Dustin Keller scores a TD on a pass from Mark Sanchez in today's AFC Championship game
Congratulations to all Real Dirty’s Jets fans. What I deem to be a slightly better than mediocre, but young and talented team, made it into the playoffs through an act of Bobby Valentine (my personal deity), but really stepped up and beat two true playoff teams. The Jets then held their own against the Colts and Peyton Manning, once holding an 11 point lead, and showed their true potential. Mark Sanchez played extremely well for a rookie in the most high pressured game of his life. I think this team and its fans can look forward to the continued development of its young players, and an improved team next season.
Now it’s time to join us Giants fans in the short wait until baseball season begins! Here are some key dates to look forward to…
February 18 – Pitchers & Catchers Report
February 20 – First Workout
February 23 – Position Players Report
February 25 – First Full Workout
March 2 – First Spring Training Game
April 5 – First Regular Season Game
Mark your calendars everyone, baseball season is just around the corner!
We get to see this stud pitch every 5 days!
128 comments
Mr North Jersey
1/24/2010-6:43pm at 6:43 pm (UTC -4)
Pitchers & Catchers woot woot!!!
Any truth to the rumors that S.I. is picking us to win the World Series?
prismo
1/24/2010-7:05pm at 7:05 pm (UTC -4)
LOL is that a joke?
Mr North Jersey
1/24/2010-7:09pm at 7:09 pm (UTC -4)
too early? lol
GravediggerHebner
1/24/2010-6:55pm at 6:55 pm (UTC -4)
Like you Prismo I’m a Giants fan so I’ve been waiting for pitchers and catchers for some time.
It really can’t come soon enough. What exciting new drill will Jerry come up with (like the 80-pitch curveball drill) that might improve one hitter (Beltran) while destroying another (Wright)? Hopefully this year’s drill has something to do with fielding and results in Castillo developing more range (I don’t want to think about who it will turn into an error-making machine).
What rookie will impress? What player we don’t expect to make the roster will force the team to make a difficult decision to fit on the roster or grudgingly send down? The first footage I see of spring training every year is always great, and as you note it’s just around the corner.
Thanks for this post, it put the smile back on my face.
Mr North Jersey
1/24/2010-7:00pm at 7:00 pm (UTC -4)
WelL the good news is Eli Manning is going to the SuperBowl. The bad news is it will be as Peyton’s guest.
Mr North Jersey
1/24/2010-7:12pm at 7:12 pm (UTC -4)
Phillies signed Ruiz to a 3 year deal. I guess with that they are ready to go to war this season with the current team.
stickguy
1/24/2010-7:14pm at 7:14 pm (UTC -4)
they pretty much are going to war in 2011 with that same team too, and most of it in 2012.
Hope for their sake those guys all age gracefully!
Mr North Jersey
1/24/2010-7:16pm at 7:16 pm (UTC -4)
somehow i don’t see you knocking on wood.
GravediggerHebner
1/24/2010-7:15pm at 7:15 pm (UTC -4)
And for the next 3 years too, since they seem to be signing everyone to 3 year deals this week. Looks like the only change soon may be the loss of Werth after this season to free agency.
prismo
1/24/2010-7:21pm at 7:21 pm (UTC -4)
And Moyer! Though I wouldn’t mind if they signed him to another big deal.
GravediggerHebner
1/24/2010-7:23pm at 7:23 pm (UTC -4)
Good point. I keep thinking he’s retired. Then again I keep thinking Brett Favre is retired and I’m watching him on TV playing right now.
trs86
1/24/2010-7:23pm at 7:23 pm (UTC -4)
Don’t want to wake up Kingman and Fongy here but they are going to have some salary issues, especially if they don’t win. Already got 134M committed according to Cots before this signing. Still don’t have salaries listed for 20 players on their 40 man roster. They will be pushing the luxury tax and unless something changes have the highest NL salary by far. I guess to compete with the Yankees…
Mr North Jersey
1/24/2010-7:27pm at 7:27 pm (UTC -4)
Right now I’m too concerned what the Mets will be doing in 2010 to even care about the Phillies possible salary issues.
prismo
1/24/2010-7:30pm at 7:30 pm (UTC -4)
I calculated it a few days ago…and actually used a 3yr/9MM backloaded (2/3.5/3.5) contract for Ruiz (talk about awesome contract prediction skills!). Came out with about $143MM, followed by $138MM for 2011.
So I completely agree with you. A great team if they all stay healthy, but there’s NO payroll flexibility if any major players get injured. Well, unless they’re willing to go all out and become the Yankees as you suggested.
prismo
1/24/2010-7:37pm at 7:37 pm (UTC -4)
Actually it’s a bit less this year. I didn’t realize (at the time) how backloaded Victorino’s contract was. More like $141MM this year.
trs86
1/24/2010-7:50pm at 7:50 pm (UTC -4)
Backloaded does not help luxury tax though.
