Appalachian League
- The Kingsport Mets beat the Burlington Royals 6-4 Monday. 4 2009 draftees played for the K-Mets. C John Freeman walked and scored in the 4th, and walked in the 5th as part of his 0 for 2 game. 3B Joseph Bonfe walked in the 2nd and singled and scored in the 4th to go 1 for 3. LF Ronald Harris singled in the 1st, then in the 5th he reached on an error, stole his 10th base of the season and later scored to go 1 for 4. RF Kurt Steinhauer hit a 2-run double in the 4th to go 1 for 4. See the box score and recap for more.
Due either to a scheduled day off, weather or managerial decision, none of the other 2009 draftees played yesterday.
The good ol' days
In Minor League news, Mets general manager Omar Minaya visited Coca-Cola Field in Buffalo yesterday to speak with the media prior to the Bisons doubleheader. The Buffalo News has an informative article about that visit. Here’s the first paragraph as a teaser:
- “New York Mets General Manager Omar Minaya visited Coca-Cola Field on Monday and quickly agreed with the prevailing opinion of fans who’ve been to the ballpark all summer: The Buffalo Bisons’ 2009 season has been simply unacceptable.”
Metrowny.com also covered the visit.
73 comments
wannybackstra
8/11/2009-11:49am at 11:49 am (UTC -4)
At least a former Mets prospect had a big day in that AAA double header.
I always thought Justin Huber would be at least as good as Mike Jacobs (among the Mets catching prospects who couldn’t catch).
CaseStreet
8/11/2009-12:04pm at 12:04 pm (UTC -4)
Anyone catch the ESPN documentary on Louie Tiant? It was very interesting. Even my wife watched it with me.
GravediggerHebner
8/11/2009-3:45pm at 3:45 pm (UTC -4)
Nope. I saw some program with “Cuba” in the title on ESPN and I thought “what’s this?” so I clicked on “info” and it just said “documentary.” I had no idea what it was about so I didn’t tune in. Damn you DirecTV!
I despise ESPN so I strive to watch as little of their programming as possible, in doing that I must’ve missed their endless promotion of it.
CaseStreet
8/11/2009-4:51pm at 4:51 pm (UTC -4)
yeah, I was channel surfing once we were down by more than two runs and happened to stumble upon it. Pretty cool stuff, especially that his dad dominated in the Negro Leagues and threw a ceremonial first pitch in one of Louie’s games @ Boston.
metsfan4decades
8/11/2009-12:17pm at 12:17 pm (UTC -4)
Thanks for the link to the Buffalo News item on Omar’s visit….
That’s the first place I saw mentioned who took over Bernazard’s duties, at least in the interim.
I’ve said it before. Love this site. It’s one stop shopping and I no longer have to go searching all over for all things Mets.
sabermetrician
8/11/2009-12:29pm at 12:29 pm (UTC -4)
The SI cover makes me think of our pitching staff next year.
I’ve lost almost all faith in John Maine now. I have maybe 5% faith in him being good again.
I didn’t have any in Perez to begin with. But I guess I could say 10%.
I’m losing faith in Pelfrey. Down to 35% or so, he’s not looking good at all.
Santana is the man. 90% (I don’t go higher than that on anyone)
JoeR
8/11/2009-12:47pm at 12:47 pm (UTC -4)
Agreed 150% If we have Livan or a guy like him as our number 5 with those three inconsistent underachieving guys, Perez, Maine, and Pelfrey we are in trouble. Bottom line is we need a legitimate proven number 2 starter or if I was Johan I would demand a trade. Enough is enough Omar. I know they looked amazing in the playoffs but Omar that was almost 4 years ago!!
At some point its put up or shut up. I am done with hearing potential, they have the stuff to be very effective, etc, etc. Maybe give Pelf a pass last night but the rest of the season should be an audition for him. IDK I mean we cant get rid of him beacuse we need pitchers but these guys should all be number 4 starters.
sabermetrician
8/11/2009-12:52pm at 12:52 pm (UTC -4)
Agreed, they are all at best 4s right now. Pelfrey has the potential to be a solid 3, or maybe even a 2 in the right conditions, but not next year.
