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Buster Olney of ESPN.com writes, “The Mets have quietly continued to gauge the market for Luis Castillo, and if they find a taker for at least some of his salary, that would leave them in position to pursue Orlando 
Hudson.”
…i believe, having talked with people connected to the team, the Mets would like to trade castillo, and feel there is a 50–50 shot they can do so, but it may take in to spring training to make such a move happen…which, as you can figure out, causes problems when considering hudson, who will want to sign a new deal some place long before march, obviously…
…in other words, if you start seeing a lot of rumors connecting hudson to another team, it may mean the Mets have determined it is impossible to trade castillo…the buzz around hudson suggests he is willing to wait for a deal from the Mets or Yankees, but he will not wait forever…
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O-Hud would be a good addition, especially if we can move Castillo…just another leader in the clubhouse and he will put up better-than-average numbers for a second baseman.
Castillo is dead weight. What better success will he Mets have in a month than they will now? No team will suddenly look at him line a real starting second baseman- his knees and slapping habits belong on the bench in a utility role. Just sign Hudson and keep shopping Castillo. Every team knows we’re already desperate to move him, it’s not like anything is going to change… And especially if there won’t be any SIGNIFICANT offense upgrade (which it doesn’t look like there will be) then we need to grab whatever upgrades we can, even if it’s not Manny. And Hudson would do great in the two hole between Reyes and Wright; he’ll see a ton of strikes to hit…
i agree…why not just cut castillo? if we dont sign hudson it will be a big mistake
he is the perfect complimentary player to reyes…why not jus keep both of them if we cant move castillo…keep castillo around for blowouts and for the chance for us to boo him
I don’t get what all the excitement is for Hudson. His numbers last year were not spectacular. His life stats are not an upgrade over Castillo.
Castillo was injured last season. I say give him a chance to rebound before having a fire sale.
Then it’ll be too late to get Hudson. Can the Mets, for once, just eat a contract? Just make the best deal you can to get rid of him and let’s move on. That way we get Hudson and all this Manny talk will finally go away. Don’t get me wrong, I’d like Manny too, but the Wilpons are just not going to pull the trigger on that one.
First of all, the Mets ate a contract at second base a couple of seasons ago – - a guy named matsui. Second, Hudson is vastly overrated. He might be terrific in the clubhouse, but he has diminishing numbers, a history of injuries and is losing range at in the field. He’d be an upgrade, but not enough to warrant a differential of, say, 6-8 million per year.
I agree with the comment that we should give Castillo a shot, unless there is a serious upgrade out there in the market. We can then use that money for a starter, a left handed reliever, or a corner outfielder.
Lifetime stats, no…but as far as 2009 goes he will almost certainly out perform Castillo. Not overpowering at the plate, but if you don’t think he is an upgrade over Luis then you are crazy, my friend!
Either you should be a billionaire since you know the future or maybe you are the one who is crazy.
So Hudson will not bat at least .245 with 28 rbi and 3 HR? Really? Ok….maybe I am crazy then
So Castillo a lifetime .300 hitter is going to bat .245 again for sure?
lets stop kidding ourselves, odds on favor say Castillo is finished. I attempt a trade not because of Castillo’s batting avg, but because of his knees. I need somebody more reliable at 2B, why pay a guy to sit on the DL for most of the season?
I give Castillo till June before he starts having issues.
You are going to be paying him either way. It’s not like any one is going to take his contract right now. Again the best we can hope for is a Castillo that returns to career norms. He did well in 2007 with bad knees before surgery.
The problem isn’t just Castillo’s performance last year. Aside from the guy’s OBVIOUS decrease over the past two years, he is without a doubt
A NEGATIVE INFLUENCE
in the clubhouse. A change is needed with him, just like Willie needed the boot.
Defense :)
I liked Castillo when he first came to NY, but when he hits from the left side he looks like he’s never swung a bat before. We need a hitter not a chopper in the #2 hole. If you watch him run for a foul ball down the first base line, keep an eye out for when he tries to stop. He almost can’t because his knees don’t work. I feel for him, but there’s no time for sympathy or loyalty. He can either do the job or he can’t. Omar needs to read these blogs and listen to what the fans think. The NY Mets have the opportunity to be a real dominant team this year with all the available players on the market. Let’s make it happen and have the seaon we all have been waiting for.
If Omar listens to you and reads the blog and listens to the fan he will be the worst GM in history.
Agreed.
“Omar needs to read these blogs and listen to what the fans think.”
That would be incredibly stupid.
I take my chances on some of the fans here over the ones Omar encounters while getting his morning bagel.
well those fans told him to fix the bullpen, so they are ok with me
Let’s put a little perspective on this for a second. Rod and the SadClown are right, no GM should listen to the fans when making personnel decisions. As a group we’re just too emotional. But I think I understand the spirit of what davidd is saying. If it seems obvious to us, why can’t Omar- who presumably has greater baseball acumen than any of us fans- see the folly of signing a player like Castillo who is in rapid decline to the contract that he did?
Don’t get me wrong, I like Omar, I think he’s an excellent GM but I think that sometimes his sense of loyalty to some players clouds his judgement. Yes, sometimes it pays off as in the case of Easley and Tatis. This is fine when he sticks his neck out for a bench guy but when he does it for starters the possibility of it blowing up in his face greatly increases.
By the way, I never thought I’d hear myself say a phrase like “the SadClown is right”. Something weird about that.
Umm, because to do so would mean that we just have to cut 18 million and replace him with what? at least 32? So you really want to pay Hudson about 14 million a year?
The best thing we can do is hope that Castillo returns to career norms.
its literally the most frustrating thing in the entire world when he works the count to 3-0 and then watches two straight batting practice fastballs right down the plate for strikes then strikes out get him out of here!!
A’s GET – Luis Castillo, Mike Cuddyer
A’s GIVE – Eric Chavez, Mark Ellis
ROYALS GET – Mark Ellis
ROYALS GIVE – John Buck, John Bale
TWINS GET – Eric Chavez, John Bale
TWINS GIVE – Mike Cuddyer
ORIOLES GET – Brian Schnieder
ORIOLES GIVE – Melvin Mora
METS GET – John Buck, Melvin Mora
METS GIVE – Luis Castillo, Brian Schnieder
I however could care less about Orlando “Headquarters” Hudson…I WANT MANNY RAMIREZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HUDSON WON’T BRING A CHAMPIONSHIP!!! MANNY WILL!!! SIGN MANNY RAMIREZ!!!!!!!!
