. Lucie to begin preparing for the 2009 season. The Mets have much to prove after missing the postseason the last two years on the final day of the regular season. To say the Mets need to make the playoffs in 2009 in an understatement. But as spring training approaches, the Mets still have some holes to fill and time is running out. 

General manager Omar Minaya has looked like a genius and dunce at times during the offseason. He signed Francisco Rodriquez to be the team’s new closer at a great price. He engineered a multiteam, multiplayer deal to land J.J. Putz and Sean Green from the Seattle Mariners. Scott Schoeneweis and Joe Smith are gone. Minaya also signed Tim Redding to compete for the No. 5 spot in the rotation and the addition of Alex Cora as a backup middle infielder was a nice touch. But Minaya will mostly likely be remembered more for his failures this offseason. 

Some how, the Atlanta Braves were able to steal Derek Lowe from the Mets. Atlanta secured Lowe by guaranteeing a fourth year in a contract worth $60 million. The Mets best reported deal was a three-year pact worth $36 million. There were rumors Minaya and the rest of the front office were at odds over who they preferred between Lowe and Oliver Perez. Minaya wanted Perez while the rest of the Mets brass wanted Lowe. While Lowe is 35-years-old, he’s showed more consistency than Perez in the last few years. His postseason record also made him a more attractive option than Perez. Now Minaya is scrambling to find another piece to a rotation that enters spring training with a lot of questions. How will Johan Santana respond to offseason knee surgery? Can Mike Pelfrey come close, repeat or be better than his 2008 season? And what about John Maine’s shoulder? 

Minaya has some options in the free-agent market to solidify the rotation. There is Perez, Ben Sheets, Randy Wolf and Pedro Martinez. Sheets, for obvious reasons, is the biggest question mark. The injury-prone righthander was 13-9 with a 3.09 ERA in 31 starts last year, but missed the postseason with a shoulder problem. The Mets are reportedly reviewing his medical records and Sheets is open to signing a one-year deal to prove he’s healthy. If the Mets can sign Sheets and some insurance, say Wolf or Martinez, it would be wise for Minaya to pull the trigger. 

Minaya has said pitching is a priority this offseason, but the offense still needs work and the biggest remaining name on the market is Manny Ramirez. There are many pros and cons to signing Ramirez. Most Mets fans don’t want to hear the negatives, but there are plenty. Outside of the obvious “Manny being Manny” problems, he is a defensive liability and will be a bigger one in Citi Field. Recent diagrams show Citi Field will be deeper than Shea in certain areas, especially leftfield, which is where Ramirez would play. Many argue his bat will more than make up for his defensive shortcomings, but Carlos Beltran can’t play center and left field. Ramirez is tempting, especially since he is the righthanded bat the Mets need. Ultimately, the Mets will take a pass on Ramirez and rely on a combination of Fernando Tatis and Daniel Murphy. Adam Dunn is another possibility, but he presents his own set of problems. 

The biggest question mark on offense, as well as defense, will be Luis Castillo. Like it or not, Castillo is here to say. He is making way too much money to just be cut like so many Mets fans want. He will get another year to prove his worth. Other questions remain for the Mets offense. How will Ryan Church respond with a full offseason of rest? Can Carlos Delgado repeat the second half of 2008? Can David Wright just relax and not think he needs to do everything.  

The Mets are going to be in a fight to compete for the division. The Phillies and Braves have made improvements and the Marlins will most likely start the season strong. There is a very real chance the Mets will finish in third place, missing the playoffs for the third straight year. And with that kind of payroll, it’s inexcusable. 

A Thank You

Author: Will Sommer

I wanted to say thank you to a friend of mine named Victor Ladd. Most of you don't know who he is, but this blog wouldn't be here without him. I just do the writing, and other minor things. All of the technology things he does. Without him I could never had figured out how to create the standings, or my google ads, and much more. He also fixes my posts if something goes wrong, like weird line breaks, which he fixed two days ago no problem. He taught me so much about technology, since I'm an idiot when it comes to that. So thanks Victor for all the great help!

