Monthly Archives: January 2010
Anthony Witrado, in a post to his blog for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, says Brewers first baseman Prince Fielder is not concerned about the long term contract negotiations with Milwaukee, or the possibility of being dealt before he is eligible for free-agency after the 2011 season.
Witrado says Fielder’s concerns won’t only be about money when he and the Brewers begin negotiations on a long-term deal, which could take place during Spring Training, as the state of the organization will play a role in his decision to either stay in Milwaukee, or sign elsewhere.
…i’d be really surprised if the Brewers had the finances to retain Fielder, given his agent is that guy who represents Alex Rodriguez and got Oliver Perez his three year, $36 million deal…obviously, guys like Fielder and Adrian Gonzalez would be a perfect fit for the Mets long term as both are the prototypical power hitting first baseman they sorely lack at this point in time, and they are just now entering the primes of their careers…as far as the Mets pursuing either in free agency, a lot of it depends on the progress of Ike Davis, who they believe, at some point, will be a power hitting first baseman…
…one thing i believe has really been missing from the Mets lineup since the Mike Piazza days is a feared bat; a guy an opposing manager fears two innings before he comes up…i know it isn’t often guys like that come around, but i believe Fielder and Gonzalez are those types of players because they have such prolific and game-changing power…
The soon-to-be 26 year old Fielder played in all 162 games for the Brewers in 2009 and hit a career-high .299 with 46 home runs and a career-high 141 RBI and 110 walks.
For more on the situation with Fielder, check out the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel here.
In a post to Caught Lookin’, Matt Silvestri wonders why the Mets can’t move Luis Castillo.
Meanwhile, Jed from New York Baseball Digest thinks Mets prospect Ike Davis has a chance at contributing at the big league level this year.
Kevin from Chemetsry gives his reasons as to why John Smoltz would make sense for the Mets.
Finally, Kerel from On the Black is wondering how many stolen bases you think Jose Reyes will have in 2010.
Today is the last day of January, which means we are entering the month baseball makes it’s return.
While I’m cautiously optimistic about the Mets, I am also excited.
Matt has said it before, and I agree – this current group of Mets should be in contention throughout the 2010 season, provided they remain healthy. They have a fantastic group of talent as part of their core, and I think guys like Henry Blanco and Frank Catalanotto will help enhance their abilities and hopefully lead them on a path to success.
I’m looking forward to seeing the progress of Jose Reyes and Johan Santana this February, as well as many of the young players like Wilmer Flores, Ike Davis, Jennry Mejia, and Fernando Martinez.
Most importantly, it’s been a long off-season, so I am looking forward to seeing baseball.
I will be at Tradition Field photographing and blogging with my fiancee on February 20, and again with my dad on February 27 who is making his first trip to Tradition Field.
If you are around and you would like to meet up on February 20, I have provided a “Facebook Event” here where you can RSVP.
Hope Springs Eternal, so Let’s Go Mets!
In a report in today’s Daily News, Anthony McCarron breaks down the remaining possible starting pitching options for the Mets.
McCarron takes a look at RHP John Smoltz, LHP Jarrod Washburn, LHP Hisanori Takahashi, RHP Braden Looper, LHP Erik Bedard, RHP Pedro Martinez, RHP Chien-Ming Wang, and possibly trading for either Aaron Harang or Bronson Arroyo.
…all i know is if the Mets were to re-acquire Looper, they would have to evaluate their scoreboards to make sure they can get the never ending “O” to go around the Citi Field bowl, like they did in Shea Stadium when he was their closer in 2004 and 2005…he pitched the entire 2005 season with a shoulder injury and despite his struggles, he never said a word and went out there and did his best, and even though he should have spoken up about the injury, i admire his will…
…i think Arroyo is the safest bet for the rotation out of these possible options, but so far, there hasn’t been much movement towards a trade with the Reds, although earlier in the month there were some rumors that a trade could be made…if the Mets ultimately can’t swing a deal with the Reds, i think the guys that interest me the most are Wang and Bedard, and i’d lean towards Bedard because he is lefty, and has pitched more recently than Wang…then again, Wang knows New York and has pitched in the postseason here, so he might be a better fit in that regard…if healthy, i believe both Wang and Bedard could be top of the rotation arms…
On Friday, Jayson Stark of ESPN said that both the Orioles and Bedard were interested in a possible reunion, which you can read about here, but on January 9, Orioles GM Andy McPhail told Rosh Kubatko of MASN Bedard was in no rush to sign, saying he could sign by late January, at best.
