Daily Archives: January 9, 2008
According to Joe Christensen of the Minnesota Star Tribune, the Twins have told the Mets they can have 
Johan Santana if they add OF Fernando Martinez to their current offer of OF Carlos Gomez and RHPs Deolis Guerra, Kevin Mulvey and Phil Humber.
Christensen writes that while the Yankees and Red Sox both remain in the sweepstakes, “Ultimately, the Mets might be the best fit.”
Christensen speculates that Santana is looking for a five- or six-year contract worth at least $20 million per season.
…this is in line with what cerrone has written all along…literally, the twins want the Mets to give up the farm…
…personally, i might do it…the Mets, regrettably, did not go all out for Pedro Martinez after the 1997 season when the Expos put him on the block – and ten years later, it feels like that scenario could be replaying itself...
Tagged Johan Santana Trade Mets Yankees Red Sox |
The Cardinals have hired Gary LaRocque as senior special 
assistant to the General Manager.
…by the way, that’s assistant to the general manager, dwight…
LaRocque spent the last 10 years in senior management levels for the New York Mets, where he was responsible for signing David Wright and Scott Kazmir.
According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Braves have contacted the A’s regarding OF 
Mark Kotsay.
In just 56 games for Oakland last season, the 32–year-old Kotsay hit .214 with 15 extra base hits.
Kotsay missed the final 106 games last season due to back pain.
He will earn $8 million next season, after which he is eligible to be a free agent.
…thanks to Peter Wade, our resident eyes and ears, for the link…
Mets OF Carlos Gomez has a bigger ceiling than Red Sox 
OF Jacoby Ellsbury or Yankees OF Melky Cabrera, explains Dugout Central.
…thanks to Tommy Mac for the link…
Dugout Central, created by former Yankee Mike Pagliarulo, is a place “where fans and scouts come together to discuss our national pastime.”
According to the report…
“With improved technique at the plate he could be a 30–plus home run guy.”
According to ESPN.com’s Jayson Stark, during an on-air spot during the Winter Meetings, Gomez may be more attractive to the Twins than Ellsbury.
…as i said in late november, i am very impressed with the perceived value of gomez…teams seem to really like him – much more than they liked Lastings Milledge…one independent scout told me after the season that people view gomez as capable of becoming Jimmy Rollins in the outfield one day…
In a post to MetsMerized Online, Dave Ponte lists 10 people in the Mets organization who have the most to prove in 2008, including Nancy Salsiccia, the assistant manager of Aramark food services, of whom he writes…
“Treat the fans at Shea with respect by keeping the sausage and peppers warm. Always have rolls. Eating greasy peppers out of a cardboard tray just doesn’t do the trick. Oh yeah, keep the beers cold by making sure the ice is on point. Also, slip the extra beer caps under a napkin so that I can flick them at annoying Phillies fans when they start to act up.”
…also, why do they take the cap to my bottle of water…
…it drives me crazy…
…honestly, i just end up importing caps from older bottled water that i had been drinking in the car…this way, when they hand me the newly purchased bottle and take its cap, i simply twist on my own imported cap…is it so much to ask that my bottled water have a hat on so if it gets kicked over, or knocked on its side, it doesn’t spill…
…you know, it really is the little things in life that will end up giving me a heart attack…i can see it coming…
Tagged Shea Stadium |Lee Mazzilli will return to SNY for the 2008 season.
…i’ll be honest, it was a rough start for mazz, who looked very uncomfortable during those first few broadcasts…however, as the season moved on, he adjusted very well…by the end of the season, i started looking forward to his specific opinions, because he brought a brutal, but necessary honesty to a very, very disappointing end to the season…
By the way, SNY will broadcast 16 spring-training games beginning on February 29 against the Cardinals.
To see the full schedule, click here.
Tagged SNY |
According to Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune, talks between the Cubs and O’s about 2B Brian Roberts are back on.
“This deal is almost certainly going to happen,” writes Rogers, “The only question is when and how much it is going to cost the Cubs.”
…thanks to jason b for the link…
…i can’t believe i ever thought that the Mets could acquire both roberts and Erik Bedard in the same deal…talk about being delusional…the hot stove must have been so hot i became dehydrated and delirious…
In a post to MetsGeek, Alex Nelson breaks out his calculator to determine the top 12 ‘Real’ Met-Killers of all time, i.e., guys who hit significantly better against the Mets compared to when playing against other teams.
According to Nelson, the ‘real’ No. 1 Met Killer of all time is not Chipper Jones, Derek Jeter or Pat Burrell, but OF Rico Carty, who had a 1.064 OPS in 360 at-bats against the Mets - compared to .833 OPS against other teams.
…hmm, tell that to Armando Benitez, and the dent i put in my kitchen wall thanks to Brian Jordan…
…also, i have never hated a player more than i hated John Rocker…and, frankly, i suspect Kenny Rogers is among the most hated Mets, thanks to his performance while actually pitching for the Mets - a true accomplishment if ever there was one…
Yankees VP Hank Steinbrenner recently told Newsday that his team will not give Johan Santana more than a five-year contract if they acquire him from the Twins.
…well, the way i understand it, santana is 
not approving a trade unless he gets a substantial extension worked out in advance…the thing is, the sense i get is that, like the Yankees, the Mets are reluctant to give santana a seven-year deal as well…for what it’s worth, it is very difficult to get a pitcher’s contract insured if it is more than a five-year deal…
…my question, though, is will santana accept a five-year extension, to start after the end of next season, along with a substantial raise for this coming season as well, so that he’d be essentially getting a six-year guarantee starting right now…
According to the Boston Herald, Santana’s agent has said he is seeking seven years and at least $140 million.
According to Mike Puma in the New York Post, the Mets and WFAN are ‘targeting’ veteran broadcaster Wayne Hagin to replace Tom McCarthy.
Hagin has called games for the A’s, Giants, White Sox, Rockies and Cardinals.
…from what i can gather, neither WFAN nor the Mets had much direction on this once Andy Freed declined their offer to remain in Tampa Bay…initially i believe they were open to every one, from triple-a broadcaster to veteran MLB voices, though i am not sure where they stand today…
…personally, i’d rather they hire an unknown triple-a voice, or some one who at least knows the Mets organization…
…thanks to Peter Wade for the link…
