Hot Stove 2009-2010

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Well, yes. But the lefties' performance last year places them somewhere between Joey (30 HR career in 3734 ABs) and Alex (35 HR in 3076 ABs) on the Cora scale.

(Though, to be fair, 271 of those at-bats came from Thumbs n' Leadership hisself.)

[batmagadanleadoff]

MFS62 wrote: Here's some long distance optimism from my pal, the German Mets fan. Its a nice recap that seems to mirror some of what has already been said.

I think that there's a good amount of truth in your friend's optimistic analysis. For all of the inconsistency issues concerning the Mets starting rotation, the staff was good enough to win the division during the two "collapse" seasons, mainly because the Mets offense was excellent. The middle of the lineup was a juggernaut that might've been the best in all of baseball in 2007 and 2008. When Jerry Manuel replaced Wee Willie Small Balls, the kiddie brakes were removed from the offense and the 2008 Mets responded by posting the best record in the NL -- post Willie. If Wilie's Kids had won as frequently as Jerry's Gangsta's did in 2008, the Mets would have won the division easily and with enough days of rest to set their rotation to optimal advantage for the playoffs. The offense was good enough to overcome not only a decent though unspectacular rotation (one Cy Young caliber pitcher and four question-marks of varying degree), but one of the worst bullpens in modern baseball history.

One new problem going forward in 2010 is that a moderate upgrade to the starting rotation might not be enough to overcome the potential question marks that now mar the Mets offense what with Reyes' and Beltran's injuries and Wright's strange and powerless 2009 season.

[Guest Edgy DC]

No, they were worse lefthanded, power-wise. No doubt. But when Betltran and Delgado (and Reyes, too, though he wasn't hitting for much power when healthy) go down for most of the season, and the homer totals are reminscent of the Torre era, thems numbers don't surprise me is all. There's a lot of room for improvement there, but I'll take improved performance from any side of the plate, and if they jack up their homer totals, I don't care where they come from.

[metirish]

Not that I don't appreciate the brilliant analysis on display here daily but I don't think a Mets roster with Spring Training a week away has been dissected and poured over as much as this one , or maybe I should say dissected and poured over for who's not on the roster.

Let's play ball dammit

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Point taken, Irish. Getting antsy here, too. Promise... no more rumor-monge--

(Checks Outlook calendar)

(Notices date, counts 7 more days to P & C)

Ah, well... what's another one?

In on Endy? Yes, apparently.

Free agent outfielder Endy Chavez has made rapid progress after major surgery on his right knee and could be ready to play in May -- perhaps even April, according to the most optimistic projections. At this point, Chavez and his agents must decide on one of two courses of action: Chavez could sign with a club soon and rehabilitate with the team�s medical staff throughout spring training, or continue his workouts individually and stage a showcase in late March. Either way, one major-league source said that he�s drawing interest from a number of teams that could use outfield help, including the Mets, Mariners, Blue Jays, Astros and Royals. Of those teams, Chavez has already played for the Royals, Mets and Mariners. The Mets have some uncertainty in the outfield, as they await the return of Carlos Beltran from his knee surgery.

[Guest Edgy DC]

It's a tough call, ain't it? If he can't realistically be expected to be ready until Beltran is ready, then he has less value. I guess at that point, when Matthews becomes a fifth outfielder and isn't performing, he can come up (or down) from Buffalo to displace him. He can also work as a defensive sub for any of the lugs who may displace Francoeur during the season. But I expect, if French loses PT to somebody who hits more consistently, he'd still be a defensive sub out there, unless he's dealt.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Not that it changes anything from a Metly perspective, but... well... wherever Felipe Lopez ends up signing, it probably won't be broken by Jon Heyman.

Free-agent infielder Felipe Lopez has fired his agent, Scott Boras, and signed on with the Beverly Hill Sports Council, a source told ESPN.com Friday. The 29-year-old Lopez was reportedly disgruntled over still finding himself without a team, just days before the beginning of spring training. Lopez batted .310, with a .383 on-base percentage, last season for the Diamondbacks and Brewers. The only other free agent on the market this winter who matched or beat him in both of those categories was Matt Holliday. The Cardinals are the only club known to still have interest in Lopez, who was also on Colorado's shopping list before the Rockies signed Melvin Mora.

Like I says, it doesn't change anything, and I've been fighting the he-should've-signed-here compulsion so common to our kind. But if he signs for 3M in, say, St. Louis... I'll have to fight a lot harder.

