I’ve been silent long enough. It’s been a long November.
I must admit, the turkey tasted pretty good this year. My Philly in-laws were quiet and humbled by their team’s unexpected exit from the first round and the realization that the Eagles stink on ice. (they did, however, rub a little dirt in my face over last weeks Giant loss). My Yankee father was happy because he discovered Jack Daniel’s.
He consequently swore the stuff off the next day.
But speaking of baseball, let’s examine some. Jonathon Papelbon to the Phillies! I like the fact that the Phillies have done the two things I wish every team could do: lure a great picture away from the Yankees with less money(Lee) and stick it to Scott Boras(Madison) . However, Papelbon is a shaky closer at best, I’ve seen some saves that he’s blown and I’ll tell ya, sometimes I think he’s the one hitting the Jack Daniel’s. I know the Phillies have the team and all but what are they going to do? Win a game 0-0? They can’t hit and now that Ryan Howard is on the bench for a while, it might be a little tougher this year. Maybe Howard can eat the Achilles Subway Sandwich to help him get on the field sooner. Somehow, I’m just not as impressed nor intimidated by the Phillies as I used to. I see it this way, the way things are going down there, I hear a very loud creaking noise and it’s a window closing…fast.
Do you think Jose Reyes might be a little concerned that he has only drawn one offer so far? Not for nothing but I’m not surprised that teams are weary of signing Reyes due to his track record with injuries. If I’m Alderson, I’m taking notes here for it seems that N.L. Batting Champ is not as popular as he might believe. I really hate the fact that Loria, the owner of the Marlins or whatever they want to call themselves, suddenly has all this money to spend. What the hell has he been doing since he walked out of on the Expos all these years? Reyes better watch it, knowing the Florida, they’ll buy a team, win and then trade everyone off.
It’s not like they’ve done it before. Perhaps Jose should accept Arbitration-but that’s just me talking.
I’ll be happy about baseball’s new alignment when it’s even for every team. I’m not going to approve an inter-league schedule that has the Phillies playing Kansas City while the Mets are playing the Yankees. That’s just fair on so many levels.
Speaking entirely the opposite of baseball, can anyone tell me why I can’t find a decent Monster Movie on Thanksgiving Day? I may be showing my age here, but as a kid, WOR TV(Channel 9 for all you local New York/Jersey people) showed Godzilla movies all day and then King Kong all day on Friday. I may be wrong but I think I do remember Robin Hood (the Errol Flynn Version) in there somewhere.
Not that I would opt for those films over Football, but it would be nice to check in with a guy dressed in a rubber suit smashing tanks that ran on AAA batteries every once in a while. I’m not even going to address Chilla Theater for those of you who go back that far.
So the only news coming out of Citi Field is the that fences are being moved in…..I hope they don’t regret that and decide to move back home plate next year. Which leads me to my next point, Met Purgatory….which is what every Met fans seems to be in at this point. Honestly, do you think we can just speed up time for the Minors and get some of these kids they ‘ve been bragging about?
I’m done with the NBA. I don’t care if the season is back……I’d rather watch the NCAA. At least they all care about the game.
I hope Jerry Sandusky gets convicted and sent to a Turkish Prison like that guy in Midnight Express.
Finally, I hope everyone had something to be thankful for on this great American Holiday.
Me, I was thankful for the family and country I live in.
And the lessons I’ve learned.
12 comments
Anonymous
11/27/2011-1:37pm at 1:37 pm (UTC -4)
Hey, a new post! sweet!
Let’s see, Reyes? Interesting market forming. Very curious to see what other teams do with him. Setting aside the home grown aspect (obviously only relevant to the Mets (or more so, the fans), will other teams really see someone with his recent history of production and injuries as being worth a huge LT investment? So far the market isn’t beating that path.
But, I guess waiting on the CBA slowed things up. Plus, you hear nothing about Pujols or Fielder either, so once the GM meetings arrive (or the winter meetings, whichever one they just did not have), things should start popping.
I think he will end up signing for less than you might guess (as in, not Crawford totals) but we shall see. Still don’t think it will be with the Mets, but at this point, I think that fans are either so accepting of the team being broke and rebuilding, or just apathetic, that it won’t make much difference.
I am convinced now though that (unlike my earlier hope of a series of bold moves to remake the team) that the FO is going to basically do nothing. Let Reyes walk, sign some filler pieces, and just not even bother to try for next year.
And, that the Wilpons really should be forced out (in the interest of the sport, having the NY NL franchise run into the ground and losing millions of fans in order to save their wallets is just not the way to go!)
Anonymous
11/27/2011-1:42pm at 1:42 pm (UTC -4)
Since you mentioned the Phils, I was surprised they spent more on Paps than Madson. They truly are in win-now mode, but does that help them? So many eggs in that rotation basket, and question marks elsewhere. Could be interesting, especially if they finally get bit by injuries to the SP>
top 2 ain’t spring chickens, and Hamels had elbow (and hernia) surgery already. so is it unreasonable to think they won’t pitch a combine 700+ innings this year again? Also going to be interesting to see if they spend huge $$ to lock up hamels LT also, or if he hits FA after the season.