We must have a solid two or another ace if we are going to be competitive going forward.
CaseStreet
8/11/2009-1:04pm at 1:04 pm (UTC -4)
Prob is, who’s that #2?
Lackey, Webb (option), or Harden
I’m hoping Vazquez gets traded.
sabermetrician
8/11/2009-1:09pm at 1:09 pm (UTC -4)
Do you think he’d get traded in division?
Lackey could be our man. But that’s committing a lot of money.
wannybackstra
8/11/2009-1:35pm at 1:35 pm (UTC -4)
Spending money might be the only option. I don’t see the Mets as having the prospects necessary to acquire either of King Felix or Halladay.
Not sure who else will be available via trade.
sabermetrician
8/11/2009-2:31pm at 2:31 pm (UTC -4)
I agree that we probably couldn’t swing an ace/solid two in a trade. I’m all for spending the money, but will the Wilpons be as willing?
wannybackstra
8/11/2009-2:48pm at 2:48 pm (UTC -4)
Doubtful. But the only other choice is for them to identify a young pitcher (like they seemingly once did with Maine and Perez) who can potentially grow into that role and then acquire that player by trade.
But I have no faith in them to be able to do that again…much less to get it right this time.
Lance Broadway, by the way, has been horrific in AAA in their most recent attempt at the same.
CaseStreet
8/11/2009-1:53pm at 1:53 pm (UTC -4)
we’d have to overpay, but his K is relatively inexpensive and he’d be worth overpaying since other options are limited.
There's Always '10
8/11/2009-2:10pm at 2:10 pm (UTC -4)
Why is King Felix available? Are the Mariners insane? You trade Ichiro and keep King Felix. All day, everyday.
If I hadn’t watched the Mets this weekend and last night, I would say they are impossible to watch. But by watching, I would have proven myself wrong. They are almost impossible to watch.
wannybackstra
8/11/2009-2:11pm at 2:11 pm (UTC -4)
There were reports that Seattle was entertaining offers to maximize his value before he leaves them in two years.
GravediggerHebner
8/11/2009-2:36pm at 2:36 pm (UTC -4)
Yes, to support that I can tell you I had the “pleasure” of listening to Michael Kay yesterday saying that the 2009 Red Sox are (I paraphrase) “done and here’s why: because Theo Epstein made the huge mistake of not pursuing Roy Halladay, instead concentrating all his efforts getting Felix Hernandez in a mega 3-team deal from the Mariners, and when that failed it was too late for him to work out a Halladay deal so he settled for Victor Martinez which is going to be a horrible deal for the Sox because they had to part with some of the prospects necessary for them to improve their pitching and Martinez’ presence on their roster means that everyday an established veteran productive player is angry because he’s not in the lineup.”
The degree of certainty and practical glee with which Kay conveyed this message was astounding.
wannybackstra
8/11/2009-2:46pm at 2:46 pm (UTC -4)
There’s so much wrong with that.
For as long as Varitek and Papi can’t hit and Lowell’s hip prohibits him from running, their complaints (assuming there even are any) will fall on deaf ears.
And the Sox still have plenty of chips (and cash) with which to acquire pitching help. Not to mention they still have their three top starting pitching prospects in Bucholz, Tazawa and Bowden, who can alleviate the need to look outside the organization anyway.
stickguy
8/11/2009-3:05pm at 3:05 pm (UTC -4)
given the Met constraints (lack of budget vs. large number of holes, and current roster), I think the need for the #2 guy is going to be filled in 1 of 2 ways:
1) Rolling the dice on one (or more) of the high end guys with injury issues (Webb, Harden, Sheets), or
2) throwing the current mungy bunch + more into the hopper and hoping that one of them finally stays healthy and makes the leap. This is also know as the Omar “stick to the wall” method, but has the advantage of requiring no moves, and is cheap. Maine, Plef, Ollie, Neive fall into this catagory (I excluded Neise since he is still too new, so he fights for the # 5 slot).
