In an attempt to liven things up around the blog. Here are 10 things to look forward to in 2011.
- Jason Bay with something to prove.
- Ike Davis at 1st base
- David Wright at 3rd base
- Mike Pelfrey trying to win 18 games
- Mejia pitching as a starter for the Mets
- HoJo no longer the hitting coach
- More production out of 2nd base
- Watching Angel Pagan try to repeat his 2010 #’s
- MLB announcing All Star Game will be at Citi Fields
- Watching baseball at beautiful Citi Fields
101 comments
rustyjr
10/7/2010-12:39pm at 12:39 pm (UTC -4)
I just don’t get the hojo hate
Mr North Jersey
10/7/2010-12:40pm at 12:40 pm (UTC -4)
I don’t think it’s hate. More like just wanting change.
Prismo
10/7/2010-12:45pm at 12:45 pm (UTC -4)
Have you seen the Mets’ offensive stats?
TRS86
10/7/2010-12:47pm at 12:47 pm (UTC -4)
Don’t hate him just hate the product that has been produced under his watch.
Ceetar
10/7/2010-12:54pm at 12:54 pm (UTC -4)
A product that mostly declined.
TRS86
10/7/2010-12:48pm at 12:48 pm (UTC -4)
I don’t hate Omar or Jerry but….
Mr North Jersey
10/7/2010-12:43pm at 12:43 pm (UTC -4)
stick may not like this but considering the source I would not take it as fact.
@SurfingTheMets Andy Martino
No, Mets aren’t considering a structure like that. Just looking for GM, not club president RT @CS66 Alderson as Pres with a younger GM?
TRS86
10/7/2010-12:47pm at 12:47 pm (UTC -4)
Just about to post the same thing with the same warning.
wannybackstra
10/7/2010-1:03pm at 1:03 pm (UTC -4)
this guy must have wanted omar’s parking spot:
http://bats.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/10/05/why-the-mets-never-cut-perez-or-castillo-no-one-asked/
TRS86
10/7/2010-1:16pm at 1:16 pm (UTC -4)
LOL, Wanny I can’t help that I perceive Rubin as a writer scorned. That does not mean all positive or negative articles should imply anythign.
njstuckintx
10/7/2010-12:51pm at 12:51 pm (UTC -4)
Do you think we’ll see more production from 2B? In my mind, the only way we’ll see that is if Murph wins the 2B job or Havens makes the leap.
Ceetar
10/7/2010-12:53pm at 12:53 pm (UTC -4)
I would provide more production at 2B than we got in 2010.
Tejada will be better than he was, though he shouldn’tbe the st arter.
Castillo over a full year would provide more than we got from 2B this year.
Murphy will be more productive than what we got this year.
You could probably resign Alfonso and get mroe production..
TRS86
10/7/2010-12:54pm at 12:54 pm (UTC -4)
I can’t say that Castillo over a full year would provide more than we got because there’s a good chance Castillo might be done as well as an even better chance that he can’t play everyday.
Ceetar
10/7/2010-12:58pm at 12:58 pm (UTC -4)
I saw very little to suggest Castillo is done to the extent that he’d produce less than what we got this year. Not to say he’s the best option for next year of the bunch I listed. (although I still suspect he might be) I’d rather we look elsewhere.
wannybackstra
10/7/2010-1:04pm at 1:04 pm (UTC -4)
Have you missed his spiffy .315 SLG% over the last three seasons?
The guy’s lone skill is that he can draw a walk. That’s not enough.
TRS86
10/7/2010-1:10pm at 1:10 pm (UTC -4)
Come on Ceetar, guilty until proven innocent. Lets turn this around. What did you see last year that shows he is not done?
Ceetar
10/7/2010-1:37pm at 1:37 pm (UTC -4)
Early in the season he was still drawing his walks, his biggest value. There was a physical issue prior to his DL stint that leads me to believe had to at least have some affect on his declined average. (although his speed was still okay). When he came back (well earlier than he should’ve given the rehab games he didn’t get) he struggled but he started to do well near the end (small sample size, but that was basically the end of the sample, period, so it’s not much to go on)
As i’ve stated before, I think Reyes and Pagan are too good at the top of the lineup to afford another guy that should be up there turning OBP into runs. Unless you reconsider Castillo-Pagan-Reyes-Wright-Bay-Beltran…eh, don’t like pushing one of those guys to 6th.
so in that regard, get rid of Castillo for more of a RBI guy versus a Runs guy. Of course, Tejada fits this same criteria.
wannybackstra
10/7/2010-1:51pm at 1:51 pm (UTC -4)
The highest slugging percentage he achieved all season was .328!
