Monthly Archives: March 2004
Much is being made of the Star-Ledger report claiming the Mets had spoken with the Royals regarding the availability of Carlos Beltran. Within moments of the reports, fans began shifting hypothetical trades around while debating the chances Beltran would even consider signing with the Mets at the conclusion of the 2004 season.
Although the hot stove has barely cooled from this past off-season, it is never too early to look ahead at the current list of free agent outfielders due to hit the market at the end of this season.
The most notable of the bunch include:
Garret Anderson
Lance Berkman
Jermaine Dye
Richard Hidalgo
Jacque Jones
Carlos Lee
Magglio Ordonez
Richie Sexson
The Mets’ current philosophy puts pitching and defense first. Therefore, it stands to reason GM Jim Duquette will move aggressively towards acquiring a potential ace for the pitching staff, to replace the soon to be retired Al Leiter, thus leaving only moderate room for a right fielder.
While players such as Richard Hidalgo and Jermaine Dye may be significantly overpaid today, receiving $12 million and $11 million this season respectively, both are likely to receive half of what Ordonez, Beltran and Anderson will command, and could prove to be a better short-term value.
Of the above eight, Hidalgo could be the best solution, assuming available funds must be spread across a right fielder and a pitcher. In 2003, Hidalgo posted a .309 batting average with 28 HR, 88 RBI, 43 2B and 100 strikeouts. Reports have indicated that the Astros would like to move Hidalgo and his bloated 2004 salary, making room for their prized prospect Jason Lane, while freeing up constricted money used to sign Andy Pettite and Roger Clemens.
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After reading today’s post, on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being most confident, how confident are you that the Mets will play “meaningful games” in September of 2004?
The News…
* WFAN’s Mets reporter, Ed Coleman, appeared on Mike and The Maddog yesterday, confirming notions that Jae Seo’s security in the Mets’ rotation may not be as strong as originally believed. Coleman sited Seo’s refusal to throw a breaking ball, leaving the Mets’ coaching staff rather bewildered. When asked if Seo would lose his job should he struggle during his final performance of the spring, Coleman answered, “It’s possible.” Coleman did say he would not go as far as to say the Mets are leaning towards pulling Seo from the rotation, but that if any two of Grant Roberts, Tyler Yates and Scott Erickson pitch well in their final starts, while Seo continues to struggle, the fact that Seo still has an option to be sent to the minor leagues could end up hurting him.
* Tom Verducci, of Sports Illustrated, also appeared on Mike and the Maddog and predicted the Mets would finish in last place this season, while winning roughly 75 games. Verducci further noted that his biggest concern is that a rough start to the Mets’ season could lead to the veteran players giving up, ruling out any chance of a second half turn-around – something he would never expect from a young team like the Marlins or Expos, hence his last place prediction.
* Lastly, during the Ed Coleman interview, WFAN anchor Chris Russo mentioned that the Giants are interested in RHP Scott Erickson.
* Kaz Matsui, who’s missed the last two days with a strained right wrist, told the NY Post that his wrist has improved, and that he expects to play in the next few days. According to the Star-Ledger, Kaz will play tonight against the Dodgers.
* A day after throwing four innings, Al Leiter reported no abnormal soreness in his shoulder.
* Orber Moreno has allowed only one earn run over 17 innings this Spring.
MetsBlog.com’s Take…
This is beginning to get confusing, so let’s sort out each player’s scenario:
Jae Seo, who many assumed to have a lock on the fourth slot in the Mets’ starting rotation, has one option remaining and can be sent to the minors without being exposed to the waiver wire.
Grant Roberts is out of options, meaning that if he doesn’t start the season on the Mets roster, he will be available to other teams via waivers. He would return to the Mets, only if all teams passed on him, and considering Roberts has pitched so well this spring and makes minimal money, the one sure thing is that he will be on the Mets opening day roster – where he will be playing is still up in the air.
Dan Wheeler and Orber Moreno, who have both pitched exceptionally well this spring, can each be sent to the minors without going through waivers – Wheeler has one option remaining.
Both Ricky Botallico and Scott Erickson can opt out of their contract with the Mets if they are not on the team’s opening day roster.
James Baldwin has a similar situation to Botallico and Erickson, however, his deadline to leave the team isn’t until April 30.
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After reading today’s post, on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being most confident, how confident are you that the Mets will play “meaningful games” in September of 2004?
