Let’s congratulate the Nationals in what will be their first major salary dump of their franchise.
As much as I want to see the Nats build a winner, I have to disagree with the Werth move-especially when it involves 126 million dollars. In my opinion, he’s just a Yankee waiting to happen. It was a nice pleasant surprise watching the Nationals the past year, they have some really nice kids and seem to be heading in the right direction, that is until they pulled a move like they did this week.
But what does this have to do with the Mets?
Not much except for the fact that what the Nats did was tie their own hands for any free agent signings that they really might need in the future. Can you see Werth playing out his contract with Washington? I can’t, but I can see him play for a team that really needs him, as long as their willing to pick up, say half, of what’s owed him from the rest of that contract. Did I say Yankees? But then again, with his age, Werth may not be healthy enough to finish it anyway. But it comes down to this, if the Nats are going to start throwing money around(and they claim not to be finished yet), I don’t want to hear them wine about how they are hamstrung. The Nationals joined the big leagues this weekend with their big name, big contract acquisition of Jayson Werth. I think they they picked the albertross, the money is too much, the player is too old, the contract is too long and the team might not be ready.
Welcome to the club boys.
129 comments
wannybackstra
12/10/2010-9:07am at 9:07 am (UTC -4)
What the hell is an “albertross?”
Prismo
12/10/2010-9:16am at 9:16 am (UTC -4)
I don’t know, but an albatross is “something burdensome that impedes action or progress.”
rustyjr
12/10/2010-9:22am at 9:22 am (UTC -4)
Read the poem Rhyme of the ancient mariner
Prismo
12/10/2010-9:27am at 9:27 am (UTC -4)
Yes, it’s albatross, not albertross.
Ceetar
12/10/2010-9:36am at 9:36 am (UTC -4)
Albertross is what happens if Pujols marries Diana Ross and changes his name.
TRS86
12/10/2010-9:35am at 9:35 am (UTC -4)
I don’t have a clue what you are talking about.
PS. Gonzo, you owe me one. LOL.
Prismo
12/10/2010-9:36am at 9:36 am (UTC -4)
He probably saw it somewhere else and assumed that was the right way to spell it – it’s not like it’s an ordinary every-day word. I saw it used all over the past few days, and every time was spelled albertross, to my dismay. I wasn’t going to say anything here though, so you can blame wanny.
TRS86
12/10/2010-9:39am at 9:39 am (UTC -4)
Well… because of my golf game I know full well what albatross means….
Mostly because to get under 100 I need one on 18 LOL.
Ceetar
12/10/2010-9:44am at 9:44 am (UTC -4)
I’ve never played golf. I keep meaning to.
njstuckintx
12/10/2010-9:49am at 9:49 am (UTC -4)
It’s 5 hours of beer, funny pants, frustration and that one time you hit the ball absolutely perfect and you think to yourself, “I bet I can do that on every swing… This game ain’t so hard.”
Ceetar
12/10/2010-9:51am at 9:51 am (UTC -4)
I’d need clubs and a partner first, that’s the big obstacle
njstuckintx
12/10/2010-10:16am at 10:16 am (UTC -4)
Yeah, having someone to commiserate with at your bad shots is a necessity.
kistics
12/10/2010-9:53am at 9:53 am (UTC -4)
You are missing out… on the most frustrating sports in your life….
oleosmirf
12/10/2010-9:39am at 9:39 am (UTC -4)
i love how Cerrone (and other “experts”) still have Tejada as the favorite to be the 2B. Have they not listened to Collins and Sandy whom have both said that both will be in AAA.
Ceetar
12/10/2010-9:44am at 9:44 am (UTC -4)
Where is Cerrone hyping Tejada? He reposts so much links and other stuff that It’s hard to decipher what his actual opinion is sometime. Personally, I wish he’d cut the MLb Trade Rumors stuff about guys like Crawford who have zero effect on the Mets.
