Daily Archives: February 7, 2008
Yesterday at Shea Stadium, the Mets officially introduced Johan Santana to the New York media.
According to Ken Davidoff in Newsday, “The Mets got themselves more than just an ace. They got themselves a warrior and a deep thinker.” Additionally, in the Star-Ledger, Dan Graziano explains why Santana is “not just a special player. He’s a special person too,” says the player’s agent.
In the Bergen Record, Bob Klapisch gives credit to Jeff Wilpon for working to get a contract done with Santana, who told Klapisch of Wilpon, “No one from the team had ever talked to me like that. I took it as a compliment.”
In the New York Post, Joel Sherman explains how Santana has a fan in Pedro Martinez.
…by the way, this ad comes courtesy of 
, and has me completely fired up for the 2008 season…
For additional coverage, check out the Daily News, the New York Post, Newsday, and the New York Times.
Tagged SNY |
Wayne Hagin is expected to be announced next week as WFAN’s new Mets radio voice alongside Howie Rose, reports Adam Rubin in the Daily News.
Last month, at this blog for Newsday, Neil Best noted that Hagin has been the front runner for the WFAN job, adding…
“Hagin created a huge stir before the 2005 season when he accused Todd Helton of the Rockies, whose games Hagin previously had called, of being on ‘the juice.’
“Helton was furious, telling ESPN at the time: ‘I would like to extend a hunting trip to him deep in the woods somewhere.’’
…from what i can gather, fans of the Rockies and Cardinals really liked hagin, who is said to be ‘a very nice guy,’ with a ‘casual, breezy, smooth voice,’ that ‘goes well with an afternoon baseball game,’ whatever that all means…
Tagged WFAN |According to the New York Post, the Mets have interest in free-agent 1B-OF Craig Wilson.
Wilson has played first base and outfield through most of the last few season, though he started his career as a catcher.
In just 24 games last season with the Braves, Wilson hit .172.
In 2006, during 359 at-bats for the Yankees and Pirates, he hit .250 with 17 HR and 49 RBI while striking out 122 times.
…i followed Mets GM Omar Minaya around for a bit yesterday at the press conference for Johan Santana…i heard him speak to a few different groups of reporters, and on two different occasions he said that this is the team he will go to spring training with…
…in one case, he was essentially asked about Kyle Lohse and Livan Hernandez, and he gave the same response without actually commenting on the two specific players…
…in other words, as of today, this is the team he will go to spring training with…however, my sense is that, if a player like livan or loshe, or even a bat, can be had on a minor-league deal, the player could be invited to camp…but, it just doesn’t sound like any more guaranteed contracts will be dished out, nor should they…
The Mets have not yet to come to terms with Oliver Perez and Ryan Church.
Perez is eligible to be a free agent after this season.
According to Adam Rubin in the Daily News, Mets GM Omar Minaya said yesterday that Perez’s agent, Scott Boras, is not interested in negotiating a contract that covers beyond the 2008 season.
…well, at this point, perez’s first mistake may be hitching his wagon to boras, who is not doing his best work of late…
…as i have said before, if perez puts up another 15–win season, like he did last year, there is absolutely no reason why he will sign with a team for a penny less than what was given to Gil Meche last year, i.e., a three– or four-year deal worth at least $10 million per season…which, to me, seems like an awful lot for perez…then again, it is an awful lot for meche, Ted Lilly, etc…the thing is, next off-season, perez will be a 28–year-old lefty with a career ERA around 4.00 and roughly 60 wins under his belt…so, the guy will get paid…no doubt about it…
…i believe the Mets have interest in retaining perez…other teams will have interest in him as well…so, i can understand why boras would prefer to see his client on the open market…of course, how will that move look if perez hurts himself or implodes…
Perez has asked for $6.5 million in 2008, while the club is offering $4.725 million.
Rubin also gives an update on Billy Joel at Shea; newly acquired Nelson Figueroa; Johan Santana bobble-head night; and Ben Johnson, who, according to Willie Randolph, has been re-signed.
Tagged Oliver Perez |According to Ken Rosenthal, in a video report for FOXSports.com, there is a 50–50 chance that the A’s trade RHP Joe Blanton - with two teams showing interest, one of which is likely to be the Reds.
The Yankees, Dodgers, Rockies and Indians are not interested, says Rosenthal, though the Twins and Rays might be.
…ah, yes…remember the days of debating blanton…oh well…
…by the way, these videos from rosenthal crack me up…they must be filmed in his house…ken, throw up a curtain behind you, or a faux book shelf, something…or, do a segment while playing that piano…that would be great…
According to the Associated Press, a video of Pedro Martinez and Hall of Famer Juan Marichal taking part in a cockfight in the Dominican Republic was posted and then quickly taken off of YouTube last night.
The report writes, “Cockfighting is both legal and popular in the Dominican Republic.”
…but, that doesn’t make it right, said Little Jerry Seinfeld…
Tagged Pedro Martinez, YouTube | Newer posts →
