Monthly Archives: January 2005
| If you want your company’s ad to be seen roughly 25,000 times a day, click here: Advertise With MetsBlog.com |
| Mets Outfield… |
| Bob Klapisch of the Bergen Record tells MetsBlog that Minaya has been informed by his ‘cabinet’ that he cannot pursue OF Sammy Sosa. Tyler Kepner of the New York Times “Will we He continued talking about his current outfield by Enough said, Omar – enough said. |
| Start Your Own Blog…Use BlogHarbor |
| Mets 1B Doug Mientkiewicz… |
| “I think Carlos is one hell of a ballplayer, but there’s also things that I bring to the table that he doesn’t. I’m pretty excited to see the Mets are making a move and I’m part of it,” Mientkiewicz, who has 21 errors in 5,658 total chances spanning seven seasons, told the New York Post. The Mets have made 30 errors at first base in the last two seasons. “I’m Mientkiewicz “He’s about as good |
| MetsBlog’s Take… |
|
What do Willie Randolph, Carlos Beltran, Pedro Martinez and Doug Mientkiewicz have in common? They all played in a Randolph, Mientkiewicz and The additions the Mets David Wright and Jose Reyes are winners, as well. It has been bred within them through the Mets successful farm system. I respect Tom Glavine, Beltran, Randolph, This, above all, could be the most important acquisition of the off-season. |
| For more Mets news, check out… |
 |
Towards the end of last
season, Scott Lauber, the Binghamton Mets beat reporter for the Press
and Sun Bulletin, was kind enough to join us on occasion with updates
on the Mets farm system. Scott returns to
the beat in 2005, and sat down with MetsBlog’s Matthew Cerrone to
review the season ahead for the Mets’ farm system…
To listen to the complete interview, click the play button below…
Note: posting a comment during the stream will result in a stoppage of the audio…
Matthew Cerrone, of MetsBlog.com…
I guess
I’ll just bark out some names at you, and you can give us a short run
down on how you feel the player developed this season, and what you
expect from them in 2005…
Scott Lauber, of the Press and Sun Bulletin…
Okay.
Matthew Cerrone, of MetsBlog.com…
Scott Lauber, of the Press and Sun Bulletin…
With the trades of (Scott) Kazmir and Matt Peterson, Brian Bannister would have to be looked at as one of the top pitching prospects in the organization, right now. He
had some time in AA towards the end of the season…and would’ve started
game five of the Eastern League semi-final series, had it gone to a
fifth game…so they obviously have confidence in him, and they like him…
You’re
right, he is intelligent…I know they kind of shook their heads a bit
last year, towards the end of the season, with Brian Bannister because
he is so cerebral that he was trying some new things on the mound in
games…important games towards the end of the year. And that’s not necessarily the time to try new things out and work on new pitches…
I would imagine he would start the year in AA. And probably be looking for a promotion around mid-season or so, depending on how he does…
He is a smart guy, and like you said, he’s only been on the mound for four years. He’s had success at pretty much every level…and if baseball doesn’t work out for him, he’s always got photography. He’s a very talented photographer. He’s got his own studio, as a matter of fact, in Arizona…he’s almost as interested in photography as he is in baseball…
It’ll be
really, kind of, a big year for him, I think, on the mound this year…to
see if he can take that next step and be a real top prospect in the
organization.
Matthew Cerrone, of MetsBlog.com…
Blake McGinley and Jason Scobie…and their abilities to get guys out on a lack of dominant stuff…
Scott Lauber, of the Press and Sun Bulletin…
It’s something that a lot of the coaches in the organization are even scratching their heads over…
Blake McGinley
just had a terrific year last year after a terrific year in St. Lucie…I
think a lot of people are waiting for him to hit his head now, on the
ceiling of his ability level. He doesn’t throw overly hard, but he gets guys out – and that’s the important thing. As he’s moving up the latter here…he’s making a believer out of a lot of people.
McGinley
gets by on guts and know-how on the mound…like I said, he knows how to
get guys out and how to make pitches when he has to. And,
not being a former pitcher myself, I guess, that’s just something that
some guys have the ability to do, even when their stuff isn’t
over-powering.
