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On Friday night, the Mets acquired 34–year-old OF Trot Nixon from the D’Backs for cash or a player to be named later.
He will wear uniform No. 6, formerly of the Ruben Gotay, Wally Backman collection.
Nixon told reporters that he used to watch the Mets on television as a kid, adding that he ‘loved’ Lenny Dykstra.
David Wright, speaking about Nixon, prior to last night’s rain out at Shea Stadium:
“He goes out there and plays the game the right way, and I think that will rub off on the clubhouse here. He’s a proven winner, knows what it takes. He’s a guy who’s going to be well respected, a guy who everybody can look up to and learn from.”
Willie Randolph, on Nixon, speaking to reporters prior to yesterday’s rain out:
I’ve always had a lot of respect for Trot, the way he plays the game…He’s been on winning ballclubs and I like the way he grinds and plays hard…He seems like one of those old-school kind of players. He plays with a lot of intensity. I like that in him. He goes up there and competes, takes his cuts. He’s just one of those focused kind of players.”
Nixon, talking to reporters from the locker room, after arriving to Shea Stadium around 7 pm:
“I’ve been hoping and waiting to get the opportunity to get back to the major leagues…I’m glad to be back at this level, and I’m glad to be with a team that has a chance to win…I’ve played in Boston and I’ve played in the big series. I look forward to coming out here and competing on a daily basis.”
His batting average has dropped in each of the last four seasons, from .315 in 2004 to .251 last year, though he hit .288 during the second half of the season.
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i like nixon, and think he should get a start today.
as for willie’s job status, i think it could be potentially detrimental to have him dangling in the wind. he knows each game he manages could dictate the fate of his career, so will he do desperate things to try to win these next few games and sacrifice some games in the future? will he keep throwing wright out there without an inning off until hes off the hot seat? will he use wagner twice today? will he leave starters in the game too long?
if he uses wagner twice then we know hes trying to get fired
David Wright’s comments:
“He goes out there and plays the game the right way, and I think that will rub off on the clubhouse here. He’s a proven winner, knows what it takes. He’s a guy who’s going to be well respected, a guy who everybody can look up to and learn from.”
I’ve read a lot about this being the positives about what Trot will bring the team. Frankly, I agree with it.
But I think it’s too bad that:
1. … in a team of aging, experienced, accomplished players, there apparently isn’t enough leadership in how to “play the game the right way” and enough guys who are “well respected”.
The thing is everyone knows that he isn’t going to produce a lot, but he will apparently bring something the clubhouse doesn’t have: competitiveness, respectability, and leadership.
2. …what the team really needs is an experienced player who can set an example - which I think is the case.
3. …it’s well recognized by the young leader and face of the franchise, David Wright, that the team doesn’t play the game the right way (he does), he (david) isn’t capable of influencing the way others play the game (I’m sure he’s tried - perhaps he is too young to be “respected”?), and that in a clubhouse of older, near HOF caliber players, there apparently isn’t a “proven winner”.
For the record, I’m not a Willie apologist, BUT, I firmly believe that it’s a player or group of players that have to lead a clubhouse - not a manager. Because at the end of the day, there has to be someone on the field to do this. I believe this about every sport.
I know it’s easy to blame a manager for everything… (the good old Yankee fan way of thinking), but at the end of the day, you have a veteran team because veterans should know how to play the game, and what it takes to win. Managers are more important with young, inexperienced teams like the Marlins and D-Backs.
I think that’s what is so sad about this team. Everyone is looking for a leader in this clubhouse and can’t find one. Marlon Anderson has to try to get these players motivated?
I was never a big Willie fan, however, I don’t believe that he is the problem. I think the players that the mets have are the problem. There seems to be no chemistry, and some guys appear to have a no care attitude.
Bringing in Trot is nice, but I don’t think the mets instantly become a playoff team. In my view, they are short a starting pitcher, and an everyday outfielder.
Yeah. I tend to think it’s telling also that the Mets need a leader in the clubhouse more than a young, inexperienced Diamondbacks, who could have easily brought Trot up to give them some of that.
Whew…..for a second I thought they signed another washed up old guy.
You know someone hanging around the minors waiting for someone to get hurt.
The more I read about Nixon, and the various Mets’ reactions to his coming to the Mets, the more I like the deal. Omar has this knack for finding one guy a year, it seems, that’s a castoff from another team, and the guy flourishes for the Mets. Can Nixon “save the season” for the Mets? Not by himself. But, he has instant credibility in the clubhouse, with Pedro’s and DWright’s statements. Will his presence win some games that the Mets would otherwise lose? Probably, but no one knows for sure–yet.
yes trot brings instant respect and leadership to this circus clubhouse…
i can see it now… delgado ,alou, beltran ,easly ,anderson ,pedro ,castillo ….looking on in complete awe at the gritty aaa skills of trot….. and looking up to him………
sorry but in a room full of near hof’s , aging veterans , and underperforming stars…… trot is no more than a faded retread trying to make it back to the bigs………
I hope Trot goes 5-for-5 today just so you’ll stop posting about him.
yeah! a single game will prove me wrong……..
i just hope hes the same gritty player who wore pine tar covered helmets and rosin covered caps, who stood up for his teammates, made the hard slide into 2nd base, and took his kids to school
The Mets needed a player who is a veteran and can get the job done. The mets are having injury problems, with Alou on the DL again, and Ryan Church still alling from the concussion during the series with the Braves, the mets need so depth in the outfield. Well, they’ll get that from Trot Nixon.