“To be blunt honest with you, I don’t think they really care.” was the reply Howard Johnson gave when asked by WFAN’s Steve Somers in so many words how many of these Mets who Howard Johnson deals with or talks to in Spring Training appreciate or know their history and that Johnson is 3rd on the Mets all time list for homers and rbi’s and 2nd with the doubles?
Johnson a class act always went on to further say that what he likes to be known as is a guy who they trust and a guy who can help them. To which Somers replied “…they should know about you Howard”.
It is a great interview that touches on Wright & Murphy’s struggles in 2009 what his visions is for Murphy in the future, Wright’s added muscles, concerns about Reyes swinging for the fences if he bats 3rd and his son’s impersonation of Somers.
Steve Somers
Thursday, February 25th – Mets great and current hitting coach
Howard Johnson joins Steve to breakdown how the Mets improved
in the off-season.
103 comments
prismo
2/26/2010-7:45am at 7:45 am (UTC -4)
Good interview! Sounds like HoJo’s excited for the upcoming season and thinks some of our guys will have great offensive seasons. His 20+HR/90+RBI goal for Murphy might be a bit optimistic though! My optimistic goal for the season would be 17/80.
DNDJohan aka kistics
2/26/2010-8:21am at 8:21 am (UTC -4)
I’ll take 17/80 from the #7 hitter
stickguy
2/26/2010-10:05am at 10:05 am (UTC -4)
I like his goal. Goals should always be a little bit of a stretch. You gave a realistic expectation, which is slightly different.
And yes, 17-20 and 80-90 for a 7 hole hitter making minimum wage is pretty darned good.
Yes again, I know they play in NYC so should have an unlimited budget for all roster spots, and I know many teams get more production out of 1B. But a cheap 1B like this lets them afford to have one of the top offensive CF (and 3B) in the game, not to mention Bay in LF.
Kingman 26
2/26/2010-10:41am at 10:41 am (UTC -4)
I agree, and I very much hope that the crazy talk about Murph hitting 6th or 8th, and Frenchy hitting 8th is all just nonsense….it HAS to be Frenchy/Murph/Barajas 6-7-8.
metsfan4decades
2/26/2010-10:43am at 10:43 am (UTC -4)
I agree.
stickguy
2/26/2010-11:34am at 11:34 am (UTC -4)
unless you put slappy 8th, and bump everyone else up 1.
At least until Beltran comes back, if you don’t want Reyes 3rd.
pagan/reyes (or reyes/pagan) setting the table.
Then Wright, bay, frenchy, murphy, barajas, castillo (if Jerry really doesn’t want the catcher hitting 8th).
break up the righties and go castillo/reyes/wright/bay/pagan/frenchy/murphy/barajas
Kingman 26
2/26/2010-12:15pm at 12:15 pm (UTC -4)
I still say that with Slappy’s strengths being batting average, OBP, and number of pitches seen, as well as speed (he stole 20/26 last year), batting him 8th absolutely wastes his remaining skills….he has to bat 1st or 2nd to maximize his usefulness.
GravediggerHebner
2/26/2010-12:17pm at 12:17 pm (UTC -4)
I completely agree. I am more open minded to the pitcher 8th and Castillo 9th than I am to Castillo 8th.
Kingman 26
2/26/2010-12:29pm at 12:29 pm (UTC -4)
Yes sir, I also would like this, but Jerry would never do it I don’t think.
Slappy has to hit 9th, 1st, or 2nd.
I am big on the theme of maximizing everyone’s abilities this year, but I am not sure Jerry is da man for this…but, hitting Jose 3rd would be a huge step in this direction.
I have said exactly what you say below, that hitting 1st might be hurting Jose, by forcing him to unnaturally take a lot of pitches. Hit him 3rd, and he might get 40 2B, 20 3B, and 20 HR, and drive in well over 100. And he would STILL have plenty of opportunities to utilize his speed.
metsfan4decades
2/26/2010-8:18am at 8:18 am (UTC -4)
Thanks for posting this.
That was the longest interview I’ve heard with HoJo in a while. I know many don’t care for him as the hitting coach but it sounds like he’s got a plan and knows his guys.