As for Jason Scobie…I’m not sure how much longer he’ll be a starting pitcher…because his stuff just isn’t as electric as a lot of AAA pitchers. Again, he’s another one that just knows how to pitch, gets guys out and has success wherever he goes…
He’s a guy, I would guess, will start at AAA . If he can find a spot in that rotation would be a starter – otherwise, would be a swingman out of the bullpen…
Matthew Cerrone, of MetsBlog.com…
Joe Hietpas, Mike Jacobs…and the catching position…
Scott Lauber, of the Press and Sun Bulletin…
The top catching prospect, I guess, would be Mike Jacobs. He was hurt a lot last year, and had some trouble really trying to find his rhythm in AAA – he’ll start there I’m sure. He can hit. He’s got a great left-handed swing – one of the prettiest swings you’ll ever see from a guy in the minors. He’s someone they’ll let develop at AAA and he’ll play every day there. The question about Mike Jacobs has always been his defense. A
lot of people think, at the next level, he projects not as a catcher,
but maybe as a first baseman, and maybe even as a corner-outfielder. He
played a little bit of first base two years ago with, I guess you could
say, mixed results – but, probably not enough of a sample size to make
an evaluation.
To me, the guy who’s really worth looking at as a catcher is Joe Hietpas, because he’s a terrific defensive catcher. A lot of people feel he’s the best defensive catcher in the system, from top to bottom…
A lot of
people really like him, and if he can only put together the offensive
part of his game he could really be a good catcher at the Major League
level – as a backup catcher, a guy who plays a couple times a week, a
guy who comes in late in games to play defense if you wanted to do that
with your catcher, as well…
He finally started to swing the bat in the Arizona Fall League…it actually started late in the season at Binghamton. When he came up, after (Justin) Huber was traded, he had a really hot-streak for a while. The he kind of slowed down, had a rough playoff – but, it seems like he picked up again in the Fall League…
This, again, will be a telling year for Joe Hietpas to see what he can do. If
he can hit .250 or .260 on a consistent basis, and that’s all they’d
probably ask for him offensively, he could contribute in the big
leagues…
Matthew Cerrone, of MetsBlog.com…
Aaron Baldiris…with David Wright at third, now what…
Scott Lauber, of the Press and Sun Bulletin…
Aaron Baldiris
is not your prototypical third baseman, in the sense that he doesn’t
hit for power – and you usually look for that in corner infielders. He’ll hit .300, probably – he’s hit .300 every where he’s gone. He’s always hit for average before, he’s never hit for power. So I wonder if a position change is in his plans, or a trade…
The challenge for him will be to see if he can continue to hit for average…also see if he can continue to improve his defense. I’ve heard nothing but good things about his defense from the lower levels, but I thought it was a little spotty in AA. So,
we’ll have to see where he goes…he’ll be a guy to keep an eye on,
because he, obviously, is a raw talent and he needs to continue to
develop…
Matthew Cerrone, of MetsBlog.com…
Wayne Lydon and Angel Pagan: Otis Nixon 2.0…
Scott Lauber, of the Press and Sun Bulletin…
There’ll be a back-log of outfielders, as there were last year…
You still have Prentice Redman in AAA. And where does Victor Diaz fit? Does he end up in New York as a third or fourth outfielder? I guess we’ll see how that goes…
But clearly Wayne Lydon and Angel Pagan both have assets that make them Otis Nixon 2.0 in the majors. I
think they’re both cut out for being fourth outfielders on a good team
in the Major Leagues – guys how pinch run late in games, come in
because they can play defense, do things…little things…do things like
Dave Roberts did for the Red Sox in the playoffs…they’re that kind of
player to me…
Matthew Cerrone, of MetsBlog.com…
Last
year it was Yusmeiro Petit…who’ll emerge this coming season as the next
hot prospect at Binghamton – you know, a guy that maybe we’ve not
talked about so much in the past, but will be the guy fans are calling
for to come up to Shea at some point before the year is over…
Scott Lauber, of the Press and Sun Bulletin…
We might
be looking at Brian Bannister as that type of guy this year – who was
sort of on that second-tier and now will be on that top-tier as far as
Mets prospects go. He could have a big year and he could be the guy we’re talking about…
Matthew Cerrone, of MetsBlog.com…
Thanks, Scott. You’ve done a great job, as usual. You’ve given us tons of information to think about, so thanks as always…
Scott Lauber, of the Press and Sun Bulletin…
Anytime…it’s always good to help. Like
everyone else, I read MetsBlog every day, and you’ve got a good thing
going on there – so I look forward to doing more with you.
