Yes here we are on the third day of the MLB Winter Meetings and so far with the exception of today’s announcement of the David Wright contract extension – the Mets stay in Nashville is like the current crop of sports radio orators – all talk but no substance.
There is one day left before the Mets leave Music City and it’s quite possible that the Mets may come back solely with a rule 5 draft pick but they also will have laid down the ground work for possible trades and free agent signings.
But in the spirit of the winter meetings being held in a music Mecca, here are 5 songs from my “Mets make a deal” playlist.
1. “Wishing and Hopin” by Dionne Warwick - Because we are all hoping the Mets come back with players that can help this team this coming season.
2. “The Wait” by Tom Petty and the Heart breakers – Yes Tom is right when he says the wait is the hardest part.
3. “Too Much Time On My Hands” by Styx. When you find yourself scouring the same 5 baseball insider sites you truly need to take a step back and exhale !
4. “Communication Breakdown” by Led Zeppelin. The song that obviously best describes the R.A Dickey contract extension talks.
5. ” Center field” by John Fogerty. Because that possibly is the position the needs to be upgraded for the coming season.
Are these the songs on your play list ? What songs would you add ? Please tell me in the comment section below.
.
And with that said… HERE COMES THE INFAMY !!!!
Mets alumni celebrating a birthday includes:
Mets shortstop from the ’63 and ’64 seasons, Al Moran is 74 (1938).
Current Mets hitting coach, Dave Hudgens is 56 (1956).
One of the Mets better outfielders from the past decade, Cliff Floyd is 40 (1972) .
The Seattle Mariners drafted middle reliever, Rick Baldwin from the Mets on December 5, 1977.
The New York Mets traded reserve outfielder, Tom Grieve and minor league pitcher, Kim Seaman to the St. Louis Cardinals for pitcher, Pete Falcone on December 5, 1978. Falcone was known more for his family ties with Mets bullpen coach, Joe Pignatano as well as his penchant for losing his cap after every pitch than his actual pitching ability.
The New York Mets drafted reserve outfielder, Mike Howard from the Los Angeles Dodgers on December 5, 1978.
The New York Mets traded spot starter/middle reliever, John Mitchell and minor league outfielder, Joaquin Contreras to the Baltimore Orioles for outfielder, Keith Hughes and minor league pitcher, Cesar Mejia on December 5, 1989.
The New York Mets signed free agent Vince Coleman of the St. Louis Cardinals on December 5, 1990. This seemed like a no-brainer, but just like most of the Mets free agent signings this one turned real ugly real fast !
The Toronto Blue Jays signed reserve outfielder, Pat Tabler of the New York Mets as a free agent on December 5, 1990.
The New York Mets drafted middle reliever, Kevin Lomon from the Atlanta Braves on December 5, 1994.
The New York Mets drafted reserve outfielder, Shawn Hare from the San Diego Padres on December 5, 1994.
The Mets drafted reserve infielder, Jason Hardtke from the San Diego Padres on December 5, 1994.
The Florida Marlins signed outfielder, Joe Orsulak of the New York Mets as a free agent on December 5, 1995. Orsulak – although a journeyman was one of the more popular Mets players during those lean mid ’90′s teams.
The Los Angeles Dodgers signed pitcher, Orel Hershiser of the New York Mets as a free agent on December 5, 1999.
The New York Mets signed free agent pitcher, Brett Hinchliffe on December 5, 2000.
The New York Mets signed free agent Tom Glavine of the Atlanta Braves on December 5, 2002. What appeared to be a good signing at the time turned out to be a mediocre acquisition at best culminating with the end of season ( and Mets career) meltdown in 2008.
The New York Mets traded minor league outfielder, Dante Brinkley and pitching prospect, Gaby Hernandez to the Florida Marlins for catcher, Paul Lo Duca on December 5, 2005. Lo Duca has proven to be the last best offensive/defensive catcher – sorry Josh.
D-I-E-T is a four letter word for Mo Vaughn !!!!
51 comments
srt
12/5/2012-7:16am at 7:16 am (UTC -4)
These are all great – not sure I can improve on them.
I want to be signing ‘We Are The Champions’ come the end of post season for 2013.
I want to see another picture of David Wright with a champagne soaked cigar celebrating the clinching of the NL east – maybe this time with Tejada, Murph and Ike (since Reyes is gone).
gategem
12/5/2012-8:38am at 8:38 am (UTC -4)
I’m trying to ascertain how David Wright, Tejada, Murph and Ike will be able to sneak into the Nationals clubhouse to celebrate with NL East victorious Nationals.
