Daily Archives: October 5, 2009
Jeff Wilpon and Omar Minaya talked with Mike Francesa for more than an hour on WFAN today.
To listen to the entire interview, go to WFAN.com.
By the way, to watch Chris Carlin’s one-on-one interview with Wilpon following today’s press conference, use the video player in the sidebar.
To read of several noteworthy moments and statements from Francesa’s interview with Wilpon and Minaya, click below:
Tagged News |The Mets have said Jose Reyes will undergo surgery to clean up scar tissue around the accessory hamstring tendon behind the right knee.
According to a team press release, “He will not require surgery for the separate hamstring muscle tear in his right 
leg, which he suffered in late September while working out for his return to baseball.”
The surgery will be performed by Dallas Cowboys team doctor Dr. Daniel E. Cooper, or, as the press release states, “The leading expert in the country in the surgical treatment of the chronically torn semi tendinosis tendon in athletes.”
The Mets did not announce a specific date for the surgery, however, they say, “Reyes is expected to be ready for Spring Training.”
Tagged News |
Joe Janish at Mets Today is calling for fans to sign the petition to sign Wally Backman, created over a year ago by Michael Curtain.
Meanwhile, Ed Ryan over at Mets Fever believes that today’s press conferences mark the first miscalculation of the off-season for the Mets.
Finally, Joe D at MetsMerized Online says that “what’s passed is past, and we need to look ahead to a new and hopefully a more healthier and productive season in 2010.”
Omar Minaya and Jeff Wilpon will now address reporters from the media room in Citi Field.
Update, 11:48 am:
Wilpon said he is disappointed in the team’s results, which he labeled as ‘unacceptable.’
He said the team will change their medical protocols to help limit injury, and he will personally see to it that the team does a better job communicating injuries to the media.
He said the team will continue to have one of the highest payrolls in the National League, despite being the second year of a new ballpark.
“The payroll is what Omar needs,” he said. “There is no set limit.”
Update, 11:50 am:
Wilpon noted many of the team’s injuries were suffered on the road, where teams typically rely on the opposing team’s medical staff.
Jose Reyes deserves a lot of credit for how hard he worked to come back this season, Wilpon told reporters. He said Reyes will most likely have surgery on his hamstring tendon, though the team is still working on a plan and will make an announcement soon.
Update, 11:56 am:
Minaya was encouraged by what he saw from Daniel Murphy, though he would not say he’s committed to him at first base next season.
He said the team is fully aware they must acquire power for the lineup, though he is not willing to say what his off-season priorities will be.
Update, 12:03 pm:
Minaya says he takes full responsibility for the failure that was 2009, and he intends to work hard to build a winning team for 2010, ‘which fans can be proud of.’
Update, 12:05 pm:
Minaya believes he and his staff must look at every aspect of the team, while putting better talent on the field.
He is open to change, and though he believes the core is capable of winning, he will always keep his options open.
Update, 12:06 pm:
Wilpon and Minaya are done speaking.
Tagged News |This morning at Citi Field, Jerry Manuel addressed the media and answered questions regarding changes on the staff, performance of the team, etc.
To see video of Manuel’s press
conference, use the video player in the sidebar of MetsBlog.com.
Brian Costa of the Star Ledger has posted the full transcript here.
Below are two excerpts from the transcript.
On possibly changing the medical staff:
“No. I thought our trainers – Ray Ramirez and Mike Herbst – I thought they did an excellent job. They kept me informed every day with the information they were getting, I thought they did an excellent job. An excellent job. I know it appeared that some things were kind of lost, but as far as what I needed from them and what they gave me, and those types of things and the work they put in, they did an excellent job, in my opinion.”
…excellent isn’t exactly how i would describe their performance this year, or their performance going back into the 2006 postseason for that matter…
Despite allowing 616 walks which was the second highest in the Major Leagues, pitching coach Dan Warthen was retained because we worked well with Oliver Perez, John Maine, and Mike Pelfrey.
…i’m not sure what that is based on, considering the three combined to go 20-22 with a 5.24 ERA and 162 walks…
Tagged News |Joel Sherman of the New York Post believes that Omar Minaya is interested in hiring former Padres GM Kevin Towers and former Blue Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi, both of whom were fired by their respective teams this past weekend.
