Diaz Traded!

[Frayed Knot]

Press Release:


METS ACQUIRE CATCHER MIKE NICKEAS FROM TEXAS

The New York Mets today acquired minor league catcher Mike Nickeas from the Texas Rangers in exchange for outfielder Victor Diaz. Nickeas will report to St. Lucie (A) of the Florida State League while Diaz will be assigned to Oklahoma (AAA) of the Pacific Coast League.

Nickeas, 23, appeared in 17 games with Bakersfield (A) of the California League this year, batting .297 (19-64) with six runs scored, four doubles and six RBI. Mike missed three weeks of action in May with a pulled hamstring before he was promoted to Frisco (AA) of the Texas League on May 28th. Nickeas hit .248 (28-113) with 15 runs scored, seven doubles, two home runs, 15 RBI with 21 walks and 22 strikeouts in 39 contests with Frisco.

Mike batted .202 (49-242) with seven doubles, one triple, five home runs and 24 RBI in 68 games with Frisco in 2005. He also, hit .286 (6-21) with one double, one home run and one RBI with the rookie-level Arizona Rangers.

Nickeas was named the best defensive catcher in the Rangers’ organization by Baseball America in 2005.

The 6-0, 205-pounder was Texas’ fifth round selection in the June, 2004 Free Agent Draft after spending three years at George Tech.

Diaz, 24, was designated for assignment on August 22nd. He hit .224 (85-379) with 30 runs scored, 16 doubles, eight home runs, 38 RBI, 25 walks and 99 strikeouts in 103 games at Norfolk (AAA) of the International League.

Victor went 2-11 (.182) with a double and two RBI in six games with New York this year.

[Guest Edgy DC]

"Nickeas"? Is that Greek or something?

[seawolf17]

He must be Jewish.

SEEYA, Diaz. Never liked him anyway.

[Guest Johnny Dickshot]

The Tim Bogar Trade Chain = ALIVE!

[Guest KC]

Is this the memory of Diaz thread? I thought for some time he'd amount to
more ... I'm often wrong. Part of me felt he was buried by the org at one point,
but then when you suck at the level he's been at at that age ... cut bait time,
I guess.

[Guest Hillbilly]

Johnny Dickshot wrote: The Tim Bogar Trade Chain = ALIVE!

Please tell us more. I gots to know!

[seawolf17]

Bogar was dealt to Houston for Luis Lopez, who was dealt to Milwaukee for Pulsipher, who was dealt to Arizona for Lenny Harris, who was dealt to Milwaukee for Burnitz, who was dealt to LA for Victor Diaz, who was dealt to Texas for this new Youkilis-sounding guy.

[Guest Johnny Dickshot]

Once the Mets whacked McEwing, Bogar became the oldest "source" of current Met trade acquirees. With the injuries to Zambrano & Fortunato, and the DFAing of Diaz, this was in danger.

[Guest Rotblatt]

Mike Nickeas
2/13/83
6-0
205 lbs
Throws & bats right handed
Drafted in the 5th round of the 2004 draft



He did well in Northwest league short season ball in 2004, posting a .878 OPS in 233 at bats. For some reason, he was promoted directly to AA in 2005 and predictibly struggled, putting up a line of .202 AVG/.263 OBP/.302 SLG/.565 OPS in 242 at bats. He missed two months that year when he broke his right thumb.

He was teammate to Mets Milledge, Lambin, MacLane, Lindstrom, and Owens on the Grand Canyon Rafters in the AFL in 2005, and put up an impressive line of .425 AVG/.468 OBP/.675 SLG in 40 AB.

This year, he spent most of his time in AA in Fresno, and showed good patience at the plate, although no power, putting up .248 AVG/.382 OBP/.363 SLG/.745 OPS over 113 AB. He must have gotten injured again, given the low at bat totals, and he probably spent some time rehabbing in the Arizona rookie league, where he had 64 AB, putting up a .297 AVG/.395 OBP/.359 SLG/.754 OPS.

He crushes lefties to the tune of .290/.395/.548/.943 OPS and has ben red hot in August, hitting .394/.475/.576/1.051. All in all, his post all-star OPS is .841.

Given that he was rated BP's best defensive catcher in 2005, I'll call him a decent return for Diaz.

[Guest Yancy Street Gang]

He's kind of old to be in Single A, isn't he? I'm guessing he's more likely to be the Tides' catcher of the future than he is the Mets'.

[Guest Hillbilly]

seawolf17 wrote: Bogar was dealt to Houston for Luis Lopez, who was dealt to Milwaukee for Pulsipher, who was dealt to Arizona for Lenny Harris, who was dealt to Milwaukee for Burnitz, who was dealt to LA for Victor Diaz, who was dealt to Texas for this new Youkilis-sounding guy.

That's quite a chain. Everyone played in the Bigs with Mets, but it ain't no allstar team, that's for sure.

[Guest sharpie]

The Pulsipher, Harris and Burnitz parts of that trade thread were all for their second stints on the Mets. Trade Nickeas for a former Met NOW!

[Guest Yancy Street Gang]

Which former Met would we most like to see return?

Scott Kazmir wouldn't count.

How about Melvin Mora?

[Centerfield]

It is also important that the former-Met to be acquired have some trade value because keeping alive the thread is the most important thing.

[Centerfield]

Johnny Dickshot wrote: Once the Mets whacked McEwing, Bogar became the oldest "source" of current Met trade acquirees. With the injuries to Zambrano & Fortunato, and the DFAing of Diaz, this was in danger.

McEwing traced his roots to Ed Hearn right?

[Guest Edgy DC]

And Rick Anderson.

[Guest Johnny Dickshot]

& Kevin Michell.

[Guest cleonjones11]

Edgy DC wrote: "Nickeas"? Is that Greek or something?

It's all Greek to me

[Guest cleonjones11]

Gyro night at Shea? Ummmmm

[Theoldmole]

If we can trade Nickeas for Barry Zito, that would give Tim Bogar an uplift.