The News…
- Al Leiter pitched four scoreless innings in the Mets’ 5-4 loss to the Cardinals ten days after feeling tendonitis in his shoulder. During the game, however, Kazuo Matsui, who has more strikeouts than hits this spring, didn’t start because of a right wrist strain, Mike Piazza played but claimed he has a sore left wrist, Karim Garcia missed time due to his court appearance and tendonitis in his left wrist, Cliff Floyd was noticed to be favoring his surgically repaired right heel and Mets’ officials sounded far from optimistic regarding Jose Reyes‘ status for next Tuesday’s opener in Atlanta; “It’s iffy,” Howe told the NY Times regarding Reye, “Very iffy.” X-rays of Matsui’s wrist were negative and Howe seemed optimistic that he would be back in the lineup Wednesday night when the Mets face the Dodgers in Vero Beach. “I can throw no problem so I don’t think it’s serious,” said Matsui to MLB.com, “It bothers me just a little when I’m hitting.”
- Harold Reynolds of ESPN’s Baseball Tonight noted that the shift to 2B will put significantly more strain on Reyes’ weak hamstrings than he would ordinarily suffer at SS.
- Two major-league executives familiar with the situationto told the Star-Ledger that the Mets have spoken to the Royals about the availability of OF Carlos Beltran. The Mets were told, in a conversation that the Ledger describes as a “sub-preliminary conversation”, that Beltran is not currently available, but would be should the Royals fall out of the playoff hunt as they have no intentions of resigning. It is assumed that the Royals would ask for young starting pitching and catching prospects.
- The Star-Ledger also notes that the Mets have not asked about White Sox right fielder Magglio Ordonez, according to a White Sox official.
- Ted Robinson of MSG notes that a major key in the Mets success this season will hinge on how well they play against their opponents in the NL East, a point further detailed by Metsblog in our “If” series from earlier this year.
- Jim Callis of Baseball America ranks the Mets as having the tenth best minor league system in baseball. Callis describes the farm system as an, “impressive group of impact prospects,” while further referring to LHP Scott Kazmir and 3B David Wright as, “superstars on the way.” Callis ranks the rest of the National League as follows: Atlanta #4, Florida #14, Philadelphia #21 and Montreal dead last at #30. The Yankees check in at #27.
- Harold Reynolds of ESPN’s Baseball Tonight noted that the shift to 2B will put significantly more strain on Reyes’ weak hamstrings than he would ordinarily suffer at SS.
Metsblog’s Take…
On Reyes:
Harold Reynolds brings up a great point regarding Reyes, his hamstring and the awkward movements at 2B. Simply stand to you feet, and twist your body towards your right – duplicating the movement a right handed second baseman makes when pivoting to turn the double play. Compare this to the ease of flipping your right arm towards the left, as Reyes would be doing from shortstop, and you can feel the difference in your legs.
The major concern regarding Reyes’ hammies is that he is not a big kid, and lacks the weight and muscle needed to support the rigorous strain his style of game will thrust upon his hamstrings. The Mets should hire Rickey Henderson to be Reyes’ conditioning coach, contingent, of course, upon Rickey never speaking with the Mets youngster, just showing him what to do.
On Beltran:
Considering teams like the Dodgers and Yankees will likely be in the hunt for Beltran, it is safe to assume that the asking price for the RF will be more than Met fans will initially be comfortable parting with. What should be considered, however, is Callis’ ranking of the Mets farm system. Depth is the key to flexibility, and it appears the Mets have it in the eyes of the professionals.
Beltran would likely cost either Justin Huber or Mike Jacobs and a pitcher of proven quality such as Jae Seo or Grant Roberts.
The alternative would be, regardless of the Mets position in the standings, to hang tight, keep their system in tact and throw serious money towards Beltran, or Magglio Ordonez, or Richard Hidalgo, or Garret Anderson, during the following off-season.
On the health of the Mets:
If there was an emoticon that displayed a face shaking its head back and forth and rolling its eyes, we would place it right here: X.
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After reading today’s post, on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being most confident, how confident are you that the Mets will play “meaningful games” in September of 2004?
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Adam Rubin, the Mets beat writer from the New York Daily News, goes four for four, during our first ever Metsblog Q-n-A…
Metsblog: As
a beat writer for the New York Mets, and someone who is around the club
on a regular basis, do you get the sense that this team believes it can
win the National League East?
Rubin:
Few teams are pessimistic during spring training. I think veterans
realize it will be a challenge to finish ahead of the Marlins, Phillies
AND Braves, but they’re not resigned to finishing fourth or last. The
improved defense and speed at the top of the order adds a new
dimension, though this team more than most will be dependent on players
(Reyes, Piazza, Leiter, etc.) staying healthy.
Metsblog: From
what you saw this Spring Training, if you had to buy stock in one young
player from the Mets’ organization – not named Jose Reyes – who would
it be? Also, would you buy stock in Kaz Matsui‘s 2004 season?
