Now I know you guys hate Rumors

[Guest Mark Healey]

but you might like this:

http://www.gothambaseball.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1650

Please discuss...:-)

[Frayed Knot]

Discuss what, that some of the stuff being talked about may actually occur while other stuff won't?


hmmm ... I agree!

[metirish]

The fact that the Mets want Zito is hardly news, and nothing to be keeping quite about, a question, who are you quoting in this?...

things like....

]As for Ramirez, putting the 2004 World Series MVP in a lineup with Carlos Delgado, Carlos Beltran and David Wright in the middle of it, "makes a good offense a great offense."

and if everyone in baseball thinks Zito will go to the Mets next year anyway why the hell would anyone let alone Omar trade the players you named in the article for him this year....if another team beats that this off-season then good for them....I would shoot Omar if he ddi that trade....

[nymr83]

We don't hate rumors, we just don't like people claiming sources that they refuse to prove they have. i'm all for idle trade speculations as long as it is framed as such- a fan's opinion of what should/could happen.

as for the article linked above, we've been over Manny ad nauseum around here and i see no reason to even talk about it again unless he actually shows up at a Shea press conference.

[Elster88]

]Those close to Minaya say he's furious that for ther second time in the last six months, the Red Sox are "playing games." Sources say Minaya is convinced the Angels are not the slightest bit interested in Ramirez, that Boston knows this, and a trade of Ramirez to the Mets is inevitable. Others sources are saying the Phillies -- via the Abreu-Ramirez "trade talks" -- were more than happy to take part in what some Mets insiders are calling a "game of chicken". "(Minaya's) not buying", and his apparent refusal to counter-offer the Phillies' "offer" for Ramirez today may have worked. We'll know in a few days. GB is also hearing that the Benson-Julio deal is far from being completed, and maybe, just maybe, Minaya playing a little game of three-card monty of his own .... That's why, apparently, they are refusing to give the Mets the money that would seal the deal. Minaya knows this, but baseball sources say "(Omar's) holding all the cards". GB has learned that Minaya doesn't really want to deal Milledge to Boston, because he wants to have his most significant chip to get the player he desires almost as much as Ramirez.

I'm going to have trouble taking your righteous indignation seriously when I bring up how the "anonymous source" may just be a way for columnists to put attention-grabbing rumors into their columns. What's the record for most anonymous sources quoted in an 800 word column?

]As for Ramirez, putting the 2004 World Series MVP in a lineup with Carlos Delgado, Carlos Beltran and David Wright in the middle of it, "makes a good offense a great offense." Every GM in baseball agrees.

You think so, doctor?

[smg58]

Hate Rumours? Name me a better Fleetwood Mac album.

[Guest Johnny Dickshot]

Loving you
Is it the right thing to do?
How can I ever change things
That I feel?

If I could
Maybe I'd give you my world
How can I
When you won't take it from me?

You can go your own way
Go your own way
You can call it
Another lonely day
You can go your own way
Go your own way

Tell me why
Everything turned around
Packing up
Shacking up is all you wanna do

If I could
Baby, I'd give you my world
Open up
Everything's waiting for you

You can go your own way
Go your own way
You can call it
Another lonely day
You can go your own way
Go your own way

---- Instrumental Interlude ----

You can go your own way
Go your own way
You can call it
Another lonely day
You can go your own way
Go your own way
You can call it
Another lonely day

[MFS62]

This is scary:
"...that Minaya doesn't really want to deal Milledge to Boston, because he wants to have his most significant chip to get the player he desires almost as much as Ramirez."

So, it doesn't mean he won't trade Millege. It means he won't trade Millege for Manny, but would trade him for someone else.
I wonder who that other player is?

Any guesses?
I hope they don't mean Soriano.

Later

[Guest Yancy Street Gang]

My guess is that it probably is Soriano that they're referring to.

[seawolf17]

No, they're referring to Barry Zito. Read the column; it's the very next line.

[Guest Rotblatt]

Having just read a ton of rumor mill articles in various rags, I actually found this one rather refreshing, although the last few paragraphs turned me off a bit.

The anonymous source listings are no different from the other papers, but this one's a little more interesting--and juicy, with the whole "Omar's pissed off" thing.

Personally, I'd be livid if we traded Floyd, Trachsel & Milledge for Zito, but not a lot more so than if we traded Floyd, Heilman & MIlledge for Manny . . .

[Centerfield]

I like rumors. I don't like when rumors are reported as facts or relied upon later for criticism along the lines of "Well we could have had [big star] for Heilman last winter and we didn't pull the trigger!"

[Guest sharpie]

[big star] didn't want to come to New York, anyway, so f**k him.

[Guest Mark Healey]

] we just don't like people claiming sources that they refuse to prove they have.

I'll remember that when I'm at the winter meetings on Monday, Mr. Message Board Poster that uses an Internet Alias.

I think my record of a decade as a journalist is a pretty good one.