Kingman 26
1/24/2010-7:30pm at 7:30 pm (UTC -4)
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
GravediggerHebner
1/24/2010-7:36pm at 7:36 pm (UTC -4)
“Thresholds for luxury tax on team payrolls set at $148 million for 2007, $155 million for 2008, $162 million in 2009, $170 million in 2010 and $178 million in 2011.”
So they’ve still got a ways to go. Most of those players not listed will be making the minimum or not that much more than it, and only the pro-rated portion of the minimum for those that are in the minors, if they’re called up at all. I’m not terribly concerned for them on that point.
prismo
1/24/2010-7:39pm at 7:39 pm (UTC -4)
Do you know how they come up with luxury tax numbers? Does the MLB set it alone, or do they have to agree on it with the players union? You’d think with the recession and teams cutting back, they’d keep the luxury tax near where it is instead of shooting it way up every year. The NBA cap’s actually going DOWN.
GravediggerHebner
1/24/2010-7:44pm at 7:44 pm (UTC -4)
I do not know and in the quick googling I just did couldn’t find out how.
I’ve always assumed that there is some formula that is negotiated. I notice there is no information beyond 2011 and I know that the collective bargaining agreement expires 12/2011 so I am guessing they are intertwined.
trs86
1/24/2010-7:56pm at 7:56 pm (UTC -4)
Check out these two sites.
http://dugoutdollars.blogspot.com/2003_06_01_dugoutdollars_archive.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salary_cap#Luxury_tax_in_Major_League_Baseball
GravediggerHebner
1/24/2010-8:01pm at 8:01 pm (UTC -4)
I downloaded a pdf of the actual CBA but it’s like 250 pages long so I’ll get back to you later on whether they cover how the tax is determined and if so how they do it.
trs86
1/24/2010-7:54pm at 7:54 pm (UTC -4)
It takes the average salary of those contracts though as well as benefits. I would say they will push very close to it.
Example
Halladay, Vicki, Blanton, Howard, Polanco, Baez, Schnieder, Gload all count more than their actual salaries this year.
CaseStreet
1/24/2010-7:21pm at 7:21 pm (UTC -4)
Anyone see this nice comparison of F-Mart to Dominic Brown of the Phillies on MetsMinorLeagueBlog.com. Good read for those that are interested.
http://www.metsminorleagueblog.com/2010/01/21/fernando-martinez-dont-give-up-on-him/
trs86
1/24/2010-7:24pm at 7:24 pm (UTC -4)
Saw that, good read. He’s just GOT to stay healthy. Lots of people forget his numbers before being rushed as the savior again.
prismo
1/24/2010-7:25pm at 7:25 pm (UTC -4)
Great read! Thanks for posting the link.
If FMart can stay healthy, he still has plenty of time to develop. Phillies fans regard Brown VERY highly, nice to see how favorably FMart compares to him.
metsfan4decades
1/24/2010-8:31pm at 8:31 pm (UTC -4)
Very nice. Everytime someone on this blog proposed some trade involving FMart this off season, I kept saying I wasn’t quite ready to give up on him yet. Hopefully, neither are the Mets this year.
CaseStreet
1/24/2010-8:41pm at 8:41 pm (UTC -4)
Omar has so much riding on F-Mart. The day he’s traded is the day Omar is making his last stand.
Hopefully Fernando has a healthy season and makes his case to replace Francouer next year.
GravediggerHebner
1/24/2010-8:59pm at 8:59 pm (UTC -4)
That would be ideal.
CaseStreet
1/24/2010-9:12pm at 9:12 pm (UTC -4)
I think Fernando and Niese should both get a good shot to prove they can start in 2011.
If it wasn’t for their injuries last year (they were both having good years), there’s no doubt in my mind that they’d at least be competing for a spot this year.
Mr North Jersey
1/24/2010-9:21pm at 9:21 pm (UTC -4)
I’d be content with FMart just getting through a season without injury.
trs86
1/24/2010-9:24pm at 9:24 pm (UTC -4)
+9×10(3)
trs86
1/24/2010-7:25pm at 7:25 pm (UTC -4)
http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=tSSu2Qy8G9pTSsguHAbeu-A&output=html
Kingman 26
1/24/2010-7:34pm at 7:34 pm (UTC -4)
Wow, yeah, most of those guys without 2010 salaries listed will be making at least 6–8 million each.
Your reality-defying anti-Phil obsession is indeed FAR sillier than what you imagine my pro-Phil feeling to be.
trs86
1/24/2010-7:55pm at 7:55 pm (UTC -4)
All I said Kingman was that they will approach the luxury tax.
Kingman 26
1/24/2010-8:01pm at 8:01 pm (UTC -4)
So what?
They just signed Blanton for 3/24.
They win.
They spend plenty.
There is absolutely nothing whatsoever anywhere to indicate the most miniscule chance that they are anywhere remotely close to having payroll problems.
Why continue this?
The Mets are going to be better off in 2–3 years due to the impending Phillies’ economic woes? Very, very unlikely.
