Monthly Archives: October 2008
Robert B sent in an e-mail asking…
“Why was Mets VP of Media Relations, Jay Horowitz, on the field when the Phillies won the WS?”
It was. However, he has worked media relations during every World Series since the early 80s.
He, and other select people from other media departments, are invited to work during the World Series, regardless of what team is in it, or where it is played – and, from what I can gather, it is considered an honor to be invited.
So, good for him.
Also, hopefully he left some sort of jinx or curse on the building before he left.
To check out more photos from the demolition of Shea Stadium, click here to see Michael Baron’s photos, plus click here, here, here, and here, for photos from the New York Times.
Albert S sent in the following e-mail, which read:
“Hey Matthew how come nobody’s is talking about making pedro next year closer.”
The Mets, media and fans can talk about it all we want. The fact is, Martinez is a free agent, and unless he is open to the job it is not going to happen. From what I can gather, he has no interest in being a closer, since he is very specific in terms of how he prepares, and what his arm is capable of doing.
As for having the necessary mentality, I’m not so sure about that.
Look, with all due respect to what he has accomplished in his career, Martinez is not the same pitcher he was 10 years ago. Today, and to his credit, he is a more intellectual pitcher these days, using brains instead of power, while making adjustments and outsmarting the hitter pitch by pitch.
If you recall from this season, he would need at least an inning or two to calibrate to the opposition – which is something a closer cannot afford to do.
By the way, while we’re on the subject, most people characterize the mentality of a closer as being one of aggression, ‘heart,’ and having no fear.
The reality is that, instead, it’s about being resilient, poised and having focus, as Ron Darling once explained to me. It’s about being able to blow a save, deal with it, shake it off and get back on the mound less than 24 hours later, which is something a starting pitcher never has to do.
There are plenty of aggressive, no-fear pitchers who fail miserably at being closers. However, every successful closer is confident and resilient.
Tagged Pedro Martinez |The Kansas City Star and MLB.com report that 
the Marlins are close to trading 1B Mike Jacobs to the Royals for pitching prospect Leo Nunez.
…Update…12:40 pm…
According to the Kansas City Star, the deal is official, the Marlins have acquired Leo Nunez.
Cubs 1B Derrek Lee has a no-trade clause and is not likely to be traded, suggests a reporter for the Daily Herald in Chicago.
According to FoxSports.com, the Padres and Braves are at an impasse regarding Jake Peavy, since San Diego is seeking five players from Atlanta.
Also, Rosenthal lists the Yankees, Angels and Red Sox, not the Mets, as potential suitors for free-agent Mark Teixeira.
Lastly, though the Brewers may offer CC Sabathia a four-year, $100 million contract, Rosenthal expects him to be offered more from the Yankees, Angels and Dodgers.
…if i had a dollar for every person in baseball who has told me the Yankees intend to do everything possible to acquire sabathia, i could retire…seriously, it seems to a popular idea that they’ll try to blow him over with years and money…that said, if he wants to pitch on the west coast, like so many people think, i’m not sure how they compete with that – unless of course he’s just using that to get the Yankees to over-play their hand…
In a post to Amazin Avenue, Eric takes a look at long list of things that have happened since 
the Mets last won a World Series, during which over 50,000,000 fans have walked in to Shea Stadium, under the watchful eye of seven different GMs.
At Mets Minor League Blog, Toby Hyde takes a look at Eddie Kunz, who continues to have trouble pitching to left-handed batters.
Mark Healy, at Gotham Baseball Magazine, wonders if other teams hate the Mets because of their celebrations, or because of the New York bias that occurs through most of the nation.
In a pot to Mets Geek, I mean, Rays Geek, John provides a statistical analysis of John Maine’s 2008 season, concluding, “To become more effective, he simply MUST reduce his walk rate that was way too high this season.”
Lastly, according to the New York Post, Phillies broadcaster Harry Kalas was heard screaming, ‘See Ya, New York,’ during a fan tribute of the stadium’s jumbotron following the team’s World Series win last night.
…that’s actually sort of sad…i fee badly for anyone with that much envy, that they totally miss the significance of their own happiness, only able to focus on some one else’s misery…
The Mets believe they have enough minor-league talent to trade for a closer, such as M’s RHP J.J. Putz, A’s RHP Huston Street, O’s LHP George Sherrill, Royals RHP Joakim Soria and Marlins RHP Kevin Gregg, according to a recent report in Newsday.
