Daily Archives: February 22, 2008
…from what i have been told, by people connected to the team, the Mets will not be using any sort of slogans or taglines this season…to which i can only say, thank you…
…yesterday, i noted how they had been sending an e-mail pushing NL East-centric ticket plans, as well as single-game tickets, with the subject line: “It’s Your Turn to Join the ‘Team to Beat’”…
…however, it was pointed out to me that this e-mail was only sent to those who are registered to receive their newsletter, and it was simply a quote, citing beltran, in the subject line…it is in no way an official slogan…
Tagged MetsBlog |
The Profile du Jour is of prospects Jon Niese and Eddie Kunz, who threw batting 
practice to the big-league team yesterday.
Ben Shpigel of the New York Times writes that Kunz, the 42nd overall pick in last June’s draft, could be on the fast track to the big leagues – and eventually the closer’s role.
According to Shpigel, Kunz has been sort-of adopted by Billy Wagner, whose contract expires after next year.
Wagner, on Kunz, as quoted by Shpigel:
“One thing I told him was not to be content, go out and make that team… If you go and throw 100 in your bullpen session, that doesn’t mean anything. It’s your work ethic that will… If you throw at 70 percent and hit all your spots and then, when games start up, go out there and get big outs, that will show them all they need to see.”
Wagner is also quoted in the Star Ledger‘s profile of Kunz, which focused on the prospect’s nice-guy demeanor:
“He’ll learn you’re going to have to be a butt hole for this job… I’m sure we’ll have that talk before we’re done here.”
…Billy Wagner has officially turned into my 12-year old brother…
Kunz, exhausted from an extended college campaign that saw him go 3-1 with a 2.91 ERA and 12 saves for Oregon State, put up a 6.75 ERA in his pro debut in 12 games for Brooklyn last season.
At 6’5 and 250 pounds, Kunz boasts a three-pitch offering, the best of which is a 95+ mph hard, heavy-sinking fastball.
Meanwhile, at MLB.com, Marty Noble looks at Niese, who impressed coaches on Thursday as well.
Niese went 11-7 with a 4.29 ERA for High Class-A St. Lucie last season, putting together a strong stretch run that included a 2.62 ERA in August.
Niese offers a three pitch mix as well, including an 89-92 mph fastball and a strong curve.
…from what i can gather, both Niese and Kunz should start the year at Double-A Binghamton…
…while i don’t expect either to contribute much this year, it’d be nice to have them perform well to replenish the depth lost over the winter…and with the Mets set to lose up to three starting pitchers this off-season, having a guy like Niese be close to Major League ready could be invaluable…he projects to be a middle of the rotation starter, and as a lefty that’s invaluable…
For more on Kunz and Niese, check out my interview with Baseball Prospectus‘ prospect guru Kevin Goldstein, which ran two weeks ago.
…added to by Matthew Cerrone…
…from what i recall during the Santana Scramble, the Twins had asked about Jon Neise, but the Mets had very little interest in trading him…he doesn’t get a lot of publicity, but, from what i can tell, he has a lot of fans inside the organization – dating back to my notes from two Winter Meetings ago as well…
Tagged Minors |
As noted earlier, Johan Santana threw his first batting practice today.
Following his session, which you can learn more about at the Bergen Record, Santana talked to reporters. To listen to the discussion, go to John Delcos’s blog for the Journal News.
Meanwhile, according to David Lennon, at Newsday, Pedro Martinez is back to singing and dancing.
Lastly, in a post to his blog for the Star-Ledger, Jeremy Cothran relays a funny batting-practice story from Willie Randolph, who did not need feel the need to watch Santana.
Yesterday on WFAN, SI.com’s Jon Heyman talked for quite a long time about the Mets and Willie Randolph, who he followed around for a few days while researching a column for his website.
To listen to the entire interview, go to WFAN.com.
Heyman had the following to say, regarding…
Randolph, and how he dealt with the team’s 
delayed decision to not fire him at the end of last season…
Willie’s a tough guy…He said he was more puzzled than anything
else when they left him hanging at the end of the season. But talking to Willie’s friends, I think he was more upset than puzzled. He’s not really sure if it was for show or to impress someone or what…Because there really wasn’t a real reason to fire him…I talked to Jeff (Wilpon) about it and he said they were just taking a deep breathe, that there was no serious consideration, but they discussed everything and so I guess he and Willie have patched it up since.”