I’m so sick of watching Castillo bat – he looks like a little leaguer. We need a .300 hitting C and 2B, like we had in 2006!
Seriously…it’s like the Mets don’t even try to win…They NEED to sign Manny Ramirez. Need To. I don’t even want to watch the season if they don’t. After the last two years, if the Mets don’t sign Manny or import a comparable player talent wise(Magglio) they’re going to lose a lot of viewership/interest.
Then don’t watch
I wasn’t just talking about me chief….I’m talking about a widespread exodus…I realize you don’t care, but I care…I’ve been a Mets fan my whole life…since 1986, well 85 really, but 86….when they won, when I was a young boy…and I’ve loved them ever since, and ya know what? I DESERVE A MUCH BETTER PRODUCT!!! I know you’re one of the loser “fans” who don’t care and like watching them lose. You make me sick. Go root for the slime across town. They need your loser ways attached to them, because they act in a horrible fashion. The two of you deserve each other.
You are a funny guy, you know that? I think it’s obvious who is the loser here. For one, it’s only a game…if your entire life revolves around the Mets winning every game then I feel sorry for you. Secondly, when did I ever say I didn’t care and I enjoy watching the Mets lose? I can tell you that I have lost just as much sleep as any other normal Mets fan the last two years, and I too watch every game so why you would say that I don’t care is beyond me. I think your “I deserve a better product” line speaks volumes…you’re just another selfish fan who thinks everything is owed to you, but fail to realize that there are 29 other teams trying to do the same thing. But if ranting against other fans who happen to disagree with you on certain subjects makes you happy, then so be it.
Did you just call me a loser because I’m too big of a fan, and then claim to be just as big a fan as me?
I never said “everything” is owed to me, but I will say I do believe a whole-hearted attempt at winning it all BY the Front Office is what’s owed to me year in and year out. I’d say every team’s fan bases are owed that. Usually it’s one of two reasons why teams are unsuccessful; either it’s a money issue or a front office competency one. The Mets have the money. The competent thing to do is to sign Manny. Manny gives the Mets a legitimate shot at winning it all next year, so if you want to take it as I think I’m owed Manny Ramirez go right ahead and think that…after the last two years…yeah, I think I’m owed Manny Ramirez. I want Manny Ramirez. Get me Manny Ramirez. Sign Manny Ramirez.
Honestly what this argument comes down to is Manny. Sure the mets need his bat, I don’t think anyone disagrees with that, but the question is at what price. And that’s something for Omar to decide. Having said that, however, saying that you will no longer be a fan of a team just beacsuse they don’t sign a player is pretty crazy an quite “looserish”.
youve been a met fan your whole life and ur not going to watch if they dont sign one player…typical met fan i cant stand dont watch then
Umm Castillo did hit .300 for us in 2007 with injured knees.
I can live with Castillo at Second if we sign Manny. I’d still like an upgrade at Catcher though…Maybe Murphy shows something at Second…I don’t mind if Castillo is on the team, but the best option should play.<—period
The Mets need to add a big time bat though…they were a bat short last year, and I really don’t care about them scoring 799 Runs…what did it win them? It wasn’t enough.
Orioles have Matt Weiters coming up…why would they trade Mora and recieve Scheider?
IF Hudson is almost in the bag contingent on a Castillo deal, which your insiders give a 50-50 chance of happening, I say deal Castillo now… If Hudson signs elsewhere, there is nothing left for 2b except moving murphy and signing a LF like Manny, Burrell or Dunn, the latter of whom (or Murphy) could move to 1b in 2010.
Hudson at 2nd would propel this team into the World Series.
That’s a bold statement, but I do believe that people are too worried about his two freak-injuries he has suffered the last two seasons…his health will be a question but at least it’s not both knees and a hamstring that are being questioned.
He brings more than on the field talent, though. We really should have signed Ibanez in my opinion, because the clubhouse needs help. This guy is a leader.
Clubhouse and leadeship are overrated. What has Hudson EVER done to make him a leader in the clubhouse? What has Ibanez EVER done to make him a leader on a losing team? Hey Roger Clemens is a leader in the clubhouse go sign him. It’ won’t be any worse than signing Hudson to 4/32+
LOL, LOL, oh my LOL.
In 2008, Luis Castillo was one of the worst 2nd basemen in MLB. I do not want Hudson, who is another albatross threat; and we don’t need $15M in bad contract at 2nd base. I want someone off the scrap heap whom we can get virtually for free. Willie Aybar fits the profile but there are others.
We can get a guy like Aybar as a backup for little money, so we don’t get bad PR and we don’t put up more t 2nd base. When it becomes agonizingly clear that our backup is far superior to Luis Castillo, perhaps Luis can go down with some make-believe groin injury and miss the rest of the season. That way, everybody saves face.
listen bros, if the mets sign manny, the offense can tolerate slappy castillo. but a healthy ohud would be nice. MANNY IS THE ANSWER.
It depends on what your definition of “tolerate” is. We were able to tolerate him last season, but what killed us was without a doubt the bullpen. I just love how people blame our offense for our problems in 2007 and 2008…We do not NEED Manny, he would only be another heavy bat in an already good lineup. Whenever you have guys like Reyes, Beltran, Wright, and Delgado in your lineup, you know you are going to score some runs. There is room for improvement, yes, but please stop acting like Manny is a necessity. It’s getting really old, and it’s obviously not gonna happen.
Well said, dwright5.
1-How about we just give Castillo to a team-we don’t want anything in return.
2-here’s the deal however-I will be willing to bet that castillo stays a Met for one reason only-he’s a good friend of Johans.That speaks volumes
Johan wants to win – he might be friends with his doorman too, doesn’t mean he wants him starting at 2B if better options are available.
Im sure Johan would rather have a better 2b behind him in the field, and putting up better numbers at the plate as well…
I would sign Hudson but not to anything more than a 2 year deal.
he might be a great guy, but he has bad contract written all over him…
At least Castillo is good for something. He is keeping us from making an even bigger mistake. Hudson wants at LEAST 4/32. Not worth it.
