Daily Archives: October 21, 2008
Jeff Wilpon was a guest this afternoon on WFAN, during which he had the following to say when asked about what his team’s fans can expect in the off-season:
“I think we’re going to be active in trying to remake our roster. I think I said it at the time, I want it to be some addition by subtraction, whether that happens more by free agency or through some trades.”
…so, in order to improve, he feels that the Mets must cut ties with specific players, and i totally agree…the thing is, to have an impact, this would suggest some combo of Luis Castillo, Carlos Delgado, Pedro Martinez, Oliver Perez, maybe Aaron Heilman, etc., but how much of an impact is that…i can’t imagine he is talking about a player like Carlos Beltran…so, who…who can be removed from the roster, which would help this club take a step forward…
To listen to Wilpon’s entire 12–minute interview, click here.
The following is my latest MetsBlog Minute for SNY:
According to Andrew Marchand of ESPN 1050, citing an executive 
with knowledge of the team’s thinking, the Mets plan to pursue free-agent RHP Francisco Rodriguez, but are ‘unlikely’ to bid on CC Sabathia.
…this could not have timed out any better for this kid…not only is he the best free-agent closer on the market, and one of the best pitchers in the game, but, at the same time, one of the wealthiest teams in the league, the Mets, who need to overhaul their bullpen, just happen to also need a closer…so, if these two are not at least linked in rumors this off-season, something is very, very wrong with the Hot Stove…
Last week at SI.com, Jon Heyman wrote that the Mets are ‘hesitant,’ with regards to giving Rodriguez a five-year deal.
Heyman also writes, “The Angels don’t seem as gung-ho to retain Rodriguez as one might think,” a notion that also written by the team’s beat reporter, Mark Whicker, in the OC Register.
…as i wrote last week, this is a bit of a red flag to me, since the Angels have the money to bring him back…and so, when a team with money turns its back on one of its own a player, a player they know better than any other team in the league, it raises my eyebrows…or, they’re just playing coy with the market…
Nevertheless, according to a recent report in the New York Post, the Angels continue to be Rodriguez’s first choice.
According to a statistical break-down by Beyond the Boxscore, the Mets not only had the worst second baseman in all of baseball, in Damion Easley, they also had the third worst in Luis Castillo and the sixth worst in Argenis Reyes.
…thanks to Nate for the info, i guess…
Naturally, according to the same post, the best second baseman in baseball was Phillies 2B Chase Utley, followed by Sox 2B Dustin Pedroia and O’s 2B Brian Roberts.
In a recent report for FoxSports.com, Ken Rosenthal wrote that the O’s could look to trade Roberts if the two sides do not reach agreement on a contract extension.
Last night, ESPN’s Baseball Tonight named David Wright as the league’s Best Infield Web-Gem Maker for 2008.
Wright’s diving catch in foul territory against the Phillies was also named the best Web Gem for a third baseman.
…Rawlings usually announces its Gold Glove winners in the week or so following the World Series…i have to think wright will win the NL Gold Glove at third base for the second-consecutive season…
…i still feel wright’s arm is an issue, at least from time to time…
…that said, he has a tremendous glove…and he’s getting better…
Eric Simon at Amazin’ Avenue forwards some projected 2009 offensive stats from The Bill James Handbook.
Among the notable numbers:
David Wright will lead the team in nearly every category including home runs, batting average, OBP, and OPS.
Carlos Delgado will tie David Wright for the team lead in homers with 33.
Nick Evans will have a higher OPS than Jose Reyes but play in a third less games.
…it’s interesting because most of the numbers don’t vary too far from this year…not being very into sabermetrics myself, i’d like to know how they come up with these…
Eric provides post-stat commentary as well including:
“The Mets could do far worse than Fernando Tatis as a righty bat off the bench, Or: Sixteen words I couldn’t have fathomed writing a year ago.”
…the projections have started already…i know some people say these are worthless, but other than the giants, few things keep me going over the winter months so i appreciate them…
They also posted the projections for the Mets pitching staff as well which you can see here.
Tagged Regis Courtemanche, Stats |
According to Adam Rubin at the Daily News, Willie Randolph is among the leading candidates for the Brewers managerial job.
Rubin writes:
“Milwaukee GM Doug Melvin, after informing interim manager Dale Sveum that he wouldn’t be retained, indicated he wanted to hire a skipper with managerial experience and a track record of success.”
The Mets owe Randolph $2.25 million if he does not work next year.
Tagged Regis Courtemanche, Willie Randolph |
