Just in case if you were wondering about the upcoming off season schedule, MLBTR.com has posted it on their site. Here are some of the more important dates for us Mets fans.
Okay so as you see last night at 11:59 p.m ended the five day window that a team could exclusively negotiate with one of their free agents, and as of 12 :a.m this morning free agents can officially start taking offers from other teams that are willing to pay for their services.
The Mets have/had six such players on their roster that have officially become free agents. Some of them might be retained, others should be allowed to leave here- never to be seen in a Mets uniform again.
Henry Blanco, catcher(39) : I think Blanco should be retained as the back up catcher. I think that Thole still needs to be mentored and Blanco might be the best option on the market.
Fernando Tatis, utility-man, (37) : Fernando was a feel good story back in ’08, winning the Comeback Player of the Year award, but in the last two seasons he has proved that to be an aberration. His limp bat and adequate fielding mucked up the 25 man roster until his injury in mid June ended his season and hopefully his tenure with the Mets .
Elmer Dessens, middle reliever(40): Elmer was one of the few reliable arms in the Mets bullpen ( when he wasn’t in Jerry’s dog house) I think its a toss up if the Mets will tender him another contract, he may very well just retire.
Kelvim Escobar, starter/reliever (34): Escobar is tricky. I feel that the Metsshould only extend a invite to him for spring training just to see if he can still pitch. I am still ticked that Omar gave him a guaranteed contract for 1.25 million dollars without seeing him pitch.
Fernado Nieve, starter/reliever (28): I would only give him a invite to spring training. Yes Jerry overused him in the first month of last season, but I just feel that he will always be an inconsistent pitcher.
Pedro Feliciano, middle reliever, (34): Pedro is a tough one. He has been one of the best pitchers to come out of our pen in recent years. But he is starting to become inconsistent. He is listed as a type B free agent which means if we offer him arbitration and he decline and signs elsewhere we shall receive a sandwich pick for him. I think with the restructuring of our front office and with it the implementation of a new drafting philosophy we should take a chance on Feliciano declining arbitration with the hopes of getting another high end draft pick.
And with that said …. HERE COMES THE INFAMY !!!!!
Today would have been former Mets first baseman Dick Stuart’s 78th Birthday (1932) . He played for the Mets during the ’67 season.
Back-up catcher from the ’90 season, Orlando Mercado is 49 (1961) .
Back up outfielder from ’96-’97, Andy Tomberlin is 44 (1966) .
Mets starting pitcher from the ’99-’01 seasons, Glendon Rusch is 36 (1974) . Rusch’s Mets career was similar to that of Mike Pelfrey’s. Both were rather inconsistent with flashes of brilliance . But Rusch just couldn’t ever get it together and take his game to the next level.
Starting pitcher from ’04- ’05, Kris Benson is 36 (1974).I think all of us male Mets fans preferred his wife Anna better !
Middle reliever from the ’07 team, Willie Collazo is 31 (1979) .
New York Mets signed free agent Rick Reed on November 7, 1995. This was a under the radar signing and possibly one of Steve Phillips best. Reed was a career minor leaguer who crossed the picket line during the strike of ’94. He was one of the best Met pitchers for the next five seasons , but he would always be a pariah in the clubhouse for his ” insolence” to the players union.
Florida Marlins signed first baseman/ outfielder, Brian Daubach of the New York Mets as a free agent on November 7, 1996.
I would like to wish my friend Sharon Chapman the best of luck with her running of the New York City Marathon today !!!
Mo Vaughn’s least favorite horror movie is “The Blob” !!!
8 comments
kingman 26
11/7/2010-10:24am at 10:24 am (UTC -4)
I pretty much agree all around.
Blanco is a fine backup and tutor to Thole.
Tatis should not be considered for even a second; Evans can have his role.
Dessens–Eh. Was good, and if he comes real cheap he might be useful at the back end of the pen, but not someone to get excited about either way.