I mean, sure, if Tejada hits .400 in Spring Training anything could happen, but right now he’s clearly not ready for the majors.
oleosmirf
12/10/2010-10:02am at 10:02 am (UTC -4)
“I see Emaus, Daniel Murphy, Justin Turner and Ruben Tejada all competing for two or three similar jobs in Spring Training” considering only two of those play SS, he is inferring that Tejada has a good shot to make the team.
on SNY Popper and the other guy (was it Lennon?) feel Tejada is the best for job and will inevitably get the job.
kistics
12/10/2010-10:11am at 10:11 am (UTC -4)
I thought it was made pretty clear by Sandy and Collins that Tejada will be in the minors.
stickguy
12/10/2010-10:43am at 10:43 am (UTC -4)
I saw in a piece today a note that turner was out of options. News to me, as I thought he could go to the minors for 2011. Wonder which is true?
also a comment from Collins that he doesn’t see turner as suitable for SS for more than 1-2 days to give jose a rest. NP by me, since he should be playing eveyr day, and if he hits the DL someone will get claled up to play SS.
oh, that assumes that the new FO won’t carry a guy that can’t play for 10 days at a shot.
TRS86
12/10/2010-11:09am at 11:09 am (UTC -4)
Well hopefully all he would need to do is play SS for 1-2 days. Anything longer than than should be a DL stint and you can call up Tejada or someone.
oleosmirf
12/10/2010-12:22pm at 12:22 pm (UTC -4)
exactly
wannybackstra
12/10/2010-2:49pm at 2:49 pm (UTC -4)
Under Omar, someone needed to have a limb hanging off before they went on the DL.
stickguy
12/10/2010-3:55pm at 3:55 pm (UTC -4)
be a man. It’s just a flesh wound.
njstuckintx
12/10/2010-10:12am at 10:12 am (UTC -4)
As far as Werth being an Albatross, it’s definitely a grander scale, but this is similar to Omar offering a huge deal at 4 years to Pedro, whom we all knew would never be effective for the lift of the contract. But it started a movement of credibility (until they crushed that to a pulp). Maybe this is their start of that.
TRS86
12/10/2010-10:37am at 10:37 am (UTC -4)
If they were going that route then they should have just offered Lee 7/200. They would have gotten a better return.
njstuckintx
12/10/2010-10:38am at 10:38 am (UTC -4)
They still may.
TRS86
12/10/2010-10:42am at 10:42 am (UTC -4)
Then to me they really will be the laughing stock. Even those 2 will not make them contenders.
njstuckintx
12/10/2010-10:47am at 10:47 am (UTC -4)
Hey man, I hear you. But in 2 years when their 3-4-5 batters are Zimmerman/Harper/Worth and their 1-2-3 in the rotation is Lee/Strasburg/Lannan or whomever, they may go from laughing stock to maybe just a chuckle stock to even possibly a “well, they paid way to much, but they are pretty good” stock.
fongy2
12/10/2010-10:52am at 10:52 am (UTC -4)
Well… We don’t know that. Just as many guys as highly rated as Harper coming out of H.S. have been complete
busts as have ever even made a living in the bigs.
njstuckintx
12/10/2010-11:00am at 11:00 am (UTC -4)
understood, but the odds on harper, based on his past work, hitting the majors (and quickly) is high.
TRS86
12/10/2010-11:00am at 11:00 am (UTC -4)
What past work?
stickguy
12/10/2010-11:05am at 11:05 am (UTC -4)
he had a SI cover. Don’t you read?
oh, and a year of JC. Not sure if that prepares you for Roy Halladay though.
njstuckintx
12/10/2010-11:09am at 11:09 am (UTC -4)
I’m coming off as a Nats apologist, which I am not. My whole point is that at some point, the Mets in some altered way were in Nats shoes in that they had to change a culture, and pay top dollar to do it (as in Pedro Martinez.) The change in that culture led to others being willing to come to the Mets, where an “all things being equal money wise, i’d lean towards the Mets vs. another” type scenario.
Yes, the Nats certainly paid too much and will come to regret it at some point down the road, but seeing the production the Mets got out of Pedro for those last 2 years of his contract, I know I regretted them signing that as well.
TRS86
12/10/2010-11:15am at 11:15 am (UTC -4)
Thing is I can’t see how Werth has a positive effect on those wanting to come to the Nats the way Pedro would. If anything the only thing that Werth does is show the other FA that the Nats are stupid.