Matthew Cerrone, of MetsBlog.com…
Well thank you very much, I appreciate it.
Okay, take it easy man.
Scott Lauber, of the Press and Sun Bulletin…
You too.
Matthew Cerrone, of MetsBlog.com…
That was Scott Lauber, Binghamton Mets beat reporter for the Press and Sun Bulletin…
To read more from Scott when the season begins, check him out at the Press and Sun Bulletin.
| If you want your company’s ad to be seen roughly 25,000 times a day, click here: Advertise With MetsBlog.com |
| Ordoñez… |
Murray Chass of the New York Times writes that part II of plan B for the Mets included OF trading Mike Cameron and signing OF Magglio Ordoñez, who met with the Tigers yesterday. Ordonez’s agent, Scott Boras, informed the Texas Rangers that Ordonez is interested in being their right fielder, not their designated hitter, according to the Star-Telegram. At this point in the negotiations, Ordonez looking for a long-term deal, and is not open to accepting a one-year deal. Ordonez rejected a five-year offer worth $14 million per season from the Chicago White Sox last off-season. In addition to the Mets, Rangers and Tigers, the Orioles, Blue Jays and Cubs are rumored to be interested in the outfielder, as well. Ordoñez had surgery during the season for a cartilage tear in his knee. However, complications followed. With U.S. doctors confused by the problem, Ordoñez went to Austria, where a doctor found a cartilage tear that had been overlooked. Team Austria preformed another operation, and the swelling eventually subsided. “He’s been working out for five months, and he’s started doing baseball activities again,” Boras told the Star-Telegram. “The first phase is to make sure clubs have all the medical information they need. We’re in the process of doing that. Whatever clubs need to see, we’re willing to do that. Over the last five seasons, Ordoñez batted .312 and averaged 32 home runs and 118 runs batted in a season. |
| Caravan… |
The Mets Winter Caravan will be swinging by WFAN today between 1PM and 6PM EST at the Grand Hyatt in Manhattan. Scheduled interviews include . MetsBlog, of course, will do our best to provide recaps. Yesterday, Beltran, Randolph and Martinez rang the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange. “There’s a buzz,” Martinez told reporters after the event. “I think everyone is excited. Hopefully something different will happen for this team with my presence, Carlos, Mike Piazza, Jose Reyes, hopefully we’ll make it pretty interesting.” Several members of the caravan, including Randolph, Jose Reyes, Martinez, Kaz Matsui, Kris Benson, Tom Glavine, David Wright and Beltran, all had dinner together last night and attended a Knicks game together. “This is almost the official start of Spring Training,” Wright told MLB.com. “Not baseball-wise, but attitude-wise. This is where team chemistry starts to form and you become a family.” Neither Mike Cameron, whose wife is having surgery, nore Cliff Floyd will be attending the caravan. |
| Sosa… |
| With Delgado going to the Marlins, the OF Sammy Sosa rumors will now begin again.
The most likely deals, according to anyone reporting on the subject over the last three months have the Cubs sending Sosa and cash to the Mets for Floyd, or the Orioles getting Sosa and RHP Kyle Farnsworth for 2B-OF Jerry Hairston Jr. and RHP Jorge Julio. However, this will likely drag out past the signing of Magglio Ordonez, as all three teams are interested in the free agent outfielder. |
| Start Your Own Blog…Use BlogHarbor |
| Caravan Quotes… |
Carlos… “The team looks different, they’re continuing to going go out and get new players,” OF Carlos Beltran told Brayn Hoch during an interview with Mets Inside Pitch. “New manager, Willie Randolph. New pitcher, Pedro Martinez. New outfielder. I really believe the new Mets, we’re going to do a better job than what they’ve done the last few years.” Dave… “I’m just as big of a Met fan as everyone else, so I was giddy and a little excited, but you realize you can learn from those guys and really use them to your advantage and tap into that kind of resource,” David Wright told the New York Post. “Especially with Carlos; he’s the type of player I’d like to be. He does everything in the game exceptionally well, and the thing I think makes him different is not only is he going to drive in a lot of runs, he’s going to score a lot of runs. He’s going to steal a lot of bases, play Gold Glove center field, so it’ll be nice to sit around him and soak up as much as I can.” Kaz… “Last year when I got the news about the switch to second base, there were times that I thought about it a lot,” 2B Kaz Matsui told MLB.com. “But it’s a team game and we have to play as a team. If this is the best way for the team to be than I can accept that. Right now my feelings are that I’m playing second and I have to do whatever I can to get ready. I think I have to earn the position. And I still have a lot to learn about the position as well.” |
