Benjamin Grimm

Cora's signing is now official.

Rumor has it the Yankees are also in the mix for Ben Sheets. So I guess the answer is no, they don't feel they have enough starters. (At least, if these reports are correct.) Perhaps they're still looking for someone to potentially fill Andy Pettite's spot?

="Adam Rubin"] Freddy G deciding between Mets & Yanks January 22, 2009 Free agent Freddy Garcia appears to have narrowed his decision to the Mets and the Yankees, with a decision coming within 24 hours. With the Mets, Garcia likely would be thrust into the competition for the fifth starter's role with Tim Redding and Jon Niese, not as a substitute for signing Oliver Perez, Randy Wolf or Ben Sheets. It's unclear whether Garcia could command a major-league deal. But, remember, most one-year contracts don't become fully guaranteed until the player makes the team anyway, with the team only liable for 30 or 45 days' pay if he's cut before Opening Day. Garcia did make late-season starts for the Tigers last year after returning from shoulder surgery. He had to back off while pitching in winter ball, but that purportedly was muscular-related and not the type of structural damage that led to surgery.

="Edgy DC":2raunp2q]Can UMDB do a quick home/road split since 1981 and tell us which Mets have lit the apple the most?[/quote:2raunp2q] Piece of cake! Most Shea Stadium (regular season) Mets home runs since 1981: Darryl Strawberry 127 Mike Piazza 99 Howard Johnson 90 David Wright 70 Kevin McReynolds 65 Todd Hundley 57 George Foster 53 Edgardo Alfonzo 53 Carlos Delgado 51 Carlos Beltran 47 Cliff Floyd 44 Bobby Bonilla 40 Gary Carter 40 John Olerud 39 Dave Kingman 38 Keith Hernandez 38 Robin Ventura 36 Jeff Kent 34 Jos� Reyes 30 Mookie Wilson 28 G-Fafif Jan 22 2009 10:06 AM Has anyone ever noticed whether the Apple rose on Met Inside-the-Park HRs? Or was the Apple operator too overcome with shock to get the fruit up in the air? FYI, the following ITPHRs were hit at Shea in the Apple Era: Wally Backman, 7/31/82 Mark Bradley, 8/31/83 Darryl Strawberry, 5/3/89 Marlon Anderson, 6/11/05 Jose Reyes, 9/7/06 Centerfield Jan 22 2009 10:08 AM Never would I have guessed George Foster would be on that list. Edgy DC Jan 22 2009 10:09 AM Jeff Kent, apple polisher. John Cougar Lunchbucket Jan 22 2009 10:23 AM I was at the Mark Bradley ITPHR game. I don't remember if the apple went up because I was too busy razzing Dodgers RF Mike Marshall for making the poor decision to dive that led to it.

="metirish"]I dunno but that just sounds like trouble to me , with it's expected weight and all. I'd hate to see Beltran and whoever is in RF get crushed by the apple. The apple won't be rising while the Mets are in the field. It's the opposing outfielders who have to fear the apple!

Fortunately, at least in this case, I have no brother. Is that really a real photo? It looks very Photoshoppy, like McGwire's head was placed on an exceptionally tanned body from a Charles Atlas type advertisement.

Has anyone ever laughed their way to the bank? I think anyone who does that would probably be carted away in a straightjacket.

A jerk. I wish we had kept him!

I'm disappointed that the apple has a flat bottom, rather than a realistic apple-like bottom. I know the bottom never rises completely out of the hat, but I'd feel better knowing the apple was botanically correct. Now we have to track down the company working on the new giant magician's hat.

I noticed that page gave a local weather report for former Mets farmtown Mankato.

I really doubt they'll be criticized if they don't honor the next president, four or eight years from now, with a bobblehead doll. And anyway, you can't let yourself be paralyzed by fear of criticism.

Church signs a one-year deal for $2.8 million. Pagan signs a split contract which will pay $575,000 while he's in the big leagues. I keep forgetting about Pagan.

Yes, it's the Tom Martin who was here in 2001. He'll be 39 in May.

We'll have to check the forum archives from 1963 through 1965 to make sure.

Maybe some team is interested in Reed and the Mets signed Sullivan prior to a trade. Neither Sullivan nor Reed seem like guys who'd be slated for Buffalo, so I suspect something else will happen.

