As the Marcum deal has again awakened the fan base, it seems as though the outfield possibilities remain very much in flux.
With Scott Hairston taking his very limited talents to Chicago, the picture for the Mets becomes clearer–they don’t have much of an outfield.
Yes, there is some potential among Kirk, Duda, Baxter, Valdespin, and even Turner and Lutz, but really, this is a crapshoot of the highest magnitude.
While Michael Bourn may be a pipedream–or a pipe nightmare for some–the feeling here is that he might be a nice fit for this team if the Mets were able to sign him for 3 or 4 years and possibly not lose that first round draft pick.
Little HR power, far too many Ks, but a very Reyes-like OBP, 2B and 3B power, draws some walks, steals lots of bases, and, perhaps most importantly, plays great defense in center field.
This team is set up to be led by young starting pitching for years. Putting Bourn in CF and moving Kirk to a corner OF spot instantly moves the Mets’ OF defense to another level; a pretty good one actually.
Building a great defense behind Niese/Harvey/Wheeler/Gee/etc. could be the best thing Alderson could do. In addition to the runs he would save out there, Bourn’s play would also improve the confidence of young pitchers as they would know they don’t have to be quite as perfect with guys behind them who can really run the ball down in the outfield.
No, Bourn is not a superstar, but he has a lot of skills, and if this team is indeed going to begin spending again after Johan and Bay’s revolting contracts finally are gone, they can afford Bourn.
What do you think?
Let’s hear it!
92 comments
Stick
1/25/2013-10:07am at 10:07 am (UTC -4)
thanks for putting this up Knog.
I agree, Bourn at the moment seems to fill an obvious need. But, I stil have to remind myself of the red flags on him that may not bode well for a longer term deal.
a big one of course, is the Braves factor. When they let a guy walk away, there is usually a good reason! Plus he had a truly horrific 2nd half (ASG ->) after the Mets series.
67 games, slash of .220/.323/.303/.626 17 SB/5CS, and 77! Ks.
his overall #s were not bad, though leading the league in CS is not that good (he really does not have a good CS%).
if you are a saber gooner, his OPS+ in 2011 was 103, and 2012 99. And every other year, below 100.
so, what are you getting for your big $$? Offensively, A decent hitter that lives on his speed, and if he loses a couple of steps, will bring not much to the table. But at least he has neutral splits.
Defensively, a fine glove. Again, if he loses a couple steps it will hurt, but should be a solid guy out there.
Overall, for a guy turning 30, is this worth compromising your draft, and making what will probably be your only “big” FA signing for the next few years?
gategem
1/25/2013-10:58am at 10:58 am (UTC -4)
It is a rare moment indeed when you and I agree. Hopefully, it means that your intelligence is rising but most probably it means that my dementia is worsening.
Stick
1/25/2013-11:04am at 11:04 am (UTC -4)
Uh, thanks?
Prismo
1/25/2013-10:12am at 10:12 am (UTC -4)
“The 11th Pick In The MLB Player Draft Is Cursed, According To Science”
http://deadspin.com/5914786/the-11th-pick-in-the-mlb-player-draft-is-cursed-according-to-science
SaltyGary
1/25/2013-10:16am at 10:16 am (UTC -4)
So if the Mets lose the pick then it would only make since that the next juggernaut will go then.
Stick
1/25/2013-10:17am at 10:17 am (UTC -4)
enough about Bourn, I think I answered my own question. No. Let him go. Unless they get the first round pick protected, and he will sign for 3/36 (Vicky money!), don’t do it.
so, what are the other options? I did not really want to see hairston back, and yes, I know the one trick pony had a career HR year, but I am not banking on that again. And no way did I see Young as a viable option (hell, even the people in philly don’t want him!).
so it seems there are 2 options. 1 is an under the radar trade for a young guy (most likely a CF) that is on the way up. I highly favor this, though damned if I knw who at this point.
the other, just roll with the “platoon everyone, mix and match, and see who emerges as a keeper” option. Is it ideal? No. Does it make sense as a building block for 2014+? Actually, it does.