DNDJohan aka kistics
2/26/2010-9:12am at 9:12 am (UTC -4)
I guess everyone is snowed in at home…. This snow is getting ridiculous now…
metsfan4decades
2/26/2010-9:22am at 9:22 am (UTC -4)
When will it stop????
njstuckintx
2/26/2010-9:23am at 9:23 am (UTC -4)
I’m actually jealous.
metsfan4decades
2/26/2010-10:49am at 10:49 am (UTC -4)
I’ve got about a foot and half here I can send you. Just come take it all away, please……
stickguy
2/26/2010-11:35am at 11:35 am (UTC -4)
SJ dodged the bullet. I maybe got 2-3 inches, but it blew around so much, there are a few drifts, but part of the driveway you can see through to the pavement.
GravediggerHebner
2/26/2010-11:39am at 11:39 am (UTC -4)
I’ve got 16-18 inches of wet heavy and it’s still coming down.
GravediggerHebner
2/26/2010-11:58am at 11:58 am (UTC -4)
Update: that 16-18 was just me outback with a tape measure, officially from weather professionals I have 22 inches with 5 more coming.
stickguy
2/26/2010-12:00pm at 12:00 pm (UTC -4)
oh yeah. OC got pounded. My folks live in Rockland, but I haven’t talked to them to see what they got.
This makes up for when we got the 2nd 20, and they got an inch.
My son in Ithaca said they were over 20, and it was still coming down pretty good.
DNDJohan aka kistics
2/26/2010-1:04pm at 1:04 pm (UTC -4)
I measured about 14-16 this morning at around 8. I think we’ve got 2-3 inches since then. Another 5-6 inches over the next day or so…
njstuckintx
2/26/2010-9:13am at 9:13 am (UTC -4)
I’m all for history, but I like the focus on the hitters and they have a job to do mentality.
That said, they all know who HoJo is. If you don’t know or find out about the person who’s teaching you and telling you what to do, you are a clown.
Kingman 26
2/26/2010-9:17am at 9:17 am (UTC -4)
I am with NJStuck…this is ridiculous….HoJo got one of the longest and loudest ovations at the 86 celebration in 06 and also at the last day at Shea.
I think HoJo is being modest, and if this is not the case, then these players are infinitely more self-absorbed than I ever imagined.
stickguy
2/26/2010-10:10am at 10:10 am (UTC -4)
I imagine many of them are very “of the moment” (to put it a little nicer than you did!)
But keep in mind, he retired before many of the young guys were born, and I doubt any of them can remember the glory days of the 80s.
Assuming they even paid any attention to the Mets (as a fan would) in order to know the individual players.
So, I think he meant it to be a bit self deprecating (modesty is a virtue) in that they don’t really know the details, but obviously they know he was a star on the Mets in the old days, and most likely have a general idea about his reputation.
Although I would not be surprised if a few knew no more about Hojo than Warthen (and I know absolutely nothing about him).
Kingman 26
2/26/2010-10:33am at 10:33 am (UTC -4)
Well, you are definitely nicer than me, we can agree on that!
I guess that guys like Reyes and Wright and the others who have been around the last few years should very much know who HoJo is, based on the fan reception he gets at events….I was at the 86 celebration in 06 and HoJo got one of the 2 or 3 loudest ovations.
I remember Warthen as a really crappy pitcher for the Expos in the 1970s….he was baaaaad!
ceetar
2/26/2010-10:42am at 10:42 am (UTC -4)
There’s some of the self-absorbed part of it. And you have to realize, many of these players bounce around from club to club. They can’t be required to study all the history of a team every time they move. It becomes about the coming year, not the past ones. (They should, at least, know that HoJo, the batting coach, was a major part of the championship team) Yeah, Wright should know who HoJo is (and probably does since he was supposedly a Mets fan), and he’ll be the club leader in home runs in not too long.
However, this is a stats thing. I don’t necessarily care if the team is aware of personal statistics, more so than just going out and winning and if they end up breaking records, so be it.
trs86
2/26/2010-10:44am at 10:44 am (UTC -4)
Agreed.