As I have pointed out before, the Phils probably have drawn more revenue the last two years than in their history. And they have probably locked in higher ticket prices for 2010, and possibly much, much higher TV revenue, ad money, stadium sponsorhip dough, etc, and who knows what else.
trs86
1/24/2010-8:06pm at 8:06 pm (UTC -4)
Again Kingman settle down. This was a discussion about the Phillies payroll. I did not say it had anything to do with the Mets. They are clearly the class of the division. However, they will be pushing the luxury tax this year which is exactly what I said.
“they are going to have some salary issues, especially if they don’t win. Already got 134M committed according to Cots before this signing. Still don’t have salaries listed for 20 players on their 40 man roster. They will be pushing the luxury tax and unless something changes have the highest NL salary by far.”
What is anti-Philly here? What is not true? If you want to say that going over the luxury tax is not a salary issue then ok. I am guessing the Phillies and most of the MLB would disagree.
GravediggerHebner
1/24/2010-8:09pm at 8:09 pm (UTC -4)
Uh oh.
“Don’t make me angry, you wouldn’t like me when I’m angry.”
“Hulk Smash!”
trs86
1/24/2010-8:11pm at 8:11 pm (UTC -4)
LOL, I can’t make any innocent comments on here about the Phillies. Kingman comes to the rescue. j/k. Again, I won’t lie to anyone that I hate the Phillies as a team and everything they stand for. I hope they never win another game and their fanbase turns on them like Santa Claus.
HOWEVER, they are the best team in the NL and will have the highest payroll in the NL, approaching the luxury tax based on the best I can roughly count.
GravediggerHebner
1/24/2010-8:15pm at 8:15 pm (UTC -4)
I would agree more with your description of it as an “innocent comment” if it hadn’t begun with “Don’t want to wake up Kingman and Fongy here…”
That seems more like baiting a hook and dropping it in the water to me, but just my friendly opinion.
Now excuse me while I duck & hide behind this overturned table to avoid collateral damage
trs86
1/24/2010-8:18pm at 8:18 pm (UTC -4)
LOL, true. I just know from experience that anytime I mention the Phillies with anything but praise the same thing happens.
dirtysanchez
1/24/2010-7:26pm at 7:26 pm (UTC -4)
Gotta give props to the kid…definitely made a name for himself. Jet fans have something to look forward to for a long time. As a giants fan, I can give some respect.
Kingman 26
1/24/2010-7:32pm at 7:32 pm (UTC -4)
As a Dolphin fan, me too….will be even sweeter beating them twice again next year.
Mr North Jersey
1/24/2010-7:33pm at 7:33 pm (UTC -4)
Sure you would say that. All you Sanchez’s stick up for each other.
GravediggerHebner
1/24/2010-7:37pm at 7:37 pm (UTC -4)
I guess this means that Mark is “Clean” Sanchez.
Mr North Jersey
1/24/2010-7:39pm at 7:39 pm (UTC -4)
lol
Kingman 26
1/24/2010-7:37pm at 7:37 pm (UTC -4)
Great shootout game brewing in NO, 14 all in the 2nd….
Mr North Jersey
1/24/2010-7:38pm at 7:38 pm (UTC -4)
Saints have put some good hits on Favre.
Kingman 26
1/24/2010-7:40pm at 7:40 pm (UTC -4)
Not enough yet, but they are off to a good start!!
Hazmet
1/24/2010-8:00pm at 8:00 pm (UTC -4)
I wish I had a dollar for everytime I’ve heard “and Shockey gets up limping”
Good game so far.
GravediggerHebner
1/24/2010-8:04pm at 8:04 pm (UTC -4)
“Probable” for Shockey means “probable he won’t make it through the whole game.” 8 years in the NFL and he’s never played all 16 games once.
CaseStreet
1/24/2010-8:04pm at 8:04 pm (UTC -4)
BTW, how crazy would it be if the Mets actually pulled off Sheets Wang and Smoltz?
That’d make a very deep rotation w/ plenty of options in case of injury or in case Sheets or Wang need more time to get ready.
Santana
Sheets
Pelf
Wang
Perez
Maine
Smoltz
Niese
Nieve
GravediggerHebner
1/24/2010-8:06pm at 8:06 pm (UTC -4)
I think if they just pulled off Sheets Wang they’d be arrested
metsfan4decades
1/24/2010-8:48pm at 8:48 pm (UTC -4)
LOL.
I still believe, with what’s left – Sheets and a flyer on Smoltz for the BP and spot starter (or rescue starter when one goes down with injury), is the way to go now.
Mr North Jersey
1/24/2010-8:50pm at 8:50 pm (UTC -4)
LoL on what charges Grave?
GravediggerHebner
1/24/2010-8:58pm at 8:58 pm (UTC -4)
Impersonating Lorena Bobbitt.
Mr North Jersey
1/24/2010-9:06pm at 9:06 pm (UTC -4)
Ouch, yep that will do it.
trs86
1/24/2010-8:07pm at 8:07 pm (UTC -4)
Why would all 3 sign with the Mets to compete with each other?
prismo
1/24/2010-8:10pm at 8:10 pm (UTC -4)
Well he said it would be crazy!
