Benjamin Grimm

Newsday poll wrote: Should the Mets pursue Cuban defector Jose Abreu (1B)? Yes, he could be a game-changer (195) 49% Yes, but only if the price is right (118) 30% No, too many unknowns (54) 14% He's good, but the Mets already have Ike Davis at first base (32) 8% What's up with the 8 per cent who said "He's good, but the Mets already have Ike Davis at first base"?

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: It does sound as though the Phillies grabbed Sandberg with the idea of having a successor. This is a bit different then when the Mets had no idea what they'd do next when they pushed Randolph out. For one they believed they'd get back into the race (they did), but in retrospect it was a big mistake to have stuck with Jerry when they could have opened it up for anyone. And if the Mets did have a successor in waiting, they'd be criticized for that too, for having somebody breathing down Willie's neck.

And many of them held by mushy white-haired mediocrities.

metsguyinmichigan wrote: Why not let Charlie finish the season for them? It's not like the Phils are going to be roaring back into contention, he's had a ton of injuries and did well with the team for a long time. I agree. He's done a hell of a job for them over many years, and he deserves a better exit than that. They could at least have called the press conference for 2:30 a.m. instead of p.m.

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Phils call a press conference for this afternoon for the purpose of whacking Cholly Manual. All I was able to find was this: PHILADELPHIA - The Philadelphia Phillies have called a news conference for Friday afternoon, but they have not disclosed the topic. The news conference is being held at 2:30 p.m. in the media interview room at Citizens Bank Park. The media alert did not list who would be attending to speak at the "Press conference to announce news from the Phillies." That would be pretty harsh to fire him at this point. He should at least get to finish out the season. My guess, if this is about Manuel, is that they're announcing that he'll finish the season and then move into an advisory front office role.

I know I'll never have time to watch it straight through, but I watched random bits of it just now. I got a kick out of hearing Ralph refer to Alex Trevino as "Lee", a mistake I think he made frequently, as I recall. And Ralph, in his recap, announced the Schaefer points! (SPOILER ALERT: Trevino 4, Mazzilli 2, Stearns 2).

It's also a tough thing to judge in real time. There have been times when I've seen double plays that looked like egregious examples of the neighborhood play, but on replay it seemed that the second baseman had the ball in his glove and his foot on the bag at the same time, if only for the briefest instant. I wouldn't be surprised if challenges to the neighborhood call were rejected frequently enough to discourage managers from abusing the privilege.

Atchison 1 Buck 0.8 Byrd 2 Germen 1.4 Murphy 0.8 Satin 0.7 Wheeler 3.3

Yeah, really. I'd rather see an increase in offense because of the elimination of the phantom double play than by the DH or PEDs.

If he can play first base, he's hired!

Ultimate Mets Database Facebook page wrote: As you may know, Felix Millan, in 1975, is the only Mets player ever to play in every game of a 162-game season. John Olerud is the only other Met to appear in 162 games, but that was in the 163-game 1999 season. Daniel Murphy has appeared in all 118 games that the Mets have played this season. How many other Mets, we're sure you're wondering, have played in 118 straight games to start a season? We're glad you asked! The answer is, in addition to Murphy and Millan, five. And here they are: Roy McMillan, 1965. (Final total: 157 games) Doug Flynn, 1978. (Final total: 156 games) Doug Flynn, 1980. (Final total: 128 games) Bobby Bonilla, 1993. (Final total: 139 games) John Olerud, 1998. (Final total: 160 games)

I wouldn't think so either, but arbitrators are notoriously unpredictable. I would hope, though, that Ike and his agent would figure it would be smart enough not to ask for anything too high.

I can't imagine that Ike will get too big a number in arbitration. And if he did, the Mets do have the option to release him (or trade him) and not pay the money.