His highest batting average was .279 in game 18 which went down to .258 with an 0 for 5 the next day.
So many excuses for a guy who quite obviously can barely hit the ball out of the infield anymore.
TRS86
10/7/2010-1:55pm at 1:55 pm (UTC -4)
Here’s the thing Ceet, you still did not give even one example of something he did that shows you he is not done. Other than to draw some walks early in the season. I could be wrong but right now I view him as mostly shot.
Ceetar
10/7/2010-2:02pm at 2:02 pm (UTC -4)
Yes, but your assumption he’s done is based on him playing on an injury. (that he got playing hard in game 2 or something) How can you draw satisfactory data from something like that?
wannybackstra
10/7/2010-2:08pm at 2:08 pm (UTC -4)
You think he’s going to get healthy?
TRS86
10/7/2010-2:16pm at 2:16 pm (UTC -4)
Forget my assumption. What evidence did he provide last year that he is not in fact done?
Ceetar
10/7/2010-2:07pm at 2:07 pm (UTC -4)
We c ould go back and forth. IMO the data is not conclusive on either side of the argument.
In April he had nearly a .350 OBP with a unlucky BABIP (.250 or so, compared to a career well over .300)
In August, the last month he had any fulltime playing time his OBP was up to .379 or so. that’s the number i’m lookign at because that’s where I believe his core value is, in getting base in front of guys, swiping a couple of bags, (he did have 8 last year. He’s not a speedster but he’ll keep the pitcher paying attention)
Semanatics anyway. We both agree that we should be going with a non-Castillo option for 2011.
TRS86
10/7/2010-2:17pm at 2:17 pm (UTC -4)
So we are basically only using August because the other months he was injured yet we have to assume that he would be healthy and provide more next year?
Ceetar
10/7/2010-2:25pm at 2:25 pm (UTC -4)
That’s how I see it, his April wasn’t “washed up” either.
njstuckintx
10/7/2010-12:59pm at 12:59 pm (UTC -4)
I hear you turn a nasty double play too. I think they are going to need Uggla like production if they don’t do something serious about the SP/BP.
Ceetar
10/7/2010-1:38pm at 1:38 pm (UTC -4)
Actually, I did play a lot of 2B in little league.
Prismo
10/7/2010-12:54pm at 12:54 pm (UTC -4)
Yes, because it’s almost impossible to see less production.
Ceetar
10/7/2010-12:52pm at 12:52 pm (UTC -4)
I can’t get excited about Mejia. I hope it doesn’t happen. Just like It was hard to be excited about Tejada this year.
The Mets can’t rely on a maybe rookie like Mejia. Sign quality guys to pitch. Dickey, Pelfrey, Niese, sign someone, and then someone with high upside until Santana returns. someone that you gamble will have a good April, and then when Santana returns hopefully by then, you flip him for pieces. a buy-low, sell-high scenario if it works. Otherwise you reelase him becuse he sucks. tada.
Thole behind the plate.
A rejuvinated Beltran.
Santana returning healthy and dominate.
Parnell throwing 100mph.
Reyes.
wannybackstra
10/7/2010-1:06pm at 1:06 pm (UTC -4)
What is going to cause Beltran to become rejuvenated? After nearly a year off he broke down after 64 games.
TRS86
10/7/2010-1:09pm at 1:09 pm (UTC -4)
Most are implying the fact that it’s a contract year and Boras will have a hit out on him if he does not.
njstuckintx
10/7/2010-1:10pm at 1:10 pm (UTC -4)
the one benefit of the doubt i’ll give him on this is that microfracture surgery usually takes a full year to recover from.
the whole bone on bone thing… That i have no defense for.
wannybackstra
10/7/2010-1:10pm at 1:10 pm (UTC -4)
He didn’t have microfracture surgery.