One thing I have been noticing lately is a severe Met fan backlash to young players (IMO, an overreaction to a bad looking OF). The pendulum has swung for many to only wanting established vets out there, which is how you end up with an OF of Cody Ross, Hairston, and Vernon Wells! But, sometimes you have to live with the growing pains. Ideally not at every position at the same time, but sometimes you just have to say screw it.
I also happen to think Brown is an underrated pickup as a platoon guy/off the bench. He also has gotten his feet wet in the majors. Ditto for Cowgill. Maybe the both end up as solid bench guys, or platoon players, but I think they both have the potential to be productive in the right situation.
And Duda needs 1 year to either put it together, or be out the door.
so if it ends up being a Duda/cowgill/brown/Kirk mix somehow, with Spin/baxter/Den Dekker possibly in play, then what the hell. sort them out, play the hot hand, and see what happens.
srt
1/25/2013-10:57am at 10:57 am (UTC -4)
I keep forgetting about Brown being in the mix.
ST is going to be interesting – looking at the OF spots up for grab as well as the BP arms.
Can’t wait for it to start…..
Stick
1/25/2013-10:19am at 10:19 am (UTC -4)
oh yeah, 1 last thought.
back to Bourn. If the primary beneifit is solidifying the D in CF, and helping out the corners, you could always just roll with MDD as a glove first, hope you get some O guy.
TX
1/25/2013-10:22am at 10:22 am (UTC -4)
MDD makes Bourn look like Reyes with the bat.
Stick
1/25/2013-10:55am at 10:55 am (UTC -4)
certainly a different hitter. At least Dekker has some power, if he makes contact!
I was more looking at him as an up the middle strong defensive player, bat TBD
TX
1/25/2013-11:46am at 11:46 am (UTC -4)
I like the concept of DenDecks. Plays awesome D, is cheap, young, etc. etc. But it’s the can’t hit a lick thing that bothers me. I hope he does pull it together, for all our sakes. Help up DenDecks-Kanobi. You’re our only hope.
TX
1/25/2013-10:20am at 10:20 am (UTC -4)
I know his bat is nothing to write home about, but that D he plays in CF is stellar. I’ve already resigned my self to the fact this won’t happen, but it would be a nice thing to see. Get Bourn this year, add another OF next year (preferably RH power bat. Pence?) and this is congealing towards something sweet for 2014. I am still focused on 2013, but signing Bourn is not just about 2013, but for the window that is opening for 2013-2017.
wanny
1/25/2013-10:39am at 10:39 am (UTC -4)
Want a RH platoon bat for the OF with some power?
How about the friendly ghost from upstate NY, Casper Wells? 276 MLB at bats v. LHP = .264 .349 .489.
I am sure Seattle would move him now that they Michael Morse too.
But I would really take Seattle’s Franklin Gutierrez who is an ideal platoon player between his ability to hit lefties, his need to rest and his excellent defense. .293 .351 .479 v. lefties for his career.
Would Seattle pay the majority of the $7.5m he is owed?
TX
1/25/2013-10:46am at 10:46 am (UTC -4)
I bet they would… If the get Bourn. They are just dying up here to do 2 things. 1. Re-sign King Felix. 2. Sign a big name. Any big name. Why doesn’t anyone like our city? It’s nice in the summer. What the heck!?!?
So, If they can snag Bourn, I bet it would open up something and they can use some pitching.
Stick
1/25/2013-10:57am at 10:57 am (UTC -4)
see, this is what I was babbling about up above (among other things). Instead of having to get a “big name”, potentially blowing the FA budget for the next few years, see if you can snag a not-exotic name, that can give you comparable production (even if out of a platoon). Save teh money for a difference maker, if you can find one.
wanny
1/25/2013-11:31am at 11:31 am (UTC -4)
I was only in your city once. I loved it. Business trip — had to be 2000 — caught Fishbone one night but missed Unified Theory the next because I got the flu. I blame “something” that I shared with Angelo Moore of Fishbone as being the conduit of the flu. If you know FIshbone you’ll know what I mean.
Flight home was terrible though. Fell asleep before takeoff (which I thought was a great thing). Woke up 5 hours later and we were on the ground. What a great flight, I thought! But we were still in Seattle…. and I still had the flu. And then an unplanned layover in Chicago…
Maybe I don’t like Seattle, afterall.