Brad
12/5/2012-8:48am at 8:48 am (UTC -4)
LOL.. how about “All I Want For Christmas is A New Outfield”?
Stick
12/5/2012-9:00am at 9:00 am (UTC -4)
well, for a section of the fanbase that has issues with the FO, how about Zepp’s “dazed and confused”?
And of course with the Mets right now, you have to have floyd’s “Money”, since that is what is all about.
Rustyjr
12/5/2012-9:04am at 9:04 am (UTC -4)
Thanks Luis for uploading video
greggofboken
12/5/2012-9:20am at 9:20 am (UTC -4)
I would like to hear R.A.’s version of Chuck Berry’s “No Particular Place to Go”
srt
12/5/2012-9:46am at 9:46 am (UTC -4)
Ugh….b/c RA is signed for a paltry 5 MIL next season, I’m starting to think the FO is going to wait to sign an extension well into ST….just to see what late breaking desperate club will offer then.
So we’re going to be bombarded daily with these Dickey signing/trade stories I fear…..
srt
12/5/2012-10:37am at 10:37 am (UTC -4)
According to Andy Martino of the New York Daily News, the Mets know they can sign R.A. Dickey to a two-year extension worth approximately $13 million per season.
Yup, still a bargain. And they’re going to take that bargain signing all the way into ST – unless they solve some OF positions before then.
Stick
12/5/2012-10:48am at 10:48 am (UTC -4)
I could see them stretching until after new year’s but i don’t see it going all the way into ST.
srt
12/5/2012-9:48am at 9:48 am (UTC -4)
OT:
Meanwhile, I was waiting for someone to publish an article like this on the Yankees:
Yankees uncharacteristically thrifty
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/new-york-yankees-uncharacteristically-cheap-in-offseason-trade-market-winter-meetings-120412
My Dad is getting the biggest kick out of the Yankee fans whining concerning their situation.
This ain’t your George Yankees, guys.
TX
12/5/2012-10:13am at 10:13 am (UTC -4)
If it was, Hamilton or Greinke would be Yankee bound. As would have Haren.
TRS86
12/5/2012-10:35am at 10:35 am (UTC -4)
Speaking of Haren, the guys on MLBN this morning were trashing that signing big time. “What are they doing…?”
TX
12/5/2012-10:39am at 10:39 am (UTC -4)
If anything, they should be trashing the Pettitte deal.
SaltyGary
12/5/2012-10:49am at 10:49 am (UTC -4)
Listening to Steve Phillips on Mad Dog’s radio show and he said they are sticking to getting to a salary cap or 185m. This team is finally falling apart. They have so many high priced elder statesmen, is is limiting their ability to do anything. They have 100m going to five guys. Supposedly that AROD contract is insured for over 70%, you know they are secretly hoping that his career is over.
SaltyGary
12/5/2012-10:54am at 10:54 am (UTC -4)
Lots of money on the books:
Tex
2013 $22,500,000
2014 $22,500,000
2015 $22,500,000
2016 $22,500,000
AROD
2013 $28,000,000
2014 $25,000,000
2015 $21,000,000
2016 $20,000,000
2017 $20,000,000
Jeter
2013 $17,000,000
2014 *$8,000,000
CC
2013 $23,000,000
2014 $23,000,000
2015 $23,000,000
2016 $25,000,000
2017 *$25,000,000
Prismo
12/5/2012-9:52am at 9:52 am (UTC -4)
Sherman quotes a rival executive’s take on the Mets attempting to trade Dickey: “Any team would take Dickey. But this is not Roy Halladay or Cliff Lee being traded. I would take him, but for top prospects, no.”
OMGZZZZ
Halladay had a 4.49 ERA last season and will make $20 million this year before his $20 million option year in 2014.
I realize Halladay historically is a GREAT pitcher, but he mostly looked like crud last season. The notion that many baseball execs are dumb as rocks may very well be true. I think they rely more on what they hear about players than actually looking up statistics themselves.
SaltyGary
12/5/2012-10:02am at 10:02 am (UTC -4)
Just posturing. I truly believe some one will blink. There is so much money being thrown around and very little talent available. Just think of Texas losing in the WS two years in a row and failing last year. They are at a point where their window is shrinking with their current talent pool and they need to make one more shot. The Royals, have a amazing opportunity to be legitimate this year and they need pitching bad, especially cheap pitching. The AL East has completely flipped with the Yankees dying off, the Rays look like they are going backwards and Toronto is going for it. You don’t think Baltimore would like to take advantage? Someone will pull the trigger.
