Monthly Archives: January 2009
Last night, a group of 30 die-hard Mets fans 
gathered outside the SNY studios, on air during the network’s Mets Hot Stove show, in what they described as the Million Manny March, while chanting, “Manny, Manny,” with some carrying signs, wearing customized Ramirez jerseys and dread-locked wigs.
To see photos from the rally, check out Priced Out of Citi Field, and this link, and to read quotes from the participants, check out the Daily News – and to read why the event may have hurt Ramirez’s chances, read Brooklyn Met Fan.
Meanwhile, in a report for El Nueva Dia, Carlos Delgado said he, too, would welcome Ramirez, adding, however, that baseball is a business and that all teams must work within a budget.
He’s not alone. Through a collection of 
conversations yesterday, I got the feeling Omar Minaya and both Wilpons are actually enticed by the idea of Ramirez batting clean-up for the Mets, just like most fans. However, also like a lot of fans, they are not interested in paying $20 million per season to get him, because it would come at the expense of the starting rotation – also, they have no interest in signing Ramirez beyond one season.
At this point, if it’s not going to happen, the Mets may want to consider coming out and just saying, “No, we are not going to bid on Ramirez,’ much like the Yankees did yesterday, because time and silence only fuel speculation, conspiracy theories and resentment towards ownership’s decisions – regardless of how wise they may or may not be.
Otherwise, people will continue to create crazy scenarios and think there is a chance – and rightfully so.
Frankly, I think most fans will accept whatever their reason – be it financial, personal, etc. Sure, there may be some backlash for a few days – but, after that, most every one will turn their attention to the rotation, which is the same as last season; the starting lineup, which is the same as last season; and, to more important subjects, such as the start of spring training, hating the Phillies and getting ready for the season.
OK, enough already, let’s get to it…
[poll id="214"]
However, let’s assume the Mets have just $20 million or so to spend on payroll for 2009, and still need a starting pitcher…
[poll id="215"]
[poll id="216"]
[poll id="217"]
According to reports from yesterday, Mets GM Omar Minaya met with Pedro Martinez in the Dominican Republic on Wednesday.
However, Newsday writes, “It was more of a courtesy to Martinez than a big sit-down to talk contract… Minaya was in the Dominican Republic on a prearranged scouting trip,” according to a person familiar with the situation.
Minaya told Newsday in an e-mail yesterday that 
he has was simply keeping in touch with Martinez, while adding there is nothing new to report on negotiations with free-agent RHP Oliver Perez.
Yesterday, Marty Noble of MLB.com categorized Martinez’s chances of returning to the Mets as ‘a long shot,’ according to a person familiar with the team’s activities.
In the Daily News, John Harper believes the Mets will only bring Martinez back if they fail to sign Perez, or fall-back options Randy Wolf or Ben Sheets.
Nevertheless, according to the New York Post, Martinez plans to use the WBC as an audition for major league teams.
As Adam Rubin of the Daily News put it last night on SNY’s Hot Stove Show, Martinez is most likely going to want a guaranteed contract – however, how can the Mets give him anything other than a minor-league deal, when they already have Freddy Garcia, Tim Redding and Jon Niese competing for the fifth starter spot.
Speaking of pitchers…
Ken Gurnick of MLB.com believes the Dodgers and Randy Wolf have resumed contract talks, though Wolf is unlikely to make a final decision until after Perez inks a deal.
Tagged Pedro Martinez |
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.
← Older postsNewer posts →