[Guest metsguyinmichigan]

"Not that it changes anything from a Metly perspective, but... well... wherever Felipe Lopez ends up signing, it probably won't be broken by Jon Heyman.


Bad ass!

[Guest Edgy DC]

Blue Jays reportedly sign Jose Molina. Indians reportedly sign Russ Branyan.

[metirish]

Edgy DC wrote: Blue Jays reportedly sign Jose Molina. Indians reportedly sign Russ Branyan.

FU Omar....I am sooooooooo pissed that he didn't even make an offer for these two fine men.

It's outrageous the crap I as a Mets fan must endure......they'll be all laughing at us over this.

Edited February 19, 2010 by Guest

[Benjamin Grimm]

People are laughing at Mets fans because the Indians reportedly signed Russ Branyan?

How odd.

[metirish]

Having a bit of fun is all.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

I mean, it's no surprise, but yecch, it still stinks like month-old lox. At least I can stop wondering, "Maybe." (A reminder: that's 250K less than the Mets are paying Alex Cora to do the same job less productively.)

[Gwreck]

When was the last time the Mets had a good bench? 2006?

[ashie62]

Gwreck wrote: When was the last time the Mets had a good bench? 2006?

Probably at a bar

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Gwreck wrote: When was the last time the Mets had a good bench? 2006?

"Other day, Bro-ses Malone-- like, 500 pound puppies. Hey, can you spot me, by the way? Frenchy's busy gettin' LASIK."

[ashie62]

Please tell me this Canadian Dr. didn't spin Reye's blood with HGH...They don't test for that anyway right?

The kid is healthy and now he's meeting with the FBI...oye

Damn Canadians

[MFS62]

Read some good news/ bad news in the Daily Snooze this weekend.
Good news: they put Saucy Arturo Lopez on waivers.
Bad news: He cleared waivers and will be coming back to Mets camp.

Later

[Valadius]

Diamondbacks giving Justin Upton a 6-year, $50 million extension.

[Frayed Knot]

Garret Anderson: LA Dodger

(I think this is new news ... well, it's new to me anyway)

[Guest Edgy DC]

Probably nothing, but...

Buster Olney wrote: The Reds are interested in acquiring Gary Matthews, Jr. from the Mets in the event Angel Pagan wins NY�s CF job (as expected).

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

They've got, like 7-8 MLish guys in camp already.

Cincinnati Inky's beat guy sez:

#Reds source on Gary Matthews Jr.: Zero interest. Listed 5 OFs in camp he'd take over Matthews. about 19 hours ago via Twittelator Retweeted by 7 people

[Guest Edgy DC]

Sheesh, does every team have a beat guy named Jon _ayman?

[MFS62]

ESPN radio (Mike and Mike) said that the Twins' closer, Joe Nathan has a labrium tear that may require season-ending surgery. This was later confirmed by Buster Olney.

Hmmm, The Mets have lots of relievers and catchers and the Twins need a reliever.
I think Omir Santos and Bobby Parnell for Joe Mauer sounds fair, because Mauer hasn't signed a contract extension yet. If I missed it and he has signed one, I'll up the ante to Josh Thole and Parnell for Mauer.

No, do not call the guys in the white coats to pay me a visit. This was a prediction of what some of the WFAN callers will be saying today.

Later

[metirish]

The Mets may have made out with the Twins in getting Santana, I don't see that happening again.

[TransMonk]

On the coldest of burners...

The Rockies extend Todd Helton through 2013.

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

[Valadius]

The Twins signed Joe Mauer to an 8-year, $184 million extension.

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=AionabxJ4xk7KgNUVAgOJ7Q5nYcB?slug=ap-twins-mauerextension

[ashie62]

Nice to say the Twins new stadium probably prevented Mauer from exploring all of his options.

He becomes the face of a small market franchise that remains competitive year after year

[Benjamin Grimm]

Valadius wrote: The Twins signed Joe Mauer to an 8-year, $184 million extension. http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=AionabxJ4xk7KgNUVAgOJ7Q5nYcB?slug=ap-twins-mauerextension

Excellent.

The Daily News on Sunday was speculating about how he was likely the successor to Posada. Glad that's been nipped in the bud.

[seawolf17]

Well, let's not be too hasty. Says here that they're asking him to waive the no-trade clause in December 2014 so they can trade him to the Yankees.