young cuban slugging 2bman to be on the market next week!

[Vic Sage]

a 26-year old slugging 2bman is about to become available!

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ap-cubanplayer-dominican&prov=ap&type=lgns

I know we have other things to think about right now, but this is an important news item about the possibility of solving a much-discussed problem for next year's team.

[Valadius]

He wants to sign as a shortstop to follow in the footsteps of his favorite players, "Ozzie Smith, Rey Ordonez, and Omar Vizquel."

I don't trust a guy whose idol is Rey Freaking Ordonez. And we already have a shortstop.

At least see if El Duque can give us any kind of scoop. If not, I'm not worried about the dude.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Or maybe he'll sign with the World Champion New York Mets as a highly paid second baseman despite his shortstop dream.

I wouldn't dismiss him because he wants to be a shortstop. They should certainly talk to the guy. Hopefully the Mets will be able to get a sense of what their chances are before they have to make any final decisions on Castillo.

[metirish]

OK lets not let Val take this of course....this "dude" should be worth a look,I'm sure Minaya will give this due diligence.

[Valadius]

Well sure, take a look at him, I'm all for that. But considering our recent history with bringing players in from other countries, I'd at least be cautious. Remember, if we sign the guy to replace Castillo, not only are we replacing our second baseman but our #2 hitter as well. Would he work there? Or would we need to find another #2 hitter? And would his defense at second base be comparable or better than Castillo? How about his speed? I just want to make sure he'd be a good fit for this ballclub.

[metirish]

All valid points Val.

[Guest Johnny Dickshot]

It's all invalid.

They're going to be cautious regardless; the "recent history with bringing players in from other countries." is irrelevant on every level; the rest of it are questions you ask of any player.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Yeah, I don't see how Alay Soler or Kaz Matsui have any impact on how this guy performs.

[Guest Edgy DC]

="Valadius"]He wants to sign as a shortstop to follow in the footsteps of his favorite players, "Ozzie Smith, Rey Ordonez, and Omar Vizquel." I don't trust a guy whose idol is Rey Freaking Ordonez. And we already have a shortstop.

I'll disagree. And I don't conclude one of his favorite players = "idol."

[metirish]

Johnny Dickshot wrote: It's all invalid. They're going to be cautious regardless; the "recent history with bringing players in from other countries." is irrelevant on every level; the rest of it are questions you ask of any player.

yeah true that....not a great class of FA second basemen....

http://mlbcontracts.blogspot.com/2000/04/2007-free-agents.html

[Theoldmole]

Yeah, the Mets have had such bad luck on Latino ballplayers in the past few years, I'd pass on him without even looking at him.

[metsmarathon]

matsui would've been our best secondbaseman this year...

if the young cuban wanted to emulate ozzie, rey, and omar defensively, then i'm way cool with that.

regardless, which of the same cadre of talent evaluators that brought in matsui, shinjo, soler, etc., are poised to repeat the trick on this kid? or is it an inherent property of the mets that no matter whichever talent evaluator they bring in, they are incapable of properly evaluating foreign talent, as compared to the excellent ability of the rest of the teams throughout major league baseball?

[Benjamin Grimm]

metsmarathon wrote: or is it an inherent property of the mets that no matter whichever talent evaluator they bring in, they are incapable of properly evaluating foreign talent, as compared to the excellent ability of the rest of the teams throughout major league baseball?

That would be true if Mike Francesa's way of thinking was correct.

I remember him saying that David Wright wouldn't amount to anything because the Mets farm system hadn't produced a quality major league hitter since Darryl Strawberry.

(His memory was as faulty as his logic; he overlooked Edgardo Alfonzo.)

[Guest Rockin' Doc]

The Mets definitely need to pursue all options for upgrading the second base position for next season. Maybe Castillo is the answer, maybe not. Either way, it's worth looking at Alexei Ramirez to see if he could be a good addition to the team. After exercising due diligence in evaluating his abilities and the potential cost to sign him, the Mets need to check his birth certificate closely to be certain he is truly getting ready to turn 26, rather than 36.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Yancy Street Gang wrote: ="metsmarathon"]or is it an inherent property of the mets that no matter whichever talent evaluator they bring in, they are incapable of properly evaluating foreign talent, as compared to the excellent ability of the rest of the teams throughout major league baseball? That would be true if Mike Francesa's way of thinking was correct. I remember him saying that David Wright wouldn't amount to anything because the Mets farm system hadn't produced a quality major league hitter since Darryl Strawberry. (His memory was as faulty as his logic; he overlooked Edgardo Alfonzo.)

Any idea when he might have said this?

[Benjamin Grimm]

My guess would be spring of 2004. I think it was a while before Wright would be called up but after the buzz had started.

[Guest Edgy DC]

New project, take turns visiting the Museum of Broadcasting listen to their garbage from from that era until we find the incriminating quote.

Write down the exact quote, day and time; report it here; and we all pollute the internet with it until Francesa resigns in disgrace, leading to a new era in which WFAN's tagline is Reflectvie Voices of Reason.

[Vic Sage]

you mean like Fox New's tagline is "fair and balanced"?

[soupcan]

Edgy DC wrote: New project, take turns visiting the Museum of Broadcasting listen to their garbage from from that era until we find the incriminating quote. Write down the exact quote, day and time; report it here; and we all pollute the internet with it until Francesa resigns in disgrace, leading to a new era in which WFAN's tagline is Reflectvie Voices of Reason.

Wow - how cool would that be?

Is it possible? Does the MoB have that stuff? I'd consider quitting my job just to spend days trying to find that quote.

[Valadius]

Alexei Ramirez is still available, and he can also play the outfield. Maybe we can sign him to play right field and as insurance at 2nd, and flip Church in another deal.

[Guest OlerudOwned]

What happened to the other slugging Cuban second baseman? The one who had the really good World Baseball Classic? You know, What's-his-face.

[seawolf17]

Yuniesky Gourriel, or something like that, right?

[Guest OlerudOwned]

Yeah there we go.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?id=2536573