Update (12:19pm): The Angels will pay $21.5MM of the $23.5MM left of Matthews’ deal (over 2 years).
(12:03pm): Matt Cerrone says “the deal is what the deal is” according to people in the Mets organization.
(11:54am): The Mets will send Brian Stokes to the Angels, via Jon Morosi of FoxSports.
(11:30am): The Mets will send a “low salaried pitcher” to the Angels off the big league roster, via Jerry Crasnick of ESPN/BA.
(10:53am): Matt Cerrone of MetsBlog fame is hearing that this may be part of a three-team deal. Stay tuned.
(10:48am): Heyman says on WFAN that Castillo is NOT included in the deal. He believes the Angels may pay $20MM of the $23.5MM that’s due to Matthews.
Via Jon Heyman and his tweeting, the Mets are acquiring Gary Matthews Jr. from the Angels, according to one of his AL sources.
Matthews is due $11MM in 2010 and $12MM in 2011, but according to Heyman, the angels will “pay a lot of $” on his contract. Beltran’s expected back in late April, but the Mets are “concerned.”
Some quick stats:
OPS: .866 (’06), .742 (’07), .675 (’08), .697 (’09)
UZR (OF): 15.5 (’05), 1.0 (’06), -12.3 (’07), -9.3 (’08), -14.5 (’09)
Matthews is 35 years old, and I hope the Mets are getting rid of a contract even though the Angels are paying some of Matthews’. Talk about declining numbers…
421 comments
mrose
1/22/2010-10:35am at 10:35 am (UTC -4)
first thing that comes to mind..
ew
mrose
1/22/2010-10:37am at 10:37 am (UTC -4)
so ones Beltran comes back.. Gary Matthews will be our 4th OF? What happens to Pagan?
WHAT IS GOING ON HERE? LOL
trs86
1/22/2010-10:37am at 10:37 am (UTC -4)
Uh, there better be a LOT of cash involved OR a nice pitcher coming with him.
Hey if they take Perez and Castillo maybe we can talk.
mrose
1/22/2010-10:39am at 10:39 am (UTC -4)
if the Angels are paying a significant amount of salary, this could be Castillo going and receiving GMJ and Cash, which will basically pay for Hudson…
I’m thinking then we are gonna flip Pagan if he has value too…
jaydh
1/22/2010-10:40am at 10:40 am (UTC -4)
I don’t like trading Pagan. Plus at this point we still need him with beltran out for who knows how long.
mrose
1/22/2010-10:41am at 10:41 am (UTC -4)
if we are getting GMJ, who is an OF … then we don’t need one of em
jaydh
1/22/2010-10:42am at 10:42 am (UTC -4)
I agree, once beltran returns, but who knows if beltran will return.
trs86
1/22/2010-10:49am at 10:49 am (UTC -4)
We would still need Pagan as the 4th/5th OF.
wannybackstra
1/22/2010-11:10am at 11:10 am (UTC -4)
Matthews sucks. But the team will need 5 outfielders one way or the other, especially after Pagan gets hurt.
jaydh
1/22/2010-10:38am at 10:38 am (UTC -4)
So who are we trading? Better be castillo or perez like trs said.
njstuckintx
1/22/2010-11:02am at 11:02 am (UTC -4)
And there better be an O-dawg signing notification ASAP. Or Lopez.
mrose
1/22/2010-10:40am at 10:40 am (UTC -4)
fun fact.. its 10:39am and i’m showing Metsblog has still not posted this story, great job Prismo
Mr North Jersey
1/22/2010-10:41am at 10:41 am (UTC -4)
WFAN has announced over the air the Heyman story the power of Twitter amazing!
stickguy
1/22/2010-10:43am at 10:43 am (UTC -4)
GMjr. is a really expensive, not quite as good version of Pagan at this point (but plays good D), right?
Heck, if it takes away Castillo and the $$ is a wash, I can live with him as a spare OF. They do need someone else that can play CF, and disregarding the contract, he can’t be any worse than Sullivan, ya thunk?
Really have to know the players and $$ involved though to appropriately react.
jaydh
1/22/2010-10:47am at 10:47 am (UTC -4)
If this deal doesn’t involve Castillo going to Anaheim, omar should be fired on the spot.
CaseStreet
1/22/2010-10:49am at 10:49 am (UTC -4)
according to UZR he does not play good D.
Also, GMJ wants to play everyday, which is why he wanted to leave LAA.
Plus, he’s not better than Pagan.
I’ll wait till we hear the whole story, but right now it’s yuck.
trs86
1/22/2010-11:01am at 11:01 am (UTC -4)
According to UZR he does not play as well as his peers. LOL…
But also according to UZR he’s a hell of a RF. +24 for his career.
Hey here’s an idea. According to UZR Bay is a better CF than LF so maybe we should move him to CF.
But seriously, here is Matthews UZR for CF. In consistent?