Escobar–Yes, a bad move last year, and sure, if it costs nothing, bring him to FLA and see if he can throw.
Nieve–Totally agree. A spring invite.
Feliciano–Also totally agree. Arbitration is the way to go–if he accepts and wins, we are only committed to one year; and we get the pick if he goes.
As for Anna Benson, while she definitely was better looking and probably a better pitcher than her husband, she was quite frightening when she opened her moronic mouth.
Mr North Jersey
11/7/2010-10:47am at 10:47 am (UTC -4)
Nice calendar but once you went into 2011 you should of added 1sr day pitchers n catchers report.
rustyjr
11/7/2010-10:52am at 10:52 am (UTC -4)
Like I stated in my column I got the calendar from mlbtr I honestly am not sure when p& c start
metsfan4decades
11/7/2010-11:02am at 11:02 am (UTC -4)
It’s looking like we need almost an entire BP. Who do we have guaranteed besides KRod and Parnell?
Might as well invite all relief arms to ST if they’re not signed with another team. Oh, except Green, but that’s my opinion. Wouldn’t surprise me to see him in ST. Sigh…..
rustyjr
11/7/2010-11:06am at 11:06 am (UTC -4)
Lol green & acosta are givens but this new pitching coach , hershiser might straighten them out
Mr North Jersey
11/7/2010-11:54am at 11:54 am (UTC -4)
for future reference.
Nov. 7, 2010
Free agent filing period and exclusive negotiating window ends at 12:01 a.m. ET. Free agents can sign with any team
Nov. 9, 2010
AL Rawlings Gold Glove Awards
Nov. 10, 2010
NL Rawlings Gold Glove Awards
Nov. 10, 2010
Louisville Slugger Silver Slugger Awards
Nov. 15, 2010
AL, NL Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year Awards
Nov. 16, 2010
NL Cy Young
Nov. 17, 2010
AL & NL Manager of the Year
Nov. 16-17, 2010
General Managers Meetings, Orlando, Fla.
Nov. 17-18, 2010
Owners Meetings, Orlando, Fla.
Nov. 18, 2010
AL Cy Young
Nov. 22, 2010
NL Most Valuable Player
Nov. 23, 2010
AL Most Valuable Player
Nov. 23, 2010
Last day for teams to offer salary arbitration to free agents in order to preserve their right to draft-pick compensation
Nov. 30, 2010
Last day for free agents to accept salary-arbitration offers
Dec. 2, 2010
Last day for teams to tender 2011 contracts to players under reserve
Dec. 6-9, 2010
Winter Meetings, Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
Jan. 5-15, 2011
Salary arbitration filing period
Jan. 18, 2011
Salary arbitration figures exchanged
Feb. 1-21, 2011
Salary arbitration hearings
Feb. 13, 2011
Voluntary Spring Training reporting date for pitchers, catchers and injured players
Feb. 18, 2011
Voluntary Spring Training reporting date for non-pitchers and catchers
March 1, 2011
Mandatory Spring Training reporting date for all players
March 2-11, 2011
Contracts of unsigned players may be renewed
March 28, 2011
Deadline to request unconditional release waivers without having to pay the player’s full 2011 salary
March 31, 2011
Opening Day
http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/schedule/important_dates.jsp
GravediggerHebner
11/7/2010-11:50am at 11:50 am (UTC -4)
I largely agree with your suggestions for the Mets free agents Rusty.
I guess if I differ anywhere it would be with Escobar.
I think in a more intangible way he’s a symbol of the “former Mets way” and for that reason, plus the reason that there are literally tens if not hundreds of guys available who offer at least as much of a realistic chance of making the team and performing adequately as he does, the team should look elsewhere and just not bother with him at all.
stickguy
11/7/2010-2:14pm at 2:14 pm (UTC -4)
offer arb to Pedro, and i would be fine if he declines.
Green should be non-tendered.
the rest, no more than a ST invite type of deal.