CaseStreet
1/24/2010-8:33pm at 8:33 pm (UTC -4)
Isn’t the consensus that the Mets need two more starters and a reliever?
How would they be competing w/ each other? Sheets and Wang make two starters. Smoltz is a reliever.
trs86
1/24/2010-8:36pm at 8:36 pm (UTC -4)
Hmmm. I think Smoltz has said he wants to compete for a starting spot.
Obviously we could use them all. I would, however think that Wang would have to prove he can force Maine out of the Rotation even if it was just Wang and Sheets. Then factor in Smoltz…
metsfan4decades
1/24/2010-8:55pm at 8:55 pm (UTC -4)
O.K. – I hadn’t heard that. Maybe he would rethink his position if he didn’t get any guaranteed offers for starting.
CaseStreet
1/24/2010-8:55pm at 8:55 pm (UTC -4)
yeah, if it did happen, Wang and Maine are both coming off of injury and prob wouldn’t be guaranteed anything.
Just going off of rumors, it seems that the Mets have been linked recently to all 3.
At best though, Omar will bring in a starter (Sheets/Wang)and a reliever who can start (Smoltz).
Mr North Jersey
1/24/2010-8:32pm at 8:32 pm (UTC -4)
Here is a pdf of MLB’s CBA http://www.scribd.com/doc/11066175/MLBPA-CBA
scroll to the bottom of page 97 where it starts off with the following,
(4)
Collection of Competitive Balance Tax Proceeds
(a)On the December 12 following each Contract Year, the Com-missioner’s Office shall notify the Association and all Clubs of anyamounts owed by any Clubs under the Competitive Balance Tax.
Casestreet this is all you it’s in legalese.
trs86
1/24/2010-8:34pm at 8:34 pm (UTC -4)
Those 2 sites I posted seem to break it down quite well. They both report that it’s the trading team responsible for the luxury hit.
Mr North Jersey
1/24/2010-8:41pm at 8:41 pm (UTC -4)
I’m sure they do.
I figured it wouldn’t hurt to see how it is laid in the CBA for those that like that sort of thing.
oleosmirf
1/24/2010-8:37pm at 8:37 pm (UTC -4)
with this rotation im certainly not looking forward to this upcoming season. That can all change though with a Sheets and Garland combo signing…
GravediggerHebner
1/24/2010-8:38pm at 8:38 pm (UTC -4)
“An assignor club that pays cash consideration to defray all or part of the salary obligation of the assignee club for an assigned player shall include such cash consideration in it’s Actual Club Payroll in the contract year in which the cash consideration is paid.”
trs86
1/24/2010-8:40pm at 8:40 pm (UTC -4)
In English the team that pays the bill gets the receipt.
metsfan4decades
1/24/2010-8:50pm at 8:50 pm (UTC -4)
Which, to me, is the only thing that makes sense. If Omar did that trade, taking on that $$ as part of the budget towards the luxury tax, that would have to be the single, most glaring strike against him yet.
GravediggerHebner
1/24/2010-8:56pm at 8:56 pm (UTC -4)
What I feel very confident I have learned is that the Angels are responsible for the luxury tax hit on any money they are paying him.
What I am less certain of is whether the Mets will actually “make” money off this deal because as you noted at MMO GMJ’s total contract AAV is $10,000,000 or if they will be required to consider an AAV of $1,000,000 toward their own luxury tax consideration because they are paying him that annually, as if the Mets have a contract with him for 2 years, $2,000,000.
trs86
1/24/2010-9:22pm at 9:22 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah I caught that too but chose not to think about that because I would be confused. I think for luxury tax purposes you take our AAV which includes the money owed to GMJR, then subtract what the Angels are paying. Not sure if that would end up in a gain or not.
metsfan4decades
1/24/2010-8:53pm at 8:53 pm (UTC -4)
My deepest sympathies to all you Jet fans out there. I’m not a football fan but if I was, I can imagine me being a Jet fan rather than a Giant fan. —-Probably for the same reason I’m a Met fan instead of a Yankee fan.
I really wanted to see the Jets win today just for the entertainment of tuning into MF awhile tomorrow and hearing him have to talk about that win – hahahahaha.
GravediggerHebner
1/24/2010-9:02pm at 9:02 pm (UTC -4)
Agreed. Now he’s going to be unbearably smug tomorrow.
Mr North Jersey
1/24/2010-9:07pm at 9:07 pm (UTC -4)
lol in other words he will be his usual self.
trs86
1/24/2010-9:23pm at 9:23 pm (UTC -4)
LOL, had to go back and make sure you guys were not talking about me.
metsfan4decades
1/24/2010-9:34pm at 9:34 pm (UTC -4)
LOL – absolutely not.
Mr North Jersey
1/24/2010-9:34pm at 9:34 pm (UTC -4)
ok so I am over at bleacher report and i read this
“The Mets are among 15 teams that are expressing great interest in Wang, according to Alan Nero, who represents the former Yankee.”
Now exactly how do you think Mr. Nero defines “great”?
Is it great because they called twice in 1 week? I just love these quotes.
