Daily Archives: January 7, 2008
Mets manager Willie Randolph will join Newsday’s David Lennon, MLB.com’s Marty Noble and host Kevin Burkhardt during tonight’s edition of SNY’s Mets Hot Stove, which airs live at 6:30 pm and again at 11 pm.
By the way, SNY is asking, “How many wins will Pedro Martinez have in 2008?”
To vote, click here and scroll down.
Tagged SNY |Steve C, from Long Island, sent in the following…
“I still feel somewhat emotionally
scarred from last year. It feels to me that the only thing that will get rid of this sick feeling is for them to not fall apart next fall. I’m not even sure I need them to make the playoffs – I need them not to fall on their faces in September…
“Despite ‘failing’ these last two years, they still gave me a product that was worth rooting for and I am still excited about 2008 and beyond, but I can’t get rid of this sick feeling…
“So, I ask you: Can you just put 2007 completely behind you when the first pitch is thrown in 2008 – or are you, like me, somewhat scarred?”
…last year’s ending was painful, no doubt about it…however, i hope we and the team do not forget it…i can only speak for myself, but i don’t ever want to be that disappointed and embarrassed again – and i’m just a fan…i mean, i didn’t throw a pitch or step to the plate so i can only imagine how most of the players felt…
…instead, we should all use this feeling of worry and anxiety as a way to keep ourselves from becoming apathetic or overly confident – as so many of us did, players included, late last summer…
…this will hopefully be Willie Randolph’s message to the team when they gather in Port St. Lucie next month…
According to Marty Noble at MLB.com, Tom Nieto will replace Rickey Henderson on Willie Randolph’s coaching staff next season.
…i’m sad to see rickey go, not from a baseball point of 
view, but from an entertainment point of view…he was hilarious in the coach’s box behind first base…
In an interview with WFAN at the end of last season, Mets GM Omar Minaya said that Nieto has done a great job as the team’s catching instructor and was initially invited to the organization by Randolph.
…this is relevant, i guess, since there had been some questions raised at the end of last year suggesting that willie was being undermined by having certain coaches forced on him…nieto is clearly not one of those guys…
During May of last season, Paul Lo Duca had thrown out 9 of the first 15 runners who attempted to steal on him, and Lo Duca gave much of the credit to Nieto’s help in spring training.
…hat tip to The ‘Ropolitans for the link…
SNY will hold an open casting call on Saturday, January 12th from 10am-1pm to find the new host of the network’s Emmy-Award winning children’s show Kids Clubhouse presented by f.y.e.
The auditions will take place at SNY’s street-level studio on 6th Avenue and 51st Street in front of three judges.
Eligible candidates must be between the ages of 14-18, and be accompanied by an adult.
For more information, go to SNY.
Dan M sent in the following, recently-taken photos of Citi Field’s construction site…
…by the way, the guys at Mets Refugees conclude, by looking at certain pictures, that the new Home Run Apple may not emerge from a top hat, like it currently does at Shea Stadium…
The Mets have re-signed RHP Duaner 
Sanchez to a one-year, major-league contract.
…from what i can gather, sanchez has been working hard and throwing well, hitting as much as 94 mph on the radar gun…also, he’s not overweight…eyewitnesses note that he’s in great shape, and looking strong while pitching from a mound in Port St. Lucie since early December…
According to Baseball America, the Yankees signed LHP Billy Traber and RHP Scott Strickland to 
minor-league contracts.
Traber was the Mets No. 1 pick in 2000. He was 2-2 with a 4.76 ERA in 28 games for the Nationals last season.
Since leaving the Mets after having elbow surgery in 2003, Strickland has pitched just four major-league innings - all for the Astros in 2005, during which he allowed two home runs.
…if you recall at the time, word from the Mets had been that strickland lacked the needed arm strength
to cut it at the major-league level, and that the team could fill his old role internally, such as with Juan Padilla, Aaron Heilman, Jose Santiago or Heath Bell…
…thanks to Craig M for the information…
Tagged Yankees |In a recent Q&A for the Los Angeles Times, sports columnist Mike Giovanni was asked if the Angels could acquire 3B David Wright from the Mets in 
exchange for ‘good young players,’ to which he responded…
“Sure, the Angels could go after Wright, but the Mets have shown no desire to trade him.”
…i read this question and laughed…seriously, i literally laughed out loud…but it made me think…i bet my reaction is similar to the way other team’s fans react when we, as Mets fans, start throwing out mock trades that will allow us to acquire their best players simply because we want them…
…what’s the old rule in negotiation, ‘it’s not a truly equal trade unless both parties come away feeling as though they gave up too much,’ or something to that affect…
…thanks to the great Peter Wade for the link…
Free-agent C Mike DiFelice agreed to terms on a minor-
league contract with the Rays, ‘with an invitation to spring training and the opportunity to compete for a backup job,’ reports the St. Petersburg Times.
According to the report, ‘Difelice had offers with the Mets and other teams but said the opportunity for a major-league job as well as the chance to return to the Rays and play near his Palm Harbor home led him to take their offer.’
In 42 games with the Mets during the last three years, DiFelice hit .184 in just 65 at-bats.
According to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the Indians have made an offer to C.C. Sabathia, in an effort to keep him in 
Cleveland beyond next season, after which he is eligible to be a free agent.
…i think it stands to reason that sabathia will seek, and will get, at least a deal similar to what was recently agreed to by the Padres and Jake Peavy, which will essentially pay him roughly $90 million over the next six seasons, which is right on par with his contemporaries…
…point is, here we go again, another home-grown ace is being approached with an extension that will keep him from hitting the open market…and so, if the Mets can trade for quality, young, established pitching now, they have to do it now, because they may not get the chance through free agency…
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