Actually, some of the injury guys are probably risky enough to fall into catagory #2 also.
with any luck, they wil lfind a “real” pitcher to be a decent #2, and use the hopper method to fill out spots 3-7.
Of course, option 3 would be find a healthy, and hopefully reliable, SP and sign him. But, the choices arent wonderful here (Lackey, Millwood, Marquis?), and will likely be either too expensive, too many years, or not that good.
A better bet might be a trade, but will the FO give up the prospects, or be creative enough to get it done?
sabermetrician
8/11/2009-3:25pm at 3:25 pm (UTC -4)
Lackey is a solid two, granted he might not be worth what he’ll get; but he shouldn’t be thrown in with Millwood and Marquis.
wannybackstra
8/11/2009-3:30pm at 3:30 pm (UTC -4)
Agreed. Since 2005 he’s 65-35 with a 3.47 ERA (in the AL) a 1.26 WHIP and 7.7k/9.
The only question with him is his recent nagging injuries.
Otherwise he’s a legitimate ace, albeit a second tier ace after the elite guys like Johan, Roy, Carpenter, Sabathia and that exclusive crew.
sabermetrician
8/11/2009-3:34pm at 3:34 pm (UTC -4)
I agree about the injuries, that has worried me quite a bit.
trs86
8/11/2009-3:38pm at 3:38 pm (UTC -4)
No doubt that Lackey is a true #2 and I mean that in a good way. IF he can be gotten for less than 4/60 I would be very interested.
wannybackstra
8/11/2009-3:44pm at 3:44 pm (UTC -4)
I don’t know why bathroom humor makes me laugh everytime.
The Mets have enough of the bad #2 in their rotation, none of which stinks any worse than the 3 year 36 million dollar poop that we are essentially stuck with for two more years.
trs86
8/11/2009-3:47pm at 3:47 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah I agree, If Omar had listened to me we would have Garland and Wolf and be out from under both contracts this year. Who knows how many more wins we would have had too.
GravediggerHebner
8/11/2009-3:48pm at 3:48 pm (UTC -4)
Aha. I bet, like me, you laugh every time one of those tractor trailers passes you on the highway with the name A. Duie Pyle on the side.
A. Duie Pyle. Snicker.
wannybackstra
8/11/2009-3:52pm at 3:52 pm (UTC -4)
Indeed. As with the “No Dumping” signs.
stickguy
8/11/2009-3:15pm at 3:15 pm (UTC -4)
Thought of another name (that might be an interesting rebound candidate:
Harang.
CIncy passed him through waivers, and may be anxious to ditch his slaary (11ish for the next 2 years). He was scuffling a bit, but has looked back to his old self lately (think it was some minor injury, not that any is minor with the mets!)
Anyway, not cheap, but instantly becomes the 2nd best pitcher on the Mets, has been none to be a “bulldog”, still has stuff, isn’t too old, and is only signed for 2 more years.
If he came cheap (like the contract, + a couple of loer level 2nd tier guys), do you take him? Might kick some serious butt in Citifiled if motivated.
wannybackstra
8/11/2009-3:26pm at 3:26 pm (UTC -4)
Worth a look. Certainly no worse than what we have.
sabermetrician
8/11/2009-3:28pm at 3:28 pm (UTC -4)
I don’t mind Harang, but if you’re spending that kind of money you should pony up a bit more and go for Lackey.
trs86
8/11/2009-3:37pm at 3:37 pm (UTC -4)
I think Lackey will get more than a bit more unless you think 4 Million more and a 4/64 a little more.
wannybackstra
8/11/2009-3:40pm at 3:40 pm (UTC -4)
Harang costs 14.5m for one year (assuming his 2m buyout as opposed to paying him 12.75 for 2001).