Kingman 26
2/26/2010-10:46am at 10:46 am (UTC -4)
Good points…I am a history nut in general, but I know not everyone is.
And as good as HoJo was for 5-6 years, he was not a HOFer, and is not nearly as known away from NY as other bigger stars.
Mr North Jersey
2/26/2010-11:11am at 11:11 am (UTC -4)
Hellooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Out There!
Is Everyone ok?
Does everyone have internet?
Are the Mets still a team in MLB?
Are You Ready For Some Foo… Baseball?
metsfan4decades
2/26/2010-11:15am at 11:15 am (UTC -4)
Still have power here, for the time being. Wouldn’t surprise me if it went out anytime now. How much snow and ice can these power lines take?
Saw David Lennon complaining about the weather in Port St. Lucie. Said it’s 38 there, 28 in NYC. His comment was ‘What’s the difference?’
What’s the difference? Easy. How about a foot and a half of snow????
Mr North Jersey
2/26/2010-11:18am at 11:18 am (UTC -4)
Yea my heart bleeds for all the media that had to suffer with the wind and cold down in Port St Lucie these last few days lol.
They should get an award for braving the elements to provide us a story.
I am scared to even look out my window.
metsfan4decades
2/26/2010-11:37am at 11:37 am (UTC -4)
Listening to Ed Coleman on the Joe and Evan show right now.
Talking briefly about the weather and Joe says no way, no how should a woman ever lift a snow shovel. Told his wife not to even touch it today, he would take care of it.
A man after my own heart….
ceetar
2/26/2010-12:10pm at 12:10 pm (UTC -4)
Me and my fiancee both went out and shoveled out our cars together. so there.
metsfan4decades
2/26/2010-12:54pm at 12:54 pm (UTC -4)
Ha! Back in the day – as in my youth, not a problem. Now? Not so much….
DNDJohan aka kistics
2/26/2010-1:07pm at 1:07 pm (UTC -4)
Me and my snowblower went out, but it’s still pain the rear especially this thing is half broken…
GravediggerHebner
2/26/2010-11:35am at 11:35 am (UTC -4)
Brandon Tierney just had Rich Coutinho on 1050 and they talked Met lineup. These are not direct quotes but more “gist.”
Tierney: Reyes, Murphy, Wright, Bay, Francoeur, Pagan, Barajas, Castillo.
Coutinho: Reyes, Pagan, Wright, Bay, Murphy, Francoeur, Barajas, Castillo.
Tierney: Reyes 3rd is a terrible idea he’s going to change his whole approach and they need to make him comfortable coming off injury there shouldn’t be any question that he bats leadoff.
Coutinho: I completely agree and so does Reyes when I asked him about batting third he said “I’ll do whatever Jerry wants me to do (pause) but I’m a leadoff hitter.”
Tierney: Exactly. If Omar has any power at all he has to step in here and get Jerry to do the right thing and keep Reyes leadoff.
Coutinho: Well whether Omar has any power at all is a good question.
Tierney: We both agree Jerry isn’t going to be here for long and I assume the organization feels the same way and if they do they can’t let this temporary manager ruin Jose’s season.
Coutinho: I can’t say that’s going to happen but we both agree Jose should lead off. If I knew Beltran would be out the whole season I’d be OK with it but I just don’t see the sense in making Jose change his whole approach and then in 6-8 weeks changing it back. Especially coming off injury.
Tierney: You have Murphy 5th?
Coutinho: Yeah I think you need to break up the right handers and I think Pagan has more speed and is a good fastball hitter, he’ll see lots of fastballs with Reyes on in front of him. I think Murphy has more pop which makes him better suited lower in the order.
So basically these guys think the general manager can just make the lineup and they think that Jose has to change his approach.
I completely disagree that the GM should be making a lineup, ever. I also think the whole idea of Jose batting 3rd is precisely to take advantage of his approach. He’s not patient. Batting him leadoff asks him to be patient. Batting 3rd he can light up the first pitch he sees no problem, that’s more of a problem leadoff.