I may be hopelessly old-fashioned, but I don't think 234 innings is all that superhuman. In 1973, at the same age, Tom Seaver pitched 290 innings. And it didn't seem to derail his career.

I don't think Santana was overused either. Pelfrey, maybe, but not Santana.

This confused me at first -- I thought you were talking about an interview in the sense that a journalist would do one, but you're talking about a job interview! I thought, wouldn't I have been asking questions all along?

="DocTee":80xws8bv]I'm hoping he spends the whole season in Buffalo! Anything else is a sure sign that the Mets staff is in serious trouble.[/quote:80xws8bv] No, not really. It could be a sign that Fossum is pitching better than one guy in the Mets bullpen, and promoting him would improve the team. I don't see the point in hoping a Triple-A player isn't going to perform well enough to help the major league team. DocTee Jan 19 2009 05:44 PM My hope is that the ML staff performs well enough that they need not call on Fossum.

Ford pardoned Nixon before he was convicted of anything.

As I type this, there are 25 hours and 44 minutes left in the Bush presidency. My guess is that he WON'T pardon Roger Clemens. But we'll find out for sure soon enough.

I too would prefer Sheets. Even if he misses time with an injury, we'll probably get as many good starts from Sheets as from Perez, and fewer bad starts.

I'm not sure they have to. The existing parking lot served Shea for the last few years, and Shea held more fans than Citi will.