Rubin:
The good news is some high-end prospects are on the horizon. I believe
RHP Matt Peterson and 3B David Wright have the biggest upside, and
if you forced me to choose one, it would be Wright. I watched him
make two diving plays to his right and throw out runners at first last
week in a minor-league game. He’s held his own in Grapefruit League
games, flirting with .400. And he’s got an incredible personality. As
for Matsui, his high strikeout total (which was also the case in Japan)
and lack of plate discipline scare me. I probably wouldn’t have moved
Reyes, instead signing Luis Castillo. That said, I wouldn’t be
surprised if he adjusts and ends up earning NL Rookie of the Year.
Would I buy stock? At three years, $20.1 million — probably, since
Reyes can be back at shortstop by 23 years old if Matsui doesn’t
succeed.
Metsblog:
Do you ever browse the various weblogs and chat rooms posted across the
Internet by Met fans? If so, and thus you realize the nature of the
forum, do you think it is a tool that the Met management monitors as a
way to gauge their fan-base’s approval and contempt?
Rubin: I look at a few of the sites on a semi-regular basis, including NYFansOnly.com.
I actually used that site for fan reaction quotes when we learned A-Rod
would sign with the Yankees. It’s helpful to a limited extent because
it offers insight into the pulse of the fans (at least rabid ones), and
I sometimes find references to articles in other markets I may have
otherwise missed. For instance, I made some Philly writers aware of a
story originating from Latin America about Vicente Padilla‘s alleged
alcohol problems. I don’t think Jim Duquette would be on the fan sites,
but I suspect some people from the Mets staff — in an official or
unofficial capacity — are at least aware of what’s being said online,
just like they would have a feel for what callers are saying on talk
radio.
Metsblog:
Every day I ask the following question of the readers who frequent
Metsblog: On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being most confident, how
confident are you that the Mets will play “meaningful games” in
September of 2004? As of today, the MetFans Confidence Rating, as I
like to call it, checks in at 5.12, down 30 percent from its off-season
high in January. How confident are you, Adam, that the Mets will play
“meaningful games” in September of 2004?
Rubin:
I’ll give it a 5. I think the Mets will be on the periphery of the
wild-card race at the trading deadline, close enough to consider making
a trade for a player of Magglio Ordonez‘s caliber. I don’t know how
close they’ll be once September rolls around, especially since the NL
Central runner-up (Houston or Chicago) has such a built-in advantage in
the wild card, considering Cincinnati, Pittsburgh and Milwaukee are in
the division.
###
We’d like to thank Adam for taking part in a Metsblog Exclusive
Interview, and be sure to read Adam’s most recent column, Scouting The
Mets. The column, which appears today at the New York Daily News, features Rubin’s insights into each position on the Mets squad with a report by various MLB scouts following each comment.
The News…
The Mets acquired Ricky Gutierrez yesterday from the Cleveland Indians for a player to be named later. The Mets will also receive cash, as the Indians will pay a large part of Gutierrez’s salary – one report indicates this could be as high as 75 percent. Gutierrez is due $4 million in 2004 and has a 2005 option for $5M with a $750,000 buyout. The Indians will pay the buyout as well.
The New York Mets traded outfielder Timo Perez to the Chicago White Sox on Saturday for right-hander Matt Ginter. Ginter is 3-0 with a 5.82 ERA in 63 career relief appearances. All reports suggest Ginter will begin the season at AAA.
Metsblog.com’s Take…
Thanks for the memories Timo. Best of luck in Chicago.
After reading today’s post, on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being most confident, how confident are you that the Mets will play “meaningful games” in September of 2004?
The News…
Mets GM Jim Duquette appeared on MLB.com Radio a few moments ago. He had the following to say about:
Jose Reyes and opening day: Duquette is still “not sure,” though he is “pleased with [Reyes's] progress.” In the end, the club will simply “play it by ear.”
The Plan: Duquette explained his goal, when he pitched himself as the future GM of the Mets to the Wilpons, was to build a team that would be strong for 8 to 10 years, much like the Braves. In fact, he claims the 90′s Braves are his model. But the key, he detailed, was to be strong throughout the organization, from its coaches to its farm system to its elite talent. It bothered him that the Mets of the past have either been all young or all old. There was no blend of homegrown talent mixed with free agent fillers, again, like the Braves. This is year one of implementing this plan.
The back page war with the Yankees: He admitted that many moves made in the years past were done in an effort to make the back pages of the newspapers. Duquette even sounded irritated when saying this, following it up by saying, “we, however, are committed to our plan, it’s a challenge, but it is essential for success.”