But, at least they are getting younger, with Ibanez coming back at 38 and Thome saving the day at 41!
I just hate the Phils. The wheels come off every team eventually, and it really needs to be their turn. And soon.
Anonymous
11/27/2011-1:47pm at 1:47 pm (UTC -4)
oops. did not see that he declined the arb offer. Actually this has to be a violation of the CBA somehow (making a deal before hand just to scam an extra draft pick). Isn’t that kind of like collusion?
MetsFan4Decades
11/27/2011-2:11pm at 2:11 pm (UTC -4)
You know I’m right there with you hating on the Phils, Stick…
I don’t get Ibanez getting offered arb and turning it down either. I can see the advantage for the Phils, but what does Ibanez get out of that? He’s just being a nice guy??
Anonymous
11/27/2011-2:30pm at 2:30 pm (UTC -4)
from what I read, that is what they said. Of course, if money was passed under the table, then that would absolutely get the Phils in hot water.
Anonymous
11/27/2011-8:45pm at 8:45 pm (UTC -4)
I think it just gets him re-signed with the phils for a little more money than he would have gotten elsewhere.
MetsFan4Decades
11/27/2011-2:23pm at 2:23 pm (UTC -4)
Echo stick’s sentiments on wishing the Wilpons would have been forced out. I’m very much afraid it’s going to be some lean years here while they try to hold onto this team by their fingernails – and in the long run gonna wind up selling anyway.
Could it be Fred was right in a way – that Reyes won’t get CC money? How ironic. Actually, I think we all know that contract they gave Crawford was over the top – just like Werth’s – so maybe some of these GM’s are thinking twice now.
It’s been reported that Reyes only has 2 offers – the Marlins and ‘assuming the Mets’. If no one even knows for sure that the Mets made an offer yet or how much it’s for – then you have to give credit to this FO for at least plugging the leaks. Sandy will release to the media what he wants when he wants. I haven’t quite decided yet what all this means.
We know the Wilpons/Sterling Mets are dead broke and this could be nothing more than well…doing nothing b/c Sandy’s got very little coin to spend. More than likely this is the driving force for the very little action so far. I’d like to think otherwise – and it’s some damn smart strategy by the FO – but I think the handwriting is on the wall with this.
Can’t quite say I was thanking Jeff and Fred and my Thanksgiving table this year…..
Anonymous
11/27/2011-2:34pm at 2:34 pm (UTC -4)
I agree that most likely the “real” budget is way lower than what was originally bandied about. So maybe he doesn’t have much more than last year to work with.
But if they don’t even make trades again this year, that I don’t understand. It is possible to compete on a budget, but you have to be active, aggressive and creative.
so far, the FO seems to be none of the above. No reason to spend extra on experienced FO team to just sit and wait a few years to see if prospects pan out!
MetsFan4Decades
11/27/2011-4:10pm at 4:10 pm (UTC -4)
Going along with your thinking, I can see a bigger conspiracy theory at work here.
Is it possible this is some deal Selig worked out with Alderson and the Wilpons?
Thinking about this…why would Alderson give up a cushy job at MLB to come be the GM of the now broke NY Mets?
- Wilpons buy time to try and dig out of the financial hole their in.
- Alderson plays GM for a couple of years and takes over for Selig when he retires.
- Selig retires without the stain of the NY Mets going bankrupt on his watch.
The only ones who suffer are the fans.
After a couple of years, I believe the Wilpons are going to have to sell anyway so it’ll be all for naught.
Anonymous
11/27/2011-4:40pm at 4:40 pm (UTC -4)
On Alderson leaving his MLB post to come to the Mets: His
post had him spending a lot of time in the Caribbean locations, which albeit
ain’t half bad in my book, but he wanted to be in the NY area since his
daughter in NJ just had a child and he wanted to be closer to family to play
grandpa too. I’ve been in the Sandy as
Buds pick to straighten out this mess since day one so I hear you on the other
points. But, the Mets post was also of interest for family reasons to Sandy.
Anonymous
11/27/2011-4:45pm at 4:45 pm (UTC -4)
Random: My laptop mouse pad really hates working in Disqus. Doesn’t properly highlight drag text, every time I try to post it locks up and dumps my first post attempt and I need to re-enter. This is the only site this happens with. Really odd.
Anonymous
11/27/2011-5:15pm at 5:15 pm (UTC -4)
Oh, I fully well agree that he was appointed by Selig as a custodian, just without formally announcing what they were doing!
but even with a 1st mission to keep the wilpons from losing the team, can’t he at least pretend to be trying to put a competitive team on the field?
I really hate Selig if he is treating the wilpons differently because he likes them. Any other owner in these dire straights would likely have the team pulled by now.