Get Grudzy and see if he and Castillo can give us league average.
i’d rather have Eckstein over Grudzielanek
the numbers are going to be pretty much the same but he’s younger, more accomplished, is a winner, and is great at moving runners over.
an eckstein/murphy platoon would be fine in the 2 hole…
Not me. Look at their numbers. Grudzy is a MUCH better hitter and just as good of a defender. Neither K much so they are both good at moving runners over. Grudzy has played many more games at 2B.
The entire “winner” thing is a joke.
“The entire “winner” thing is a joke.”
Thank you. I am so sick of seeing that thrown around like there is any truth to it.
Exactly, like any team won because of Eckencrappy. I don’t care if he was WS MVP or not. So this entire group of Mets go’s from “Chokers” to “Winners” if they win 1 WS? Or are they good players now and will be good players then.
mlbtr.com
“While the Mets are front-runners in the Derek Lowe sweepstakes, the Red Sox have a lot of money to play with having lost out on Mark Teixeira and could make a strong play to outbid competition. “
Hudson would probably just be the second coming of Castillo, his numbers might be slightly better by the higher cost would basically negate it. Not to mention he’s 32 his defense has been declining rapidly, and he’s had to consecutive injuries on the same wrist.
Before Christmas I compared the stats of 2007 Castillo and 2008 Hudson. Very similar. Hudson a little more pop, similar to maybe worse defense. Castillo better OBP, more SB and less K’s. About the same age. Hmmm.
You’re a big market team, Fred- eat the 6 million bucks. That’s the difference between the Mets and the Yankees. The Yankees would have eaten that money and signed Hudson 1 week into the offseason. But Fred Coupons will always be just that. I’m sick of it. There is no reason this team can’t eat that money- sometimes big market teams have to buy their way out of bad decisions. The Mets have the ability to do that, but choose not to- they’d rather put Castillo out there and finish in 3rd place vs. buy him out, sigh Hudson, and finish in 1st- so long as they make a few more bucks.
Ha, ha, LOL. That’s for the Christmas joke. You are always good for a laugh. That’s about it but at least you are good for something.
So Hudson us the difference between first and third? LOL that doesn’t even warrant a reply…
the yankees would have cut castillo and ate the buck? like they did with carl pavano right? …….oh wait……………….
Get the pitching, get the pitching, get the pitching…Tell Boras to package Lowe, Perez and Veritak in a buy two, get one free market due to the recession and then trade Scneider for a LHRP.
Don’t want Veritak, he will cost more than Schnieder and is an even worse hitter.
I would sign Lowe, trade for Sanchez and trade Schnieder to the Redsox.
Maybe Schnieder for Javier Lopez. Good looking LHRP.
I’d suffer for a year or two of ‘Tek just so he can show David Wright to take over this team in the clubhouse.
LOL, like Tek would come into a clubhouse with Delgado, Johan, Beltran, etc and take it over. LOL. You guys are crazy.
If you thought Castillo was going to handcuff the team that much financially Fred, you should have done what most of us wanted you to do in October- and that was fire the general manager. He’s the one who doled out that contract, which was the dumbest of all time. Firing him would have saved 3 million per year or so. No other team was even willing to offer a 2 year deal to Castillo, yet King Omar gave him 4- like he was giving out candy. If anybody disagrees with what I said above (and thinks the Mets should not or cannot afford to eat the money), please state why.
Because there are factors outside your horse vision. I’d rather have omar at the helm than anyone you can recommend.
Ummm….Bernie Madoff?
Sign Grudz or Willie Aybar.I prefer Aybar because of his age, he had a poor year last year but he’s put up decent numbers before and he’ll be much cheaper and at 25 he’s got some upside left, and you probably don’t have to worry about his knees.
Please no alex cora, we might as well just have kept argenis reyes if you’re going to sign cora.
hudson didnt put up good numbers last year because he was injured. hes a gold glove guy that will go out and play 100% for a contending team. Omar was stupid to re sign Castillo for 3 more years.
what team is gonna want him?! I would rather release, and still pay for his years. Its better then him playing ! he will mess up!
we need hudson. that was our main priority last year but we didnt get the job done! If Castillo promised to do better in 2009, then hes hsould try for another team cause he aint welcome here!
You can look around the league and find a bad contract on almost every team out there. While I agree Castillo was a bad contract, a very bad contract, Omar has made plenty of good moves that far outweigh the bad.
The market doesn’t seem to be too big for Hudson right now anyway. If we could move Castillo (somehow) in the right deal, I’m sure Hudson would come down to a more reasonable offer.
The people who wouldnt wait on that are ridiculous. Castillo doesn’t deserve another chance with the Mets. Dude already basically said he hadn’t been giving it his all with the mets. Talk about Manny’s attitude problems….I would love to send this guy packing for O-Dawg.
Orlando Hudson=Gary Mathews Jr.
I dont want him at all.
I think I pretty much agree with this sentiment.
If people want a “locker room guy” there are cheaper just as good veteran options available If you want an upgrade over Castillo there are cheaper just as good options available. Heck you can get both from cheaper just as good options. I don’t understand the obsession with Hudson.
Me either, Castillo was considered a “Clubhouse guy” and a “Winner” before last season.
don’t you just hate it when you add some ‘brilliant’ commentary to an older post and instead everyone is in this one slinging insults…
As much as I think it’s silly if people just want leaders, you can get leaders without sacrificing draft picks and overpaying, which is what you’d be doing by signing Hudson or Varitek. The Rays got a leader in Cliff Floyd for basically nothing, there are plenty of guys like that available in FA,
Castillo cannot be brought back to the team under any circumstances, bottom line.
Or what? You will leave? In that case, long live Castillo.
Regardless of whether you get Hudson.
Would love Hudson but don’t see it happening unless the Mets just cut Castillo loose or eat up most of his contract. Mets don’t seem desperate either to unload. I see Castillo as our 2b opening day. Mets need to focus on an everyday outfielder. Mets should look to the Tigers for Magglio Ordonez ? Castillo, Evans, Kunz ?
Tigers are who we should be looking at.
We could really get some good deals. Maybe Castillo and prospects for Polanco and Willis?
Or you could look to trade for Gullien, Ordonez or even Nate Robertson to be the #5. A lot of options there.
No one will take this guy off our hands … just cut the chord … that’s what the yankees would do… oh wait, not supposed to compare or criticize since I’m not an accountant with access to the teams books.