TRS86
12/10/2010-11:00am at 11:00 am (UTC -4)
That still will not be enough to get them where that type of money would need to get them. Also that’s placing a lot of stock in a guy that has never played in an MLB game and one guy who will be coming back from TJ. Also is that the same Lannan that had 143 innings of 1.56+ WHIP and 4.65 ERA?
Remember this year’s offense may even take a step back considering the difference in Dunn and Werth as well as the likelihood of trading Willingham. I just don’t think they are in the position to go all in right now.
njstuckintx
12/10/2010-11:15am at 11:15 am (UTC -4)
So change out lannan for zimmerman. Let’s not get all nitpicky here on the details.
TRS86
12/10/2010-11:20am at 11:20 am (UTC -4)
OK, so you are still relying on someone who has never produced up to that potential. That’s just the thing, the cast they have is still too much of a question mark to say they will be good in 2 years even with Lee and Werth.
njstuckintx
12/10/2010-11:22am at 11:22 am (UTC -4)
We’ll have to leave it at “time will tell” and chat about something else then.
TRS86
12/10/2010-11:28am at 11:28 am (UTC -4)
Sounds good. I am tired of Nats talk around here anyway. Lets discuss a team that has not finished last for 15 years.
njstuckintx
12/10/2010-11:31am at 11:31 am (UTC -4)
The Yanks?
TRS86
12/10/2010-11:33am at 11:33 am (UTC -4)
Now that would really turn ugly. We could talk about the uber gritty Marlins who always have tons of untapped potential.
fongy2
12/10/2010-10:42am at 10:42 am (UTC -4)
You’re right TRS. I argued with many who couldn’t understand why the Phils moved him and then went and got Oswalt.
Lee made it clear along time ago, he was going FA AND was going to the highest bidder. Look, I like Werth who a real good
4th,5th,6th player on a winning team BUT to pay him Superstar money for 7 yrs to be THE guy is crazy.
stickguy
12/10/2010-10:46am at 10:46 am (UTC -4)
I am curious to see how werth responds now that he has the “big man” tag (or at least contract), and probably gets installed in the 4 hole. Will he relax and thrive, or put a ton of pressure on himself and struggle?
Many Philly people wonder what happened to him this year, since he was horrid in big spots overall (a big reason he only had 85 RBIs). Lots of speculation that he was pressing, knowing he was playing for his contract (not that it ended up mattering!)
fongy2
12/10/2010-10:50am at 10:50 am (UTC -4)
I think he was. Started out the seasom great and went through a couple months where he did very little. Also, this was while they had alot of injuries so he obviosly couldn’t carry the team himself.
TRS86
12/10/2010-11:07am at 11:07 am (UTC -4)
The 85 RBI is not really that surprising. The guy has never had a season with 100 RBI and his next high was the 85 he had last year. Also his SLG % was only .463 on the road last year (.599 at home… hmmmm). That number is pretty consistent with his road numbers from 2009, his best season. To me the Nats just paid 120M+ for a .280, .375, .475 .850 guy. In other words, Jason Bay.
Prismo
12/10/2010-11:20am at 11:20 am (UTC -4)
Well the Red Sox paid $142M for a .296, .337, .444, .781 guy.
TRS86
12/10/2010-11:21am at 11:21 am (UTC -4)
I think that would NOT be a good way to judge Crawford. LOL.
fongy2
12/10/2010-11:49am at 11:49 am (UTC -4)
agreed
wannybackstra
12/10/2010-2:53pm at 2:53 pm (UTC -4)
Why? Because he steals bases?
And will he steal so many bases in 5 years?
njstuckintx
12/10/2010-10:49am at 10:49 am (UTC -4)
Agreed, it was excessive.
Maybe 4 for 60 on Dunn would have been best. He doesn’t carry that grit stigma, that apparently has some value.
stickguy
12/10/2010-11:03am at 11:03 am (UTC -4)
who knows, maybe the Nats sign Reyes next off season. Pay extra, so he can lead the dance team between innings to entertain the fans (I added that for Knog).
Or the yankees get involved. that never ends well.