0, .1, 5.2, 7.2, 3.5, -12.3, 1.3, -13.9
fongy2
1/22/2010-11:06am at 11:06 am (UTC -4)
The guy can’t play and never could!!
He was given break after break by MLB
b/c his father was so loved and respected
throughout the game.The only skill he
had a decade ago was chasing flyballs.
He parlayed HGH/’roid abuse for a couple yrs into an absurd contract provided by
The Angels. Since back-off the Juice,
he’s returned to what he was b/f,
barely a 5th OFer in The Majors,however
with a huge contract. Further, He’s 35 years old now.
I don’t use the word often but the guy’s a BUM!
fongy2
1/22/2010-10:48am at 10:48 am (UTC -4)
Holy Mary, Mother of God!
You’ve got to be kidding!?
If they take Castillo AND pay alot of salary, O.K.
BUT otherwise….You’ve got to be kidding!
The guy can’t play!!
Mr North Jersey
1/22/2010-10:48am at 10:48 am (UTC -4)
Heyman on WFAN says Angels paying close to 20 million of contract and Castillo doesn’t appear involved in it
trs86
1/22/2010-10:50am at 10:50 am (UTC -4)
Hmmmm….
Well that deal will have to get the seal of approval from the commish for sure.
I would think they could have dumped Castillo here but I guess cash is cash. Angels most likely would have only sent 8 if Castillo was included.
Mr North Jersey
1/22/2010-10:54am at 10:54 am (UTC -4)
mc’s blog says there may be more to come
“…the people i talk with, in the organziation and connected to the team, are being very quiet, which leads me to believe there is more to do this deal than just the Mets getting matthews…”
jaydh
1/22/2010-10:53am at 10:53 am (UTC -4)
if this is true i am totally disgusted and hate omar even more than before if thats possible.
Mr North Jersey
1/22/2010-10:50am at 10:50 am (UTC -4)
Heyman says Garland and Sheets are top of Mets list
Kingman 26
1/22/2010-10:53am at 10:53 am (UTC -4)
Terrible vile move.
A consistently awful steroid cheat.
Castillo produces. Ollie might get a lot better.
Matthews will not do either.
fongy2
1/22/2010-11:01am at 11:01 am (UTC -4)
Was-up Brock?!…I’m with you on this.
You know I can’t stand Castillo BUT Matthews can’t
play!….AND why not just sign Reed Johnson or Byrnes
to league min to replace Bel-Tron for a month or two??
Kingman 26
1/22/2010-11:06am at 11:06 am (UTC -4)
Hey buddy–I hate this…BUT if it is indeed the beginning of a bigger deal bringing us one of those Red pitchers…..there may be hope.
Otherwise this over your guys at league minimum is inexplicable.
fongy2
1/22/2010-11:18am at 11:18 am (UTC -4)
Hopefully it is!
Dusty is close to Sarge so maybe The Reds
take this bum off our hands, along with
Castillo and someone else and we end up
with Phillips and/or Arroyo…Or even
Harang???
Mr North Jersey
1/22/2010-11:27am at 11:27 am (UTC -4)
fingers crossed
trs86
1/22/2010-11:03am at 11:03 am (UTC -4)
No Castillo yet Kingman.
mrose
1/22/2010-10:53am at 10:53 am (UTC -4)
I agree w/ MC actually… he says the Mets are quiet on this so he thinks its more than meets the eye..
could there be some flipping involved here? I guess we gotta wait this out
metsfan4decades
1/22/2010-10:53am at 10:53 am (UTC -4)
I don’t get this. I know we need another CF right now. What do the Angels get out of this? It’s not a salary dump for them b/c they’re sending a trunk load of cash as well. Is this to make room on their 40 man roster for someone?
So according to the numbers above and the reportedly close to 20 Mil coming along with him, we’re getting a spare OF for about 3 MIL added to the budget?
jaydh
1/22/2010-10:56am at 10:56 am (UTC -4)
i would have rather kept reed or sullivan if true.
metsfan4decades
1/22/2010-11:02am at 11:02 am (UTC -4)
Yeah, me too. But Reed I think already signed a minor league contract when Beltran surgery was announced and Sullivan signed with the Astros last week, if I’m not mistaken.
CaseStreet
1/22/2010-10:58am at 10:58 am (UTC -4)
Prob to make room and he didn’t want to be there anymore because he wants to start.
fongy2
1/22/2010-10:58am at 10:58 am (UTC -4)
Agreed! So, for about 5 million, we’ll have Matthews
and Cora on the 25 man roster??
Seriously, what the heck is wrong with Omar??
trs86
1/22/2010-11:04am at 11:04 am (UTC -4)
What is in it for the Angels is 4 million saved and one less dead weight.
fongy2
1/22/2010-10:57am at 10:57 am (UTC -4)
I just went to re-check on his HGH/ ‘Roid involvement
and he’s already listed as aMet on Wikipedia.
Q) Why wouldn’t Omar just Sign Byrnes or Reed Johnson??
—-Unless Castillo IS included in the deal????