Yeah, like the Yankee’s did with Igwa or Giambi or Matsui or Palvano.
you know, I watch a lot of baseball
don’t know all the mondern “stats”
still in the RBI and ERA world
likely to remain there
that said,
who the heck is this o dog
and why do I want him instead of the
broken down suitcase we already have?
Help an old man understand, please
Umm, Odog is the nickname for Orlando Hudson. What he has ever done to deserve a nickname is beyond me.
I think that Omar has done a very good job of identifying problems common with both collapses. One of those problems is Luis Castillo. We all know that we were the best team in 2006, just ran into a red hot Cardinals’ team. We just need to continue to rid ourselves of the negative pieces and bring in pieces that can make us even better than 2006.
With that said, we still need to sign another bat, wherever it may be. We all wish it could be Manny, but it won’t. We still need Lowe and Wolf/Redding, a LHRP, and a bat. Those are the things we NEED to return to 2006 form and beyond.
Lets just wait and see what happens. At this point there is not a large market for Manny, Abreu, Dunn, Burrell. If we want one they will be there.
In a perfect world I would sign Manny and trade Delgado for Figgins or a #5 starter but the world is not perfect and that’s what makes it fun.
By the way, in 2007, the year Castillo hit .300, he was bad enough defensively and had so little power that he was a full win below average. What we saw in 2008 was the difference between 1 win below average and 1 win below replacement.
Real,
I posted this up above but I forgot about the combination of letters that get moderated out. So I am posting this again down here. I mentioned about Varitek taking leadership in the clubhouse. Delgado is gone next year, Beltran just wants to go home after the game and Johan is the center of attention once every five games. For two years now, people have wanted David Wright to as–sume the leadership on this team but he cannot seem to do so because of Delgado’s influence.
And yes, I think Varitek can do that because LoDuca did when he was here.
how about this ty wigginton is cheap . hes a free agent lets bring wiggy back to the big apple
he can play 2nd or left field!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
get wiggy with it!
it doesnt matter how good the players are (well sortof)
the phillies starting the year only had 3 great plays.
they had a lot of chemistry, heart, and they learned from there mistakes.
we cant be like the yankees buying there way into the playoffs.
we need moral, we need leaders that people look up to and say to there selves i can do that too!
I know jose reyes when he goes the mets go when he doesnt go they dont go.
yah cant rely on one player. you relie on your self and your team.
we should be like the 1969 mets, 1986 and even the 2006 mets. they had faith.
we can walk into every september worrying we just got to do our jobs 100%.
in 2006 we had alot of come back games
and walk offs. in 2008 once we were down 3 runs we were done or when we were donw a couple going into the 7th we were done too.
“it takes more than one player to win, it takes a team.”
Good points. How many times have we seen the team that wasn’t the best on paper win it all? If you looked at the Vegas odds at the beginning of ‘08, Philly wasn’t near the top 5. They had Boston winning again, followed closely by the Yankees who didn’t even make it to post season.
The players definitely have to believe in themselves. I just don’t know what it will take to collectively turn the attitudes around.
i meant cant walk into every semptember**********
Your were right the first time.
You may have also meant “their” instead of “there”…on multiple occasions in one post.
Castillo is lousy. How many GM’s, besides Omar, like the guy for what he did 5 season’s ago?
Wiggy isn’t cheap. He wants 3/15, or so I’ve heard
Wow. 3/15…that’s outragious!!!
Luis Castillo is a career 300 hitter.
He is 32 years old which is really not old at all
He hit 300 when he was on the mets in 07
Last year he was injured and was consistantly booed by the fans
This year he is said to be healthy
I say give him a chance…dont boo him…let him play and i think he will do fine.
I do think we still need to upgrade the offense but i really think he will be ok and if he has the support of the mets fans then he will be fine..honeslty, paying some of his contract and all of hudsons is really not worth it…hudson is good but i see his numbers very similar to castillos
If a comment is waiting moderation does that mean it does not get posted?
Can we just stop whining about Castillo…keep him and sign Lowe and Manny. Then if Castillo sux next season we’ll just booo him off the field like Heilman
Grudz is way old he’d be a 2 year sign at best.
I too liked Castillo in 07 but his knees really scare me he was hurt in 07 true but he hit. In 09 do you feel confident in his knees?
Hudson wrist is a concern but not as much as Castillo knees.
I actually believe if both are healthy they are very much alike.
How bout a trade for 2nd baseman maybe,
Brian Roberts or Ian Kinsler or maybe
Jose Lopez he can play 2nd this year and switch to 1st next year.
Whats your opinion?
while your at it why not trade for uggla or utley or soriano?
As I recall, Omar had two particular goals going into this off-season: improve the pitching, with emphasis on the bullpen, and make the team younger.
If the Mets sign Lowe, they’re down two draft picks; if Ollie signs elsewhere, that’s a wash. Signing Hudson would put them one pick down–no big deal in itself–but would also commit them to a multiyear contract to an infielder already 32. Depending on how long that contract is, Hudson would block 2B for Reese Havens or anyone else in the system. That’s one reason (among several) I’d hesitate to sign Manny, because he’d block LF for Murphy and F-Mart.
Get rid of Castillo? In a heartbeat. But replace him with a younger player on a modest contract, both in length and dollars.
Commit the team to youth and building from within. And save the draft picks as much as possible to improve the farm.
Church wont be blocking F Mart in right field however
This is backward logic. You can’t hope to win a championship while handing out modest contracts to young players while waiting to develop from within. The Mets (while building for the future) are trying to win now. That requires the best possible team on the field. I can understand chemistry issues and budget limitations, but if there’s budget room and a better guy is available out there, then why not get him?
Umm you can’t? Plenty of teams have.
i do think the metsplayers will have a lot of chemistry b/c they have a new ballpark were they can start over!
(and make records =)
oh and i forgot one thing.
THE METS NEED A PUSH(OR SOMETHING TO FIGHT FOR)
nl east and to show the phillies we are the team to beat.
mets dont let your mouth speak let your playing speak for you!
“the mets are the team to beat”>krod
i’d rather have willy aybar than o-dog. no chance on that though, sigh.
This information looks familiar. Oh, thats right, MLBTR had is available just a few days ago. This site has gone from having constant updates that were timely and relevant, to simply reposting what appears on MLBTR about two days after. Matt doesn’t work on the weekends or after about 8:00 at night. I get a very strong feeling that Matt simply goes on MLBTR once or twice a day and reposts what they have acquired.