I guess a year from now we will find out where he goes.
njstuckintx
12/10/2010-11:21am at 11:21 am (UTC -4)
Per MLBTR
The Braves signed George Sherrill to a one-year deal worth at least $1.2MM. The agreement, which is official now that Sherrill passed his physical, could be worth as much as $1.4MM if the left-hander reaches certain incentives.
TRS86
12/10/2010-11:22am at 11:22 am (UTC -4)
Good deal for them I guess. Maybe he rebounds but man has he been terrible.
wannybackstra
12/10/2010-2:53pm at 2:53 pm (UTC -4)
Still pitched well v. lefties. And for that price you can justify making him into an OOGY.
Mr North Jersey
12/10/2010-11:28am at 11:28 am (UTC -4)
Nice loving the Nats talk today. It’s a good read.
TRS86
12/10/2010-11:30am at 11:30 am (UTC -4)
LOL.
Mr North Jersey
12/10/2010-11:31am at 11:31 am (UTC -4)
For the record I think the Werth signing was a mistake.
TRS86
12/10/2010-11:32am at 11:32 am (UTC -4)
It would honestly be hard to find someone who did not.
Prismo
12/10/2010-11:34am at 11:34 am (UTC -4)
Jayson Werth.
Scott Boras.
njstuckintx
12/10/2010-11:36am at 11:36 am (UTC -4)
Carl Crawford. Jose Reyes (come 2012).
Prismo
12/10/2010-11:38am at 11:38 am (UTC -4)
Yep, pretty much every semi-big to big name free agent for the next 50 years, as Alderson talked about in an interview yesterday. The Nationals set a disturbing precedent.
TRS86
12/10/2010-11:39am at 11:39 am (UTC -4)
Even those guys, as happy as they may be, are laughing at the Nats for that deal.
njstuckintx
12/10/2010-11:42am at 11:42 am (UTC -4)
I still feel like the Nats made out with a chick you were dating at the time or stole your lollipop when you were a kid or something.
Players are so freaking thankful that the Nats did that. The only laughing they are doing is to the bank.
njstuckintx
12/10/2010-11:42am at 11:42 am (UTC -4)
It’s comparable to Sylow with Murphy.
TRS86
12/10/2010-11:45am at 11:45 am (UTC -4)
Actually I just don’t see it. Why should we respect a team that has finished 4th or lower since 2002 and only above 4th one time since 1996.
TRS86
12/10/2010-11:46am at 11:46 am (UTC -4)
Overall (3167-3502 W-L, 1969 – 2010) – 1 Playoff Appearance
Doesn’t that say it all?
njstuckintx
12/10/2010-11:33am at 11:33 am (UTC -4)
For the CD and 8 track, I do as well. But I think the Petey Signing was too.
TRS86
12/10/2010-11:34am at 11:34 am (UTC -4)
Thing is the Pedro signing is mostly hind sight. Although most believed the contract was one year too long not many thought of it as a disaster.
fongy2
12/10/2010-11:52am at 11:52 am (UTC -4)
agreed again. we all know my feelings about omar but he had
no choice in going 4yrs for pedro. Otherwise he wasn’t coming here. Its that simple.
Mr North Jersey
12/10/2010-11:52am at 11:52 am (UTC -4)
The Nats are an interesting team indeed they have caught my eye these last few years. I look forward to watching where they go from here. After that huge setback with strasburg gettin hurt i am curios how they move forward.
TRS86
12/10/2010-11:53am at 11:53 am (UTC -4)
Hey I will be the first to say I was wrong as soon as they put together a respectable season.
Mr North Jersey
12/10/2010-11:59am at 11:59 am (UTC -4)
Oh Joy!
TRS86
12/10/2010-12:00pm at 12:00 pm (UTC -4)
Oh, don’t lie. You know you would get a big thrill and slight chill when you have to read
TRS86: “The Nats are actually a good team”.
njstuckintx
12/10/2010-12:03pm at 12:03 pm (UTC -4)
I would think someone hacked your computer. Or you’d been messing with the wacky tabacky.
