Daily Archives: February 1, 2010
Steve Sidoti, from Seven Train to Shea: Fans were very critical of the Mets, demanding they show backbone and set a deadline for Jason Bay, while negotiations were going on. But, in the end, as we learned from Bay, there actually was an agreement in principle just before Christmas. Similarly, with the rumored Luis Castillo-for-Mike Lowell deal, it could have very well been something that never really had life to begin with, but we still hear people critique the deal and judge Omar Minaya as if it’s something that was on the table. So, I guess my question to you is, are the fans – and sometimes us bloggers – guilty of jumping to conclusions, while most of the time not knowing what goes on in a front office?
Matthew Cerrone: Yes, VERY much so… but, don’t sell us short. In talking with people in Front Offices around baseball, it amazes me just how ahead of the curve we, fans, can be sometimes, even if we do not have every piece of inside information. That said, you’re right, Steve, we don’t know everything, especially when it comes to each team’s needs, how the players think and how they make their decisions, and which direction the market is or isn’t bending. I think we often look at potential acquisitions in the same way we look at Fantasy Baseball, and we certainly often see them as one-way negotiations, set up only to serve only our favorite team’s needs.
The thing is, I don’t think it matters.
I mean, so much of being a sports fan, especially a baseball fan, is about being emotional and talking and debating the game with other fans. The details, in some cases, are irrelevant, since, most likely, the average fan is going to react a certain way, and think certain things, regardless of whether a potential acquisition is made or not. In some ways, the team must win that battle in their actions and words prior to the transaction, or lacktherof, when managing the expectations of their fanbase. What’s more, MLB appreciates the passionate and interest from fans, be it from knowledgeable fans or not, and they know it is a big part of what fuels their business, especially in the off season when trying to pre-sell tickets. Frankly, I don’t think fans or the teams would have it any other way.
The Mets have issued the following statement, in regards to J.J. Putz:
“In our review of the player’s medical records in the acquisition of J.J. Putz, we were aware that he had a bone spur before the trade. He had the same condition in 2008 and was able to pitch with it. J.J. underwent an exam during Spring Training and an additional exam and MRI before he was cleared to play in last year’s World Baseball Classic. Unfortunately the spur did flare up again in May, and he missed the rest of the season. We are happy to hear he is feeling well, and wish him success with the White Sox.”
By the way, to see Putz’s interview with Comcast Chicago, go here.
Original Post at 10:35 am:
In an interview with Chuck Garfien of Comcast Chicago, White Sox reliever J.J. Putz described his time with the Mets last season as ‘a mess.’
To see video of Jose Reyes running, sprinting, throwing, in action, lifting weights, and looking more than ready for Spring Training, check out this video and interview on SNY.TV.
…that… is… awesome… there is no other way to put it… no single transaction, nothing, will get me more pumped up and excited for 2010 then seeing reyes running, working hard and saying, as he does at the end of the video, ‘I’m ready to play baseball,’ while pumping his fist…
…from what i can gather, the team’s trainers feel he is 100 percent… what’s more, i have heard jose is in good spirits, smiling, having fun and he’s pumped to get the season started…
In a post to Twitter, ESPN.com’s Buster Olney says, “The expectations within the Mets Front Office is that the team is finished spending money for now.”
In other words, as Olney explains, “These are your pre-camp 2010 Mets.”
…despite what some fans want to think, technically, the Mets do not owe any one an explanation of how and why certain moves did or did not happen this off season…
…however, i hope Ownership knows that, because they were unwilling or unable to make significant changes to the roster, there are lots and lots of fans who are going to feel they are unwilling to unable to go out to Citi Field or watch SNY, at least until the team can give them reason to do so…
…personally, i will be watching from day one, because i genuinely believe in and enjoy watching Jose Reyes, David Wright, Johan Santana and the rest of the players on the team, and i want to see these guys redeem themselves and win… also, i don’t blame the players for the lack of off-season improvements, obviously, and so i will happily support them every pitch, of every inning, all season… however, the Front Office needs to think real, real hard about what life might be like beyond this current group of talent, because Mets fans are not confidence in the direction of this organization, and that is putting it lightly…
…and so, though they technically don’t owe Mets fans an explanation, it might be wise for the team to speak up and give us an idea of what took place and why certain decisions were made, so to at least focus the criticism, while putting period at the end of the off season and turning the page to a more hopeful time of year, Spring Training, when the focus turns to the best part of the team, the players on the field…
The Reds and free-agent 2B-SS Orlando Cabrera agreed to a one-year, $4 million deal, according to Tim Brown of Yahoo! Sports.
…i know they play different positions, but, i have to think cabrera’s deal will essentially be what free-agent 2B Orlando Hudson gets…
Original Post at 1:13 pm:
Bill Ladson of MLB.com believes the Rockies and Nationals, as well as the Indians and another AL team, are all interested in Hudson, ‘who wants to sign with the Nationals, real bad.’
However, according to Ladson, Hudson is unwilling to sign at a discount.
…from what i can gather, hudson is being pitched similar one-year deals, worth around $3 million in guaranteed money… initially, hudson wanted up to $9 million guaranteed, but i see no way that happens for him…
White Sox reliever J.J. Putz talking about his time with the Mets:
I should have video of Jose Reyes, courtesy of SNY.TV, at some point in the next hour.
Original Post at 10:58 am:
Reyes worked out on Long Island today.
According to SNY’s Kevin Burkhardt, he did five sprints, 90 feet each, and looked ‘great.’
From what I can gather, Reyes ran at full speed without a limp.
“That’s how I do it,” Reyes said, upon finishing his sprints. “I’m ready to play baseball.”
To see footage of Reyes, who SNY mic’d during the workout, check out SNY’s Daily News Live at 5 pm, as well as SportsNite at 10 pm.