GravediggerHebner
1/24/2010-9:46pm at 9:46 pm (UTC -4)
His agent did a poll of all 30 teams.
How would you describe your interest in Chien-Ming Wang?
A). Phantasmagorical
B). Expialidocious
C). Great
D). Somewhat
E). None
Mr North Jersey
1/24/2010-9:47pm at 9:47 pm (UTC -4)
the funny thing is your probably right.
GravediggerHebner
1/24/2010-9:54pm at 9:54 pm (UTC -4)
Sadly of the 15 remaining teams, 8 responded “somewhat” and 7 responded “none.”
If only 1 team had responded “expialidocious” or “phantasmagorical” Wang would be on that team right now.
fongy2
1/24/2010-9:51pm at 9:51 pm (UTC -4)
Just a word on a bunch of earlier posts,on this thread and the last one…Much of the focus on the defense of the Matthews
deal seems to be “Find me a 5th OFer any better or cheaper”.
My problem, I think the problem Brock has and maybe even Wanny
is that, with all the questions,compounded by whats happened
with Beltran,instead of wasting time with someone like The Juicer
,WHY isn’t Omar tryying to find NOT a 5th OFer BUT a 3rd OFer
who if Beltran comes back healthy as hoped,can be a real good
4th OFer or have value on the trade market later in the season.
RF is not no either, so if you brought in a real player to help
in CF for a month or two and he shows himself to be better than Frenchy,HE becomes a possible trade assest.
Much of the anger with Omar is that with 3 weeks to Pitchers and
Catchers, most of the holes which needed filled haven’t been…
THEN after the Beltran…latest fiasco, he seems to rush to
plug in a CFer, seemingly no matter who he is.
It’s 4 months now since the season ended, we still don’t have a
#2SP, any idea who sets up KRod, what exactly the Catching situation is OR who helps Murphy at 1B.
Then Beltran goes down, leaving only the very questionable Pagan
in CF and it seems Omar’s/The FO’s response is “don’t worry, we’ll take Matthews off The Angels hand”.
And since I was mentioned earlier, who cares what The Phils’ payroll is?? The have the best team in the NL,with almost everyone in their prime,no ?s, except maybe Lidge And their
goal is obviously to Win Another Championship……
Not “play meaningful games in September”!
Mr North Jersey
1/24/2010-10:11pm at 10:11 pm (UTC -4)
Hey Fongy how about that Jets game?
GravediggerHebner
1/24/2010-10:19pm at 10:19 pm (UTC -4)
They’re so over now man. Now it’s all
M-E-T-S Mets! Mets! Mets!
all the time.
fongy2
1/24/2010-10:22pm at 10:22 pm (UTC -4)
The future is bright for The Jets my friend……
For the 1st time in a long time.
GravediggerHebner
1/24/2010-10:11pm at 10:11 pm (UTC -4)
I can’t speak for anyone else but my thoughts which you may or may not agree with as per our usual arrangement to respect each other’s opinions even if we no likey:
I think the reason Omar doesn’t find a 3rd OF (which I’m defining as a starting OF, please correct me if I’m wrong on that) is because if we’re talking a free agent, it seems unlikely to me that a true 3rd OF will sign here knowing that the position is so temporary, otherwise I agree that Randy Winn or someone like that would make a ton of sense. I know I wouldn’t want to sign with the Mets for what might be a month’s work, then a stint on the bench or hope they can trade me. Why would I move to NY for that? Maybe for a lot of money that no one else would otherwise give me, so I would be what some people might consider overpaid. I also might prefer to avoid moving twice in one year even if I’m a multi-millionaire.
If we’re talking about trading for a 3rd OF, obviously unless the guy has a no-trade clause he’s at the Mets’ mercy as to what they do with him (as GMJ is), but a true 3rd OF is certainly going to cost more than Brian Stokes and without knowing what Omar might give up in trade for this true 3rd OF I can’t know what my opinion would be about whether it would be worth it to trade for this person or not.
I do think trading for someone, rather than signing a FA, was the better way to fill this need precisely because the job description is so vague and the position may be very temporary. So in that respect to me Omar did the right thing, but of course we disagree on whether he got an appropriate guy for the job or not and I respect your opinion on that.
I think Omar hasn’t signed a #2 SP because he truly believes in the guys he’s got. I think the only SP he’s even made an offer to (that I’m aware of) is Joel Pineiro and IMO he’s not a #2. On this I strongly disagree with Omar, as I have stated many times over the last few months, so I’m right there with you.
And on the Phils payroll I agree with you I think the concern with it is overstated.
That’s my two cents.
trs86
1/24/2010-10:13pm at 10:13 pm (UTC -4)
According to reports he made an offer to Lackey.
trs86
1/24/2010-10:14pm at 10:14 pm (UTC -4)
But we have no idea or confirmed reports. All we heard is the Mets did not want to go over 3 years.
trs86
1/24/2010-10:12pm at 10:12 pm (UTC -4)
But then the problem is that player has to come through trade and would cost much more than Stokes. Then IF Beltran comes back you have wasted that good prospect on a player that might not be needed. I am assuming that if they had incredible reservations towards Pagan then maybe another guy besides Mathews would be available.
fongy2
1/24/2010-10:21pm at 10:21 pm (UTC -4)
Again, you and I just have much diff views on the
overall talent level of this team.