Mr North Jersey
12/10/2010-12:04pm at 12:04 pm (UTC -4)
hahahaha
Mr North Jersey
12/10/2010-11:53am at 11:53 am (UTC -4)
Rusty r u in that blogger only conf?
Ceetar
12/10/2010-3:06pm at 3:06 pm (UTC -4)
why, got a question you want asked?
Mr North Jersey
12/10/2010-3:08pm at 3:08 pm (UTC -4)
More like wanting to see if we have a representative there or not.
Ceetar
12/10/2010-3:13pm at 3:13 pm (UTC -4)
I assume he was invited. They finally decided maybe they shouldn’t be giving us all everyone’s email address and BCC us, so I don’t know for sure he was on the list as usual. Technically I’m representing myself, but I’m not gonna keep any super insider secrets from you guys.
Mr North Jersey
12/10/2010-3:17pm at 3:17 pm (UTC -4)
You better not, remember i know you live next door and its a small town not hard to find you.
I just got to look for a lady with a nice Hawaiian tan that’s not afraid of spiders and Tada I’ll find you.
Ceetar
12/10/2010-3:23pm at 3:23 pm (UTC -4)
The tan has faded and she _is_ afraid of spiders which was part of the reason she took a spider class to ‘get over it’. heh.
And my real name is common enough that it’s not that easy to track
Mr North Jersey
12/10/2010-3:24pm at 3:24 pm (UTC -4)
Will have to go to Plan B.
Place an ad giving away free Mets tickets to optimistic mets fans. “-P
Mr North Jersey
12/10/2010-3:25pm at 3:25 pm (UTC -4)
Ceetar
12/10/2010-3:29pm at 3:29 pm (UTC -4)
speaking of which, I need to find a bloodbank taht gives away free tickets. A friend of mine gave blood (well, they didn’t keep it) and got free tickets that I used last year.
Mr North Jersey
12/10/2010-3:33pm at 3:33 pm (UTC -4)
my daughter gave blood and got tickets to a Nets game.
Ceetar
12/10/2010-3:35pm at 3:35 pm (UTC -4)
That sucks.
yeah, i imagine I’d have to go give blood in NY for that to work. I wouldn’t turn down Devils tickets..Nets though? geeze.
metsfan4decades
12/10/2010-12:19pm at 12:19 pm (UTC -4)
So is it fair to say now the Nats have become the Yankee team of the National League – at least in comparison to spending whatever it takes to make the team a winner?
I’m surprised they’re letting the Yankees outbid them for Lee….
fongy2
12/10/2010-12:27pm at 12:27 pm (UTC -4)
What the heck is taking forever to simply choose and name our coaching staff as well as the mgrs and coaches for our minors?????
TRS86
12/10/2010-12:40pm at 12:40 pm (UTC -4)
Time and philosophy. I guess.
njstuckintx
12/10/2010-12:46pm at 12:46 pm (UTC -4)
It’s like mangini not telling who the starter is for the week until the last minute possible. shroud of mystery!
Prismo
12/10/2010-12:49pm at 12:49 pm (UTC -4)
What’s the rush?
kistics
12/10/2010-1:09pm at 1:09 pm (UTC -4)
According to Adam Rubin and Mattsblog, the hitting coach is going to be someone who only had one hit in the majors and has never been a hitting coach….
But he does sell a instructional DVD on hitting.
TRS86
12/10/2010-1:11pm at 1:11 pm (UTC -4)
“Hi, I’m Dave Hudgens. I’ve spent the last 20 years as a pro hitting coach with the Astros, A’s, and Indians.”
So what’s that then?
TRS86
12/10/2010-1:12pm at 1:12 pm (UTC -4)
He was the hitting coach for the A’s for years based on my understanding.
kistics
12/10/2010-1:18pm at 1:18 pm (UTC -4)
oh… my bad.. i only saw the blog that MC has on his website.
TRS86
12/10/2010-1:21pm at 1:21 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah the article is misleading. It never says he served as hitting coach but it does not say he did not either. LOL. I am finding out he is actually quite known for his work with the A’s.
kistics
12/10/2010-1:38pm at 1:38 pm (UTC -4)
The article is gone now… hmmm…
Prismo
12/10/2010-1:13pm at 1:13 pm (UTC -4)
Saying “according to Metsblog…” is like saying “according to the bible…” – let’s try and use non-fictional sources from now on. (that one’s for you, rusty!)