Another thought, it’ll be interesting listening to the awful Sarge Matthews on the Phils broadcasts.
There are few media types who make more subtle,cutting, backhanded comments about our Mets.
There are even fewer, bigger homers in the booth then him.
prismo
1/22/2010-10:57am at 10:57 am (UTC -4)
I’ll continue to update the post as more information is made available. Unfortunately, I have no secret sources of my own.
Mr North Jersey
1/22/2010-10:58am at 10:58 am (UTC -4)
mc blog had this to say
“…there are people in baseball who believe this must be part of a three-team deal, maybe leading to some sort of move with the Reds, and Orlando Hudson, but that is all speculation at this point…”
CaseStreet
1/22/2010-11:04am at 11:04 am (UTC -4)
This is just dumb. Unless we’re moving GMJ to another team, I don’t see how this could make sense.
GMJ is not a good CFer which Pagan is.
When Beltran comes back, GMJ becomes 5th OFer.
Worse part is GMJ has two years left on his contract.
fongy2
1/22/2010-11:07am at 11:07 am (UTC -4)
Gary Matthews Juicer!
trs86
1/22/2010-11:08am at 11:08 am (UTC -4)
That he does, but if they get him for 4 million it’s 2 years 4 million.
Kingman 26
1/22/2010-11:11am at 11:11 am (UTC -4)
Completely and utterly right-on as usul Case. I could not agree more.
trs86
1/22/2010-11:10am at 11:10 am (UTC -4)
“The Angels showed interest in reliever Brian Stokes, but it’s not known if he’s part of the deal. The clubs were discussing minor leaguers.”
Mr North Jersey
1/22/2010-11:11am at 11:11 am (UTC -4)
I sense a lot of unhappy fans with Minaya regarding this trade.
I guess Ankiel would of been a better signing?
mrose
1/22/2010-11:13am at 11:13 am (UTC -4)
i sense people reacting before the smoke clears
Not saying we all may not eventually be unhappy..but come on..let the dust settle
trs86
1/22/2010-11:14am at 11:14 am (UTC -4)
Agreed.
trs86
1/22/2010-11:13am at 11:13 am (UTC -4)
Again, assuming Ankiel would have came here in the first place.
Mr North Jersey
1/22/2010-11:23am at 11:23 am (UTC -4)
Yeah what is wrong with these players?
Remember when players would sign with the highest bidder?
AHHH the good old days
fongy2
1/22/2010-11:37am at 11:37 am (UTC -4)
New York Taxes, Baby!
metsfan4decades
1/22/2010-11:15am at 11:15 am (UTC -4)
To me, it depends on just what the ‘trade’ entails. All we’ve heard so far is we got Matthews and most of the money to pay his contract.
I’m reserving judgment until I hear on who, if anyone, we gave up to get this 5th OF, who wants to be a starting OF….
CaseStreet
1/22/2010-11:12am at 11:12 am (UTC -4)
Hey, maybe we can get Vernon Wells and Jose Guillen, too
fongy2
1/22/2010-11:20am at 11:20 am (UTC -4)
What?? No Aaron Rowand??
wannybackstra
1/22/2010-11:22am at 11:22 am (UTC -4)
I’ll take Brady Anderson over all these guys.
fongy2
1/22/2010-11:26am at 11:26 am (UTC -4)
LOL!…Nice.
Steve Finley???
Oh, and I read Preston Wilson wants to come back.
fongy2
1/22/2010-11:28am at 11:28 am (UTC -4)
And where’s Bruce Boisclair when you need him???
wannybackstra
1/22/2010-11:29am at 11:29 am (UTC -4)
We’re thinking alike today. Finley was the original butt of my joke until Brady came to mind.
At this rate we might wind up with Mookie rather than Preston. Maybe George Foster!
fongy2
1/22/2010-11:34am at 11:34 am (UTC -4)
I don’t know man,
I think George is still pissed at us!
Especially me!…You know
Lee Maz was my All-Time
Favorite Player!
wannybackstra
1/22/2010-11:19am at 11:19 am (UTC -4)
GMJ sucks. No doubt. And the following post is not meant to be a comparison between Pagan and GMJ because I too would take Pagan over GMJ if that choice was presented. But there’s too much Pagan love going on around here on the basis of one good partial season in which his “intangibles” really outshined his productivity and in a not so flaterring way.
Let’s remember that before last season, Pagan hit 259 .316 .406 in the majors and has a career minor league line of .281 .340 .375 which is inferior to his last season of .306 .350 .487.
I’m not discounting the possibility that Pagan could be a good hitter. He’s a toolsy guy. But he’s got no idea how to play and he’s been hurt in every season.
GravediggerHebner
1/22/2010-11:24am at 11:24 am (UTC -4)
I agree with you here and a post you made above about Pagan and FMart’s injury histories. If we’re counting on Pagan and FMart we need backup. GMJ for $3.5 mil over the next two years as insurance on those two getting hurt yet again doesn’t strike me as a terrible idea.