[Guest Mark Healey]

Rotblatt wrote: Having just read a ton of rumor mill articles in various rags, I actually found this one rather refreshing, although the last few paragraphs turned me off a bit. The anonymous source listings are no different from the other papers, but this one's a little more interesting--and juicy, with the whole "Omar's pissed off" thing. Personally, I'd be livid if we traded Floyd, Trachsel & Milledge for Zito, but not a lot more so than if we traded Floyd, Heilman & MIlledge for Manny . . .

Thanks, I appreciate it. It's all about letting the readers know what people are thinking, nothing more.

[nymr83]

Mark Healey wrote: I'll remember that when I'm at the winter meetings on Monday, Mr. Message Board Poster that uses an Internet Alias. I think my record of a decade as a journalist is a pretty good one.

ok Mr. "Journalist" who makes up his "sources" and can't show otherwise.

your record? what record? i can make up rumors every week for a year and be in the same spot you're in.

[Guest KC]

Oh come on Mark, let's cut the crap.

You started a thread with a teaser thing about not liking rumors.
You get to link your column to a couple of dozen message board
posters who don't work in your field. You sprinkle the said column
with a bunch of rumors and flimsy backup. You ask the message
board posters to discuss. You get discussion. You don't like the dis-
cussion so as an ego-defense mechanism you remind us that you
get to go the winter meetings while us schmucky message board
posters you invited to discuss your flimsy column have to go to
work in their boring message board visiting inducing jobs. Have a
nice trip, rub some elbows for us.

I think as a forum, we've been pretty darn hospitable to you
and your other writers. Sure there is some wise cracking and stuff,
but this is a message board and we don't need to be reminded of
it by a low tier sports columnist who just happens to have a press
pass.

[seawolf17]

[Guest Mark Healey]

="KC"]Oh come on Mark, let's cut the crap. You started a thread with a teaser thing about not liking rumors. You get to link your column to a couple of dozen message board posters who don't work in your field. You sprinkle the said column with a bunch of rumors and flimsy backup. You ask the message board posters to discuss. You get discussion. You don't like the dis- cussion so as an ego-defense mechanism you remind us that you get to go the winter meetings while us schmucky message board posters you invited to discuss your flimsy column have to go to work in their boring message board visiting inducing jobs. Have a nice trip, rub some elbows for us. I think as a forum, we've been pretty darn hospitable to you and your other writers. Sure there is some wise cracking and stuff, but this is a message board and we don't need to be reminded of it by a low tier sports columnist who just happens to have a press pass.

Accusing a person of making up sources isn't discussion, it's a personal attack and insulting. I was speaking to him and him alone. Unless of course you agree with him as far as his "charges". When I spend three hours on the phoine speaking with dozens of people to write a column, I get annoyed when I being accused of "making it up" by a guy who uses an alias. .

]a low tier sports columnist who just happens to have a press pass

That's not discussion either.

[Guest martin]

you cant question a guy who spends 3 hours on a phone with people.

[nymr83]

name your sources or keep expecting me to call you out on it. you aren't Peter Gammons or even Buster Olney, i have no reason to believe anything you tell me to be more than your own speculation.

[Guest Yancy Street Gang]

Now let's be fair here. If he starts naming his sources, he won't get as much information as he would otherwise.

Yes, you may trust Peter Gammons more because he has a longer track record, but if Gammons named all of his sources when he was less famous, he wouldn't have gotten to where he is today.

Sometimes the only way a reporter can get information is if it's off the record, or if he promises not to quote his source. It's not only Mark Healy who plays it that way, it's everybody.

[Guest KC]

I certainly don't expect him to name names to prove anything to a bunch
of schmucky message board posters.

Mark, this is a small group of fans. We're familiar with each other and for the
most part it's pretty friendly. CF is a pillar of this group, he's not some shark
hiding behind an alias out to bite the ass of anyone who strays into the pool
with an opinion. Remember, it's a message board - and no one is throwing out
"charges, attacking, or insulting" and I'm sorry you're "annoyed".

(Jeez, he's like Ms. Met with credentials and a magazine)

[Zvon]

Rumour, inuendo, speculation, fact or fiction......it dont matter to me.

As long as writers are writing about my Mets.

You read stuff, you process it, you form your own conclusions.
Whats the winter for baseball wise if not for speculation until the facts come in?

The Mets should hold on to Lastings Milledge, at least until we see if Beltran can live up to his potential in NYC, and also see if Floyd can come close to matching his '05 numbers. Im more worried about the latter.
From all I read about Milledge, he'd be a nice addition to Reyes and Wright as a future homegrown Met.