TRS86
10/7/2010-1:12pm at 1:12 pm (UTC -4)
Unless you listen to Will Carroll.
wannybackstra
10/7/2010-1:18pm at 1:18 pm (UTC -4)
Well, so far as I know, Carlos was the only person in the O.R. who has done any talking.
njstuckintx
10/7/2010-1:14pm at 1:14 pm (UTC -4)
Hmm. i thought he did. I stand (or actually sit) corrected.
wannybackstra
10/7/2010-1:18pm at 1:18 pm (UTC -4)
Please, don’t get up on my account!
Ceetar
10/7/2010-1:33pm at 1:33 pm (UTC -4)
I don’t know why we’re viewing this as a negative. That was a positive.
He had inflammation. It happens. it’s common. The bone bruise was actually _better_.
TRS86
10/7/2010-1:09pm at 1:09 pm (UTC -4)
Man oh man, you guys should or really should not see the debate going on over at Metsmerized. One of the most blatantly discriminatory articles I have seen published on any Mets blog and for some they think the topics covered are so much of a fact that it’s ok. Wow.
wannybackstra
10/7/2010-1:12pm at 1:12 pm (UTC -4)
link? ( i don’t feel like being productive today)
TRS86
10/7/2010-1:15pm at 1:15 pm (UTC -4)
http://metsmerizedonline.com/2010/10/i-wonder-why-omar-didnt-trade-for-halladay.html
njstuckintx
10/7/2010-1:23pm at 1:23 pm (UTC -4)
that was pretty ig-nant.
TRS86
10/7/2010-1:24pm at 1:24 pm (UTC -4)
I am not sure even a Braves fan could have came up with that one.
njstuckintx
10/7/2010-1:27pm at 1:27 pm (UTC -4)
The comments back and forth are pretty priceless as well.
TRS86
10/7/2010-1:32pm at 1:32 pm (UTC -4)
Those amazed me just as much. I guess I am out of touch with the Mets blogging community outside of here.
njstuckintx
10/7/2010-1:43pm at 1:43 pm (UTC -4)
I’m as much out of touch as you are. I really don’t understand the racist mind, so to combine that lack of understanding with fiery posters, man oh man, that is one environment i won’t be back to, for sure.
Even now, as I look back at my “ig-nant” comment above (which was done in humor due to the racist-isty of the post) i’m sure it could be taken out of context and taken to be offensive. My apologies if that’s how any of you all read that.
Can’t we all get along and not have to drum up controversial stances to drum up web hits? Can’t we just bring up ollie/castillo and let TRS/Wanny/Fongy/Ceetar go at it?
Ceetar
10/7/2010-2:14pm at 2:14 pm (UTC -4)
Not a huge fan of that site myself.
Nah, I’m done with Ollie and Castillo debate in about 2 hours unless something pertinent happens.
But you won’t see me around in the next two weeks much really anyway.
njstuckintx
10/7/2010-2:35pm at 2:35 pm (UTC -4)
vacation?
wannybackstra
10/7/2010-1:33pm at 1:33 pm (UTC -4)
I hope the owners if this site would exercise its editorial powers and delete such stupidity.
njstuckintx
10/7/2010-1:36pm at 1:36 pm (UTC -4)
+ 1 and agree.
TRS86
10/7/2010-1:52pm at 1:52 pm (UTC -4)
Agreed. Like I said perhaps I am out of touch with the rest of blog world.
metsfan4decades
10/7/2010-3:07pm at 3:07 pm (UTC -4)
+1000
Prismo
10/7/2010-1:36pm at 1:36 pm (UTC -4)
Haha oh boy, I’m going to stay out of this one.
No, I lied. Can’t help myself.
Here’s a little ditty about “racism” in general, not necessarily pertaining to Minaya in specific.
People do have a natural tendency to “like” or “enjoy the company” (etc) people who are similar to themselves. Whether that means gender or race or nationality or any other factor, it’s just how we’re wired. It’s subconscious on the most part, which is why I hesitate to associate the word “racism” with the phenomenon. I believe racism is when one purposefully acts on these tendencies.
To say Omar doesn’t favor players who “look” like him or come from his background is probably faulty. That would of course go for EVERY GM, whether he be latino, white, black, or purple. There have been numerous studies on the subject, and it’s just a fact…people like people who look like themselves.
Can we use Omar’s transaction history as a basis to prove he’s “racist” and favors latino players? I sure as hell wouldn’t. I don’t think the evidence is there, though there may be that extremely slight bias.