I will be unavailable for about an hour (no I’m not negotiating a trade) so I can’t argue/discuss this but I think even if it’s a stand alone deal it makes some sense to have a veteran player around to pitch in given the aforementioned guys’ health and the uncertainty of what Francoeur might bring.
If it’s part of a bigger deal consider me excited and I look forward to sharing with you what it involves when I’m done negotiating it, I mean finding out about it when I get back from my errands, yeah.
wannybackstra
1/22/2010-11:27am at 11:27 am (UTC -4)
I’ll take all the credit I can get but I said nothing about Fmart and Pagan previously.
Whomever has earned Grave’s praise, please claim your prize!
GravediggerHebner
1/22/2010-12:26pm at 12:26 pm (UTC -4)
I inferred it from your comment which included this phrase:
“But the team will need 5 outfielders one way or the other, especially after Pagan gets hurt.”
But your false modesty is faux-appreciated
CaseStreet
1/22/2010-11:19am at 11:19 am (UTC -4)
I’m following the Mets on twitter, thought this was a funny one:
BREAKING NEWS: NYPD arrest #Mets GM Minaya on drug charges. His work will be used as evidence that he's smoking crack.
Mr North Jersey
1/22/2010-11:25am at 11:25 am (UTC -4)
MC did say there seems to be more to come.
Maybe we can still get Arroyo or Phillips from the Reds.
wannybackstra
1/22/2010-11:28am at 11:28 am (UTC -4)
The only relationship I can see between this trade and the possibility of another would be that someone else likes Angel Pagan a whole lot.
khmustache
1/22/2010-11:26am at 11:26 am (UTC -4)
little late to the party here, but does this make sense to anyone else out there? didn’t we already travel down the “aging veteran with diminishing skills” road already with less than desirable results?
fongy2
1/22/2010-11:27am at 11:27 am (UTC -4)
What “skills”???
mrose
1/22/2010-11:28am at 11:28 am (UTC -4)
is the ability to take HGH a skill?
Mr North Jersey
1/22/2010-11:29am at 11:29 am (UTC -4)
hitting that vein takes accuracy
fongy2
1/22/2010-11:32am at 11:32 am (UTC -4)
Or to quote Mayor Bloomberg’s
“How to shoot heroin” video…
“If you miss the vein, pull the needle out and try another”.
WTF!?!?…….
fongy2
1/22/2010-11:30am at 11:30 am (UTC -4)
Or be named after a pretty good former
MLBer who was well liked and respected
20 years ago???
Mr North Jersey
1/22/2010-11:32am at 11:32 am (UTC -4)
OK everyone put your thinking caps on.
This trade for GMJ has to be part of a bigger deal what can it be?
Mr North Jersey
1/22/2010-11:33am at 11:33 am (UTC -4)
Bye bye Nelson Figueroa
fongy2
1/22/2010-11:35am at 11:35 am (UTC -4)
We hardly knew ya!
wannybackstra
1/22/2010-11:38am at 11:38 am (UTC -4)
I hope that low salaried pitcher is not Fernando Nieve or worse yet, Jon Niese.
fongy2
1/22/2010-11:45am at 11:45 am (UTC -4)
Scary Wanny, I had the exact same thought!
mrose
1/22/2010-12:00pm at 12:00 pm (UTC -4)
correction: bye bye Brian Stokes
Mr North Jersey
1/22/2010-11:36am at 11:36 am (UTC -4)
This from mlb
“Who the Angels will get in return is not yet known, but Minor Leaguers were discussed, and Los Angeles has shown interest in reliever Brian Stokes, the Web site added. ”
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100122&content_id=7953786&vkey=news_nym&fext=.jsp&c_id=nym&partnerId=rss_nym
CaseStreet
1/22/2010-11:38am at 11:38 am (UTC -4)
Seriously, what GM is dumber than Omar that would want GMJ?
SF – Sabean
LAD – Coletti
KC – Moore
CH – Hendry
HO – Wade
Any takers?
saltygary
1/22/2010-11:38am at 11:38 am (UTC -4)
If we can get this guy on some good steroids then this might be a good pickup.
Mr North Jersey
1/22/2010-11:39am at 11:39 am (UTC -4)
Anyone has Arod’s #?
fongy2
1/22/2010-11:41am at 11:41 am (UTC -4)
Holy Crap!…..An Opening day line-up of,
Reyes
Castillo
Wright
Bay
Frenchy
Murphy
Santos
Matthews….Is ugly!….And I mean Rosie O’donnell UGLY!