Lackey is easily worth another $1.5m under your scenario of 4/64 for Lackey.
In any event, I think Lackey gets more than 4 years but maybe less than $16m per.
Lackey is a very good pitcher.
trs86
8/11/2009-3:43pm at 3:43 pm (UTC -4)
You think he gets less than Lowe at a younger age and as the best FA pitcher on the market? Hopefully you are right but I think he will be dangerous as there will be a lot of teams looking for pitching and he is the way above leader of the class.
wannybackstra
8/11/2009-3:47pm at 3:47 pm (UTC -4)
That’s a good point.
The only thing preventing him from getting more than Lowe (and deservedly so) is his recent health situation (whereas Lowe will pitch until Jesse Orosco looks young by comparison).
It’ll be interesting to see how Lackey’s season finishes.
I think he’s a better pitcher than AJ Burnett but if the Yankees are not involved, perhaps he gets something between Lowe and Burnett money if teams are convinced of his health.
trs86
8/11/2009-3:49pm at 3:49 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah, if he finishes strong I can see him getting 3/17per. Do you do it knowing you will not get much else?
wannybackstra
8/11/2009-3:51pm at 3:51 pm (UTC -4)
I probably would.
Mostly because there isn’t much else out there that I think they should be saving their money for.
He’s the only real high end free agent other than Holliday and Bay and I don’t think former will ever even become available to the Mets.
trs86
8/11/2009-3:53pm at 3:53 pm (UTC -4)
Hmmm that’s a great question for a poll. If you could only sign Lackey, Holliday or Bay what would you do. Assuming the money and years are all the same.
sabermetrician
8/11/2009-3:30pm at 3:30 pm (UTC -4)
Actually Harang is owed $12.5 mil next year and $12.75 the year after. I think that will be close to where Lackey ends up. Lackey > Harang. But hell, if they’ll spend, get both!
trs86
8/11/2009-3:36pm at 3:36 pm (UTC -4)
If the Mets wanted him, wouldn’t they have claimed him?
wannybackstra
8/11/2009-3:42pm at 3:42 pm (UTC -4)
Not necessarily. They may be interested in a trade that would defray some of the costs rather than getting stuck eating the entirety of the deal.
But as we discussed below, that doesn’t seem like a likely scenario for the Mets.
trs86
8/11/2009-3:43pm at 3:43 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah, I guess they could ask for cash in return.
wannybackstra
8/11/2009-3:38pm at 3:38 pm (UTC -4)
Harang actually gets 12.5m next season and has an option for 12.75 in 2011 with a $2m buyout.
As much as I like him, I think a $14.5m guarantee is a little much for one year of him, given the speculation that the Mets will only have somewhere in the neighborhood of $30m to spend this offseason.
I don’t see anyone the Mets can send to them to soften the salary blow while still saving Cincy money (Castillo’s two years would only represent a $2.5m savings over Harang).
trs86
8/11/2009-3:40pm at 3:40 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah overall, unless they really needed a 2B but they REALLY don’t. Other than that and Ollie we don’t have any bad contracts.
trs86
8/11/2009-3:41pm at 3:41 pm (UTC -4)
Anyone know anything about the Chapman guy from Cuba? When the negotiations will start. I think he would be a great pickup.
wannybackstra
8/11/2009-3:49pm at 3:49 pm (UTC -4)
Word on the ESPN.com street is that he will likely require Matzusaka money. The debate is whether the posting fee will have to be included in the salary or if Matzusaka’s $52m salary is the basis.
Either way the Mets won’t be going there.
But I agree that a 21 year old lefty who throws in the upper 90s should be on the front burner.
GravediggerHebner
8/11/2009-3:52pm at 3:52 pm (UTC -4)
I know little to nothing about him, but I believe I recall a headline from MLBTR yesterday (I’ll see if I can find it) suggesting that he’s not all he’s cracked up to be, and (these are my words) he was essentially Oliver Perez if he threw 6-7 mph harder (young, lefthanded, wild).