So, to recap, I don’t think Omar is racist, but I think bias is inherent in every person. It’s just the level of actions based on the bias that differs.
kistics
10/7/2010-2:30pm at 2:30 pm (UTC -4)
The whole race card thing threw off the point of the article which wasn’t all great either.
CaseStreet
10/7/2010-1:10pm at 1:10 pm (UTC -4)
Looking forward to:
-a All-Homegrown Infield
-Outstanding hitting and fielding from Bay, Beltran and Pagan
-Pelfrey and Niese solidifying the middle of the rotation for years to come
-A new GM and Managers
TRS86
10/7/2010-1:11pm at 1:11 pm (UTC -4)
That’s certainly a good start.
CaseStreet
10/7/2010-2:23pm at 2:23 pm (UTC -4)
Yup, just got to address the top of the rotation, bullpen and bench. Then we’re in there like swimwear.
wannybackstra
10/7/2010-1:17pm at 1:17 pm (UTC -4)
Looking forward to:
*Seeing Thole handle the bat on a regular basis and hoping he gets comfortable enough to swing for the fences at the right times;
*Watching David Wright work with a new hitting instructor who gets him back to hitting the ball to all fields;
*A healthy Jose Reyes that remembers how to get on base;
*Pelfrey pitching like the beginning and end of 2009;
*A bullpen without OOGYs?;
*Ike Davis showing how experience pays off — building on his strong finish to the season;
*Ollie Perez winning 15 games…for the Padres…on the Mets’ dime.
TRS86
10/7/2010-1:22pm at 1:22 pm (UTC -4)
Hey can we trade him for Chris Young? You know by the Mets DFA’ing Ollie and Pads DFA’ing Young? Old school trade right there.
wannybackstra
10/7/2010-1:33pm at 1:33 pm (UTC -4)
A broken brain for a busted arm?
I guess the arm has a better chance of healing.
kistics
10/7/2010-2:24pm at 2:24 pm (UTC -4)
I thought about the exact same thing when I saw Chris Young was released. But I don’t see why Padres would do that….
CaseStreet
10/7/2010-1:22pm at 1:22 pm (UTC -4)
BTW, Ken Burns’ the Tenth Inning is Outstanding
TRS86
10/7/2010-1:22pm at 1:22 pm (UTC -4)
Details?
CaseStreet
10/7/2010-1:32pm at 1:32 pm (UTC -4)
“The film highlights dramatic developments that transformed the game: the crippling 1994 strike that left many fans disillusioned with their heroes; the increasing dominance of Latino and Asian players who turned baseball into a truly international game; baseball’s skyrocketing profits, thanks to new stadiums, interleague play, and the wild card; the rise of a new Yankee Dynasty; the Red Sox’ historic World Series victory; the astonishing feats of Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa and Barry Bonds; and the revelations about performance-enhancing drugs that cast a shadow on many of the era’s greatest stars and their accomplishments.”
TRS86
10/7/2010-1:53pm at 1:53 pm (UTC -4)
Hmmm, as long as there is not too much about roids I might like that one.
CaseStreet
10/7/2010-1:57pm at 1:57 pm (UTC -4)
there’s not and compares it to prior “cheating”
GravediggerHebner
10/7/2010-4:01pm at 4:01 pm (UTC -4)
I haven’t seen a minute of it yet but yours is the first positive review of it I’ve heard (the other, universally negative reviews, came via the twitter accounts of various “industry i.e. paid” baseball writers).
CaseStreet
10/8/2010-9:43am at 9:43 am (UTC -4)
hmm, well, here’s a pretty good review
http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/review-ken-burns-baseball-tenth-inning/
wannybackstra
10/7/2010-1:55pm at 1:55 pm (UTC -4)
According to the Daily News, the Mets have been granted permission by Commissioner Bud to interview Sandy Alderson for GM.
kistics
10/7/2010-2:23pm at 2:23 pm (UTC -4)
Hey folks! Did y’all miss me? I missed you!
For some reason I had hard time getting on to this site and it took forever to load.
Anyways, glad you are all enjoying yourselves.
Mr North Jersey
10/7/2010-2:24pm at 2:24 pm (UTC -4)
WOW!
A KISTICS Sighting.