No matter what,Omar NEEDEd to improve the talent level to compete with the Phils, he hasn’t.
And all we heard last season was “don’t worry,
our big guys are coming back” and we’ll be fine.
Who knows what type of player and in what health Beltran will be when and if he does??
Again, its 3weeks to Ps&Cs and the other questions
remain unanswered.
But hey, At least we have Gary Matthews Juicer….
…err…Junior.
trs86
1/24/2010-10:25pm at 10:25 pm (UTC -4)
So adding Jason Bay to the offense did not improve the team?
Is he supposed to replace Beltran? Seriously? I can’t even think about that. Who the heck is he going to get to replace Beltran’s production without sacrificing this year and maybe the future?
I also believe that Escobar and Iragashi improve the pen.
However, if this is the team we start the MLB season with then yes I will say his off-season as not that successful. But to say that he did not improve the talent of the team, I disagree. Jason Bay is no slouch. If you want to compare him to an unhealthy Delgado and say that is no improvement that is your choice.
fongy2
1/24/2010-10:29pm at 10:29 pm (UTC -4)
Did not say that AND you know better.
From what we had coming out of last ST, Bay pretty much replaces
DelGado’s #s….Except for that..
Where else is the talent level improved OR even equal to what
we had this time last season???
trs86
1/24/2010-10:37pm at 10:37 pm (UTC -4)
“No matter what,Omar NEEDEd to improve the talent level to compete with the Phils, he hasn’t.”
Jason Bay and Daniel Murphy (although I was hoping for a Murphy upgrade) is much better than 2009 Murphy Delgado.
As for other spots improved from last ST. Frenchy over Church is an improvement although obviously not done during the off-season.
I think part of the problem is that many of the positions are locked. I don’t believe Omar was going to improve RF, CF, 3B, SS, and most likely not 2B. Thus it had to come at LF, 1B and Catcher for the offense. LF was upgraded. 1B it seems as though many believe it just needs a backup so that most likely still will be done and catcher I am not really concerned. For that matter you wanted the job to go to Thole and that is for sure not an upgrade yet.
Were we agree is that he has done nothing to upgrade the starting staff. I say give him until opening day and if we are still saying this then without sheer luck Omar will be gone and you will be gripping about Ricco.
fongy2
1/24/2010-11:44pm at 11:44 pm (UTC -4)
And…With rose colored glasses on,
YOU will be defending any move
Ricco makes……
Mr North Jersey
1/25/2010-12:53am at 12:53 am (UTC -4)
Now that is just not fair.
Ricco may not even be the
next GM.
Mr North Jersey
1/25/2010-12:02am at 12:02 am (UTC -4)
Jason Bay in LF one hopes should be better than the 7 that played the position last year
Jeff Francoeur in RF for a full season one hopes will be better than Church in that position last year.
Carlos Beltran in CF one hopes can come back sooner than expected and put up the type of offense he has done in the past when healthy.
Daniel Murphy at 1B for a full season one hopes will be better than Tatis/aging Delgado in that position last year.
Luis Castillo at 2B in 2010 one hopes he can at least duplicate what he did in 2009.
Outside of KRod and Feliciano one hopes the Mets can piece together a solid bullpen
Outside of Santana one hopes that Pelfrey, Maine and Ollie and pitch better than what they showed last season.
One hopes Manuel with a healthy team is much better than what he showed in 2009.
One hopes all this comes true.
trs86
1/24/2010-10:15pm at 10:15 pm (UTC -4)
As for the Phillies, only care what their payroll is as in a discussion that they will be the highest NL team and approaching he luxury tax. If they keep winning that won’t be an issue. If they don’t then it will be.
fongy2
1/24/2010-10:21pm at 10:21 pm (UTC -4)
No kidding?
trs86
1/24/2010-10:26pm at 10:26 pm (UTC -4)
Nope!
Mr North Jersey
1/24/2010-10:26pm at 10:26 pm (UTC -4)
To try and project what problems may arise down the road with the Phillies payroll or if it will be an issue is like trying to predict if the Mets will compete for the playoffs in 2010. There are simply too many unknowns to even bother.
That being said those that do wish to try are more than welcome to of course. Me I got bigger concerns like will the Mets be able to address the need for a front end pitcher and how will they address it?
fongy2
1/24/2010-10:30pm at 10:30 pm (UTC -4)
Agreed and if the Phils next two seasons
go the way the past two have, I’m sure they’d take a 4th place finish or two
three or four years down the road.
trs86
1/24/2010-10:38pm at 10:38 pm (UTC -4)
As for the Phillies, only care what their payroll is as in a discussion that they will be the highest NL team and approaching he luxury tax. If they keep winning that won’t be an issue. If they don’t then it will be.
