Daily Archives: October 19, 2009
In what I initially thought was a joke, only to realize it wasn’t, StubHub sent out the following e-mail today to Mets fans who have purchased tickets with them in the past, with the subject, “Get great seats to any New York Mets playoff game.”
Update, 7:11 am:
“This was due to an e-mail glitch,” spokeswoman Joellen Ferrer said, according to the Associated Press. “We regret the error and apologize for any inconvenience or confusion this may have caused.
“Follow-up e-mails will be sent to every person that received the e-mail, notifying them of the error on our part. In no way does this affect any transactions that have taken place on StubHub.”
Tagged News |
According to the Los Angeles Times, agent Scott Boras compared free-agent OF Matt Holliday to Yankees 1B Mark Teixeira saying, “These guys are blue-collar superstars.”
Boras described Holliday as ‘a complete player,’ like Teixeira, as opposed to simply being ‘a hitter.’
“There is, frankly, no one like him in the market,” Boras said.
…good lord, he’s going to ask for the same eight-year, $180 million deal he got for teixeira, isn’t he… and, with the Yankees, Red Sox, Angels and Giants likely all in on him, he’s probably going to get it…
In 2005, Boras negotiated a seven-year, $118 million deal that delievered Carlos Beltran to the Mets.
Tagged Twitter |Last week on WFAN, Jerry Manuel described Angel Pagan as a ‘good complimentary player.’
Manuel said Pagan can be a starting player, only if the team acquires a big-time hitter at another position.
…the big knock on pagan has been his mental mistakes, be it base running slip ups, off-target throws from the outfield, or poor situational hitting…
In a post to his blog, TedQuarters, SNY’s Ted Berg looks at Angel Pagan, and the idea of whether he does or doesn’t hurt the team on the base paths.
Meanwhile, Matthew W from Brooklyn sent in an e-mail a few weeks ago in support of Pagan, pointing out:
- Following the All Star break, Pagan was the only player on the Mets to be in the top 20 of all National League players in average, doubles, total bases, and runs. He was also 24th in slugging percentage, 12th in extra base hits, and lead the league with 10 triples.
- Pagan deserves as much chance as Murphy to play full time in 2010. He fits their mold of scrappy, quick, defensive minded baseball.
- Lastly, how many more mental mistakes did David Wright or Daniel Murphy make than Pagan, all of which were forgiven, or dismissed because of the pressure Wright was under, and because Murphy is young and still learning. Pagan earned at least a few mental mistakes, all while getting a limited chance to prove he can be a starting outfielder.
[poll id="304"]
Tagged News |
Tim of No Pun Intended explains why the 1999 NLCS between the Mets and Braves is “the greatest sporting event ever staged,” during which Game 5, i.e. The Grand-Slam Single, is “the greatest game ever played.”
…i don’t know about that, tim, but Game 5 was easily the greatest game i ever saw in person… it was like watching a boxing round-by-round, endless boxing match…
Last season, I listed Game 5 as My Favorite Moment in Shea Stadium, which you can read about here.
Tagged News |
Japanese 18-year-old left-hander Yusei Kikuchi is scheduled to meet with the Mets on tomorrow, reports Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
According to Hoynes, Kikuchi will meet with the Red Sox, Dodgers, Rangers and Giants today, followed by the way Indians, Yankees, Mets and Mariners on Tuesday.
The 18–year-old Kikuchi, who is left-handed and reached 95–mph on the radar gun, is still debating whether to pitching Japan, where he is expected to be the top pick of the draft if he stays, according to Yakyu Baka.
To learn more about Kikuchi, read this post at NPB Tracker.
Speaking of starting pitchers…
RHP Brandon Webb told Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic that he does not expect to sign a long-term deal with the D’Backs.
According to the report, the D’Backs are instead likely to pick up Webb’s option for 2010, let him pitch, and discuss a long-term deal following next season.
Webb had season-ending shoulder surgery in August and, according to MLB.com, will not return to baseball activities until November.
Tagged News, Twitter |Yesterday, Bill Madden of the Daily News said Tony Bernazard is close to signing on with super-agent Scott Boras.
Mike Silva of NY Baseball Digest wonders how having Bernazard on his team might impact Boras’s relationship with the Mets, for better or worse.
…they are fair questions… but, in the end, i think we all know it’s about money, and who will dish out the most for his players… my bet is tony b has little to do with player negotiations, and everything to do with recruiting new clients… where those clients end up signing will have most everything to do with the number of zeros at the end of their paycheck…
Tagged News |In a report for ESPN.com, Keith Law describes 20–year-old Mets 
pitcher Jenrry Mejia as, ‘The most impressive arm so far,’ that he has seen in the Arizona Fall League.