TX
1/25/2013-11:39am at 11:39 am (UTC -4)
Loved the song Swim.
greggofboken
1/26/2013-2:03pm at 2:03 pm (UTC -4)
I am in Seattle as we speak, working a trade show. My second visit. It’s a nice place. My first visit I hit the Mariners team store, though haven’t yet been there this time. On booth setup days, I had my North Hudson Regional Fire Dept. baseball cap on and got lots of inquiries about the Garden State. On two subsequent days I had Mets gear on. Not a single question about Jason Bay. Apparently he has not yet piqued the local interest.
I suspect it’s just a matter of time.
srt
1/25/2013-10:58am at 10:58 am (UTC -4)
‘Want a RH platoon bat for the OF with some power?’
Yes, please.
Stick
1/25/2013-11:03am at 11:03 am (UTC -4)
Andrew Brown not exciting enough for you?
srt
1/25/2013-11:11am at 11:11 am (UTC -4)
LOL.
Stick
1/25/2013-11:19am at 11:19 am (UTC -4)
don’t snooze on him. I see a chance for a late bloomer type when he finally gets a real chance. Someone like Werth?
srt
1/25/2013-11:58am at 11:58 am (UTC -4)
Works for me, stick.
srt
1/25/2013-10:54am at 10:54 am (UTC -4)
I think it’s a long shot we sign Bourn, protected draft pick be damned.
I would hope they’re continuing to look in other directions, as Wanny suggested above.
It also will not surprise me if we enter the season rolling with the platoon OFs we’ve got right now.
Stick
1/25/2013-11:02am at 11:02 am (UTC -4)
like I said, i waffle on Bourn. If he did not forfeit a pick, and could be had on a Vicky priced deal (3/36), what the hell, go for it.
But if he is taking a top pick, a big chunk of the draft $ allotment, and is going to be the only “big” FA signed for the next 2 years (and gets a 4-60+ contract) than no, pass on him.
If he is being looked at as a filler piece to help for a few years, then find some cheaper ST options to cover that.
darknova306
1/25/2013-11:08am at 11:08 am (UTC -4)
I’m not a fan of Bourn’s game or the type of contract he’s likely to get (draft picks not withstanding). That said, I absolutely think the highest priority for this team should be setting up a solid defense to go with the pitching. Putting DD in CF as a cheap glove+ option is cool with me. That would give the Mets 2/3 of a solid up the middle defense (I’m very low on Murphy).
Stick
1/25/2013-11:16am at 11:16 am (UTC -4)
we are on the same page here. good sign for you!
I am also not sold on Murphy. Still pissed at what’s his name that can’t stay healthy (and bad sign that he went from my next man-crush to forgetting his name!)
in any case, I consider 2B to be up for grabs if someone wants to step up and take it (or SS, which could push Tejada over)
Oh yeah, Reese havens. How could I forget the name of Mr. rib tip?
Stick
1/25/2013-11:12am at 11:12 am (UTC -4)
I agree with something MF said here. I am looking forward to ST. I actualy like to see open competition for spots. better than committing to a mediocre guy 3 months before ST and taking all the fun out of it!
let Kirk, Baxter, Spin and Dekker fight for the 2 LH OF spots. If you want it, put a ring on it (oh wait, that is the Beyonce song my daughter kept making me listen to in the car…). Make that wid the damned job and run with it.
Hoffman, Brown/ lagares and Cowgill can fight for the RH jobs. Same deal.
I am for now pencilling in Duda for LF job for now, just because I think it is his to lose (entirely possible if he does not show some defensive improvement!).
My guess, right now Cowgill has the inside track on one of the RH jobs, and an outside chance of winning the everyday CF job.
but I still think there will be effectively 3 platoons going among 5 guys, but if any of them can grab a FT gig, wunnerful.
TX
1/25/2013-11:38am at 11:38 am (UTC -4)
You slip some purple drink in your coffee this morning?