="David Lennon in Newsday":24839p42]For his part, Minaya has played it cool, suggesting that he has other options if Perez falls through. Two of the most intriguing names still available are Ben Sheets and Andy Pettitte, with the Mets only recently showing interest in the former Brewers ace. A person familiar with the situation said yesterday that Sheets is now being discussed, but it's unclear what the parameters of such a deal would be.[/quote:24839p42] Edgy DC Jan 17 2009 07:33 PM I think he probably has a few fingers in the trade market. Fman99 Jan 18 2009 02:10 PM This rumor is picking up steam. MLB.com[/url:las1k666] now quoting Newsday's story. I like. Frayed Knot Jan 18 2009 06:30 PM Of course that doesn't mean the talks are picking up, only that news outlets are citing each other as sources. Meanwhile, Pedro seems to be talking to Pittsburgh. Kong76 Jan 18 2009 06:40 PM The thought of Pedro riding into the sunset in Pittsburgh makes me laugh out loud. Not lol, laugh out loud. Retire, or sign with the Mets or Sawx in some kind of limited role. metsguyinmichigan Jan 18 2009 11:16 PM Is this Sheet AND Ollie or Sheets OR Ollie? Assuming we're going after Ollie, too. If we were relying on Sheets to be "the man," I'd be against it. But basically we're filling out our rotation, with a number of other options. Johan, Pelfrey, Sheets, Ollie and Maine with Redding and Neise in the wings is a pretty damn good rotation. MFS62 Jan 19 2009 04:46 AM ="Kong76":23f3gaue]The thought of Pedro riding into the sunset in Pittsburgh makes me laugh out loud. Not lol, laugh out loud. [/quote:23f3gaue] A great player ending his career in Pitsburgh isn't that bad. He'd be in pretty good company with Hank Greenberg. Later Frayed Knot Jan 19 2009 06:15 AM ="metsguyinmichigan":va8fttx0]Is this Sheet AND Ollie or Sheets OR Ollie?[/quote:va8fttx0] I suspect one or the other but not both. Rockin' Doc Jan 19 2009 06:43 AM From what I have read in most reports, Perez is the Mets first choice now that Lowe is in Atlanta. Sheets, Wolf, Garland, etc. are potential back up plans should Perez (and Boras) play hard to get. Personally, I think I would prefer to have Sheets. Perez has a tremendous arm and great stuff, but he often leaves me wondering where his head is at. Benjamin Grimm Jan 19 2009 06:51 AM I too would prefer Sheets. Even if he misses time with an injury, we'll probably get as many good starts from Sheets as from Perez, and fewer bad starts. Vince Coleman Firecracker Jan 19 2009 10:06 AM I would rather 150 innings of Sheets and 50 of Niese than 200 of Perez, and 100/100 of those two might still be more useful than a full season of Ollie. Centerfield Jan 20 2009 08:18 AM Lots more sources picking up on the Mets interest in Sheets. Tom Verducci was talking about it on the MLB Network, there's a piece in the Daily News this morning. The more I think about it, they really have to pull the trigger on Sheets. It is the only way they can significantly improve the rotation from last year. And they need to improve the pitching if they're not going to do anything about the lineup. TransMonk Jan 20 2009 09:18 AM I'm not a big fan of Sheets...his upsides and downsides are terribly drastic. That being said, he probably has the best potential upside available for next season. His eldest son is named after Tom Seaver. That's gotta be worth something I guess. DocTee Jan 24 2009 09:57 AM According to Buster Olney, Texas mulling a two-year, $16M offer to Ben. http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/story/1162289.html That's a steal, considering: "Over the last five seasons, the 30-year-old Sheets has an ERA of 3.24; his ERA has never been higher than 3.82 in any season, and was as low as 2.70 in 2004. His strikeout-to-walk ratio has never been worse than 2.87 to 1. Hitters have never had an OPS against him, in any season, higher than .705. In 2008, Sheets made 31 starts, threw 198 1/3 innings, posted an ERA of 3.09 while pitching in Milwaukee's bandbox, held opposing hitters to a .390 slugging percentage, started for the National League in the All-Star Game, struck out 158 while walking just 47..." metsmarathon Jan 24 2009 10:32 AM grr... Frayed Knot Jan 24 2009 11:14 AM Sheets lives in Texas which may give them the inside track there. Be nice if Omar were to match that offer and convince Big Ben that staying in the NL and staying out of that hitters' haven with the daily 90+ degree heat will be better for him in the long run. Then tell Boras that he can review that offer plus this newest one we supposedly made to Ollie and tell him first one to say yes gets the job. Nymr83 Jan 24 2009 12:16 PM ]According to Buster Olney, Texas mulling a two-year, $16M offer to Ben sounds cheap, offer him a 3rd year at the same price Omar! metsmarathon Jan 24 2009 12:57 PM uh, i'd go 2x9 before i went 3x8. but i'd be happy to include a vesting option for the third. Rockin' Doc Jan 24 2009 01:33 PM I like marathon's plan. Sheets has tremendous talent, but given his injury history I don't want to see the Mets guarantee more than two years to him. Centerfield Jan 24 2009 08:25 PM Come on Omar. At least make a fucking offer. Fman99 Jan 24 2009 08:39 PM ="Centerfield":3glgv0y9]Come on Omar. At least make a fucking offer.