According to Law, if Mejia can command his pitches better, and throw his curve ball more often, “he’s a potential No. 1 or No. 2 starter.”
Last week, Adam Rubin of the Daily News said Jerry Manuel watched Mejia pitch in the AFL, “to gauge whether he may be able to help the Mets in the bullpen in early 2010.”
…i have listened to people tell me it is wise to get a young pitcher’s feet wet in the bullpen, even if he projects as a starter… i have also heard equally knowledge people say it’s a waste of time that can do damage to the player’s development… it seems to me, if we’re talking about someone with a mid-level ceiling, fine, do the bullpen-to-rotation path, because, who knows, maybe they’re sitting on a potential closer… but, if he’s a so good that there is a thought he could be an ace, don’t mess around… let him start, develop, and bring him in when needed… or, is such a route impossible in New York, where the pressure to succeed and win is too immediate… hi, Joba Chamberlain… hi, Bobby Parnell…
Mejia was 0–5 with a 4.47 ERA in 10 starts, while striking out 47 batters in 44 innings, for Double-A Binghamton this season.
Tagged News |
First off, Happy Birthday to Jim Kochie.
…jim lives in the Philadelphia area and is a huge Mets fan, which can’t be easy, especially these days…
Andrew Beaton of Hot Foot explains why the secret to the Mets success may be in his lucky tube socks.
In a post to Mets Merized Online, Ed Leyro looks at the similarities between the Mets and Padres, both of whom lost to the Cardinals during the 2006 post season.
According to Ed Ryan of Mets Fever, the Mets should consider trading for Giants OF-1B Ryan Garko to platoon at first base with Daniel Murphy.
Steve from the Eddie Kranepool Society wonders if the Mets front office has what it takes to adjust to the new way of doing business in baseball.
James Kannengieser continues to look at potential non-tender candidates for the Mets, in a post to Amazin Avenue, this week looking in to Jeff Francoeur.
In the end, Kannengieser explains why the Mets should bring back Francoeur, “but do not even think about an extension.”
Lastly, Michael Ganci of the Daily Stache gets an early jump on the Manny Ramirez, off-season Mets rumors.
Tagged News |According to Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, this week, free-agent manager Bobby Valentine will meet with the Indians for the second time, as the team looks for a new manager.
Valentine will join Manny Acta and Travis Fryman 
among the team’s finalists, writes Hoynes, who believes the Indians may also wait to speak with Don Mattingly, who is currently the hitting coach for the Dodgers, who are in the NLCS.
Speaking of Valentine, someone is selling Bring Back Bobby V t-shirts, which you can purchase by clicking here.
…Jerry Manuel has been on the Mets bench during the loss to the Cardinals in the NLCS, both collapses, and the disaster that was 2009, yet the Mets are committed to him… or, i should say ‘committed,’ so long as he gets off to a good start, it seems…
…so, at this point, i am not so much pulling for the return of Bobby V, so much as i’m hoping valentine remains on the sidelines… so, when the Mets do decide to find a new manager, be it next June or five years from now, he is still available…
Speaking of Acta…
This weekend, Adam Rubin of the Daily News described Acta as a ‘potential third base coach candidate’ for the Mets.
…despite valentine’s second interview, i am still betting on acta being hired to manage the Indians…
Tagged News |Rockies GM Dan O’Dowd said he is not looking to trade 30–year-old OF Brad Hawpe, according to Tracy Ringolsby, at his blog, Inside the Rockies.
“The Rockies understand the value of Brad Hawpe on the field and off,” said O’Dowd. “We have no desire to move him at all.”
…that’s all fine and good, but, a) he had just four at bats during in the NLDS against the Phillies, b) he’s a left-handed bat and c) he plays outfield, both of which they have a ton of… so, i mean, how will they not listen to offers for hawpe while seeking pitching in return…
Hawpe will earn $7.5 million next season, with a $10 million option for 2011, otherwise he can be a free agent.
The left-handed hitting Hawpe hit .285 with a .384 OBP, 68 extra base hits and 145 strike outs in 145 games for the Rockies in 2009.
Yesterday, in a post to his blog for the Daily News, Adam Rubin said he believes the Mets will look to add a power bat in the outfield, while finding a right-handed hitting platoon partner for Daniel Murphy at first base.
…i just don’t see the Mets trading prospects to get a bat for left field when there are plenty of options on the free-agent market, considering they may need those same prospects to get a high-quality starting pitcher… i like hawpe, but he has only ever played for the Rockies, he struggles against left-handed pitching, he did not hit well in the second half, and there is no telling how going from Coors Field to Citi Field will impact his already weaker-production away from Colorado…
Tagged News |