Furthermore, its VERY annoying to constantly see Matt whining about “having” to write about certain rumors for certain players. Additionally, his arrogance with the “I was amongst the first to say…” comments are also incredibly annoying. His arrogance also shines through when he talks about his “exclusive sources” without ever adding anything important. The SNY deal has really gotten to his head.
Finally, Matt’s analysis of players is pedestrian at best. His typical analysis includes comments on a player’s “grittiness, heart and ability to be a good clubhouse guy.” I remember when a fan asked him about K-Rod’s arm and declining velocity and Matt’s concern. Matt’s response was that despite K-Rods raising BB rate, declining K rate, and declining velocity he wasn’t worried for three reasons. Those three reasons were: his intensity, his ‘energy’, and JJ Putz. Nice analysis Matt.
I’ll stick with MLBTR so I can read this stuff for the first time, before Matt simply plagiarizes it and claims that he found the source articles himself.
Talk about whining….
So if you decide that you prefer one deli’s pastrami sandwiches over another’s, do you really just stand in line at the worse deli just so that you can complain about it when you reach the register rather than spending that time at the better deli simply getting the sandwich that you actually want?
I’m pretty sure there is a better analogy out there. Deli? Pastrami? Sheesh….
As for .500 club – listen, you have a point, and your concerns are valid, yet you have to understand that Matt is neither a journalist nor an analyst – he’s a blogger. This is his blog that you may or may not choose to read. He is neither licensed nor promoted by MLB or any of its players. You don’t like it? Don’t read it. I’m sure Tim of MLBTR is well aware of whatever information exchange there is between Matt and he, and Matt did have a number of nuggets during the winter meetings that Tim picked up off of Metsblog.
Having said that, Matt does have quite an air of arrogance in some of his posts, and does tend to pat himself on the back often. However, being a FAN first and foremost and being where he is, I don’t think that his arrogance is too far fetched. As I put myself in his place, I can’t imagine not being at the same level of self appreciation for my accomplishments. I’m not trying to defend Matt, don’t get me wrong – I honestly don’t care that much about what he does and how you feel about it, but your sense of some kind of entitlement is too exceptional. It is reminiscent of Mets’ fans sense of entitlement to get Manny, Lowe, or whoever. The team doesn’t owe you anything. Neither does Matt.
Go over to the nymets.com board. They’ll take you. We have pretty good discussions over here, and Matt is good at his job.
IF BY SOME REASON SLAPPY IS STILL WITH THE TEAM OPENING DAY I’LL BET THE HOUSE HE’S GOING TO BE ON A VERY SHORT LEASH, THAT SAID, I HOPE HE’S LONG GONE, IF NOT HE SHOULD BAT IN THE 8TH HOLE EXCEPT WHEN JOHAN IS ON THE MOUND THEN HE SHOULD BAT 9TH.
PLEASE get Castillo out of New York !
no team wants to pay like what 30 mil for castillo
so how about this….
mets pay 15 million dollars of his contract which leaves the other team to pay half which makes everybody happy!
then we can get hudson
Wow i didn’t know castillo was making that much lol.
I do believe the Castillo Contract is 4 years at 25 mil. That’s 6.25 mil a season. So he has a remaining 3 years and 19.75 mil. If your willing to eat 15 mil, why not eat the entire thing.
Saving 4.75 milion isn’t that much. The mets are probably trying to find someone to take on about half of that, so 8-10 mil they might eat.
AARON HEILMAN JUST GAVE UP A HR….SORRY I JUST DOZED OFF AT THE COMPUTER.
Orlando Hudson is not neccessary. Can we please get Pujols!
idiot
Dude, he was joking around. Mocking people who want an all-star at every position.
but Manny is real.
true dat. and manny is the PERFECT solution, warts and all. oh and btw, the dodgers want him back warts and all too (that includes teammates and fans).
what ever the money is get castillo out
While I’d like to see Castillo take a hike I don’t agree with moving him at all costs. I wouldn’t even mind him being our starting second baseman if we had a viable bat for left. I’m just really curious what Omar has in mind.
true dat too. with manny, a slappy castillo in the offense could easily be tolerated.
manny wants 2/50mil
if the mets wanted him they would of got him when he wanted to be traded
oh and Castillo promises he do better yeha right!
hes just gonna get injured again
Brad Penny close to signing with Boston according to Ken Rosenthal.
Translation: Mets are definitely signing Derek Lowe.
Great, why do we get all the guys nobody else want, and then we act happy????
Nobody wants Lowe. Yippee we’ll get an unwanted old pitcher, again. I gues we dont beleive in history
mets making a lowe down move hahaha
love it!
if they get lowe he will be the first person to pitch at citi field i think! (not including exhibition games)
1.SANTANA
2.LOWE
3.THE BIG PELF
4.MAINE
5.WOLF
THATS DOMINATING PLUS WE HAVE A GOOD BULLPEN
NOW WE JUST NEED THE BATS TO GO LIKE IN 06
free agent second basemens
Willie Bloomquist (31)
Chris Burke (29)
Craig Counsell (38)
Ray Durham (37)
Damion Easley (39)
David Eckstein (34)
Mark Grudzielanek (39) – Type B, offered arb
Jerry Hairston Jr. (33)
Orlando Hudson (31) – Type A, offered arb
Tadahito Iguchi (34)
Jeff Kent (41) – Type B, not offered arb
Ramon Martinez (36)
Aaron Miles (32)
Pablo Ozuna (34)
Luis Rivas (29)
free agent left fielders
Moises Alou (42) – Type B, not offered arb
Garret Anderson (37) – Type B, not offered arb
Milton Bradley (31) – Type B, offered arb
Emil Brown (34)
Pat Burrell (32) – Type A, not offered arb
Adam Dunn (29) – Type A, not offered arb
Cliff Floyd (36)
Luis Gonzalez (41) – Type B, not offered arb
Jerry Hairston Jr. (33)
Gabe Kapler (33)
Craig Monroe (32)
Jay Payton (36)
Manny Ramirez (37) – Type A, offered arb
So Taguchi (39)
you decide i cant!!!!!!!1
The only players that I see fitting what we need are Hudson, Manny and Bradley. We know that Manny’s not coming. For the same reasons it’s hard to imagine Bradley coming here. Hudson is a long shot. I think Omar will have to be creative in trades…or we have to go with what we have offensively.