[/quote:3glgv0y9] Do something. Jeez, pitchers and catchers report in what, 3 weeks? metirish Jan 24 2009 08:44 PM Watch the MFY's come in a sign him. Frayed Knot Jan 25 2009 06:34 PM Just a few warning signs via the Ft Worth Star-Telegram: Lingering concerns over the status of Ben Sheets� right elbow could ultimately prevent the Texas Rangers from signing the free-agent All-Star pitcher to an incentive-laden contract. The Rangers have examined Sheets� medical reports, but sources said the club wants the most recent information on his torn flexor tendon. It�s an injury the Rangers know too well. Jason Jennings lasted only six starts last season before suffering a second torn flexor tendon in nine months. In both instances � August 2007 and May 2008 � Jennings had surgery. Sheets� tear did not require surgery, and he has resumed his normal preseason throwing program. He threw twice last week at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. However, the Highland Park resident has not undergone a physical and would have to pass one performed by Rangers doctors before a deal could be completed. The likelihood that an agreement will be reached by Monday, if at all this week, is waning. Centerfield Jan 26 2009 10:16 AM Is a torn flexor tendon what knocked out Wagner? The article doesn't make it clear whether the Rangers are concerned because he had a torn flexor tendon, or whether they feel he still has a torn flexor tendon. Edgy DC Jan 26 2009 10:26 AM I'm a fan of Ben Sheets and want the Mets in the mix, but I think the fans are being too hard here on poor ol' Omar. 1) Yeah, Sheets numbers from last year make him look pretty healthy, but that's because his injury took place at the end of the season, after he logged those numbers, but it shut him down for the playoffs. And the nature of an injury at the end of your season and your contract means that nobody knows the extent of the damage or what they're getting until you take the mound somewhere and log some time. 2) Isn't Omar getting somewhat hammered for the lost gamble he took on Moises Alou? If you pressure your GM to roll the dice, be a little more forgiving when he craps out once in a while. A Texas Ranger blogger takes a close look at this injury history here: http://rangersblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2009/01/the-ben-sheets-medical-file.html Maybe Sheets and Nolan can talk blister cures. batmagadanleadoff Jan 26 2009 10:53 AM ="Centerfield":11j9ihkf]Is a torn flexor tendon what knocked out Wagner? The article doesn't make it clear whether the Rangers are concerned because he had a torn flexor tendon, or whether they feel he still has a torn flexor tendon.[/quote:11j9ihkf] Flexor Shmexor. I'm worried that Johan Santana might've sustained some permanent and irreversible diminishment of his abilities as a result of the surgery to repair his torn left meniscus. I realize that his injury is considered minor but still, it's Johan's rear pitching leg. On the other hand, no one else seems to be making a big deal about the surgery. And Santana did pitch his best game of last season while injured. So maybe there's not much to this. Frayed Knot Jan 26 2009 10:58 AM ="Centerfield":11erg5gp]Is a torn flexor tendon what knocked out Wagner? The article doesn't make it clear whether the Rangers are concerned because he had a torn flexor tendon, or whether they feel he still has a torn flexor tendon.[/quote:11erg5gp] Wagner's was a ligament tear. That's what TJ surgery is needed to fix. Sheets' flexor tendon tear did not have surgery - probably meaning it isn't thought to be severe enough and he can still pitch with it while it heals or remains strong enough on its own. Maybe it can but that's a risk whoever signs him is going to need to consider. Edgy DC Jan 26 2009 11:17 AM He may want to pull an Astacio and do some showcase pitching in the Caribbean. smg58 Feb 05 2009 11:56 AM [url:2ctckaya]http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090205&content_id=3801488&vkey=hotstove2008&fext=.jsp[/url:2ctckaya] The poor guy just can't buy a break. Nymr83 Feb 05 2009 12:47 PM sounds like a good time to sign him for cheap and hope he can help out in the second half or even for 2010 seawolf17 Feb 05 2009 01:36 PM ="Nymr83":3bzpskk2]sounds like a good time to sign him for cheap and hope he can help out in the second half or even for 2010[/quote:3bzpskk2] Bingo! Two-year, backloaded deal. Didn't the Yankees do that with Jon Lieber? Frayed Knot Feb 05 2009 02:38 PM Re: Leiber; yes, but I think it was post-surgery and not pre. Plus you don't want to do this at a time when it'll cost you a draft pick. So maybe after the cut-n-slice sounds like it worked and after the draft is done in June and you're off the hook for compensation it may be time to look into a rehab signing. Nymr83 Feb 05 2009 02:40 PM its strange that Sheets, if he knew he might need surgery, didn't accept arbitration from the Brewers. attgig Feb 05 2009 03:03 PM perhaps he had differing opinion vs the rangers doctors. him/his doctors didn't think he needed surgery, but the rangers docs did. and once ONE team's docs blackball you, it's gonna be impossible to get anything from any other team. Ashie62 Feb 05 2009 03:50 PM Sheets out 4-6 months for partially torn flexor tendon That answers that DocTee Feb 05 2009 04:20 PM Tough break. You know who I'd like to see the Mets take a flyer on: Mark Mulder. Centerfield Feb 06 2009 08:00 AM ="Ashie62":k5uv0414]Sheets out 4-6 months for partially torn flexor tendon That answers that[/quote:k5uv0414] That makes no sense. If that was the prognosis, why not have the surgery back in October? John Cougar Lunchbucket Feb 06 2009 08:28 AM ="Centerfield":125azak8]="Ashie62":125azak8]Sheets out 4-6 months for partially torn flexor tendon That answers that[/quote:125azak8] That makes no sense. If that was the prognosis, why not have the surgery back in October?[/quote:125azak8] Apparently the injury was revealed as part of a physical examination the Rangers required as a condition of a 2-year contract offer, now revoked. There is a question as to whether the Brewers will pay the doctor bills, paper sez. Nymr83 Feb 06 2009 08:38 AM thats going to be a question for the collective bargaining agreement, his last contract, and/or worker's comp laws. this is probably a good opportunity for the brewers to sign him for 2 years backloaded for cheap, maybe with a semi-expensive option for 2011 that kicks in with 200 innings in 2010. they'll probably be paying for his rehab anyway so they might as well be able to direct it and benefit from it