Mr North Jersey
12/10/2010-1:44pm at 1:44 pm (UTC -4)
bad analogy.
TRS86
12/10/2010-1:53pm at 1:53 pm (UTC -4)
Terrible. Point taken but comparing Metsblog to the Bible should get you a few extra days in hell for sure.
Prismo
12/10/2010-2:20pm at 2:20 pm (UTC -4)
I don’t believe in hell.
Prismo
12/10/2010-2:24pm at 2:24 pm (UTC -4)
Sorry if I offended anyone though.
Mr North Jersey
12/10/2010-2:32pm at 2:32 pm (UTC -4)
your forgiven but try and remember that while your beliefs r your own. some restraint is always welcome when using other peoples beliefs in a joke.
stickguy
12/10/2010-3:05pm at 3:05 pm (UTC -4)
You live in oklahoma. You should.
njstuckintx
12/10/2010-1:23pm at 1:23 pm (UTC -4)
All the players get a DVD in they stockings this year as a gift/homework. it’s perfect!
stickguy
12/10/2010-1:45pm at 1:45 pm (UTC -4)
considering how low the bar was set recently, he has to be an improvement.
I somehow can’t imagine Hojo having an instructional video and training blog on hitting. It would be pretty short )”when the pitcher throws the ball, swing as hard as you can”)
TRS86
12/10/2010-1:53pm at 1:53 pm (UTC -4)
From what I have read by him and found out about him he looks like a perfect guy for the Mets, especially for the kids.
njstuckintx
12/10/2010-1:54pm at 1:54 pm (UTC -4)
you forgot to add “make sure you pull the ball as best you can. opposite field is for wusses”.
stickguy
12/10/2010-3:15pm at 3:15 pm (UTC -4)
chicks dig the long ball. and apparently strike outs too.
Mr North Jersey
12/10/2010-2:11pm at 2:11 pm (UTC -4)
Saber People may or may not enjoy this article.
http://www.businessinsider.com/why-there-is-no-hope-for-the-mets-2010-12
njstuckintx
12/10/2010-2:15pm at 2:15 pm (UTC -4)
I don’t trust nothing coming from a guy named Cork Gaines.
Mr North Jersey
12/10/2010-2:17pm at 2:17 pm (UTC -4)
lol
Ceetar
12/10/2010-2:37pm at 2:37 pm (UTC -4)
poor article. Poor use of fangraphs. Poor way to make an objective point.
Where are Ike Davis and Angel Pagan and R.A. Dickey on that list?!?
When are people going to realize that no matter how much money you spend, the $->WAR formula has little correlation to actual success?
Ceetar
12/10/2010-2:39pm at 2:39 pm (UTC -4)
Also, using the most valuable player as a ‘comparison’ from the other league, is just sloppy. It’s unrealistic.
oh, and you spelt Luis wrong.
Prismo
12/10/2010-2:39pm at 2:39 pm (UTC -4)
Ugh, agreed.
Mr North Jersey
12/10/2010-2:40pm at 2:40 pm (UTC -4)
Ceetar
12/10/2010-2:45pm at 2:45 pm (UTC -4)
http://twitter.com//RaysIndex
He’s a Rays guy.
Mr North Jersey
12/10/2010-2:46pm at 2:46 pm (UTC -4)
Yea that where i found his article in the Rays sportspyder feed
stickguy
12/10/2010-3:14pm at 3:14 pm (UTC -4)
wanny mentioned Crawford and his SBs up above. Decided to discuss down here (get more action that way!)
first of all, I think team speed is a vastly underrated asset to have. But at the same time, SBs are probably overrated (at least a guy with a flashy number is). I also believe in the analysis that says you have to have a certain steal % (was it 75 or 80?) for them to even be a net positive (oops, drifting into saber territory here).
so, IMO (as is all of this) a guy like wright stealing 30 and getting caught 5 times is potentially more valuable than Reyes stealing 60, but getting caught 25. And especially important is when the bags are swiped (high leverage spots in close games vs. garbage time where it is almost stat padding).