Mr North Jersey
1/24/2010-10:44pm at 10:44 pm (UTC -4)
Uhm, ok
GravediggerHebner
1/24/2010-10:28pm at 10:28 pm (UTC -4)
Totally unrelated: Have any of you guys ever seen the movie “Meet Joe Black?”
Mr North Jersey
1/24/2010-10:30pm at 10:30 pm (UTC -4)
Great movie
GravediggerHebner
1/24/2010-10:36pm at 10:36 pm (UTC -4)
I had never seen it before. I noticed it was on last night, I read the synopsis it sounded cool, I liked the cast so I thought I’d watch it.
Immediately it sucked me in. I really like the story and how it unfolded. I thought the actors gave very good performances and it was a really great way to pass 3 hours, I truly didn’t notice how long the movie was because it held my interest the whole time.
Then what was roughly the last line of dialogue just didn’t make any sense to me and I wound up thinking about how many movies that are otherwise great just somehow manage to disappoint me with the way they end. So they’re kind of like Mets seasons in that way I guess. Except when a Mets season concludes with a Hollywood Happy Ending I really enjoy it. But in this movie it just wasn’t the way I hoped it would end.
Mr North Jersey
1/24/2010-10:47pm at 10:47 pm (UTC -4)
Fav scene is when he (Pitt) is talkin to the old lady in hospital. ju com tu take me?
GravediggerHebner
1/24/2010-10:47pm at 10:47 pm (UTC -4)
That that was awesome I agree.
fongy2
1/24/2010-10:33pm at 10:33 pm (UTC -4)
My last word of the night is…..I think Vegas will be happy the
next two weeks! Look for The Colts to be 4/5 point favs w/a 46/47 O/U……Lots of action all around!
Take the Colts and the Over!
GravediggerHebner
1/24/2010-10:48pm at 10:48 pm (UTC -4)
I understand that some people take us to task for spending too much time reflecting on all things Metsblog, but at least we’re not alone:
http://www.amazinavenue.com/2010/1/22/1265806/cerronese
Mr North Jersey
1/24/2010-11:10pm at 11:10 pm (UTC -4)
That was awesome i love how he starts with “For better or worse”. LoL
trs86
1/25/2010-12:38am at 12:38 am (UTC -4)
OH my, I may have woken up my family with these:
“He’s built a whole writing style on the basis of his fear of saying anything definite enough that he might have to take it back later if it were proven wrong.”
That followed by this one made me lose it:
by the way, I have my posting privilege back at MB.
you know what I’m sayin’ ?
by fxcarden on Jan 23, 2010 10:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
congrats?
by KeithsMoustache on Jan 24, 2010 2:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Meh…
after being shut out since June, I’ll only post there when constipated.
metsfan4decades
1/25/2010-1:19am at 1:19 am (UTC -4)
I saw that post on AA the other day. Had to chuckle….
This isn’t the only iste I’ve seen post comments along the same vein about Metsblog.
I’m thinking MC is just stubborn enough to think it’s all jealousy.
metsfan4decades
1/25/2010-1:20am at 1:20 am (UTC -4)
Dang. Should have read ‘the only site’.
Where’s that edit button when you need it?
prismo
1/25/2010-4:17am at 4:17 am (UTC -4)
Some of it IS jealousy, but don’t tell anyone.
Mr North Jersey
1/24/2010-11:06pm at 11:06 pm (UTC -4)
According to Yahoo sports here is a breakdown of Mets offseason
Gone:
Nov 4 2009 Brian Schneider C Declared free agency by NY Mets
Nov 4 2009 Carlos Delgado 1B Declared free agency by NY Mets
Nov 5 2009 Ramón MartÃnez SS/2B Declared free agency by NY Mets
Nov 6 2009 J.J. Putz RP Declared free agency by NY Mets (team option declined)
Nov 8 2009 Gary Sheffield LF/RF Declared free agency by NY Mets
Nov 18 2009 Fernando TatÃs 1B/LF/3B/2B/SS/RF Declared free agency by NY Mets
Dec 12 2009 Cory Sullivan CF/LF/RF Not offered contract and became free agent by NY Mets
Dec 12 2009 Jeremy Reed LF/CF/RF/1B Not offered contract and became free agent by NY Mets
Dec 12 2009 Tim Redding SP Not offered contract and became free agent by NY Mets
Dec 12 2009 Lance Broadway RP/SP Not offered contract and became free agent by NY Mets
Jan 21 Brian Stokes RP Traded from NY Mets to LA Angels (for OF Gary Matthews Jr. and cash)
Added:
Nov 30 2009 Ãlex Cora SS/2B/1B Signed as free agent by NY Mets (one-year contract)
Dec 2 2009 Chris Coste C/1B Signed as free agent by NY Mets (one-year contract)
Dec 3 2009 Henry Blanco C/3B Signed as free agent by NY Mets (one-year contract)
Dec 15 2009 Clint Everts RP Signed as free agent by NY Mets (one-year contract)
Dec 16 2009 Ryota Igarashi RP Signed as free agent by NY Mets (two-year contract)
Dec 31 2009 Kelvim Escobar RP/SP Signed as free agent by NY Mets (one-year contract)
Jan 4 Jason Bay LF Signed as free agent by NY Mets (four-year contract)
Jan 7 Jay Marshall RP Acquired off waivers from Oakland to NY Mets
Jan 21 Gary Matthews Jr. CF/RF/LF Traded from LA Angels to NY Mets (with cash for RHP Brian Stokes)
Mind you I only added players that signed a major league contract.