How about Juan Uribe from the White Soxs? You left him off the list, Krodamet. He’s a free agent and plays both shortstop and second base. He has some power, but is one of those all or nothing kind of hitters.
Only thing that could numb the pain from this Jets collapse would be if the Mets sign Manny in the next few hours. That and the coach getting the axe before midnight.
wow a Jets and Mets fan. You got it rough, at least i have my Giants.
While Manny would be a nice fit on this team, THey have repeatedly said it’s not happening. Yet everyone keeps wanting it and not moving on to other alternatives.
Signing Lowe would be a nice upgrade, and if they can get Lowe and Ollie that would be awesome. I would even be Happy with Lowe and Garland/Wolf/Redding.
Once the rotation is settled then work on a LF bat if someone is out there to get, who’s name isn’t manny.
I would love castillo gone!
Boo hoo … my football team missed the playoffs after signing one of the biggest stars in the game on the downside of his career … so now I hope my baseball team signs one of the biggest stars in the game on the downside of his career. Boo hoo.
————————————
Yeah, I know Manny can still hit, but he’s a big risk and he is on the downside of his career. ‘
If anything, Favre should be an object lesson to all Mets fans who want Manny. There is no quick fix especially when you bring in these big pricey big name stars who are past their primes.
‘
Downside of his career? Past his prime? Take a look at his numbers. He is still a top 5 hitter in all of MLB, and a perennial MVP candidate. While he could possibly decline some in the coming years, do you expect him to turn into Jay Payton overnight? He is still a monster and would be the best hitter on this team….hands down. 2 year deal, no more. Get it done Omar……….(sorry Jay.)
Granted he had a good year this season, but that’s what playing for a contract will do for some players.
He’ll be 37 next year. While he may maintain his potency at the plate, he will also be a big risk for a steep decline. Not to mention how prickly he’ll get if he only gets a 2 year contract. He wanted 4 years at $25 mill/year going into this winter.
The object lesson about favre is not just one of age and potency too., It’s also about ego and how the intense focus on one aging star player can derail a team from playing like a team.
I like Manny but look at his 07 season. Who’s to say that doesn’t happen again. At his age nothings for sure, except for the fact he’s more than likely going to decline. And his defense is already terrible. Maybe he’s not bad this year but do you really want Manny roaming left field in 2010, 2011, maybe 2012 with his defense once his bat is gone? Cause thats the risk you’re taking.
impossible to agree more with you gina.
He i a top 5 hiter… Hoe do youy know… He hasn’t batted since September/October. Do you knoiw when he goes down hill??? Man, I wish I knew any one of you all knowing futrists.
i agree
It’s willie’s fault
Willie would’ve made the playoffs last year.
Yes, had he been managing the Angels.
if they get lowe he will be the first person to pitch at citi field i think! (not including exhibition games)
1.SANTANA
2.LOWE
3.THE BIG PELF
4.MAINE
5.WOLF
THATS DOMINATING PLUS WE HAVE A GOOD BULLPEN
NOW WE JUST NEED THE BATS TO GO LIKE IN 06
Reply
If most teams are out of it, sign Lowe and Perez!
i dont think anyone is really in it for lowe which could be amazing for the mets…can we pull off a 3 year 30 mil deal?? he was origanlly looking for 5 years 80 mil i think.
also i do think we should go after both him and ollie IF the prices are right
johan
lowe
pelf
ollie
maine
is a rediculous rotation
with putz and krod in the back of the pen
best staff in the mlb!!
I don’t think Lowe and Perez would ever happen, BUT it would be fantastic. Lowe was originally hoping for 5/90. I don’t think we could get him for 3/30, but I wouldn’t be surprised at 3/40 or maybe even 3/36. All of this points us to getting a better LF. We know it won’t be Manny, but I’m dying to know what we end up with.
im sorry to tell u this but it most likely will be murph/tatis
While it most likely will be Murphy/Tatis, I know that Omar will upgrade somewhere offensively. That’s the most logical position, unless he tries to overextend himself making up for his 2B blunder.
yeah but lets hope maine doesnt get hurt
Do you think if Lowe comes cheap, trhe Wilpons will lower ticket prices. Really then why do you give a hoot what anyone gets? The fans get ripped at the park no matter what the payroll. Cheap Lowe = cheap seats, cheap beer, cheap hot dogs? Right on…..
since the red sox got penny and tht means the mets can go after lowe and there the only team who wants him now
phukthephills u r right i said it in another mets blog there gonna rotate tatis and murphy there in left
I am not sure if the Jets
or the Mets will be the death of me!
presently leaning towards the Jets….
what a nightmare…
why? we all KNOW the jets will stink.
i think the jets have a worse collapse now!
8-3
loose 4 out of 5
end 9-6
Yeah, I’m a Knick and Ranger fan as well as a Met & Jet fan. Nothing surprises me anymore, but yet, like an addiction, I can’t stand not to watch.
At least, living here in Fairfield County, I have the UConn basketball teams…
I haven’t been following the Metsblog pulse very closely….do most readers feel that 2B is a bigger problem than LF?
tatis/ murphy are playing leftfield there rotation in and out during the season
we r trying to get ride of castillo
Depends on who you ask, really. Personally I feel like they’re both gaping holes. But I’d like to see LF fixed sooner than 2B.
I would love to go after Manny for LF, simply b/c he’s a power righty, which we need. I’m not crazy about Castillo, at all. In fact, I’d love to move his contract. BUT, with that being said, I think he has something to prove to himself and the rest of the team. We’ve all heard reports that he’s stated, to Omar, he doesn’t want to be traded and he’s apparently working harder than ever this offseason. I can respect that work ethic and think it’s worth a shot.
That’s just my two cents..
it’s hilarious to me how far murphy has fallen from grace in the span of a few weeks. not that i have been so moved by his talent, but he is definitely less popular these days.
Totally off the subject but I can’t help but wonder. Flash forward to 2011, Mr. Pujols’ contract will expire.
Personally, I think St. Louis will do everything in their power to keep him, frankly he’s the King of Baseball and a Cardinals uniform is all he’s ever known. That being said, lets have some “what if” fun…
If he hit’s the FA market, we can a$$ume that the Yankees would not be looking at him b/c of their current situation w/ Tex. I’m guessing neither Tex nor Albert would want to DH.
