Daily Archives: December 16, 2007
…yes, the comments section is turned off…it’s not you, it’s the site…i’m revisiting some technology and ideas regarding this portion of MetsBlog…it will hopefully be turned back on tomorrow…thank you for understanding…
The Mets today announced a change to their 2008 regular season schedule.
The Mets will now play a three-game series against the Nationals at Shea April 15-17, each starting at 7:10 p.m. Also, the Mets will travel to DC for a two-game series, April 23-24.
In addition, September 11 is now an off-day.
…yesterday, i noted that the Mets had raised ticket prices as much as 20 percent in some sections for next season, the final year for Shea Stadium…
During a conference call with reporters yesterday, Dave Howard, the team’s executive vice president of 
business operations, said the Mets are increasing ticket prices ‘on average,’ about 20 percent next season, though some sections will be affected more than others may not be.
Howard, while talking to reporters…
“We considered where we were in the marketplace. Our average ticket price is still the lowest among the nine major pro sports teams in the New York area. Our payroll is among the highest in baseball. We put our resources back into the team.”
…obviously, i’m not happy about this…but, i am trying to not to overreact to this emotionally…i figure, let me see how the rest of this off-season pans out, and let me get a sense of the entertainment value during the year before i truly cast judgment upon this decision…that said, right now, the one thing i do know is that i am unlikely to go to as many games as i did last season, regardless of who this team does or does not acquire, and regardless of whether they win or lose, simply because i will not be able to afford it like i could in year’s past…and that’s the truth, not just for me, but for a lot of fans i assume…
Tagged Shea Stadium |According to the New York Post, while the Yankees and Twins still may be 
talking about Johan Santana, Hank Steinbrenner continues to say that his team will not include both Philip Hughes and Ian Kennedy in the same trade.
Similarly, according to multiple reports, the Red Sox will not include both Jacoby Ellsbury and Jon Lester in the same deal, as well.
…is it me, or does it seem like these two teams are only interested in acquiring this guy to the extent that the other is interested…seriously, something tells me if he ends up on the Mets, these other two teams won’t really care, so long as he’s not in the Bronx or Boston…
…so, guys, if you don’t want santana, if you really, really, really don’t want him, can you please step aside…thanks…
The Dodgers will announce the signing of Hiroki Kuroda to a three-year, $35.2 million contract today.
In an previous report for the New York Post, Mark Hale wrote that the Mets had ‘legitimate interest’ in Kuroda, and even reached the ‘second round of bidding,’ but, ‘as it turned out,’ they were ‘not one of the 
four finalists.’
…as i wrote then, the buzz around kuroda had long been that while the Royals, Mets and Cubs had interest, he had every intention of pitching with a team on the West Coast…
According to a past report from MLB.com, the Mets, Mariners, Dodgers and D’Backs, among other teams, had offered Kuroda a three-year contract, each worth around $30 million.
At Mike Pagliarulo’s Dugout Central, Will Hoover projected that Kuroda would likely have a mid-5.00 ERA through 160 or so innings, during roughly 30 starts for a major-league team.
Last week in the Daily News, Christian Red wrote a nice profile of Jose 
Reyes, while spending time with the shortstop in the Dominican Republic.
Today in the Daily News, once again reporting from the Dominican, Red profiles Moises Alou and the outfielder’s two-year-old race horse, who he received as a gift from his wife on their 15th wedding anniversary
Alou, on if the Mets should trade top prospects, or Reyes, to acquire Twins LHP Johan Santana…
“Jose, I think he’ll be one of the best players in the game in a few years. I wouldn’t trade him…I know it’s going to take a lot to get Santana. But sometimes you gotta take chances. If I was a general manager, I would concentrate on getting pitchers. Position players come along all the time. You always need pitching.”
…from what i understand, the Mets agree…the problem, mo, is that the Twins want all of the Mets young pitching, as well…so it’ll cost a lot of pitching, plus position players, to get pitching, you know what i mean…the thing is, if that’s what needs to happen to get the the best pitcher, at this point, so be it…
Tagged Moises Alou |According to ESPN.com’s Jayson Stark, the Phillies are among 
several teams who have interest in free-agent OF Mike Cameron.
In 151 games for the Padres last season, Cameron hit .242, with 21 HR, 78 RBI, while striking out 160 times with a .328 OBP.
His batting average has declined in each of the last three seasons.
MLB will suspend Cameron 25 games next season for testing positive for a banned stimulant in late October.
Yesterday, Philadelphia Inquirer wrote that the Phillies have also been in contact with free-agent OF Geoff Jenkins.
In 132 games for the Brewers last season, Jenkins hit .255 with 21 HR, 64 RBI, while striking out 116 times with a .319 OBP.
His batting average has declined in each of the last three seasons.
Tagged Phillies |