…Randolph’s relationship with Jose Reyes and David Wright…
“In the off-season, Willie went down to the Dominican Republic. He said he was down there anyway for the academy, but he went down and patched things up with Jose Reyes. I think Willie was concerned that there was a problem there so he met with Jose’s family. Reyes felt like he was singled out. He doesn’t pick on him, but he pays more attention to what Reyes is doing. Willie sees Jose and Wright as more of the face of the franchise and if he does something wrong he points it out more than say if it’s Beltran or Delgado. Reyes can still be molded and he’s a star. I think Reyes took it to heart and he’s a good kid, but probably sulked a little.”
Most noteworthy, Heyman tells of a time when Randolph yelled at Jeff Wilpon over a conflict in scheduling a charity golf tournament.
Heyman called it a fight, noting that Randolph is not the politician that Omar Minaya can be. However, according to Heyman, Randolph and Wilpon have since made up – adding that Randolph can be very blunt, “Maybe too blunt.”
Heyman also discusses whether Minaya interfered with Randolph’s decision to start certain pitchers at the end of last season, their relationship with Tony Bernazard, and whether Randolph’s job could be in jeopardy if the team gets off to a slow start.
…added to by Peter Wade…
…Heyman doesn’t seem to be too harsh on anyone, even with his steroid coverage, so i think a lot of people will feel he’s too soft on willie here…but i agree with heyman when he says, “It was a terrible finish but not fireable,” and my feeling is only reinforced when learning about the different clubhouse back-biting that willie had to deal with…not to mention all the players that just did not come through for his club when needed…
To listen to Heyman’s entire interview, go to WFAN.com.
Tagged WFAN, Willie Randolph |Moises Alou talked with Kevin Burkhardt during last night’s edition of Geico’s SportsNite on SNY.
To watch the interview, during which they discuss Alou’s career plans; having Johan Santana and Pedro Martinez at the top of the order; team confidence; the Phillies; his batting stance; and his health; click play below…
Tagged Moises Alou, SNY |
ESPN.com is asking baseball fans to rank the Top 10 pitching performances since 1950.
One of the nominees include Dwight Gooden’s spectacular 1985 season in which the NL 
Cy Young Award Winner went 24-4 with a 1.53 ERA and recorded 268 K’s in 276 IP.
…those numbers are just mind-boggling for a 20-year-old…even better was his 0.34 ERA and 4-0 record in September that year, during a heated pennant race mind you…
…according to a few e-mails that have been forwarded to me, it appears that the Mets may finally be sending e-mailed responses to winners from Monday’s drawing for the opportunity to purchase Opening Day, Subway Series and Shea Finale tickets online…from what i can tell, e-mails began going out this morning, announcing that sales will start Sunday at 10 am…
According to a text message from SNY’s Kevin Burkhardt, Johan 
Santana just finished throwing his first batting practice, facing David Wright, Salomon Manriquez, Ryan Church, Damion Easley and Olmedo Saenz.
Santana is talking to reporters now.
…hopefully, kevin will text in a few notes from santana’s discussion with reporters…
For other notes from this morning’s camp, check out blogs from the Journal News, Newsday and the Star-Ledger, where Jeremy Cothran details Carlos Delgado’s new fielding style.
…Update…12 pm…
Santana told reporters he was knocked around during batting practice, because the batters were made aware of what he would be throwing. According to Burkhardt’s estimations, based on the workout schedule, Santana will likely start the team’s first spring training game next Friday.
Burkhardt will have clips of Santana’s conversation with reporters, as well as video from the batting practice session, during tonight’s edition of Geico’s SportsNite on SNY.
Mets COO Jeff Wilpon was a guest during 
WFAN’s morning show today, hosted by Boomer Esiason and Craig Carton, and had the following to say when asked about the Home-Run Apple at Shea Stadium…
“The apple, as it sits right now, is in not great repair. So we’re probably going to send it out somewhere to get repaired. We’re going to see how much of it we can fix, or we’re going to make a new one.”
…so, this sounds like, maybe, they’ll try to fix it and move it to Citi Field…or, this is a way to frame the apple as beyond fixing, so when if they opt to leave it behind the excuse has already been set in motion…
To listen to Wilpon’s interview, click here.
Tagged WFAN |…there seems to be a unique level of confidence emitting from the Mets and their fans of late…i don’t know if it’s the acquisition of Johan Santana, rallying around a hatred for the Phillies, or just the opportunity to put last season behind us, but we all seem oddly confident for a group that won nothing last season and was near suicidal just five months ago…
…i do the whole Confidence Rating thing every week, but let’s try the following today instead, while having a little fun, and to see how willing we are to put our money where our mouths are…
[poll=54]
Tagged Poll |