TRS86
12/5/2012-10:34am at 10:34 am (UTC -4)
I think you have a point. IF you have this many teams interested, this many teams looking to go for it, this many teams looking for SP and this few of quality SP on the market, the Mets can get something good for Dickey.
I also think you bring up a point with the Yankees and RSox being down the Rays, Jays and O’s might be feeling a little pressure or a little Froggy for sure.
TRS86
12/5/2012-10:36am at 10:36 am (UTC -4)
Dollars, rather than years, are holding up extension talks between the Mets and R.A. Dickey, as we heard yesterday. That divide could make a trade more likely, though New York is still weighing its options. Here are Wednesday’s Dickey-related rumors, with new updates added to the top of the page throughout the day:
The Mets know they can sign Dickey to a two-year extension worth about $13MM annually, according to Andy Martino of the New York Daily News. However, the team doesn’t appear willing to go quite that high yet.
Read more at http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/#1eoojtIv6clfzk7D.99
TRS86
12/5/2012-10:38am at 10:38 am (UTC -4)
So basically the Mets are in an A or B scenario that I described on MMO.
We believe that if
A) We can sign Dickey for this amount ___________
B) We can trade Dickey and get _____________
Which one of these will make the team better? That is what they will be patient and decide. I truly believe being patient and deliberate is the perfect plan for this one. So much that if neither A or B fit for what is best for the team they may just head into the season with no extension and look again at the deadline.
srt
12/5/2012-10:38am at 10:38 am (UTC -4)
Oops, you beat me to it. I didn’t see this when I commented above.
And BTW…I’m really laughing at what the Marlins are doing. They’ve got no one currently signed at more than a million except Nolasco – who wants out.
I really wish we could pry Stanton away from Loria.
Stick
12/5/2012-10:51am at 10:51 am (UTC -4)
I think they should just trade Nolasco and go into the season with no one over 1mill.
just because I think it would be fun to see, and a giant middle digit pointed straight at Bud.
SaltyGary
12/5/2012-10:57am at 10:57 am (UTC -4)
A couple years ago Bud came down on them so JJ was awarded a nice contract just to get bud to STFU. Maybe Stanton will get a early present.
Prismo
12/5/2012-11:04am at 11:04 am (UTC -4)
Stanton said he didn’t want to sign an extension with the Marlins. I’m pretty sure there isn’t a player on that team that doesn’t hate Loria for what he’s done.
If Stanton keeps up these stats and becomes a free agent at 27…he’ll definitely get a $200MM+ contract.
SaltyGary
12/5/2012-11:06am at 11:06 am (UTC -4)
Yunel Escobar just got traded to the Rays…
srt
12/5/2012-10:42am at 10:42 am (UTC -4)
Over on MLBTR:
The Mets would be open to eating a portion of the money remaining on Johan Santana’s deal in a trade, but so far the team hasn’t received any inquiries, tweets Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe.
Interesting….wonder how much they’d eat?
Prismo
12/5/2012-10:51am at 10:51 am (UTC -4)
Honestly I think they’d have to eat at least $15 million this season and probably the entire option for next season of $5 million. Johan just isn’t a starter a team can trust to give them 30 starts, let alone 20, let alone those even being DECENT starts. I just don’t see a decent return on him. I think his value lies with staying on the Mets.
TX
12/5/2012-10:52am at 10:52 am (UTC -4)
I don’t see the purpose on this. Unless you trade him for a Kubel type and eat 80%+ of the money. Which I’m not sure anyone would do.
Stick
12/5/2012-10:52am at 10:52 am (UTC -4)
wow no inquireies? That is a shocker!
I honestly don’t think it will happen. Why eat 20mill+ and get trash back? Might as well just keep him and see what you can get out of him.
maybe at the deadline if the Mets are toast and Johan is revitilized?
greggofboken
12/5/2012-11:05am at 11:05 am (UTC -4)
I agree. The window to move him will be at the deadline, when he’ll have $8M left to pick up…and the bite for the receiving team and the Mets (who will need to eat cash) will be more palatable. Premature to expect anything sooner.
Prismo
12/5/2012-11:09am at 11:09 am (UTC -4)
I agree Stick. We could use the depth more than the trash we’d get for him.
srt
12/5/2012-12:13pm at 12:13 pm (UTC -4)
Agree with this, Stick.
