McCullough live chat now..

[ashie62]

Here is the link

http://www.nj.com/mets/index.ssf/2011/06/upcoming_mets_live_chat_with_s_3.html

[metirish]

Comment From Jerky Jerkface

Seems to me like Terry Collins may not be the greatest at managing his bullpen, possibly costing the Mets games last night, and Pelfreys previous two starts. Is this something others are noticing or just me?
12:36

Andy McCullough: I'm no manager, but leaving Dickey in to face McCutchen meant asking for trouble. Leaving Dickey to face Neil Walker, after a walk to load the bases, meant asking trouble to punch you in the face.

[metirish]

Here's what I don't get........answers like this, why do the fucking chat man?




Comment From Ron Davis

I beleive in 2012 the Mets need a younger and better pitching coach then Dan Wartham . I do not like how he coaches


12:37
Andy McCullough: You can always write a letter to the organization, I suppose.


yeah it's not the best observation by Ron Davis but come the fuck on.

[TransMonk]

McCullough is as douchy as any of the writers/chatters/tweeters.

His chats are pointless. I'm fairly certain that I could be as informative as he is in his chats...and I'm a thousand miles away from the Mets' clubhouse.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

TransMonk wrote: McCullough is as douchy as any of the writers/chatters/tweeters.

Definitely can be. And then some.

His chats are pointless. I'm fairly certain that I could be as informative as he is in his chats...and I'm a thousand miles away from the Mets' clubhouse.

Disagree, strongly. Unlike most of the others-- who tend, for better or worse, to stick to their talking points-- he rises to the level of the questioning. If it's FAN-caller-type-stuff, he's curt, then-- if it continues-- smarmy. If it's interesting questions-- like last time around-- then he's more insightful or thoughtfully analytic than most (if not all) of the others.

[TransMonk]

Maybe I'm not following closely enough.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

I mean, truth be told... you probably CAN do his job. That's the open secret of sports journo-ing these days, innit? It's just that he's a little bit of a smart outsider at this-- not having been steeped in the cliches of grit-and-personality-and-managerial-fortitude-win-ballgames helps a lot. He's like Chico Harlan, only with enthusiasm and a willingness to learn about the numbers.

Doofy, but informative:

Comment from Pat what met started the claw? haven't seen anything on that. Curious when it started and what they said about it. does texas know....will there be t-shirts....Run like a ________ like a what.... Andy McCullough: Everything, of course, begins with Jose. Reyes started doing it last year, sort of as an inside joke with Razor Shines. I'm pretty sure the industry credits Miguel Tejada as the creator of this gesture. Meanwhile, I read that the Rangers new slogan is "walking the dog," which is what Mike Young calls hitting a ball to right field. Those guys are great.

And, in terms of informed speculation:

Comment From Guest: Is there any truth or rumor about David Wright will be traded in this off-season if Reyes resigned? if true how many players we will get it return for wright. 12:15 Andy McCullough: The Mets are still waffling on what to do, from what I understand. I don't think it's cut and dried. But if Wright gets dealt in the offseason, the benchmark for a return package would be Teixeira. Wednesday June 1, 2011 12:15 Andy McCullough 12:15 Andy McCullough: Teixeira-type package, I should say.

Thoughtful, if sobering, analysis (can you see someone like Klapisch delivering this without a kiss of smarm?):

Comment From Ira Teams can win with 105 million payrolls, but don't you think it's because those teams build up to that amount as opposed to tearing down to that amount? 12:56 Andy McCullough: Well, that's true. I didn't flesh out the point. This is about the long haul. The Mets are not constructed to win a title in 2012. They are probably not ready to challenge in 2013. The ills and excess of the Minaya regime require a systematic cleansing that begins with drafting and developing talent. This is not about now. This is about the future, always, until Alderson gives further notice. So freaking out about the payroll dropping and the team being bad is so short-sighted, it's almost hard to fathom.