CaseStreet
1/22/2010-11:47am at 11:47 am (UTC -4)
better than:
Cora
Castillo
Wright
Bay
Frenchy
Murphy
Santos
Matthews
fongy2
1/22/2010-12:22pm at 12:22 pm (UTC -4)
True Dat!!!!!!!
jaydh
1/22/2010-11:39am at 11:39 am (UTC -4)
Omar is totally clueless. Molina, Pineiro and now GMJ.. FIRE OMAR NOW!
trs86
1/22/2010-11:59am at 11:59 am (UTC -4)
Are we getting on him for not signing 2 of them and then bringing in one? I could have done without all 3 and been ok.
jaydh
1/22/2010-12:03pm at 12:03 pm (UTC -4)
no, i’m getting on him for even being interested in these players.
dirtysanchez
1/22/2010-11:45am at 11:45 am (UTC -4)
joe mayo hears brian stokes name being tossed around with LAA
metsfan4decades
1/22/2010-11:45am at 11:45 am (UTC -4)
low salaried pitcher? O.K., they can have Sean Green…..
jaydh
1/22/2010-11:46am at 11:46 am (UTC -4)
ha, thats too smart for omar.
fongy2
1/22/2010-11:47am at 11:47 am (UTC -4)
I don’t understan it!
When you take an absolute bum like Matthews off a
teams hands, whether they pay most of the salary
or not, you’re not supposed to give up anyone!
metsfan4decades
1/22/2010-11:51am at 11:51 am (UTC -4)
Hard to say what’s going on here. So many reports of this is the catalyst for a three way trade, or another, separate trade is in the works, all kinds of rumors.
Have to see how it all shakes out.
I know we needed a backup CF to our backup CF. I can’t help thinking if Matthews really wanted out of LA b/c he wanted to be a starter, he’s going to be one unhappy man in a NY Met uniform…..
fongy2
1/22/2010-12:21pm at 12:21 pm (UTC -4)
Given Matthews’ career and what he’s admitted he’s guilty of AND the amount of
cash he’s stolen based on his fraud…
He shouldn’t be making any demands!
And I mean ANY!
CaseStreet
1/22/2010-11:49am at 11:49 am (UTC -4)
ooh, maybe it’s parnell or feliciano
metsfan4decades
1/22/2010-11:52am at 11:52 am (UTC -4)
Well, that just goes beyond ridiculous, especially Feliciano. And if we are going to give up Parnell, I think he can be packaged in a deal that nets a bit better than Mattews, no?
Or was that sarcasm and it just went right over my head?
CaseStreet
1/22/2010-11:57am at 11:57 am (UTC -4)
I’ll be in full sarcasm mode for the rest of the day
metsfan4decades
1/22/2010-11:58am at 11:58 am (UTC -4)
‘Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports tweets that the Angels will acquire Brian Stokes in the deal.’
Oh, for crying out loud…..
prismo
1/22/2010-11:58am at 11:58 am (UTC -4)
Updated. Say bye-bye to Stokes.
Mr North Jersey
1/22/2010-11:58am at 11:58 am (UTC -4)
Brian Stokes for Gary Matthews Jr? Please tell me there is more to this than meets the eye?
prismo
1/22/2010-12:00pm at 12:00 pm (UTC -4)
The Mets also receive Optimus Prime in the deal, perhaps?
trs86
1/22/2010-12:08pm at 12:08 pm (UTC -4)
LOL, nice catch.
trs86
1/22/2010-12:00pm at 12:00 pm (UTC -4)
Well at least Wanny gets one of his undesirables off the team in Stokes. To bad he is replaced by another.
I reserve judgment until I see how this plays out.
stickguy
1/22/2010-12:01pm at 12:01 pm (UTC -4)
can Omar at least get a prospect back inthe deal? Or is he happy with GMJ and getting to be a laughingstock for another few days?
wannybackstra
1/22/2010-12:04pm at 12:04 pm (UTC -4)
LOL. I knew you would be on top of that!
This brings us back to that discussion last week where we argued over whether the Mets should/would bring in additional bullpen health.
This opens up room for a John Smoltz, Kevin Gregg or Kiko Calero in the bullpen.
trs86
1/22/2010-12:08pm at 12:08 pm (UTC -4)
I am guessing based on the Smotlz rumors it may slide Maine to the pen. Smoltz wants to start.
metsfan4decades
1/22/2010-12:10pm at 12:10 pm (UTC -4)
I don’t necessarily mind a deal for Smoltz but IMO, he should be slated for the pen and used as a spot starter, if necessary. Why keep Maine if we’re not going to use him as a starter and once and for all, see if he’s got what it takes?
wannybackstra
1/22/2010-12:12pm at 12:12 pm (UTC -4)
I thought I read somewhere that Smoltz was open to either role.
I’d be very happy beginning the season with Smoltz pitching the 8th inning while Ryota Figuerosha and Bobby Parnell prove their worth.
trs86
1/22/2010-12:18pm at 12:18 pm (UTC -4)
The Mets are considering John Smoltz for a rotation spot, according to Anthony McCarron of The New York Daily News.
