October 28, 2009 at 3:02 pm
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41 comments
by Matthew Cerrone
Mets reporter Marty Noble of MLB.com believes Bengie Molina, Rod Barajas and Yorvit Torrealba will be on Omar Minaya’s list, as he looks for a catcher.
Barajas and Molina will be free agents at the end of this season.
…the buzz from Colorado suggests the Rockies will buyout torrealba’s $3.5 million option, making him a free agent, as they finally turn to Chris Ianetta as their starting catcher…
…molina is probably the best overall option, but, at 36 years old, i am not sure i could justify giving him even a two-year deal, which i suspect he is going to ask for and get from someone… molina has a good arm, he’s a good run producer, but, i would rather see the Mets spend that roughly $6 million per season on some other aspect of the roster… but, if omar ends up signing molina, i will not complain…
…like i said before, given their history, i just can’t believe the Mets and torrealba finding common ground… i don’t know why, but, i see him signing with the Giants, assuming molina goes elsewhere…
…which is why i keep coming back to barajas, who, while not the most dynamic hitter around, he has good-enough power, he will drive in runs, and he’s a terrific, all-around defensive catcher… plus, he can probably be had on a one-year deal, he’ll likely require no more than $2 million, and he’s been on the DL only once in the last six seasons…
Barajas hit just .226, but with 19 HR and 71 RBI, in 125 games for the Blue Jays this season – he hit .267 against left-handed pitching, while Omir Santos hit .283 against righties.
Meanwhile, in a post to MLB Trade Rumors, Tim Dierkes takes a look at six catchers who could be available in trade, including Indians C Kelly Shoppach, Royals C John Buck and Pirates C Ryan Doumit.
Doumit hit .318 with 15 HR in 166 games during 2008, but hit just .250 with 10 HR in half as many games in 2009.
…doumit is interesting, from an offensive point of view… the problem is, he is always injured and he’s a very weak on defense, which i believe is a priority for the Mets… it’s a shame, because he’s a switch hitter, he has power from both sides of the plate, and he can play first base and the outfield…
The 28–year-old Doumit will earn $3.5 million next season and $5 million in 2011, after which the team holds an option for 2012 and 2013.
October 28, 2009 at 12:51 pm
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61 comments
by Matthew Cerrone
Mets 1B prospect Ike Davis is hitting .309, and has reached base in eight of his team’s 10 games, during this year’s Arizona Fall League.
In a post to Rotoprofessor, Eric Stashin asks, “Could Davis be the Mets 2010 First Baseman?”
…i think it’s a little early… the Mets like davis a lot, as do other teams, but they know he needs more time in the minors… but, not that much time… in addition, from what i can gather, other teams like that he has a baseball pedigree and he seems poised and destine to play in the big leagues… in what capacity, though, remains to be seen…
Last month for the Daily News, Adam Rubin said he believes the Mets will look to add power in left field, not first base, because:
“There’s little sense blocking Davis by signing a first baseman to a multi-year deal. I’m told the Mets likely will trade for a righty-hitting first baseman with a short-term commitment to pair with Daniel Murphy in 2010.”
Davis hit .298 with 20 home runs and 71 RBI between Single-A St. Lucie and Double-A Binghamton in 2009.
According to Baseball America, he was the best first-base prospect in the Double-A Eastern League, and the 13th-best prospect overall.
Last week, in a chat for ESPN.com, Keith Law said he sees Davis as a starting first baseman in the major leagues some day, but, he adds, “I’m not calling him more than that till I see him hit a breaking ball.”
The following is video of one of Davis’s at bats for Team USA during this summer’s 2009 IBAF World Cup:
October 28, 2009 at 10:40 am
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4 comments
by Matthew Cerrone
Ed Leyro of Mets Merized Online doesn’t understand why he must choose between the Yankees or Phillies, saying, “I will root for a good baseball game to be played and that is all I will root for.”
In a post to Brooklyn Met Fan, Adam explains why he would ‘absolutely relish a Dave Winfield-esque Fall Classic from Alex Rodriguez.’
…i like a-rod… even more, i love the dynamic and the deep-seeded rivalry between him and Derek Jeter… it would be so jeter for a-rod to hit .600, but then strike out in a clutch spot in the final game, while jeter, who could go hitless, gets the walk-off, most-memorable hit to win the ring, leaving Yankee fans to dismiss a-rod and hoist jeter on their shoulders…
In a video for On the Black, Kerel offers up some random thoughts on TV, MLB payroll and home runs.
In a post to his new blog, CheMetsry, Michael takes a look at Jon Niese.
Lastly, in an intro to sabermetrics, Michael Jong of Fan Huddle looks at the value of walks, and baseball’s clock.
October 28, 2009 at 9:44 am
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29 comments
by Matthew Cerrone
According to these stats from the Hardball Times, David Wright was among the 10 Worst Fielders in 2009, in terms of range and reliability.
…i don’t know that i’d go that far, but, man, it just wasn’t a good year for wright, all around… not using any fancy stats, just my eyeballs, i feel like wright is more than fine when it comes to fielding the ball… he seems to position himself well, in advance of the pitch, and so he tends to be in good range of any ball hit… he has strong reactions… the problem is his arm… it’s not weak, by any means, but he goes in to funks where he takes to long to make the throw, often taking an additional step, and then the throw is off line… i have no idea how a player can improve this, short of having a vacuum-cleaner at first base, like Doug Mientkiewicz was, who can give confidence to wright and other infielders, who will know, no matter what they sling over, the first baseman will pick it up… Daniel Murphy looked good at first, but mostly in terms of fielding… i don’t recall him being anything sensational when receiving a throw…
Speaking of Wright, according to The Wright Stuff, he may not hold a Do the Right Thing Gala this winter.
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