[Ceetar]

My question if I bothered with these things would've been "Do you think the Mets need to add a bat while they wait for Ike and David, and do you think the Yankees would be willing to trade Cano right now given that they can just sign him back after the season?"

I mean, I know what the answer is, both the real answer and the Mets are doomed answer I'd probably get, but it's still fun to try.

[metirish]

I assume he's talking about Texaria to the Braves from the Rangers and that package?

http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/teixema01.shtml

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Yeppers. Which, frankly, would be one hell of a haul for SugarPants, at this point.

Cee, I think that if you think Rubin has a toxic agenda, then you're not going to like Andy.

[Ceetar]

Wait, when did Alderson give notice that we're not going to try to compete until 2014 and wait until we hear it from him first?

I haven't unfollowed Andy yet for some reason. Maybe he just hasn't pissed me off enough?

I think him, DiComo and Popper are the only traditional guys i still follow.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Ceetar wrote: Wait, when did Alderson give notice that we're not going to try to compete until 2014 and wait until we hear it from him first?

"This is about the long haul. The Mets are not constructed to win a title in 2012. They are probably not ready to challenge in 2013. The ills and excess of the Minaya regime require a systematic cleansing that begins with drafting and developing talent. This is not about now. This is about the future, always, until Alderson gives further notice. So freaking out about the payroll dropping and the team being bad is so short-sighted, it's almost hard to fathom."

I can't find that quote here. I do see a lot of stuff about "probably" and a reiteration of the whole sustainable-winner thing that Alderson mentioned as his primary aim when he took the job.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Long-range plans are always overstated. It's not about now, it's not about next year, it's about 2014. That's ridiculous. Teams come along at the pace they come along and fail to come along at the pace they fail. Of course they're trying to win now. Maybe they're putting more resources in this direction or that, but that doesn't mean they're cashing out one account and dumping it all in the other.

Short-term plans are overstated also. I've very suspicious of the on-the-bus/off-the-bus mindset. Approaches can be diversified.

[Ceetar]

Edgy DC wrote: Short-term plans are overstated also. I've very suspicious of the on-the-bus/off-the-bus mindset. Approaches can be diversified.

and so far I trust Alderson understands this.

But then, I felt like Omar understood it too, but then seemed to spiral into win-now moves to justify last years win-now moves and the glue inbetween fell apart.

A team with a 100-145 million dollar payroll is capable of doing both. They can make decisions that are both good for now, and later. (Keeping Reyes) They can make moves that are good for just later and get some prospects or work the draft. They can also do moves that made good now, but won't be much help later. Signing a Carlos Zambrano at the deadline for prospects he's soured on for instance.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

I don't think that McCullough's necessarily talking in absolutes, that rant notwithstanding. His comments seem more about expectation, and what to look for from this group. They CAN contend this year, or next. Do they have a legit, realistic expectation of doing so? While Alderson and the gang are all about maximizing on-field output, I doubt even they would tell you that they EXPECT to win a division before 2013.

And Zambrano's a move that might be possibly a little good now, but "won't be much help later" severely understates the effect on roster construction he'd have through 2013.

[Ceetar]

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr wrote: I don't think that McCullough's necessarily talking in absolutes, that rant notwithstanding. His comments seem more about expectation, and what to look for from this group. They CAN contend this year, or next. Do they have a legit, realistic expectation of doing so? While Alderson and the gang are all about maximizing on-field output, I doubt even they would tell you that they EXPECT to win a division before 2013. And Zambrano's a move that might be possibly a little good now, but "won't be much help later" severely understates the effect on roster construction he'd have through 2013.

Honestly Zambrano's just a random name I picked off the top of my head. I'm not even sure what the list of expiring contract pitchers the Mets could go after is. I'd forgotten Big Z still has years left.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Reyes and Wright are of an age when, were they free agents coming from another team, would be (mostly) viewed as good signings for 2013 and 2014.