And yes, while spring certainly does foster that eternal hope of goodness, I’m not looking forward to seeing Moe, Larry and Curly, with Shemp and Curly Joe all wandering around that OF.
darknova306
1/25/2013-12:01pm at 12:01 pm (UTC -4)
I’ll agree that watching a competition for a roster spot is fun. I’m mostly looking forward to ST so we can move on to talking about stuff that’s actually happening on a field again.
greggofboken
1/25/2013-11:24am at 11:24 am (UTC -4)
Putting Bourn in the outfield will certainly help the defense, but it’s still pretty shaky. Baxter (-.7 DWAR), Kirk (-.3 DWAR) and Duda (-2.2 DWAR – the worst Met since Mo Vuaghn in that area) flanking him (3.0 DWAR for him last year) still leaves you in sorry shape. Cowgill (.9 DWAR over 74 games — so small sample size) has to be part of the equation.
If you can get the first round pick protected — do it. If not, keep your resources for someone else, keep the pick…and keep the pick’s budget money.
Prismo
1/25/2013-11:28am at 11:28 am (UTC -4)
dWAR be damned, Kirk is an above average fielder, and Baxter is probably an average fielder. Cowgill is also very good.
greggofboken
1/25/2013-11:42am at 11:42 am (UTC -4)
Perhaps Baxter. But I’m not sure how you’re making that conclusion about Kirk. Yes….very limited ML info, but negative UZR as well.
gategem
1/25/2013-6:38pm at 6:38 pm (UTC -4)
Kirk possesses the unique ability to make the routine appear spectacular.
Prismo
1/25/2013-11:35am at 11:35 am (UTC -4)
I think a lot of this depends on the contract, which no one is really talking about…because we have no idea what’s realistic.
Is 2/23 with a vesting option for a 3rd year enough?
Or is this going to take 4/48 with an option for a 5th year?
Or, of course, somewhere in-between?
TX
1/25/2013-11:41am at 11:41 am (UTC -4)
I’d go so far as to do 4/52. 5th year is not an option. Boras wants five… Sandy says buh-bye.
Prismo
1/25/2013-11:48am at 11:48 am (UTC -4)
I would go as far as saying 4 guaranteed years might even mean a “buh-bye” from Sandy.
wanny
1/25/2013-11:47am at 11:47 am (UTC -4)
Mets said to be working on relief pitcher right now. Plenty of options. I would even be interested in more than one, including some of the following:
K-Rod
Valverde
Durbin
Lyon
Rauch
M. Lowe
Gaudin
Loe
Devine
Lyon would be my first choice. No splits. Can K guys. Step in to close, if needed. Other than K-Rod and Valverde, could be the most expensive of the group.
I would be open to K-Rod too.
Also like Mark Lowe — competent against l/r. might be cheap enough to sign him and one other.. Maybe combine him with a make-good guy like Todd Coffey, coming off injury.
Prismo
1/25/2013-1:25pm at 1:25 pm (UTC -4)
Thanks for listing some of the options wanny.
I really think we should pay for 2 of these guys and really revamp the bullpen for just a few million bucks.
I honestly think improving the bullpen would make this team SO much better.
srt
1/25/2013-11:59am at 11:59 am (UTC -4)
Finally see the details of the Marcum signing.
4 MIL plus incentives. Physical today.
TX
1/25/2013-12:02pm at 12:02 pm (UTC -4)
More than I would have thought, but he could certainly be worth it. I stamp this move with TX’s approval.
Prismo
1/25/2013-12:05pm at 12:05 pm (UTC -4)
Solid!
Prismo
1/25/2013-12:17pm at 12:17 pm (UTC -4)
If I may soapbox myself for just a moment.
I am utterly at my wit’s end with the current phrase “replacing Dickey’s innings” which has gained traction thanks to Metsblog. I just cannot stand the notion that free agency is all about replacing innings; it just doesn’t make any f***ing sense to me.
“Well Marcum’s pretty good and all but like will he really replace Dickey’s innings?”
What the F**K does that even mean? Is he going to pitch as many innings on average as Dickey did last season? No. But then again…just about no pitcher in the bigs can do that. So why is this relevant; we’re talking about replacing a starting pitcher not some arbitrary number of innings. Comparing a new pitcher to one who’s gone is completely meaningless. You compare him to the other options you actually have at that position.
REPLACING INNINGS!?
