Daily Archives: February 10, 2009
Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com believes free-agent OF Bobby Abreu may be nearing a deal with the Angels.
According to Rosenthal, two GMs with interest in Abreu said the free-agent outfielder is headed to an American League team.
…from what i can gather, abreu would like to remain in New York, i.e., play for the Mets, but he’s looking for the most money possible, obviously, and he would prefer not to switch from right field to left, though he would seemingly need to do so with the Angels, who have Vlad Guerrero…
Update, 10:22 pm:
Jon Heyman of SI.com writes, “The Angels appear to be closing in on a deal with Abreu, sources say.”
Earlier today, Heyman said Abreu teams with interest in Abreu had narrowed to the Mets, Angels, Braves, Pirates and Reds.
The Mets have signed 40–year-old, free-agent Jose Valentin to a minor-league deal 
that will pay him $800,000 if he makes the team, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post.
Valentin, who is a switch hitter, did not play in the majors during 2008, however he hit .262 with a .322 OBP in 550 at bats for the Mets in 2006 and 2007 while playing first base, second, third, right and left field.
MetsBlog reader Will Nunziata of A Public Flogging sent in his video for the 80′s song ‘Dr. K,’ by Doc Gooden and Melly Mel.
...i think my favorite line is, “they call me Dr. K because I operate, I surgically remove the batters from the plate,”…
Tagged Regis Courtemanche |
According to Bart Hubbuch on his blog for the New York Post, “John Maine threw off the mound in St. Lucie today for the second time in four days.”
Maine told Hubbuch he is currently pitching without pain.
In October, Maine had surgery to shave down a bone spur in his right shoulder.
By the way, to read quotes from Maine, and to hear audio of David Wright speaking with reporters about Alex Rodriguez, steroids, and other topics, go to Hubbuch’s blog, here.
Last week, the Sporting News ranked their Top 50 Prospects in MLB, and ranked Daniel Murphy at No. 8 overall, Fernando Martinez at No. 40 and Jon Niese at No. 43.
In the report, the Sporting News writes, “Murphy doesn’t have much power, but he has a great approach, superb pitch recognition and tremendous bat control.”
Speaking of Martinez, they write, “If Martinez can stay healthy, he could realize his potential and eventually win a big-league job.”
Lastly, they say of Niese, “While he’s not overpowering, Niese has three effective pitches and is learning how to mix his offerings and set up hitters.”
Yesterday, I asked readers to take part in an anonymous online survey, to help me improve MetsBlog.com.
…i have been sent lots of e-mail from people asking if i will reveal the results of the survey, which was taken by more than 5,000 people… obviously, much of the results are for my eyes only, so i can help improve MetsBlog and make it a unique experience from other sites…but, here are a few samples you may find interesting… enjoy…
More than 80 percent of people who responded log on to MetsBlog at least five times per day.
Only five percent of people who responded do not click on the links I provide in posts to MetsBlog.com, the rest either always or sometimes click on links.
More than 60 percent of people who responded are interested in knowing more about my day-to-day experience as a full-time blogger, such as going to Citi Field, working with SNY, etc.
Only eight percent of people who responded read the comments section for every post I make, while 42 percent rarely read them at all – the rest, roughly half, read the comments section ‘occasionally.’
Roughly three percent of people who responded said they post at least one comment to MetsBlog.com per day.
On the other hand, more than 70 percent of people who responded said they never post a comment to MetsBlog.com, while 25 percent post only one comment ‘every few days.’
Oddly, while 41 percent describe the comments section as ‘intelligent,’ 54 percent also said it was ‘childish.’
Lastly, 97 percent of people who responded said they come to MetsBlog.com for breaking news about the Mets, while 63 percent said they come to MetsBlog for my opinion, which was nice to hear – only 27 percent said they come to MetsBlog.com to read the comments section, and to see other fan opinion, while 36 percent come to find links to other blogs and articles.
Tagged MetsBlog |Stat-genius Nate Silver, of Baseball Prospectus, ran the entire 2009 season through his super-terrific calculator, and 
determined that the Mets will win the National League East by five games.
According to Silver, Jose Reyes will hit .309 with a .374 OBP, 15 HR, 73 RBI and 64 stolen bases, while Johan Santana will go 15–8 with a 3.14 ERA.
By the way, Silver projects Luis Castillo will have a .347 OBP in 448 plate appearances, while stealing 17 bases.
…i do not pretend to know how silver does what he does… as we’ve discussed before, i could not get past Algebra, and i took it twice… what i do know is, if castillo steals 17 bases and gets on base even that much, and starts in roughly 100 games or so, then something went very right, and so the Mets should win the division under such a rosy scenario… go nate, i hope you’re right…
Tagged Stats |Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com believes the Mets are not in the running for free-agent OF Bobby Abreu.
Yesterday, in the Daily News, Adam Rubin said a team would not rule out signing Abreu, “but indicated that any contract 
likely would have to be for one year at less than $4 million.”
In a report for ESPN.com, Peter Gammons wrote:
“I still believe that one of the factors that has hurt some of the good offensive free agents this winter, like Manny Ramirez, Abreu and Adam Dunn, is the concern about how many runs they give back defensively. There is a great deal more appreciation for defense than there was a decade ago.”
Interestingly, Abreu is batting .292 against left-handed pitching during the last three seasons, while also batting .292 against right-handed pitching.
…if abreu will agree to play left field, i’m starting to lean towards the idea of bringing him in, especially if it’ll only cost the Mets around $4 million… again, as bad as he is on defense, he hits and gets on base, regardless of the month, time of day or who is pitching… the thing is, abreu’s arrival would almost guarantee that Daniel Murphy gets sent back to Triple-A, making Fernando Tatis a strong, right-handed bat off the bench, which the team desperately needs…
…hat tip to MLB Trade Rumors for the gammons link…
David Wright talked to Adam Rubin of the Daily News about Alex Rodriguez, who Wright still believes may be the greatest player ever, though he doesn’t condone using steroids.
For more from Wright, read Steve Popper’s blog for the Bergen Record, and David Lennon’s blog for the Newsday.
Earlier today, Johan Santana tossed 18 pitches during a bullpen session at Tradition Field.
…last month, santana told reporters he hoped to throw before getting to spring training… today was the first time he pitched from a mound since his surgery… from what i can gather, that’s his normal routine anyway, so i don’t think he’s behind schedule at all… thankfully…
For more, including comments from John Maine about his shoulder, check out David Lennon’s blog for Newsday.
Update, 11:44 am:
To hear more from Santana, who is ‘on target for the start of the season,’ read Steve Popper’s blog at the Bergen Record.
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