They didn’t touch at all on their reasoning for Castillo 8th, Coutinho did mention briefly that he could see Castillo 2nd.
I was blown away by how differently I view every aspect of lineup formation than these two professionals.
stickguy
2/26/2010-11:45am at 11:45 am (UTC -4)
Well, the organization (GM and manager) should certainly meet to discuss the players, and make sure they have a common understanding of who should play, and where they should bat.
So while the manager gets to make the day to day decisions, it should be within the framework of the “big picture”.
Reyes again? My answer is, hit him where you need him to hit, but he doesn’t have to change his approach at all.
If anything, they have been making him change his approach (which I define as his natural playing style) to try and pigeon hole him into the mold of a lead off hitter (patient, try to work out walks, etc.) He seems to be more of a natural hacker.
Frenchy now, that would be asking him to change his approach to hit leadoff!
I think it is silly that you would “ruin” Jose’s season asking him to bat 3rd for a month.
And if you want to build the lineup based on natural tendancies, Castillo should lead off, since he is the only guy on the team that thinks take pitches/work out a walk as his primary goal of an AB.
I personally think that Reyes fits best in the 2 hole (from a talent/style standpoint). But with Beltran out, they need to make some adjustments.
GravediggerHebner
2/26/2010-11:53am at 11:53 am (UTC -4)
I completely agree that the GM and Field Manager should have a general philosophy about roster composition that they communicate regularly about, but I think the FM has to be the lineup guy.
If the GM is making the lineup he should just fire the manager, put on a uniform and get in the dugout.
metsfan4decades
2/26/2010-11:53am at 11:53 am (UTC -4)
And Murphy 5th? I don’t get that at all.
Can you imagine the circus this year if the NY media got wind of the fact that Omar was managing the team and not Jerry? And what kind of message does that send to the players?
stickguy
2/26/2010-11:58am at 11:58 am (UTC -4)
well, it should make all the fans that want the Mets to act more like the yankees happy. It will just be the 1970′s version of the Yanks that they are getting!
And the GM can control quite a bit, just by the players he puts on the roster. If they want Murphy to play 1st every day but Jerry plans to play jacobs, just don’t put jacobs on the team!
metsfan4decades
2/26/2010-12:03pm at 12:03 pm (UTC -4)
LOL – except Jerry isn’t Billy Martin. Now that was some circus.
ceetar
2/26/2010-12:18pm at 12:18 pm (UTC -4)
unfortunately.
ceetar
2/26/2010-12:46pm at 12:46 pm (UTC -4)
Actually, I’m sensing a little of that from some of the comments of the Mets. Sounds like they’re working around Manuel, and he hasn’t exactly been on the same page as them last year either.
stickguy
2/26/2010-12:51pm at 12:51 pm (UTC -4)
If true, that drives me nuts. Just can the guy and get someone that will run your billion dollar asset the way you want them to.
I hope he is on a very, very short leash. 1st botched move, gone!
Mr North Jersey
2/26/2010-12:53pm at 12:53 pm (UTC -4)
Anything in particular Ceetar that you have read or heard?
ceetar
2/26/2010-1:20pm at 1:20 pm (UTC -4)
It’s been a couple of days, so I don’t remember specifics. I just remember thinking basically what stickguy says above: “If you have to work around the guy, just can him.”
I remember last year him basically talking about trying not to lose too many whereas the players and Omar were talking about the backups being good enough to keep them in the race.
njstuckintx
2/26/2010-11:59am at 11:59 am (UTC -4)
I like the Murphy in the 2 spot, myself. Murphy in the 5 spot doesn’t make too much sense for me.
Reyes, Murphy, Wright, Bay, Francoeur, Pagan, Barajas, Castillo. pitcher is decent. I guess you could flop Pagan & Murphy. I’ve a feeling his OBP will be higher than Pagans and he has more power. This is based on opinion, so please note I’m wearing my flame retardant suit. No Flames allowed!
trs86
2/26/2010-11:58am at 11:58 am (UTC -4)
What terrible use of resources. And for god sake stop babying Jose Reyes. If he is so weak minded that hitting him 3rd for a while is going to change his approach and ruin him then we got other issues. He should be thinking this a great opprotunity to become more versatile in a contract year. Not saying he is not thinking these things, just saying the reporters for some reason always make him out to be 13 years old and incapable of adjusting to change.