This seemingly insignificant phrase gives me nightmares when I sleep, I swear to god it really does. From Baron, “He won’t replace all of Dickey’s innings, but he along with growth from the holdovers (and what’s on the way) should be able to produce around 200 of those innings.”
WHAT DOES THAT MEAN!?!?!?!???
WHAT THE BLEEPING BLEEP DOES THAT MEAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I can’t even fully explain my full frustration with this notion, because it makes so little sense to me. Any bleeping starter you get is going to probably throw 180-200 innings if healthy, and the bullpen will “replace” the rest. What’s the big freaking obsession with this? It means NOTHING. ABSOFREAKINGLUTELY NOTHING.
WHY AM I SO ANGRY ABOUT THIS.
YOU ALL THINK I’M INSANE.
TX
1/25/2013-12:24pm at 12:24 pm (UTC -4)
Harvey will take Dickey’s innings. Simple as that.
And while the phrase is dumb, basically they are wondering who is going to step up and pitch CY young like for the Mets now that Dickey is gone.
wanny
1/25/2013-12:45pm at 12:45 pm (UTC -4)
The phrase doesnt offend me.
Another way of looking at it is wondering who will keep the bullpen out of the game for the number of innings you expect Dickey to have pitched.
In this case, Marcum may give you about 185 and then you will have 40 innings of complete crap.
The net is a loss.
But not as bad as it would have been if another clown was pitching the first 180.
Stick
1/25/2013-2:27pm at 2:27 pm (UTC -4)
actually Harvey will take harvey’s innings.
Marcum, and whoever fills in while he is on the DL, will cover Dickey’s STARTs which is really what they are talking about.
The total # of innings will be covered mostly by those starters, with the Pen covering the handful (average of 1 or so per start) that dickey would have pitched (going deeper into a game).
Prismo
1/25/2013-2:36pm at 2:36 pm (UTC -4)
<3
srt
1/25/2013-12:35pm at 12:35 pm (UTC -4)
hahaha – I appreciate a good rant.
Your problem is reading a photographer/pitching analyst and taking what said analyst says at face value.
Most sites I’ve seen use other stats, such as WAR, to determine replacement value and the like. Not that I frequent metsblog anymore but from what I remember, they never did get into any kind of sabermetrics.
Yeah, DIckey is a hard act to follow. No doubt about it.
I really doubt we’re looking at the 2013 CY award winner on our staff. Maybe in the future….
As TX said though, some of those innings can be made up by the other 4 starters (remember Batista???) and a better BP than we had last year.
kingman 26
1/25/2013-1:16pm at 1:16 pm (UTC -4)
This is why I do not almost ever read the complete idiocy that is published right under the names “Matthew Cerrone” and “Michael Baron”–I read the headlines and head straight for the comment section.
The two of them are perhaps America’s very best current examples of the Peter Principle in action.
Baron is about as deserving of writing on a widely read blog as I am deserving of performing open heart surgery or singing lead at the Metropolitan Opera House.
Research is preliminary, but ongoing studies have shown that people of average intelligence lose about .08 IQ points for every 500 words they read which were written by Cerrone or Baron.
PS—SEVERAL people in the comment area over there have recently said that they come here for content and just go there for news and the volume of commenters.
TX
1/25/2013-1:26pm at 1:26 pm (UTC -4)
go there now. article titled Matt Wheeler. Apparently they have spliced Wheeler and Harvey.
Prismo
1/25/2013-1:36pm at 1:36 pm (UTC -4)
To be fair it appears he actually fixed it.
kingman 26
1/25/2013-1:50pm at 1:50 pm (UTC -4)
HAHAHA! The thread is great.
Seriously, I am starting to feel bad for them…they are just not close to being up to their jobs. It’s sad and pathetic at the same time.
Stick
1/25/2013-2:23pm at 2:23 pm (UTC -4)
If you worked in the corporate world, you would be more than used to it at this point.
the # of clueless people in hig level positions is astounding.
kingman 26
1/25/2013-3:48pm at 3:48 pm (UTC -4)
And that my friend is one of the many excellent reasons why I am NOT in the corporate world.
However, we do deal with major music companies and some of the biggest colleges and universities in the world, and the incompetence and downright idiocy we encounter on a regular basis is quite amazing.