Piazza: Duquette referred to Mike Piazza as a “selfless” player, contrary to what many Mets’ fans think of their All-Star, future Hall of Fame, greatest hitting catcher of all time. He described his new part-time first baseman as “terrific” in the field. The GM commented that, for the first time in years, “Mike is having fun,” and this sensibility is rubbing off on the club and has made Mike more comfortable in all facets of the game.
The rotation: Duquette pointed out what a pleasure it is to be dealing from a position of strength when choosing the fifth starter spot, as opposed to last season when they were faced with the same task. He mentioned that the key to filling out the rotation – and the roster in general – is always about “depth.” The goal is to keep the Mets deep in the bullpen, deep in the rotation, and deep in the minor leagues so if injuries crop up during the season at the Major League level they will have ample talent to pull from in their farm system.
Lastly, former Met Darryl Hamilton and Seth Everett, from MLB Radio, remarked that the Mets’ fans should be very happy and optimistic with the plan Duquette is putting together. Basically, they feel the club, assuming Glavine and Leiter will not be with the team in a couple of years, when it begins to make a run at a championship, is in need of a power pitcher, a star right fielder and that 60 percent of their young pitching must come to fruition. If this occurs – and in New York acquiring the pitcher and right fielder shouldn’t be a problem in their opinions – then the Mets will be very successful in the years to come.Metsblog.com’s Take..
We couldn’t agree with Everett and Hamilton more. This is all the more reason Duquette is hopefully aligning his ducks to acquire either Carlos Beltran or Magglio Ordonez come next off-season.
The future is bright.
After reading today’s post, on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being most confident, how confident are you that the Mets will play “meaningful games” in September of 2004?
The News…
- Tyler Yates threw 48 pitches through five innings in last night’s 4-1 win over the Astros. Yates, who is a major contender for the team’s fifth starter slot, didn’t walk a batter and struck out three. Yates followed up his outing by throwing 32 more pitches in the bullpen. Ricky Bottalico continued his great spring with a perfect ninth inning.
- Al Leiter was scratched from Wednesday night’s start due to “mild tendonitis” in his left shoulder. “Our feeling was that if this was during the season, he would start,” Duquette told Newsday. “But there’s no sense running him out there and getting any worse.” The Journal News reports that no MRI is scheduled.
- Adam Rubin of the Daily News reports that the agents for middle infielder Deivi Cruz, Elliott Vallin and Dave Stewart, have called the Mets about their need for a backup infielder. Cruz was released by the Devil Rays yesterday.
- Ken Rosenthal of the Sporting News suggests that the Marlins could have interest in Orber Moreno, as a setup man for Armando Benitez, while the Expos could have interest in James Baldwin. Rosenthal also notes that Marlon Anderson, who has experience at 2B and OF, will be cut by the Cardinals any day now.
- A scout who has seen Tom Glavine pitch on many occasions this spring told ESPN’s Jayson Stark that it’s “obvious” Rick Peterson has helped alter Glavine’s delivery. “He’s changed the way he positions his feet, and it’s really helped him,” the scout told Stark. “His control has been impeccable.”
- While MetsBlog believes Roger Cedeno is a below-average baseball player, and all things being equal we would not have him on this team for his skills on the field, the Salt Lake Tribune runs a fantastic article capturing what Cedeno brings to the club off the field.
MetsBlog.com’s Take…
In looking over the Mets roster, it appears to be a forgone conclusion that the pitching staff will round out as follows:
The philosophy of getting younger will ultimately prevail, so Scott Erickson will be offered assignment or released.
Grant Roberts will be rewarded with the fifth starter spot, as he is out of options and has earned it this spring. Though he could be a middle reliever, Ricky Bottalico and Dan Wheeler have pitched too well to be ignored. Bottalico’s fastball is back and he appears to be a much smarter pitcher this time around.
If the Mets don’t take Bottalico with them when they break camp, they will lose him to another club as he is too crafty of a reliever to expect him to take a demotion to the minor leagues when so many Major League clubs need bullpen help. Basically, he either makes the club or he is gone.
James Baldwin has already said he would take assignment to the minors, plus he is decent trade bait, as Rosenthal alluded to in his column regarding the Expos.
Tyler Yates, who still has minor league options, unlike Roberts and Bottalico, will be sent to AAA to continue his roll as a starting pitcher, which it is now obvious he is better suited for than the bullpen. Should Roberts struggle, the team could demote Wheeler, or trade Bottalico depending on the team’s standings, put Roberts in the pen and promote Yates.