Of the pitchers he added Escobar is the only talent that if healthy will be a steal. Igarashi has no MLB experience and is simply an unknown till proven otherwise and Marshall has all of 49.1 innings of mlb experience.
WHAT IS MISSING? You guessed it starting pitching.
Taking GMJ out of it since he was but a result of Beltran’s surgery our issues going into the off season were
A. Getting a everday LF with pop
B. Getting a catcher
C. Getting starting pitching
D. Making sure we had depth just in case the players injured from last season have a setback
Of this he has addressed A.
He hasn’t adressed B. because if he did he would of never had been after Molina to begin with.
So here we are weeks away from ST and we are still wondering what is Minaya trying to do to address these issues?
I sure want to know
trs86
1/25/2010-12:28am at 12:28 am (UTC -4)
Yup, gotta lot left to do. Fortunately besides starting pitcher all of those other things can still be done quite easily. SP…. I am ok with going hard after Sheets now but we still need a guy like Smoltz to go with him.
Mr North Jersey
1/25/2010-12:34am at 12:34 am (UTC -4)
LoL, that must be what Minaya is saying.
trs86
1/25/2010-12:42am at 12:42 am (UTC -4)
Yup. How bout them Jets?
Mr North Jersey
1/25/2010-12:47am at 12:47 am (UTC -4)
Them Jets is good!
stickguy
1/25/2010-8:20am at 8:20 am (UTC -4)
Well, he did do A, and that was IMO th ebiggest gaping hole. And I guess he did B, adding COste and Blanco.
Not sure about D, unless you count (and I guess we have to) some of the AAA signings, since that is pretty much where you depth comes from, and you do have to count GM I think.
Oh, and for depth, not trading any of the highest level prospects counts as building depth, since they now become more reasonable call up candidates.
B and D were relatively minor (unless you considered Molina an important get) items relative to the others, and can easily be addressed even in ST and via the waiver wire.
So, that leaves C staring us in the face. But at least there are a couple of viable options left, and still the possibility of a trade. Or, Omar really is willing to roll with what he’s got!
IMO, at the beginning of the off season, the best options for the Mets were Sheets (risk/reward), Garland, myers and Harang (salary dump). Never was a fan of Marquis or Pinera, and never thought Lackey was a real option for the Mets (short of an insane contract offer).
So, guess what? There are 3 guys on my list still available (theoreticially of course for Harang).
So, odds are that Omar ends up with 1 of them, right? maybe? Then again, this is Omar… And maybe you get someone like Smoltz to add some depth/competition.
Hopefully this is a big week, since teams need to firm up rosters heading into ST.
Mr North Jersey
1/25/2010-12:16am at 12:16 am (UTC -4)
OFF Topic: I noticed Grave has the Top 3 posts this past week with:
Jason Bay Tells His Side Of The Story
Grave Notions: Why Gary Matthews Jr. Is Here
Pineiro To Mets: “No Thanks.â€
Nice job Grave keep stirring up good debates.
GravediggerHebner
1/25/2010-11:54am at 11:54 am (UTC -4)
Thank you for you kind words sir.
I’d like to tell you that it was a plan on my part but I’m not that smart. Sometimes it just happens. I think it is incredibly weird that the second highest viewed post in the history of this blog is a post game I did August 5th. All thanks and praise go to Mona Lisa.
Mr North Jersey
1/25/2010-2:50am at 2:50 am (UTC -4)
The Bitter Bill was ranting about the Baseball Writers Dinner he attended Saturday and shared what was the highlight of the event.
“All in all it was a great night. Of course, the highlight was when some comedian – with Minaya sitting about 15 feet away – made a Tony Bernazard joke, saying that Mets will hold a Tony B. appreciation night, where every fan that come shirtless and starts a fight with an usher gets in free. Ya know, that doesn’t sound too bad.”
I didn’t know but sounds like someoneone of T.R.D.M.B. to me is moonlighting.
http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/bitterbill/2010/01/cheer-up-mets-fans-its-basebal.html
prismo
1/25/2010-8:46am at 8:46 am (UTC -4)
LOL I’m sorry, but here’s the latest MB poll:
“As a franchise, do you feel the Mets are heading in the right direction or wrong direction?”
The options are “Yes, No, Unsure”
It’s not a yes or no question…
prismo
1/25/2010-8:47am at 8:47 am (UTC -4)
The only correct answer is “unsure.”
CaseStreet
1/25/2010-9:13am at 9:13 am (UTC -4)
lol, just saw that. Unsure is always the correct answer to a MC question
njstuckintx
1/25/2010-9:17am at 9:17 am (UTC -4)
Yes, they are headed in the right and wrong direction.