GravediggerHebner
2/26/2010-12:13pm at 12:13 pm (UTC -4)
Well if it lends any context this same host right before this conversation referred to Robinson Cano as “one of the best 2B in baseball.”
I mean yeah I guess so if “the best” is a group of about 10 guys he’s in the conversation.
njstuckintx
2/26/2010-12:18pm at 12:18 pm (UTC -4)
And by best, are you talking due to their fantasy numbers?
I was just thinking whom i would prefer over Cano and I hit 8 without thinking too hard.
GravediggerHebner
2/26/2010-12:29pm at 12:29 pm (UTC -4)
True, based strictly on some key offensive categories that help a fantasy team he is more highly regarded. But his fielding is closer to Castillo’s than it is to say Placido Polanco’s.
Kingman 26
2/26/2010-12:20pm at 12:20 pm (UTC -4)
“I also think the whole idea of Jose batting 3rd is precisely to take advantage of his approach. He’s not patient. Batting him leadoff asks him to be patient. Batting 3rd he can light up the first pitch he sees no problem, that’s more of a problem leadoff.”
By FAR smarter than anything those two clowns said.
I am not sure which is more ridiculous, Murph 5th or Castillo 8th. Castillo hits for average, has a high OBP, sees a ton of pitches, and steals bases….batting him 8th is utterly ridiculous.
stickguy
2/26/2010-12:38pm at 12:38 pm (UTC -4)
the logic usually is that the rest of the bottom of the order (with Barajas especially) the bottom of the order is “obp challenged”. Castillo should be able to get on, and help clear the pitcher.
I still prefer having a 2B with enough offensive skill that we don’t have to spend so much time trying to figure out where in the lineup to hide him, but that is just me.
trs86
2/26/2010-12:46pm at 12:46 pm (UTC -4)
You don’t waste a .400 OBP guy to “clear” the pitcher.
Kingman 26
2/26/2010-12:50pm at 12:50 pm (UTC -4)
You sure don’t.
stickguy
2/26/2010-12:52pm at 12:52 pm (UTC -4)
well, he isn’t exactly a .400 OBP guy anymore. And if he breaks .370 this year, I will be surprised. Or .300 slugging %…
But, that is why I said if they have to put him on the field, hit him 1st where he might be marginally useful, and can’t sac bunt in the 1st inning anymore.
trs86
2/26/2010-1:03pm at 1:03 pm (UTC -4)
.387 last year in that lineup. No reason to think if healthy he won’t be right there again.
DNDJohan aka kistics
2/26/2010-1:15pm at 1:15 pm (UTC -4)
I agree. If Reyes was to bat leadoff, it should be Pagan moving to the 6-8th spot (no 5th spot :p).
Kingman 26
2/26/2010-1:04pm at 1:04 pm (UTC -4)
Stick, his OBP was .387 last year. Slugging .346.
Mr North Jersey
2/26/2010-12:51pm at 12:51 pm (UTC -4)
Does Barajas really deserve to bat anywhere but 8th?
He is a bottom of the order hitter and simply put Castillo is not.
stickguy
2/26/2010-12:54pm at 12:54 pm (UTC -4)
someone posted yesterday about Jerry not liking to hit the catcher 8th. Wonder how true that is, and if he will continue to do it this year?
Kingman 26
2/26/2010-12:59pm at 12:59 pm (UTC -4)
Could that mentality be any stupider?
Deciding where someone should bat based on position rather than their actual stats and performance?
This is too ridiculous; only Jerry.
trs86
2/26/2010-1:04pm at 1:04 pm (UTC -4)
I am guessing the theory is that the pitcher can’t sacrifice a catcher if he is slow. I am not aware of Barajas being Molina slow.
ceetar
2/26/2010-1:21pm at 1:21 pm (UTC -4)
and you know how Manuel loves to bunt.