The manifestation of this which has surprised me the most is the number of music stores which buy music we publish who pay via credit card, receive an invoice clearly marked “paid in full” and then ALSO mail a check! This really happens usually at least once a month. In one incredible instance, a business run by a man who is one of the best known jazz educators in the world paid one invoice THREE times—they paid twice, I contacted them about it, so they then paid AGAIN. Really.
So it has led me to imagine that this must happen an astonishing amount in the business world.
So yes, for me, running my own business is the only real option for me to be in business since the rock star thing fell JUST a tad short…
gategem
1/25/2013-7:05pm at 7:05 pm (UTC -4)
“This seemingly insignificant phrase gives me nightmares when I sleep, I swear to god it really does.”
“WHY AM I SO ANGRY ABOUT THIS.
YOU ALL THINK I’M INSANE.”
If I “wore a younger man’s clothes” I would take you to a few places that would definitely replace these thoughts with more pleasant ones. But in lieu of that you might try Paxil.
It’s a common phrase and quite meaningless since you’re not readily replacing a Cy Young award winner’s performance. The sports world is overrun with stupid phrases. My favorite is when an outstanding player is injured they say that the backup will just have to step up and do the job. Don’t you think if the backup could step up and excel he would have already done so?
Mr North Jersey
1/25/2013-2:27pm at 2:27 pm (UTC -4)
I shared these thoughts earlier at MMO but they fit here as well.
He gives the team a Gold Glove fielder in CF that I can imagine will turn a lot of singles into doubles and doubles into triples in Citi Field who is familiar with the NL East along with settling the Mets question of who will bat leadoff. I can envision a Bourn, Tejada 1,2 combo atop of the order.
Looking at it like this I can see why the Mets would consider giving up the pick in an effort to sign him. Though I still have to wonder if going with a Nieuwenhuis or Den Dekker option might not be the better alternative as well.
Then though it comes down to what it would take to sign Bourn and that may make any attempt moot.
Stick
1/25/2013-2:34pm at 2:34 pm (UTC -4)
I think the only way it happens is if the deal is too cheap to pass up (say 3/36), and not long enough to be a hinderance. Neither of which I see happening.
I would be fine trying out all the possible young options (Kirk, MDD, Cowgill) to see if any of them can rise to the occasion, and become part of the solution going forward (as in 2014+).
If not, then that becomes a higher priority at the trade deadline or next off season.
I think Bourn will give the team more than any of the other options in 2013, but I would not bet on that being the case in 2014 too.
Randy
1/25/2013-4:37pm at 4:37 pm (UTC -4)
I would just make a trade for either
Jose Tabata, PITT or
Chris Heisey, CIN
Both bat right handed. Heisey does have
more power.
Wouldn’t take much to get either one.
Stick
1/25/2013-5:52pm at 5:52 pm (UTC -4)
see, that it what I have been saying. Comb all the rosters, and try to pick off a lesser name guy that rakes lefties, at least, and try to snag him on the cheap.
They did not give up much for Cowgill.
Don O'Brien
1/25/2013-11:04pm at 11:04 pm (UTC -4)
@ Kingman26: Hairston is gone. I wish him well. But don’t give me this, “his very limited talents.” Hitting half the time against right handers, half against left handers, he led the whole team in slugging percentage. He was the best outfield bat we had. His 20 home runs in only 377 at bats looks pretty good against Wright’s. If he improved his walks, he would have had the best OPS, too. He played LF, RF, and 12 times in CF. How bad could his fielding have been if Terry Collins put him in CF 12 times.
No matter how bad Ike Davis was the first half of the year, he was played every day.
If you think Scott has very limited talents, what is your assessment of the 6 or 8 candidates to play outfield this coming season?
greggofboken
1/26/2013-1:02am at 1:02 am (UTC -4)
The things that you’re bringing up seem to say more to me about the Mets’ anemia than Hairston’s prowess. Leading the Mets in slugging percentage is no great honor. Only 3 other teams (Cubs, Astros, Braves) had someone lead the team with a lower slugging percentage than Hairston’s .504. He was 80 points behind Wright’s OPS. That’s more than a few extra walks. The fact that Collins had to run him out to centerfield 12 times speaks to how poor the combo of Torres and Kirk proved to be.