Roberts: fifth starter
Yates: to AAA
Bottalico and Wheeler: bullpen
Erickson: goodbye
Baldwin: minors or traded
After reading today’s post, on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being most confident, how confident are you that the Mets will play “meaningful games” in September of 2004?
The News
The Toronto-Star reports that the Mets have inquired about trading for either Blue Jays outfielder Jayson Werth and/or Alex Rios. Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi has commented that, with an abundance of “almost-ready-for-prime-time” outfielders, a trade could be possible, though he also remarked, “I don’t see anything happening right now.” Werth is out of options and would have to make the Jays squad, while Rios fits the same mold as Vernon Wells, making him potentially expendable.
choochoo808 has humorously listed Roger Cedeno as an auction on eBay, all in good fun of course. Funny stuff, though.
After reading today’s post, on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being most confident, how confident are you that the Mets will play “meaningful games” in September of 2004?
The News
- The NY Post attempts to cut down the Mets roster, listing the fifth starter as a two-man battle between Scott Erickson and Grant Roberts, with the final bench spot coming down to Timo Perez and Danny Garcia.
- Ken Rosenthal of the Sporting News ranks the Mets as 20th out of 30 teams in his annual MLB Power Poll.
- Peter Gammons of ESPN claims the Mets inquired about Ken Griffey Jr., but ultimately passed on the idea.
Instead of a MetsBlog.com’s take, here is an updated list of those excelling at Met camp this Spring:
| Player | AVG | AB | H | 2B | HR | RBI |
| Mike Piazza | 0.370 | 27 | 10 | 1 | 2 | 11 |
| Cliff Floyd | 0.333 | 33 | 11 | 4 | 1 | 6 |
| Jose Reyes | 0.320 | 25 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Mike Cameron | 0.314 | 35 | 11 | 2 | 2 | 7 |
| Todd Zeile | 0.313 | 32 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 9 |
| Ty Wigginton | 0.310 | 32 | 13 | 4 | 1 | 4 |
| Danny Garcia | 0.290 | 31 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Player | W | L | ERA | IP | SO | BB |
| Orber Moreno | 1 | 1 | 0.75 | 12 | 9 | 1 |
| Tyler Yates | 3 | 0 | 1.00 | 9 | 4 | 3 |
| Tom Glavine | 0 | 2 | 1.50 | 12 | 4 | 3 |
| Grant Roberts | 1 | 0 | 1.93 | 14 | 16 | 6 |
| Steve Trachsel | 1 | 0 | 2.00 | 9 | 6 | 2 |
| Scott Erickson | 0 | 1 | 2.57 | 7 | 4 | 2 |
After reading today’s post, on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being most confident, how confident are you that the Mets will play “meaningful games” in September of 2004?
The News…
- The NY Post updates the fifth starter race, reporting the following:
Yates: “…he’s the only candidate without big-league experience and could use more polish. It appears he’s ticketed for Triple-A.”
Heilman: “…impressive 19/4 strikeout-to-walk ratio this spring but Two scouts who have seen Heilman several times say there are questions. With more refinement needed, figure Heilman’s going to Norfolk.”
Baldwin: “He’s a dark horse that will likely end up accepting a Triple-A assignment.”
Roberts: “In one of the scout’s words, ‘Roberts went from a power pitcher to a guy who really knows how to pitch…If I had to make a choice right now, I’d pick Roberts.’”
Erickson: “One scout noted the 2004 Erickson is not the same as the version of a few years ago, saying, ‘He’s lost his fastball. He had that sinker going at 92-93 in his prime. Now he’s 86-88.’ As long as he continues to pitch well, he’ll stay in the mix.”
- Newsday believes a fifth starter will not be officially announced for at least another week or so.
- “I feel good but not 100 percent,” Jose Reyes told the NY Post, with regards to his current hamstring injury. “He’s made a lot of headway here of late. That’s very encouraging,” Art Howe commented. “It’s sounding like we have a shot at having him for Opening Day.” The Star-Ledger reports that Reyes was seen running at about 75 percent speed in practice yesterday.
- Jerry Crasnick of ESPN suggests that, in addition to the names mentioned by other newspapers, Frank Menechino, Damian Jackson and Denny Hocking are also of some interest to the Mets as candidates for their backup infielder position.
- Ken Rosenthal of the Sporting News suggests that the Orioles are willing to talk with teams interested in acquiring right-fielder Jay Gibbons, although Baltimore isn’t taking a pro-active approach. Gibbons will earn $2.6 million this season, in his first year of arbitration eligibility. Gibbons was rumored to be involved in a deal earlier in the off-season involving Brewers former-1B Richie Sexson.
MetsBlog.com’s Take…
With a starting rotation of Sydney Ponson, Rodrigo L