Q & A with Howard Megdal of the New York Observer

Author: Will Sommer

I recently did a Q & A with Howard Megdal of the New York Observer

Will Sommer: How did you get working for the New York Observer?

Howard Megdal: I was fortunate to encounter a forward-thinking editor, who has advocated for baseball coverage in the paper- it was fortuitous timing.

WS: What did you do before the Observer?

HM: I've written on baseball and other matters for years since college- edited sports sections, covered politics- but baseball is my number-one passion.

WS: Who is your favorite team?

HM: It is the Mets. I was raised by a Brooklyn Dodgers fan. That said, I make certain what I write is supported by the facts- it doesn't do me any good to unnecessarily praise or bash the Mets- people will take my opinions or leave them based on how often I am perceptive.

WS: You wrote an article recently about Pedro Feliciano, do you think he can be successful against right handed batters?

HM: I really do. Look at his BABIP against righties last year- .385 screams fluke to me. I think he will rebound nicely, assuming he isn't overworked by winter ball and the WBC.

WS: How come the Mets aren't considering Manny,? Wouldn't he be a perfect fit?

HM: Honestly, I think they aren't pursuing him for financial reasons. But I believe he'd have to be peak-level Manny offensively to justify a $20-25 million annual salary, given his awful defense. I happen to agree with the Mets on this- that money could buy them out of Castillo's contract, allow them to sign whoever they don't get between Lowe and Perez, and grab Orlando Hudson to boot. Don't you think that's a better use of the money? I sure do!

WS: What is your projected starting rotation?

HM: I think you have to figure:
Santana
Pelfrey
Maine
Perez (my hope is Perez)
A battle between Redding/Niese, with a chance Pedro or Freddy Garcia is also in the mix.

WS: Do you think Castillo can rebound?

HM: Yes, he can- the question is whether he will be healthy. Second basemen of a certain age tend to age quickly- see Alomar, Roberto. I think the Mets better hope he can- I can't imagine anyone trading for his contract.

WS: Other than SP in your opinion who do the Mets need to get?

HM: Really, that's it. I'd love to see Lowe and Perez- that's not going to happen, due to money, it seems. But that would be a fantastic rotation. I'd love another lefty, but I don't think you need to pay a ton for one at all. A backup infielder is a must, but they'll get one- a David Eckstein/Alex Cora, someone who can spot Reyes once a month at SS. But their major needs are filled once Lowe/Perez is signed.

WS: Can Carlos Delgado have another great year like he did from July on?

HM: He can, but I'm inclined to believe he'll regress some, to an area between his early 2008 and late 2008. Mets might have been best off dealing Delgado and signing Adam Dunn, in my opinion.

WS: Do any of the Mets rule 5 draft picks have a chance to make the team?

HM: It's possible- the Mets seem to place a lot of stock in spring training performances, and there are some spots up for grabs in the bullpen. Watch spring numbers to get a sense of who has a chance.

WS: Have you taken any tours of Citi Field?

HM: I have. It is beautiful. Mets fans will love it. It's an improved Citizen's Bank Park, with another added advantage- fewer Phillies fans.

Q & A with SNY.tv Ted Berg

Author: Will Sommer

I recently had a Q & A with Ted Berg of SNY. His column "Flushing Fussing" is a must read for any Mets fan.

Also I'm not sure why the line breaks are so funky. I'm trying to fix it. Sorry

WS: In your opinion do the Mets have the best bullpen in baseball or at least the best 1-2 punch in baseball with Putz, and K-Rod?

TB: It's so hard to predict bullpens -- look at the Phillies last year. Would anyone have said in April that they'd have one of the league's best relief corps? Who would've thought Lidge would have that year, or Chad Durbin or Clay Condrey? There's so much variance in relievers' effectiveness that it's tough to definitively call any team "the best."

That said, the Mets are definitely much improved in the bullpen -- there's no arguing that. If both pitchers throw like they did in the second half of 2008, the bullpen will be a strength instead of the Achilles' Heel it was last season. But I still think what the bullpen needs, more than anything, is a starting pitcher that can eat up innings and save relievers some appearances.
WS: Why doesn't Mets ownership want Manny?