Hairston was a fine role player….but it seems to me he played a bit ahead of himself last year. (And if he’d been exposed to righties less frequently, his OPS would have benefitted substantially.)
TX
1/26/2013-1:08am at 1:08 am (UTC -4)
Good post.
Hazmet
1/26/2013-6:10pm at 6:10 pm (UTC -4)
I really enjoy your contributions to the site. Good stuff, spot on.
greggofboken
1/26/2013-8:50pm at 8:50 pm (UTC -4)
Many thanks. It’s a good venue, with exceptionally thoughtful commentary. I’m glad to have the opportunity to chime in.
kingman 26
1/26/2013-12:34pm at 12:34 pm (UTC -4)
Hi Don–
Thanks for visiting and commenting–you might try to learn the game a bit better.
Hairston is an aging bench/platoon player who hit 20 HR for a bad team with no good offensive players aside from Wright in the first half.
Wow.
He cannot field or throw (defense is a big part of the game), he cannot draw walks, he strikes out too much, and is overall a very mediocre player with VERY limited value.
He has never been on a good team, and the only team to apparently really want him was another terrible team known for overspending.
As Emil Faber once said, “Knowledge is good.”
Stickguy
1/26/2013-2:06pm at 2:06 pm (UTC -4)
And as a wise dean once told Delmon Young: “fat drunk and stupid is no way to go through life son”.
Hairston also shows the fascination many people have with HRs. if he had instead hit 15 (with 5 falling just short for a double instead), would anyone have cared at all if he came back?
a career year at 32 or so is always a caution flag. 2011 was pretty mediocre. But, I wish all the best for him, toiling away in the obscurity of the Cubs.
gategem
1/27/2013-12:13am at 12:13 am (UTC -4)
And as a wise dean once told Delmon Young: “fat drunk and stupid is no way to go through life son”.
What the hell is wrong with going through life fat, drunk and stupid?
1. You just described the vast majority of the populace.
2. You just described those that are most content and happy with life.
3. You just described those that get laid the most.
gategem
1/27/2013-12:04am at 12:04 am (UTC -4)
Kong there is a pseudo elegance to your taunting raillery of a commenter whose post you deem to be lacking somewhat.
wanny
1/26/2013-6:51pm at 6:51 pm (UTC -4)
Hairston hit against right handers — sort of. While he popped a nice amount of home runs, it came with a price… a .281 OBP…
v. RHP – 239 .281 .457
Stickguy
1/26/2013-11:07am at 11:07 am (UTC -4)
Well, speaking of OFs, it seems that Duda is going to be around. And least I would assume the Mets would not feature him on one of their update emails (that I got today). Kind of a “where’s Duda and what is he up to” deal.
TX
1/26/2013-1:07pm at 1:07 pm (UTC -4)
Any mention of his startup moving company?
srt
1/26/2013-1:25pm at 1:25 pm (UTC -4)
LOL….
I’m really rooting for that bat of his to come around this year. Otherwise, it’s gonna be ugly for him – probably wind up back in the minors.
Stickguy
1/26/2013-2:03pm at 2:03 pm (UTC -4)
I agree. he either needs to bust out of the gate hitting like 2nd half 2011, or he won’t be around long. Since I am not expecting more than a little bit of improvement on D.
darknova306
1/27/2013-12:18am at 12:18 am (UTC -4)
Isn’t Duda also one of those guys with only one option remaining? Swear I saw a tweet listing the Mets with only one option left and he was on it.
I predict his last option gets burned by mid-June, and he’s flat out released by season’s end. Good riddance to a bag of crap.
Stick
1/27/2013-12:38am at 12:38 am (UTC -4)
he will likely end up over in the AL as a DH, and will hit a whole bunch of HRs when he no longer has to worry about lumbering around the OF any more.
Stickguy
1/26/2013-2:02pm at 2:02 pm (UTC -4)
maybe he can start up a “Mr. Handyman” franchise with Carl pavano instead?
If I had made north of $50 mill by the time I was 35, pretty sure I would not be shoveling my own snow.
srt
1/26/2013-2:26pm at 2:26 pm (UTC -4)
This.