That leaves Boston and…us, perhaps? I can’t see the Mets signing a big bat for 1B. We’ve all heard rumors of Murphy potentially taking over 1B. If that were to happen, Murphy could easily be moved to OF, or 2B (depending on the situation at the time) to make room for Pujols.
Do you think the Mets would have the bra$$ to go after Albert? Outbid Boston?
Again, this is all “what if”. I’m just having a little bit of fun during our waiting for Lowe period.
Talk amongst yourselves…
I can’t see the Mets signing a big bat for 1B. — between now and 2011, that is.
I doubt he hits free agency. He seems to love St. Louis and will probably take less money to stay. He did with his last contract.
I’d be surprised as well. I fully think he’ll resign with St. Louis and retire as a Cardinal. I respect that too. It’s not often you see a player come up in an organization and stay with them until the end. Especially someone of his caliber…but it’d certainly be nice to have him :)
lets worry about 2009
I know but I’m board. There’s nothing we can do right now but wait on Omar and Co. to make a move for Lowe/Ollie.
Why not have some fun in the mean time. Lighten up Francis!!
Lighten up is right… After all most of you are going to lose your job in the next few months… I’m sure the Wilpons will help you out… cheap seat day for the unemployed.
dude im 13 i have no job!
im bored to and also excited for spring training
only 60 days!
Offensive Outlook in 09 (4 being best)
Reyes = SS – 4 Stars
Wright = 3B – 4 Stars
Beltran = CF – 4 Stars
Delgado = 1B – 3 Stars
Church = – 2 Stars
Murphy = – 2 Stars
Schneider = – 1 Star
Castillo = – 1 Star
We need one more 4 Star player or hopefully 2 more 3’s in our lineup.
Good news for us that the Red Sox are signing Penny, Lowe was probably asking too much from them. And they’ve probably really soured on Boris.
Omar should remain patient however and not give into Boris’ outrageous demands.
I saw that as well. That’s nothing but good news for us. It’s a long shot but the possibility of us signing both Lowe and Ollie are increasing every day.
Santana
Lowe
Pelfrey
Ollie
Maine
That’s certainly a formidable rotation. I’d love to see Manny added to LF for 2/50. Keep Castillo and we’re good. Talk about Merry Christmas!?
But, realistically, we won’t sign Manny. We could still nab both SP’s though!!
Can’t count on Maine next year- this team needs 2 real starters…and I don’t want Tim Redding.
With Boston signing Penny, there is no doubt in my mind that the Mets will sign Lowe. He has nowhere to go now and no real suitor other than the Mets. We really received some incredible leverage tonight. We are probably looking at a contract for Lowe in the vicinity of K-Rod’s deal. Say what you want about Omar, but the man has hit the jackpot for us two off-seasons in a row. Now, let’s get Manny and win ourselves a World Championship!
is there anyway we could sign lowe/perez/manny? i dont see it. though if i had to choose i would do lowe/perez/hudson, even though i dont like hudson that much. just to get rid of slappy
Personally, I’d rather have Manny than Hudson. If we could choose between the two that is. I will fully agree that Hudson brings more leadership to the team but Manny brings more power and pop to the line up.
And, if Castillo really is working as hard as he says he is, he’ll do just fine. Manny in ‘09!
i would be so happy if they could sign hudson…he is a good fit for this team
Let’s get Lowe & Ollie Omarrr!!
Obviously. Who wouldn’t take Manny over Hudson? Give me Manny and I’ll be fine with Castillo playing 162 games.
Any early word on Mangini? No way he cam retain his job.
I think we all feel really good about getting Lowe, but that still leaves us in need of a RP and perhaps a LF (2B if we don’t improve in LF). I know that Ohman has been spoken of, and of course Manny, but other than these guys who do you think would help us the most?
I want a new catcher too- our catcher stinks. I want to change minimum 2 out of 3 of LF, 2B, C.
Minimum 2 out of 3?
Minimum?
I’ll be happy just to get an upgrade in LF, after we address 2 SPs.
I have no problem with Schneider and Castillo
2 of the 3 is feasible. I don’t see anyway we do all 3. Of course if you sign Manny, none of us will care about 2B and C. Schneider should be solid defensively next year. 08 wasn’t that great though.
i think signing manny would end up backfiring. i really do. he would be signed for much less than he wanted ($100m over 4 years). he will be disgruntled. he will be a bad LFer. i just don’t it. this is a guy who got traded away from the team he helped win two championships during a pennant race! there isn’t a bigger clubhouse cancer than this guy.
catchers can’t hit. schneider is as good as it’s going to get this year.
EncinoMets,
You have no problem with Castillo? What are you, sick? Did you watch any games last year? Apparently not. All the talk at the end of the year was about changing the culture, and injecting new blood into the offense- maybe getting a leader or two on this team. You could do that by bringing in Ivan Rodriguez or Varitek, eating Castillo’s money and bringing in Hudson, and finding a real LF. 2 out of 3 minimum. I wouldn’t mind getting a new RF either- Church absolutely killed the team at the end of the year. I think he was about 1-50.
Trade Delgado to the Jays for BJ Ryan, move the Murphy/Tatis platoon to 1B, then sign Manny for LF.
delgado will have more hr n rbi’s than tatis /murphy combined..why would we need bj ryan? we just got 2 closers..and we can get hoffman for cheap..if anything..sign lowe/perez maybe sign manny and call it a day..our offense wasnt the problem..
our main priority
2nd base and pitching
Slappy has 3 years and 18Mil left on his contract.
lets go mets
Not only did I watch castillo (playing hurt and our of shape) last year, but I watched him play in ‘07, ‘06, and all those years on Florida. He’s a very capable player who usually puts together a nice average that rarely strikes out and is a patient hitter. I’m very willing to give him another chance and not write him off after 1 bad year.
Eating his contract and signing Hudson on top of that is so impractical and compounding a waste of financial resources that could be better used elsewhere.
We already got new blood in the young guys plus our 2 headed monster bullpen.
Your suggestions of replacing anyone who has a down year and whining about endlessly like that will change things is kinda ridiculous.