Sherman believes this could be a ‘nervy move,’ in that they would be arriving at a time when Minaya is on shaky ground with his own team, and could be hiring his eventual replacement.
…i think towers is a good baseball guy to have around, but why would he want to accept a lower position than he previously had… i have to think it would need to be a highly influential role and, if he eventually doesn’t succeed minaya, the marriage would be shortlived…
Minaya worked with Towers on the deal that sent Heath Bell to San Diego for Jon Adkins and Ben Johnson in 2006.
For more, check out Sherman’s article.
Tagged News |Jon Heyman of SI.com said on Twitter that the Mets are planning to bring back Wally Backman as a minor-league coach.
…from what i can gather, the Mets met with backman a few weeks ago to discuss a possible return to the organization…
Added to, by Michael Baron:
Jon Heyman of SI.com believes the Mets have invited Backman in for an interview for a minor-league job, but are resisting the temptation to offer him a job at the Major League level.
Tagged News |
Jerry Manuel is at the mic in the media room in Citi Field, wearing street clothes, speaking to reporters about his coaching staff, 2010 and next season.
He said Razor Shines will remain on his staff, but he is not yet sure what role he will serve in.
He said, ‘The traffic on the base paths was not what we wanted it to be,’ when speaking of Shines and Luis Alicea, who was let go from the staff entirely.
Update, 10:45 am:
Sandy Alomar Jr will have a more prominent role next year, and will be consdered among candidtes for his bench or first base coach, as will Shines.
Update, 10:50 am:
Manuel said Ray Ramirez will return as the team’s head trainer, noting he did everything asked of him this season.
Update, 10:55 am:
Manuel said simply changing up the coaching staff will not fix the team’s
poor fundamental play.
Instead, he explained, we will not know whether it has been fixed until spring training, where he expects to work with his team on a daily basis stressing base running, situational hitting and other defeciences.
Update, 10:58 am:
Manuel is done speaking.
Omar Minaya and Jeff Wilpon are expected to address the media within the hour, according to a team spokesman.
Tagged News |The staff from the New York Times lists 10 Moments that Said it All for the Mets, from Ryan Church missing third base in May to Carlos Beltran being thrown out at home, and not sliding, in late April.
Meanwhile, Coop of My Summer Family lists 10 Positive Moments from 2009, including, “Nolan Ryan returns to Flushing.”
…no doubt, but, like Mark Healey of Gotham Baseball said to me the other day, it does seem a little wrong that ryan was asked to throw out the first pitch on that 1969 Day, along with Tom Seaver and Jerry Koosman, and not Gary Gentry, who was the team’s third starter that season, while ryan was mostly a relief pitcher…
Ed Ryan of Mets Fever wonders if Jason Bay in left field and Daniel Murphy at first base will be enough offense for the Mets in 2010.
According to Mets Merized Online, this was the Worst Decade in Mets History.
…i don’t think it was the worst, so much as it was the most disappointing… i mean, the Mets did make the post season twice, including a World Series… however, they could have done so much more, if not for injuries and late-season collapses… when i think of the 00s, particularly the last half, i feel unfulfilled knowing what could have been had it been for just a few more wins… also, i can’t believe i am speaking about the end of this decade… wow, that was quick…
Kingman of Loge 13 raises his glass to 2009, making 12 toasts, such as, ‘Here’s to you, Carlos Beltran. Really. You were one of the brave few to come back from that boogeyland called the DL and played hard these past few weeks.’
Tagged News |
Last off season, Jose Reyes signed an endorsement deal switching him from wearing Nike cleats to a new line from Under Armour.
In a must-read report for Newsday, David Lennon wonders if the new shoes may have been the initial cause of Reyes’s injuries in 2009.
According to Lennon, Under Armour did not begin creating a custom-fit show for Reyes until after he had been placed on the disabled list.
“For someone with a long history of hamstring problems, it seems that a custom shoe should have been mandatory,” writes Lennon.
To read quotes from a specialist, and for Lennon’s take on how Reyes can be ready for next season, read his report in Newsday, here.
Tagged News | ← Older posts
