Severe Ankiel Separation

[Guest Swan Swan H]

The Astros have released http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2013/05/astros-release-rick-ankiel.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitterRick Ankiel.>

It may embarrassing to admit that you are intrigued by the Astros' leavings, but is he worth a shot as a guy who can play some CF and hit more than Brown or Lagares? His leftiness is a detriment, but what say the 'Pool?

[Frayed Knot]

Sort of more of the same low-OBP with promise of power types that we have now - plus I'm assuming that much of that power promise is not nearly as promising as it was several years ago.
Good glove, GREAT arm, but then, as you said, lefty-swinging.

[Guest Mets � Willets Point]

He deserves some thanks for his contribution to the 2000 Mets pennant drive.

[Edgy MD]

Rick Ankiel graduated from Port St. Lucie High, so I imagine he'll get a shot with the Mets before all is done. I'm not sure that this is the day, though. As noted, sort of redundant with what they have now.

[dinosaur jesus]

Would he be willing to try pitching again? He'd probably be more help there.

[Zvon]

He's one of those "could be washed up" guys the Mets sign. I've always liked him after he had the balls to try again in the OF. Couldn't be any worse than Byrd. I'd give him a look.

[Guest metsguyinmichigan]

Joining him in the release list: Fernando Martinez.

[Edgy MD]

Ankiel was hitting .194 / .231 / .484 // .715.

Not good, but more or less what you'd expect out of him, and in fact, his best performance in a few years.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Hitting aside, Ankiel would be a significant defensive upgrade in either corner-OF position, no?

[involuntarily retches in own mouth]

[Edgy MD]

It's hard to say. I mean, yeah, he's got to be better than Duda, as most everybody is, but rightfield is a harder call, as we aren't seettled on a particular player out there, and how much is range has deteriorated is up for debate.

I generally think Byrd has been OK in right. I don't think what we're hunting for is another defensive replacement, or specialist of any sort. We have an outfield full of specialists, sort of.

I guess Byrd is the closest thing to a generalist, as he's equally not particularly good at a lot of things. He's five-tool meh!

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Marlon Byrd is an okay spare tire; the problem is, instead of really, REALLY searching for a better tire, we're really kinda hoping he lasts 15000 miles.

Ankiel would immediately be the best arm we have in the outfield; unless the range is such that he could use a knee replacement, he's got to be at least a push in the range department with Byrd, doesn't he? (See: the other day's gap triple with 3 seconds of hangtime.)

[Edgy MD]

Sure, get me an improvement on Byrd. A Byrdie with a super arm or something. But I'd still want a righthanded hitter. I got a little hope that Brown might be that guy.

And by the way, Hairston fans: .132 / .167 / .395 // .561 in 23 games, so he may be hitting the waiver wire pretty soon.

[Guest Swan Swan H]

This may happen.

http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/blog/jon-heyman/22230414/mets-are-talking-to-ankiel-about-a-deal

[metirish]

Sure ,why not?

Can he pitch too?

[metirish]

Heyman

#mets agree to terms with ankiel

[Edgy MD]

dinosaur jesus wrote: Would he be willing to try pitching again? He'd probably be more help there.

"Gimme ten minutes. All I need."

[Valadius]

It all comes full-circle. Wow.

I mean, think about it. Would you have thought that, 13 years after his infamous meltdown in the NLCS, that:

A) He would still be a major league ballplayer?
He would be an outfielder with decent power?
C) He would be putting on a Mets uniform?

It's simply Amazin'.

[duan]

most importantly, like Tom Seaver, he's got wine http://thewineandcheeseplace.blogspot.ie/2009/07/rick-ankiel-wine-is-here.html

[duan]

AND he likes citifield
http://rickankiel.mlblogs.com/2009/06/27/new-york-state-of-mind/

[Zvon]

Valadius wrote: It all comes full-circle. Wow. I mean, think about it. Would you have thought that, 13 years after his infamous meltdown in the NLCS, that: A) He would still be a major league ballplayer? He would be an outfielder with decent power? C) He would be putting on a Mets uniform? It's simply Amazin'.

Agreed.

[Centerfield]

I don't understand this move at all. The Mets are going nowhere this year. Why take away at-bats from Valdespin/Lagares?

Fucking Mets. Play the guys that at least have a chance to be good someday.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

I got it... as a Byrd substitution.

[Zvon]

Edgy MD wrote: dinosaur jesus wrote: Would he be willing to try pitching again? He'd probably be more help there. "Gimme ten minutes. All I need."

Rick looks like a vulcan in Star Trek. Don't even have to photoshop it.

[Edgy MD]

Centerfield wrote: I don't understand this move at all. The Mets are going nowhere this year. Why take away at-bats from Valdespin/Lagares? Fucking Mets. Play the guys that at least have a chance to be good someday.

I still say that, yeah, give young players PT, but I'm cool with putting old guys in between them and full-time jobs to force them to keep fighting for bigger roles.

As a move in the face of their Mets' strikeoutophilia, not an impressive statement.

[A Boy Named Seo]

He's not a new story, but he's such a weird and awesome one, and the St. Lucie ties could give it some fresh NYM-centric legs... hopefully. I can't wait to see the '30 for 30' on this guy someday.

It's easy to see this AAAA outfielder and forget how dominant he was as a young pitcher. BP's #1 prospect, 12.8 K's per 9 in the minors and he effing mashed, too. Hit 10 homers in the minors one year in 105 AB's. He was the real life Steve Nebraska and then, poof.

This team's so hard to stomach at times, I'm all for trying to milk a feel-good story.

[Frayed Knot]

A Boy Named Seo wrote: I can't wait to see the '30 for 30' on this guy someday.

No, I'm sorry. '30-for-30s' are commissioned by ESPN so only basketball & football stories are allowed.

[HahnSolo]

The Bartman 30 for 30 was one of their best.

[Frayed Knot]

HahnSolo wrote: The Bartman 30 for 30 was one of their best.

Yeah, in the original '30/30' series starting back in '09 there was actually a decent variety of films which included several w/baseball themes [bartman; Fernando-mania; Red Sox comeback].
But now that they're tacking on to those the newer stuff is all hoops & gridiron -- IOW, essentially just run of the mill ESPN programming..

[Guest Swan Swan H]

30 for 30, Season 1 topics:

Football - 7
Baseball - 6
Basketball - 5
Boxing - 2
1 ea - Hockey, Media (Jimmy the Greek), Rugby, Soccer, BMX, Tennis, Distance running, Track & Field, NASCAR, Miscellaneous (The events of June 14, 1994, which included the Rangers Stanley Cup parade, Arnold Palmer's last US Open round, Knicks/Rockets in the NBA finals, World Cup Soccer opening ceremonies, and OJ Simpson's Bronco Ride. Great episode).

[MFS62]

If they featured Bo Jackson or Dion Sanders, did that count as one of each (baseball and football)?
Later