Daily Archives: January 29, 2009
The Mets have signed OF Bobby Kielty, RHP Tony Armas Jr., RHP Matt DeSalvo, and LHP Valerio de los Santos to minor league contracts, reports the Associated Press.
Kielty, 32, hit .233 in 49 minor-league games last season, after getting just 33 at bats with the A’s and Red Sox in 2007.
Armas pitched in three games for the Mets last season, during which he allowed seven runs on 11 hits in eight innings.
The 28–year-old DeSalvo is 1–3 with a 7.89 ERA in nine career appearances with the Yankees and Braves.
Santos, 36, has pitched for five teams during nine seasons over the last 11 years – he has struck out 207 batters in 256 innings and he has 18 letters in his name.
Outstanding. I’m watching SNY’s Mets Hot Stove Show, and there is indeed a crowd outside the windows, behind the desk, visible on air, with people holding signs, wearing jerseys and calling for Manny Ramirez. However, it appears it is only around 20 people – maybe 30.
Also, good job by SNY for not bringing down the shades or turning off the lights – and for letting these people be seen – and for going outside with a camera to capture a chant or two.
Later on the show, FoxSports.com’s Ken Rosenthal said it’s difficult for him to believe the Mets can actually afford Ramirez, after signing Oliver Perez.
Rosenthal speculates the Maddoff Situation may be impacting their decision, ‘because, from a baseball standpoint, signing Ramirez would be the right thing to do… in the short term.’
Two weeks ago, Minaya told Rosenthal that he is only looking for a low-end, right-handed bat, which seemingly excludes Bobby Abreu and Adam Dunn, let alone Ramirez.
Adam Rubin from the Daily News said Fred Wilpon has been quite adamant in the past about not going beyond the Luxury Tax Threshold of $160 million in payroll, and that Ramirez plus Perez would put the team’s payroll over that limit.
Earlier today, I spoke with three people, all familiar with the team’s thinking, and I got the sense Ramirez is not going to be an option. He might be, ‘if the numbers made sense,’ but right now they do not, from their perspective – and Rubin’s statement supports this idea as well.
Brian Powell of Awful Announcing provides the first look of national games scheduled to appear on ESPN and FOX.
According to the schedule, the Mets will play a total of 10 times between ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball schedule and FOX’s Saturday Baseball.
…this may be a good thing, and of course the schedule is subject to change, but i’m surprised with the Mets going into their new digs, they will not have a nationally televised game at home until june 20…
Tagged Mike Nichols |The buzz online is that a group of Mets fans, who organized through some message boards, will be meeting at Radio City around 6:30 pm, then heading over to the SNY studios for 7 pm for what is being described as a, “Bring Manny to 
the Mets Rally,” to take place outside and on-air during the network’s Mets Hot Stove show.
…this… is… awesome… i’m not sure it will ultimately matter, but i love the idea and admire their passion…
…i also heard people may be wearing manny-like wigs, which would be hilarious…
…i have no idea how many people will be going… could be five… could be 50… no clue… i will not be among them, however, as i had no idea this was happening until today… but, good luck guys… and have fun… and if any one takes pictures or video, be sure to send them over as i’d love to post about it tomorrow…
In a post to The Huffington Post, Jon Chattman looks at the Mets off-season, so far, writing, “The New York Mets are a team I love. They just don’t love me back.”
Metsopolis explains why Mike Pelfrey may be at risk of injury in 2009.
David Lennon of Newsday explains why there will not see The Mets Years, by Willie Randolph, written any time soon.
Lastly, at Faith and Fear in Flushing, Greg prince recaps a full-season’s worth of 162 games that he attended in Shea Stadium.
The following video, courtesy of SNY.tv, is of my recent phone conversation with Tim Dierkes of MLB Trade Rumors, during which we talk about whether the Mets, Manny Ramirez and Oliver Perez are holding up the rest of the Hot Stove market:
Mets RHP Tim Redding, during a recent interview on MLB Network’s Hot Stove Show, said:
“Tom O’Connel, my agent, when he got the phone call that I was non-tendered from Washington, he said he had a couple different teams in mind – and within six days the Mets called. I told him there is no place I’d
rather be then in New York. He said, ‘Well, I’ve got some other teams on the side. I’ve got Colorado, I’ve got Pittsburgh, Baltimore, let me get as many offers from out there as I can.’ I said, ‘Fine, I want to have some options, obviously, but New York is where I want to be…
“I’m from the state of New York. I’m from Rochester. I grew up a new York sports fan, I watched the Yankees, I watched the Mets, I watched the Jets, Giants, Bills, everybody. There’s no bigger market, and anybody who is anybody who plays a professional sport wants to play somewhere in relation to where they grew up and what they grew up knowing and I know New York sports. I was a New York fan, I know what to expect from them, and I know what they expect from me.”
In early January, the Mets and Redding agreed to a one-year, $2.2 million deal with incentives.
In 33 starts, Redding was 10-11 with a 4.95 ERA through 182 innings for the Nationals last season.
He underwent surgery on his left foot in November, but, reportedly, will be 100 percent by spring training.
Tagged Tim Redding |The Mariners and Giants are interested in free-agent OF Bobby Abreu, according to Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com.
Yesterday, Buster Olney of ESPN.com said Abreu is 
willing to accept a one-year deal.
Speaking of outfielders…
Rosenthal believes the Yankees are looking to acquire prospects in exchange for Xavier Nady or Nick Swisher.
Rosenthal also reports on Tom Glavine’s talks with the Braves, Andurw Jones, Jason Varitek, and the whereabouts of Kris Benson, who is drawing interest from Dodgers, Ranmgers and Cardinals.
Update, 12:35 pm:
“Meet on the North side of the site, at the plaza facing the old traffic circle next to Northern Blvd,” one of the event’s planner said to me on e-mail.
Original Post, 9:36 am:
On Saturday, January 31, at 12:00 pm, a large group of Mets fans are organizing a final farewell at Shea Stadium, ‘to share stories and take photographs of what is left of the ballpark… This is not for a funeral, but a celebration.’
According to an e-mail from one the event’s organizers, “There is no cost of course – and the day will include a walking tour around the Stadium one last time, with stories, photographs and much more.”
Tagged Shea Stadium |
Andrew Beaton of Hot Foot introduces readers to Rob Mackowiak.
The Brooklyn Met Fan wonders if Manny Ramirez is secretly telling Scott Boras he wants to play for the Mets.
Amazin Avenue breaks down the Mets catching situation.
The Associated Press reports Mets minor-league 2B Kyle Suire was suspended 50 games following a positive test under the league drug program.
Mets Police uncovers The Curse of Lee Mazzilli.
And, lastly, in an article for the New York Times, Damon Darlin introduces The Bacon Explosion, which has nothing to do with sports, but something I had to link to because I’m hungry, and I can’t stop thinking of this - even though I know it would probably kill me on the spot.
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