Who’s next qnsnative718?
kistics
10/7/2010-2:27pm at 2:27 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah.. I guess you can call me the fair weather fan… but I have legit excuse!
Mr North Jersey
10/7/2010-2:28pm at 2:28 pm (UTC -4)
No need 2 explain u r always welcome whenever u can.
kistics
10/7/2010-2:48pm at 2:48 pm (UTC -4)
Thanks buddy.
njstuckintx
10/7/2010-2:34pm at 2:34 pm (UTC -4)
This site loads slow for me on Internet Explore. Works fine with Chrome or Firefox.
kistics
10/7/2010-2:44pm at 2:44 pm (UTC -4)
Ok let me stir up some trouble here, but what do you guys think of trading Pelf & Ike for an ace and a bad contract? Maybe someone like Verlander or King Felix.
Just wanted to see what you guys think.
kistics
10/7/2010-2:47pm at 2:47 pm (UTC -4)
Although this could be very much NY Knicks like move… lol
Mr North Jersey
10/7/2010-2:56pm at 2:56 pm (UTC -4)
OK you wanna stir things up then step up 2 da plate.
Here u go I got one for you.
Sign Carl Crawford and have an outfield next year of Bay Beltran and Crawford with Pagan as 4th OF.
Don’t want Beltran? Then trade Beltran to Boston for Jacoby Ellsbury. Eating $15M of Beltrans contract. then have an outfied of Bay Ellsbury and Crawford with Pagan as 4th OF.
That’s not all. Then call Tampa and trade for Gaarza by getting them to agree to take Niese, Flores, Pagan Thole.
You then have a staff of Gaarza Pelfrey, Dickey and Santana whenever he gets back. Yes you lose Pagan but in his place we add Capt Kirk.
So you have an Opening Day Lineup that includes:
Reyes SS
Ellsbury/Beltran CF
Wright 3B
Bay LF
Crawford RF
Davis 1B
Unknown 2B
Unknown C
Gaarza SP
A rotation of Gaarza, Pelfrey, Dickey,
Parnell/Takahashi CP
That is what I call stirring shyt up/delusional LoL
njstuckintx
10/7/2010-3:00pm at 3:00 pm (UTC -4)
Do Mejia & Gee instead of Niese & Thole for Garza (they have a decent C).
And yes, you made me smile.
Mr North Jersey
10/7/2010-3:01pm at 3:01 pm (UTC -4)
OK done now call ownership we have a plan. LoL
kistics
10/7/2010-3:11pm at 3:11 pm (UTC -4)
I thought I was the crazy one… lol
speaking of the Rays, how about trading for Shields? I know he’s not an ace type, but looks like he has lost some faith from the Rays with his bad pitching this season. But if you translate that into NL and change of scenery, it might actually work out. He’s relatively cheap next season (4.5M) and has 3 more years with club options.
so someone like Duda and Parnell for Shields?
njstuckintx
10/7/2010-3:15pm at 3:15 pm (UTC -4)
No with Parnell. Mets barely have anyone for the BP as it is and Parnell could be the closer next year. But trading for Shields would be a good idea in my book. Prefer to pay more for a Garza time, but I wouldn’t kick the idea of obtaining shields at all.
kistics
10/7/2010-3:21pm at 3:21 pm (UTC -4)
I also prefer Garza over Shields, but given what it would take to get Garza, Shields could be a decent pick up at relatively low cost. His value is low right now, but he has shown that he can pitch well.
njstuckintx
10/7/2010-3:23pm at 3:23 pm (UTC -4)
Agreed
njstuckintx
10/7/2010-2:57pm at 2:57 pm (UTC -4)
Other than the doubt they’d trade an ace thing… I don’t see it as a possibility, only because there are so many holes with the pitching, that packaging pelf away doesn’t help too much. Having King Felix over Pelf would be amazing, but when the 5th stater is Misch… You get my point.
Now, trying to throw a lot of prospects (Tejada, Duda, Gee or some variation of those guys) at Garza or something similar, that would be something I’d be interested in.
kistics
10/7/2010-3:14pm at 3:14 pm (UTC -4)
You are probably right that none of those teams will trade their ace, but my point was to trade Pelf (sell high) while getting a legit ace back. Add that to Johan, you have a stronger 1-2 punch, plus we don’t even know if Johan will be the Johan we all know after the shoulder surgery.