| AnnaTV… |
| Adam Rubin of the Daily News notes that Anna Benson, Kris Benson’s wife, has been pitching a reality TV series networks, including VH1, ESPN and Oxygen. A pilot, which likely chronicles the life of a player’s wife, was shot at Shea last season, during a game against the Braves. |
| If you want your company’s ad to be seen roughly 25,000 times a day, click here: Advertise With MetsBlog.com |
| Mientkiewicz… |
| Get out your spell checkers…
The Mets will announce the acquisition of 1B Doug Mientkiewicz from the Red Sox for Single-A first-base prospect Ian Bladergroen later today. “He sits in his locker, he cracks jokes, he makes you laugh – but, he also studies his opponent,” Twins OF Torii Hunter, who played with Mientkiewicz for ten seasons, told MetsBlog. “I mean, he’s a freak for the game. He loves to study the game, he loves to work hard, he goes to the cage all the time, he’s always playing with his glove – I mean, he’s that type of player, you’ll love him as a teammate, too…definitely.” The Mets will turn to Mientkiewicz to be the leader of their young, inexperienced infield. “Defensively, there aren’t many Major League first basemen that can rival this guy,” says Gordon Whittenmyer, of the Pioneer Press. “For a couple of seasons he seemed to be a pretty good clutch hitter – but, its been a little bit up and down. He’s not a guy you’re going to loose anything from in a clutch situation. He’s not intimidated by a situation like that.” |
| MetsBlog’s Take… |
| Of course, I’d prefer Delgado’s bat in the Mets lineup. However, as a believer that pitching and defense is the recipe for success at Shea Stadium, I’ve wanted Mientkiewicz’s glove on the field almost as Delgado’s bat in their lineup.
Remember, this is not fantasy baseball. With a rookie at third, a guy learning second base who had a hard enough time playing his natural position and a young, jumpy shortstop with a wild arm, it is imperative the Mets have the best defensive first baseman possible…not a good defensive first baseman…the best possible. Travis Lee can be stellar, but still in recovery from a torn-labrum, there are no guaranteed what he will provide this team. The decision, as I see it, came down to Mientkiewicz or John Olerud, most associated with the Mets of the late 1990′s. This club is going in a new direction and needs younger players, we’ve all said it before. Therefore, Mientkiewicz, 30, is the only option. And for those who will cite his situation with the Red Sox over the World Series ball as being some sort of character flaw…it is not uncommon for people to loan memorabilia to museums, such as Yogi Berra and Bob Feller have done with the Hall of Fame, or Neil Armstrong has done with the Air and Space Museum. “To tell the truth, I would like to keep the ball too,” Pedro Martinez told MLB.com regarding the situation. Fact of the matter is, the Boston Red Sox, nor Mientkiewicz, at the time of the final out, owned the ball. Major League Baseball does. It’s their call. |
| Delgado… |
| According to multiple reports, the Marlins will pay 1B Carlos Delgado just $4 million this year, followed by $13.5 million in 2006, $14.5 million in 2007 and $16 million in 2008. Don Burke of the Star-ledger adds that the deal also includes a $16 million option for 2009 based Delgado’s ranking in the MVP voting and postseason MVP awards. If the option doesn’t kick in, the Marlins have can exercise a $12 million team option, or buy the contract out for $4 million. |
| Start Your Own Blog…Use BlogHarbor |
| The Blade… |
| Bladergroen, 21, hit .342 at Capital City A-ball last season with 13 home runs, 74 runs batted in, 55 strike outs and 25 walks in 269 at-bats before ending the season early with torn cartilage in his wrist. |
| MetsBlog’s Take… |