Ramirez would be nice and I wouldnt mind the Mets getting him, but he's a distracting ballplayer and Victor Diaz and/or Xavier Nady will be fine in right (if Beltran can post all-star type numbers).
Ramirez playing right? To me thats a lil scary. Fun to watch, but Id rather see Diaz do his little circle around the ball dance. He usually catches it and has an okay arm.(I know little about Nady)
Manny would never have had as many assists if he wasnt playing the green monster and people ran on him hoping his head was where it sometimes is, when he's on the field. Personally, if the Mets did get Ramirez, Id rather see him in left and Floyd in right. But I dont think we need him.

We need to settle the catching situation, and it will be settled before long.
We need a healthy 30 plus game starting Benson or someone in that slot who can give us that.
We need the same from Trachsel, a veteran workhorse who I like, but Id rather see him moved before Benson this winter.
We need afew more dependable middle relief arms, but who doesnt.
We need afew bench players like the departing Marlon Anderson who can step in and step up when the need be.
We need to either give Kaz Matsui another chance, or fill that gap. I hope he's somewhere workin on turning the double play right now. In the infield he's the weakest link. Id rather give Matsui the shot than see Cairo out there anymore on a regular basis. But an upgrade at 2nd would be nice given the right deal.

Im sure I can think of afew more things we need. We do need Beltran to play up to his potential, as I said earlier. I cant stress that enough. Delgado's bat should take some pressure off him. I hope so.

But we don't need Manny. We could use him and Id love it if they did get him. But I wont be bitchin if they dont.

The more I read about Omar Minaya, the more Im thrilled he's the Mets GM. And I do mean thrilled.
Hes a smart and savy baseball man. He's almost always available for comment, not off on some 3 week sea cruise. He's aware that he may be being played right now in the Manny situation, and lets face it, thats something GMs do at times, among their other skills. Play the market. The baseball market.

Keep writing Mark, and as long as its about the New York Mets, Ill read it and enjoy.

[Guest Johnny Dickshot]

Sweet wonderful you,
You make me happy with the things you do,
Oh, can it be so,
This feeling follows me wherever I go.

I never did believe in miracles,
But I've a feeling it's time to try.
I never did believe in the ways of magic,
But I'm beginning to wonder why.

Don't, don't break the spell,
It would be different and you know it will,
You, you make lovin' fun,
And I don't have to tell you you're the only one.

You, you make lovin' fun
You, you make lovin' fun

[nymr83]

Yancy Street Gang wrote: Now let's be fair here. If he starts naming his sources, he won't get as much information as he would otherwise. Yes, you may trust Peter Gammons more because he has a longer track record, but if Gammons named all of his sources when he was less famous, he wouldn't have gotten to where he is today. Sometimes the only way a reporter can get information is if it's off the record, or if he promises not to quote his source. It's not only Mark Healy who plays it that way, it's everybody.

thats the thing though, i have no reason to believe he HAS any information that the public doesn't. Anyone who would talk to a no-name internet sports writer has probably blabbed to the public already.

Thanks to the wonders of the internet, anyone can start a website, call themself a journalist, invent X number of rumors, and pat themself on the back when 1 out of X comes true and the others turn out to have never even been discussed. I have no reason to believe that this Healey guy has done anyhing but that.

[Guest Mark Healey]

no one is throwing out "charges, attacking, or insulting" and I'm sorry you're "annoyed".

Saying that I make up my sources isn't a personal attack? I sure as hell do.

[Guest Mark Healey]

]thats the thing though, i have no reason to believe he HAS any information that the public doesn't. Anyone who would talk to a no-name internet sports writer has probably blabbed to the public already. Thanks to the wonders of the internet, anyone can start a website, call themself a journalist, invent X number of rumors, and pat themself on the back when 1 out of X comes true and the others turn out to have never even been discussed. I have no reason to believe that this Healey guy has done anyhing but that.

I have been a writer for the last 10 years. This is part of my bio, available at the website, had you bothered to look.

After a full-time internship at WFAN 660-AM, Mark began his radio career in earnest, working first as a AM producer, then as an AM reporter, then as an anchorman at WSTC-AM in Stamford, CT. He later was hired by WRKL-AM in Rockland Country, NY as the News Director/Evening News. Then, fate intervened, as Mark was offered a position at AP Sports, where's he been since 1998. Since then, Mark has also taken on several other assignments, such as serving as the beat reporter for the Brooklyn Cyclones, beginning with the club's first-ever season in 2001. He later became a contributing writer at Mets Inside Pitch, before leaving this past winter to begin publishing his column "Going Nine." Just a few months later, with GN in tow, his partnership with Mike McGann began, and their combined vision has produced Gotham Baseball.

I don't have to make up anything, as through years of covering the Mets organziation from the lowest level of the minor leagues, and working for the largest news agency in the world, I've developed quite a few contacts.

That should answer your questions. I apologize to the rest of the board if I in any way insulted them, it was not my intention.

[metirish]

Nice bio, did you get to cover Kazmir when he was in Brooklyn?

[Guest Mark Healey]

metirish wrote: Nice bio, did you get to cover Kazmir when he was in Brooklyn?

I did...great kid and great stuff.