GravediggerHebner
8/11/2009-4:00pm at 4:00 pm (UTC -4)
I can’t find anything like that so let me formally retract the “Oliver Perez who throws harder” concept. Must’ve been my active imagination working overtime to make me feel better.
The info that I can actually find that gives me pause is the ESPN article which says “any day now he could sign a major league contract worth anywhere between $40-100 million.
trs86
8/11/2009-3:55pm at 3:55 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah I have read anything from stud to setup. I don’t think there could be a posting fee if he is a defectee could there? The MLBTR link said that he can want 5/50 all he wants but chances are better for 3-4 at 6 per. I think he would be a good move based on what I have read as a guy that could be in the rotation or maybe a setup guy.
wannybackstra
8/11/2009-4:51pm at 4:51 pm (UTC -4)
There wouldn’t be a posting fee but my understanding from an ESPN.com article was that he may want that type of money included in his package so that he “costs” the same amount Dice-K did.
trs86
8/11/2009-3:46pm at 3:46 pm (UTC -4)
OK so what about a complete about face from yesterday here. Mets go all in and sign Vlad and Lackey and resign Delgado.
Lackey 15 (Wanny?)
Vlad 9
Delgado 6
That’s win now but IF things work out you have a hell of a team. If they don’t then Vlad and Delgado would be on short contracts.
Reyes, Castillo, Beltran, Vlad, Wright, Delgado, Frenchy, Catcher.
wannybackstra
8/11/2009-3:55pm at 3:55 pm (UTC -4)
Could we then be called the Anaheim Angels of New York?
How about Abreu and Nick Johnson instead of Vlad and Delgado for roughly the same dollar figures?
I think those guys are better ballpark fits. Abreu is the most likely to play 160 games and believe it or not, Johnson might be the second most likely among them!
trs86
8/11/2009-3:58pm at 3:58 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah maybe, I was just looking for power and short contracts. I think Nick wants 3 years and not sure about Abreu.
I can say that a lineup with Delgado batting 6th is intriguing.
sabermetrician
8/11/2009-3:59pm at 3:59 pm (UTC -4)
That could be better and they definitely fit the park better, but are you ready to sacrifice all power?
trs86
8/11/2009-4:02pm at 4:02 pm (UTC -4)
With my lineup I think it’s more of a all or nothing lineup. If Vlad and Delgado miss time and you end up with Fmart and Murphy taking their spots most likely we are done. HOWEVER, if both of them are healthy most of the year we could have a MONSTER lineup. IT’s a gamble but one that only cost you 1 year’s time and money.
stickguy
8/11/2009-4:07pm at 4:07 pm (UTC -4)
that, and splurge a little on a better BU 1B/OF guy to cover for them.
trs86
8/11/2009-4:17pm at 4:17 pm (UTC -4)
Maybe, a guy like Quinlan could work. Not good but still at least could platoon with Murphy at 1B and plays multiple positions. I would pick someone better but they would not have the money to pay him.
wannybackstra
8/11/2009-4:26pm at 4:26 pm (UTC -4)
My biggest concern is whether Vlad is even capable of playing a defensive position at this point. The plan going into this season in Anaheim was to use him at DH as much as possible. Even in limited field action he’s been hurt. And Citi’s outfield is demanding.
I’ll offer to compromise and go with Abreu and Delgado!