Last Cerrone “gathered” was that he wants to start but would consider BP for the right team.
wannybackstra
1/22/2010-12:22pm at 12:22 pm (UTC -4)
What the Mets are considering for Smoltz is not necessarily what Smoltz would consider for himself.
stickguy
1/22/2010-12:00pm at 12:00 pm (UTC -4)
this makes little sense. Even for Omar. And just when I thought he had taken the hippocratic oath (“1st, do no harm…”)
Stokes is a useful piece to start with. No reason to give that back and pay any salary, since GMJr. had to be a DFA candidate by ST anyway.
And man, he isn’t good.
I really can’t believe that you can’t find another, cheaper, spare OF that can hit better and field better than this stiff (Pagan fits on all 3 coutns, but I guess he can’t BU himself!)
Honest to god, I thought there was no GM dumb enough to take this guy, even for free.
No more cutting him slack. Omar needs to go yesterday, and take with him anyone that signed off on this (potential) mess.
Mr North Jersey
1/22/2010-12:04pm at 12:04 pm (UTC -4)
Bare with me on this. If this is it (Oh please let me be wrong) as down as I am on Minaya I can’t believe he would do this trade what I want to believe is this has Jeff Wilpon’s hands all over it but of course I have no proof merely speculation.
trs86
1/22/2010-12:10pm at 12:10 pm (UTC -4)
Omar is doing NOTHING by himself these days. You can count on that.
Mr North Jersey
1/22/2010-12:19pm at 12:19 pm (UTC -4)
John Ricco will make the announcement.
Press: Did you ever consider going another route for a Centerfielder?
Ricco: Only if it followed the proper process.
Press: what is that process?
Ricco: I’d rather not discuss that at this time.
Press: What can you discuss?
Ricco: next question.
wannybackstra
1/22/2010-12:11pm at 12:11 pm (UTC -4)
Stokes stinks. If this opens up a spot for an upgrade in the pen, a real guy who can do what Putz was supposed to do last year then it could turn into a net gain.
Let’s see if they can sell Smoltz on that role or possibly bring in Gregg.
stickguy
1/22/2010-12:16pm at 12:16 pm (UTC -4)
I vote for gregg.
fongy2
1/22/2010-12:18pm at 12:18 pm (UTC -4)
2nd!!!
Mr North Jersey
1/22/2010-12:01pm at 12:01 pm (UTC -4)
Guys this can’t be it right?
metsfan4decades
1/22/2010-12:02pm at 12:02 pm (UTC -4)
They gave up Stokes for Matthews? This is the best deal we could have done for a temporary backup CF/5th OF?
I’m not saying Stokes is the second coming but I don’t care how much $$ comes with this deal – Stokes should have netted us better than this.
Or again, I’m asking: is there something about Beltran they know that we don’t?
prismo
1/22/2010-12:04pm at 12:04 pm (UTC -4)
Ugly update… Fire Omar.
prismo
1/22/2010-12:08pm at 12:08 pm (UTC -4)
Does Omar have ANY clue about baseball? Or did he just hear “Gary Matthews Jr” and think “Oh, hey…I’ve heard of him. He’s pretty good, right? Let’s get him!”?
stickguy
1/22/2010-12:10pm at 12:10 pm (UTC -4)
saw this on the MC thread. I know a few guys here will get a kick out of it.
dwright5_godsend January 22, 2010 at 11:27 am
Matt: You post, we react. That’s how it works
Log in to Reply
Howboutthat84 January 22, 2010 at 11:29 am
That’s pretty much what having a comment section is for so we can express our opinion. Unless you want us to not say anything and have no comments at all. lol
metsfan4decades
1/22/2010-12:12pm at 12:12 pm (UTC -4)
LOL – haven’t read all the comments over there but if there is a lot of negativity being spewed, I guess we can expect ‘Comments Closed’ to that post soon…..
prismo
1/22/2010-12:13pm at 12:13 pm (UTC -4)
Choke no more January 22, 2010 at 12:06 pm
Guys we should all just relax and stop “overreactingâ€. We get a very good player in GMJ and we trade a reliever who cant throw an 85 mph fastball. Lets all just “relax†and see how this plays out. This is just a “classic met fan Overreactionâ€
………………………NOT!!!!……THIS SUCKS!
hahaha
wannybackstra
1/22/2010-12:19pm at 12:19 pm (UTC -4)
“I mean…”
I can’t take it anymore!!!
CaseStreet
1/22/2010-12:10pm at 12:10 pm (UTC -4)
MYGMISANIDIOT.COM
stickguy
1/22/2010-12:14pm at 12:14 pm (UTC -4)
anyway, no other GM would do this deal without getting a prospect back that they needed. Assuming Omar did this straight up, that should be grounds for an immediate firing. Although since they supposedly have a committee, I guess the people doing the firing would be the oens that signed off on it?
and even if this means that Beltran might be out longer than expected, there was still no reason to get this loser.
Unless he gets flipped, the already ugly fanbase is going to be at pitch fork and torch level this afternoon.