Kingman 26
2/26/2010-12:56pm at 12:56 pm (UTC -4)
Agreed on both counts!
Mr North Jersey
2/26/2010-1:07pm at 1:07 pm (UTC -4)
Let me see
OPTION 1
S Pagan
S Castillo
S Reyes
R Wright
R Bay
L Murphy
R Francoeur
R Barajas
OPTION 2
S Pagan
R Wright
S Reyes
R Bay
L Murphy
R Francoeur
S Castillo
R Barajas
OPTION 3
S Reyes
S Pagan
R Wright
R Bay
L Murphy
R Francoeur
S Castillo
R Barajas
OPTION 4
S Reyes
S Castillo
R Wright
R Bay
S Pagan
R Francoeur
L Murphy
R Barajas
OPTION 5
S Reyes
S Castillo
R Wright
R Bay
L Murphy
R Francoeur
S Pagan
R Barajas
OPTION 6
S Reyes
S Pagan
R Wright
R Bay
R Francoeur
L Murphy
S Castillo
R Barajas
Personally I like Option 2 but I understand Wright in the 2 slot might be something many frown on so I think Option 1 has more a chance of happening then Option 2.
DNDJohan aka kistics
2/26/2010-1:18pm at 1:18 pm (UTC -4)
How about
Reyes
Castillo
Wright
Bay
Frenchy
Murphy
Barajas
Pagan
Kingman 26
2/26/2010-1:20pm at 1:20 pm (UTC -4)
You guys are really confusing me—why in the world would you hit Barajas 7th, then Pagan, then the pitcher?
DNDJohan aka kistics
2/26/2010-1:25pm at 1:25 pm (UTC -4)
Well.. then
Pagan 7th
Barajas 8th
Johan 9th
I’m okay with either one..
Kingman 26
2/26/2010-1:19pm at 1:19 pm (UTC -4)
Castillo ahead of Barajas?
trs86
2/26/2010-1:23pm at 1:23 pm (UTC -4)
I can’t read that, hurts my head. LOL.
So if this is already posted so be it
Castillo
Pagan
Reyes
Wright
Bay
Francouer
Murphy
Brajas
metsfan4decades
2/26/2010-11:40am at 11:40 am (UTC -4)
Ed Coleman on WFAN with Joe and Evan.
Said that the last spot on the team is between Frank C and Jacobs. Coleman is leaning towards Frank C.
Oh, and the Mets doctors misdiagnosed Frankie’s pink eye. Told KRod that’s not what it was. A couple of days later, they finally got it right. Ed said when he spoke to KRod and he told him that, even he knew it was pink eye.
Don’t know whether to laugh or start lighting candles for the upcoming season with these Met doctors.
GravediggerHebner
2/26/2010-11:43am at 11:43 am (UTC -4)
I’m with Ed, I prefer Cat.
Last night someone asked Adam Rubin about KRod being quarantined for pink eye. He said “I wouldn’t call it quarantined, they sent him home but as I was finishing up my appearance on Daily News Live from Duffy’s KRod came in for dinner with a large group.”
stickguy
2/26/2010-11:56am at 11:56 am (UTC -4)
I would like to think that Carter would also be considered in the mix to try and earn the job.
What point does he have if he isn’t? Unless they only think of him as an OF now, and plan to start him in LF at AAA.
GravediggerHebner
2/26/2010-12:00pm at 12:00 pm (UTC -4)
I think he’s “organizational depth” that the team didn’t have last year (and tried to have last year but the Yankees waiver claim blocked them from having it).
I think his shot at playing in the majors for the Mets this year hinges on injuries to others.
stickguy
2/26/2010-12:10pm at 12:10 pm (UTC -4)
well then he should see plenty of PT, right?
GravediggerHebner
2/26/2010-12:14pm at 12:14 pm (UTC -4)
You’re a bad man!
Mr North Jersey
2/26/2010-12:23pm at 12:23 pm (UTC -4)
Your a very bad man and I don’t like you.
I think I am going to wish you away to the cornfields.
stickguy
2/26/2010-12:39pm at 12:39 pm (UTC -4)
then you are going to go get lost in space?