Well said. Short Attention Span Theater has apparently seeped into baseball fandom. Lots of baseball players have an off year, plus this particular player is one who relies heavily on his legs and was coming off double knee surgery. I guess because they have 3 months off every year and make millions of dollars we’re not allowed to cut baseball players a break, unless they’re “gritty.”
FoxSports is reporting an almost done deal with Boston giving B. Penny a one year contract.
Hummm – I know he had a horrible 2008 but prior years were pretty good. I wouldn’t have minded taking a chance on him for one year as a 5th starter…
hhaha they made tht deal at 4 thats 7 hours old.
wow fox is late
=)
You’re right – let me rephrase that: FoxSports reported it earlier today – I just saw it now and actually saw it on HotStove Blog who just reported it but did reference FoxSports reported it first…..
lets go mets
we can give castillo a chance he was injured last year and didnt get to play!
but we need some power over at second!
i have a question how old are you people ?
im 13!
and im a die hard mets fan!
i’ve been to 113 total mets game
at shea 93
20 away games
OMG you’re making me feel old. A lady never reveals her age but let’s just say I’ve been a die hard Met fan since 1968….
Good to see we’ve got some young ones carrying on the tradition though….
I wasn’t even a fetus the last time the mets won the w.s.
LOL!
Neither was I…
Youngin’!! I’m 30…I’ll be 31 next week. What a great number…31…Piazza!!!
Mets have never been the same ever since Castillo showed up in late July ‘07
It seems to me, by your comment, that Castillo is your scapegoat for the Mets not winning the World Sries in ‘07 or ‘08.
Castillo is not the Mets’ problem.
The Mets have not been the same since Guillermo Mota gave up that home run to Scott “red beard” Speizio on that fateful night in ‘06, way before Castillo was on the Mets.
In ‘06 the mets could do no wrong and the fans were behind them 100%. Then they get shocked in the fickle playoff and fans have been looking for blood since.
The booing and entitled attitudes are a downer and only work against our own players feeling comfortable at the plate on the mound. We no longer have home field advantage because a fickle minority are so impatient and hostile that it poisons our team. Get off Omar’s, Castillo’s, Schneider’s, and Feliciano’d backs and root for your team win or lose
Castillo messed up Reyes- made him stay out till 4:00 am at clubs. Check the Mets record since Castillo showed up.
Any thoughts on signing Juan Uribe possibly for second base?
i like that suggestion of delgado for ryan, platoon to 1B and sign Manny. I am betting that manny eventually signs a one year deal for big money … two years is too risky from teams’ point of view b/c Manny pouting and quitting on team is real possibility … but one year deal when he is playing for a contract could be enticing …. one year 25M?
Boras can spin it that one year is better for Manny, blame the lack of interest on bad economy, and that Manny would be better trying for two or three year contract after huge 2009 than in 2010 when he’s 38.
BTW everyone seems to buy into the Tatis/Murphy platoon … meanwhile, Tatis hit 10 of his 11 homers against RHP (maybe double the at bats) and has OPS 100 points higher against righties. Murphy didn’t have much of a sample size, but looked pretty consistent against RHP and LHP. Just saying, not getting much of advantage with that particular platoon.
i think they should just give the job to murph and have tatis be his backup..i can see tatis as a great guy off the bench…if murph doesnt work out then put tatis there in his spot
Yeah, i’m looking at Tatis career splits and they’re almost identical. You don’t gain anything from a Murphy/Tatis platoon when both guys don’t have big splits.
Tatis career
vs LHP .271 .348 .457 .805
vs RHP .262 .345 .440 .786
I think Tatis is more of the guy who is just going to fill in for Church or Murphy if one of them gets hurt of goes on a cold streak.
If Wilpon would have used Gieco instead of Ponzi
Reyes
Beltran
Wright
Manny
Delgado
Hudson
Church
Schneider/Castro
Santana
Lowe
Pelf
Maine
Ollie
K-rod
Putz
Green
Robertson
Parnell
Feliciano
Sanchez
The “market” for Castillo?
What “market” would that be?
does anyone think that dunn is perfect, he can fill into first next year. sign lowe soon. 3 years 45 million. and no one is gonna sign o.p. and well get him cheap on a 2 year. off season closed.
i agree. i dont see why it seems no one wants adam dunn the guy is gonna mash 40 hr’s a year. and i hope the SP market works out the way youre saying, which looks more and more realistic every day. i would like to see them add another BP arm tho to complete the off season, and also bring in Jerry Hairston Jr to play 2b or the OF if they need it. he would be a great bench/platoon player
Not making the playoffs every season is frustrating. Watching a hated rival win the whole thing is more frustrating. Watching and Knowing that Luis Castillo plays second base, when they called give a shot to Daniel Murphy who is more productive, is just insane. Forget Orlando Hudson, yes he was productive, yes he plays great defense, but he’s just as big a risk as Castillo is at second. The Mets have one of the greatest players to ever play the game on staff as a Bench coach in Alomar, that guy could take anyone and make them the next David Wright as long as that person is willing to listen.
You don’t make the big leagues by just showing up all the time and saying that you could play, you actually have to prove it. You don’t have a big field of second baseman type utility guys out there, so make a trade if they could get some prospects or a decent 2nd baseman there then go for it. It will be very disappointing to still see the following people on the 2009 NY Mets: Luis Castillo, Duaner Sanchez, Marlon Anderson (who I really liked along with Easley as bench guys and I think will make really great coaches). You still need veterans on a team filled with younger talent, but when a guy is out there just because he’s friends with the pitcher that is not right or fair to other players that will help the team a lot more.
does any body remember angel pagen he can back up OF
Pitching, pitching pitching.
Lowe, Perez and then sign Adam Dunn
Case closed.
it doesnt matter how good the players are (well sortof)
the phillies starting the year only had 3 great plays.
they had a lot of chemistry, heart, and they learned from there mistakes.
we cant be like the yankees buying there way into the playoffs.
we need moral, we need leaders that people look up to and say to there selves i can do that too!
I know jose reyes when he goes the mets go when he doesnt go they dont go.
yah cant rely on one player. you relie on your self and your team.
we should be like the 1969 mets, 1986 and even the 2006 mets. they had faith.
we can walk into every september worrying we just got to do our jobs 100%.
in 2006 we had alot of come back games
and walk offs. in 2008 once we were down 3 runs we were done or when we were donw a couple going into the 7th we were done too.
“it takes more than one player to win, it takes a team.”