I do recognize that a speedster can have value even if they aren’t running if it distracts the pitcher, and makes the MIF D cheat.
anyway, back to Crawford. Another thing I beleive in is that guys tend to steal less as they hit there 30s (unless they are a 1 dimensional guy like say Coleman). and they really start stealing less when they sign that last huge contract.
Team of course also is a factor (with that sox line up, who has to run), but I would not be at all surprised if crawford starts stealing a lot fewer bags now.
does this apply to reyes? QUite likely. If you do sign him for a 5 year extension, don’t expect him to be swiping 60+ every year!
Ceetar
12/10/2010-3:27pm at 3:27 pm (UTC -4)
The distraction factor is huge. moves the defense, can unhinge the pitcher (although can distract the batter is well) Every through to first is a potential overthrow and extra base. (Hmm, saber though: Does the conventional 75% success rate factor in that? Errors are _not_ uncommon, 2B misses the ball, catcher over throws, pitcher misses, etc. You get an extra base out of it, so the value of the steal goes up. )
Ceetar
12/10/2010-3:50pm at 3:50 pm (UTC -4)
btw, did you notice that as of right now, 7 of the 9 spots in our lineup will be different on Opening Day than last year?
http://www.ceetar.com/optimisticmetsfan/2010/12/10/ddl/
Mr North Jersey
12/10/2010-3:56pm at 3:56 pm (UTC -4)
I like how you have Murphy in for Castillo.
Ceetar
12/10/2010-4:05pm at 4:05 pm (UTC -4)
Probably is a toss up if you had to field the team right this second, but I have a feeling if Murphy shows anything in Spring it’ll likely be his job.
stickguy
12/10/2010-4:36pm at 4:36 pm (UTC -4)
put PTBNL in if you want. just ain’t gonna be castillo! I hope.
Mr North Jersey
12/10/2010-4:45pm at 4:45 pm (UTC -4)
Did everyone see this quote from Lennon?
“The goal is sustained excellence, rather than a crash-and-burn cycle every four years or so, and that’s going to take some patience. How much? Its difficult to say at this point, but Alderson deserves a little time to execute the plan.”
http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/mets/on-the-mets-beat-1.812057/winter-meetings-post-mortem-alderson-reyes-and-boof-1.2533599
stickguy
12/10/2010-4:53pm at 4:53 pm (UTC -4)
not sure they actually did this recently. 2006-2008 would fall into the broad catagory of “sustained excellence” (really a fancy way of saying you are a playoff contender up until the very end of every season). and 2009-2010 were poor years on the field, but largely injury generated, so not IMO a crash.
Maybe semantics, but to me a crash would be bottoming out with a team bereft of talent, coming off a close to 100 loss season and probably staring at a couple more at least.
like the Pirates!
Mr North Jersey
12/10/2010-4:55pm at 4:55 pm (UTC -4)
if 2007 and 2008 is sustained excellence then i dont want it.
Mr North Jersey
12/10/2010-4:56pm at 4:56 pm (UTC -4)
those were epic failures as far as i am concerned.
stickguy
12/10/2010-5:03pm at 5:03 pm (UTC -4)
what do you think sustained excellence means? A dynasty?
pick a team and use it as an example. Red sox? Yankees? recent Phils (who frankly are totallly primed to have a major crash if they have a couple of ill timed injuryies)?
maybe the Angels. That is probably a good example.
like I said, my interpretation is a team that is always picked as a playoff contender, and is normally also in the hunt right until the very end.
actually, the Braves when they were taking the division every year were probably the best example (considering the yankees an outlier). And the Braves on ly won 1 WS, and went to just a couple more.
Mr North Jersey
12/10/2010-5:09pm at 5:09 pm (UTC -4)
Sorry dude but excellence to me requires actually accomplishing something of a positive nature.
The Mets in 2007 and 2008 accomplished nothing.
if you feel otherwise I can respect that but I don’t share your thoughts if so.
Sustained excellence to me would be like consistently reaching the post season over a period of time not just playing above .500 ball for consecutive seasons only to have nothing to show for it at the end.