Fans are likely going to be disappointed to see Bladergroen go. This always makes me chuckle a bit, I have to admit. Losing a 21-year-old first baseman, who has only proven the ability to hit against fastball pitchers in a league known for being chock full of hitter’s park and coming off a wrist injury is not the end of the world. If this kid was hitting .342 and getting on base at AA, I’d be irritated here. Then, again, if that were the case, he wouldn’t have been traded, either. “The Mets really aren’t giving up anything for now…Bladergroen was a 44th rounder, showed he had some skills in the lower levels of the minors, big strong athletic body, but largely unproven,” Chris Kline, of Baseball America, tells MetsBlog.com. They needed a 1B at the Major League now. This was a means-to-an-end. Good luck, Blade. |
| For more Mets news, check out… |
|
Update: Jon Heyman of Newsday has reported on ESPN 1050 that the Marlins and 1B Carlos Delgado have agreed to a deal, and that the Mets will be notified within the hour. An hour ago, MofoSports.net’s Joe McDonald learned from a “close source,” that Delgado was “close to signing” with the Marlins. Nice job, gentlemen. Jayson Stark of ESPN reports that the deal is for four-years, $52 million, with an option on a fifth-year at $12 million. In the event that you care… Marlins LHP Al Leiter appeared on ESPN 1050’s Michael Kay Show following Heyman’s announcement. The former Met had the following to say regarding his team’s newest acquisition… Why the Marlins needed Delgado… It used to be after (Juan) Pierre and (Luis) Castillo, it was a similar scouting report from three through eight – and then you would flip the lineup over again. So, having Delgado in the center of that, left-handed, is really gonna make a huge difference dynamically for the opposing manager late in the game, with a lefty-righty switch… Even if I wasn’t playing for the Marlins, it just makes a lot more sense that he is here than the Mets… Why the Mets don’t need Delgado… With the younger kids in the infield…defense will be more of a priority.
Oberkfell, Poised and Patient…
by Matthew Cerrone, of MetsBlog.com
Coach…
Ken Oberkfell played sixteen seasons in the Major Leagues, mostly on teams competing directly with the New York Mets. Over the last few seasons, however, he has worked to make his longtime rival a better team from within. Oberkfell
managed the Mets AA team, the Binghamton Mets, for four years,
presiding over the development of such youngsters as David Wright,
Scott Kazmir and Jose Reyes. This season, he moves up a level and takes the coaching reigns of the Norfolk Tides.
Small-ball…
In his career, Oberkfell drew roughly 200 more walks than he struck out. He ran fast, hustled and played through plenty of pain. Tack on just 29 career home runs, and he defines the ‘small-ball’ player.
His manager while in St. Louis, Whitey Herzog, is most associated with the speedy, sound style of play. What
connects Oberkfell and Herzog as managers, though, is the ability to
adapt to their surroundings, and not a desire to instill a more
fundamental style of baseball.
|
“In my years in St. Louis, He was always an aggressive type. He was the type who liked to put pressure on the defense, and speed does that. Speed will put pressure on the defense. And I see that with the Mets, now. Especially in their minor league system. They’ve got a lot of young guys who can run. And I know in the four years I’ve been with the Mets, and with the teams I’ve always had, we ran. We had guys who could run, and we run.“ |
It isn’t a directive from
the Mets’ front office that has Oberkfell grooming his talent
along the same lines he played under. It is strictly a means to
an end.
| “We’ve got guys who can run, so, you know, you manage with what you have. We have a really good farm system. It’s evident in all the trades they’ve made in the past, to get some of the quality players they’ve given up some good young talent – and that’s what the farm system is about. Developing these young talents to help the Major League club anyway you can.” |
Trades…
On Friday, July 30, 2004,
the Mets traded three of their top five prospects for Kris Benson and
Victor Zambrano. The date has come to be known amongst the team’s
fans as Black Friday.
For Oberkfell and his
teammates at Binghamton, it meant losing a collection of his best
players during the middle of a potential Eastern League pennant chase
. This was not a set-back, but a sign of success, says Oberkfell.
| “Our job in the minor leagues is to develop players to get to the Major Leagues. Hopefully in New York – but, if not in New York, then somewhere else. If our development of young players can help with trades to bring quality Major League players into Shea Stadium than we’ve done our job.“ |
Father Figure…
Oberkfell speaks with a slow, gravely Texas drawl, sparking thoughts of Lou Brown, the hard-as-nails manager in the film Major League.
