Daily Archives: November 6, 2007

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News: Pedro in 2009

by Matthew Cerrone on November 6th, 2007 at 7:43 pm

Pedro Martinez will earn $11 million next season, which is the final year of his four-year contract with the Mets.

However, according to Martinez’s agent, Fern Cuza, it will not be the picther’s final season, reports the Boston Herald.

Cuza, on Martinez, as quoted by the Herald…

“He’s got a new arm.  He’s going to pitch a few more years.  As long as Pedro’s having fun, he’s going to pitch.  And he’s having fun again, so he’s decided he’s going to keep playing.”

In five starts for the Mets last season, Martinez was 3–1 with a 2.57 ERA, while striking out 32 batters in 28 innings.

…i’m quite excited to watch a full season of pedro pitch for the Mets again…he had a very good 2005, and rough 2006, during which he was injured and crying on several occasions…last year, he looked quite good in his five starts after returning from shoulder surgery…i really have a lot of faith in pedro, more than i probably should, actually

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Buzz: Home-Town Discount for Glavine

by Matthew Cerrone on November 6th, 2007 at 5:54 pm

According to NBC 11 in Atlanta, citing ‘sources,’ LHP Tom Glavine will take less money in an effort to return to the Braves.

…hat tip to MLB Trade Rumors for the link

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News: Beltran and Wright win Gold Gloves

by Matthew Cerrone on November 6th, 2007 at 4:33 pm

Rawlings announced its Gold Glove winners for 2007,  naming David Wright the NL winner at third base, and Carlos Beltran a winner in the outfield.

Beltran, as quoted in a team press release…

“I really take pride in my defense and I try to keep improving and improving each season…It’s nice to be recognized for your hard work.”

Wright, as quoted in a team press release…

“I have worked hard at trying to become a complete player.  I want to especially thank our coach, Sandy Alomar, who put in so much extra time this season, hitting me ground ball after ground ball.”

This is the first time since Rey Ordoñez and Robin Ventura in 1999, in which two Mets were honored with Gold Gloves in the same season.

For a complete list of winners, check out Baseball Digest Daily.

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Note: Mets May Sell Seats from Shea

by Matthew Cerrone on November 6th, 2007 at 4:20 pm

The Mets have been surveying fans who are registered with Mets.com on how best to use actual items from Shea Stadium once it is knocked down.

For instance, questions include…

  • Would you consider purchasing stadium seats?
  • Would you be willing to purchase your exact seat locations for a premium price?

…i’m glad Shea Stadium is considering this, since it has been a very popular question within my e-mail over the last year…however, in checking out the questions, i would not expect a pair of seats to sell for less than $800…

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Poll: Again, Do You Want A-Rod

by Matthew Cerrone on November 6th, 2007 at 4:07 pm

in case you missed it from earlier today

…in an effort to keep tracking our collective mood, again i ask

[poll=11]

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Note: David Wright on MetsBlog this Thursday

by Matthew Cerrone on November 6th, 2007 at 3:34 pm

…i just hung up the phone with David Wright…it was a good discussion, which i will air on The MetsBlog Podcast this coming Thursday, with a written transcript thereafter…we talked quite a lot about leadership and how he juggles being a young, successful guy in new york city with staying focused on the field

Wright will be hosting the David Wright Foundation’s Third Annual Do the Wright Thing Gala on November 15 in New York City.

For more information or to purchase tickets, go here.

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Buzz: Need a Pitcher, Call the Giants

by Matthew Cerrone on November 6th, 2007 at 2:48 pm

Last week, in a pre-GM meetings report for FOXSports.com, the always-informative Tracy Ringolsby wrote that the Giants have let teams know that 23-year-old RHP Tim Lincecum can be had.

Today, however, at SI.com, Jon Heyman writes that ‘it would stun everyone’ if Lincecum got dealt, adding, ‘Either Noah Lowry or Matt Cain is much more likely.’

…this is precisely why i have been saying for weeks that if the Mets want to trade for a young starting pitcher, and intend to use Lastings Milledge to get him, they should aim towards the Bay Area, not Minnesota or Miami…

In 26 starts this past season for the Giants, the 27–year-old, left-handed Lowry was 14–8 with a 3.92 ERA, during which opponents hit .265 against him. 