The Mariners and 29–year-old free-agent 1B-OF Ryan Garko agreed to a one-year, $550,000 deal, according to the Associated Press.
Garko hit .268 with a .344 OBP, 13 HR and 51 RBI in 118 games with the Indians and Giants last season.
In his five-year career, during which he has played mostly first base, but also both corner outfield spots, Garko is batting .311 in 485 plate appearance against lefties.
The community at FanGraphs believes Garko will bat around .270 in 120 or so games next season, while hitting roughly 15 HR with 50 RBI and 20 or so doubles.
Last week, Anthony DeRosa of Hot Foot, and a few other Mets fans, made it clear Garko was probably the best fit for the Mets when searching for a bench player.
However, James Kannengieser of Amazin Avenue pointed out a few problems with Garko, who he sees as an unatheletic, one-dimensional player, who can’t hit right-handed pitching.
…i said, i think he’d be fine to use from the bench, and to start at first base against left-handed pitchers from time to time… but, i agree with james, in that he’s not the best athlete in the world, and he certainly isn’t versatile enough to do what the Mets will need from that spot on the roster… if the Mets are going to bring in someone to fill-in for murphy, he should either have significant power or play a serious first base… garko, however, does neither… his best asset is being healthy and consistent, even if he’s just consistently ok…
Manny P: It seems like Carlos Delgado’s days with the Mets are coming to an end. Everyone says he is a cancer in the clubhouse, but I still think they’ll miss his bat in the lineup.
Matthew Cerrone: To me, Jason Bay is replacing Delgado in the lineup, which is why I don’t see Bay as an upgrade, at least not in the way Omar Minaya explained during his interview on SNY last week. What’s more, I do believe Daniel Murphy will be better in the field at first base than Delgado had been the last few seasons. But, most important, in talking with people connected to the Mets, as well as with reporters who covered these guys every day, I never got the impression Delgado was a ‘cancer in the clubhouse,’ in the sense that he was a bad guy causing trouble. Yes, he’s a bit prickly with reporters, at times, but I think that’s because he’s serious about baseball, which is is his job, and that can just as easily be viewed as a positive, depending on your perspective. That said, any time I ask a Mets player to tell me who the leader is in their clubhouse, they say Delgado. To me, that’s the issue. I believe, so long as Delgado is in the clubhouse, players like Jose Reyes, Carlos Beltran, Jeff Francoeur and David Wright, among others, will never feel free to step up and re-shape the team in their image, which is being young, aggressive players who hate to lose, but who have fun playing the game. I have nothing but respect for Delgado, I just feel it’s time for him to step aside.
In mid-January, I was able to talk with John Maine about 2010, working with reporters and online media, the definition of veteran, and other topics.
Here is an excerpt, in which we talk about his his shoulder, his favorite catcher, and pitching from the bullpen…
Matthew Cerrone: First off, how is your shoulder?
John Maine: It feels good.
Matthew Cerrone: Why do you believe in this team for 2010?
John Maine: I think that other than maybe a few miscues the previous two years, we have been a very good team. We came close in 2006, first place most of 2007 and in 2008, but last year was just weird. All these injuries, and I hate to keep using injuries as an excuse, because if it was maybe two or three players that were missing you can’t really use that excuse, but if you are missing 15 guys it’s hard to play. It just shows that when we are healthy, even last year the first two months of the season, we were in first place. We’ve got a good team and we’ve got good guys on this team with good character. The thing that kind of upsets me is that you get some guys out there who say there’s maybe not that heart, but that’s not true at all. It’s hard to show, I think, especially in the city. People might take it the wrong way. I just think that people have heart, but maybe somebody celebrating might be considered showboating or gloating. I don’t see it that way. These guys, a lot of them are kids. They like to have fun and they’re playing. They’ve been doing it their whole life and have a good time. We’ve got heart and we’re ready to play. Let’s keep everybody healthy for 162 games. We are ready to roll.
Matthew Cerrone: Fans and media talk a lot about No. 1, No. 2 starting pitchers, and we rank everyone like that. Do you guys do the same? I mean, at what point do you understand your place, to the point you can be comfortable and secure, and do you guys see people ranked that way?
John Maine: I think the No. 1, No. 2, No. 3 stuff, I think that’s more of a media thing. Obviously, to start the season you are going to have someone on the mound, but then again that also depends on match ups and things like that. I think the only time where No. 1 and No. 2 comes into play is probably the playoffs. You want those two guys to pitch the most. Other than that, I think, obviously we know Santana is the ace of the staff, but of the four of us, even the five of us, you realize, like you said, it’s every fifth game… It doesn’t matter if it’s me or if it’s Niese or Santana, that guy who’s pitching is the No. 1 starter that day. That’s just the way it is.
Matthew Cerrone: I understand, but you must see there are places where you all fit in.
John Maine: I personally don’t pay attention to it, I don’t. They tell me what day to pitch, what game I’m going to start, I do that and then I count every five games from there.
Matthew Cerrone: Do you think you could pitch in the bullpen? Would you want to?
John Maine: I have always started… I have always been able to pitch every fifth day and never been hurt. That’s something I pride myself on: being able to go every fifth day. I don’t know anything about the bullpen. I like starting just because I like having the first six or seven innings of the game. That’s what I like doing.
Matthew Cerrone: If you were switched to the bullpen, would you feel like a demotion?
John Maine: No, because I just want to play.
Matthew Cerrone: Was there a specific catcher you liked working with?
John Maine: I liked Paul LoDuca, just because when I’m out there he got of my attitude. Brian Schneider was more technically sound than him, LoDuca just had this way about him, this attitude about him. You’d feel bad to let him down… It was like, if you don’t go out there and do your job he’d chew you out. I like that.
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