Daily Archives: February 11, 2010
The Mets announced they have signed 1B Mike Jacobs, C Shawn Riggans, and Japanese pitcher Hisanori Takahashi, all to minor league deals with major league invites.
Earlier today, Jon Heyman of SI.com says the Mets have signed Jacobs to a $900,000 minor-league deal, though he can earn another $1.15 million through incentives.
Jacobs played 309 games at catcher in the minor leagues with the Mets. In his final season with Double-A Binghamton, in 2005, he played 43 games at catcher and 54 games at first base.
The 34-year-old Takahashi had a 2.94 ERA in 25 games last year in Japan, while striking out 126 batters in 144 innings.
In 64 games with the Rays the last three seasons, the 29–year-old Riggans hit just .202 with a .266 OBP, one HR, and three RBI – he tossed out just four of 29 runners trying to steal.
CHONE projects Riggans will hit .242 with nine HR and 33 RBI in 104 games this season.
…i am intrigued by riggans, who might have ended up as a back-up in Tampa had they not acquired Kelly Shoppach, and thus non-tendered shawn… i would not be shocked to see him give Omir Santos a run this spring…
Tonight at SNY’s Mets Hot Stove, host Kevin Burkhardt will interview John Maine and Mike Pelfrey, and talk with Bob Ojeda about what the duo most do to be successful in 2010.
Burkhardt will also talk live to Keith Hernandez about his work with Daniel Murphy this week.
According to Adam Rubin of the Daily News, “Jerry Manuel says this spring’s emphasis will be on throwing strikes.”
…excellent… and my goal for today was breathing…
In talks with reporters at the end of last season, and this off season, Manuel has emphasized the pitching staff’s need to walk fewer batters in 2010, noting how they repeatedly put themselves in position to fall last season.
The Mets walked 616 batters last season, second-worst in baseball.
...so, it looks like he sits in the high-80s with his fastball, with off speed pitches in the low-80s and a slow-rolling curve ball in the mid-60s…
...thanks to NPB Tracker for the link...
Ken Davidoff from Newsday says a scout told him Takahashi is like Jamie Moyer with more velocity.
In a post to Hardball Talk, for NBCSports.com, our old friend D.J. Short lists five ways to fix the Mets, including, “Bridge the disconnect between fans and the front office.”
According to Short, “There was recently an unnamed member of the front office who expressed disappointment that the Mets failed in their efforts to land catcher Bengie Molina in free agency. Meanwhile, anybody with a pulse and an Internet connection would know that the fans were overwhelmingly opposed to such a signing.”
…i remember that report, and it was confusing to me, because, in my talks with people in the front office, they were all very aware of our collective disapproval of molina… in fact, it got to a point in which any time i talked to someone about him, they would say, ‘I know you don’t like him, but,’ and then they’d defend him…
…i know for fact that the Mets are very aware of what fans think… believe me, they hear it all… they listen to talk radio, they read this and other blogs, they hear from ticket reps, who hear from fans, and they hear from people on the street… it’s impossible to avoid…
…what the team does not do well, actually, is respond… it’s not enough to just listen in silence… that may work for some businesses, or some teams in sports, but the Mets are blessed to have such a passionate fanbase, and they should embrace that more… i agree with d.j., this does not mean the team should base all of their off-season moves on what you and i want… that would be a huge mistake, since we are way too emotional… but, it’s always smart to listen to your customer base, to know what type of product they’re most likely to consume… for instance, in baseball, what type of team would we enjoy watching, besides a successful one… similarly, the Mets should never have found themselves in the position they were in last season, being blindsided by fan reaction to a lack of team history in Citi Field… had they been listening, engaging us, they’d have known that was important before they even stuck a shovel in the ground…
…man, it was a long, really, really long four months…
…i’m so glad real baseball is about to begin…
According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, free-agent RHP John Smoltz said, “Nothing is in the works right now,” which is why he is taking his time, and, ‘lettings this play out.’
This morning, in the New York Times, David Waldstein the Mets are no longer expected to sign Smoltz, who is seeking at least $3 million, now that they have signed Japanese LHP Hisanori Takahashi to a minor league deal.
By the way, Tom Glavine is retiring, and will be a special assistant to Braves president John Schuerholz, according to Mark Bowman of MLB.com.
Here are pictures of Citi Field, courtesy of the Mets:
Thankfully, pitchers and catchers report to Tradition Field in one week.
Kevin Burkhardt of SNY says, from what he’s been told, “Takahashi is not a bullpen option.”
Instead, “he’s a Tom Glavine-type, who will either make the rotation or find a place in Triple-A Buffalo.”
Updated at 11:42 am:
David Waldstein of the New York Times says the Mets are on the verge of signing Japanese free-agent LHP Hisanori Takahashi to a minor-league contract, worth $1 million, with $500,000 in performance bonuses.
According to Waldstein, Takahashi chose the Mets over the Dodgers, Orioles, Red Sox and Padres, “all of whom offered minor league contracts as well.”
...i still believe murphy can hit .280, drive in 80 or so runs, and hit 35 doubles and around 15 to 20 home runs, while playing an above-average first base… and that would be completely acceptable, assuming a) David Wright, Jose Reyes and others are producing like they normally do, and b) the team is winning… i’m not really worried about him at all…
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