Today, at FoxSports.com, Ken Rosenthal explains how the market for closers will be ‘intense,’ noting how teams could even offer Kerry Wood a three-year deal.
According to Rosenthal, “The Mets, for example, like Wood, but could not afford 
another risk… Another possibility for the Mets is to identify next year’s Brad Lidge - a late-inning reliever who would benefit from a change in clubs. None of the current closers appears to fit that description, but someone like the Cleveland’s Rafael Betancourt could be a possibility.”
The 33–year-old Betancourt had a 1.47 ERA in 68 games as a set-up man for the Indians in 2007, but was 3–4 with a 5.07 ERA in 69 games last season.
…i do not doubt this option, but, ultimately, coming off two consecutive disappointing finishes, in the first year of a new stadium, i just can’t see the Mets replacing Billy Wagner with a guy like betancourt – especially since the bullpen was the team’s biggest weakness last season, and something fans are pretty focused on…
…as i wrote a few days ago, i suspect the Mets will explore a trade for a closer, like a putz, or one of the names mentioned by davidoff, trusting Brian Fuentes will not sign a contract until after Francisco Rodriguez sets the bar…
Congratulations to the Philadelphia Phillies organization for winning the World Series. Forgive me if I do not extent a kind word to their fans, except for Phil Cordano.
Nevertheless, the Phillies did a great job building a winning team, they play hard, they’re tough, resilient and I have to think most baseball fans, not focused on Queens, are happy for them.
Frankly, I didn’t watch a single pitch of the entire six-game series. Judging by the ratings, I was not alone.
I think the worst part of this entire thing is that, next season, not only will that pennant be waving in Citizens Bank Park, but the team will repeatedly be introduced as the World Champion Phillies – so get ready for 11 months of eye rolling.
Hopefully, the Mets use this as additional motivation.
By the way, if it wasn’t bad enough, not only did the Phillies win the World Series yesterday, but, on the same day, my wife booked a tour of Yankee Stadium with her family for this weekend and I have to go.
When is pitchers and catchers again?
Tagged Phillies |Eligible players have 15 days, starting tonight at midnight, to declare whether they’ll be a free agent, such as Oliver Perez and Pedro Martinez.
Free agents can negotiate and sign with other teams starting on November 14.
In a recent report for MLB.com, Marty Noble says the Mets will entertain re-signing Perez, ‘so long as the asking price of agent Scott Boras is what the club considers reasonable.’
According to Noble, “The club will treat Perez as it does almost any free agent; that is it will establish a sense of his value and then not go beyond what it considers appropriate.”
…as for Pedro Martinez, who will also be a free agent, i think it’s pretty clear the Mets will not be bringing him back, since they did not retain bullpen coach Guy Conti…
…the Mets need to change over the roster…even if pedro is willing to return at a discount and be a fifth starter, and i’m not sure why he would, i’d probably pass…it’s time to move on…not just from him, but from a lot of players…
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Tagged Oliver Perez, Pedro Martinez |According to Tigers Thoughts, using a similar model to what Elias uses to determine off-season player rankings, Oliver Perez will most likely be a Type-A free agent, meaning he will net the Mets two compensatory draft picks if he signs with another team.
However, if the Mets sign a player like Manny Ramirez, Adam Dunn, Brian Fuentes, Francisco Rodriguez, Orlando Hudson, Raul Ibanez, Derek Lowe or Mark Teixeira, they’ll most likely have 
to part with two draft picks of their own.
Type-B free agents will net their former team just a supplemental-round pick.
According to the same study, Carlos Delgado will only be a Type-B free agent.
…not that it matters, since it’s fairly clear he will not be a free agent this off-season…he’ll either be the Mets starting first baseman, who are likely to pick up his affordable option, or they’ll trade him…
…that said, for those who are curious, Type A and Type B are based on a player’s performance over the previous two seasons, so i’m guessing delgado’s 2007 pulled him down, since only the top 20 percent of players can be As…
For more on how Elias determines whether a player is Type A or Type B, check out Keith Law’s old post at ESPN.com.
Tagged Oliver Perez |According to MLB.com, the Mets sent RHP Nelson Figueroa, LHP Adam Bostick and C Gustavo Molina outright to Triple-A Buffalo, removing them from the team’s 40–man roster.
…thanks to steve in nc for the heads up…
Tagged Nelson Figueroa | ← Older postsNewer posts →