Owners will vote on replay proposal Get ready for something completely different as baseball prepares to expand instant replay: Managers' challenges, NFL style. Baseball owners are considering a proposal under which managers would initiate replay reviews. MLB vice president Joe Torre gave the replay presentation to representatives from all 30 teams on Wednesday and it was discussed Thursday morning in Cooperstown, NY, where representatives of all 30 teams have been meeting for two days. Under the proposed rules, managers will be allowed two challenges over the first six innings of games and one after the seventh inning. Calls that are challenged will be reviewed by a crew in MLB headquarters in New York City, which will make the final ruling. Still unclear: Whether umpires would initiate certain reviews � for instance, on disputed home runs � and whether an incorrect challenge would prevent a manager from making additional challenges later in the game. Commissioner Bud Selig called it a historic moment for the game in a press conference in Cooperstown on Thursday. Baseball wants to implement expanded replay for the 2014 season, sources said. However, the sport must go through a series of steps before actually introducing any new plan. The proposal, which is subject to further discussion and change, is to be voted on by the owners in November. A 75 percent vote by the owners is needed for approval and the players' association and umpires would have to agree to any changes to the current system. Atlanta Braves President John Schuerholz, a member of the replay committee, says the umpires are receptive to the change. Schuerholz says 89 percent of incorrect calls made in the past will be reviewable. The addition of managers' challenges would introduce a fresh element of strategy. But some owners might object to any slowdown in play; commissioner Bud Selig has expressed repeated concerns about the pace of game. Baseball has used replay on boundary home-run calls since 2008. The sport�s most recent labor agreement included a provision to expand replay to decisions on foul lines and traps, subject to an agreement with the umpires. But those changes have yet to be implemented. The owners are weighing even more extensive replay that would include calls on the bases. Certain calls might be �non-reviewable,� and umpires would continue to be the sole arbiters of balls and strikes, sources said.

Brown 1 Byrd 3 Gee 3 Rice 1.5 Torres 1.5

We've reached the time of year when, traditionally, participation drops and I wonder if I should bother continuing to do this. I will at least see it out through the end of the year. Voting for Tuesday's game will close on Friday afternoon, some time after 2 p.m. Schaefer POTG, 8/13/2013: Dodgers 4 Mets 2

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: I don't believe the Mets can go into another season -- particularly one where they intend on contending -- hoping he doesn't doom us to irrelevancy by May again. Either he has to go, or the team needs the kind of depth to bat him 8th on opening day. I agree. I've been a big fan of Ike, and had high hopes for him. But enough is enough. It's time to go in another direction.

SCHAEFER METS PLAYER OF THE WEEK, 2013 Week ending April 6: John Buck, 7.21 points. Week ending April 13: Matt Harvey, 9.04 points. Week ending April 20: David Wright, 6.24 points. Week ending April 27: David Wright, 4.68 points. Week ending May 4: Ruben Tejada, 5.03 points. Week ending May 11: Matt Harvey, 5.94 points. Week ending May 18: Daniel Murphy, 10.08 points. Week ending May 25: Daniel Murphy, 6.86 points. Week ending June 1: Daniel Murphy, 5.80 points. Week ending June 8: Omar Quintanilla, 4.59 points. Week ending June 15: David Wright, 6.68 points. Week ending June 22: Omar Quintanilla, 5.20 points. Week ending June 29: Matt Harvey, 8.78 points. Week ending July 6: Kirk Nieuwenhuis, 6.19 points. Week ending July 13: Jeremy Hefner, 8.13 points. Week ending July 20: Marlon Byrd, 4.46 points. Week ending July 27: Matt Harvey, 10.15 points. Week ending August 3: Daniel Murphy, 4.59 points. Week ending August 10: Wilmer Flores, 5.73 points.

Voting for Monday night's loss in L.A. will close on Thursday afternoon, some time after 2 p.m. Schaefer POTG 8/12/13 - Dodgers 4, Mets 2

Lagares 1 Harvey 0.75 Germen 0.5 Atchison 0.5