I don’t think a lineup of Reyes, Castillo, Abreu, Beltran, Wright, Delgado, Francouer and Santos/whomever will suffer too much from a lack of power, particularly in a bad ballpark for marginal power hitters.
trs86
8/11/2009-4:29pm at 4:29 pm (UTC -4)
Angels REALLY like Abreu, I think they resign him.
sabermetrician
8/11/2009-3:57pm at 3:57 pm (UTC -4)
I wouldn’t mind something like that. I’m very skeptical about both Vlad and Delgado (more so Delgado), but I want us to go all in next year and try to make a run. (I wish we had this year, but in retrospect it’s probably good we didn’t).
trs86
8/11/2009-3:59pm at 3:59 pm (UTC -4)
I just think that may be the best way to “go all in” without costing us in 2011 or more than 30ish M.
sabermetrician
8/11/2009-4:01pm at 4:01 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah, it’s not a bad plan actually.
trs86
8/11/2009-4:03pm at 4:03 pm (UTC -4)
It would be contingent upon Vlad and Delgado wanting to play together and taking short contracts with options and paycuts. It could not be Delgado at 12 and Vlad at 14.
GravediggerHebner
8/11/2009-4:08pm at 4:08 pm (UTC -4)
Then it probably in part depends on whether Delgado comes back or not this year, and if he does come back, does he perform well. If he does come back and perform well he would be much more likely to find more money and/or more years elsewhere.
trs86
8/11/2009-4:15pm at 4:15 pm (UTC -4)
Maybe, but the market has been down on older hitters. Example Abreu, Burrell, etc. I think maybe he does 6-8M with incentives and a mutual option with a buyout that would bring it closer to 8-10 if he walks. Vlad, however, may be a stretch to get for cheap.
stickguy
8/11/2009-4:06pm at 4:06 pm (UTC -4)
I actually don’t mind this plan (or at least, this type of plan. Not sold on Vlad).
The keys to making it work? 1) 1 year deals (or, 1+ options) for the bats, and 2) they keep the prospects, and reasonably think they have guys that wil lbe ready by 2011.
for 2, you can reasonably pencil in (hope?) Davis and F Mart as being in the mix by 2011 as regulars (get some call up time next year). And if not, you find another ST fix, or use the option on Delgado or Vlad.
Or, depending on salary, snag someone like Blalock instead of one of those dudes. He can play OF or 1B, right?
just for God’s sake, no LT deals to old guys please!
Lackey I would like to have, but am just afraid it ends up being 4/65 or even 5 years, and that would be a dumb idea.
GravediggerHebner
8/11/2009-4:10pm at 4:10 pm (UTC -4)
Not sure how you are using “or” in that question so I’ll just say no, Blalock cannot play OF.
trs86
8/11/2009-4:14pm at 4:14 pm (UTC -4)
He can play 1B and if he will come at a decent price that is fine but I don’t see him signing cheap or shorterm. I am thinking he gets 3/30?
wannybackstra
8/11/2009-4:28pm at 4:28 pm (UTC -4)
I tend to agree with TRS, especially since this might be Blalock’s last chance to cash in given his health history.
He’ll take any long-term deal he can get and is my bet to be this year’s Adam Dunn, i.e. the guy who wound up in a bad situation just to get multiple seasons.
trs86
8/11/2009-4:30pm at 4:30 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah, I guess it worked out for Dunn but… I think Dunn went in expecting to get traded though and it did not happen.
trs86
8/11/2009-4:31pm at 4:31 pm (UTC -4)
One thing interesting is that Dunn is putting up a career year IN WASHINGTON.
wannybackstra
8/11/2009-4:49pm at 4:49 pm (UTC -4)
Dunn hits no doubters.
And according to hittrackeronline.com Blalock’s average homerun this year is 408.2 feet (standard distance). He’s about 20th in the league (and about a half foot short of Dunn). That’s probably good Citifield power.
However, one cautionary note is that the list is littered with Rangers — Cruz is #1, Marlon Byrd is 10th and Chris Davis is 15th.
wannybackstra
8/11/2009-4:54pm at 4:54 pm (UTC -4)
According to this page, Vlad might have lost up to 2 or 3 of his homeruns at Citifield.
Those two in the low 400s to relatively CF might not have made it out of Citi.
wannybackstra
8/11/2009-4:54pm at 4:54 pm (UTC -4)
http://www.hittrackeronline.com/detail.php?id=2009_2462&type=hitter