Wouldn't they?

[Ceetar]

Edgy DC wrote: Reyes and Wright are of an age when, were they free agents coming from another team, would be (mostly) viewed as good signings for 2013 and 2014. Wouldn't they?

Pretty much.

The Mets visit Milwaukee next week. Milwaukee may be one of those teams shopping for a SS. I suspect we'll hear some 'rumors' about Brewer interest in Jose Reyes, who would add a rather tasty hop profile to the Brewer lineup.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Difference is, you wouldn't-- and won't-- be paying for them for 2013 and 2014. For a premium, youngish FA not coming off a down year/significant injury, you're paying for 2012-2018 (if not beyond).

Is bringing both back worth it? Well, without other moves or developments, probably not. Are the Pirates suddenly division leaders if they sign Pujols this offseason?

[Guest Edgy DC]

Mmmmmmmaybe.

[TransMonk]

Ceetar wrote: The Mets visit Milwaukee next week. Milwaukee may be one of those teams shopping for a SS. I suspect we'll hear some 'rumors' about Brewer interest in Jose Reyes, who would add a rather tasty hop profile to the Brewer lineup.

They don't really have a lot of pieces to deal if we are looking to bring back Jose's full value...although they do need a shortstop and leadoff hitter. IMO, if they were to add Reyes, they would run away with the Central.

[batmagadanleadoff]

Ceetar wrote: My question if I bothered with these things would've been "Do you think the Mets need to add a bat while they wait for Ike and David, and do you think the Yankees would be willing to trade Cano right now given that they can just sign him back after the season?" I mean, I know what the answer is, both the real answer and the Mets are doomed answer I'd probably get, but it's still fun to try.

I'd like for you to host one of those Q & A's. Your answer to your own question would be: "The Mets have plenty right now. Nick Evans and Daniel Murphy and what not will hit 25 HR's before Wright and Davis return this weekend."

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

http://espn.go.com/sportsnation/newyork/chat/_/id/39042

Rubin taking your dumb questions NOW!!!!

Oscar Madison is in the Q

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: http://espn.go.com/sportsnation/newyork/chat/_/id/39042 Rubin taking your dumb questions NOW!!!! Oscar Madison is in the Q

Oscar Madison (New York) Is Ike Davis the oldest 24 year old in the world? Am I right to interpret that Terry, etc., are frustrated/mad to see how slowly he's coming along? When's he gonna rub some dirt on it and get on the field? Adam Rubin (12:05 PM) I have a strong suspicion it's more complex than him being a slow healer.

What the hell does that mean?

[Guest Edgy DC]

The real Oscar Madison would ask a followup, but sounds like he has no taste for your tone, McBone.

Rainy Lara has asked a question.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Rainy Lara gets the back of Rubin's hand.

I think Pelfrey is an underreported trade candidate. He's replaceable with a cheaper player for the Mets, attractive to a team that's a starter short, and his salary going forward would be a nice contribution to the Reyes Fund.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Edgy DC wrote: The real Oscar Madison would ask a followup, but sounds like he has no taste for your tone, McBone.

We'll put that to the test.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Edgy DC wrote: The real Oscar Madison would ask a followup, but sounds like he has no taste for your tone, McBone. We'll put that to the test.

Very douchy, Adam. First Oscar asked if he was right to sense frustration in Terry's tone regarding Ike's injury (the quote was something like "I've never seen anything like it") he gets a response that "it's complex", asks for clarification in a followup only to to be told the frustration angle is all wrong.

Chat, schmat. this whole medium sucks.

[Frayed Knot]

He seems to be saying that the injury is more complex that the "sprain" or however it is/has been reported ... but I have no idea why he's being cryptic about it.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Frayed Knot wrote: He seems to be saying that the injury is more complex that the "sprain" or however it is/has been reported ... but I have no idea why he's being cryptic about it.

I do, he has no respect for his elders in the newspaper biz, that's what.