Mr North Jersey
2/26/2010-12:41pm at 12:41 pm (UTC -4)
lol
DNDJohan aka kistics
2/26/2010-1:22pm at 1:22 pm (UTC -4)
Wouldn’t you rather sacrifice yourself for the Mets to stay healthy this year? I will be at the cornfields this year.. let me know WHEN the Mets win WS in October of 2010. This was the same team to win WS by SI last year.. no?
Kingman 26
2/26/2010-12:23pm at 12:23 pm (UTC -4)
Now now!
Carter is Crash Davis.
Jacobs is really, really bad.
Cat has to be the man if he has a decent spring and is healthy.
njstuckintx
2/26/2010-12:27pm at 12:27 pm (UTC -4)
With your comments in mind, it’s really looking like the Mets got fleeced on this deal, no?
Mr North Jersey
2/26/2010-12:31pm at 12:31 pm (UTC -4)
Fleeced? how? He will be a quality bat off the bench for AAA this year.
Sike no I think let’s wait to see what the 1st 10 day of Spring Training Games shows about Carter and take it from there.
I mean he is my dark horse I have to at least give him 10 games.
GravediggerHebner
2/26/2010-12:33pm at 12:33 pm (UTC -4)
I ultimately agree. I don’t know what lead to their decision, I can only guess that they feared he would accept arbitration if they offered it and they couldn’t/didn’t want to pay him what that would lead to. What they might have been able to get if they kept him, offered him arb then traded him I can’t say if that would’ve been better than what they got.
I think even more than the Mets got fleeced, Carter did. Last September he could’ve played everyday for the Mets and showcased whatever ability he may have to them and all the other clubs at the ML level. Because of the Yankees he didn’t get that opportunity and this is just another in the large pile of reasons for me to hate them.
trs86
2/26/2010-12:39pm at 12:39 pm (UTC -4)
WAY too early to tell. The 2 guys from the Sox have yet to be given a chance and the Sox have yet to even pick anyone from those spots. Then you also have to assume that Wagner indeed does not get re-injured with the Mets and turns down arbitration.
njstuckintx
2/26/2010-12:54pm at 12:54 pm (UTC -4)
I hear you on those concerns, but knowing Wagner wants to close and get to his milestone in saves, I would think he would have declined. He’s no less blocked with the Mets than he would be with the Redsox.
And given the option of Carter vs. 2 earlier picks, I’d take the picks.
I guess I’m shooting from hindsight here, but at the worst, your stuck with a very good lefty at a high price tag. Understand the fiscal responsibility, but what’s an extra 8 million between armchair GMs…
trs86
2/26/2010-1:06pm at 1:06 pm (UTC -4)
THINK he would have declined. This way the Mets KNEW it did not matter and saved his 2009 salary remaining and his buyout while getting a guy who could contribute this season. It was less of a risk and less of a chance for reward. Have no problem with the move.
njstuckintx
2/26/2010-1:17pm at 1:17 pm (UTC -4)
As a diminishing the risks move, you are correct. And the Yankers screwed up his chances of showcasing his talents. I do agree that this COULD turn out to be a good thing. That said, my feelings are I would rather have the 2 picks. Finding AAAA guys doesn’t seem to be all that difficult.
trs86
2/26/2010-1:24pm at 1:24 pm (UTC -4)
Again you are assuming we would have gotten 2 picks. That is still an assumption no matter how you look at it.
DNDJohan aka kistics
2/26/2010-1:30pm at 1:30 pm (UTC -4)
I think it’s a valid assumption that you get 2 picks in return. Mets would’ve had 3 picks before 2nd round.
right now it looks like Mets have #7 and #80something.
njstuckintx
2/26/2010-1:42pm at 1:42 pm (UTC -4)
Kistics, my thinking as well.
Of course there are assumptions in all things. But it would be better chances than a coin flip for him to opt out. He wants those saves.
Mr North Jersey
2/26/2010-12:28pm at 12:28 pm (UTC -4)
Mets misdiagnosed KRod’s Pink Eye?