Ceetar
10/7/2010-2:58pm at 2:58 pm (UTC -4)
Think it’s counter productive to trade two pieces than one. Obviously Felix is the best pitcher in the AL this year, but even the best is not _that_ much better than a good pitcher. At least, not enough better that I’d give up a cheap, controlled guy in Ike that seems like he should be the solution at 1B.
kistics
10/7/2010-3:18pm at 3:18 pm (UTC -4)
See I think there’s a huge difference between Felix and Pelf. IMO, Pelf has hit his ceiling and I don’t see him as 16+ win pitcher. However Felix can be that 20+ win pitcher year in and year out.
Also looking at Ike, I know a lot of people like him, but the Mets also have Duda who can hit for power and hit .260-.270 which Ike has done this season. I think Duda is fairly mobile that he won’t be Castillo at 1B, so I think Ike can be expandable.
njstuckintx
10/7/2010-3:19pm at 3:19 pm (UTC -4)
There’s always Murphy for 1B as well.
Murphy for President, 2012! Yes we can!
Mr North Jersey
10/7/2010-3:22pm at 3:22 pm (UTC -4)
OK OK That will be quite enough out of you. Keep that up and I will banish you into the Corn Fields.
njstuckintx
10/7/2010-3:39pm at 3:39 pm (UTC -4)
Big Murph shirts, coming to you in Spring, 2011!!!
Mr North Jersey
10/7/2010-3:40pm at 3:40 pm (UTC -4)
LoL I am going to virtually Bi*ch slap u for that one.
stickguy
10/7/2010-3:33pm at 3:33 pm (UTC -4)
crazy ass trade ideas that make no sense.
Now that is what the off season is all about.
njstuckintx
10/7/2010-3:36pm at 3:36 pm (UTC -4)
would you rather discuss GM Guru/Protege combos?
kistics
10/7/2010-3:36pm at 3:36 pm (UTC -4)
Thanks!
Mr North Jersey
10/7/2010-3:37pm at 3:37 pm (UTC -4)
dude really u need to get laid or sumthin. everything irks u today.
kistics
10/7/2010-3:41pm at 3:41 pm (UTC -4)
well my trade idea is crazy…
Mr North Jersey
10/7/2010-3:36pm at 3:36 pm (UTC -4)
Stick I am guessing you simply are just missing my comments but I am wondering if you have read my offer of You writing something up that covers “moving forward and positive changes.” and I will post it for you. Giving you full credit?
stickguy
10/7/2010-3:41pm at 3:41 pm (UTC -4)
I saw it. will write up something if time allows.
Or, just do a “greatest hits” of my fighting the tides positive posts from the last few days. Whould be enough material there to allow the rest of you to retire.
Mr North Jersey
10/7/2010-3:44pm at 3:44 pm (UTC -4)
Well considering your feelings on what has been posted I figure you would jump at an opportunity to write something u wanna discuss rather than what we r posting here lately.
Just remember the theme “moving forward and positive changes.” OK?
I look forward to your post when u have it ready let me know and If you don’t already have it I will provide u my email so u can send it OK?
stickguy
10/7/2010-3:40pm at 3:40 pm (UTC -4)
someone(s) up top mentioned the mets not plainning on the 2 man for the job concept.
But, if you hire one of th eold guys (like Alderson) that is what you are going to get anyway.
He would be titled GM/Sr. Vp (whatever Omar was) and given “full command” of the ship.
and no way someone his age and level of experience is going to be a 24/7 wired in modern GM, beating the bushes and talking to everyone in sight.
He will do what he did in the past (ditto with Hart, or gillick) and bring in a GM in waiting hot shot young buck (or buckess) as an assistant GM, and they will become the defacto real GM. Sandy would still be the vision guy, master manipulator, organization redoer, and WIlpon distracter.
No way 1 person is going to be able to successfully do both of those jobs, especially not in the 1st year when the entire cultrue/structure of the organization needs an overhaul.
And no way that a newbie in their first GM job is going to get another hot shot to be assistant GM that gets delegated real power.
Now, the Hans of th eworld will try to do everything themselves, with the roster stuff taking priority. So, Paris gets probably an even bigger role in everything else, and nothing changes.