Or painting my own house, which we’ve been doing for the better part of 2 weeks now. At the rate we’re going, it’s gonna take all winter.
Stickguy
1/26/2013-2:40pm at 2:40 pm (UTC -4)
I do all my own interior painting. but leave outside to the pros.
I don’t enjoy it that much, but do good quality work, and considering how much it would cost to pay someone to do it, not really an option to get out of that chore!
srt
1/26/2013-2:47pm at 2:47 pm (UTC -4)
Outside? That’s what vinyl siding is for.
Stickguy
1/26/2013-3:01pm at 3:01 pm (UTC -4)
unfortunately we have wood trim that needs to get painted every so often.
srt
1/26/2013-4:05pm at 4:05 pm (UTC -4)
Ugh.
Come spring we have to rip the roof off and replace it thanks to SS Sandy. Not looking forward to that. I shouldn’t complain though b/c compared to many down here on the Jersey Shore, our insurance company was great. We settled for far more than we thought they were going to pay for. Now I’m just crossing my fingers they don’t drop us.
But 18 days until pitchers and catchers…can’t wait.
Hazmet
1/26/2013-6:04pm at 6:04 pm (UTC -4)
Since we’re in the Bob Villa section of the broadcast, since September:
Repainted the Living Room & Master Bedroom, Also in the Master hung a new Ceiling Fan + New Carpeting, Wallpapered the Eat In Kitchen, installed new bamboo flooring in the Living Room and replaced various electrical outlets. Did all of this myself accept the carpeting. All this while having a Condo’s worth of furniture swap into our house from a condo my mom sold. It’s been insane, at one point we literally were looking for a square foot to put a package down as we rotated furniture in and out of rooms. I’m still in the process of running the bamboo flooring through the kitchen. Then it’s onto the bathroom later this year. I need some baseball on in the background at this point to keep going.
srt
1/26/2013-6:54pm at 6:54 pm (UTC -4)
Bob Villa…..lol. Very ambitious, Haz.
And yes, I need me some baseball too.
darknova306
1/27/2013-12:20am at 12:20 am (UTC -4)
Snow is awesome, so I’d shovel snow as long as necessary regardless of my fortunes. I’d also brew in my driveway during blizzards because screw the haters. Boom!
CaseStreet
1/27/2013-6:50pm at 6:50 pm (UTC -4)
Would’ve been nice to have Pagan in CF, even with his mistakes. Would’ve also liked to see Hairston come back and start in LF. Not sure why Mets couldn’t give him a 2 year deal. It’s not like they have anyone to replace him.
Any change anyone in the system in the system can become better than Capt. Kirk in CF in the next two years? How about Valdespin? He showed potential.
If not, I’d take Bourn on a 3 yr deal, if the price is right. There’s always Go-Go as a FA next year.
Mr North Jersey
1/27/2013-7:04pm at 7:04 pm (UTC -4)
Wait your name looks familiar but I can’t place the face.
CaseStreet
1/27/2013-8:29pm at 8:29 pm (UTC -4)
Hey Mr. NJ, how you been?
Mr North Jersey
1/27/2013-9:11pm at 9:11 pm (UTC -4)
I’m OK thx 4 asking hope your doing well as well. Just wanted to say it’s nice to see your name among the recent comments
CaseStreet
1/27/2013-9:42pm at 9:42 pm (UTC -4)
I appreciate it. It’s been a while. Glad to see you guys have kept it going.
So you think Alderson pulls the trigger on Bourn?
Stick
1/27/2013-10:07pm at 10:07 pm (UTC -4)
I guess no. but I would still love to see them pick up someone else. Not expecting it, but hey, I wasn’t expecting Marcum either.
Mr North Jersey
1/27/2013-10:37pm at 10:37 pm (UTC -4)
The chances are slim in my opinion.
CaseStreet
1/27/2013-11:05pm at 11:05 pm (UTC -4)
Yeah, I don’t see it either unless Bourn’s price has significantly dropped. I’m not sure all the arm crossing about the #11 pick is as real as its been made out to be. More like some posturing to get the price down.
Alderson has to do something. Lineup 1-6 w/ Bourn looks much better than w/o.
With: Bourn-Murphy-Wright-Davis-D’Arnaud-Duda