However, he had been 9–6 with a 3.33 ERA at the All-Star break.  He missed all of September with a sore elbow, on which an MRI revealed a mild strain and no structural damage.

Lowry will earn $2.25 million in 2008, and $4.5 million in 2009, after which he can be a free agent.

Meanwhile, the right-handed Cain, 23, has a 3.72 ERA over the first 71 starts of his career, during which he is just 22–29.

Cain is under contract and control of the team through 2011.

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Blog: How Would you Run the Mets?

by Matthew Cerrone on November 6th, 2007 at 2:45 pm

In a post to his blog for Newsday, David Lennon asks…

“With all the hype surrounding Alex Rodriguez, wouldn’t it be a smarter move to re-sign Luis Castillo, leave David Wright where he is and pressure Carlos Delgado to put up big numbers in the walk year of his contract?  Then divert more of the A-Rod funds to bolster the bullpen, maybe pick up a veteran outfielder and trade a youngster - Lastings Milledge or Carlos Gomez - for an established starter like the A’s Joe Blanton.”

…yes, david, it would…which is why, tomorrow, i will post a series of polls asking you, the readers of this site, how exactly you would handle the issues facing the Mets…after which, we will have a general sense of how MetsBlog’s readers would drive the ship, if we had the wheel…

…so, be sure to check in tomorrow, all day, as i will be posting a different scenario every hour or so…

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Read: The Mets Don’t Have the Horses

by Matthew Cerrone on November 6th, 2007 at 12:49 pm

In a recent post to his blog for ESPN.com, Buster Olney details how difficult it is going to be for the Mets to acquire the top-flight starting pitcher they are looking for.

According to Olney, executives and scouts with other teams do not believe Mike Pelfrey or Phil Humber are close to being ready, considering the team’s immediate needs.

Meanwhile, Olney acknowledges that the Twins will listen to offers for Johan Santana, as will the Astros for Roy Oswalt; the A’s for Dan Haren and Joe Blanton; the Rays for Scott Kazmir; the Marlins for Dontrelle Willis; and the White Sox for Jon Garland.

However, Olney writes that rival executives question whether the Mets have the young talent to make such a trade, adding that most view Pelfrey and Humber as low-end starters with only middle-relief potential.

In Olney’s best guess, the Mets will end up working out a deal with the A’s for Blanton, “but it won’t be easy.”

During last year’s trade deadline, according to Ken Rosenthal at FOXSports.com, the Mets had ‘kicked around the idea’ of trading for Blanton, but the price was ‘too high.’

…the buzz in baseball has long been that the A’s continue to eye the Dodgers, who have a lot of young talent and are in need of a durable starting pitcher

Meanwhile, at Gotham Baseball Magazine, Mark Healey has repeatedly written during the last year that if the Mets are to ever make a deal with the A’s it will only be for Rich Harden or Haren.

…if beane continues to ask for milledge, i agree…however, at some point, it’s becoming clear that if the Mets are actually going to acquire a pitcher, well, milledge is going to have to go and it may have to be for less than another team’s ace…

This past season for the A’s, Blanton was 14–10 with a 3.95 ERA through 34 starts, during which he allowed an average of just one walk per start.

He has made at least 32 starts in each of his last three seasons.

He is eligible for salary arbitration this off-season, and eligible for free agency after 2010.

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Buzz: Mariano Rivera and Yankees

by Matthew Cerrone on November 6th, 2007 at 12:16 pm

At his blog for the Journal News, Peter Abraham reports that by the end of this week the Yankees ‘could announce’ a three-year, $40 million deal for free-agent RHP Mariano Rivera.

surprise, surprise…i just don’t see any way the Yankees let mo get away, if for no other reason then it will mean having to consider keeping Joba Chamberlain in the bullpen, which they supposedly do not want to do

Abraham also gives an update on the Yankees negotiations with free-agent C Jorge Posada, who ‘could want’ a fourth season and up to $15 million a year.

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