Can’t wait to fire up XM home plate on the way home today!
trs86
1/22/2010-12:20pm at 12:20 pm (UTC -4)
OK lets settle down here. Details are coming out. Angels paying 21.5 Million of 23.5 Million. So we are getting 2 years of a crappy 5th OF for 1 million a year. About what we would have to pay any other crappy alternative.
prismo
1/22/2010-12:22pm at 12:22 pm (UTC -4)
Except that they also lost Stokes, who’s been pretty decent for the team.
It’s not that this deal is going to cripple the Mets in any way…but WHY? Why would you do it?
trs86
1/22/2010-12:25pm at 12:25 pm (UTC -4)
I think the reasoning is they get a backup CF who used to be a starter for insurance and are only paying him 1 million a year.
As for Stokes, he has been OK but the pen is actually crowded and if I recall he can’t be sent down.
Krod, Escobar, Feliciano, Cartruckishi, Parnell, Misch, Nieve, Green, Figgy, Dessens, Everts, and people I have missed are all currently competing for 7 spots.
dirtysanchez
1/22/2010-12:23pm at 12:23 pm (UTC -4)
we would have had to pay 0!!!! we had pagan and we would not be down a young man in the BP?! The same bullpen who only has PF/Krod as a proven and somewhat reliable option. Im sorry im 100% against this move
trs86
1/22/2010-12:25pm at 12:25 pm (UTC -4)
Had to have someone to backup Pagan. Most likely someone with starting experience.
dirtysanchez
1/22/2010-12:28pm at 12:28 pm (UTC -4)
yes…naturally a guy with diminishing feilding ability would be the logica choice at the cost of a bullpen member who was a decent option given the rest of the memebers….
fongy2
1/22/2010-12:29pm at 12:29 pm (UTC -4)
Reerd Johnson?? Byrnes???
dirtysanchez
1/22/2010-12:21pm at 12:21 pm (UTC -4)
What a dumb move…i dont know what else is there to say…even if they sign smoltz, at best he is a one year guy…stokes was what 26/27?!….its not his fault that jerry forgot about him in the bullpen and didnt know how to use the guy…smh…this is a very stupid move…not to mention, GMJ would be COMPETING for a job in ST….i have lost alot of faith in omar…
trs86
1/22/2010-12:22pm at 12:22 pm (UTC -4)
I would not say Jerry forgot about him too much. He logged 70 innings last year giving up 72 hits and K’d 42. As Wanny would tell you we did not lose much there.
dirtysanchez
1/22/2010-12:25pm at 12:25 pm (UTC -4)
I disagree but w/e…nothing that can be done now anyway. Do you feel better with misch,parnell,the japanese guy? Brian would pitch on 6-7 days rest when alot of stats showed he was better if used more frequently….im sorry i just dont see the upside here AT ALL.
trs86
1/22/2010-12:27pm at 12:27 pm (UTC -4)
I really don’t think Stokes was a lock either way. Yes I feel more comfortable with Misch, Parnell and or the Japanese guy. Stokes gives up a lot of hits and k’s few. I liked him but he’s not a guy that I am upset over.
dirtysanchez
1/22/2010-12:30pm at 12:30 pm (UTC -4)
from what ive seen(not in the case of the japanese guy), those guys dont inspire much confidence.
trs86
1/22/2010-12:36pm at 12:36 pm (UTC -4)
Misch has a plus in that he can start and as a LH can get RH out.
stickguy
1/22/2010-12:24pm at 12:24 pm (UTC -4)
I like this guy over on MB. Need to try and recruit him.
Sylow59 January 22, 2010 at 12:13 pm
Ever get the feeling Omar knows he is on the way out and is acting like that snotty kid on the elevator and is pushing all the buttons to piss everyone off.
trs86
1/22/2010-12:26pm at 12:26 pm (UTC -4)
Guys, this is not that bad of a deal. I am sorry but 2 million for 2 years for Matthews and you lose a guy that most likely would have been traded or DFAd anyway. I like Stokes but there were already 12 guys competing for 7 spots.
GravediggerHebner
1/22/2010-12:35pm at 12:35 pm (UTC -4)
TRS after spending most of yesterday locked in mortal combat with you it gives me great pleasure to say I agree with your take on this deal. A back up OF with starting experience in house for the next two years for a mil a year, eminently cuttable at any moment due to his low salary, for a marginal middle reliever is totally fine by me.
If we wanted Reed or Sullivan for that role, OK except they don’t have the starting experience, and I don’t believe they could’ve got Reed Johnson for $1 mil annually so I think it makes sense on a number of levels.
wannybackstra
1/22/2010-12:42pm at 12:42 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah, I think Matthews stinks and I think Stokes stinks. We have lots of guys to compete for Stokes’s job but none currently to compete for Pagan’s backup/5th fifth outfielder.
For even money, which it essentially is, I guess it is worth finding out whether Matthews could re-find his juice.
fongy2
1/22/2010-12:28pm at 12:28 pm (UTC -4)
I agree with just about everyone here!