Earlier this morning, in a post to Twitter, Jon Heyman of SI.com said he heard Wang would join a team on one of the coasts.
Bedard made just 15 starts for the Mariners last season, but went 5-3 with a 2.82 ERA, striking out 90 batters in 83 innings.
…i think the risk at this point with Bedard is not whether or not he is injured right now, but how long he will go before he gets injured…i think a tandem with he and Johan would be downright nasty if both are healthy, and i like the matchup in the division of possibly both of those guys going against Adam Dunn, Ryan Howard and Chase Utley…
…i think if the Mets plan right now is to have Fernando Nieve and Jon Niese audition for the fifth starter spot, why not add a level of depth and take a chance on either Wang or Bedard…while there is a ton of risk with both, there is tremendous potential if they are healthy and worst case scenario is Niese or Nieve end up in the rotation anyway…
Due to server difficulties, you might have had some problems downloading these images.
If you were unable to download these images, please try again.
Original Post, 12:06 pm on January 30:
At the request of numerous MetsBlog readers, I have created some desktop wallpaper images out of my photo collection of various Mets players, Shea Stadium and Citi Field, as well as other stadiums from around the league.
To download those images, click here.
By the way, if you’re interested, check out my “Mets Photo of the Day” every week day on Twitter.
According to Ben Goessling of MASN, Nationals outfielder Adam Dunn said Washington is the prefered destination of free-agent 2B Orlando Hudson.
Dunn, who’s agent also represents Hudson, told reporters “from his point, this is where [Hudson] wants to be” and Nationals GM Mike Rizzo said he is in contact with Hudson as well as several other players, but Goessling says both Hudson and the Nationals are trying to workout a contract.
…like Matt has said over and over again, it would have just made baseball sense for the Mets to sign Hudson and bench Castillo…i understand why the Mets can’t just do that, as there are about six millions reasons for it, but management proclaimed in October they would improve their pitching, speed, and defense, and signing Hudson, even if it’s for one year, goes a long way towards reaching that goal, and i believe it’s worth paying Hudson and possibly Castillo at the same time if it means they can improve at the position…
For more on Hudson, Dunn, and the rest of the Nationals, check out Goessling’s report here.
The Mets have signed Frank Catalanotto, according to Mark Carig of the Star Ledger.
…I think this is a solid pickup for the Mets, as he provides outfield depth as well as leadership and know-how to the clubhouse…
In a post to Twitter, Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post says the 35 year old Catalanotto signed a minor league deal with an invitation to Spring Training.
In 77 games with the Brewers in 2009, Catalanotto hit .278 with one home run and nine RBI, with a .346 OBP in 144 at bats.
James over at Amazin’ Avenue says “Don’t criticize Omar for the sake of criticizing.”
Meanwhile, Adam, the Brooklyn Met Fan hates to say it, but he feels the Mets should sign Chien-Ming Wang.
…i am beginning to agree with you, Adam…i think if he’s healthy, he has the capability of being a very solid starter and potentially the number two arm they seek, although he hasn’t pitched a full season since 2007 and is coming off foot and arm problems…
Kevin, from the NY Hot Corner, has the scoop on Cuban RHP Yuniesky Maya from Jorge Arangure of ESPN, who says he hasn’t been declared a Major League free agent as of yet.
…great job on this, Kevin…that answers the question as to why we haven’t heard much about him lately…
According to Peter Keepnews of the New York Times, the original Shea Stadium organist, Jane Jarvis, has died at the age of 94.
According to Keepnews, Jarvis began her career as a jazz pianist and started playing at baseball stadiums in 1956 with the Milwaukee Braves, and then moved onto the Mets when they opened Shea Stadium in 1964, and she was a mainstay until 1979.
For more on Jarvis, check out the Times obituary here.
…hat tip to the Mets Police for the link…
According to the Associated Press, KeySpan Park, the home of the Brooklyn Cyclones will receive a new name this season, as the “KeySpan” name no longer exists.
KeySpan was purchased by National Grid PLC in 2007, and considering that, National Grid Executive Vice President John Caroselli said “it was an opportunity for both parties to discuss other options.”
For more, check out the Associated Press article, in Newsday, here.
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