At heart, it is obvious he takes pride in working with young players,
such as David Wright, molding them to become Major Leaguers.
| “It’s always nice to see players you had and worked with for two or three years make it to the big leagues and have success. Jose Reyes is another one I had. You take a little pride – but, I look at it as: well, I’ve done my job.” |
Conditioning…
Over
the last two years, Reyes has suffered a debilitating leg injury once
every four months. Players all across baseball have been
suffering more leg injuries, coming under the scrutiny that they spend
too much time lifting weights, and not enough time preparing for the
wide range of pulls, pains and strains of a 162-game season.
| “I can honestly say that, from my playing days, we do more conditioning now than when I played. Injuries are going to happen…it’s part of the game…it’s part of sport. Reyes has had a few injuries the last couple of years, but I know it kills him not to be out there.“ |
Harold Reynolds of ESPN once stated during a broadcast of Baseball Tonight
that he believes the reason for the increase of leg injures across all
of Major League Baseball stems from the players not running as often as
they should during practice and Spring Training.
Oberkfell scoffs at this notion.
| “I think they run more, as far as conditioning… I don’t know, for me, in my days, in Spring Training we’d play four or five innings and then go run half-ass wind sprints in the outfield and take it in. So I think the conditioning is more strenuous today than in my playing days.“ |
The fact of the matter
is, there have been far more leg injuries in Major League Baseball the
last few years than in season’s past. Will Carroll, medical
expert for Baseball Prospectus, has stated on a number of occasions
that today’s players need a little more stretching and yoga, and less
weight-lifting. At the end of the day, though, Oberkfell only
marvels at his players’ work-ethic.
| “I get tired, sometimes, watching them during spring training. I say, ‘man, I don’t think I could do this now.’“ |
Plate Discipline…
A severe injury will, of
course, keep a young player from reaching the Major League level.
However, reducing injuries often comes down to luck. The ability
to draw a walk, work a count and remain patient at the plate, though,
takes hard work and is the single biggest criticism of most young
ballplayers.
For every
patient hitter, like David Wright, who has plate discipline far beyond
his years, the Mets seem to have a bevy of aggressive young
talent. This is the case, though, in most organizations, and if
it’s going to be fixed, according to Oberkfell, requires only patience
for the game.
|
“The more you play, the more mature you’re going to get. That definitely has a lot to do with it. And just talking. Talking, What |
Fans are always eager
to rush their team’s prospects to the Major League club. Teams
ignore these demands knowing that a player will fail more times than
not. In fact, Jonathan Mayo, MLB.com’s minor league guru, has
long said there is no such thing as a pitching prospect, because the
odds of success are so minimal.
For hitters, though, Oberkfell presses the idea of poise and patience
with the game, all in an effort to increase a player’s confidence.
| “As you get older, you learn to play the game better, you have more confidence in your own ability to possibly be a good two-strike hitter, and not be afraid to take pitches to get to a pitch you can handle. And that all comes with playing, and being around the game.“ |
The Big Leagues…
In the end, it does a
player little good to learn the game sitting on the bench of a Major
League club when he can be experiencing it in action at the Minor
League level. The same goes for Oberkfell, who understands that
successfully learning the game, experiencing its tempo and nuances as a
Minor League manager, compared to his days as a player, are all
necessary if he is to one day make a successful Major League manager.
The games are fun,
inexpensive and full of potential, but everyone involved with
a Minor League team hopes to one day get to big-leagues.
Oberkfell is no different.
| “Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy the Minor Leagues, and I love what I do, but there’s no question, my goal is to get to the Major Leagues.” |
Oberkfell played
baseball with passion and patience, skills that will hopefully get him
back to the Major Leagues sooner than later.
Matthew Cerrone is a student, freelancer writer and creator of MetsBlog.com. Email him at mattcerrone@metsblog.com.