No Stokes isn’t the second coming of anything and really
just a 10th/11th type Pitcher on almost any staff BUT
he throws hard, works cheap AND would certainly contribute more
to The Mets than Juicer.
And yes, I did think about what I just posted!
He’s such a bad player that as either a starter, or 4th or 5th
OFer will likely contribute less to winning than Stokes as
the 5th or 6th guy in The Pen!
Again, Why not just sign Byrnes or Reed Johnson????
They;re both better player, would have come cheaper and for
less time on the deal. PLUS, you don’t need to give up anyone!
dirtysanchez
1/22/2010-12:33pm at 12:33 pm (UTC -4)
i am in agreement with you fong. No, stokes isnt your lights out reliever but he was very decent,very cheap and YOUNG. Had a strong FB and was working on some breaking pitches. There were other options available and like you said fong…how many games did reed johnson play for the cubs?? You cant tell me he couldnt be a viable backup to pagan…plz. This was a dumb move by the mets plain and simple…
GravediggerHebner
1/22/2010-12:37pm at 12:37 pm (UTC -4)
Byrnes is no insurance for injury being a walking MASH unit himself. If Reed Johnson signs for equal or lesser salary than $1mil annual then I think you have a mild argument there.
trs86
1/22/2010-12:41pm at 12:41 pm (UTC -4)
What good is throws hard if he can’t K anyone?
Also, Matthews is at least semi healthy which we have no idea about Byrnes. If Reed Johnson gets on a team as a 5th OF for less than 1 million I will consider that one.
stickguy
1/22/2010-12:33pm at 12:33 pm (UTC -4)
stokes was far from great. Plus, the BP was already looking over crwoded (especially if they manage to add another lefty), and I do still want to see another late innings arm (gregg ideally, could be smoltz) added. ALthough dumping green would have made even more sense.
Anyway, moving stokes could end up being a net gain for the pen (depending who they bring in to replace him) so no great loss.
And a 2/2 deal is cheap enough for a ML vet BU OF. So far, so good, especially if the available FAs (like reed J.) were un palatable.
What this really boils down to is bringing in arguably the worst player in the majors (at least if you discount minimum wage 25th guys). Can’t hit, can’t field anymore. And that is what is incensing the masses.
Top it off, it will be the cherry on the sundae for the Met bashers that I am tired of hearing from.
Any GM taking on GMJ automatically becomes a giant laughinstock. Only ours was willing to do it (guess he had nothing to lose?).
Not that there is much exposure at this price point, but there is the principle involved.
Now, maybe Omar can trade for Dontrelle and cement his rep as being the dumping ground for terrible contracts? Although at least he just gets the terrible player, not the deal!
dirtysanchez
1/22/2010-12:41pm at 12:41 pm (UTC -4)
thats what im saying..this guy cant field, cant hit…and your trading him away for a young bp arm who throws hard and can be useful. The mets strategy may be to have 100 people try out for 7 spots but lets face it, none of them are really a sure thing. Yes brian wasnt an allstar reliever but
Irigashi(1st year here from japan..mets dont have alot of luck from guys over there)
Escobar(coming back from surgery)
Misch(basically relief for PF)
Green(really….)
While the mets do have alot of people trying out, doesnt mean too much if they are trash to begin with.
mrose
1/22/2010-12:34pm at 12:34 pm (UTC -4)
I have to say…my biggest pet peeve of this offseason is the notion that the Mets are a last place team.
Yes, I will admit I don’t see them as playoff contenders, but last place? These people are just going on “last years” team and acting like all they’ve done is added Jason Bay and a few pieces to that. We are hopefully getting a healthy Reyes back, eventually a Beltran, Johan… how does that not put it back significantly above the nats? UGH!@
GravediggerHebner
1/22/2010-12:41pm at 12:41 pm (UTC -4)
The only way I can realistically see last place happen for the Mets is if 2010 brings fairly similar injury catastrophe that 2009 brought AND more than one of the Nats starting pitchers makes a giant leap in production AND Ian Desmond and Christian Guzman work out as the Nats SS and 2B respectively.
mrose
1/22/2010-12:45pm at 12:45 pm (UTC -4)
exactly.. but the number of people i’ve heard on radio/tv or on blogs say “last place” is unbelievable to me…
GravediggerHebner
1/22/2010-12:50pm at 12:50 pm (UTC -4)
it’s hip, cute and polarizing. Either listeners/readers enjoy reveling in “the crushing blow” the idea bring to New York in general and Met fans in particular, or they are those New York Met fans and they respond, so it generates “buzz.”
Isn’t it nice to know you’re being used and manipulated because you provide response? Cleveland, KC, Houston and Pittsburgh among other cities with baseball teams will never be able to claim such status. If/when the Red Sox, Yankees or now even the Phillies stumble they will experience this “over-wrath” too.
dirtysanchez
1/22/2010-12:47pm at 12:47 pm (UTC -4)
well we are not a last place team but i wouldnt say we are front runners either. I think we can be a competitive team…thats about it.
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