TB: Well, we won't know for sure that Mets ownership doesn't want Manny until they let him pass by (I'm still holding out some hope). My guess would be they don't want the headache that comes along with his awesome plate discipline and power. Whether it's true or not, the perception is that he quit on Boston, and there's no arguing that he choked the traveling secretary. That's a lot to put up with for an aging player who can't play defense. I personally still think the positives outweigh the negatives, but I guess I'm not the one who stands to be choked if they don't.

WS: Does Luis Castillo have any shot of being traded?

TB: It's looking less likely every day, isn't it? Obviously if the Mets can find a taker, they'll have to eat a lot of Castillo's salary or take on a similar albatross of a contract. I'm not sure they're eager to do
either, so I think a Mets fan's best hope is to cross his fingers and hope Castillo is fully healthy and maybe not quite as bad as he looked last season. I could stand his complete lack of power if he could play defense at all, but last year he was pretty bad out there.

WS: Do you think the Mets need another lefty in the 'pen?

TB: It couldn't hurt, but it probably depends on how they intend to use Pedro Feliciano. Until 2008, Feliciano was always pretty good at getting both lefties and righties out. He struggled against right-handers in 2008, but Howard Megdal caught up with Feliciano in Puerto Rico and learned that he's working on that part of his game. If the Mets want to use him for full-inning stints, they could probably use a traditional LOOGY. But if Feliciano's slated for the one-out role, the Mets should focus on finding relievers who can get both lefties and righties out.
The over-specialization caught up with them last year, I think, when the appearance totals went through the roof.

WS: If Derek Lowe signs with the Mets, and Perez signs somewhere else, do the Mets have to give up the pick the Mets got from the team Perez signs to the Dodgers, since the Mets all ready signed one Type A free agent?

TB: That is a great question. The MLB rules on this stuff are pretty complex, but I'm pretty sure a team can not lose its compensation pick. So if the Mets sign Lowe and someone else signs Perez, the Mets will still get the two picks they earn for losing Perez -- the signing team's first-rounder (unless the signing team has a top-15 pick, in which case the Mets would get their second-round pick) and a sandwich round pick. So essentially, if they sign Lowe and lose Perez, they'll be giving up two picks (one for K-Rod, one for Lowe) and gaining two picks (first- and supplemental-round picks for Perez). I think.

WS: Will Dan Murphy repeat his great 2008 season?

TB: That's a lot to ask. I think Murphy's a good hitter who's going to be a nice Major League player, but 131 at-bats is a pretty small sample. I think, as the league gets a better scouting report on him, you'll see him struggle a bit at some point. If he's as good as he looks and the Mets stand by him, he'll adjust. But I wouldn't be at all surprised if it was a few years before Murphy posts his next .870 OPS.

WS: How nice is Citi Field?

TB: From the looks of it, very. I've got lots of opinions on architecture that I won't bore you with here, but I can say this for sure: It's going to be a more pleasant place to watch a game than Shea Stadium. The seats are nicer, there's better leg room, more food options and the seats will generally be closer to the field. I'll miss Shea, but the promise of a taco stand at Citi should make that burden a lot easier to bear.

MLB Network

Author: Will Sommer

Omar Minaya was a studio guest on MLB Network's Hot Stove Live. Minaya did mention that he does have interest in Derek Lowe and Randy Wolf. He did not mention Oliver Perez. Minaya also did say that it was hard to watch the bullpen at the end of the season, but he does feel like that he has addressed that issue with K-Rod and Putz, but he's always looking for more arms.

On a different note the MLB Network launched to 50 million people on January 1st, the biggest debut for a cable channel ever. So far I've enjoyed it much to my surprise. Right now their signature show is Hot Stove Live which in my opinion is pleasing to watch. With Harold Reynolds as the lead analysist, who is great, and a two great sets, I think if you love baseball then you have to watch MLB network. When the season starts the network's signature show will be MLB tonight, which is basically a much longer version of ESPN's show baseball tonight. I think I'll watch MLB tonight over baseball tonight, just because of Reynolds. Also MLB network will broadcast 26 games during the year.  So watch MLB network!