| If you want your company’s ad to be seen roughly 25,000 times a day, click here: Advertise With MetsBlog.com |
| Delgado… |
Though multiple reports yesterday morning indicated that 1B Carlos Delgado‘s agent, David Sloane, kicked the Mets off the negotiating table for his client, Mets GM Omar Minaya told the Star-Ledger that he and Sloane talked many times yesterday. “Right now, we are in a sensitive time in the negotiations because there are other clubs involved. I’d rather just reveal the fact that we are having dialogue and keep it close to the vest,” Minaya said. With Minaya back on the phones, there was heavy chatter amongst reporters and baseball executives last night claiming Delgado and the Mets could be close to an agreement. However, like the night before, Sloane issued a statement, instead, saying he plans to talk again with “with all concerned parties,” today. Meanwhile, Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald quotes a ‘baseball industry’ source as saying the Marlins are in “prime position” to snag the prized first baseman. Spencer goes as far as to say the Mets lack confidence, and have started looking into acquiring 1B Travis Lee. The New York Post adds 1B Doug Mientkiewicz to the team’s backup plan. Adam Rubin of the Daily News, who has been quite accurate this off-season, for those keeping score, seconds the pessimistic notion. Further frustrating, it is nearly impossible to pin down any one specific offer that has been made to Delgado. It appears each newspaper, from New York to Baltimore to Miami, has a different figure for all three teams. For what it’s worth, of all media, the New York Times lists the highest offers for all three teams. Ultimately, it appears each offer is similar in years – four – and money – around $50 million. Of note, though, is that Florida has no state income tax, and both the offers made by the Marlins and Orioles are believed to have deferred money, while the Mets doesn’t. According to one of Sloane’s many daily emails, Delgado will likely make a decision by today. Please do, man – this is getting a little ridiculous. |
| MetsBlog’s Take |
| I miss real, live baseball games. I understand life could be worse as a baseball fan. I mean, today, Pirates fans are reading about their team’s hot-and-heavy pursuit of free agent OF Ben Grieve – while wemoan about the time it is taking Delgado to pick a suitor. But, this game of speculation, rumors, chatter, false babble, insinuation and elusive sources pales in comparison to watching an actual game. I read the other day that “a baseball source” reported something or other. “A baseball source.” Who is that, the bat boy? The head groundskeeper? Give me a break. And enough with the chatter. Give me news. The only thing that should be chattering are my teeth in this ridiculously cold weather as I dream of the palm trees, batting practice and green grass of March. I miss yelling about Art Howe. |
| Wanna Rant…Start Your Own Blog…Use BlogHarbor |
| For more Mets news, check out… |
|
| If you want your company’s ad to be seen roughly 25,000 times a day, click here: Advertise With MetsBlog.com |
| Piazza… |
| According to the Associated Press, C Mike Piazza has not committed to playing baseball beyond this season. Regarding Minaya’s reconstruction of the ‘new Mets’, Piazza said, “I think it’s great that the Mets have made a commitment to putting a winning team on the field. I’m excited to hopefully be a part of that. The signing of Carlos Beltran is a great statement by the team. I couldn’t think of a better player for the Mets.” |
| Ordonez… |
| Free agent OF Magglio Ordonez and agent Scott Boras met with the Tigers yesterday. The Detroit Free Press writes that the Tigers view Ordonez as this year’s version of C Ivan Rodriguez. The Star-Telegram reports the Rangers have interest in Ordonez, as well.
With health risks similar to Ordonez, Rodriguez ultimately signed a deal that could eventually be worth four-years, $40 million if he remains healthy over the length of the contract. A similar deal is expected to be offered to Ordonez. |
| Caravan… |
| New Mets Carlos Beltran, Pedro Martinez and Willie Randolph will kick off the team’s ninth-annual Winter Caravan today by ringing the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange. |
| MetsBlog’s Take… |
| When I hear Mets Caravan, I can’t help but picture the entire team crammed into a Winnabego, with Willie Randolph driving, of course, making random stops on route to Spring Training. |
| Kid… |
| The Mets will announce Gary Carter as the manager of their Gulf Coast League rookie team in St. Lucie, Florida. Carter, 50, had been a minor-league catching instructor in the organization. |
| Stifle… |
| Laura Vecsey of the Baltimore Sun is back, once again blaming New York’s financial resources for the Orioles’ failures. |
| MetsBlog’s Take… |
| Hi Albert Belle! |
| Interview… |
| Noah at NYMFans.com interviewed MetsBlog’s creator, Matthew Cerrone, yesterday. If you’re interested in reading the interview, check it out at NYMFans.com. |
| If you want your company’s ad to be seen roughly 25,000 times a day, click here: Advertise With MetsBlog.com |
MetsBlog
is picking up chatter that the Mets and 1B Carlos Delgado ‘could be’
close to agreeing on a four-year deal, worth roughly $50
million.
This is unconfirmed, of course - and just chatter. But we’d be remiss if we didn’t clue you all in.
Hopefully, one of our more credible journalists will report news of signing before than…
This is crazy…
Is anyone else getting tired of hitting refresh on the ESPN News Wire…
What a day…