Oh boy I can see the press release now. “Mets say reports about Misdiagnosing of Pink Eye are unfounded. They just wasn’t sure if it was bacterial?” Ricco to hold Press conference because KRod is in plane to Colorado seeking a 2nd opinion from the “Need Clear Eyes” guy from tv.
Kingman 26
2/26/2010-12:32pm at 12:32 pm (UTC -4)
LOL! This is too much if true….seriously. February 26th and we are in midseason mis-diagnosing form already??
Mr North Jersey
2/26/2010-12:34pm at 12:34 pm (UTC -4)
Don’t look now but I think Kranepool Society is trying to tell us something.
JOIN ME TONIGHT AT 11PM ET FOR THIS CALL TO THE BULLPEN ON BLOGTALK RADIO
Kranepool Society
GravediggerHebner
2/26/2010-12:37pm at 12:37 pm (UTC -4)
I don’t get it. What are they trying to tell us?
GravediggerHebner
2/26/2010-12:36pm at 12:36 pm (UTC -4)
FWIW Evan Roberts is on the air advocating the Jose bats 3rd lineup. He said “as we go to break Met fans take out your pencils and write down your Mets lineup with Jose 1st and Jose 3rd and I think you’ll find with Jose 3rd the lineup is more balanced and more potent.”
Mr North Jersey
2/26/2010-12:38pm at 12:38 pm (UTC -4)
A pencil a pencil now where did I put my #2 pencil?
GravediggerHebner
2/26/2010-12:42pm at 12:42 pm (UTC -4)
“I heard you missed us
We’re back!
I brought my pencil
Give me something to write on!
I got it bad, got it bad, got it bad
I’m Hot For Teacher!”
Mr North Jersey
2/26/2010-12:46pm at 12:46 pm (UTC -4)
LoL yea it was like it snowed in the internet and there was no traffic.
On another note if I didn’t submit this post today was there going to be anything submitted today before 1:00?
Seems like this week it has been slower than what I thought it would be once camp opened.
GravediggerHebner
2/26/2010-1:42pm at 1:42 pm (UTC -4)
I don’t know the answer but here are my opinions.
I think there is light internet traffic because most of our traffic by far comes during the week during the day, when people are at work (ironically when they are being compensated to do other things and theoretically have the least ‘free time’) but today many didn’t get to work due to the snow so they aren’t at their work desks goofing off not doing their jobs.
I didn’t (and still don’t) have a post ready. I am seldom at the computer before 10:30-11:00am. Rusty often covers the morning but I recall him saying Friday was generally a busy/bad day for him.
Mr North Jersey
2/26/2010-12:37pm at 12:37 pm (UTC -4)
Did this happen to you?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFVqfgnZV6M
stickguy
2/26/2010-12:59pm at 12:59 pm (UTC -4)
last random thought on the lineup:
If Pagan hits like he did last year, once Beltran is back, their might actually be better balance (although less raw power?) if the OF was bay, beltran and Pagan (with Frenchy on the bench).
I guess you will see this on occasion when Francour gets a day off.
Lots of line up permutations to utilize all the speed, and it eliminates the problem of too many RH batters (and low OBP guys) in a row.
castillo/reyes/wright/beltran/bay/pagan/murphy/barajas
S, S, R, S, R, S (pagan a switchy?), L, R.
4 speed guys followed by a thumper, then another speed guy for the bottom of the order to pick up.
Kingman 26
2/26/2010-1:08pm at 1:08 pm (UTC -4)
Castillo
Pagan–Beltran
Reyes
Wright
Bay
Frenchy
Murphy
Barajas
Pitcher
I respectfully submit that the lefty/righty thing is an overrated, dying issue. Loads of excellent and title teams have been stacked one way or another. I firmly believe that my lineup maximizes everyone’s abilities.
And Frenchy won’t be sitting for Pagan.
trs86
2/26/2010-1:29pm at 1:29 pm (UTC -4)
I have to disagree on one thing. When Beltran returns I think you can easily readjust the lineup without “messing” people up. I don’t think the #2 spot will be best for him, he has now proven himself enough to be a very good RBI guy. I would hit him 5th I think.