SaltyGary
12/5/2012-10:59am at 10:59 am (UTC -4)
Prismo is probably right about the dollars and maybe more. Santana may be successful if you set him up like a Clemens or Oswalt where he doesn’t start pitching until July/August.
TRS86
12/5/2012-11:13am at 11:13 am (UTC -4)
Jason Bay is close to a decision on which team he’ll sign with, according to Tim Brown of Yahoo! Sports (via Twitter). The Indians and Mariners are among the teams still in the mix for the former Met, says Brown.
Read more at http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/#JTyUJjW9SfvUMsrB.99
SaltyGary
12/5/2012-11:19am at 11:19 am (UTC -4)
Indians might be a good spot for him. Jacobs is a way better place as a hitter to Safeco. BUT it would be funny for him at Safeco to torment TX next summer. Regardless the guy really has nothing left, this will be his last year and I wouldn’t be shocked if he’s gone by ASB.
Stick
12/5/2012-11:25am at 11:25 am (UTC -4)
will be intersting to see. Seattle, which is where he lives, so consider it semi-retirement. or Cleveland, where (in theory) there might be a better chance to win, and a better hitting environment. But, it is still Cleveland.
Guess it depends what he wants. last shot at a ring (neither team qualifies)? Just wants to prove he has something left (can do that anywhere)? Isn’t quite ready to hang out at home as Mr. Dad (ditto)?
TRS86
12/5/2012-11:26am at 11:26 am (UTC -4)
LOL, what would he hit in Seattle? Buck or less?
TX
12/5/2012-11:25am at 11:25 am (UTC -4)
I’ve been laughing at all the Mariner fans here. Bay Watch is coming to town! I can’t tell if it is their tears or if it’s the rain dripping down their cheeks.
Stick
12/5/2012-11:49am at 11:49 am (UTC -4)
it will be a minimum wage deal. If he is as bad as he was with the Mets, he likely does not make it out of ST.
TRS86
12/5/2012-11:31am at 11:31 am (UTC -4)
According to multiple Mets officials, there is essentially a 55 percent chance that R.A. Dickey is on the Mets by Opening Day, Joel Sherman reports in this morning’s New York Post.
LOL, way to step out on a limb guys.
SaltyGary
12/5/2012-11:34am at 11:34 am (UTC -4)
I know isn’t this the most ridiculous thing. Leave it to the Post.
TRS86
12/5/2012-11:36am at 11:36 am (UTC -4)
I especially like the fact that he will be on the Mets “BY” opening day. Did I miss something? Isn’t he already ON the Mets?
TRS86
12/5/2012-11:33am at 11:33 am (UTC -4)
Blogfather kicking ass today:
“The thing is, at the very least, the Mets get to bring back a Cy Young Award winner in 2013 making just $5 million. Or, they sign him to an equally reasonable extension, knowing they can revisit contract and trade talks next summer. Or, they trade him now for a young bat, who they project to be more valuable than Dickey will be during the next three years.
There’s really no bad situation here, just less good, and there’s no need to rush it.”
Prismo
12/5/2012-11:43am at 11:43 am (UTC -4)
Did he go to the Derek Zoolander Center For Kids Who Can’t Read Good And Wanna Learn To Do Other Stuff Good Too?
Stick
12/5/2012-11:51am at 11:51 am (UTC -4)
Knog just threw up in his breakfast Gumbo reading that sentence.
TRS86
12/5/2012-12:05pm at 12:05 pm (UTC -4)
LOL, I don’t even read much of his stuff for grammatical correctness anymore. I am a teacher, I have ability to skim bad work.
kingman 26
12/5/2012-1:10pm at 1:10 pm (UTC -4)
Today’s highlights thus far:
Baron wins the opinion of a gourd with below-average intelligence award for this regarding Johan: “it’s highly unlikely they pick up his 2014 option.”
Cerrone wins the least coherent sentence award: “All while the Mets continue talking with Dickey’s agent and maybe not trading and signing him instead of a contract extension…”
Really, it is just silly.
Mmmmm breakfast gumbo…
SaltyGary
12/5/2012-1:16pm at 1:16 pm (UTC -4)
HAHAHAHAHA
gategem
12/5/2012-1:41pm at 1:41 pm (UTC -4)
This would pass for The King’s English in some of our public schools.
kingman 26
12/5/2012-1:23pm at 1:23 pm (UTC -4)
RIP Dave Brubeck. One of jazz’s all-time greats.
TX
12/5/2012-1:27pm at 1:27 pm (UTC -4)
The world just got a little darker.